Zack Albert
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NC by birth, music lover by upbringing, NASCAR guy by career path
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Articles by Zack Albert
Analysis: Anticlimactic or not, Larson reaches racing's rare air with third Cup title
HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Even Kyle Larson admitted that the way he clinched his third NASCAR Cup Series championship verged toward buzzkill. The 34-year-old California kid salted a hard-fought title away in an abbreviated Stage 1, with nary a “WOO!” or even a lower-case “woo” over the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet's radio. The championship stage wouldn't be wheeled to the frontstretch for nearly 190 laps, and the whirring of calculators was the clinch soundtrack instead of fireworks.
Spire taps Stephen Doran as crew chief for No. 71 ride, McDowell in 2027
Your browser does not support the audio element. Spire Motorsports announced Monday that Stephen Doran will serve as crew chief of the No. 71 Chevrolet for veteran driver Michael McDowell in the NASCAR Cup Series next year. Doran will make the move from Trackhouse Racing’s No. 97 Chevy and driver Shane van Gisbergen at season’s end. He replaces Travis Peterson, who has been paired with McDowell for the last four seasons — two with Front Row Motorsports and two with Spire.
Analysis: Anticlimactic or not, Kyle Larson reaches racing’s ‘rare air’ with third Cup title Original
Your browser does not support the audio element. HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Even Kyle Larson admitted that the way he clinched his third NASCAR Cup Series championship verged toward buzzkill. The 34-year-old California kid salted a hard-fought title away in an abbreviated Stage 1, with nary a “WOO!” or even a lower-case “woo” over the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet’s radio.
Jesse Love's O'Reilly title defense ends: 'These things sting'; Kvapil, Creed, Day fall short
HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Jesse Love made a point to stroll the length of several pit stalls Saturday evening at Homestead-Miami Speedway, embracing each member of his No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet team before fulfilling his post-race obligations. His title defense in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series had just ended one spot short in the standings, but he made sure to share his appreciation with his colleagues from the last three seasons.
What to Watch: Final boss battle for Cup championship boils down to Homestead finale Original
Your browser does not support the audio element. Track: Homestead-Miami Speedway Location: Homestead, Florida Track length: 1.5 miles When: 3 p.m. ET Where to tune in: NBC, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Race purse: $13,855,063 Race distance: 267 laps | 400.5 miles Stages: 80 | 165 | 267 Sunday’s starting lineup | Pit stall assignments A racer’s track returns as championship host HOMESTEAD, Fla.
Carson Hocevar addresses Martinsville incident, Spire suspension
Your browser does not support the audio element. HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Carson Hocevar held court and answered questions about his recent on-track conduct Friday afternoon at Homestead-Miami Speedway, two days ahead of a NASCAR Cup Series season finale that he won’t run, saying “I lost the keys to my car for the weekend.
Kaulig Racing taps Allmendinger, Ty Dillon to return as part of Dodge switch in 2027 Original
Your browser does not support the audio element. HOMESTEAD, Fla. — The next phase in Dodge’s multi-stage re-entry into the NASCAR Cup Series now has two driver names atop the driver’s side doors. Kaulig Racing officials said Friday that AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon will return to the organization next year, announcing the personnel move during NASCAR Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Justin Allgaier savors JRM return, enters O’Reilly Series finale ‘on house money’ in title fight Original
Your browser does not support the audio element. HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Justin Allgaier is here at Homestead-Miami Speedway, loose, upbeat and in the driver’s seat for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship race. Based on an announcement that he made with his JR Motorsports team earlier this week, he’ll also be back in the driver’s seat of his No. 7 Chevrolet for 2027 and more.
Shared goals, mutual respect shape Honeycutt vs. Riggs battle in Truck finale
Your browser does not support the audio element. HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Kaden Honeycutt enters this weekend’s season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway with a hefty dose of perspective. He’s one race away from potentially securing the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship for the first time, but he’s also a matter of months away from an even bigger life event: becoming a dad. Honeycutt and his wife, Jessica, announced in August the expected arrival of their first child, a boy, due next February.
Lasting legacy: Kyle Busch’s 2019 title run leaves mark on Homestead’s rich history Original
Your browser does not support the audio element. Bill Janitz kind of knew. The first impression that Kyle Busch made on him that November morning gave him that hunch. Janitz, Busch’s longtime public-relations rep, had orchestrated his driver’s weekend schedule for years, with pre-race engagements thoroughly planned down to the minute. Busch liked things organized. If there was a lapse in preparation, Janitz said Busch would let you know.
On 'average day' at Martinsville, Larson puts third Cup title in closer reach
MARTINSVILLE, Va. — In a season full of opportunities presented and opportunities realized, one more — the biggest of all — is right in front of Kyle Larson and his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team. A muddled Sunday at Martinsville Speedway didn't make his quest for a third NASCAR Cup Series championship a gimme, and Larson's struggles kept him from sewing up the crown early. That said, Larson and Co. are that much closer to knitting the title race's final stitch.
On ‘average day’ at Martinsville, Larson puts third Cup title in closer reach Original
Your browser does not support the audio element. MARTINSVILLE, Va. — In a season full of opportunities presented and opportunities realized, one more — the biggest of all — is right in front of Kyle Larson and his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team. A muddled Sunday at Martinsville Speedway didn’t make his quest for a third NASCAR Cup Series championship a gimme, and Larson’s struggles kept him from sewing up the crown early.
Love wrecks in waning laps of Martinsville Chase race; title fight tightens in top five
MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Justin Allgaier walked over and grabbed the shoulders of Jesse Love in a consoling show of sympathy for the fright-filled Halloween he'd endured at Martinsville Speedway. It was a cordial conversation and a show of respect between the two most recent NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series champions, who will race it out again for the title in next weekend's finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
What to Watch: Chase drama, final championship cut on tap at Martinsville Original
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RFK Racing, Keselowski agree on ownership split, clearing path to race elsewhere Original
Your browser does not support the audio element. MARTINSVILLE, Va. — RFK Racing announced Saturday morning that the organization has reached the next stage of its severance from driver and co-owner Brad Keselowski, freeing him to continue his driving career elsewhere and concluding his ownership ties.
Luck-changer: Improbable Talladega rally, dazzling finish lift Kyle Larson to the brink of a Chase clincher Original
Your browser does not support the audio element. TALLADEGA, Ala. — How? How exactly does Kyle Larson, a driver with a notable 0-for-23 career mark at Talladega and fresh from last week’s flub at Phoenix, turn in a masterful stroke of superspeedway wizardry, sinking like a stone with half a lap to go in overtime only to power back with an Earnhardt-esque charge that electrified the track’s rabid crowd?
What to Watch: Potential Chase shake-up looms as opportunities, pitfalls arise at Talladega Original
Your browser does not support the audio element. Track: Talladega Superspeedway Location: Talladega, Alabama Track length: 2.66 miles When: 2 p.m. ET Where to tune in: NBC, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Race purse: $11,233,037 Race distance: 188 laps | 500.08 miles Stages: 98 | 143 | 188 Sunday’s starting lineup | Pit stall assignments Chase footing gets shakier at Talladega TALLADEGA, Ala.
In triumphant Talladega return, Carson Hocevar opens up on Zane Smith rivalry: ‘I don’t really care’ Original
Your browser does not support the audio element. TALLADEGA, Ala. — Carson Hocevar opened up about last week’s post-race altercation with rival Zane Smith, saying that he had little interest in ironing out the differences with his rival moving forward. “No, it seems pretty one-sided to me a little bit,” Hocevar said. “So I don’t really care.
Strength amid the struggle: 23XI fueler Brian Dheel’s journey a story of perseverance, tribute Original
Your browser does not support the audio element. Brian Dheel reflects, and the snapshots from winning NASCAR’s biggest race come into vivid focus. The veteran fueler for 23XI Racing’s No. 45 Toyota remembers Daytona International Speedway’s massive frontstretch grandstand dwarfing him as he ran across the trioval grass, where he and his pit-road teammates were waiting to catch Tyler Reddick as he dove from his winning car into their arms. Dheel had come close to Daytona 500 glory before.
Analysis: Championship pursuit becomes a crowd after Larson's exit, Phoenix chaos
AVONDALE, Ariz. — Cliff Daniels has a way of finding the bright side in most situations. The ever-unflappable crew chief and leader of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet managed to draw positives from Kyle Larson's frustrating and abbreviated three-point day at Phoenix Raceway, one that cut the knees out from under the team's once-mighty control of the NASCAR Cup Series Chase.
Sheldon Creed falls from O'Reilly Series Chase lead after Phoenix short-circuit
AVONDALE, Ariz. — Sheldon Creed's lead in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase disappeared with the flip of a switch. Creed's mood-dampening 32nd-place finish Saturday at Phoenix Raceway altered the complexion of the postseason with just three races left in the 2026 campaign, opening an avenue for defending series champ Jesse Love to grab the reins with a dominating victory in the Timberland Pro 200 .
What to Watch: Can anyone catch Kyle Larson? For his challengers, Chase hopes ride on Phoenix Original
Your browser does not support the audio element. Track: Phoenix Raceway Location: Avondale, Arizona Track length: 1 mile When: 3 p.m. ET Where to tune in: USA Network, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Race purse: $11,233,037 Race distance: 312 laps | 312 miles Stages: 60 | 185 | 312 Sunday’s starting lineup | Pit stall assignments Chase hopes hinge on Phoenix opportunity AVONDALE, Ariz.
'Nothing building' between McDowell, Stenhouse after hauler meeting at Phoenix
'Nothing building' between McDowell, Stenhouse after hauler meeting at Phoenix 1 / 2 AVONDALE, Ariz. — Michael McDowell and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. emerged from the NASCAR Cup Series hauler after a Saturday morning at-track consultation with officials, saying that they were ready to move past their dispute.
‘Nothing building’ between McDowell, Stenhouse after hauler meeting at Phoenix
Your browser does not support the audio element. AVONDALE, Ariz. — Michael McDowell and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. emerged from the NASCAR Cup Series hauler after a Saturday morning at-track consultation with officials, saying that they were ready to move past their dispute. The two Cup Series veterans shared a moderated meeting with competition directors Saturday at Phoenix Raceway, six days after their on-track get-together in last weekend’s contest at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Brennan Poole to join Jordan Anderson Racing's No. 31 team for 2027
AVONDALE, Ariz. — Jordan Anderson Racing announced another key component to its 2027 plans Friday, signing veteran Brennan Poole as full-time driver of its No. 31 Chevrolet in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series next season. The announcement came at Phoenix Raceway, site of Saturday's Timberland PRO 200 (7:30 p.m. ET, The CW, ESPN Unlimited, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase.
Brennan Poole to join Jordan Anderson Racing's No. 31 team for 2027
AVONDALE, Ariz. — Jordan Anderson Racing announced another key component to its 2027 plans Friday, signing veteran Brennan Poole as full-time driver of its No. 31 Chevrolet in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series next season. The announcement came at Phoenix Raceway, site of Saturday's Timberland PRO 200 (7:30 p.m. ET, The CW, ESPN Unlimited, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase.
Sheldon Creed joins Sam Hunt Racing with multiyear deal Original
Sam Hunt Racing announced Saturday that NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series points leader Sheldon Creed will join the team for next season and beyond, striking a multiyear deal as driver of the No. 26 Toyota. Creed, who turned 29 years old Wednesday, makes the move after two seasons with Haas Factory Team’s No. 00 group. Creed replaces Dean Thompson, who will shift to the Haas team next year as it expands to a three-car effort.
Rock Chalk this: Kansas dominance lifts Larson, No. 5 team as Chase pendulum swings
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — For a team that spent the better part of the NASCAR season getting grilled, the barbecue in Kansas Speedway's Victory Lane had to be all the more satisfying for Kyle Larson and his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports group. The line of questioning around Larson's defense of his second Cup Series title has since made a dramatic turn.
Rock Chalk this: Kansas dominance lifts Larson, No. 5 team as Chase pendulum swings
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — For a team that spent the better part of the NASCAR season getting grilled, the barbecue in Kansas Speedway’s Victory Lane had to be all the more satisfying for Kyle Larson and his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports group. The line of questioning around Larson’s defense of his second Cup Series title has since made a dramatic turn.
Legacy Motor Club keeps Erik Jones in No. 43 Toyota with multiyear extension
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Legacy Motor Club will keep its longest-tenured NASCAR Cup Series driver in the fold next season and beyond, signing Erik Jones to a multiyear contract extension as driver of its No. 43 Toyota. The team made the announcement Sunday morning at Kansas Speedway, where Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 (3 p.m. ET, USA Network, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) will mark the fourth of 10 races in The Chase presented by Mobil 1.
What to Watch: Kansas showdown looms large in crucial Chase stretch Original
Track: Kansas Speedway Location: Kansas City, Kansas Track length: 1.5 miles When: 3 p.m. ET Where to tune in: USA Network, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Race purse: $11,233,037 Race distance: 267 laps | 400.5 miles Stages: 80 | 165 | 267 Sunday’s starting lineup | Pit stall assignments Intermediate-sized tracks, big-sized pressure in Chase KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Times have radically changed in the roughly five months since the NASCAR Cup Series last visited Kansas Speedway.
Fresh from call to NASCAR hauler, Ty Gibbs on Bristol bottle toss: ‘Definitely shouldn’t have done that’ Original
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Ryan Blaney vs. Carson Hocevar fracas from one week ago at Bristol Motor Speedway had two main characters, but also a bit of a supporting cast from the NASCAR Cup Series garage. Prime among those was Ty Gibbs, an invested third party whose spectating role turned into participation once he lobbed a near-full water bottle into the post-race fray.
‘Definitely unlike me’: Blaney describes slow build-up to Bristol face-off with Hocevar Original
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Six days removed from the post-race antics that put two of NASCAR’s top stars in the rivalry limelight, Ryan Blaney — sporting a black eye under his hat brim — says his Bristol Motor Speedway beef last weekend with Cup Series rival Carson Hocevar was out of character, but also the culmination of multiple factors in what’s been a frustrating postseason.
Bubba Wallace targets Chase momentum at Kansas: 'Winning Sunday ultimately flips the script'
Bubba Wallace targets Chase momentum at Kansas: 'Winning Sunday ultimately flips the script' Bubba Wallace has recently hinted more than once at needing "a generational run" to claw back into the thick of the NASCAR Cup Series postseason. The three Chase presented by Mobil 1 races so far have produced a pair of top-10 finishes for Wallace, resulting in measured, forward movement from his 14th-seeded start to his current perch of 10th in the standings.
Bubba Wallace targets Chase momentum at Kansas: ‘Winning Sunday ultimately flips the script’
Bubba Wallace has recently hinted more than once at needing “a generational run” to claw back into the thick of the NASCAR Cup Series postseason. The three Chase presented by Mobil 1 races so far have produced a pair of top-10 finishes for Wallace, resulting in measured, forward movement from his 14th-seeded start to his current perch of 10th in the standings. Turning the championship hunt on its head will require more than mere consistency, Wallace says, and the timing is ripe for a fall harvest.
RFK Racing, Jeremy Bullins part ways; Skarbowski named No. 6 crew chief Original
RFK Racing announced Monday that the organization has parted ways with Jeremy Bullins, crew chief of team co-owner Brad Keselowski’s No. 6 Ford in the NASCAR Cup Series. RFK indicated in a statement that Bullins had left for “a new opportunity” and that the split was amicable.
Champagne celebration: Chase battle tightens as Bell pops the top at Darlington
Champagne celebration: Chase battle tightens as Bell pops the top at Darlington 1 / 2 DARLINGTON, S.C. — Christopher Bell was downright jubilant in his first visit to Darlington Raceway's Victory Lane, grabbing one of the champagne bottles for an obligatory post-race dousing of colleagues. Given his space in between wins — 33 races, nearly a full season — his slight trouble with the cork could be forgiven.
Sunday setup: Scrapped practice, qualifying upend Darlington's dynamics
DARLINGTON, S.C. — NASCAR Cup Series crew chiefs will have a carbon copy of the rules configuration and Goodyear tire setup that teams managed in their most recent visit to Darlington Raceway in March. What they won't have is the benefit of practice, qualifying or an according-to-form starting lineup.
Erik Jones welcomes Herbst, bids Nemechek farewell on Legacy MC.'s shifting roster: 'Change is hard'
DARLINGTON, S.C. — Few teams have been more squarely in the NASCAR Silly Season crosshairs over the last week than Legacy Motor Club. In the handful of days since team co-owner Jimmie Johnson unveiled the retro-themed No. 48 that he'll run in his Daytona 500 farewell next year, the team announced the pending departure of John Hunter Nemechek from Legacy's No. 42 Toyota, then welcomed Riley Herbst to a full-time spot in the team's No. 84 ride on the next day.
Sunday Setup: Scrapped practice, qualifying upends Darlington’s dynamics
DARLINGTON, S.C. — NASCAR Cup Series crew chiefs will have a carbon copy of the rules configuration and Goodyear tire setup that teams managed in their most recent visit to Darlington Raceway in March. What they won’t have is the benefit of practice, qualifying or an according-to-form starting lineup.
Erik Jones welcomes Herbst, bids Nemechek farewell on Legacy M.C.’s shifting roster: ‘Change is hard’
DARLINGTON, S.C. — Few teams have been more squarely in the NASCAR Silly Season crosshairs over the last week than Legacy Motor Club. In the handful of days since team co-owner Jimmie Johnson unveiled the retro-themed No. 48 that he’ll run in his Daytona 500 farewell next year, the team announced the pending departure of John Hunter Nemechek from Legacy’s No. 42 Toyota, then welcomed Riley Herbst to a full-time spot in the team’s No. 84 ride on the next day.
Sunday Setup: Scrapped practice, qualifying upends Darlington's dynamics
Sunday Setup: Scrapped practice, qualifying upends Darlington's dynamics 1 / 2 DARLINGTON, S.C. — NASCAR Cup Series crew chiefs will have a carbon copy of the rules configuration and Goodyear tire setup that teams managed in their most recent visit to Darlington Raceway in March. What they won't have is the benefit of practice, qualifying or an according-to-form starting lineup.
JR Motorsports sets the Chase pace as favorites in O’Reilly Auto Parts Series title fight Original
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Justin Allgaier has already established himself as a favorite for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship, based not just on his edge in experience but on a brilliant regular-season run. His six wins — and counting — plus remarkable consistency left him 229 points clear of the field after last Friday’s regular-season closer at Daytona International Speedway. His strongest challengers in The Chase presented by Mobil 1, however, may come from within.
Two sides to the season for Tyler Reddick, who enters Chase riding glorious highs and a summertime slip Original
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bubba Wallace has a theory that would explain how the early season good fortune of his 23XI Racing teammate Tyler Reddick turned suddenly sour this summer. It involves a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, his mythical golden horseshoe and a transfer of motorcoach ownership. When Jimmie Johnson’s transportation came into Reddick’s possession, so did the good-luck charm. Or so the theory goes.
Two sides to the season for Tyler Reddick, who enters Chase riding glorious highs and a summertime slip
Two sides to the season for Tyler Reddick, who enters Chase riding glorious highs and a summertime slip
Rocket launch: Ryan Preece seals gritty Daytona win, final Chase slot with ‘fight until the bitter end’
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Even with a new points system, a new postseason format and a new structure for advancing to The Chase in place this season, Ryan Preece gave the NASCAR Cup Series field one last blast of win and you’re in. Against the pressure-packed odds and with a race car that spent one almost-fateful moment Saturday night sliding through the well-manicured trioval grass, Preece upended the playoff order with a long-awaited first points-paying win in NASCAR’s big leagues.
Rocket launch: Ryan Preece seals gritty Daytona win, final Chase slot with 'fight until the bitter end'
Rocket launch: Ryan Preece seals gritty Daytona win, final Chase slot with 'fight until the bitter end' 1 / 2 DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Even with a new points system, a new postseason format and a new structure for advancing to The Chase in place this season, Ryan Preece gave the NASCAR Cup Series field one last blast of win and you're in.
Rocket launch: Ryan Preece seals gritty Daytona win, final Chase slot with 'fight until the bitter end'
Rocket launch: Ryan Preece seals gritty Daytona win, final Chase slot with 'fight until the bitter end'
Darrell Waltrip and a car named ‘Dolly’: How the 1979 season marched to a famous twang
Darrell Waltrip drives a No. 88 Chevy Caprice nicknamed “Dolly” at Martinsville in 1979. (NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images) Darrell Waltrip was well into his five-plus-year tenure with DiGard Racing by the time the 1979 season arrived. The campaign was a critical one for NASCAR’s explosion onto the national sports scene, and Waltrip was rounding into a contender for the Grand National (now Cup Series) championship.
Rajah Caruth overcomes late crash, inches into O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase at Daytona Original
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Rajah Caruth had everything seemingly working in his favor during Friday’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Daytona International Speedway, like being in a hurry and encountering nothing but green lights. He was in go mode … until he wasn’t. A late-race crash spoiled Caruth’s best chance at victory in Friday’s Winn-Dixie 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, but the incident didn’t prevent him from securing the final spot in The Chase during his first full O’Reilly Series season.
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