Race Weekend Central

Nationwide Series Breakdown: 2009 Food City 250 at Bristol

There were Cup headliners aplenty all day Friday as the Nationwide Series tackled the Bristol Motor Speedway. Early in the week, it was Ryan Newman doing quadruple duty at Bristol. Then it was Brad Keselowski, who wouldn’t confirm or deny that he has signed to drive for Penske Racing in the Cup Series in 2009. …

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Beyond the Cockpit: NASCAR’s Hockey Player Turned Nationwide Rookie Michael Annett

Michael Annett is on the fast track to the top in NASCAR these days, but did you know that Annett once considered a career on ice instead of asphalt? A star hockey player-turned-racer, the Nationwide Series rookie sat down with Frontstretch’s Amy Henderson to talk about a career decision, racing under the Germain Racing banner, …

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Nuts for Nationwide: TV Coverage Strangling the NASCAR Nationwide Series

Back when the deal was first announced that ESPN would be returning to NASCAR broadcasting, and would also be giving the Nationwide Series a steady, permanent home, I was absolutely thrilled. What could go wrong here: a network whose Wide World of Sports coverage was largely responsible for NASCAR’s ascension from a niche to a …

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Nationwide Series Breakdown: 2009 O’Reilly 300 at Texas

On paper, this one wasn’t even close. And for over 250 miles on Saturday, it wasn’t. In the end, though, Kyle Busch led 178 of the 200 laps run at Texas to score his third win of the 2009 season. But he came very close to losing it. Brad Keselowski, who started 42nd in a …

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Nationwide Rookie Michael Annett Eyes Another Daytona Victory

Racing has been in Michael Annett’s blood since birth. The 22-year-old Nationwide Series rookie’s first racing experience literally came days after his birthday when he attended the Knoxville Nationals less than one week after being born. Since that day in Knoxville, Iowa, Annett found success on ice where he was once a highly-touted hockey star …

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Nationwide Series Breakdown: 2008 Ford 300 at Homestead

In a Nutshell: Carl Edwards did everything he could to try and steal his second consecutive Nationwide Series crown at Homestead. Qualifying on the outside pole, Edwards ran in the top five all race long and led a third of the race (66 laps). Edwards also managed to pass Kyle Busch’s vaunted No. 18 Toyota …

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Tearing Apart the Trucks: NASCAR Announces an Engine Change & More

Horsepower Reduction Looks to Level Playing Field for Remainder of 2008 This week, NASCAR announced an engine change in the Craftsman Truck Series. Effective Sept. 3, 2008, Section 20B-5.10.4 of the rulebook now states, “At all Events, unless otherwise specified, all engines with a cylinder bore spacing less than 4.470 inches must compete using a …

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Tearing Apart the Trucks: 2008 Truck Series Halfway Point Season Review

The Built Ford Tough 225 presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers at Kentucky Speedway marked the halfway point of the Craftsman Truck Series season, and it’s also the perfect time to take a look at the year so far and what to expect for the remainder of the season. Let’s start by taking a …

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Tracking the Trucks: 2008 Built Ford Tough 225 at Kentucky

In a Nutshell: Johnny Benson took the checkered flag 0.474 seconds ahead of Michael Annett to win the Built Ford Tough 225 presented by the Greater Cincinnati Dealers at Kentucky Speedway. Benson held off a charge from his rookie teammate with just 18 laps remaining to win his second race this season and take over …

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Tracking the Trucks: 2008 Camping World RV Sales 200 at Milwaukee

In a Nutshell: Johnny Benson took the checkered flag 2.530 seconds ahead of Matt Crafton to win the Camping World RV Sales 200 Friday night at the Milwaukee Mile. Benson took the lead coming off pit road under caution for light drizzle and held on to win his third consecutive race at the West Allis, …

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