Race Weekend Central

Thompson in Turn 5: Ryan Newman Flies Under the Radar En Route to Returning as Cup Contender

By most accounts, the 50th running of the Daytona 500 lived up to its hype. The annual Florida speed extravaganza provided spectators with an above-average dose of exciting side-by-side racing, and it culminated in an almost-Cinderella like ending with a completely unexpected win by Ryan Newman. To say Newman’s win was an upset – despite …

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Who’s Hot/Who’s Not in Sprint Cup: 2008 Daytona 500 Edition

For three months the anticipation built up in preparation for the 50th running of the Daytona 500, all the way up until the green flag flew over 43 of the world’s best drivers to kick off the 2008 season Sunday afternoon. The expected Hendrick Motorsports dominance was overshadowed by the success of Joe Gibbs Racing …

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10 Points to Ponder… After the 2008 Daytona 500

1. Well, Isn’t That Just Super? – The Daytona 500 is often referred to as NASCAR’s equivalent of the NFL’s Super Bowl. Well, the Patriots – Giants game, held two weeks ago, was an exciting and well-played contest in its own right; and, with a Cinderella finish to boot. I just thought it was appropriate …

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Bubble Breakdown: Brian Vickers Shines While Digging Out of Top-35 Hole… Wood Brothers Dig Themselves in Deeper

All week, it looked like a battle between Joe Gibbs’s Toyotas and Rick Hendrick’s Chevrolets at this year’s Daytona 500; but with a last-lap surprise, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch and Roger Penske came out of nowhere to score a major 1-2 upset in the Great American Race for Dodge. There were a lot of surprises when …

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Happy Hour: Call it the Kyle Busch Rule

Kurt Smith is currently celebrating on his honeymoon in south Florida with his beautiful new wife Suzanne, but since he always has a backlog of opinions (remember, they’re like sphincters!), he gave us his take on the possibility of NASCAR raising the minimum age limit. Enjoy! Kyle Busch humorously apologized indirectly to Joey Logano and …

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Rick Crawford Driver Diary: Let’s Go Racing!

We’re looking forward to starting out 2008 Friday night, live on SPEED. I learned something today – I won the first Craftsman Truck Series race ever televised on SPEED. That was the 2003 Daytona race and that was a great race. I was proud to hear that fact. We’ve been in Daytona now since last …

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Beyond the Cockpit: David Ragan on his Sophomore Season

One year ago, David Ragan was called upon as a rookie to fill the enormous shoes of NASCAR legend Mark Martin in the No. 6 car at Roush Fenway Racing. Despite falling to Juan Pablo Montoya in the Rookie of the Year battle, Ragan enjoyed a respectable rookie season, recording two top fives and three …

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Voices From the Heartland: Hope Springs Eternal for This “Casual” NASCAR Fan

When I started this writing gig a few years back, I made it clear to all who took the time to read that I consider myself a fan first and a journalist second. I was just an average schmuck sitting in a tavern, watching the races and arguing with my buddies over who started the …

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Fanning the Flames: Yo, NASCAR! This is a No Spin Zone!

Thanks for another solid batch of input this week. I know everyone’s adrenaline is pumping because it’s Speedweeks, and I’m loving the feedback… so keep it coming. Remember, this is your column, your chance to be heard. Q: Matt, I have been trying to figure this out. Kurt Busch deliberately hit Tony Stewart‘s car three …

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Fantasy Picks ‘N’ Pans: 2008 Daytona 500 Edition

The long, cold winter that was the NASCAR offseason has finally come to an end… which means it’s time to turn the key on another season of fantasy racing. Whether your team was the cream of the crop or a basement dweller in 2007, the new season gives all fantasy players a renewed hope that …

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Mirror Driving: A Slap on the Wrist for Stewart & Kurt Busch? Junior Go Whoosh & Waltrip’s 2008 Push

For the second time in a year, Kurt Busch took his frustration with Tony Stewart out on pit road. This time, NASCAR went for probation. Was this enough?