Race Weekend Central

Road King Jeff Gordon Paces Final 2015 Cheez-It 355 at the Glen Practice

2015 Loudon I Cup Jeff Gordon Vertical Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

The second Sprint Cup practice for Sunday’s Cheez-It 355 went to Jeff Gordon. Gordon, with nine NASCAR Sprint Cup victories between Watkins Glen and Sonoma, put down a fast lap of 127.333 mph to lead the final road course practice session of his career. Kyle Larson (127.049), Greg Biffle (126.987), Kyle Busch (126.837) and Joey …

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Surprising Faces Top 1st Cheez-It 355 Practice at the Glen

2015 Pocono Cup Clint Bowyer On Pit Road Credit Anthony Lumbis Sr.

Photo Credit: Anthony Lumbis Sr., Frontstretch

A number of surprising faces found themselves in the top 10 following the first round of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice at Watkins Glen International Friday. Clint Bowyer (127.067 mph) topped the charts after the opening 80-minute practice session, while defending race winner AJ Allmendinger (126.901) was second. Jimmie Johnson (126.139), Sam Hornish Jr. (126.095) and …

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Tech Talk: Bono Manion on Setting Up for Those Pesky Right Turns

Kevin Bono Manion Martinsville 2015 Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff, Frontstretch)

Pocono was a rough weekend for Kevin “Bono” Manion and the No. 9 Richard Petty Motorsports team driven by Sam Hornish Jr., but the veteran crew chief is hoping to put the disappointment behind his team and have a better run this coming weekend – after all, it’s a car that has won in the past …

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Kyle Larson Leads Rain-Shortened 2015 Quaker State 400 Practice at Kentucky

2015 Michigan I Cup Kyle Larson Leads Kurt Busch Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

Nearly 48 hours after their first planned on-track time, the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series finally made their way onto Kentucky Speedway to test the new low-downforce rules package. 49 minutes later, rain brought the session to an early end. Chip Ganassi Racing driver Kyle Larson laid down a 182.537-mph lap to top …

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The Frontstretch 5: Tracks That Could Offer New 2015 Winners

2015 Daytona I Unlimited Pack Racing Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Welcome to the Frontstretch Five! 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. With Amy busy this week, Frontstretch Assistant Editor Aaron Bearden looks ahead to …

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Sam Hornish Jr. Looking to Renew Chase Hopes with Richard Petty Motorsports

2015 Charlotte I Cup Sam Hornish Jr Cia

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Walking around the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage, it is pretty difficult to miss seeing an Indianapolis 500 champion. With long sideburns and a new fire suit, this former Team Penske driver has finally landed back in NASCAR’s premier division. Prior to this season, Sam Hornish Jr. had not raced in the Daytona 500 since …

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NASCAR Hands Down Warnings After the 2015 Axalta We Paint Winners 400 at Pocono

2015 Pocono I Cup Jimmie Johnson Car Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

A new phenomenon in NASCAR’s penalty process is handing out written warnings for teams having problems going through inspection. Several teams this season have received written warnings for infractions during inspection, and that was no different on Sunday, as four teams received written warnings following the Axalta We Paint Winners 400 at Pocono Raceway according …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in NASCAR: 2015 Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan Edition

2015 Pocono I Cup Danica Patrick Pack Racing Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

Burnouts (Hot) 97, 131, 131, 95. Those are the numbers of laps led in each of the last four Sprint Cup points races by Martin Truex Jr. But the only number Truex needed and now has is the No. 1, as in the number of wins he has so far this season. The win by …

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Tech Talk: Bono Manion on Engine Strains & Shifting Gears

Kevin Bono Manion Charlotte Motor Speedway 2014 Mike Neff 002

(Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch)

Kevin “Bono” Manion is back to working in a two-car operation. He worked for several years at Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and won some of the biggest races in the sport. He was employed at Tommy Baldwin Racing last year and the beginning of this season but he’s on top of the box …

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Did You Notice? Driver Report Cards, Part II & Quick Hits

2015 Kansas I Cup Jimmie Johnson Winner Sticker Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Did You Notice? It’s time to grade the drivers on their 2015 season? For the first part of Driver Report Cards, as well as the guidelines on how each driver’s being graded please check on yesterday’s article. Part III will be posted overnight tonight. Jeb Burton Stats: 9 starts, 0 wins, 0 top fives, 0 …

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Richard Petty Motorsports, Twisted Tea Team Up for 2 More Races

2015 Phoenix I Cup Sam Hornish Jr Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

When Richard Petty announced that Sam Hornish Jr. would take over driving duties of the No. 9 car in 2015, he did so without having all the races sponsored. Since then, team owner Andrew Murstein’s Medallion Bank has filled the gap, but the marketing team has been able to make some progress. Wednesday, the team announced …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2015 Sprint Showdown at Charlotte

2015 Charlotte Showdown Greg Biffle Danica Patrick Clint Bowyer Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Credit: Getty Images)

Looking for the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How behind Friday night’s race? Amy Henderson has you covered with each week with the answers to six race-day questions, covering all five Ws and even the H with the Big Six. Who… gets my shoutout of the race? Most people wouldn’t be surprised if the …

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