Race Weekend Central

Thompson in Turn 5: Double-File Restarts Are a Big Hit – Now Let the Kids in for Free

It has been almost one month since NASCAR revamped its restart procedure at Pocono Raceway, a decision that most agree has served to add at least a smidgen of excitement to the traveling circus that we know as NASCAR Sprint Cup racing. The change has not been met with unanimous support by drivers or motorsport …

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Thompson in Turn 5: Believe It, a Generic Race Engine Will Come to NASCAR

The ‘shoe’ continues to fall in what this column has foretold will be the future of NASCAR racing with the news that NASCAR and folks from Detroit have discussed a generic ‘spec’ engine or ‘crate’ engine that would, if reports are believed, be used at least initially in the Nationwide and Camping World Truck series. …

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Thompson in Turn 5: NASCAR a Tough Decision for Danica Patrick

Despite speculation that IndyCar Series darling Danica Patrick would reveal her plans for next season this week, it seems any such announcement is now on hold until October. Patrick, who is in the final year of her contract with Andretti Green Racing (AGR), has been rumored to be looking in three different directions in deciding …

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Thompson in Turn 5: Kyle Busch Back on Track to 200 Wins?

Kyle Busch’s guitar-smashing antics in victory lane following his NASCAR Nationwide Series win at Nashville Superspeedway seems to have captured the lion’s share of attention after a busy and newsworthy weekend of NASCAR racing. In fact, his questionable victory celebration overshadowed even the fact that the Federated Auto Parts 300 win was Busch’s 51st NASCAR …

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Thompson in Turn 5: Jeremy Mayfield Hearing Delayed & the Whole Mess Could Have Been Avoided

It has been almost a month since the suspension of Sprint Cup owner/driver Jeremy Mayfield and the matter is no closer to resolution. Wednesday’s scheduled hearing before a North Carolina Superior Court Judge in Mecklenburg County, N.C. was cancelled due to an 11th-hour move on the part of NASCAR to have the case heard in …

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Thompson in Turn 5: Time for NASCAR to Re-think the Re-starts

The scheduled NASCAR powwow between the organization’s top executives, owners and drivers took place Tuesday, just a day after the excruciating conclusion to the rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The official line being toted for the get-together at NASCAR’s Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C. was to afford competitors a forum to …

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Thompson in Turn 5: The Jury Is Still out on Scott Speed, AJ Allmendinger Swap

When in the fall of last season it was announced by Red Bull Racing that it had relieved AJ Allmendinger of his duties behind the wheel of the Red Bull No. 84, the news was met with a considerable amount of skepticism within the NASCAR community. It made little sense to many to replace Allmendinger, …

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Thompson in Turn 5: Time Is Ticking for Tony Eury Jr.

Rumor and speculation continues to circulate in the NASCAR community this week that Tony Eury Jr., crew chief of the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet piloted by the sport’s Most Popular Driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., will soon be replaced. With no credible insider connected to the rumored change atop the pit box, it seems clear …

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Thompson in Turn 5: 1 More Season With Mark Martin Is a Good Thing

Yesterday’s news that popular veteran Mark Martin has agreed to compete full-time at least through 2010 in the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet – instead of his originally announced part-time, 26-race schedule next season – did not come as a complete surprise. Martin had previously hinted that he very well might be interested in another …

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Thompson in Turn 5: Kurt Busch, Welcome Back

Largely lost in the hubbub surrounding Sunday’s action-packed contest at Talladega Superspeedway that culminated with a spectacular crash, a win by a part-time Sprint Cup driver with only five starts under his belt and surprising finishes by the likes of Scott Speed, Joey Logano and Marcos Ambrose was the fact that Kurt Busch is now leading …

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Thompson in Turn 5: Jeff Gordon a Legend Amongst Us

Jeff Gordon’s win at Texas Motor Speedway was, without question, a long anticipated victory for the four-time NASCAR champion. The career wins leader amongst active drivers had not visited victory lane in the prior 47 non-exhibition races dating back to Oct. 2007. The winless streak was not in keeping with Gordon’s prolific career statistics that …

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