Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: Will Matt Kenseth Turn it Around?

2016 Las Vegas Cup Matt Kenseth Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade NKP)

Matt Kenseth, who entered the season as a title favorite, has yet to score a top-10 finish through three races.  Is it time for the No. 20 team to hit the panic button, or is the slow start just a bump in the road? Dustin Albino, Contributor: Matt Kenseth has had an opportunity to win …

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Friday Faceoff: How Far Can Jimmie Johnson Go?

Jimmie Johnson’s win tied him with Dale Earnhardt for seventh all-time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. How high will Johnson rise on the list before he retires? Can he catch mentor Jeff Gordon, who sits third with 93 wins?  Amy Henderson, Senior Editor: I think Jimmie Johnson’ll slot in just behind Jeff Gordon.  He …

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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 …

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Friday Faceoff: Who Needs a Daytona 500 Win?

Who would benefit the most from a Daytona 500 win? What driver in the field needs a 500 to complete their resume?  Sean Fesko, Staff Writer: Any driver with no prayer of winning a non-plate race would benefit the most. Not only would they be a part of the whirlwind winner’s media tour, but they’d …

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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 …

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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?  Leave your …

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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.  Can Johnson surpass Jeff Gordon‘s 93 Cup wins for third all-time?  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 …

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Voice of Vito: NASCAR Becoming Detrimental to Stock Car Racing

2015 Charlotte Ii Cup Kyle Larson Spin Cia

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Let’s dispense with the typical flowery introduction or using irrelevant song lyrics to frame a story. Instead, as a break from what has become the norm in NASCAR, let’s speak with consistency and clarity: NASCAR’s actions governing their sport the past three weeks are detrimental to stock car racing. Tuesday afternoon, NASCAR suspended Matt Kenseth …

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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. …

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Friday Faceoff: Tony Stewart’s Final Season

2015 Chicago Cup Tony Stewart Helmet Ica

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Two of the heavy Sprint Cup title favorites, Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch, are in danger of falling out of contention after Dover.  Is this harmful to the sport and/or the current Chase format? Vito Pugliese, Senior Writer: If the television ratings are to be believed, not really sure what could make things any worse. …

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Friday Faceoff: Panic Time for Jeff Gordon?

2015 Bristol Ii Cup Jeff Gordon Car Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

The summer stretch is coming to a close and Jeff Gordon still hasn’t won a race. Is it time for the No. 24 team to click the panic button? Aaron Bearden, Assistant Editor: No, the No. 24 team shouldn’t hit the panic button just yet. Despite its struggles, the team is sitting in position to make the Chase …

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Friday Faceoff: Safety in the Pits, Silly Season Dominoes & Truckin’ Trouble

2015 Pocono Cwts Brad Keselowski Crash Damage Cia

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Sunday’s race at Pocono included a nasty crash where Kasey Kahne spun off turn 3 and slid into the pits, hitting the wall so hard metal braces were bent and the concrete cracked. Jeb Burton had almost an identical crash on Saturday during practice. Can anything be done to prevent this type of crash or …

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