Race Weekend Central

Nationwide Series Breakdown: 2008 Kroger 200 at ORP

In a Nutshell: On paper, Saturday night’s race was not much of an event, with Kyle Busch leading a record 197 of the 200 laps run to win the Kroger 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park. The win marked Busch’s sixth Nationwide Series victory of the season and the 14th of the year for Joe Gibbs …

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Fanning the Flames: Junior Aces 1, Nationwide Notes & a NASCAR History Lesson

As I listened to the Jim Rome Show while sitting at my desk on Tuesday, I cringed when I remembered that Dale Earnhardt Jr. was to be a guest. Don’t get me wrong, I like Junior – I’m no rabid diehard but I’d like to drink a beer with the guy. Thing is, I really …

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Voices From the Heartland: Racing at Its Best in the Gateway to the West

It had been four years since I last visited the great city of St. Louis. At that time, I attended a (then) Busch Series race at Gateway International Raceway, which turned into a most memorable time! After all the events that transpired then, I never imagined that another trip to St. Louis could ever top …

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Mirror Driving: Busch the Bad Boy vs. Earnhardt the Popular, Penalties & Judging JTG

Welcome to Mirror Driving. Every week, your favorite columnists sit down and give their opinion about the latest NASCAR news and rumors. Love us or hate us, make a comment below and tell us how you feel about what we’ve said! This Week’s Participants: Tom Bowles (Editor-in-Chief; Mondays/Bowles-Eye View & Wednesdays/Did You Notice?) Tony Lumbis (Mondays/Rookie Report) …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top-15 Free Agents for 2009

With the off week in full swing, it presented an opportunity for the Frontstretch experts to do something a little different. Instead of grading the Cup guys, we took a look at those drivers who often get shunned from the spotlight these days… the drivers exclusive to the Nationwide and Camping World Truck series desperate …

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Talking NASCAR TV: ESPN Needs to Learn From Mistakes to Improve 2008 NASCAR Coverage

The third network to cover the Sprint Cup Series takes their turn at glory this week, as ESPN/ABC begins their NASCAR coverage at the historic Brickyard on Sunday, July 27. The final 17-week stretch to finish off the year follows a 21-race schedule that was covered by both FOX and TNT. Those networks had their …

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Nationwide Series Breakdown: 2008 Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 at Gateway

In a Nutshell: With the Sprint Cup Series taking the weekend off, many Cup stars took the opportunity to return to their old stomping grounds – and the Nationwide Series race at Gateway International Raceway was no exception. Midwest drivers Jamie McMurray and Clint Bowyer had strong runs; but in the end, it was Carl …

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Driven to the Past: Bob Daniels

I said last week I’d talk about Bob Daniels in a future column. This being Brickyard week, it seems like a good time. Actually, at IRP we used to call it “Kroger Week.” I met Bob Daniels when I was flagging for ASA and working full-time as a weekly newspaper editor in southern Indiana. He, …

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Nuts for Nationwide: Where is the Focus at Braun Racing?

Jason Leffler came into the 2008 season as one of only a handful of Nationwide regulars thought to have even a shot at taking down the Cup whackers for the series championship. After being one of only two Nationwide Series regulars to win a Nationwide race last season (not counting Aric Almirola’s “win”) and finishing …

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Mirror Driving: Can Stewart Save Haas, Fans Save Milwaukee & NASCAR Stop Toyota’s Dominance?

Welcome to Mirror Driving. Every week, your favorite columnists sit down and give their opinion about the latest NASCAR news and rumors. Love us or hate us, make a comment below and tell us how you feel about what we’ve said! This Week’s Participants: Tom Bowles (Editor-in-Chief; Mondays/Bowles-Eye View & Wednesdays/Did You Notice?) Mike Neff (Wednesdays/Power Rankings …

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10 Points to Ponder… After the 2008 Lifelock.com 400 at Chicagoland

1. Difficulties With Rejection? – New York City and the Waldorf Astoria Hotel’s Grand Ballroom have once again been selected as the site for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Awards Ceremony, to be held December 5, 2008. Guys, isn’t this the same place that has time and time again rejected your attempts to bring Sprint Cup …

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