Race Weekend Central

Nationwide Series Breakdown: 2009 Degree V12 300 at Atlanta

In 2009, Kevin Harvick has seldom, if ever, resembled the championship-contending driver that he has been on the Sprint Cup circuit in years past. But on Saturday night, driving his own No. 33 car, the Harvick of old was alive and well. With Cup stars Kyle Busch and Jeff Burton, as well as the JR …

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Talking NASCAR TV: Strong Pre-Race Show at Bristol, But In-Race Improvements Needed for ESPN

Hello, race viewers. The infamous Bristol night races have historically featured close racing, wrecking and tempers. However, the wrecking and tempers have decreased significantly since the track was reconfigured in 2007, creating “graduated banking.” As a result, the races this past week lived up to the old ideals of Bristol, but with more competitive racing …

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Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2009 Bristol Night Race Recap

The Key Moment: Kyle Busch prevailed in a spirited side-by-side duel over the final two laps. In a Nutshell: While there’s side-by-side racing and technically better racing, fans just aren’t warming up to Bristol Lite. Fans don’t seem to like the new track, the new cars and less carnage. Maybe Bristol should modify Miller’s slogan, …

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Nationwide Series Breakdown: 2009 Food City 250 at Bristol

There were Cup headliners aplenty all day Friday as the Nationwide Series tackled the Bristol Motor Speedway. Early in the week, it was Ryan Newman doing quadruple duty at Bristol. Then it was Brad Keselowski, who wouldn’t confirm or deny that he has signed to drive for Penske Racing in the Cup Series in 2009. …

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Talking NASCAR TV: Jerry Punch Mails in the Nationwide Race While TNT Shines

Welcome, race fans. For nearly 50 years, the Fourth of July weekend at Daytona has marked the ceremonial, and in the case of this season, the physical halfway point. The Truck Series took the week off, so it was the Cup and Nationwide series competing at the World Center of Racing this weekend. The Cup …

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Nationwide Series Breakdown: 2009 Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona

Friday night’s (July 3) race at Daytona was shaping up to be a tremendous finish until a messy wreck on lap 96 stopped the battle at the front of the field and scattered debris and rescue equipment all over the 2.5-mile oval. In their infinite wisdom, NASCAR chose not to red flag the race – …

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Tearing Apart the Trucks: The Struggles of Trail Motorsports

The Camping World Truck Series hits the track again tonight at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. At Kansas Speedway, the Truck Series saw its first short field. That came as a surprise because I expected it to happen sooner considering that all through the off season, the big news was the economy and the effect it would …

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5 Points to Ponder: 2009 NASCAR Preview Edition

NASCAR’s top national series hits the track this week – which means that finally, finally fans will be able to hear more about on track news and the upcoming year rather than an offseason full of layoffs, mergers and utter confusion. Instead, when the green flag waves next weekend for the Budweiser Shootout – and …

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Did You Notice? Nice Guys Finish Last, NASCAR’s Diversity Nightmare & Chase Vulnerability

Did You Notice? That one of the compelling themes in NASCAR as of late is proof of the phrase, “Nice guys finish last?” David Reutimann is the latest example; known as a man who won’t bump anyone out of the way in order to get to the front, Reutimann got loose with Clint Bowyer oh-so-close behind …

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