Race Weekend Central

The Yellow Stripe: Grading NASCAR’s Pack Two-Thirds of the Way Through 2008

66 drivers have started their engines at the NASCAR Sprint Cup level this season. From the high banks of Daytona to the high banks of Thunder Valley the Sprint Cup season has been in part thrilling, part farcical but for the most part, despite all the flaws (yes, even the really obvious ones), still utterly …

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Who’s Hot/Who’s Not in Sprint Cup: 2008 3M Performance 400 at Michigan Edition

With the Chase fast approaching, the number of races left for contenders to reel in points leader Kyle Busch are quickly coming and going. Busch’s 80 bonus points – as of now – guarantees the No. 18 team the number one spot once the Chase begins. However, Carl Edwards narrowed that deficit to 40 with …

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10 Points to Ponder… After the 2008 Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono

1. Midget Money – Frequent NASCAR “bad boy” Tony Stewart was fined $10,000 after reportedly becoming angry at officials during a USAC midget race when they made a competition-related decision that adversely affected Tracy Hines, who drives for Stewart’s open-wheel team. Witnesses said that Stewart charged a USAC official – knocking his headset off – …

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Running Their Mouth: 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard

This week, here’s a sneak peek at what a select few were thinking following the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

10 Points to Ponder… After the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard

1. Yuck! – Max Mosley, President of the governing body that oversees Formula 1 racing – the most widely followed form of automobile racing in the world – won a breach or privacy lawsuit against a British tabloid this week. The magazine ran a story about the 68-year old’s sexual escapades that quickly got picked …

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The Yellow Stripe: NASCAR Drivers I Never Got to See, But Wish I Had

My first week in the States, I watched a “Beyond the Glory” program which focused on NFL quarterback Kurt Warner. Not knowing his story – remember, I’m a transplanted Brit – I was mesmerized by Warner’s meteoric rise from shelf stacker to Super Bowl MVP. Whether you like the guy or not, it would be …

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Voice of Vito: Enjoy It While It Lasts – Kyle Busch’s Dominant Season to be Derailed by Chase Format

Be forewarned: Yes, this is another Kyle Busch article. Yes, that move on the outside of Jimmie Johnson on the final lap of the LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday night was nothing short of remarkable; and yes, I will be touting how well he has run this year, the dominance which he has …

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Fanning the Flames: Randy Moss, Mark Martin & Those Crazy Flock Brothers

Q: Hi Matt! My husband and I were trying to remember the last time brothers won three straight races before Kyle and Kurt did so. We can’t think of a time it has happened unless Terry and Bobby Labonte did it. Or maybe Kurt and Kyle themselves? Can you help us out? Thanks! – Linda Davis A: …

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Matt McLaughlin Mouths Off: Is This Really Mark Martin’s Last Stand?

The jumbled pieces of this year’s silly season puzzle began falling together at Daytona this week, presenting a clearer picture of next year’s Cup lineup. It had already been announced that Casey Mears would be leaving Hendrick Motorsports and the No. 5 team next year. Rumors were rampant that the open seat in the No. …

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The Yellow Stripe: 18 Storylines After 18 Races – NASCAR’s Cup Series at Halfway

With the conclusion of the high-banked, 200-mph, 400-mile drama-fest at Daytona, we’re at the halfway point of the 2008 season. And while each week usually unfolds into its own unique episode in the 10-month epic of a soap opera NASCAR has become, there are always certain storylines that resonate across each season, from track to …

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