Race Weekend Central

NASCAR Announces Separate Rules Package for Kentucky

2014 Kentucky CUP Tony Stewart racing CIA

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

When NASCAR hits Kentucky Speedway next month for the Sprint Cup Series race July 11, things will be just a little different. Today (June 16), NASCAR announced a new rules package on Tuesday for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the Sparta, Ky., speedway. NASCAR’s Steve O’Donnell made the announcement on a teleconference. The …

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David Spade to Give Command for Coke Zero 400 at Daytona

Coke Zero 400 Logo NASCAR

(Photo: NASCAR)

David Spade will have a very unique opportunity at Daytona International Speedway July 5. Spade, a comedian, writer and actor, will give the command to fire engines just prior to the Coke Zero 400 at the 2.5-mile oval in Daytona Beach, Fla. The opportunity is to promote the upcoming movie, Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser, …

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Richard Childress Racing Installs Slugger Labbe as Crew Chief to End Austin Dillon’s Woes

Slugger-Cover

(Photo: RCR Team Relase)

Looking to end Austin Dillon’s struggles, Richard Childress Racing has placed a trusted veteran atop his pit box. The organization announced Monday that veteran crew chief Richard “Slugger” Labbe has replaced Gil Martin as Dillon’s crew chief, effective immediately. Labbe will assume crew chief responsibilities for Dillon’s No. 3 Dow/American Ethanol/Cheerios/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet SS …

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Kurt Busch Wins Rain-Shortened 2015 Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan

2015 Michigan I CUP Kurt Busch trophy vertical CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

Sunday’s Quicken Loans 400 was a stop-and-go affair with four red flags and an ultimately rain-shortened finish on lap 138 by the frequent cycle of rain that dominated the afternoon at at Michigan International Speedway. Kurt Busch, who retrieved the lead on lap 133 following a fuel gamble by Kyle Larson, led the final six …

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Kyle Busch’s Chase Chances Take Hard Hit At Michigan

2015 Michigan I CUP Kyle Busch car CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

For the second time in four races since Kyle Busch’s return to Sprint Cup competition, the No. 18 has been sent to the garage with crash damage. Could he have been an innocent victim of Mother Nature? Sunday’s race at Michigan was dominated by rain; the field was stopped three times in the opening 60 …

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Jeff Gordon Paces Final 2015 Quicken Loans 400 Practice Session at Michigan

2015 Michigan I CUP Jeff Gordon car CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

If Sunday’s final practice session of the day was any indication, Jeff Gordon might be the driver to beat once the green flag drops on Sunday. Gordon’s fast time of 36.253 seconds at 198.604 mph was good enough for the top spot in Saturday’s final practice session for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Michigan …

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Kevin Harvick Tops 2nd 2015 Quicken Loans 400 Practice at Michigan

2015 Michigan I CUP Kevin Harvick car CIA

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Something that the Sprint Cup garage has become accustomed to seeing is Kevin Harvick putting fast speeds in practice. He met expectations early on Saturday morning as he was fastest in practice at Michigan International Speedway. The second practice session for the Quicken Loans 400 was originally supposed to be 55 minutes, but fog and mist delayed …

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Kasey Kahne Tops 2015 Quicken Loans 400 Qualifying at Michigan

2015 Pocono I CUP Kasey Kahne CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

For the first time since 2012, Kasey Kahne will start a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race from the pole. Kahne put down a 201.992 mph lap in the final round of Coors Light Pole Qualifying to take the top spot for Sunday’s Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway. The pole is the 27th of …

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Chase Elliott Tops Lone 2015 Great Clips 250 Practice at Michigan

2015 Michigan I NXS Chase Elliott DEnny Hamlin CIA

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

After struggling at times this season, the defending Xfinity Series champ appears ready to bounce back. Chase Elliott jumped atop the leaderboard in the final seconds with a blistering 191.215 mph lap to top Friday’s lone NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) practice at Michigan International Speedway. Aric Almirola put down a fast 190.446-mph lap of his …

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Kevin Harvick Quickest in Friday’s 2015 Quicken Loans 400 Practice at Michigan

2015 Pocono I CUP Kevin harvick car CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

After dominating every practice session at Pocono Raceway, Kevin Harvick is back on top of the charts at Michigan. The reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) champion was quickest in the lone Cup practice on Friday at Michigan International Speedway, posting a time of 35.557 seconds. Joey Logano was second on the charts, posting a lap 0.156 seconds …

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PIR Set to Become “Jeff Gordon Raceway” to Honor Retiring Star

2015 Phoenix I CUP Jeff Gordon tribute credit NASCAR via Getty Images

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

In what’s become a friendly competition between tracks, Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) may have the greatest gift Jeff Gordon will receive in his final season: the name of the track, if just for one day. As originally reported by azcentral sports, PIR will rename the 1-mile oval “Jeff Gordon Raceway” on November 15 for the …

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Martin Truex Jr. Paces Field in Open Test Session at Darlington

2015 NASCAR Darlington Testing

(Photo: John Harrelson/Harrelson Photo Inc.)

A test session is a way for teams to experiment with setups and try a few things, and 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams did just that on Wednesday at Darlington Raceway. Pocono winner Martin Truex Jr. topped the charts with a speed of 175.535 mph. Second quick in the session was Jamie McMurray, followed …

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