Race Weekend Central

Big One Collects Several Top Drivers at Daytona

2016-Daytona-II-CUP-big-one-Nigel-Kinrade-NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

  DAYTONA BEACH, Fl. – A Lap 89 crash involving 22 cars, more than half the field in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway, began with Jamie McMurray getting sideways either because of something on the track or due to contact with the No. 48 car of Jimmie Johnson – neither driver was …

Read more

Friday Faceoff: How Important Is Track Position?

A quick exam of the last few seasons shows that only the best restrictor plate drivers – Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski – have been able to get to victory lane. Is it still fair to say anyone can win at Daytona or Talladega, or has NASCAR finally put fate in …

Read more

Friday Faceoff: Who’s On the NASCAR Hot Seat?

2015 Martinsville I CUP Matt Kenseth Kurt Busch racing credit Amy Henderson

(Photo: Amy Henderson, Frontstretch)

With the changes NASCAR made for 2016, including a new aerodynamic package and charter system, can fans expect better racing? Vito Pugliese, Senior Writer: The Charter System won’t have much of an impact on racing in the short-term; save for freeing up a few pit stalls and space in the garage area. The Aerodynamic package …

Read more

Kickin’ the Tires: Hey Toyota Haters, Get Over Yourselves

DSCN1528

Photo Credit: Zach Catanzareti, Frontstretch

Oh my goodness, Ethyl, NASCAR is going to Hell in a hand basket ā€˜cuz one of them Toyoder drivers stole the championship. And what’s with a guy missing 11 races and still being able to race for the championship, anyway? That’s downright un-American. That Kyle Busch feller ain’t got no right to be a champion …

Read more

2015 Frontstretch Cup: Staff Predictions for the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead

2014 Homestead CUP Kevin Harvick burnout II CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2014)­

Welcome to our eighth year of staff predictions! Each week, our experts attempt to tell you who the winner of each Cup race will be. Take a look to see who your favorite writers think will win it all (or at least score some points) this week! Think you can out-prognosticate our staff?Ā  Leave your …

Read more

Friday Faceoff: Who Will Win It All?

2015 Phoenix II CUP Kurt Busch pack racing CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

After the Phoenix Chase race was delayed and cut short by rain, some are calling for NASCAR to change the rules for Chase races so that all laps are completed, even if it’s the next day. Should NASCAR create a new rule? Amy Henderson, Senior Editor: That’s a hard call.Ā  If you make a rule …

Read more

Kickin’ The Tires: Is #TheChase Helping Or Hurting NASCAR?

2015 Richmond II CUP Chase selfie CIA

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

AVONDALE, Ariz. – So, now that the field is set for four drivers to do battle in the final race of the NASCAR season next week at Homestead-Miami Speedway the big questions are whether #TheChase lives up to the hype and whether this format really does build drama and put it on the same level …

Read more

Friday Faceoff: How Many More Wins for Jimmie Johnson?

2015 Texas II CUP Jimmie Johnson trophy CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

Jimmie Johnson will become the active win leader after Homestead-Miami Speedway (and a certain champion’s retirement) with 75.Ā  Can Johnson surpass Jeff Gordon‘s 93 Cup wins for third all-time?Ā  Where should we expect him to end up for a career total? Mike Neff, Short Track Coordinator: That will depend on how long Johnson chooses to …

Read more

Kickin’ the Tires: Penske Pariahs?

2015 Texas II CUP Brad Keselowski Paul Wolfe car bumper CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­

As the closing laps ticked off at Texas Motor Speedway and Jimmie Johnson edged into the lead, you could hear the cheers from fans not wanting to see Brad Keselowski move easily into the final round of #TheChase at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It was a heartbreaker, for sure, considering Keselowski led 312 of the 334 laps …

Read more

Kickin’ the Tires: Accidents Happen, Maybe

Martinsville Logano Pit Crew Thrash 2015 Cup Mike Neff

Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch

There are obviously several different ways for the Joey LoganoĀ –Ā Matt Kenseth debacle to play out, but I can’t blame Kenseth for doing what he did, even if it was wrong – perhaps justifiable but wrong… unless the splitter really was dragging and he couldn’t steer going into turn 1. If that is the case, then …

Read more

Friday Faceoff: Who Was Out of Line at Talladega?

2015 Talladega II CUP pack racing vertical CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­

NASCAR opted not to penalize Kevin Harvick for causing a late-race crash that caused the race at Talladega to end under caution, ensuring Harvick a spot in the Eliminator Round. Was Harvick’s move legit, and where is the line in this new Chase era? Mark Howell, Senior Writer: According to NASCAR, Harvick did nothing wrong. …

Read more

Kickin’ the Tires: Why Confusing Talladega Still Delivered

2015 Talladega II CUP pack racing CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­

While some hardcore Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans may disagree, any notion that this weekend’s restrictor-plate action at Talladega Superspeedway was disappointing or boring couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, the sport’s most popular driver was knocked out of contention for the 2015 Sprint Cup championship, but his battle throughout the race to hold point …

Read more