Race Weekend Central

Fanning the Flames: NASCAR’s Trifecta of Current Events

We’ve got some in-depth stuff this week, so I’ll keep the opening thoughts short. Actually, they’ll be non-existent. So take a guess as to what we’re starting with. Q: I have read several articles about Kyle Busch‘s poor behavior, but seeing him tonight bash the Gibson guitar on the floor twice is the lowest I …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2009 Pocono 500

The tricky triangle in Pocono threw everything at the drivers but the kitchen sink. There was rain, a new double-file restart procedure and even a late-race fuel-mileage gamble thrown in for good measure. As you might expect, with that many variables the final running order was turned upside down after 500 miles of competition. But …

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Fanning the Flames: Carl Long, Brad Keselowski & Other Issues of the Week

Carl Long, we are with you bud. Just so you know, there are a lot of longtime fans of the sport out here that are appalled by the situation you find yourself in. Thank you for fighting the good fight and speaking frankly on the subject. We don’t get that a lot, but whether out …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2009 Autism Speaks 400 at Dover

While Jimmie Johnson was completely dominant at Dover, he wasn’t the only one with a stellar Sunday at the Monster Mile. Our experts actually rewarded a different driver with the top spot this week, keeping the three-time champ from assuming the throne he’ll so desperately seek by Homestead. At the same time, some people who …

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Fanning the Flames: Drivers, Not NASCAR, Biggest Obstacle to Driver Union

The rain is wearing on me. Seriously, you all, I’ve had it up to my speedometer with rain. Literally. As if Daytona and the 600 getting washed out wasn’t enough to put a damper on my spirits, the flash flood I mentioned last week – you know, the one that submerged my Murray lawnmower – …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2009 Coca-Cola 600

While racing was supposed to be the focus at Charlotte, rain wound up being the headline. Since the Coca-Cola 600 was called short due to weather, the final standings were a jumbled mess of drivers who took a risk on the final pit stop to steal a good finish – leaving the fastest cars in …

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Fanning the Flames: Talking All-Stars, 600s & Lawnmowers

Totally unrelated to anything NASCAR (or racing in general), but if you’re in the market for a lawnmower, go with the Murray. My fiancé and I were victims of a flash flood a week ago and the lawn mower was submerged – completely submerged – for a good two hours. Five days later, after emptying …

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Fanning the Flames: Did Someone Say “10-Lap Shootout?”

All-Star week on the Cup circuit normally invokes a cry of “Change the format!” from this writer and long-time NASCAR geek. The 10-lap shootout that concluded what was The Winston for years were 10 of my most anticipated laps of the year – points or no. Earnhardt/Elliott/Bodine in 1987, Rusty and Darrell in ’89, Kyle …

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Fanning the Flames: Appreciating NASCAR’s Spring Slate

I always look forward to the month of May. Spring is upon us, the fish are biting, the weather is absolutely beautiful, the mosquitoes aren’t too bad just yet and the NASCAR circuit hits its grandest stretch of racing all season. Talladega in late April is followed by Richmond, Darlington and the two weeks in …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2009 Crown Royal 400 at Richmond

Some retro short-track racing in Virginia provided a lot of high-powered action Saturday night, with the end result a record 15 caution flags and a late-race pit strategy that left the standings jumbled all the way up until the checkered flag. That unpredictability factored right into our own Power Rankings this week, as 14 out …

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Fanning the Flames: Making Sense of the Talladega Mayhem

Talladega never leaves us with a lack of things to discuss, huh? Interesting stuff from you guys this week, so I’ll not waste your time with some cute opening. Q: Why is everyone complaining about the [Talladega] finish? The fence held! The drivers walked away! It worked like it was supposed to! Let them race …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2009 Aaron’s 499 at Talladega

The wildcard that is restrictor-plate racing at Talladega certainly mixed up our rankings as much as it mixed up the standings. The Big Ones led to big changes for our experts, as multiple drivers received first-place votes and just two of 15 stayed in the same position that they occupied last week. The race ended …

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