Race Weekend Central

Jimmie Johnson Takes Budweiser Duel No. 2; Danica Patrick, Denny Hamlin Feud

2014 Kansas Ii Cup Jimmie Johnson Danica Patrick Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

In a wild Budweiser Duel, Jimmie Johnson found the best way possible to keep away from the madness. Stay out in front of it. Leading 40 of 62 laps, Johnson survived a green-white-checkered finish and completed a Hendrick Motorsports sweep of Thursday’s Budweiser Duels. Already qualified on the outside of the front row, Johnson will be …

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Happiness Is… Listening, Livery & Midseason Form

2014 Loudon Ii Cup Danica Patrick Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

The Great American Race, version 2015, is upon us.  The offseason has finally given way to throttled-up engines and strapped-in drivers and it’s time to enjoy NASCAR’s biggest spectacle. With Daytona’s surface in good shape and no Juan Pablo Montoya in the field, there’s a good chance that nothing wildly extravagant will happen on par …

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Kyle Busch Paces Third Daytona 500 Practice Amid Danica Patrick Crash

2014 Texas Ii Cup Kyle Busch Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photography © 2014)

Kyle Busch paced the field in the first Sprint Cup Series action at Daytona since Sunday’s qualifying round, winning the third practice for the Daytona 500 on Wednesday and posting a top speed of 200.776 mph. Busch was one of three drivers to eclipse the 200 mph mark, along with Jimmie Johnson (200.530) and Trevor Bayne (200.053). …

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NASCAR Mailbox: Daytona, Danica Patrick & the Rainbow Warriors?

2014 Phoenix Ii Cup Jeff Gordon Cia

Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2014

What a week it’s been during the first installment of 2015, Budweiser Speedweeks at The World Center of Racing. Great weather and good racing during the highly anticipated Sprint Unlimited on Saturday night, capped-off by a less-than perfect first attempt at Sprint Cup group qualifying, made for an eventful weekend. Not holding back were the likes …

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Friday Faceoff: 2015 NASCAR Season Preview

2014 Loudon Ii Cup Danica Patrick Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Welcome to Friday Faceoff! What do you get when you take some hot-button NASCAR topics and hand them over to our dedicated and… er, opinionated staff? A little disagreement and a whole lot of thought-provoking insight! Check out this week’s edition to see what everyone is arguing… um, we mean, discussing this week! 1) Stewart-Haas Racing …

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Four Burning Questions at the Sprint Unlimited: Aero Package Excitement & Jeff Gordon’s Last Speedweeks

2014 Chicago Cup Jeff Gordon Cia

(CIA Stock Photo, Inc. © 2014)

We did it! We’re back! We made it through the offseason, and damn, this one seemed extra long, no? It did for me at least, but I’m also a racing-obsessed lunatic. No matter, as the Sprint Unlimited, the glitzy exhibition race at Daytona that kicks off every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, is finally upon …

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The Frontstretch Five: Storylines to Watch in 2015

2014 Phoenix Ii Cup Jeff Gordon Cia

Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2014

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. This week, Amy has some things to keep an eye on as the …

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Holding A Pretty Wheel: Stewart-Haas Racing Has Obstacles to Overcome In Repeat Title Bid

2014 Richmond Ii Cup Tony Stewart Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

It’s hard to argue the success of a race team which includes the reigning Sprint Cup champion. Indeed, Stewart-Haas Racing has a pair of titles in the last four seasons, with team co-owner Tony Stewart hoisting the Cup in 2011 and Kevin Harvick adding to the hardware in 2014. Harvick, who won five times en route …

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Stewart-Haas Racing Looking to Improve in 2015

2014 Homestead Cup Kevin Harvick Tony Stewart Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Earning a championship is at the top of the wish list for every team entering a fresh season. For Stewart-Haas Racing, the organization is set to repeat as champions with Kevin Harvick and the No. 4 team. However, with two teams missing the Chase, there is room for improvement throughout the four-car organization. With multiple adjustments …

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Going By the Numbers: NASCAR’s Newbie Cup Runneth Over in 2014

2014 Michigan Ii Cup Austin Dillon Car Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

The 2014 season is over, and NASCAR’s gained the highest degree of attention – positive or otherwise – it’s received in years. And yet, you’re not happy. That’s certainly the case for many fans and viewers of the sport, who look at the experiment that was the new Chase format with disdain, even outrage. The …

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Five Points to Ponder: Reflecting On NASCAR’s 2014 Journey

2014 Homestead Cwts Matt Crafton Kyle Busch Burnout Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

ONE: Stewart-Haas Racing’s crazy path to a second title When Stewart-Haas Racing announced they would run four cars in 2014 with Kurt Busch, Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick behind the wheel, media and fans alike thought co-owners Stewart and Gene Haas were crazy. Three of the four are among the most outspoken drivers …

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