Race Weekend Central

Talking NASCAR TV: ESPN Not Detail Oriented in ‘Dega

A defining race like Sunday’s slugfest at Talladega Superspeedway is only as important to those viewing it as the network covering the broadcast allows it to be. If details are left out or if the excitement factor is either too hyped or not ratcheted up enough, then the whole complexion of a race can turn …

Read more

Mirror Driving: Who’s Losing a Date to Kansas, Who’s Already Lost the Chase & Judging Lame Ducks

Welcome to Mirror Driving. Every week, your favorite columnists sit down and give their opinion about the latest NASCAR news and rumors. Love us or hate us, make a comment below and tell us how you feel about what we’ve said! This Week’s Participants: Tom Bowles (Editor-in-Chief; Mondays/Bowles-Eye View & Wednesdays/Did You Notice?) Doug Turnbull (Tuesdays/Talking NASCAR …

Read more

Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2008 Camping World RV 400 at Kansas

As the 2008 postseason rolls on to Talladega, Jimmie Johnson continues to make the playoffs his own private playground. The all-time winningest driver in Chase history scored another one this past weekend at Kansas, and it was enough to propel him into first in our weekly rankings. Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Clint Bowyer, Dale Earnhardt …

Read more

Mirror Driving: Playing It Unsafe, Saving NASCAR’s Small-Time Teams & the Cookie-Cutter Conundrum

Welcome to Mirror Driving. Every week, your favorite columnists sit down and give their opinion about the latest NASCAR news and rumors. Love us or hate us, make a comment below and tell us how you feel about what we’ve said! This Week’s Participants: Tom Bowles (Editor-in-Chief; Mondays/Bowles-Eye View & Wednesdays/Did You Notice?) Doug Turnbull (Tuesdays/Talking NASCAR …

Read more

Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2008 Camping World RV 400 at Dover

The Chase may only be 20% done, but so far, it’s been the Greg Biffle show 100% of the time. Two races and two wins have the six-year veteran on the verge of the championship lead, gunning hard to become the first driver to win the title in all three national touring series. But could …

Read more

Talking NASCAR TV: ESPN Conquers Monster Mile But Leaves Room for Improvement

Consistent television coverage complemented a great race at Dover International Speedway on Sunday. ESPN not only executed much of its normal coverage well, but also added some extra tools to its telecast, providing a better race for viewers to take in. However, as we’ve seen all too often this season, the network fell short of …

Read more

Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2008 Sylvania 300 at Loudon

Now that the Chase is officially underway, the standings are becoming chock full of playoff contenders – and they don’t want to move much of anywhere. In fact, the first 12 drivers in this week’s rankings are all the ones eligible to win this year’s championship. However, just because the Chasers are filling the top …

Read more

Talking NASCAR TV: Classic ESPN Speed World Links Past Success, Failure With Present Coverage

Despite all of the resources and talent ESPN possesses, its 2008 NASCAR coverage has been less than spectacular at best. Some moves made in preparation for and during the season – like replacing Rusty Wallace with Dale Jarrett in the booth – have proven to be ingenius, especially since Wallace seems to fit in well …

Read more

Who’s Going to Win It All? Our 2008 NASCAR Chase Predictions

The fifth edition of NASCAR’s Chase has three clear favorites: Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson. But in a system where 12 drivers are separated by just 80 points, anyone could come out on top in a playoff race that seldom goes according to plan. With so many drivers and so much at stake, how …

Read more

Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2008 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond

The regular season has come to an end, and like it or not, the fifth year of the Chase is upon us. There are 12 drivers now eligible to win the Cup Series title, unlike the two or three who’d be in contention under the old points system. But even though the list has expanded, …

Read more

Talking NASCAR TV: Dramatic Richmond Race Had ESPN Covering All Sides

Just like Bristol a couple of weeks ago, made-for-TV storylines saturated Sunday’s Richmond race as much as Tropical Storm Hanna soaked the area late Friday and early Saturday. Not only were several drivers vying for the final transfer positions into the top 12 in the standings – thus qualifying them for the Chase – but …

Read more