Kelly Crandall
@kellycrandall.net
https://racer.com/ | https://www.espn.com/ | SiriusXM NASCAR Radio | The Racing Writer's Podcast | 2x NMPA Writer of the Year | Co-author ‘NASCAR 75 Years’
NASCAR's Justin Swilling on postponing the Clash until Monday:
January 31, 2026 at 4:54 PM
NASCAR's Justin Swilling on postponing the Clash until Monday:
The Clash will now be on Monday. Details:
racer.com
January 31, 2026 at 4:53 PM
The Clash will now be on Monday. Details:
Greg Biffle was not flying the plane that took his life and that of six others when it crashed in Statesville, N.C., in December.
racer.com
January 31, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Greg Biffle was not flying the plane that took his life and that of six others when it crashed in Statesville, N.C., in December.
Chase Elliott finds the lens through which his performance is viewed, compared to what he has felt and lived, interesting. In the context of the 2025 season, Elliott didn't think the team hit its peak performance until the last few weeks.
New for ESPN:
New for ESPN:
Elliott finding his way back where he belongs: front of the NASCAR field
Last year was the first time Chase Elliott had won multiple races in a season since 2022. Can he carry that momentum into the 2026 campaign?
www.espn.com
January 31, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Chase Elliott finds the lens through which his performance is viewed, compared to what he has felt and lived, interesting. In the context of the 2025 season, Elliott didn't think the team hit its peak performance until the last few weeks.
New for ESPN:
New for ESPN:
The preliminary entry list for the Clash:
January 31, 2026 at 3:23 PM
The preliminary entry list for the Clash:
Christopher Bell was among the vocal drivers on the playoff format and the need for a more legitimate way to crown a champion. He had just as much vigor as a participant on the playoff format committee.
And the Chase coming back? "I'm super happy ..."
And the Chase coming back? "I'm super happy ..."
racer.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Christopher Bell was among the vocal drivers on the playoff format and the need for a more legitimate way to crown a champion. He had just as much vigor as a participant on the playoff format committee.
And the Chase coming back? "I'm super happy ..."
And the Chase coming back? "I'm super happy ..."
The CW will be rolling out a new spot ahead of the start of the rebranded O'Reilly Auto Parts Series season. It's a fantastic piece.
Pure. Raw. Racing.
Pure. Raw. Racing.
CW NASCAR 2026 | PURE. RAW. RACING.
YouTube video by CW Sports
www.youtube.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:01 PM
The CW will be rolling out a new spot ahead of the start of the rebranded O'Reilly Auto Parts Series season. It's a fantastic piece.
Pure. Raw. Racing.
Pure. Raw. Racing.
Cliff Daniels shares what it's like to be a two-time Cup Series champion crew chief, and how he embraced a different feeling for it this time around and celebration:
January 30, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Cliff Daniels shares what it's like to be a two-time Cup Series champion crew chief, and how he embraced a different feeling for it this time around and celebration:
The Chase is back.
Michael Gardner and I break down the format NASCAR will use to crown its champions beginning this season, compare it to the previous Chase, and share our thoughts on the change. Now available on the RACER YouTube page:
Michael Gardner and I break down the format NASCAR will use to crown its champions beginning this season, compare it to the previous Chase, and share our thoughts on the change. Now available on the RACER YouTube page:
The NASCAR Chase Is Back | Kelly Crandall
YouTube video by The RACER Channel
www.youtube.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:05 PM
The Chase is back.
Michael Gardner and I break down the format NASCAR will use to crown its champions beginning this season, compare it to the previous Chase, and share our thoughts on the change. Now available on the RACER YouTube page:
Michael Gardner and I break down the format NASCAR will use to crown its champions beginning this season, compare it to the previous Chase, and share our thoughts on the change. Now available on the RACER YouTube page:
Leah Pruett had the same reaction as some others did when her husband, Tony Stewart, finalized plans to make his NASCAR return at Daytona.
“She looked at me and she’s like, ‘Why would you do that?’”
“She looked at me and she’s like, ‘Why would you do that?’”
racer.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Leah Pruett had the same reaction as some others did when her husband, Tony Stewart, finalized plans to make his NASCAR return at Daytona.
“She looked at me and she’s like, ‘Why would you do that?’”
“She looked at me and she’s like, ‘Why would you do that?’”
A written piece to go with this week's podcast episode. Brenden Queen explains that he's too nice and how he plans to approach this season in the Truck Series:
racer.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:38 PM
A written piece to go with this week's podcast episode. Brenden Queen explains that he's too nice and how he plans to approach this season in the Truck Series:
The NASCAR industry has been talking about adding another manufacturer for years. But besides discussing who it could be, there is also a discussion on what the engine package will look like.
" ... they are not going to build a V8 pushrod engine."
" ... they are not going to build a V8 pushrod engine."
racer.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:06 PM
The NASCAR industry has been talking about adding another manufacturer for years. But besides discussing who it could be, there is also a discussion on what the engine package will look like.
" ... they are not going to build a V8 pushrod engine."
" ... they are not going to build a V8 pushrod engine."
Kyle Larson has one of the most padded resumes among race car drivers, with major dirt wins, Indianapolis 500 starts, a Rolex watch, and Cup Series titles. But he's about to learn/do something new in 2026.
"I’ve only ever raced under the playoff era.”
"I’ve only ever raced under the playoff era.”
racer.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Kyle Larson has one of the most padded resumes among race car drivers, with major dirt wins, Indianapolis 500 starts, a Rolex watch, and Cup Series titles. But he's about to learn/do something new in 2026.
"I’ve only ever raced under the playoff era.”
"I’ve only ever raced under the playoff era.”
"We've Lost Dale Earnhardt: 25 Years Later" will premiere on Fox Sports 1 on Feb. 12. The new documentary will feature archival broadcast footage, first-person accounts, and home video to revisit Earnhardt's death and its impact on the sport.
Details:
Details:
racer.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:04 PM
"We've Lost Dale Earnhardt: 25 Years Later" will premiere on Fox Sports 1 on Feb. 12. The new documentary will feature archival broadcast footage, first-person accounts, and home video to revisit Earnhardt's death and its impact on the sport.
Details:
Details:
The Athletic is reporting that Charlotte Motor Speedway will go away from the Roval this season:
racer.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:31 PM
The Athletic is reporting that Charlotte Motor Speedway will go away from the Roval this season:
Kicking off a new season of the podcast with the man we call Butterbean. We're talking offseason work, NASCAR now being his job, the journey to get here, and more.
🍎 bit.ly/4blhuCj
🟢 bit.ly/3O5QJYP
🖥️ bit.ly/4bSDd4I
🍎 bit.ly/4blhuCj
🟢 bit.ly/3O5QJYP
🖥️ bit.ly/4bSDd4I
January 26, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Kicking off a new season of the podcast with the man we call Butterbean. We're talking offseason work, NASCAR now being his job, the journey to get here, and more.
🍎 bit.ly/4blhuCj
🟢 bit.ly/3O5QJYP
🖥️ bit.ly/4bSDd4I
🍎 bit.ly/4blhuCj
🟢 bit.ly/3O5QJYP
🖥️ bit.ly/4bSDd4I
The format for The Clash mirrors the 2025 event:
January 25, 2026 at 7:48 PM
The format for The Clash mirrors the 2025 event:
Jeff Gordon did indeed tell NASCAR he likes the reintroduction of the Chase format (saying it’s the best compromise) even though he was screwed by it as a driver.
“Not only did I say it, but it’s true that I got my ass kicked by that format.”
“Not only did I say it, but it’s true that I got my ass kicked by that format.”
racer.com
January 23, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Jeff Gordon did indeed tell NASCAR he likes the reintroduction of the Chase format (saying it’s the best compromise) even though he was screwed by it as a driver.
“Not only did I say it, but it’s true that I got my ass kicked by that format.”
“Not only did I say it, but it’s true that I got my ass kicked by that format.”
There will be decals and number styling to honor Greg Biffle as the season starts. Details:
racer.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:59 PM
There will be decals and number styling to honor Greg Biffle as the season starts. Details:
Hardee’s is back in NASCAR as an official partner of the sport and a primary sponsor for Bubba Wallace at 23XI Racing:
racer.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Hardee’s is back in NASCAR as an official partner of the sport and a primary sponsor for Bubba Wallace at 23XI Racing:
NASCAR has presented Jack Roush with the Bill France Award of Excellence. It’s the second time Roush has been given the award:
racer.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:46 PM
NASCAR has presented Jack Roush with the Bill France Award of Excellence. It’s the second time Roush has been given the award:
"I hate it, but I had to do it."
Under the playoff format, there were many eye-rolling and debate-inducing moves made in the name of winning or advancing. As the Chase returns, does that type of racing go away? It depends on who you ask.
Under the playoff format, there were many eye-rolling and debate-inducing moves made in the name of winning or advancing. As the Chase returns, does that type of racing go away? It depends on who you ask.
racer.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:42 PM
"I hate it, but I had to do it."
Under the playoff format, there were many eye-rolling and debate-inducing moves made in the name of winning or advancing. As the Chase returns, does that type of racing go away? It depends on who you ask.
Under the playoff format, there were many eye-rolling and debate-inducing moves made in the name of winning or advancing. As the Chase returns, does that type of racing go away? It depends on who you ask.
RFK Racing is adding Corey LaJoie to its stable for the Daytona 500 in a fourth car. All four drivers are seeking their first Daytona 500 win and the company's first since 2012.
"This is a well-planned extension of our overall Daytona strategy.”
"This is a well-planned extension of our overall Daytona strategy.”
racer.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:21 PM
RFK Racing is adding Corey LaJoie to its stable for the Daytona 500 in a fourth car. All four drivers are seeking their first Daytona 500 win and the company's first since 2012.
"This is a well-planned extension of our overall Daytona strategy.”
"This is a well-planned extension of our overall Daytona strategy.”
A move to Tasca Racing puts Austin Prock and his family in the Ford Racing camp. Prock on his first impression of the manufacturer and being at last week's preseason launch event the company had:
January 20, 2026 at 9:20 PM
A move to Tasca Racing puts Austin Prock and his family in the Ford Racing camp. Prock on his first impression of the manufacturer and being at last week's preseason launch event the company had:
Bob Tasca III said there was no one he would get out of the seat for other than Austin Prock. As announced last week, Prock takes over the Motorcraft Ford Mustang beginning this season in NHRA Funny Car competition.
Prock on what Tasca told him:
Prock on what Tasca told him:
January 20, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Bob Tasca III said there was no one he would get out of the seat for other than Austin Prock. As announced last week, Prock takes over the Motorcraft Ford Mustang beginning this season in NHRA Funny Car competition.
Prock on what Tasca told him:
Prock on what Tasca told him: