1. What will the new aerodynamic package look like in real time? That’s the big question that everyone is asking, but don’t expect the answer to be immediate or definitive. The low horsepower, high downforce package will debut at Atlanta Motor Speedway in a week and a half, but don’t …
Read More »The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2019 Advance Auto Parts Clash
Who… should you be talking about after the race? Obviously, everyone is talking about Jimmie Johnson. His detractors are talking about the multi-car wreck he may or may not have triggered in what ultimately set up the win. His fans are just happy he won, even if it is a …
Read More »2018 Top NASCAR Storylines: Say Goodnight, Kasey (& Jamie & Matt)
For several drivers, 2018 marks the end of a NASCAR journey. Among those who have said they don’t plan to race full-time (or at all) in the sport in the future are Jamie McMurray (who may run the 2019 Daytona 500 before he hangs up his helmet), Kasey Kahne, Matt …
Read More »Holding A Pretty Wheel: If We Never Pass This Way Again
If only it was like it used to be. If only the racing was like it was in (fill in the year of your choice here). If only these drivers were real racers. If only NASCAR hadn’t changed. If only… If only… If only. Fans love to wax nostalgic about …
Read More »The Underdog House: Wrapping Up NASCAR’s Small Teams For 2018
Think Small If there is a lesson to be learned from the 2018 season and the underdog teams, it’s that the right combination of team and driver is everything. Perhaps the biggest example is one of a small-team driver moving into fully-funded equipment and flourishing, as Aric Almirola has when …
Read More »The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2018 Ford EcoBoost 400
Who… gets my shoutout of the race? What a difference a year makes. An average finish of 18.8, 29th in driver points in a season marked by injury. That’s not very promising for a driver, especially one who’s a journeyman at best in his mid-30s. A year later, Aric Almirola finishes …
Read More »The Frontstretch 5: Tracks That Should Host a Finale & Crown a Champion
1. Martinsville Why it would be great: Because Martinsville. Face it, the racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway is generally underwhelming. There have been moments, but it’s an intermediate track with a predictable configuration. A short track has much more potential to give fans a finish like they saw last month, only …
Read More »The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2018 Can-Am 500
Who… gets my shoutout of the race? Let’s make it a pair this week. Shy of a win at Homestead (and even with one), you won’t hear much about a couple of drivers who will very likely drive quietly into the sunset after the checkers next week. You didn’t hear …
Read More »The Frontstretch 5: Title Contenders & Their Chances
1. The Closer It’s really hard to deny that Kevin Harvick is the most deserving title candidate so far. He leads the Cup Series in wins (eight), top fives (21), top 10s (27), laps led (1859) and total playoff points (51). Take away the playoffs and he’d be currently be …
Read More »The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2018 AAA Texas 500
Who… gets my shoutout of the race? On paper, it doesn’t look like much of a race, starting and finishing in seventh spot. In terms of the playoffs, it wasn’t. But for Kurt Busch, Sunday (Nov. 4) at Texas was a good day. While Busch didn’t lead a lap (he …
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