Race Weekend Central

Couch Potato Tuesday: Phoenix a Tiring Challenge for NASCAR on NBC

2015 Phoenix International Raceway NSCS Dale Earnahrdt Jr. pit road rain victory credit NASCAR via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Normally, Sprint Cup races at Phoenix International Raceway are some of the shortest of the year. Sunday was clearly an exception to that rule, as there was over 10 hours of coverage on NBC and NBCSN from Avondale. We’ll get to the desert in a moment. On Monday, NBC Sports announced a special ramping up …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: NBC “Chase-Ing” Away Viewers With Title Focus

2015 Texas II CUP Jimmie Johnson car CIA

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

After the events of Martinsville, I figured that I’d be able to relax a little bit. Yes, last year saw the tempers boil over. I saw that NBCSN ranked that as the biggest thing to ever happen (in a NASCAR race) at Texas Motor Speedway. I respectfully disagree. AAA Texas 500 Sunday brought the Sprint …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: NBCSN Pulls No Punches With NASCAR on Intentional Wrecking

2015 Martinsville II CUP AJ Allmendinger Cole Whitt racing CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­

Martinsville Speedway. Home to tight racing, bumping and banging, and the occasional intentional crash. That’s what we had to deal with this past weekend at the paperclip. Before we start, we’ve reached a milestone. Today, we’re celebrating the fact that I’ve written 500 critiques for Frontstretch, either here on the website or in our Newsletter, …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: How NASCAR’s ‘Dega Decisions Affected NBCSN

2015 Michigan I CUP Kevin Harvick helmet CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­

Talladega is a place that fosters a lot of emotions from race fans under normal circumstances. Some people dread the place, wish they tore it down and turned it into something else. Others reserve gleeful opinions not that far off the opinions of some people when news broke last week that Gilmore Girls is being …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: NASCAR Audience Increases For NBC, Kansas

2015 Kansas II CUP Matt Kenseth Robert Laberge/NASCAR via Getty Images

(Photo: Robert Laberge/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Kansas last weekend saw a couple of interesting races. Matt Kenseth probably should have won both of them, but was denied on both Saturday and Sunday. Of course, we all know that the 2003 champion is a little angry today, but he’ll get over it. Last weekend saw the Chase once again front and center on …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: NBCSN Must Rise Above NASCAR’s On-Track Product

2015 Charlotte II CUP Dale Earnhardt Jr pack racing CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­

NBC just cannot seem to buy a break this year when it comes to broadcasting Sprint Cup races. This past weekend was the third attempt at airing a Cup race on the broadcast network this year. Three times, the races have been affected by rain. The start at Daytona was delayed nearly four hours and …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: NASCAR Elimination Races and Match Game ’78?

2015 Dover II CUP Kevin Harvick pack racing CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­

We’ve made it through part No. 1 of the Chase for the Sprint Cup. There are undoubtedly some disappointed drivers and disappointed fans. Our own Jerry Jordan is convinced that NASCAR’s happy that Jimmie Johnson failed to advance (but would never actually admit it). In all due respect, I doubt that. Even if Johnson is …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: Chase Focus Continues to Haunt NBCSN

2015 Loudon II CUP Dale Earnhardt Jr pack racing CIA

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Loudon is traditionally a quick race by Sprint Cup standards. As a result, there isn’t quite as much action to show on broadcasts. The track itself also doesn’t necessarily equate to the most competitive outing. It’s hard as heck to pass. Just because it’s Loudon doesn’t mean you get a pass on these things. Sylvania …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: NBCSN Tightens Up for NASCAR’s Chase

NASCAR Sprint Cup cars race past the grandstand at Chicagoland Speedway during the 2015 myAFibRisk.com 400

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­­

Last weekend marked the first weekend of the Chase. Oh boy. It’s the time of the year in which I become more and more irritable when it comes to the television product that we get from week to week. To save some time this week, I’m moving my critique of the Furious 7 300 to …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: How TV Tries To Keep Richmond Relevant

The sun sets over the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­

Before we start, I should explain something really quick. I’m not a fan of the Chase. I don’t like the way the champion is determined. I don’t like the idea that Kyle Busch is even eligible for this Chase. I know ISC (and by extension, NASCAR) felt responsible for Busch’s injury, hence the waiver. In …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: Throwback Darlington Announcers Big Hit For NBC

2015 Darlington CUP Mike Helton Kevin Harvick CIA

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

It’s Labor Day Weekend, folks. With NASCAR’s scheduling move for 2015, you know that means. 90-degree weather, humidity and Darlington. Yes, it was a throwback weekend at the 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval. From what I can tell, the response was quite positive. There were more butts in the seats Sunday night, and the new package created …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: Standalone Road Races Show Deficiencies

NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers take the green flag at Road America August 29, 2015

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Last weekend, the Sprint Cup Series took the week off to relax, vacation, and in the case of Chad Knaus and Matt DiBenedetto, get hitched. Meanwhile, the Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series dealt with the twisties. Before we started, NBCSN’s Robin Miller did the voiceover on this tribute to Justin Wilson that aired on …

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