Race Weekend Central

Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2009 Lifelock 400 at Michigan

The 2-mile oval in the Irish Hills of Michigan brought us a fuel-mileage race for the second straight week on the Cup tour. In the end, it was Mark Martin who had a little extra gas in his tank… but was it enough to move all the way to the top of our chart? Meanwhile, …

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Who’s Hot/Who’s Not in Sprint Cup: 2009 Lifelock 400 at Michigan Edition

“Give me fuel, give me fire, give me that which I desire,” may very well have been the lyrics Jimmie Johnson was banging his head to as his dominant No. 48 Chevy sputtered to the finish of Sunday’s LifeLock 400. The three-time champ absolutely dominated at Michigan, only surrendering the lead after the final pit …

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Voice of Vito: Number 5 is Alive – Mark Martin Outwits & Outlasts Opponents in 2009 Lifelock 400 at Michigan

Editor’s Note: Tom Bowles is off from his Monday commentary the next few weeks. Bowles-Eye will return in its regular slot Monday, July 6th. BROOKLYN, Mich. – Ste-Pha-Nie… Number Five… is ALIVE! Remember that from the 1986 movie, Short Circuit? It was about a robot that, after being struck by lightning, has an awakening and …

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5 Points to Ponder: Foreign Manufacturer… err, Michigan Edition

Whispers throughout the Michigan garage area spread across the Internet like wildfire Sunday when Ed Hinton of ESPN.com reported that NASCAR has been in contact with foreign-based automakers that have yet to make the foray into stock car racing. The news undoubtedly stemmed from last week’s announcement that GM would be cutting support across all …

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Mark Martin Wins 2009 Lifelock 400 at Michigan, Thanks to Fuel Mileage

Sometimes, motorsports can be cruel. You could completely dominate a race, only to lose badly at the end, either through a crash or by mechanical means. However, sometimes, other factors can cost you a race. Sunday brought on one of those “other factors.” Jimmie Johnson, in his No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, dominated the day, leading …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2009 Pocono 500

The tricky triangle in Pocono threw everything at the drivers but the kitchen sink. There was rain, a new double-file restart procedure and even a late-race fuel-mileage gamble thrown in for good measure. As you might expect, with that many variables the final running order was turned upside down after 500 miles of competition. But …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2009 Autism Speaks 400 at Dover

While Jimmie Johnson was completely dominant at Dover, he wasn’t the only one with a stellar Sunday at the Monster Mile. Our experts actually rewarded a different driver with the top spot this week, keeping the three-time champ from assuming the throne he’ll so desperately seek by Homestead. At the same time, some people who …

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Fanning the Flames: Drivers, Not NASCAR, Biggest Obstacle to Driver Union

The rain is wearing on me. Seriously, you all, I’ve had it up to my speedometer with rain. Literally. As if Daytona and the 600 getting washed out wasn’t enough to put a damper on my spirits, the flash flood I mentioned last week – you know, the one that submerged my Murray lawnmower – …

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Grading the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Pack: Part 1

NASCAR’s longest and most grueling race, the Coca-Cola 600, represents a significant milestone in the 2009 season. It’s not quite the halfway point to the Chase (that comes the following week after Dover), but once the checkers fly late Sunday evening, we’re exactly one-third of the way through the 36-race schedule. With that in mind, …

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