David Smith

Analysis: AJ Allmendinger, Austin Cindric can impact Road America results

A.J. Allmendinger and Austin Cindric are statistically suited to combat Cup Series regulars today at Road America.

NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Texas Grand Prix Qualifying

Analysis: For Tyler Reddick, improvement begins with restarts, details

Tyler Reddick is one improvement away from a breakout. But that area of vulnerability — restarts — has nagged him in marquee moments.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pocono 400

What matters at Pocono: Elite speed tends to translate

David Smith analyzes the trends shaping this weekend’s Cup Series doubleheader at Pocono Raceway.

Analysis: Lacking speed, Aric Almirola excels in other key stat categories

As their underlying statistics showcase, Aric Almirola and team are far better than their results would have you believe.

What matters at Nashville: Tire wear, Joey Logano’s strength are focal points

An unconventional tire wear dynamic is among David Smith’s analytics and trends for NASCAR’s return to Nashville Superspeedway.

Analysis: Bubba Wallace, Corey LaJoie among NASCAR’s most improved

Improvements in key stat categories have made four teams stronger than how they were perceived coming into the 2021 season.

Analysis: Ranking NASCAR’s best on short runs, restarts

Utilizing speed and restart data, David Smith ranks NASCAR’s best drivers and teams on short runs.

Analysis: In shadow of Kyle Larson, Cliff Daniels enjoying his own breakout

The efflorescence of Cliff Daniels couldn’t have come at a more opportune time for Kyle Larson and Hendrick Motorsports.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350

What matters at Sonoma: Different pit strategies on tap for maximizing day

David Smith details the analytics and trends shaping the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway.

JTG Daugherty’s Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ryan Preece proving value in contract year

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Ryan Preece are succeeding within their whereabouts in a season of improvement for JTG Daugherty Racing.

NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube

What matters at Charlotte: 600 miles with minimal tire wear

David Smith analyzes key trends in advance of the Coca-Cola 600, including Kyle Larson’s apparent aversion to long races.

Chase Briscoe reckoning with elevated competition level: ‘It’s all tougher’

After a nine-win Xfinity Series season, Chase Briscoe is reckoning with the “little details” that separate Cup Series competitors.

What matters at COTA: Elliott, Truex in their own road course tier

David Smith details the analytics and trends shaping NASCAR’s first race at Circuit of the Americas.

NASCAR Cup Series O'Reilly Auto Parts 253 At Daytona

‘This is not a dirt car': How Christopher Bell was made into a road course winner

Thanks to driver coach Michael Self and focused testing in TA2 cars, Christopher Bell was molded into a winning road course racer.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander Outdoors 400

What matters at Dover: Passers of all walks challenged by unique surface

NASCAR drivers will be challenged by the unique concrete surface of Dover, where only the most efficient passers and restarters will be rewarded.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Advance Auto Parts Clash

Analysis: Greg Ives has built a pit road juggernaut around Alex Bowman

Thanks to a series-best strategic output and the fastest pit crew, Greg Ives and Alex Bowman have a dominant identity.

What matters at Darlington: High horsepower, tire allotment create new ballgame

Darlington’s quintessential element — a lack of grip — returns, thanks to the 750-horsepower, lower-downforce package.

Analysis: Strengths present, not always utilized by Ganassi teams

Despite a lack of surface-level success, Chip Ganassi Racing can point to a few things going right in 2021.

What matters at Kansas: Track position comes the hard way

Reliable creators of track position tend to be rewarded at Kansas Speedway, a trend that will shape today’s Buschy McBusch Race 400.

Analysis: Restarts a strength, possible building block for Brad Keselowski

Brad Keselowski’s reliable restarting acumen carried him through 2021’s first quarter.

What matters at Talladega: Strategizing around big crashes

The threat of a large, multi-car crash looms large at Talladega. Risk can be mitigated by avoiding the track’s hot spots.

Analysis: Sustaining top-end speed key to ending Chase Elliott’s winless run

Chase Elliott is winless through the first quarter of 2021 but he has industry-best top-end speed ready to be sustained.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400

What matters at Richmond: Handling balance is top priority

Achieving a handling balance is among the analytics and trends and that will shape the Toyota Owners 400.

Evolution, with room for growth: Ryan Blaney 3.0 is here

Ryan Blaney’s latest evolution gives us a third iteration of a young driver who has plenty more room for growth.

Top News

Top Clips

Trending Teams

Top News

Top Clips

Trending Teams

David

Smith