Race Weekend Central

10 Points to Ponder… After the 2008 Daytona 500

1. Well, Isn’t That Just Super? – The Daytona 500 is often referred to as NASCAR’s equivalent of the NFL’s Super Bowl. Well, the Patriots – Giants game, held two weeks ago, was an exciting and well-played contest in its own right; and, with a Cinderella finish to boot. I just thought it was appropriate …

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Did You Notice? CoT Equality, Newman Backing Stewart?, Harvick Speaks Out… & More

Did You Notice? That after Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch tangled on the track, Ryan Newman was seen engaging in lighthearted conversation with Stewart on his way to the NASCAR hauler? It’s not like the two drivers can’t talk to each other – they’re friends – but to make that type of move in public, five …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: After the 2008 Bud Shootout at Daytona

Editor’s Note: In our ongoing quest to make our site bigger and better, Frontstretch is proud to expand our power rankings to a full website feature. We do our rankings similar to the Associated Press for basketball and football… each staff member that votes ranks the drivers on a 20-19-18-17-16-15-14… 3-2-1 basis, with the first-place …

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Racing at the Beach: Tragedy, Triumph & Controversial Finishes at Daytona, 2001-07

Editor’s Note: With the 50th running of the Daytona 500 just days away, we’re proud to present Frontstretch Senior Writer Matt McLaughlin’s “History of Daytona” series. McLaughlin has profiled all 49 Daytona 500s – and whether it’s Pearson and Petty spinning through the grass or Earnhardt finally getting the monkey off his back, he’ll have …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: 2008 Preseason Top 15

Editor’s Note: In our ongoing quest to make our site bigger and better, Frontstretch is proud to expand our power rankings to a full website feature. We do our rankings similar to the Associated Press for basketball and football… each staff member that votes ranks the drivers on a 20-19-18-17-16-15-14… 3-2-1 basis, with the first-place …

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2008 Season Preview: Who Is This Year’s NASCAR Chase Surprise?

Today’s Season Preview Topic: Which driver is going to be the biggest surprise in NASCAR’s Chase this season?

2008 Season Preview: Which NASCAR Driver’s on the Hot Seat This Year?

As always, 2008 will be a year when several NASCAR driver contracts are on the verge of expiring. So, which driver starts the season on the hottest seat?

Rating the 2007 NASCAR Cup Series Races: Part II

Editor’s Note: With the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup season complete, it’s now time to take a look back. This week, veteran writer Matt McLaughlin starts the process with his annual race review, analyzing each event of the Nextel Cup season and giving us his take on how good – or bad – they really were. …

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Mirror Driving: Jimmie Johnson’s Place in History, Brian France Rewriting History & Kenseth Looking Back on History

Jimmie Johnson took his second consecutive Nextel Cup title Sunday, joining Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon.

Matt McLaughlin’s Driver Handicaps: 2007 Homestead Race

Jimmie Johnson – Johnson has top-10 finishes in four of his six starts at Homestead, including a second-place result scored here in 2004. For those looking for a little drama, Johnson did crash out here in 2005 en route to 40th place. Jeff Gordon – Gordon has top-10 finishes in six of eight Cup races …

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