Race Weekend Central

Nationwide Breakdown: Kansas Lottery 300

2014 Chicago Nns Kyle Busch Derrike Cope Racing Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2014)

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Or not. While seeing Kyle Busch win a NASCAR Nationwide Series race isn’t necessarily unusual, Busch winning at Kansas is more of a rarity. Though Busch does have a Nationwide Series victory at the track from back in 2007, a variety of bad luck and …

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Nuts for Nationwide: Another Earnhardt Starting to Make a Name for Himself

Within the modern era of stock car racing, it takes plenty of money to be successful. Having “Earnhardt” as one’s last name should help that – at least you would think. However, that isn’t always the case. Jeffrey Earnhardt, grandson of the late Dale Earnhardt and son of Kerry Earnhardt, has been trying to make …

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Nuts for Nationwide: Ben Rhodes Could Be Turner Scott’s Next Big Thing

Ben Rhodes is getting ready to move up the ranks. The 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion is likely making the jump to a higher level soon – perhaps to the NASCAR XFINITY Series or the Camping World Truck Series. At 17, he won’t even be approved to race at Daytona in either division …

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Nationwide Breakdown: VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 at Kentucky

2014 Chicago Nns Brendan Gaughan Ii Cia

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Underdogs have a way of hitting emotions. Brendan Gaughan was the underdog of underdogs on Saturday evening. After Ty Dillon dominated much of the VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 at Kentucky Speedway, multiple late-race cautions gave his Richard Childress Racing teammate the advantage. Gaughan, 39, running his first full year in the NASCAR Nationwide Series since 2010, visited to …

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Nuts for Nationwide: Making the Most of an Opportunity for Justin Boston

Justin Boston Talladega Arca 2014 Mike Neff

(Photo Credit: Mike Neff)

Getting that “big break” into big-time NASCAR racing is arguably tougher than in any other sport. Not only does this happen as a result of a driver’s talent; it also takes the perfect partnership between a team, sponsor and driver to get a deal done. Since making his ARCA Racing Series debut last season, Justin …

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Happiness Is… Relationships, Singapore, and Kentucky

2014 Pocono Ii Cup Brad Keselowski Dale Earnhardt Jr Racing Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Was that an actual race at Chicagoland?  A track not known for well, anything, seemed to produce a finish that was worth remembering.  Brad Keselowski’s ballsy move, splitting Kevin Harvick and Kyle Larson as they raced for the lead, seemed to be just the type of thing that wasn’t supposed to be possible with the …

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Pace Laps: Roush Fenway’s Struggles, Truck Championship Contenders and Racing vs. Rain

2014 Chicago Cup Brad Keselowski Paul Wolfe Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Sprint Cup Series: Slow Start for Roush Fenway Racing – There has been a gap between Penske Racing and Roush Fenway Racing all season.  Though both teams use Ford engines, Penske has been gapping their counterpart, and never was it more evident than at Chicagoland on Sunday. While Brad Keselowski earned the win and Joey Logano …

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Nationwide Series Breakdown: Jimmy John’s Freaky Fast 300

2014 Nationwide Chicagoland Kevin Harvick Trophy

Credit: CIA Editorial Photography

Kevin Harvick took advantage of a gutsy two-tire call by his crew chief Ernie Cope and Kyle Busch‘s poor track position with 39 laps to go to win the Jimmy John’s Freaky Fast 300 at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday afternoon. The victory marked the fourth win of the season for Harvick and the 44th Nationwide …

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Nuts for Nationwide: Roush Fenway Racing Looking for Late Momentum

2014 Richmond Ii Nns Chris Buescher Car Cia

(credit: CIA Stock Photography)

It has been a long year for Roush Fenway Racing, and a season full of trials and tribulations for the organization is nearly in the books. However, with eight events left in the 33-race long period, there are still plenty of chances for the Ford team to get a few victories – something that has …

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Pace Laps: Congenial Richmond, KyBu Nationwide, other stuff

2014 Richmond Ii Cup Pack Racing Ii Cia

(Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Cup:  The Race That Wasn’t – No one did anything surprising in the race at Richmond.  Well, that’s not correct.  The idiot who climbed the catchfence in turn 4 surely did something surprising.  While many people have done idiotic things at a race track, it’s doubtful that anyone anticipated a fan climbing the fence bordering …

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Nationwide Breakdown: Virginia529 College Savings 250

No one or nothing could stop Kyle Busch on Friday evening. After multiple races full of disappointment, Busch set sail at Richmond International Raceway for the Virginia529 College Savings 250. Leading each of the 250 laps, he won his 67th career Nationwide Series event. Busch held off Chase Elliott late in the race, but he …

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Nuts for Nationwide: To XFINITY and Beyond

2014 Atlanta Ncwts Elliott Sadler Kyle Busch Kevin Harvick Cars Credit Cia

The bottom groove proved to be crucial in Saturday night's race. (Credit: CIA)

Say goodbye to the Nationwide Series. Sort of. Nationwide Insurance is departing from its role as the title sponsor of NASCAR’s second-tier division as of Jan. 1, instead shifting funding over to Hendrick Motorsports as a primary sponsor for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in 12 events. But Nationwide’s replacement won’t have funny commercials using Earnhardt and …

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