Race Weekend Central

Going By the Numbers: Should NASCAR Debuts Leave Fans Dazzled… Or Disinterested?

2014 Atlanta Cup Ty Dillon Car Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

For the fourth week in a row, there’s a new face on the entry list in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. First there was Ty Dillon, younger brother of Austin, grandson of Richard Childress and competitor in the Nationwide Series, whose debut had been anticipated for months – if not years – at Atlanta Motor …

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Nationwide Series Breakdown: Jimmy John’s Freaky Fast 300

2014 Nationwide Chicagoland Kevin Harvick Trophy

Credit: CIA Editorial Photography

Kevin Harvick took advantage of a gutsy two-tire call by his crew chief Ernie Cope and Kyle Busch‘s poor track position with 39 laps to go to win the Jimmy John’s Freaky Fast 300 at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday afternoon. The victory marked the fourth win of the season for Harvick and the 44th Nationwide …

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Chris Buescher, Ty Dillon Lead Nationwide Practices at Richmond

2014 Atlanta Nns Chris Buescher Car Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc., ©2015)

Chris Buescher and Ty Dillon paced the field as the Nationwide Series hit the track at Richmond International Raceway Thursday afternoon. The series returned to the track as preparations began for Friday night’s Virginia 529 College Savings 250. Buescher led a trio of Nationwide rookies at the the top of the board, piloting his No. …

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Five Points to Ponder: A Debut For One, One Veteran’s Record And One Race Left

2014 Atlanta Cup Ty Dillon Car Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

ONE: ONE TO GO: RICHMOND And then there was one. Just 300 miles and 400 laps at Richmond International Raceway separate us from the end of the regular season and the start of the newfangled Chase for the Sprint Cup format. Kasey Kahne became the 13th driver to win a race this season at Atlanta …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2014 Oral-B USA 500 at Atlanta

2014 Atlanta Cup Tony Stewart Cockpit Cia

(Credit: CIA)

Looking for the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How behind Sunday’s race? Amy Henderson has you covered each week 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? Several drivers had noteworthy nights in Atlanta, but one surprisingly …

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Nuts for Nationwide: It’s No Longer the Kyle Busch Series

2014 Loudon I Nns Kyle Busch Racing Cia

The so-called Kyle Busch Show has been rewritten. The 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series season has instead been the tale of a rookie named Chase Elliott, with a few chapters on what dominance looks like (in the form of JR Motorsports), along with the fight from the little engines that could in Ty Dillon and Chris Buescher. …

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Fantasy Insider: Gauging NASCAR “Bubble” Brilliance At Atlanta

2014 Pocono Ii Cup Matt Kenseth Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Playoff scenarios. You may be bored with all the “what ifs” but when it comes to your fantasy roster, they’re a “what launches” you above your competition. Just what drivers may or may not do with a Chase spot on the line could well factor into how your fantasy team does these next couple of …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: ESPN Sidesteps Stewart Bristol Salute

2014 Loudon I Nns Race Fans Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography. Copyright 2014)

This past weekend, the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series were all in action at Bristol Motor Speedway, but don’t be looking for the latter here. I will be covering the Camping World Truck Series UNOH 200 presented by Zloop later this week in the Critic’s Annex, along with the ARCA race from …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: ESPN Makes A Few Michigan Mistakes

2014 Michigan Ii Cup Joey Logano Jeff Gordon Racing Cia

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

All three NASCAR national series took to the track last weekend, just a mere state border – and then some – away from each other. The Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck series battled at Michigan International Speedway while the Nationwide Series took its second trip to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Unfortunately, having everything in …

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Pace Laps: Jimmie Johnson Success, First Time Nationwide Winners and Powers’ Power

2014 Michigan Ii Cup Jimmie Johnson Car Cia

Sprint Cup: A normal race at Michigan for Jimmie Johnson usually means that he runs out of fuel in the final laps after leading for most of the day and having the best car.  Johnson, however, did the other Jimmie Johnson thing at Michigan.  That usually means falling way back in the field and then seemingly arriving …

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Mirror Driving: System Failure, Strategy vs. Speed, and Future Stars

2014 Pocono Ii Cup Dale Earnhardt Jr Beats Kevin Harvick Cia

Welcome to Mirror Driving. Every week, your favorite columnists sit down and give their opinion about the latest NASCAR news, rumors and controversy. Love us or hate us, make a comment below and tell us how you feel about what we’ve said! This Week’s Participants: Amy Henderson (Mondays / The Big Six & Wednesdays / …

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Did You Notice? … NASCAR Talent: Then And Now

2014 Pocono Ii Cup Ricky Stenhouse Jr Helmet Cia

Credit: CIA Editorial Photography

Did You Notice? … How hard it is to gain a foothold in this sport? More than ever, talented drivers find themselves inside a shrinking window of opportunity. The number of available rides has shrunk, combined with the funding now necessary to pair them within a top-tier organization. Having cash on hand and helping bridge …

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