Race Weekend Central

Tech Talk: How Darlington Chews Up Tires with Tony Gibson

Tony Gibson Charlotte Fall Cup 2017 Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

Tony Gibson was under the weather for a little while in the middle of the summer, but he’s back and ready to rumble in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Stewart-Haas Racing’s production manager took advantage of the series’ final off-week of the season to get cars lined up for the playoffs and make sure …

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Tech Talk: Trent Owens Speaks to Vertical Loads & Brakes for Bristol

Trent Owens Cup Charlotte 2017 Fall Mike Neff

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to the high-banked, concrete half-mile in the Smoky Mountains that is Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend. Teams are faced with many different challenges getting the cars ready for the race — and completely different circumstances once the race begins. One thing is for sure: it is never boring …

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Tech Talk: Tire Spring Rates, Five Minute Clocks and Engine Temperatures with Justin Alexander for Michigan

Martinsville Cup Justin Alexander Spring 2018 Mike Neff (156)

Heading to the Irish Hills of Michigan will test the reflexes of everyone with the fastest racetrack NASCAR competes at during the season. The teams have quite a few different challenges facing them, with the track that is still holding onto the newness of the repave that happened several years ago. In this week’s edition …

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Tech Talk: Mike Wheeler on Brakes, Pit Stops & Technical Inspection

2017 Kansas I Cup Mike Wheeler Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

The challenges of road course racing are many and diverse. From pit strategy to suspension pliability and brake cooling, there are more options on the road courses than any other tracks that the series visits. This week, heading to Watkins Glen, the teams are looking at a track that is faster and less technical than …

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Tech Talk: Speed Down the Straights of Pocono

Justin Alexander Cup 2017 Charlotte Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

Sometimes the best laid plans of mice and men are blown up by the slightest mistake. That happened last weekend to the No. 3 of Austin Dillon at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, when a late-race loose wheel upended its strong run. Crew chief Justin Alexander hopes to have his ducks in a row this weekend, as …

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Tech Talk: Tony Gibson & Daytona Downforce, Air Flow & Spoiler Angels

Tony Gibson Daytona Post Race Cup 2017 Mike Neff

Photo Credit : Mike Neff

Racing leaves one team happy and the rest wondering, “What if?” Last Sunday (July 1) at Chicagoland Speedway, that couldn’t have been more true for the Stewart-Haas Racing teams in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, as they all led the race and were among the best cars on track all day but weren’t anywhere …

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Tech Talk: Aerodynamics & Big Guys Sitting on a Window with Mike Wheeler

Martinsville Cup Mike Wheeler 2018 Mike Neff

Crew chief Mike Wheeler on the No. 11 box

As the dog days of summer approach, the schedule has a switch this season with Chicagoland Speedway moving to the week before Daytona International Speedway in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The teams will have to deal with different weather and a new tire in addition to the rules changes for 2018. The aged …

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Tech Talk: Revisiting NASCAR Aero, Engines and New Rules with Justin Alexander

Martinsville Cup Justin Alexander Spring 2018 Mike Neff (156)

The 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season has been a challenging year for Chevrolet. They are beginning to see the fruits of their labor, though as the learning curve on the new Camaro ZL1 reaches its peak. As of late, the Bowtie Brigade is scoring plenty of top-10 finishes, although last weekend’s race at …

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