Race Weekend Central

Thinkin’ Out Loud: Joey Logano Steals Victory From the Jaws of Defeat at Phoenix

2016 Nascar Phoenix

(Photo: Matthew Thacker / NKP)

Who’s in the headline – In the final elimination race of the season, Joey Logano looked like he was about to slip out of contention for a transfer position. Fortunately for him, a caution flag flew, which bunched the field up and afforded him a final shot to reclaim a spot in the final four. …

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Tech Talk: Chris Heroy Talks Side Skirts, Hard Tires and Sand Blasting at Phoenix

2016 Nascar Sprint Cup Series, Las Vegas

4-6 March 2016, Las Vegas, Nevada USA Brian Scott and Chris Heroy © 2016, Nigel Kinrade NKP

The Cup season is down to the penultimate round in the desert at Phoenix International Raceway. Chris Heroy and his No. 44 team just found out that their driver, Brian Scott, is retiring after the season so they are preparing for his final two races. The mile track in Phoenix will challenge drivers with bright sun, …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Carl Edwards Saves Best for Last to Win at Texas

2016 Nascar Sprint Cup Series, Texas

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Who’s in the headline – While Carl Edwards will garner most of the headlines for the weekend, it was Mother Nature who took most of the attention. The race was delayed by five-and-a-half hours due to track drying efforts that seemed to make progress at a snail’s pace. Once the race began, the sun had …

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Tech Talk: Brake Temperature & Bump Stop Shims with Tony Gibson

Tony Gibson Cup Martinsville 2016 Mike Neff

Photo Credit : Mike Neff

The No. 41 team driven by Kurt Busch put itself behind the eight ball at Martinsville Speedway thanks to a poor showing by its standards. The entire Stewart-Haas Racing organization struggled all weekend, and it didn’t get any better during the race. As a result, crew chief Tony Gibson and his team are going to …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Jimmie Johnson Sets the Table for a Run at Title Seven with Victory at Martinsville

Jimmie Johnson Sunlight Burnout Martinsville Cup 2016 Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

Who’s in the headline – Jimmie Johnson had eight wins at Martinsville Speedway entering this weekend’s activities. While that is an impressive number, he had gone six races without a win and had not finished better than ninth in the last four. The race wasn’t a dominating effort by the No. 48 team, but they …

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Tracking the Trucks: Johnny Sauter Makes Late Charge to Victory at Martinsville

In a Nutshell: Contreras Motorsports put together a truck with the help of JR Motorsports for Chase Elliott to get some valuable seat time around Martinsville Speedway. Elliott responded by putting the truck on the pole and leading the most laps in the race. Johnny Sauter started fifth but methodically worked his way forward, making …

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Tech Talk: Matt McCall on Martinsville Strategy, Tires & Brake Cooling

Matt Mccall Darlington Cup 2016 Mike Neff

Photo Credit : Mike Neff

Having been eliminated from Chase contention, the sole focus of the No. 1 team of Jamie McMurray is to win a race before the end of the 2016 season. McMurray has won two poles at the half-mile track in southern Virginia, and his average finish there is among his best on the circuit. His crew chief …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Joey Logano Carries Penske Banner to Win, Favorites Fall Below the Cut-Off at Talladega

2016 Nascar Talladega

(Photo: Barry Cantrell / NKP)

Who’s in the headline – Joey Logano dominated the second round of the Chase last year, winning all three races and leading most of Talladega en route to the win. This year the wins are much harder to come by. However, in a nearly must win scenario, Logano came to the fore when it was …

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Tech Talk: Springs, Shock, Fuel Mileage & Wooden Gas Pedals with Chris Heroy

Heading into Talladega Superspeedway, the crew chiefs in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series have many sleepless nights. In the end, it is probably the track where they make least impact of any race during the season. Chris Heroy and his No. 44 team, driven by Brian Scott, roll in knowing their teammate won on a plate …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Kevin Harvick Eliminates Deficit to Secure Invite to Round of Eight With Kansas Win

2016 Kansas Speedway Nscs Kevin Harvick Photo Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Who’s in the headline – Kevin Harvick knew that his misfortune at Charlotte was just a blip on the radar. Many other people were writing him off, but there is a reason he has not been eliminated before Homestead since this elimination format was implemented. Harvick has figured out what he wants to feel in a …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Jimmie Johnson Puts His Foot Down, Advances to Round of Eight with Charlotte Win

Jimmie Johnson Checkered Flag Celebration Charlotte Cup 2016 Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

Who’s in the headline – After giving away two races in the first round of the Chase thanks to pit road miscues, Jimmie Johnson left nothing to chance at Charlotte on Sunday. After Hurricane Matthew pushed the racing action back to Sunday, he took advantage of the tough track conditions to pull out an old-school butt …

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