Race Weekend Central

Pace Laps: Using the Bumper & Short Track Excursions

Lyle larson leads a pack of cars during the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­­

Sprint Cup Series: What A Drag – Michigan’s high-drag package was dragged down by poor reviews from the start. Drivers complained openly leading into the weekend that passing was problematic; loose conditions getting behind another driver bogged them down aerodynamically and left everyone running in place. Still, NASCAR thought the many grooves of Michigan International …

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Xfinity Series Breakdown: 2015 Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 at Mid-Ohio

Regan Smith in front at Mid-Ohio in the XFINITY series

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­

There was nothing acceptable about Saturday’s result for Regan Smith unless he crossed the finish line ahead of everyone else. After aggressively going after Ty Dillon following a wild race at Watkins Glen, the former full-time Cup Series driver was determined to get back into Victory Lane. The sweat and tears were visible in one …

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Bump & Run: Regan Smith Wins 2015 Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 at Mid-Ohio with Last-lap Pass

Regan Smith sits in his No. 7 Tax Slayer car during practice for the Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­

Short-track moves on a road course? Yes, it can be done, and Regan Smith perfected it on Saturday afternoon at Mid-Ohio, scoring the victory in the Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 after passing Alex Tagliani on the final lap. In a race that was dominated by Tagliani and Smith, it came down to Tagliani leading at the …

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Friday Faceoff: Paving, Plates & Payback

Joey Logano, winner of the Cheez-It 355 at the Glen, officially starts a repaving project for Watkins Glen International

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­­

After the race at Watkins Glen, a sold-out event, the track began a repaving project that will be complete by the 2016 season. Will the repave hurt the racing, or will fans still get a good show? Amy Henderson, Senior Editor: I’m not a fan of repaving any track if it’s not absolutely necessary, but …

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Beyond The Cockpit: Regan Smith on Early Learning, Twitter & Davey Allison

2015 Loudon I Nxs Regan Smith Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

Each week on the NASCAR Xfinity Series circuit, Regan Smith brings the expertise of four full-time Sprint Cup seasons in his pocket. Racing against fields swarmed with young, fresh talent – a number of which share elbow room at JR Motorsports – Smith has the proper respect and knowledge to fight for a non-Chase championship. As …

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Happiness Is… TV, Ohio & Bills

2015 Pocono Ii Cup Jeff Gordon Pack Racing Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

The nightmare season continues.   With another lackluster finish at Watkins Glen, Jeff Gordon continues his magical mystery tour, with the mystery being how far back in the field he’ll finish each race. Even the race before, at Pocono, Gordon and co. appeared lost, hanging out midpack for much of the event before their fuel-mileage …

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Eyes on Xfinity: 5 Drivers That Must Step Up… Now

Elliott Sadler

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

There are only a few months left in the NASCAR Xfinity Series season. As time flies by amidst the roar of 40 racecars, the championship battle is heating up as the pressure to perform each week increases exponentially. The top three in the championship standings – Chris Buescher, Ty Dillon and Chase Elliott – are separated …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2015 Cheez-It 355 at the Glen

Joey Logano poses with the trophy after winning the Cheez-It 355 at the Glen at Watkins Glen International

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­­

Who’s in the headline – Weekend sweeps seem to happen quite frequently these days, with some of the winning drivers from the Cup Series running the companion races that are scheduled on many race weekends. Surprisingly, this weekend featured the first time such a sweep took place at Watkins Glen. Joey Logano had never run a …

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Pace Laps: Missing Expectations, Flying Fists, and Surprise Contenders

2015 Watkins Glen Cup Jeff Gordon Car Cia

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Sprint Cup Series: Oh, What Might Have Been… Watkins Glen is sold every year as the last regular season “wild card” race, the last place an underdog can work his way into the Chase under the right circumstances. There were high hopes entering the weekend for defending winner AJ Allmendinger, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and …

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Xfinity Series Breakdown: 2015 Zippo 200 at the Glen

2015 Watkins Glen Nxs Joey Logano Burnout Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

Dominance is an understatement. It’s more like destroying the competition at this point. Team Penske’s incredible 2015 season continued at Watkins Glen International for the Zippo 200, where the team brought a second car to the track for the first time this year. Well, the decision paid off for the organization. Joey Logano took control at …

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Regan Smith, RCR Drivers Tangle at the Glen

2015 Watkins Glen International Nxs Ty Dillon Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Throughout recent years, road courses have produced short track tempers, and Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen was no exception. This time it was JR Motorsports driver Regan Smith and Richard Childress Racing drivers Brendan Gaughan and Ty Dillon. On a lap 40 restart, Dillon made an aggressive move going into turn one, …

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Joey Logano Wins 2015 Zippo 200 at the Glen, Penske Racing 1-2

2015 Watkins Glen Nxs Joey Logano Woohoo Cia

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

They started first and second, led nearly all of the laps … and finished first and second. It was that kind of day for Team Penske drivers Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski, with Logano taking the checkered flag first in the Zippo 200 at the Glen. Logano’s 25th Xfinity Series victory did not come easy. After …

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