Race Weekend Central

10 Points to Ponder… After the 2008 Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta

1. Eating Sushi – Expectations of a takeover of Chrysler by General Motors are gaining credibility, as both company’s fortunes continue to spiral downward as the world economy continues to slump. However, the buzz in the NASCAR garage is that it is doubtful that Chevy, Ford and Toyota will be willing, as a result of …

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Thompson in Turn 5: NASCAR Racing & Politics Not a Good Mix

Who will win the 2008 presidential election is still anybody’s guess. But when it comes to NASCAR, who they want to win isn’t even in question these days. Considering the rash of “honorary” guests from John McCain’s presidential campaign team recently attending Sprint Cup events, the sanctioning body clearly is supporting the Republican Party ticket, …

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10 Points to Ponder… After the 2008 TUMS QuikPak 500 at Martinsville

1. Talking About Times Getting Hard! – Johnny Benson took command of the Craftsman Truck Series championship points battle, at least temporarily, by winning the Kroger 200 at Martinsville Saturday afternoon. Benson, driver of the Bill Davis Racing No. 23 Toyota Tundra, left the track with a 65-point lead in the CTS drivers’ championship. He …

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Thompson in Turn 5: As News From Detroit Worsens, Changes for NASCAR Are Inevitable

In these troubled times we live in, the average American citizen is worried about the ramifications of a $750 billion economic bailout. But what about the NASCAR big wigs down in Charlotte and Daytona? They’re worried the money that forms the lifeblood of their sport just won’t flat out bail. Indeed, NASCAR team owners supported …

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10 Points to Ponder… After the 2008 Bank of America 500 at Charlotte

1. Unrest in Detroit – It is being heavily rumored that talks have taken place between Chrysler and General Motors involving GM acquiring Chrysler’s automotive manufacturing business. Also, the Wall Street Journal has reported that the idea of a Ford/GM merger has likewise been bandied about. If the deal goes through, there’s no telling what …

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Thompson in Turn 5: Robby Gordon Continuing to Defy Conventional Wisdom

Not since the days of independent driver Dave Marcis, who through sheer determination managed to earn a living as a Cup driver and team owner, has any owner/driver showed more grit and fortitude than Robby Gordon. The proprietor of Robby Gordon Motorsports continues, though just barely, to defy the odds that overwhelmingly should have seen …

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10 Points to Ponder… After the 2008 Amp Energy 500 at Talladega

1. Change in Direction – Joey Logano, heir to the No. 20 Toyota presently driven by Sunday’s race winner Tony Stewart, will not compete in any further races this season in the No. 96 Hall of Fame Toyota. The 18-year-old Joe Gibbs Racing phenom had been scheduled to fill the driver’s seat in the HoF …

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Thompson in Turn 5: Paul Menard’s Departure to Yates Leaves DEI in Need of Help

News that driver Paul Menard and his father’s sponsor dollars will soon part ways with Dale Earnhardt Inc. seems to lend credence to the prediction by many that the company’s demise was inevitable. Old prophecies spurred by DEI owner Teresa Earnhardt’s failure to come to contract terms with her stepson have returned, with observers saying …

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10 Points to Ponder… After the 2008 Camping World RV 400 at Kansas

1. Naturally Good – The Chase for the Sprint Cup point format initiated in 2004 is designed to narrow the point gap amongst the top-12 drivers and aid in creating a more exciting and suspenseful 10-race climax to the NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Following Sunday’s Camping World RV 400 from Kansas, Jimmie Johnson now leads …

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Thompson in Turn 5: NASCAR Critics Have Been Silent… At Least, Until Kansas

As an unabashed supporter of NASCAR’s decision to implement a playoff format that determines the Sprint Cup champion – along with its equally controversial and much-maligned implementation of the racecar formerly known as the Car of Tomorrow – I am feeling at least partially vindicated for my opinion following the last three weeks of racing. …

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10 Points to Ponder… After the 2008 Camping World RV 400 at Dover

1. Drive It Like You Stole It! – According to police in Mooresville, N.C., thieves broke into the Roush/Yates engine shop last week, loading three race motors into a stolen Penske rental truck. The Ford engines taken were specially prepared for the Nationwide and Craftsman Truck series. Don’t you just know that there is some …

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Thompson in Turn 5: Ron Hornaday’s Testosterone Use – The Story That Should Have Never Been Told

As the media fanfare surrounding the first race of the 10-event Chase for the Sprint Cup heated up last week, news that defending Craftsman Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday Jr. had used steroids stole the headlines. Not just motorsports headlines, mind you… sports headlines, period. ESPN the Magazine broke the story that three-time CTS champion …

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