Race Weekend Central

Fantasy Picks ‘N’ Pans: 2007 Sylvania 300 at Loudon Edition

And then… there were 12. Now that the field for the Chase has been decided and headed for Loudon, all the questions of who will make it in and who will fall out have been answered. But plenty of questions still remain ahead, especially for fantasy team owners. Normally, there are a few drivers who …

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Handicapping the 2007 NASCAR Chase: Part I

This Sunday, just 12 men will take the green flag at New Hampshire with their dream of a 2007 NASCAR Cup title intact. It’s been a remarkable season for them to get this far, as both consistency and talent have put them in position to achieve the ultimate goal. But of course, from the 12 …

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Who’s Hot/Who’s Not in the Chase: 2007 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond Edition

Now that Dale Earnhardt Jr. watch is over, the focus over the last 10 races of the year will be on the 12 drivers making a run for the Nextel Cup championship. With his second straight victory, Jimmie Johnson put the competition on notice that they will have to take on the No. 48 team …

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Matt McLaughlin’s Driver Handicaps: 2007 Richmond Fall Race Edition

Jeff Gordon – Gordon has won here twice and has top-10 finishes in 17 of 29 starts… but his track record lately at Richmond is worrisome. His fourth-place finish in the spring arrested a streak of four straight finishes of 30th or worse, including a disastrous performance in 2005 that locked him out of NASCAR’s …

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Matt McLaughlin’s Driver Handicaps: 2007 Fontana Summer Race Edition

Jeff Gordon – Gordon won the inaugural race at Fontana in 1997 and has won two additional Cup races here. He finished second at the track this spring and has top-five finishes in half of his 14 Cup starts. Denny Hamlin – Hamlin has been lukewarm to mildly hot at Fontana. In three Cup starts, …

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Fantasy Picks ‘N’ Pans: 2007 Sharp Aquos 500 at Fontana Edition

After the bullring that was Bristol, the series heads out to the West Coast for another race on the wide-open California Speedway in Fontana. Your fantasy team could be taxed, as the race to the Chase winds down to its inevitable conclusion. No question about it, the pressure’s on. Drivers on the bubble will be …

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Who’s Hot/Who’s Not in Nextel Cup: 2007 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Edition

For some, the racing at Bristol Saturday night was the best it has been in years. For others, it was a Bristol race in name only, with no fireworks and little excitement. But no matter which side of the fence you are on, there were plenty of winners and losers coming out of the annual …

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Matt McLaughlin’s Driver Handicaps: 2007 Bristol Night Race Edition

Jeff Gordon – Gordon has won five Cup races at Bristol, but only one of those wins was in the August Night Race. Still, with 18 top-10 finishes in 29 starts here, Gordon figures to be a factor Saturday night. Denny Hamlin – Hamlin finished sixth in this race last year. This spring, he led …

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Matt McLaughlin’s Driver Handicaps: 2007 Michigan Summer Race Edition

Jeff Gordon – Gordon has two wins at Michigan, with the most recent triumph coming in 2001. Overall, he has 20 top-10 finishes in 29 Cup starts in the Irish Hills, with an average finish of 10th… not too shabby. Denny Hamlin – Hamlin has run moderately well at Michigan in his short career, with …

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Fantasy Picks ‘N’ Pans: 2007 3M Performance 400 at Michigan Edition

The series heads to Michigan this weekend for the second of the series’ two visits on the year – and hopefully, your fantasy team is scorching like the late summer heat. Just four races remain until the end of the regular season, and just like the excitement surrounding the Chase, the battle in many leagues …

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Matt McLaughlin’s Driver Handicaps: 2007 Watkins Glen Race Edition

Jeff Gordon – Gordon is one of the better NASCAR road racers. While he has four wins at Watkins Glen, oddly enough he hasn’t had a top-10 finish here in five races – he’s finished outside the top 20 in three of those events. But don’t be fooled; Gordon also has five wins at Sonoma, …

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