The secret is out. It’s an April Fool’s Day prank. Only this one is real.

Many readers have requested it. It matches Monte Dutton’s generally acknowledged field of expertise. His sixth novel, Lightning in a Bottle, is about stock car racing.

Barrie Jarman is the hope of racing’s future because he is a link to its past.

NASCAR is completing its annual production of How the West Was Won. Cue the music.

Buh-buh-buh-buh-BUH, buh, buh-BUH-buh-buh …

With the wagons safely circled in Fontana, Calif., let’s take inventory. Let’s check off what we’ve got and circle what we’re waiting for.

Four races. Four winners. Two Fords. A Toyota. A Chevrolet. Kurt Busch won the Daytona 500. Brad Keselowski triumphed near Atlanta. Martin Truex Jr. cashed in at Vegas. Ryan Newman pulled off his first win in a while near Phoenix.

NASCAR America, NBCSN’s daily motorsports show, is launching a new series My Home Track: 50 States in 50 Shows to highlight and celebrate local race tracks and racing associations in all 50 states across the country.

As part of My Home Track: 50 States in 50 Shows, NASCAR America will cross the country alphabetically from Alabama to Wyoming and showcase an individual track each day. Featuring speedways including Central Arizona Speedway (Casa Grande, AZ), Diamond Park Speedway (Nashville, AR), Ponderosa Speedway (Junction City, KY), Magic Valley Speedway (Twin Falls, ID), Dixie Speedway (Birch Run, MI) and Whynot Motorsports Park (Meridian, MS), My Home Track: 50 States in 50 Shows will shine a spotlight on the heart and soul of the racing community and what the nation’s fascination with speed and stock car racing is built upon.

One of my favorite jokes was told me by a roommate in college. It’s about two little twin boys who decide they have “blossomed into manhood.”

It usually comes slower for the entitled sons of NASCAR.

Kyle Busch and Joey Logano are among the more unlikely fighters I know. As Rodney Dangerfield said in Back to School, “I’m not a fighter. I’m a lover.”

While Martin Truex Jr showed his strength in his Furniture Row Toyota throughout the Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, he owes a huge thank you to whatever demon kicked Brad Keselowski's Miller Ford in the closing laps.

Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott and Joey Logano owe the same thanks as they also clear Keselowski for their top five finishes. On the other end of the stick Keselowski was able to hang on for a sixth place finish and the points lead.

Truex was quick to admit Keselowski's issues handed him the win.

Brad Keselowski stole one. Kevin Harvick gave one away. Another week, another race. That’s a whole two of them, and it’s on to Las Vegas, where, contrary to commercial belief, what happens there won’t really stay.

More than a quarter of the Atlanta Motor Speedway starting field has a court date at the Hampton, Ga., police station. It’s a good example of public-private coordination. NASCAR is running a heck of a speed trap on the outskirts of town.

NASCAR today announced the 20 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Class of 2018, as well as the five nominees for the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. Each name made an indelible mark on the sport, whether from behind the wheel or atop a pit box … or even from inside a broadcast booth. After long careers that have helped shape NASCAR, all are now one step closer to its highest honor – enshrinement into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Included among the list are five first-time nominees, all racing heroes who earned race wins, championships … and millions of fans.

NASCAR and SiriusXM today announced a six-year renewal to extend their broadcasting and marketing agreement through 2022. SiriusXM will continue to deliver 24/7 racing content to millions of listeners across North America, including live broadcasts of every race, plus daily NASCAR talk and interviews with voices across the industry through its exclusive SiriusXM NASCAR Radio channel. NASCAR content is available to SiriusXM subscribers in their car, at home or on the go on satellite radios, on the SiriusXM app and online at SiriusXM.com.

SiriusXM and NASCAR’s agreement extension marks another important milestone in the history of collaboration between the two organizations, as 2017 is NASCAR’s 16th season on satellite radio and listeners will have uninterrupted access to the sport for more than two decades. SiriusXM will also retain exclusive category rights to utilize NASCAR branding and trademarks for advertising and promotion.

There’s something special about returning to a racetrack where you already know your way to the winner’s circle.

Erik Jones and Furniture Row Racing’s No. 77 5-hour ENERGY Toyota Camry team prepare this week for the 20th annual Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with perhaps a bit of an edge despite his first time there for a NASCAR Cup Series event. In 2014, Jones earned his second NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory in just his first race at the 1.5-mile tri-oval located fewer than 20 miles northeast of the famed Las Vegas Strip. Driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports, the then 18-year-old led the race twice for 19 laps, including the final 14 to the checkered flag.