Race Weekend Central

NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Daytona

2015 Daytona I Cup Joey Logano Woohoo Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

After a Speedweeks that can be described as nothing else but crazy, Sunday saw a somewhat tame Daytona 500…if you can call multiple laps of three-wide racing for the lead at 200 mph tame. The race ended under yellow for a multi-car accident after the field took the white flag. Joey Logano, who led 31 …

Read more

Kyle Busch Suffers Compound Right Leg Fracture; Crafton To Sub

2014 Bristol Ii Cup Kyle Busch Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

UPDATE: Owner Joe Gibbs addressed the media Sunday morning. He said plans beyond Daytona are “undetermined” along with the amount of time Busch is in the car. However, Busch underwent successful surgery on his right leg Saturday night and is resting comfortably. His mid-left foot, which underwent fracture will likely not be repaired by surgery …

Read more

Nationwide, Camping World Truck Series Celebrate Champions

On Monday, Nov. 17, 2014, the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck series celebrated and honored their series champions with the year-end banquet. The banquet was held at the Trump Doral in Florida, with Donald Trump offering the opening remarks of the evening to welcome the guests. Chase Elliott was honored as the Nationwide …

Read more

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 …

Read more

Couch Potato Tuesday: ESPN’s Field Of Four, Not 43

2014 Homestead Cup Denny Hamlin Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

I’m going to make a statement up front before I even start the critique: I hate watching championship battles. Why? The race doesn’t even matter, only the points do. That’s why I prefer final events in which the championship is decided ahead of time; that way, the races can be covered fully instead of picking …

Read more

Tracking the Trucks: Ford EcoBoost 200

2014 Homestead Cwts Darrell Wallace Jr Flag Cia

Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Author’s Note: To all of my readers that have stuck by throughout this season that the Truck Series has struggled through: thank you! Your criticisms and praise have challenged me to think outside the box in a year that can only be considered a tough one for the series that featured several short fields, and …

Read more

Matt Crafton, Ryan Blaney Pace Thursday Truck Series Practices at Homestead

2014 Talladega Ii Cwts Matt Crafton Truck Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

The battle for the Camping World Truck Series championship heated up on Thursday as championship leader Matt Crafton and second-place Ryan Blaney paced practices for Friday’s season-ending Ford EcoBoost 200. Crafton, who comes into this weekend with the opportunity to become the first driver to win back-to-back Truck Series championships, was on top of the …

Read more

Happiness Is… The End, A Mirror, and the Trucks

Lewis Hamilton 2703 630

(Photo: Getty Images)

In Brian Donovan’s book Hard Driving, which details the life of driver Wendell Scott, the author lays down the central premise for how sports operates.  He doesn’t discuss fairness, or competitive balance or any of that kind of stuff.  Instead, he adopts a more business sided mindset and how early track promoters worked.  This concept …

Read more

Tracking the Trucks: Lucas Oil 150

2014 Phoenix Cwts Erik Jones Winner Cia

Credit: CIA Stock Photography

In a Nutshell: In what can only be called a bizarre race, Erik Jones beat out Matt Crafton when Friday night’s Lucas Oil 150 was called 24 laps short due to power issues at Phoenix International Raceway. Jones dominated much of the night, leading all but 12 laps en route to his second consecutive victory …

Read more

Happiness Is… Drivers Not Liking Other Drivers

2014 Richmond Ii Cup Jeff Gordon Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

So this is what NASCAR wanted, eh?  Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin and Ryan Newman duking it out at Homestead for the championship.  There’ll probably be another driver there too, like Matt Kenseth, or Carl Edwards.   Then, when one of these drivers hoists the big shiny trophy everyone will collectively yawn and find something else to …

Read more

Truckin’ Thursdays: Phoenix Storylines to Watch

2014 Las Vegas Cwts Erik Jones Woohoo Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

While much of the NASCAR community has focused on the post-race fracas after Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series event at Texas Motor Speedway, the Camping World Truck Series teams have quietly packed up and headed off to Phoenix International Raceway for its second to last race of the season. As the green flag flies over the …

Read more