Race Weekend Central

Who’s Hot and Who’s Not: New Hampshire – Dover Edition

2014 Loudon II CUP Jimmie Johnson eyes II CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

There’s only one race left in the opening Challenger Round of the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup, but plenty of uncertainty after the Sylvania 300. Nine championship hopefuls are separated by only 12 points heading into the first elimination and four won’t advance, making this edition of Who’s Hot and Who’s Not a sizzler. …

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Throwing A One-Two Punch

2014 Loudon II CUP Joey Logano racing CIA

CIA Stock Photography

In a season marked by changes – new Chase format, new rules, and over a half-dozen rookies – NASCAR’s Sprint Cup title contenders have remained crystal clear. From Memorial Day Weekend on, Penske Racing and Hendrick Motorsports have remained a step ahead of the pack, inching by a faster-but-flawed Kevin Harvick and a lack of …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Sylvania 300 – Joey Logano Punches His Ticket While Others Punch the Wall

2014 Loudon II CUP Joey Logano burnout CIA

Key Moment – On the penultimate restart with 29 laps to go, Brad Keselowski started on the inside of leader Kevin Harvick. As they raced through turns one and two, Keselowski slipped up and made slight contact with Harvick, moving him up and out of the groove. Joey Logano pounced on the opportunity and swept …

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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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Fantasy Insider: Look For A Slice Of NASCAR History Repeating

2014 Chicago CUP Brad Keselowski Paul Wolfe CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

We could see some familiar faces back up front at New Hampshire. The end of last Sunday’s race at Chicagoland saw Brad Keselowski and Kyle Larson running up front for much of the event, with Keselowski winning and guaranteeing himself one of 12 spots in the next round of the Chase. Rookie Larson, through hard …

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Chicago

2014 Chicago CUP Brad Keselowski trophy CIA

Credit: CIA Editorial Photography

If starting first, leading all but seven laps, winning the race and claiming the top seed in the Chase at Richmond was enough for Brad Keselowski to make a championship statement, no one told him. He came from 25th place Sunday afternoon, led 62 laps and claimed his fifth overall and series-leading victory. On top …

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Five Points to Ponder: Echoes of 2012, Logano’s Luck & Loudon Pt. 2

2014 Atlanta CUP Joey Logano CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

ONE: ECHOES OF 2012 What a win that was for Brad Keselowski with a pass – if not quite for the ages, then certainly for highlight reels for 2014 — to take what ultimately proved to be a decisive lead albeit with one more restart at the MyAFibStory.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. Keselowski, it should …

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Joey Logano Blows Engine in Chicagoland’s Final Laps

2014 Atlanta CUP Joey Logano CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Joey Logano and the No. 22 team gave another meaning to “blowing up” the race when they finished Sunday’s MyAFibStory.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. With only six laps to go, a windshield tear-off was trapped on the front grill of Logano’s Ford Fusion, leading to airflow being restricted to the radiator and his race engine …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in NASCAR: Chicago – New Hampshire Edition

2014 Richmond II CUP Clint Bowyer CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2014)

The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup is a chance for 16 of the best drivers to start anew, but with only 10 races, divided into four segments, those drivers have very little time to make an impression and even less room for error before eliminations are made. It’s a fragile state that promises to …

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Four Burning Questions in Chicagoland: Sleeping Giants and Kicking the Chase off in Style

2014 Richmond II CUP Chase drivers confetti CIA

Credit: CIA Editorial Photography

Well, it’s finally here. NASCAR’s new look version of the Chase is kicking off today with levels of pomp and circumstance that could rival even the best of a P.T. Barnum-run circus. All week long, the 16 Chasers traveled across North America as part of NASCAR’s tireless promotion of the new format. Today, we’ll get …

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Fantasy Insider: Separating Your Team From the Chase

2014 Michigan II CUP Danica Patrick Kyle Larson racing CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Yes, it’s certainly easy to understand all the talk about the Chase for the Championship heading into Chicago. We understand that in the real NASCAR world that what happens in each of the next three sets of races is the most important part of the season before the finale at Homestead. However, if you’ve been …

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Richmond

2014 Richmond II CUP Brad keselowski woohoo CIA

After 26 races and 13 race winners, the 2014 Chase field has been set. Brad Keselowski made a championship statement Saturday night, leading 383 of the 400 laps en route to his season-leading fourth victory. With his win, Keselowski claimed the number one seed as the Chase standing reset heading to Chicago. Results were mixed …

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