Race Weekend Central

Jeff Gordon Snaps Career-Long Winless Streak in 2009 Samsung 500 at Texas

Coming into Sunday’s Samsung 500, Jeff Gordon had not been to victory lane since the Bank of America 500 on Oct. 13, 2007, a streak of 47 races. That is a thing of the past now. Gordon’s pit crew was quick enough during the final pit stop on lap 307 to get Gordon the lead. …

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Jimmie Johnson Claims Yet Another Victory at Martinsville for Hendrick Motorsports

On Sunday, Hendrick Motorsports celebrated the 25th anniversary of their first victory in the then-Winston Cup Series. Back then, the team, then known as All-Star Racing, fielded the winning No. 5 for Geoff Bodine. Today, Jimmie Johnson capped off the anniversary celebration in the best way possible for Hendrick Motorsports. Johnson, who had early issues …

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Despite Recent Struggles, Optimism Runs High in Richard Petty Motorsports Camp

HAMPTON, Ga. – Matt Kenseth may have won the Daytona 500, but Richard Petty Motorsports left the Great American Race as the talk of the town. With three cars in the top 10 – including a stellar third-place run by AJ Allmendinger – the newly-merged team appeared ready to set the sport on its ear. …

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Kurt Busch Dominates 2009 Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta, Tires Tough on Many

HAMPTON, Ga. – Kurt Busch must have been watching his brother Kyle Busch drive Saturday, because Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway resembled the prior day’s Truck race in many ways. Many cars went down a lap early, there was a big wreck, the few competitive cars put on a good show at …

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Concern Shifts from Engines to Tires at Atlanta

HAMPTON, Ga. – The start to the 2009 season has been marred with a rash of engine failures that has not been seen in some time, a trend that has become all but a consensus headline through the first three races. But none of that seems to be phasing any race camp, or any driver …

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Kyle Busch Overcomes Early Weekend Engine Woes to Win at Home in 2009 Shelby 427 at Las Vegas

When Kyle Busch is really confident about his racecar late in an event, that typically equals serious trouble for his competitors. When Busch passed Jeff Burton for the lead late in the going, he cued his radio and said “Goodnight, Gracie” to his crew, a signal that it was all over and that no one …

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Great Pit Work Guides Matt Kenseth to 2nd Straight Victory in 2009 Auto Club 500 at Fontana

For years, it seems, Matt Kenseth’s pit crew, affectionately known as the “Killer Bees,” has been considered to be the best pit crew in the Sprint Cup Series. Tonight (Feb. 22), they proved it. Kenseth greatly benefitted from the speed of the Killer Bees on pit road to gain the lead back on the final …

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Matt Kenseth Scoots in Front Just in Time to Win 2009 Daytona 500

Matt Kenseth entered Daytona winless in his last 36 starts. That winless streak is now history. Kenseth passed Elliott Sadler in turn 3 on lap 145 for the lead under threatening skies. Half a lap after the pass, the yellow came out for a crash involving the No. 98 of Paul Menard and the No. …

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Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch Win 2009 Gatorade Duels at Daytona

If Thursday’s Duel 150 qualifying races are any indication, Jeff Gordon is set to put a winless 2008 behind him. Gordon went toe-to-toe with former series champion Tony Stewart for the final five laps before holding off the No. 14 car, as well as teammate Jimmie Johnson, for the victory in the first Gatorade Duel …

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Martin Truex Jr. Claims Pole for 2009 Daytona 500

The Daytona 500 has what may be the quirkiest system for setting the field of any race in all of professional motorsports. On Sunday, it was Pole Qualifying day at Daytona. Pole qualifying for the Daytona 500 only sets the front row for the race, though. It also sets the starting lineups for the two …

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Kevin Harvick Battles Back from Losing Draft to Win 2009 Budweiser Shootout

Sometimes history can in fact repeat itself. In a scenario very similar to the one that allowed Kevin Harvick to win the Daytona 500 back in 2007, a lane opened up on the high side at the end of the backstretch on the final lap. Harvick took advantage of the hole, took the lead away …

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