Race Weekend Central

Did You Notice? … Distinguishing NASCAR Dreams From Reality

2014 Texas Ii Cup Ricky Stenhouse Jr Face Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Did You Notice? … The audience increased for this year’s version of the Chase? Homestead ratings, released Tuesday wrapped up the latest ten-race version of NASCAR’s playoff, a 3.1 Nielsen number flat year-to-year but still good enough to keep the audience rising. Yes, executives around the sport are trumpeting how much this postseason boosted interest. …

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Homestead

2014 Homestead Cup Kevin Harvick Burnout Cia

Four drivers entered the season finale at Homestead with one mission: finish ahead of the other three and win the 2014 Sprint Cup Series championship. There was a general consensus that whoever won the championship would also have to win the race, and that proved to be the case as all four drivers were strong …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud – Homestead – Cup Championship – A Cup Full of Budweiser

2014 Homestead Cup Kevin Harvick Burnout Ii Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2014)­

Key Moment – On the 11th caution flag of the night, Kevin Harvick’s crew chief Rodney Childers called for a four tire pit stop with 29 cars on the lead lap. When stops were completed Harvick was in 12th position. A quick caution afterwards allowed Harvick to restart in the sixth position. In a Nutshell …

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Phoenix

2014 Phoenix Ii Cup Kevin Harvick Champagne Cia

Credit: CIA Stock Photography

And then there were four. The drivers competing for the Championship at Homestead next week are set, and as the other Chase races have proven, it wasn’t without drama. Kevin Harvick’s only option was to win, and win he did, in dominating fashion by leading the most laps. Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano needed top-10 finishes …

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Frontstretch Foto Funnies: A Whole Bag!?

Welcome to the Frontstretch Foto Funnies! Ever see a photo that’s just begging for a caption? We see them all the time! Each week, we’ll pick a few, then let our staff give it their best shot. We’ll post the best ones for you! Want to get in on the fun?  Leave your best ideas …

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NASCAR Issues Penalties Against No. 5 and No. 24 Team Following Texas Fight

2014 Texas Ii Cup Jeff Gordon Brad Keselowski Postrace Brawl Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Following the fight at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday night, NASCAR has issued penalties against crew members on both the No. 5 and No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports teams. Jeremy Fuller off of Kasey Kahne‘s No. 5 team, along with Dwayne Doucette and Jason Ingle off of Jeff Gordon‘s No. 24 team, have been each fined …

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Texas

2014 Texas Ii Cup Jimmie Johnson Crew Checkered Flag Cia

For the second time during the Chase, on-track contact has led to a post-race fight. The one common denominator: Brad Keselowski. This time, Keselowski made a bold three-wide move between Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon which resulted in a cut tire for Gordon and a 29th place finish. Understandably, Gordon was upset after seeing a …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: AAA Texas 500 – Rumblin’, Bumblin’ and Stumblin’

2014 Texas Ii Cup Jeff Gordon Brad Keselowski Postrace Brawl Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Key Moment – On the first green-white-checkered finish, Jeff Gordon chose the outside line to lead the field to the green. He drifted wide as the field approached turn 1, opening the door for Brad Keselowski to try and shoot through the middle in an effort to go for the win. Gordon came down and …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2014 Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500 at Martinsville

2014 Martinsville Cup Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Grandfather Clock Credit Cia

Credit: CIA Stock Photography

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? At the end, staying out on the final caution while …

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Jamie McMurray Plays Spoiler in Sprint Cup Qualifying at Martinsville

Jamie Mcmurray Martinsville Pole Credit Nascar Twitter

Credit: NASCAR Twitter

Jamie McMurray crashed the Chase party at Martinsville Speedway on Friday and will start on the pole for Sunday’s Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500. With a speed of 99.905 mph, McMurray edged Joey Logano, who will start alongside on the front row. Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top 5. Brad …

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