9:39 PM ET Bob PockrassNASCAR Close • NASCAR writer for ESPN.com• 2009, 2013 NMPA Writer of the Year• More than 25 years experience covering motorsports LAS VEGAS – Ryan Blaney has enjoyed some of the social media commentary about the face that is on a decal on the side of his NASCAR Cup Series car. The image was

9:18 PM ET Associated Press LAS VEGAS — Erik Jones surprised the field by winning the pole Friday for the opening race of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, turning a lap in 28.705 seconds and narrowly edging Joey Logano. With Furniture Row Racing folding at season’s end, Martin Truex Jr. and his crew will have

Sep 15, 2018 Bob PockrassNASCAR Close • NASCAR writer for ESPN.com• 2009, 2013 NMPA Writer of the Year• More than 25 years experience covering motorsports LAS VEGAS — Kevin Harvick didn’t bristle, but he certainly challenged a suggestion of why he might have more focus going into the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Realistically, how many

7:51 PM ET Bob PockrassNASCAR Close • NASCAR writer for ESPN.com• 2009, 2013 NMPA Writer of the Year• More than 25 years experience covering motorsports LAS VEGAS — The dramatic part of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs is the element of four drivers being eliminated from championship contention after each of the three-race rounds to set up a

9:21 AM ET Bob PockrassNASCAR Close • NASCAR writer for ESPN.com• 2009, 2013 NMPA Writer of the Year• More than 25 years experience covering motorsports LAS VEGAS — “I’m simply not worried.” Martin Truex Jr. couldn’t stress that enough when talking earlier this week about the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, which begin Sunday at Las Vegas

8:48 AM ET Bob PockrassNASCAR Close • NASCAR writer for ESPN.com• 2009, 2013 NMPA Writer of the Year• More than 25 years experience covering motorsports If it appears Kyle Busch has had a typical Busch season, think again. He has earned 14 top-3 finishes in 26 NASCAR Cup Series races. Busch has never recorded 14 top-3 finishes in

2:32 PM ET Bob PockrassNASCAR Close • NASCAR writer for ESPN.com• 2009, 2013 NMPA Writer of the Year• More than 25 years experience covering motorsports One look at the NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings would let anyone know which three drivers have dominated this season. Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick sit atop the standings with 2,050 points apiece

6:56 PM ET Bob PockrassNASCAR Close • NASCAR writer for ESPN.com• 2009, 2013 NMPA Writer of the Year• More than 25 years experience covering motorsports Kasey Kahne will miss at least three more races while trying to determine what is causing severe dehydration issues when he competes in NASCAR Cup Series events. Regan Smith, who substituted for Kahne

10:00 AM ET In 2017, Dale Earnhardt Jr. surprised the NASCAR world when stock car racing’s most popular driver announced he would retire at season’s end. Many were shocked by the decision because Earnhardt had fought so hard to make it back after missing the second half of the 2016 season because of concussion-related symptoms.

10:00 AM ET Dale Earnhardt Jr. has chronicled his accidents and the injuries that forced him out of the car in a new book, “Racing to the Finish: My Story”, co-authored by ESPN senior writer Ryan McGee. Here’s an excerpt below, and check out ESPN’s exclusive Q&A between Earnhardt and McGee. Sunday, May 4, 2014