Race Weekend Central

NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Kansas

2014 Kansas Ii Cup Joey Logano Confetti Cia

Credit - CIA Stock Photography

Team Penske continued their dominating performance during the Chase as Joey Logano captured his fifth win of the season, second in the Chase and locked himself into the eight driver Eliminator Round. The Penske duo of Logano and Brad Keselowski have combined to win three of the first four Chase races. Many thought Talladega would …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2014 Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas

2014 Kansas Ii Cup Joey Logano Confetti Cia

Credit - CIA Stock Photography

Looking for the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How behind Sunday’s race? Summer Bedgood has you covered with the answers to six race-day questions, covering all five Ws and even the H… the Big Six.  Who… gets my shoutout of the race? Though rookie Kyle Larson was incredibly impressive, nearly earning his first career NASCAR …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2014 AAA 400 at Dover

2014 Dover Ii Cup Jeff Gordon Burnout

Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Looking for the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How behind Sunday’s race? Beth Lunkenheimer has you covered with the answers to six race-day questions, covering all five Ws and even the H… the Big Six. Who… gets my shoutout of the race? To say the 2014 season has been a struggle for Martin Truex …

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Quotes to Remember: AAA 400

2014 Dover Ii Cup Jeff Gordon Wins Cia

Credit: CIA Stock Photography

“I don’t know what happened to Kevin Harvick. It was unfortunate for him. He was the class of the field. We were tuning on it to try to keep even with him. When I saw him go out, I knew we could compete with the No.2 (Brad Keselowski) car. The No. 2 was really good …

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Frontstretch Foto Funnies: Simon Says You’re Out

Ff 9 19 14 1

Dale Junior is eliminated when the emcee doesn’t say "Simon Says" before giving the command to look to the left. (Photo: CIA Editorial Photography)

Welcome to the Frontstretch Foto Funnies! Ever see a photo that’s just begging for a caption? We see them all the time! Each week, we’ll pick a few, then let our staff give it their best shot. We’ll post the best ones for you! Want to get in on the fun?  Leave your best ideas …

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Going By the Numbers: No Dancing Around Issue of Michael Waltrip Racing’s Sudden Decline

When millions of people turn on Dancing with the Stars this fall, many will be introduced to Michael Waltrip. Those unfamiliar with him – non-NASCAR fans, mostly – will become acquainted with the part-time driver and full-time owner, some taking a liking to him due to his ebullient, lively nature. Waltrip’s personality should translate well, …

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Going By the Numbers: Why Stewart Still Sits In Perfect Chase Position

2014 Mudsummer Classic Eldora Speedway Tony Stewart Camping World Trucks Mike Neff 223

(Credit: Mike Neff)

When it’s all said and done, Ryan Newman will be part of the 2014 Chase for the Sprint Cup. But you already figured – perhaps knew – that, didn’t you? After all, all Newman has a 19-point lead on Greg Biffle entering Richmond, the final race before the Chase begins. Even if, Biffle made up those points, …

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NASCAR Mailbox: The Lack of Negativity Surrounding Tony Stewart’s Return Was Refreshing

2014 Atlanta Cup Tony Stewart Cockpit Cia

(Credit: CIA)

Tony Stewart’s return to NASCAR was a story that wasn’t just a big deal to the NASCAR community. It was a big deal to a lot of people who rarely pay attention to the sport, if ever. Mainstream news organizations were present at Atlanta Motor Speedway, from Friday afternoon when Stewart made his first public …

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The Frontstretch Five: Reasons To Give Small Teams Another Look

2014 Atlanta Cup Alex Bowman Car Front Cia

(Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Welcome to the Frontstretch Five, a brand-new column for 2014! Each week, Amy Henderson takes a look at the racing, the drivers, and the storylines that drive NASCAR and produces a list of five people, places, things, and ideas that define the current state of our sport. This week, Amy has five reasons to pay …

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Racing to the Point: Revisiting Spingate, One Year Later For Michael Waltrip Racing

2014 Indianapolis Cup Clint Bowyer Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

The spin, like an earthquake, lasted about five seconds. Its aftershock is still being felt. This was no ordinary I-want-to-be-a-NASCAR-driver spin. When Clint Bowyer followed orders to itch his arm and went sideways off turn 4 in the final laps of the regular season finale at Richmond last season, he set his organization back three …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud – Atlanta Oral-B 500: Stewart Makes His Return

2014 Atlanta Cup Tony Stewart Press Conference Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. Copyright 2014)

Key Moment – Kyle Busch and Martin Truex, Jr. had a dispute in Turn 1 with two laps to go. Busch hit Truex in the back bumper and put him into the wall. The resulting contact brought out the caution flag, which prompted a Green-White-Checkered finish. Kasey Kahne, who was headed to a potential victory …

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Playoff Success: Winless Wonders Have Their Day at Atlanta

2014 Atlanta Cup Kevin Harvick Matt Kenseth Lead Racing Action Credit Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Last week, a running theme from Bristol revolved around teams missing their season-long opportunity to capitalize on a win. Several winless drivers, whose best shot might have been at Thunder Valley, instead looked like they were struck by lightning, thrown backwards while the sport’s best teams padded their playoff spots. My, what a difference eight …

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