Race Weekend Central

Who’s Hot & Who’s Not In NASCAR: Charlotte Edition

2016 Charlotte All Star Cup Matt Kenseth Crash John Harrelson Nkp

(Photo: John Harrelson / NKP)

It’s no secret NASCAR’s All-Star Race wasn’t exactly an A+ effort last weekend. That said, let’s keep in mind all-star events for the other major U.S. sports have pretty much been duds for the last several years. The NFL’s Pro Bowl changes the rules to significantly decrease the chance for injury. In the NBA and NHL, …

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5 Points To Ponder: Memorial Day Weekend Racing Nirvana

Indycar 2015 Nola James Hinchcliffe Sitting In Car Credit Chris Owens

(Photo: Chris Owens)

ONE: Racing Nirvana This is THE weekend for you, race fans – no apologies for the caps. The greatest Sunday in motorsports will contain three epic races across three different racing series, a little variety paired with some nail-biting competition. First up, it’s the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix. Now back in the day, on a road …

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James Hinchcliffe’s Indy 500 Pole Stands Among the Greatest Moments in IMS History

James Hinchcliffe’s dramatic pole run for the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 is arguably one of the most improbable events to occur in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s 106-year history. It’s also one of the best. I’m not just talking about the best moments during the IndyCar years, either. On first impression, this moment stands …

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James Hinchcliffe Claims Pole in Dramatic Indy 500 Qualifying

16c 4143 1

(Photo: Chris Owens/INDYCAR)

One year ago, a life-threatening crash at Indianapolis Motor Speedway kept James Hinchcliffe from competing in the Indianapolis 500. On May 29, when the field goes to green for the 100th edition of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, it’ll be Hinchcliffe that leads the way. Driving the gilded No. 5 Arrow Electronics Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda-Dallara …

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James Hinchcliffe Tops the Charts at IMS as Fast 9 Are Set

After a long day at the Brickyard, the contenders for the Indy 500 pole have been determined. James Hinchcliffe led the way with a 230.946mph average speed during his second four-lap time trial to set quick time for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports on the opening day of Verizon IndyCar Series practice. Behind Hinchcliffe, a combination of …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: Strong 2016 NASCAR Cup Debut On FS1

Welcome back, race fans.  This past weekend, the Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck Series were back in action at Martinsville Speedway.  Meanwhile, the Verizon IndyCar Series made their return to Phoenix International Raceway in front of a modest crowd (read: Better than an XFINITY race). STP 500 Sunday brought the Sprint Cup Series back …

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James Hinchcliffe Returns in IndyCar Road America Test

Hinchcliffe Road America (chris Jones Photo)

(Photo: Chris Jones/IndyCar)

James Hinchliffe’s signature smile and wit were in full effect on Monday, just four months removed from a life-threatening incident at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Hinchcliffe, 28, returned to the cockpit of his Schmidt-Peterson Racing No. 5 Honda as part of a Verizon IndyCar Series test at Road America on Monday, held in preparation for the series’ …

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James Hinchcliffe to Test Indy Car Next Week

Indycar 2015 Nola James Hinchcliffe Victory Credit Chris Jones

(Credit: Chris Jones)

Just four months after a devastating crash at Indianapolis Motorsport Speedway, James Hinchcliffe will return to the seat of a racecar when he tests a Schmidt Peterson Motorsports IndyCar vehicle at Road America on Sept. 28. Hinchcliffe said that the feeling of getting back behind the wheel will be a great one. “I expect to …

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Open-Wheel Wednesday: Let a Loss Not Be in Vain

Justin Wilson Poncon Chris Jones

(Photo: Chris Jones)

There’s a place in motorsports where tradition and progress sometimes clash, and more often than not it’s tradition that prevails. It’s understandable because so often fans, owners, and drivers lament that things just aren’t like they used to be and no one values tradition. No one wants to drive fans and competitors away so ideas …

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Lucky Unlucky Hinchcliffe Doesn’t Remember Indy Incident

Indycar 2015 Nola James Hinchcliffe Sitting In Car Credit Chris Owens

(Photo: Chris Owens)

James Hinchcliffe joked that he received “a complete oil change” over the past month following his violent crash in the final practice prior to the Indianapolis 500. In all seriousness, the affable Canadian IndyCar Series driver is lucky to be alive, and he knows it too. The driver known as Hinchtown suffered a life-threatening leg …

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Happiness Is… Funny Stuff, Yoga & Released

2015 Charlotte I Cup Kasey Kahne Jimmie Johnson Credit Amy Henderson

Photo Credit: Amy Henderson, Frontstretch

By winning the Coca-Cola 600, Carl Edwards has now joined the Chase fray, putting him in position to tinker around for the rest of the “regular season,” continue building chemistry with new crew chief Darian Grubb and meld into the Joe Gibbs Racing organization as a whole. Congrats goes to Edwards, then for earning his first …

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James Hinchcliffe Released from Hospital

2015 Indycar James Hinchcliffe Headshot Close Credit Indycar Media

Photo Credit: IndyCar Media

More than a week after his violent crash at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, James Hinchcliffe has been released from the hospital. The popular Canadian driver underwent surgery on May 18 for an upper-left thigh and pelvic injury and was released just eight days afterwards on Tuesday May 26. He is expected to make a full …

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