Race Weekend Central

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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Fantasy Insider: Chasing NASCAR’s New Chase Game

2014 Atlanta CUP Kevin Harvick Tony Stewart CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. © 2014)

NASCAR introduced its new fantasy game that will begin next week called the Perfect Chase Grid Challenge. It will give fans a chance to predict which drivers will make it through each round of the Chase, with four being eliminated after the Dover race, four more being finished after Talladega and then four more after …

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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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Going By the Numbers: NASCAR Bubble Drivers “Chasing”… What, Exactly?

2014 Daytona II CUP Kyle Larson Jamie McMurray conversation CIA

(Credit: CIA)

You’re well aware by now of the talk surrounding the Chase for the Sprint Cup – and, most particularly, the drivers who will make it into NASCAR’s version of a playoff system. Who’s in? Who’s out? Who’s out but could make their way in? Hold on. Is there really any reason to ask that last …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in NASCAR: Bristol – Atlanta Edition

2014 Pocono I CUP Greg Biffle CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Bristol Motor Speedway has been the measure for mental and emotional toughness in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series throughout much of the modern era. It certainly played the part during the IRWIN Tools Night Race as some potential Chasers lost their cool – and with it, their footing in the standings. On the flip side, …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After then 2014 Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol

2014 Loudon I CUP Jamie McMurray car CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Looking for the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How behind Saturday’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? Many fans watched the race from Bristol Motor Speedway with …

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The Frontstretch Five: Reasons Why NASCAR Commercials Aren’t All Bad

2014 Michigan I CUP Ryan Newman helmet CIA

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. In the latest edition, Amy’s taking a walk …

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Central Florida Weather, Uncertainity Breeds Aggressiveness

2014 Daytona Sprint Cup Rain Credit Phil Allaway

(Photo: Phil Allaway)

In NASCAR, restrictor plate races, even under ideal circumstances, are quite unpredictable. The draft allows almost anyone that can spark their engine and afford tires ($2000 a set these days) a chance to win if they can play their cards right. But, all plate races are not the same. Even with the repave prior to the …

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Holding A Pretty Wheel: Daytona Optimism is What NASCAR Needs

NASCAR is in Daytona this week, at a track where the racing is intense and close. One of the attractions of Daytona International Speedway is that we believe anyone can win. The track is the great equalizer because of the restrictor plates that reduce the airflow to the engines of the racecars, reducing horsepower to …

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Who’s Hot / Who’s Not In NASCAR: Sonoma-Kentucky Edition

2014 Sonoma CUP Carl Edwards Jamie McMurray racing CIA

Another stop in California left the road course specialists of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wishing for another try.  They’ll get one eventually, but for now, the Chase picture remains unchanged. Carl Edwards added another victory, a first ever at Sonoma, and helped Roush Fenway Racing get back in the win column.  Next up is …

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