Race Weekend Central

Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2015 Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 at Phoenix

Earnhardt, Dale Jr. - 2015 Quicken Loans 500 Victory Lane - Phoenix

(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Who’s in the headline – Amazingly it is Dale Earnhardt Jr. this week, thanks to a fortunate pit stall location and an unimpressive bit of driving by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Joey Gase. The latter two drivers got together during a round of green flag stops and Earnhardt was pitted just before the start/finish line …

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Tech Talk: Talking Phoenix Sun, Sand and More with Matt Puccia

Matt Puccia Daytona 500 Cup 2.15 Mike Neff-092

Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch

The season is winding down, and teams who aren’t in contention for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title at Homestead-Miami Speedway are already starting to get ready for 2016. That is especially true for Matt Puccia, who switches to a different role next season within the Roush Fenway Racing organization after serving as the crew chief for …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2015 AAA Texas 500

2015 Texas II CUP pack racing CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­

Who’s in the headline? – Jimmie Johnson saved his best for last Sunday and spoiled Brad Keselowski‘s party as the laps wound down. Johnson led six laps during the event, including the final four to steal the win from Keselowski, who led 312 of the posted 334 laps of the event. Johnson proved, once again, …

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Off the Wall With… Ben Kennedy

2014 Loudon II CWTS Ben Kennedy CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2014)­

In the hot seat this week: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Ben Kennedy What’s fun besides racing? Ben Kennedy: Wake board and triathlons. What’s the top item on your bucket list? Kennedy: Travel somewhere. I’d like to spend more time in Australia. I think that would be cool. Your go-to on movie night is: …

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Tech Talk: Tony Gibson Talks Grooves, Pit Stops and Restart Ratios

Daytona 500 Cup Tony Gibson 2.15 Mike Neff-114

(Photo: Mike Neff, Frontstretch)

The No. 41 team of Kurt Busch and Stewart-Haas Racing was poised to lay a solid foundation for getting out of the penultimate round of the Chase at Martinsville last weekend before Brad Keselowski and Matt Kenseth got together on a late-race restart. The resulting contact heavily damaged the car and has them behind the eight …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2015 Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500 at Martinsville

Martinsville Jeff Gordon Team Victory  2015 Cup Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff, Frontstretch)

Who’s in the headline – Martinsville resurrected the emotions of both fans and competitors that it has not incited in a decade. In the end, while there is much buzz about retribution and championship ramifications, the most important story of the weekend is that Jeff Gordon will be one of the four competitors vying for the …

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Matt Crafton Holds Off Tailgate Mob for 2015 Kroger 200 Victory

Martinsville Trucks Kroger 200 Matt Crafton Checkers 2015 Mike Neff

Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch

Matt Crafton spent much of his career running strong and finishing well but remaining unable to capture wins in the Camping World Truck Series. Over the last couple of years, that has all changed. On Saturday afternoon, Crafton set a personal best with his fifth victory of the season in the Truck Series. He led the …

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Timothy Peters Leads Final 2015 Kroger 200 Practice at Martinsville

Timothy Peters 2015 Martinsville Trucks Practice Mike Neff

Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch

Timothy Peters backed up his quick time from the first practice with a late session run of a lap at 96.083 mph in 19.708 seconds. Cameron Hayley, who was third quick in the first practice was the second fastest in the final session. Hayley’s lap took 19.712 seconds that translated to a speed of 96.063 …

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Timothy Peters Holds Top Spot in 1st 2015 Kroger 200 Practice at Martinsville

Timothy Peters Martinsville 2015 Trucks Mike Neff

Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch

Timothy Peters picked up where he left off at Martinsville Speedway on Friday. Peters, fresh off of his victory at Talladega Superspeedway last weekend, led the Camping World Truck Series’ first practice at Martinsville with a 96.020-mph lap in 19.721 seconds, besting Matt Crafton by half a tenth of a second. Crafton’s lap took 19.776 seconds and …

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Tech Talk: Talking Martinsville Pit Selection and Track Position with Jason Ratcliff

Jason Ratcliff Bank of America 500 2015 Cup Charlotte Mike Neff 3

Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to the only track on the circuit that has been part of every season since the beginning of NASCAR. The half-mile track in Martinsville, Va., has been called two drag strips connected by two U-turns. It will be close quarters racing with tempers sure to flare as the drivers …

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Beyond the Cockpit: Cale Conley on Home Schooling, Aerodynamics and Hairstyle

Cale Conley Charlotte Xfinity 2015 Mike Neff

(Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch)

Cale Conley comes from Vienna, West Virginia and started his racing career in go-karts before migrating to quarter midgets where he won multiple races, championships and regional titles. The next step in his career found him in Kenyon USAC Midgets. After notching several triumphs there he made the migration to Outlaw Sprint Cars, spending a full …

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