Race Weekend Central

Fantasy Picks ‘N’ Pans: 2008 Aaron’s 499 at Talladega

The Cup stars head to northern Alabama this weekend to the longest and fastest track on the schedule, the Talladega Superspeedway. It’s the first time that the series comes back to a plate track, having run at Talladega last fall in the new CoT configuration. That car, along with a newly-paved track, resulted in a …

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The Yellow Stripe: 8 Thoughts After 8 NASCAR Races in 2008

Technically speaking, we’ll be at the quarter pole mark following the conclusion of the rollercoaster ride at Talladega this Sunday; but, with a brief pause in the relentless slog that is the Sprint Cup schedule, it’s a good time to put out eight thoughts and questions with eight races of the 2008 season in the …

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Who’s Hot/Who’s Not in Sprint Cup: After the 2008 Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix

Talladega Superspeedway is one of the more intimidating tracks on the Sprint Cup schedule. It requires skill; it requires patience; and most often, it requires a certain amount of luck. For a few of the drivers, the 2.66-mile track is a welcomed site; but for most, Talladega is a dreaded wildcard event where anything can …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2008 Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix

Phoenix International Raceway lived up to its billing as the track of compromise. Drivers were able to make it through one end better than the other all race long, while the tricky corners bit some of the biggest names in the sport. Some drivers moved up and some drivers moved down this week in the …

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Bowles-Eye View: For Dale Earnhardt Jr., Patience is a Virtue

As the No. 48 crossed the finish line first Saturday night, it was the true definition of a champion returning to form. Crew chief Chad Knaus and Jimmie Johnson had pulled their patented magic once again; sitting in second as the race wound down, they used communication and cunning to find that extra ounce of …

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Matt McLaughlin Mouths Off: Debunking NASCAR’s Theory of Green-Flag Passes for the Lead

NASCAR is doing a full-court press right now trying to convince fans and even us cynical media types that the racing with the new car is as good, if not better than, ever. I’ll admit that some of the numbers I’ve seen thrown around about the number of passes for the lead in races that …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2008 Samsung 500 at Texas

The Texas Motor Speedway was a fickle lady this past weekend. Past champions couldn’t keep their car on the lead lap, the polesitter lost the handle late in the race, and three drivers who were rookies just last season finished in the top 20. The people who vote in the Frontstretch poll have spoken following …

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The Magic of McDowell, “Forgetting” a Blowout & Watching TV Blow the Finish in Texas… Again

From the wild (Michael McDowell‘s crash) to the wacky (Kyle Busch spouting off… again), here’s your guide to the past weekend of NASCAR television at its best, its worst, and its most confusing down in the Lone Star State. The Good The best part of the coverage down in Texas was the professional way that …

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Who’s Hot/Who’s Not in Sprint Cup: 2008 Samsung 500 at Texas Edition

It’s been a while since there’s been a scary accident in any of NASCAR’s three premier series; so, needless to say, Michael McDowell‘s qualifying crash at Texas raised a few eyebrows when it comes to safety in the sport. It’s a wreck he could have easily not walked away from; but luckily, the improvements have …

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