Race Weekend Central

Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2016 Daytona 500

Who’s in the headline – Denny Hamlin put a stamp on his Daytona Speedweeks with his second triumph in three races Sunday. Hamlin beat Martin Truex Jr. to the line with a scintillating run that resulted in the closest finish in the history of the Daytona 500. Hamlin was the dominant car for much of …

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Tech Talk: Tony Gibson Sets Up Daytona And 2016 Rules

Tony Gibson Darlington Cup 2015 Mike Neff

Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch

The offseason is over, what little there is, and NASCAR is back at it hot and heavy in Daytona. Throughout Speedweeks, teams have no less than eight practice sessions in addition to qualifying and the Duel events. Preparing for the biggest race of the season to start the year is a pressure-packed effort and unforeseen events …

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Full Throttle: New Rules Painting NASCAR into a Tight Corner

Martinsville 2015 Cup Matt Kenseth Wrecked Car Mike Neff

Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch

Friday, at Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR distributed rulebook changes designed to specifically categorize personal conduct violations. The intent would seem to be curbing any activities that might shine a disparaging light on the sport. While it is a noble concept in theory, providing little change in NASCAR’s philosophy its unintended consequences could cause a negative impact long-term. …

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Full Throttle: Time to Change How NASCAR Does Plate Racing

To say the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is going through a change heading into 2016 is an understatement. The charter system, reduced field size, the overtime line and the low downforce package are all creating quite a bit of upheaval heading into the year. But one thing that hasn’t changed for the last four years …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2016 Sprint Unlimited at Daytona

Who’s in the headline – After being involved in an early caution Denny Hamlin played pit strategy to get to the front of the pack and stretched his fuel to the end of a green-white-checkered finish to take his third Sprint Unlimited victory. The vast majority of cars had damage during the evening but Hamlin’s …

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Tech Talk: Jason Ratcliff Breaks Down 2016 NASCAR Rule Changes

Jason Ratcliff Bristol 2015 Cup Mike Neff

Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch

The checkered flag has flown on NASCAR’s 2015 campaign and teams are halfway into the offseason, laying out their plans and adjusting to upcoming changes for 2016. Jason Ratcliff and the No. 20 team are among them, riding the momentum of a seventh at Homestead that left driver Matt Kenseth 15th in the final point …

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2015 NASCAR Rewind: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

2015 Talladega I CUP Dale Earnhardt Jr woohoo credit NASCAR via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. started the 2015 season with a third-place finish in the Daytona 500. It was hardly surprising since the speedway is his second best track, historically, based on average finish. Interestingly that run would be the worst of Earnhardt’s four restrictor-plate races for the season. Earnhardt started the year with two third-place finishes …

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2015 NASCAR Rewind: Kyle Busch

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Racing can test the mettle of the strongest of characters, and before 2015 many people would say that was not a strong suit for Kyle Busch. This season ran the emotional gamut from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs in nine months. Busch’s determination and mental fortitude were taken to the limits …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2015 Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead

Busch, Kyle - Flag

Photo by Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images

Who’s in the headline – Just eight months after severely breaking his leg and foot at Daytona during the first Xfinity Series race of the season, Kyle Busch stands above all others at the 2015 Cup series champion. Busch ran third and maintaining a healthy lead over Kevin Harvick as Brad Keselowski was headed to the …

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Off the Wall With: Tyler Reddick

2015 Dover CWTS Tyler Reddick Trophy CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

On the spot this week: NASCAR Camping Word Truck Series championship runner-up Tyler Reddick. What’s fun besides racing? Tyler Reddick: I really don’t do a lot aside from racing. I enjoy physical activities. I like to run, I like to bike, either mountain or road. I used to play a lot of video games but …

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Tech Talk: Bono Manion on Homestead, the Season’s Final Race

Bono Manion Bank of America 500 2015 Cup Charlotte Mike Neff 2

Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season has come down to the final race and Richard Petty has made it clear that Sam Hornish Jr. is most likely not coming back in 2016. But crew chief Kevin ‘Bono’ Manion is keeping his No. 9 race team focused on the prize and trying to finish off the …

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