Race Weekend Central

Chase Drivers Claw Themselves out of New Hampshire

2014 Loudon Ii Cup Jeff Gordon Car Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

As the Canadian National Anthem was invoked prior to the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire, NASCAR drivers did their best to pretend they were from Canada. The 43 drivers hit the track on an overcast Sunday afternoon, and evidently raced as aggressively as an NHL player fighting during a hockey match. The 300-lap spectacle was incredibly important, …

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Frontstretch Foto Funnies: Simon Says You’re Out

Ff 9 19 14 1

Dale Junior is eliminated when the emcee doesn’t say "Simon Says" before giving the command to look to the left. (Photo: CIA Editorial Photography)

Welcome to the Frontstretch Foto Funnies! Ever see a photo that’s just begging for a caption? We see them all the time! Each week, we’ll pick a few, then let our staff give it their best shot. We’ll post the best ones for you! Want to get in on the fun?  Leave your best ideas …

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Happiness Is… Relationships, Singapore, and Kentucky

2014 Pocono Ii Cup Brad Keselowski Dale Earnhardt Jr Racing Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Was that an actual race at Chicagoland?  A track not known for well, anything, seemed to produce a finish that was worth remembering.  Brad Keselowski’s ballsy move, splitting Kevin Harvick and Kyle Larson as they raced for the lead, seemed to be just the type of thing that wasn’t supposed to be possible with the …

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Chicago

2014 Chicago Cup Brad Keselowski Trophy Cia

Credit: CIA Editorial Photography

If starting first, leading all but seven laps, winning the race and claiming the top seed in the Chase at Richmond was enough for Brad Keselowski to make a championship statement, no one told him. He came from 25th place Sunday afternoon, led 62 laps and claimed his fifth overall and series-leading victory. On top …

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NASCAR Holds Chase Across North America Tour to Promote Chase

2014 Richmond Ii Cup Kevin Harvick Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

On Wednesday, the 16 drivers who qualified for the Chase for the Sprint Cup were dispatched all over the continent in order to help promote the upcoming 10-race battle.  For the first time, locations outside of the United States were chosen for drivers to travel to.  Jeff Gordon spent his day in Toronto, while Carl …

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Racing to the Point: Separating the Chase Contenders & Pretenders

2014 Richmond Ii Cup Ford Chase Drivers Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

This new elimination-style playoff format has many people believing that some of the Chase underdogs have a chance at the title as along as they keep their noses clean and survive each round. I want to dispel that rumor right now. The cream is still going to rise to the top, as it always does. …

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Holding A Pretty Wheel: The Man Nobody Remembers

2014 Atlanta Cup Steve Letarte Dale Earnhardt Jr Cia

One more night and it’s over. NASCAR’s so-called regular season will be on the books, the Chase field set, and the two-and-a-half dozen-or-so teams who don’t make it will be virtually forgotten for the rest of the year. In the final 10 races, it will be all Chase all the time, as teams vie for …

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Nationwide Insurance, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Unveil New Paint Scheme

2014 Watkins Glen Cup Dale Earnhardt Jr Cia

(Photo Credit: CIA)

The NASCAR Nationwide Series may be turning into the NASCAR XFINITY Series next season, but don’t say goodbye to Nationwide Insurance just yet. The Columbus, Ohio-based insurance company will become one of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s primary sponsors in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2015. On Wednesday, just prior the XFINITY announcement, Nationwide Insurance unveiled …

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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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Couch Potato Tuesday: ESPN Sidesteps Stewart Bristol Salute

2014 Loudon I Nns Race Fans Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography. Copyright 2014)

This past weekend, the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series were all in action at Bristol Motor Speedway, but don’t be looking for the latter here. I will be covering the Camping World Truck Series UNOH 200 presented by Zloop later this week in the Critic’s Annex, along with the ARCA race from …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Irwin Tools Night Race

2014 Richmond I Cup Joey Logano Champagne Cia

Credit: CIA Editorial Photography

Key Moment – With 67 laps to go the caution flag flew for what ended up being the final time on Saturday night. Matt Kenseth stayed on the track with four other cars while Joey Logano headed to pit lane and bolted on four fresh bolognas. When the race restarted, Logano took the green in sixth position and quickly sliced …

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