Race Weekend Central

What Could’ve Been: Mark Martin and Rick Hendrick Almost Teamed Up in 1984

2009 Cup Mark Martin Hendrick Motorsports Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

For three men in the NASCAR world, the month of January has been among the best of their lives, as they were inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Jan. 20. Mark Martin and Rick Hendrick, who join Richard Childress, Raymond Parks and Benny Parsons in the Hall, are back together as inductees following …

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Who’s Hot & Who’s Not: Kentucky Edition

2016 Charlotte Motor Speedway Nscs All Star Race Brad Keselowski Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

The restrictor plate race at Daytona brought us the usual action. That mainly included a big wreck involving something like 206 cars (well actually 22, but you get the point), and the always tense finish with of course, a car sliding over the finish line, because you know that happens all the time. HOT The …

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Mark Martin Embracing Acknowledgment Following Hall of Fame Induction

Matr

Photo: Zach Catanzareti

Since his last race at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Tony Stewart’s No. 14 Chevrolet in 2013, Mark Martin has not attended a Sprint Cup Series race since. However, that streak will come to an end in this Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, as Martin will sport his NASCAR Hall of Fame shirt after being …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 All-Time NASCAR Drivers

Dale Earnhardt Sr. #3

(Photo: Donald Miralle)

The Sprint Cup Series had its final off weekend before the run to Homestead. So we thought it’d be fun to stir the pot a little and ask the question, “who are the top NASCAR drivers of all time?” This question has been debated for many years and the lists are quite different depending on who …

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Beyond the Cockpit: Ben Kennedy Creating a Legacy of his Own

Charlotte Motor Speedway Day 1

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­­

Being born into NASCAR’s first family has had it perks for Ben Kennedy. The great-grandson of William H.G. “Big Bill” France Sr., founder of NASCAR, is on a mission. It’s one that is unlike any other that the sport has seen, and it includes working with the core group of NASCAR executives outside of racing – his …

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NASCAR 101: Martin Truex Jr. Not the 1st to End a Lengthy Winless Streak

2015 Pocono I Cup Martin Truex Jr Sherry Pollex Celebrating Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

Martin Truex Jr.’s win was well deserved. The Mayetta, N.J. driver had led the most laps in the three previous weeks, only to be shut out of victory lane. The 34-year-old driver was also in the midst of a 69-race winless-streak, stretching back to the 2013 Sonoma triumph with Michael Waltrip Racing that ironically set …

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Five Points to Ponder: Reflecting On NASCAR’s 2014 Journey

2014 Homestead Cwts Matt Crafton Kyle Busch Burnout Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

ONE: Stewart-Haas Racing’s crazy path to a second title When Stewart-Haas Racing announced they would run four cars in 2014 with Kurt Busch, Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick behind the wheel, media and fans alike thought co-owners Stewart and Gene Haas were crazy. Three of the four are among the most outspoken drivers …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud – Homestead – Cup Championship – A Cup Full of Budweiser

2014 Homestead Cup Kevin Harvick Burnout Ii Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2014)­

Key Moment – On the 11th caution flag of the night, Kevin Harvick’s crew chief Rodney Childers called for a four tire pit stop with 29 cars on the lead lap. When stops were completed Harvick was in 12th position. A quick caution afterwards allowed Harvick to restart in the sixth position. In a Nutshell …

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Going By the Numbers: NASCAR Bubble Drivers “Chasing”… What, Exactly?

2014 Daytona Ii Cup Kyle Larson Jamie Mcmurray Conversation Cia

(Credit: CIA)

You’re well aware by now of the talk surrounding the Chase for the Sprint Cup – and, most particularly, the drivers who will make it into NASCAR’s version of a playoff system. Who’s in? Who’s out? Who’s out but could make their way in? Hold on. Is there really any reason to ask that last …

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Five Points to Ponder: Martin’s Impact, The Glen, and Looking Ahead to ‘15

2014 Indianapolis Cup Tony Stewart Puzzled Cia

Credit: CIA Editorial Photography

ONE: Will Dale Earnhardt, Jr. remain strong this season? Fresh off the No. 88 team’s sweep of Pocono, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and outgoing crew chief, Steve Letarte seem to be “firing on all eight cylinders” as Junior stated after their victory at the GoBowling.com 400 at Pocono Raceway on Sunday. But the question remains, with …

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Mark Martin Returning to Roush Fenway Racing as Driver Development Coach

2014 Loudon I Nns Trevor Bayne Racing Cia

(Credit: CIA)

For 19 years, Roush Fenway Racing was the only place Mark Martin called home. From 1988 to 2006, Martin won 83 races across NASCAR’s top three National Series and finished runner-up in the Sprint Cup Series points standings on four different occasions (1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002) while being a big part of helping Roush Fenway Racing …

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