Race Weekend Central

Couch Potato Tuesday: Phoenix a Tiring Challenge for NASCAR on NBC

2015 Phoenix International Raceway NSCS Dale Earnahrdt Jr. pit road rain victory credit NASCAR via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Normally, Sprint Cup races at Phoenix International Raceway are some of the shortest of the year. Sunday was clearly an exception to that rule, as there was over 10 hours of coverage on NBC and NBCSN from Avondale. We’ll get to the desert in a moment. On Monday, NBC Sports announced a special ramping up …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2015 Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 at Phoenix

Earnhardt, Dale Jr. - 2015 Quicken Loans 500 Victory Lane - Phoenix

(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Who’s in the headline – Amazingly it is Dale Earnhardt Jr. this week, thanks to a fortunate pit stall location and an unimpressive bit of driving by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Joey Gase. The latter two drivers got together during a round of green flag stops and Earnhardt was pitted just before the start/finish line …

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Up to Speed: Mixed Emotions Following Rain-Shortened Phoenix Semi-Final

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500

(Photo by Matt Sullivan/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Weather can certainly have its way in influencing motorsports and this was true at Phoenix International Raceway. That’s right, even a racetrack in the middle of the desert is not safe from the woes brought on by a steady downpour. Following a nearly seven-hour delay for rain, the penultimate race of the season finally went green under …

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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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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2015 AAA Texas 500

2015 Texas II CUP pack racing CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­

And then there were two… races that is. Despite the fact that there are three races in the Eliminator Round, by virtue of non-Chaser Jimmie Johnson‘s win last weekend, two drivers at most will make it to the championship race based on wins. It’s possible that three drivers could make it in on points if another non-Chaser …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2015 AAA Texas 500

2015 Texas II CUP pack racing CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­

Who’s in the headline? – Jimmie Johnson saved his best for last Sunday and spoiled Brad Keselowski‘s party as the laps wound down. Johnson led six laps during the event, including the final four to steal the win from Keselowski, who led 312 of the posted 334 laps of the event. Johnson proved, once again, …

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4 Burning Questions: Will Joey Logano Erase Martinsville Deficit with a Win?

2014 Richmond I CUP Joey Logano burnout CIA

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

WILL JOEY LOGANO MAKE UP FOR LAST WEEK’S DISAPPOINTMENT WITH A WIN? Joey Logano was 47 laps away from making history last weekend. Leading 207 laps at the Martinsville paperclip, the driver of the No. 22 was intentionally crashed in turn 1 by Matt Kenseth following a stretch of races in which the two tangled …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 after the 2015 Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500 at Martinsville

Martinsville Joey Logano 2015 Cup Mike Neff

(Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch)

Once again, Martinsville Speedway lived up to its reputation. Short tempers? Check. Payback? Check. Lots and lots of contact? Check. Matt Kenseth – once thought to be one of the most even-tempered drivers in the garage area – wrecked Joey Logano while several laps down at Martinsville Speedway. Though he claimed it was unintentional, NASCAR …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2015 Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500 at Martinsville

Martinsville Jeff Gordon Team Victory  2015 Cup Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff, Frontstretch)

Who’s in the headline – Martinsville resurrected the emotions of both fans and competitors that it has not incited in a decade. In the end, while there is much buzz about retribution and championship ramifications, the most important story of the weekend is that Jeff Gordon will be one of the four competitors vying for the …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2015 CampingWorld.com 500 at Talladega

2015 Talladega II CUP Matt Kenseth car CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

Everyone sort of expected Talladega Superspeedway to shake up the standings but I don’t think anyone expected the dramatic, forced ending that occurred in the final laps of the race. Even after NASCAR announced that it would be reducing the number of green-white-checkered attempts from three to one days before the event Sunday’s ultimate ending at …

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Did You Notice? Why Talladega Is Still NASCAR’s Heart Attack In Waiting

2015 Talladega I CUP Austin Dillon fire credit NASCAR via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Did You Notice? The number of green-white-checkered finishes has been reduced for Talladega? NASCAR announced Tuesday it’s down to one instead of the standard three to help curb the carnage seen since the rule was put in place last decade. The change has its merit although it’s less likely to be used than you think. The …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2015 Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas

2015 Kansas II CUP Joey Logano Flag Chris Trotman/NASCAR via Getty Images

(Photo: Chris Trotman/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Joey Logano will be the only driver sleeping well this weekend at Talladega. After contact with leader Matt Kenseth in the closing laps, Logano took his second straight checkered flag and is the only driver with a win in the Contender Round. Hendrick Motorsports put three drivers in the top 10 led by non-chase contenders …

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