Race Weekend Central

Thinkin’ Out Loud – Charlotte Chase race 5 – Wrestlemania 31

2014 Charlotte II Cup Kevin HArvick woohoo credit Yvonne Leonard

Key Moment – On lap 328, Brian Vickers‘ No. 55 done blowed up. The cleanup from the oil laid down lasted until lap 332. Rodney Childers, crew chief for Kevin Harvick, decided to leave his driver on the track. Several other cars also stayed out, so the two-lap dash to the trophy was a battle among …

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Going By the Numbers: Was Sam Hornish, Jr. A No-Brainer Choice for Petty?

2014 Mid Ohio NNS Sam Hornish Jr pole CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

You gotta give it up for Silly Season; it’s never a dull moment. Well, maybe a little dull in this case, but certainly not uninteresting. Sam Hornish, Jr. has been confirmed as the driver of the No. 9 Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports starting in 2015. The Ohio native replaces Marcos Ambrose, who’s heading back …

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Truckin’ Thursdays: Carl Edwards Gives Back

2014 Michigan II CUP Carl Edwards car CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Author’s Note: While the Truck Series sits idle for its final off weekend of the year, much of the series has been quiet this week, save for an announcement that Gray Gaulding’s Martinsville truck will be pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So instead of covering the Truck Series this week, I’m taking the opportunity …

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Did You Notice? … Hornish Hire Sign Of Shift In NASCAR’s Ford Hierarchy

2014 Road America NNS Sam Hornish Jr. credit NASCAR via Getty Images

(Credit: Getty Images)

Did You Notice? … Sam Hornish, Jr.’s strategy worked? His choice to run a limited schedule, in top-notch Nationwide equipment as opposed to running full-time with a struggling team paid off this week. Hornish will be the replacement for Marcos Ambrose in 2015, driving the No. 9 Ford for a Richard Petty Motorsports program that …

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Frontstretch Foto Funnies: You Had WHAT for Breakfast?

2014 Dover II CUP Ryan Newman face CIA

Credit: CIA Stock 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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Sam Hornish, Jr. Among Rumored Replacements for Marcos Ambrose

2014 Mid Ohio NNS Sam Hornish Jr pole CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Could Sam Hornish, Jr. be the next driver behind the wheel of the No. 9 at Richard Petty Motorsports? Recently, the Associated Press covered Hornish and his trip to Kentucky Speedway for the NASCAR Nationwide Series VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300. The 35-year-old three-time IndyCar series champion shared his thoughts on the season, his career, and the future …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2014 Sylvania 300 at Loudon

2014 Loudon II CUP Joey Logano helmet CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Looking for the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How behind Sunday’s race? Amy Henderson has you covered each week with the answers to six race -day questions, covering all five Ws and even the H… the Big Six. Who… gets my shoutout of the race? Despite a seemingly endless string of problems for the …

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Friday Faceoff: Frontrunners, Backmarkers, and a Seat to Fill

2014 Chicago CUP pack racing CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2014)

Welcome to Friday Faceoff! What do you get when you take some hot-button NASCAR topics and hand them over to our dedicated and… er, opinionated staff? A little disagreement and a whole lot of thought-provoking insight! Check out this week’s edition to see what everyone is arguing… um, we mean, discussing this week! Brad Keselowski …

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Wendell Scott to be honored at Martinsville Speedway by KBM and Front Row Motorsports

2014 Bristol II CWTS Darrell Wallace Jr CIA

(Photo Credit: CIA)

As a group announcement, NASCAR, Front Row Motorsports, Kyle Busch Motorsports and Martinsville Speedway announced on Tuesday Sept 16 they will honor Wendell Scott, the first African-American driver to win a NASCAR premier series event, with a series of tributes during the Martinsville race weekend from Oct. 24-26. Front Row Motorsports will feature a full throwback …

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Going By the Numbers: Why Stewart Still Sits In Perfect Chase Position

2014 Mudsummer Classic Eldora Speedway Tony Stewart Camping World Trucks Mike Neff-223

(Credit: Mike Neff)

When it’s all said and done, Ryan Newman will be part of the 2014 Chase for the Sprint Cup. But you already figured – perhaps knew – that, didn’t you? After all, all Newman has a 19-point lead on Greg Biffle entering Richmond, the final race before the Chase begins. Even if, Biffle made up those points, …

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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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The Frontstretch Five: Reasons To Give Small Teams Another Look

2014 Atlanta CUP Alex Bowman car front CIA

(Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

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 reasons to pay …

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