Race Weekend Central

Jimmie Johnson Wins the Pole for the Coca-Cola 600

Knockout qualifying at Charlotte Motor Speedway saw a few different storylines unfold. In the end it was Jimmie Johnson who wrote the best fairy tale, as he put the No. 48 Lowe’s Patriotic Chevrolet on the pole for the 55th running of the Coca-Cola 600. Ryan Newman and Jeff Gordon are tied for the most …

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Tech Talk: “Bono” Manion Explains How To Tackle Kansas Under The Lights

Kevin “Bono” Manion is working hard to gain some experience for Michael Annett and his No. 7 Tommy Baldwin Racing team. A 16th-place finish at Talladega was a much-needed, solid run for the group, which is now ready to hit Kansas with some momentum. The organization may have few amenities compared to its bigger rivals, …

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Beyond the Cockpit: Doug Yates on Horsepower Reduction

NASCAR Vice President Steve O’Donnell made a statement at Iowa Speedway last month that the sport will make an announcement soon about their plans to reduce horsepower in the Cup Series. As the details have been hashed out, the engine builders for all manufacturers have been involved in the process, ensuring the final solutions work for …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2014 Aaron’s 499 at Talladega

Key Moment – On lap 137, Brad Keselowski, who was already six laps down thanks to an incident with Danica Patrick on lap 14 while going for the lead, spun in front of the field while trying to get his lap back the old fashioned way. At the time he and Jamie McMurray were the only two cars not on the …

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Beyond the Cockpit: Tommy Baldwin on Owning His Team, Hall of Fame and the Number Seven

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Michael Annett’s No. 7 car is just one of two fielded by Tommy Baldwin Racing.

Tommy Baldwin has been involved in racing since he was a youngster, an innovative mechanic who worked his way up to NASCAR Cup crew chief by 1997. In 2008, he was working in that role for Bill Davis when he was informed that the team was closing. He purchased the equipment and took advantage of the downsizing …

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Tech Talk with Tony Gibson: Taking Stock Of Danica Patrick In Year Two

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Tony Gibson, shown here with Hendrick’s Kenny Francis, had a great deal of success at Richmond during the “old days” with Ryan Newman’s No. 39. Can he pull the same step up with Danica Patrick’s No. 10?

A week off is a very rare gem for NASCAR crew chiefs. This past week, Danica Patrick head wrench Tony Gibson took full advantage of the hole in the schedule to get away and get dirty. He spent time with family and friends riding off-road vehicles in Georgia, time off the grid which helped him recharge the …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud – The Off Week Season Review

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Dale Earnhardt, Jr.‘s win started the season with a bang. But will interest remain throughout the year?

Key Moment – The key moment of the 2014 season came during the Media Tour in Charlotte, when Brian France came to the podium and announced more changes to the Chase. NASCAR’s tried in vain, for years to emphasize winning, and it never came to fruition… until that very speech. The adjustments announced that cold day in January, ever …

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Tech Talk With “Bono” Manion: Has NASCAR’s Track Too Tough To Tame Gone… Too Nice?

Tommy Baldwin racing continues to chase the dream on a fraction of the budget of the big race teams. A strategy call that goes wrong can cost them half a dozen positions on the race track and that can drop them into the perilous ‘must qualify on time’ area of the point standings. However, the …

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