Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2009 Talladega Fall Race Recap
Welcome to Talladega, future home of the “Worst Possible Outcome 500.” Your ticket to the race comes with a complimentary toe-tag.
Thinkin’ Out Loud
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2009 Martinsville Fall Race Recap
Denny Hamlin held off charges by Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Juan Pablo Montoya during a flurry of late-race restarts to claim another win at Martinsville.
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2009 Charlotte Fall Race Recap
Jimmie Johnson prevailed in a spirited side-by-side battle with teammate Jeff Gordon after the final restart at Charlotte.
Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2009 Pepsi 500 at Fontana
Jimmie Johnson finally beat back a pesky Jeff Gordon after a series of frantic restarts over the final 15 laps of the race at Fontana.
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2009 Kansas Race Recap
Tony Stewart and his team elected to change two tires on the final stop to take the lead and held off a determined challenge from Jeff Gordon to win at Kansas.
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2009 Dover Fall Race Recap
Jimmie Johnson took the lead on lap 176 and was never headed at Dover.
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2009 New Hampshire Fall Race Recap
Mark Martin chose the outside lane and held the lead on the final three restarts to assert his claims as a legitimate title contender at New Hampshire.
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2009 Richmond Fall Race Recap
Denny Hamlin’s crew consistently got him off pit road first at Richmond, giving their boy a huge boost towards a second career short-track victory.
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2009 Atlanta Fall Race Recap
The Key Moment: Kevin Harvick seemed poised to run away with an upset win at Atlanta until a late caution (caused ironically enough by Harvick’s teammate, Clint Bowyer) reshuffled the deck and handed Kasey Kahne the winning hand. In a Nutshell: On Labor Day weekend within a sport where fans have labored to believe that we’d ever …
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2009 Bristol Night Race Recap
The Key Moment: Kyle Busch prevailed in a spirited side-by-side duel over the final two laps. In a Nutshell: While there’s side-by-side racing and technically better racing, fans just aren’t warming up to Bristol Lite. Fans don’t seem to like the new track, the new cars and less carnage. Maybe Bristol should modify Miller’s slogan, …
Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2009 CARFAX 400 at Michigan
The double-file restarts at a track like Michigan are a thing of beauty for the racing – even if they only keep everyone together for a lap or two.
Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2009 Heluva! Good Sour Cream Dips at the Glen
Editor’s Note: Matt McLaughlin is on vacation through the race at Michigan. For the next two weeks, Managing Editor Tom Bowles fills in. The Key Moment: Tony Stewart got the jump on Kyle Busch on a double-file restart with 23 laps to go. After that, it was his race to lose unless the No. 14 …