Race Weekend Central

Nuts for Nationwide: Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s 1st Win 10 Years Ago Today

On this very day some 10 years ago, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won his first race in NASCAR’s second series, taking the checkered flag in the 1998 Coca-Cola 300. The Kannapolis, N.C. native drove his father’s AC Delco-sponsored No. 3 Chevy to victory lane at Texas Motor Speedway. Later that same year, Junior founded JR Motorsports, …

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Fantasy Picks ‘N’ Pans: 2008 Samsung 500 at Texas Edition

After two weeks of short-track racing, the Sprint Cup Series heads to the wide open spaces of Texas Motor Speedway for this weekend’s Samsung 500. They say things are often bigger and better in Texas; but that does that equate for success for your fantasy team? With only one repeat winner in 13 races at …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2008 Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville

After another session of good ol’ rubbin’ and racin’ at Martinsville, the votes are in on where the Frontstretch staffers feel the drivers fall in the hierarchy of the current Power Rankings. The results may surprise you: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has scaled the mountain even though he hasn’t won a race yet, while teammates Jeff Gordon …

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The Yellow Stripe: How Much Will Be Enough for Dale Earnhardt Jr.?

Last year, ahead of the spring race at Martinsville, Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed frustration at the sheer dominance of Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon on the smallest track the Sprint Cup circuit has to offer. On Sunday, the No. 88 finished behind the Nos. 24 and 48 once again; but while the frustrations remained, the …

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Who’s Hot/Who’s Not in Sprint Cup: 2008 Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville Edition

In this short season, Denny Hamlin has asserted himself as one of the stronger drivers on short tracks. After nearly winning at Bristol two weeks ago before a fuel pickup problem relegated him to a sixth-place finish in the closing laps, Hamlin made his way to victory lane at his home track this weekend, earning …

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Happy Hour: Hendrick’s Recent Performance at Martinsville Inspirational

Much has been said and written about the perceived fall from dominance of Hendrick Motorsports. It is the farthest they’ve gone into a season without a victory since 2003. Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are out of the top 12, Casey Mears is struggling to stay in the Top 35, etc. It seems as though this …

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Holding a Pretty Wheel: NASCAR Fans’ Reactions to Junior, Jeff, Jimmie & Jack Not What You Might Expect

It may be only five races into the NASCAR season, but there have certainly been a lot of things to think about: Toyota’s surge from backmarker to contender to winner; last year’s absolute domination of Hendrick Motorsports turning into not even being a serious contender to win in ’08; the Car of Tomorrow; Robby Gordon‘s …

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Matt McLaughlin Mouths Off: 2008 NASCAR Questions & Surprises

Only five races into the 2008 Cup season, it’s still premature to draw too many conclusions as to how various drivers and teams will fare this year. Things could change radically in the next five events and, like those disclaimers concerning mutual funds state, past performance is no guarantee of future success. But what is inarguable at this juncture of the season is that with the Cup Series taking the Easter weekend off, there just isn’t much to write about. So, let’s take a look back at some of the questions we had heading into 2008, and see whether they’ve been answered yet; and while we’re at it, check out what surprises have popped up along the way.