Race Weekend Central

Fanning the Flames: Numbers Show 2009 Season Most Competitive of NASCAR’s Chase Era

A quick observation that somehow waded into my head amidst the congestion and cloudiness of a mid-August head cold: For as much as we, as fans and media, like to complain about the slanted nature of the sport circa 2009, notice that with Red Bull Racing’s win at Michigan, we’ve now had four first-time team …

Read more

Did You Notice? Whether Family & NASCAR Really Mix?, No Chase, No Crew & White House Snubs

Did You Notice? How amazing it is Jeff Gordon’s competing for the title this year? I say that not because of his ailing back (although that’s another story all to itself)… it’s because he’s busy changing diapers at home. Who in the world is capable of doing both? Now, I’m mostly joking around with that …

Read more

Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2009 CARFAX 400 at Michigan

A fuel-mileage race at Michigan? Who would have guessed it? Seriously, as expected Sunday’s 400-mile affair in the Irish Hills left us counting drops of Sunoco gasoline to see who was going to make it to the finish line first. And just like any stock car event decided by fuel strategy, those final few laps …

Read more

Talking NASCAR TV: Backseat Drivers Bring Different Feel to ESPN’s Booth at Michigan

Hello, race fans. This past weekend, we had two races end with slightly unexpected outcomes at Michigan International Speedway. The Nationwide Series event ended with Brad Keselowski winning after Brian Vickers forced Kyle Busch down to the apron at the white-flag lap, hurting both cars’ momentum enough for his No. 88 to pull alongside. Meanwhile, …

Read more

Who’s Hot/Who’s Not in Sprint Cup: 2009 CARFAX 400 at Michigan Edition

What a weekend for Brian Vickers! After winning poles in both the Nationwide and Cup series at Michigan International Speedway, Vickers scored his second career Cup win on Sunday and came close to scoring the sweep Saturday in the NNS race. Now within 12 points of the Chase, Vickers’s place in this week’s column is …

Read more

Fan’s View: Trying to Crash the Kyle Busch Show? Good Luck

“I forgot it was the Kyle Busch Show.” Really, Brian Vickers? You haven’t noticed an overabundance of the No. 18, and its driver, in the camera shot this year? Huh. You must be watching a different NASCAR season from me. Seriously, folks, if there’s one thing you learn as a sports fan, it’s that we …

Read more