Race Weekend Central

Pace Laps: HMS Flounders, Schumacher Wins Again and Perspective

Zmax Dragway Carolina Nationals Tony Schumacher 2014 Mike Neff 090

(Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch)

Sprint Cup Series: The Mighty Stumble – Hendrick Motorsports has long been the barometer to which other teams measure themselves.  Their position atop the performance and business hierarchy make them an easy target, similar to teams like the New York Yankees or the New England Patriots.  And for those who love to take a shot at …

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Slipstream Saturday: The Japanese Grand Prix & Big News

Sebastian Vettel (credit: Http://resources1.news.com.au/)

The Lowdown Formula One returns to action this weekend, racing in Japan at the Suzuka track, one known for its tricky corners.  This aspect has been highlighted by the fact that the driver sitting third in the points, Daniel Ricciardo, crashed during the second practice.  Or maybe it is confirmed by Lewis Hamilton, sitting first …

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Happiness Is…Being Forgotten, and Vegas

2014 Dover Ii Cup Jeff Gordon Trophy Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Well Dover was a letdown.  The rash of articles that posted on Monday and Tuesday that proffered analysis of the Dover race all seemed to hit on the fact that there was little in the way of anything exciting at the concrete oval.  These comments didn’t miss the mark. It should be noted that the …

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Happiness Is… Kyle Busch, AJ Allmendinger, Jobs & Dover

2014 Chicago Cup Matt Kenseth Kyle Busch Cia

Hip hip hooray, NASCAR announced its rules changes for the 2015 season.  Or something. The whole big hope is to mitigate the awful aero push that has transformed a number of tracks into circular parades.  The aerodynamic dependence of the cars, left unsettled by trailing in another’s wake, has become the bane of the circuit’s …

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Pace Laps: Chase Mess, Justin Boston’s Nationwide Debut, Cole Custer Makes History & More

Justin Boston Talladega Candid 2014 Arca Mike Neff

Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch

Sprint Cup Series: A Hodge-Podge for Chase Drivers – Let’s ignore the fact there were 15 cautions at Loudon, and that most of them happened in the second half of the race, leading to an event that felt like a stop-and-go commute downtown in a major city during rush hour.  The result of all the cautions …

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Slipstream Saturday: F1 Singapore Grand Prix Preview

Lewis Hamilton 2703 630

(Photo: Getty Images)

It’s round 14 of the Formula One season, and with the European segment over, it’s time to move to other parts of the world.  This weekend: Singapore.  First begun in 1961, the country held races until 1973, and then fell from the schedule.  It resumed its place on the F1 calendar in 2008, with Fernando Alonso …

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Happiness Is… Relationships, Singapore, and Kentucky

2014 Pocono Ii Cup Brad Keselowski Dale Earnhardt Jr Racing Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Was that an actual race at Chicagoland?  A track not known for well, anything, seemed to produce a finish that was worth remembering.  Brad Keselowski’s ballsy move, splitting Kevin Harvick and Kyle Larson as they raced for the lead, seemed to be just the type of thing that wasn’t supposed to be possible with the …

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Pace Laps: Roush Fenway’s Struggles, Truck Championship Contenders and Racing vs. Rain

2014 Chicago Cup Brad Keselowski Paul Wolfe Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Sprint Cup Series: Slow Start for Roush Fenway Racing – There has been a gap between Penske Racing and Roush Fenway Racing all season.  Though both teams use Ford engines, Penske has been gapping their counterpart, and never was it more evident than at Chicagoland on Sunday. While Brad Keselowski earned the win and Joey Logano …

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Happiness Is… Change, Being Invited & Lameness

2014 Michigan Ii Cup Clint Bowyer Car Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. © 2015)

With the Chase now set to begin (finally) this Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway, the focus can shift from who’s making the playoffs to who’s going to win the championship.  The hype and hoopla surrounding this newer format of NASCAR’s postseason has been with us this entire season.  In fact, it feels like it’s been all …

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Pace Laps: Congenial Richmond, KyBu Nationwide, other stuff

2014 Richmond Ii Cup Pack Racing Ii Cia

(Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Cup:  The Race That Wasn’t – No one did anything surprising in the race at Richmond.  Well, that’s not correct.  The idiot who climbed the catchfence in turn 4 surely did something surprising.  While many people have done idiotic things at a race track, it’s doubtful that anyone anticipated a fan climbing the fence bordering …

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Happiness Is… Drama, Not Fighting & Intelligence

2014 Daytona Ii Cup Kyle Larson Jamiemcmurray Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photography © 2014)

One race to go until the Cup playoffs begin. That seems like a mismatched sentence, putting together autosport and hockey, but alas, that’s how things are now.  This whole season has seemed like one big Chase storyline, beginning with Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s Daytona 500.  Almost immediately after he crossed the finish line, it felt like …

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Open Wheel Wednesday: Andretti Amiss, Ganassi Strong, Power Prevails

2014 Indycar Auto Club Will Power Roger Penske Aussie Flag

Matt:  So, just to start off, can we all agree that Fontana in its current state is pretty much the perfect IndyCar track? Toni:  I certainly agree. I think it’s such a great way to end the season too. A great 500-mile event. Huston:  Interesting way to begin…but yes, the match between the cars and …

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