Three races into the NASCAR Cup Series 2020 season and we have three different winners with three different teams. The restarts have been amazing and 7-time champion Jimmie Johnson is even making a couple top 10 finishes. Sam and Brian are in the FOX4 Racezone to talk about the racing so far this season and what drivers need to start stepping it up. Also a big talk this week has been the Next Gen car announcement with NASCAR going to a single lug-nut design. 

FOX4 Race Zone

Talking Auto Club Speedway, expectations for Phoenix and Next Gen car

Denny Hamlin wins his third Daytona 500 victory and days after being involved in a horrific lap on the last lap, Ryan Newman is walking out of the hospital. Safe to say it has been one insane start to the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season. Sam Atwell and Brian Dulle are back in the FOX4 Race Zone to break it all down. 

A crazy start to the 2020 NASCAR season

Kevin Harvick now joins Martin Truex Jr. after his win at Texas Sunday to be locked in for a run at the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Championship at Homestead. Bad luck continued to follow Chase Elliott who was already in a must win situation after having mechanical trouble at Martinsville. Hamlin came into the race second in points but after leaves Texas fifth and 20 points behind Logano in fourth. Sam Atwell and Brian Dulle discuss what drivers besides Truex and Harvick are most likely to move on with a shot at the championship at this point. Only three drivers in the last 20 years have won more than one NASCAR cup championship. They are Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson. 

After Texas, multiple Cup drivers must win to move on to Homestead for championship run

Denny Hamlin was the car to beat October 20, 2019 in a chaotic elimination race at Kansas Speedway. Four more drivers, including Kansas native Clint Bowyer, are now out. Chase Elliott had a fast car and was in a must win situation to move on. Or so everyone thought. Luck seemed to go his way as Brad Keslowski had trouble and ended up below the cut line. Sam Atwell and Brian Dulle discuss Sunday's race and what we can expect with just four races left in the 2019 season. 

After chaotic elimination race in Kansas, 8 drivers hope to move on to Homestead

After Talladega, Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney remain the only drivers locked into the NASCAR round of 8. The three Hendrick drivers in the playoffs are all in a must win situation along with Kansas native Clint Bowyer. We saw multiple wrecks and an exciting photo finish with Blaney and Ryan Newman Monday afternoon. With the race this Sunday being an elimination race, Sam Atwell and Brian Dulle break down what craziness we might see at the Kansas Speedway this Sunday. 

Big wrecks and a photo finish at Talladega, get ready for more excitement at Kansas

After nearly wrecking his race car, Chase Elliott was still able to come away with the win on The Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the first elimination race in the 2019 NASCAR Cup playoffs. Multiple drivers battled to stay in but in the end four drivers had to be eliminated. The next round is expected to be packed with excitement with racing at Dover, Talladega and the elimination race at the Kansas Speedway. 

An exciting and sloppy end to round one in first elimination race of 2019 NASCAR playoffs

Martin Truex Jr. rallied Saturday, September 21, 2019, passing teammate Kyle Busch to win the second race in the first round of the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. With just one race left in the first round, multiple drivers, including Kansas native Clint Bowyer and Erik Jones, who was disqualified after his Toyota failed post-race inspection. 

After Richmond, multiple drivers in must win situation to move on in NASCAR playoffs

Kevin Harvick dominated at the Brickyard Sunday, September 8, 2019, to win his second race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. As it has all season long, bad luck continued for 7-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson after he crashed with 55 laps to go, ruining 15 consecutive season making it into the postseason. Sam Atwell and Brian Dulle discuss what drivers are lucky to be in the playoffs and whether or not we will see a repeating NASCAR Cup champion or a first time champion. 

The NASCAR Cup playoff field is set for the first time without Jimmie Johnson

With just a couple races left in the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series, it’s crunch time to try and get a win for those drivers unable to get in on points. Sam Atwell and Brian Dulle are in the FOX4 Race Zone talking Denny Hamlin’s win over what could have been Matt DiBenedetto’s first cup win in the same week it was announced he won’t be racing for Leavine Family Racing in 2020. As well as the horrifying plane crash that Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his family were involved in on their way to Bristol. 

Hamlin spoils Matt DiBenedetto’s first win and Earnhardt Jr. walks away from plane crash

Chase Elliott dominated the race Sunday at Watkins Glen, returning to victory lane for the second time at the track he earned his first win a year ago. The NASCAR playoffs are just a few weeks away. Sam Atwell and Brian Dulle discuss what drivers are safe and what drivers need to worry about making it. 

Chase Elliott battles Truex Jr. for the win and Bubba Wallace spins Kyle Busch at Watkins Glen

Denny Hamlin had just enough fuel to get the job done Sunday in what was a way more exciting race at Pocono Raceway this time compared to just a little over a month ago. Sam Atwell and Brian Dulle discuss Hamlin’s win, the continued bad luck for Chase Elliott and maybe some good luck for Jimmie Johnson for once. 

Hamlin races past teammates to win more exciting race at Pocono as some good luck comes Jimmie Johnson’s way

An exciting finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Sunday afternoon as Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin battled side by side in the last laps of the race. Sam Atwell and Brian Dulle are in the FOX4 Race Zone to discuss Harvick’s win as well as continued bad luck for Jimmie Johnson and the 48 team. 

Harvick uses late bump and run to win at New Hampshire as bad luck continues for Jimmie Johnson

Another exciting Saturday night under the lights for Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series as Kurt Busch finally beat his younger brother Kyle Busch to get his first win of the season and his first win for Chip Ganassi Racing. Sam Atwell and Brian Dulle are in the FOX4 Racezone to discuss what this win means for Kurt and the Chip Ganassi race team. 

Kurt Busch beats younger brother Kyle at Kentucky for first win with Chip Ganassi Racing

Daytona is known for producing some wild finishes and unexpected winners, but Sunday’s race didn’t feel that way. Justin Haley, at just 20-years-old and just his third career Cup start, got his first win after a big wreck red flagged the race and was followed by rain and lightning. Sam Atwell and Brian Dulle discuss the disappointing end to July racing at Daytona Beach. 

Mother Nature doesn’t like racing at Daytona in July either

As the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup series season reaches its half way mark for the season. Martin Truex Jr. and his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates are continuing to find success in the 2019 season. However, drivers like 7-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson have yet to find success. Sam Atwell and Brian Dulle are in the FOX4 Race Zone to talk about it. 

Truex Jr. holds off Kyle Busch for another win at Sonoma

Sam Atwell and Brian Dulle talk all things NASCAR each week following the latest race. 