Race Weekend Central

Thinkin’ Out Loud: Chicagoland – Brad Keselowski Threads the Needle to the Second Round of the Chase

2014 Chicago Cup Brad Keselowski Trophy Cia

Credit: CIA Editorial Photography

Key Moment – Brad Keselowski was running in second when he made a yellow flag pit stop on lap 183. His team felt they did not properly secure the right rear tire to the car on the stop so they returned to pit lane and changed the tires again. As a result, Keselowski restarted behind …

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Happiness Is… Change, Being Invited & Lameness

2014 Michigan Ii Cup Clint Bowyer Car Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. © 2015)

With the Chase now set to begin (finally) this Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway, the focus can shift from who’s making the playoffs to who’s going to win the championship.  The hype and hoopla surrounding this newer format of NASCAR’s postseason has been with us this entire season.  In fact, it feels like it’s been all …

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Going By the Numbers: No Dancing Around Issue of Michael Waltrip Racing’s Sudden Decline

When millions of people turn on Dancing with the Stars this fall, many will be introduced to Michael Waltrip. Those unfamiliar with him – non-NASCAR fans, mostly – will become acquainted with the part-time driver and full-time owner, some taking a liking to him due to his ebullient, lively nature. Waltrip’s personality should translate well, …

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Richmond

2014 Richmond Ii Cup Brad Keselowski Woohoo Cia

After 26 races and 13 race winners, the 2014 Chase field has been set. Brad Keselowski made a championship statement Saturday night, leading 383 of the 400 laps en route to his season-leading fourth victory. With his win, Keselowski claimed the number one seed as the Chase standing reset heading to Chicago. Results were mixed …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: Narrow Focus on Chase Hopefuls Hurts ESPN

2014 Richmond Ii Cup Clint Bowyer Paul Menard Racing Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

The Chase was the name of the game last weekend, which is probably how things should be. After all, regardless of one’s opinion of NASCAR’s playoffs, it’s certainly the focal point of the next 10 races, meaning the lead-in is just as important when it comes to determining who gets to play and who’s left …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Richmond – The Chase is Set, Brad Keselowski Dominates and a Drunk on a Fence

2014 Richmond Ii Cup Brad Keselowski Burnout Cia

Credit: CIA Editorial Photography

Key Moment – In a race where the winner leads 383 laps, including the final 274 in a row, there really aren’t any key moments in the race. Based on the practice sheets the key moment came between the first practice and the final practice. Brad Keselowski was 14th fastest in 10 lap average in …

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Four Burning Questions: Underdogs, Weather and Richmond Dominance

2014 Loudon I Cup Carl Edwards Cia

Credit: CIA Editorial Photography

Twenty- five weeks of grueling competition across the tracks of the Sprint Cup Series all comes to a head Saturday night at the Richmond International Raceway in the Federated Auto Parts 400 as the field for the opening race of the Chase for the Sprint Cup will be set. As always, there are numerous storylines headlining …

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Happiness Is… Drama, Not Fighting & Intelligence

2014 Daytona Ii Cup Kyle Larson Jamiemcmurray Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photography © 2014)

One race to go until the Cup playoffs begin. That seems like a mismatched sentence, putting together autosport and hockey, but alas, that’s how things are now.  This whole season has seemed like one big Chase storyline, beginning with Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s Daytona 500.  Almost immediately after he crossed the finish line, it felt like …

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Going By the Numbers: Why Stewart Still Sits In Perfect Chase Position

2014 Mudsummer Classic Eldora Speedway Tony Stewart Camping World Trucks Mike Neff 223

(Credit: Mike Neff)

When it’s all said and done, Ryan Newman will be part of the 2014 Chase for the Sprint Cup. But you already figured – perhaps knew – that, didn’t you? After all, all Newman has a 19-point lead on Greg Biffle entering Richmond, the final race before the Chase begins. Even if, Biffle made up those points, …

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Fantasy Insider: Chasing NASCAR’s New Chase Game

2014 Atlanta Cup Kevin Harvick Tony Stewart Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. © 2014)

NASCAR introduced its new fantasy game that will begin next week called the Perfect Chase Grid Challenge. It will give fans a chance to predict which drivers will make it through each round of the Chase, with four being eliminated after the Dover race, four more being finished after Talladega and then four more after …

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NASCAR To Be Represented in ‘Dancing With The Stars’

Nascar Sprint Media Tour Day 4

(Credit: Getty Images)

After 19 seasons on the air, ABC’s ultra-popular series Dancing With the Stars will feature a NASCAR star as one of their representatives. According to a report from New York Daily News, two-time Daytona 500 and current Fox Sports analyst Michael Waltrip will be a contestant, the first time NASCAR has a driver on the show. The …

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NASCAR Mailbox: The Lack of Negativity Surrounding Tony Stewart’s Return Was Refreshing

2014 Atlanta Cup Tony Stewart Cockpit Cia

(Credit: CIA)

Tony Stewart’s return to NASCAR was a story that wasn’t just a big deal to the NASCAR community. It was a big deal to a lot of people who rarely pay attention to the sport, if ever. Mainstream news organizations were present at Atlanta Motor Speedway, from Friday afternoon when Stewart made his first public …

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