Race Weekend Central

Slipstream Saturday: The Jewel of the Calendar; and News

After a week off to get manicures, stylish haircuts, and have their tailors dress them in the latest haute couture, the drivers of Formula 1 are set to return this weekend. While making fun on the erudite aspect of the series is one thing, it belies the fact that the drivers and teams are just …

Read more

Happiness Is… Hall of Fame, You Want It, Indy & Monaco

2015 Las Vegas Cup Jeff Gordon Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

In 2010, the NASCAR Hall of Fame announced its inaugural class to much fanfare. With names like Richard Petty (a foregone conclusion), both Bill France Sr. and Jr., Junior Johnson (no surprise) and Dale Earnhardt (duh) the group that was selected surprised no one. It does not mean that the selectors got things wrong; far …

Read more

Open-Wheel Wednesday: Roundtable Discussion of the Goings-On at Indy

2015ims13442 3 4

Photo Credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Matt Stallknecht: Can I just say how excited I am to be going to Indy this weekend?! Huston Ladner: I hope you’re going as a paramedic, looks like you might have work. Toni Montgomery: I’d be excited though, too. Aaron Bearden: I’m happy for you! If things don’t get worked out, the race could be tragic, though. It’s been …

Read more

Happiness Is… Rules, Bewilderment & the Next Big Hotness

2015 Atlanta Cup Kyle Larson Vertical Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Credit: Getty Images)

Hip hip hooray, the Sprint All-Star Race is here. Forgive Happiness Is for starting this week’s column in a rather negative way, but seriously, the All-Star Race. This race may once have been interesting but now looks like another example of NASCAR’s desire to milk the fans for everything they’re worth (hello, two-day format) while …

Read more

Pace Laps: Opportunity, Fuel Mileage, Make-A-Wish & More

2015 Kansas I Cwts Matt Crafton Celebrates Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Xfinity Series: It’s Time for a Standalone – After another much needed off-weekend, the NASCAR Xfinity Series regulars will have their first true chance to reach Victory Lane at a non-plate track this year. Heading over to the stand-alone event in Iowa on Sunday, the division’s drivers will be up against very few (if any) …

Read more

Slipstream Saturday: 2015 Gran Premio de España

fernando alonso (credit: McLaren)

(Photo Credit: McLaren)

Formula 1 returns this weekend after taking an early season mini-break. The two weekends without racing allowed most teams to make changes to their current car, be it a slight tweak, or in the case of McLaren, a more major overhaul. The one team that probably needed nothing but slight adjustments is Mercedes, who might …

Read more

IndyCar Preview: 2015 Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis

Pippa Mann Pink Indy 500

(Photo: Pippa Mann)

The series returns to race at its most storied home, but this weekend it races on the other circuit for just the second time.  The race was meant to add to the fun of the month of May at Indianapolis and it looks like it does just that. The one question that might arise is …

Read more

Happiness Is… Kyle Busch’s Return, NAPA Know-How & Rain

2015 Richmond I Cup Chase Elliott Kenny Francis Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

So for a brief moment there, Kevin Harvick created a bit of a stir when he mentioned that he thought that the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule was stagnant and one of the things holding the sport back. The reaction, from postings and chatter, was that Harvick was both spot on and an idiot. That …

Read more

Open-Wheel Wednesday: Fingers Crossed for the GP of Indianapolis

2014 Indycar Belle Isle Castroneves Leading

Photo Credit: IndyCar

It’s May, which can mean only one thing. Ha, whatever, it can mean lots of things. Mother’s Day is just about upon us.  College graduations are set to unleash a new flood of graduates into the world. Music festivals. Season finales for numerous TV shows. Playoffs. But for motorsports, the month of May has traditionally …

Read more

Pace Laps: Follow the Leader, Xfinity Dominance, & Other Racing Worlds

2015 Talladega I Nxs Green Flag Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR/Getty Images)

Sprint Cup Series: Jr. Wins But… – The easy aspect of the race at Talladega is that Dale Earnhardt Jr. won which is ostensibly good for the sport because of his continued popularity. The question, however, that slipped by with his victory is whether or not the racing was any good. If you’re a fan of …

Read more

Slipstream Saturday: Notes From the Off Weeks

Nico Rosberg Mercedes Formel 1 Gp Bahrain 17 April 2015 Credit Xpb

Photo Credit: XPB

When the Formula 1 cars were last on track, they were racing in Bahrain and Lewis Hamilton drove away to a decent gap and managed his car to the finish to earn his third win of the year. That makes it three out of four for the Mercedes driver and offers a foreboding sense to …

Read more

Happiness Is: The Magic 8-Ball Edition

2015 Richmond I Cup Kurt Busch Woohoo Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

One of the stories that came to light in the past couple days was that beloved NASCAR czar Brian France – or as many of his legion of followers refer to him, Brain France – is open to the possibility of cutting some of the length of the races on the schedule. This potential change …

Read more