Race Weekend Central

NASCAR Mailbox: The Lack of Negativity Surrounding Tony Stewart’s Return Was Refreshing

2014 Atlanta CUP Tony Stewart cockpit CIA

(Credit: CIA)

Tony Stewart’s return to NASCAR was a story that wasn’t just a big deal to the NASCAR community. It was a big deal to a lot of people who rarely pay attention to the sport, if ever. Mainstream news organizations were present at Atlanta Motor Speedway, from Friday afternoon when Stewart made his first public …

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Fantasy Insider: Gauging NASCAR “Bubble” Brilliance At Atlanta

2014 Pocono II CUP Matt Kenseth CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Playoff scenarios. You may be bored with all the “what ifs” but when it comes to your fantasy roster, they’re a “what launches” you above your competition. Just what drivers may or may not do with a Chase spot on the line could well factor into how your fantasy team does these next couple of …

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Going By the Numbers: NASCAR Bubble Drivers “Chasing”… What, Exactly?

2014 Daytona II CUP Kyle Larson Jamie McMurray conversation CIA

(Credit: CIA)

You’re well aware by now of the talk surrounding the Chase for the Sprint Cup – and, most particularly, the drivers who will make it into NASCAR’s version of a playoff system. Who’s in? Who’s out? Who’s out but could make their way in? Hold on. Is there really any reason to ask that last …

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Fantasy Insider: The Short and Long of It All at Bristol

2014 Michigan II CUP Matt Kenseth Travos Kvapil racing CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

I had the pleasure of being in the Charlotte area this week and spent one of those days doing something that I had wanted to do for quite some time. That was take a tour (of sorts) of several NASCAR team buildings and shops. These weren’t scheduled, it was just sort of a random thing …

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Mirror Driving: System Failure, Strategy vs. Speed, and Future Stars

2014 Pocono II CUP Dale Earnhardt Jr beats Kevin Harvick CIA

Welcome to Mirror Driving. Every week, your favorite columnists sit down and give their opinion about the latest NASCAR news, rumors and controversy. Love us or hate us, make a comment below and tell us how you feel about what we’ve said! This Week’s Participants: Amy Henderson (Mondays / The Big Six & Wednesdays / …

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Fantasy Insider: Road Course Ringer Equals Marcos or ‘Dinger

2014 Sonoma CUP Marcos Ambrose car CIA

When it came to making fantasy auto racing picks for road courses, for years it seemed like a safe bet to look at the so-called road ringers and try to pick up a top 10 finish with a cheap or rarely used driver. But taking a look back at the last three road course races, …

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Did You Notice? … NASCAR Talent: Then And Now

2014 Pocono II CUP Ricky Stenhouse Jr helmet CIA

Credit: CIA Editorial Photography

Did You Notice? … How hard it is to gain a foothold in this sport? More than ever, talented drivers find themselves inside a shrinking window of opportunity. The number of available rides has shrunk, combined with the funding now necessary to pair them within a top-tier organization. Having cash on hand and helping bridge …

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The Frontstretch Five: Memorable Modern-Era Rookie Campaigns

2014 Michigan I CUP Ryan Newman face CIA

Welcome to the Frontstretch Five, a brand-new column for 2014! Each week, Amy Henderson takes a look at the racing, the drivers, and the storylines that drive NASCAR and produces a list of five people, places, things, and ideas that define the current state of our sport. This week, Amy has five rookie campaigns that …

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Pocono

2014 Pocono II CUP Dale Earnhardt Jr woohoo CIA

Credit: CIA Editorial Photography

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. made another statement as to why he’s a top contender to win the 2014 Sprint Cup Championship Sunday, sweeping both races at Pocono and scoring his third win of the season. To put this year’s performance into perspective, Junior won only one race in the past five seasons. It was an up …

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Austin Dillon to Drive Spraker Racing Car in NASCAR K&N Series Race at Watkins Glen International

2014 Mudsummer Classic Eldora Speedway Austin Dillon Camping World Trucks Mike Neff-298

Spraker Racing Enterprises Inc. announced that NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Austin Dillon will drive the team’s No. 37 Chevrolet in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Bully Hill Vineyards 125 at Watkins Glen International on August 8th. Dillon, a regular in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series where he pilots the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing …

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Tracking The Trucks: Dillon Takes Pocono Mountains 150

2014 CWTS Pocono Austin Dillon Burnout Credit CIA

In a Nutshell: Austin Dillon took control at Pocono when Kyle Larson’s engine went south, then survived a flurry of late restart battles with Clint Bowyer to win his first Truck Series race since Eldora last July. Dillon, who hadn’t won in any of NASCAR’s top three series since then, prevailed in an event that …

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Fantasy Insider: NASCAR Flat Track Fortunes

2014 Pocono I CUP Dale Earnhardt Jr trophy CIA

Can Dale Earnhardt, Jr. complete the Pocono sweep this weekend at Pocono?

This is generally considered the hottest time of the year in most parts of the nation and when you’re looking for good fantasy picks for your team, you’re looking for who the hottest drivers will be. One driver in the past capable of running off a rare winning streak in NASCAR was Jeff Gordon. He …

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