Race Weekend Central

Talking NASCAR TV: Noticeable Glitches Undermine Solid TNT Effort at Sonoma

When TNT debuted its 2008 NASCAR coverage two weeks ago at Pocono, a major audio foible took away from what was an impressive performance for the network. Two weeks later, Sunday’s presentation of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma still had its own share of avoidable mistakes, making a professional, lucrative television operation look like …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2008 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma

Hey guys! Doug Turnbull here. Matt warned you that he wouldn’t be in the driver’s seat for his Infineon column – I don’t know if that makes me a road-course ringer or not, but I do know that I am gonna stick to his format for wrapping up the race. This race seemed to play …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2008 LifeLock 400 at Michigan

The Irish Hills of Michigan once again produced a fuel-mileage finish that will have people buzzing for weeks. Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s strategic win – one that came packaged with a little luck – was enough to move him up the rankings. But did he knock off rival Kyle Busch? We’ll tell you this much; for …

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Talking NASCAR TV: TNT Not the Only Network to Step It up a Notch This Week

Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a lot of reasons to win Sunday’s Lifelock 400 at Michigan International Speedway, not the least of which was the strong reader response to my being critical of Junior for lethargic television interviews in last week’s column. The results were varied, but most sided with Junior, saying that he does enough …

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Today’s NASCAR Drivers Don’t Hold a Candle to Old-School Toughness

Editor’s Note: Due to personal issues detailed in Monday’s Thinkin’ Out Loud column regarding his nephew, Matt McLaughlin has taken this Thursday off. In his place, our TV critic Doug Turnbull fills in… we hope to have Matt back on Monday. Until then, keep him in your thoughts during his difficult time. The heat radiated …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2008 Pocono 500

The tricky triangle in Pennsylvania had several twists and turns for the Cup drivers this past weekend. Who left the track climbing up the Pocono mountains? Kasey Kahne, for one; he’s making believers out of our staff with his second win in three starts, and even secured a first-place vote again this week. And while …

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Talking NASCAR TV: TNT Return is Dyn-o-mite!

A new segment of the NASCAR broadcasting season began this past Sunday, as TNT hosted the first of six races that it will cover this season. Many anticipated the weekend’s race at Pocono to lack the excitement and the drama that both NASCAR and TNT pride themselves upon. Fortunately for both, Sunday’s race delivered; and …

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Side By Side: Should Roush Let Jamie McMurray Go?

Editor’s Note: The following is a special edition of Frontstretch‘s Side-By-Side. Occasionally throughout the season, two of your favorite Frontstretch writers will duke it out in a debate concerning one of NASCAR’s biggest stories. Don’t let us be the only ones to speak our minds, though… be sure to read both sides and let us …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2008 Best Buy 400 at Dover

The Monster Mile wasn’t as much of a monster as it’s been in the past – that is, after an early race melee involved six of the top 12 drivers in the points standings. But while the rest of the day may have put you to sleep, it did allow for some decisive moves in …

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Talking NASCAR TV: FOX Finale Adds Some Spice to Snoozer at Dover

With the latest NASCAR TV contract in place now for just the second year, the end of FOX’s annual coverage approaches faster than ever. Under the first deal, FOX covered the first half of the season and NBC covered the second half – beginning at or around the Pepsi 400 – while TNT took a …

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Side by Side: Is It Too Much, Too Soon for Joey Logano?

Editor’s Note: The following is a special edition of Frontstretch‘s Side-By-Side. Occasionally throughout the season, two of your favorite Frontstretch writers will duke it out in a debate concerning one of NASCAR’s biggest stories. Don’t let us be the only ones to speak our minds, though… be sure to read both sides and let us …

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