Race Weekend Central

Keselowski’s Dominance: What Does it Mean for September?

2014 Loudon I CUP Joey Logano Brad Keselowski CIA

Joey Logano visits teammate Brad Keselowski at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. (Credit: CIA)

For the second time in the last three races, Team Penske was on top of their game.  Brad Keselowski turned in a dominating performance, seeming to easily weave his way to the front no matter what  others strategies were thrown at him.  Joey Logano was making a valiant attempt at keeping up with his teammate …

Read more

NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Daytona-2

2014 Daytona II CUP Aric Almirola team victory lane CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2014)

It was not the way anyone expected or wanted the race to end, but one fact cannot be denied: Aric Almirola is a winner in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He put the famed No. 43 back in Victory Lane for the first time since 1999, launching it right into the 2014 Chase during the …

Read more

Racing to the Point: Aric Almirola Adds Another Asterisk

2014 Sonoma CUP Aric Almirola CIA

(Credit: CIA)

Every sport has its share of asterisks. There are always going to be games, races and matches that don’t end to our satisfaction, records that are cheaply broken and even legacies that are called into question. Baseball deals with the term more than any other sport. Alex Rodriguez could actually trademark the asterisk at this …

Read more

Five Points: Halfway Home, Rocket Man & Sliced Bread

2014 Dover I CUP Ryan Newman car CIA

ONE: HALFWAY HOME Saturday evening’s race under the lights on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway will mark the 18th race of the season and thus the halfway mark on the 2014 Sprint Cup schedule. Given the sheer length of the season the point at which we have more races in the books than …

Read more

Four Burning Questions – Kentucky: Rough Rides and Short Fields

2014 Dover I CUP Matt Kenseth thinking CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Kentucky Speedway is the site of the seventeenth round of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, and with the halfway point of the season only one week away, we have a rather clear picture of who the contenders will be going forward as well as how the Chase may unfold. Kentucky is now entering it’s …

Read more

Fantasy Insider: Will The K-Factor Continue In Kentucky?

2014 Sonoma CUP Kyle Busch Dave Rogers CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

The NASCAR Sprint Cup series will make its way to Kentucky for the fourth time Saturday night. When it comes to making picks, there is not a whole lot of history to go on here for the Cup drivers. But with three races, there are at least some trends we can look at. The one …

Read more

Top 15 Power Rankings After Michigan

2014 Michigan I CUP Jimmie Johnson woohoo CIA

Credit - CIA Stock Photography

Remember when all anyone could talk about was the fact Jimmie Johnson hadn’t won a race yet in 2014, and he kept saying over and over again not to worry? Looks like he was right. Johnson played the late-race pit strategy perfectly en route to his first career win at Michigan and third overall in …

Read more

Tire Testing at Indy Today

2014 Dover I CUP Tony Stewart car CIA

Goodyear and NASCAR continue testing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway today for the upcoming Brickyard 400 on July 27th. Tire testing began on Monday and several veteran Sprint Cup Series drivers and teams were a part of it. Participating in the testing sessions are the No. 14 of  Tony Stewart of Stewart Haas Racing; Ryan Newman and the No. 31 team …

Read more

Nationwide Breakdown: Ollie’s Bargain Outlet 250

The Nationwide Series has long been a source of contention for NASCAR fans because of general dominance from Sprint Cup Series drivers, the series regulars struggling to rise above and grab their share of attention as they wallow in the shadow of their supposed superiors. If you’re looking for a storyline that breaks the mold …

Read more

The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2014 Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond

Kyle Larson continued to show that he’s not only a threat for Rookie of the Year honors, but also for winning. Larson got the top starting spot by virtue of his practice speed after qualifying was rained out, part of showing speed and prowess all weekend long. Unfortunately for Larson, he got tagged by Bowyer on the first lap of the race which dropped him to the rear of the field. Larson was able to recover somewhat to finish 16th, still good for Rookie of the Race honors, but clearly lacked the confidence and speed to get back to the front after that moment.

Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2014 Duck Commander 500 at Texas

Key Moment – As Joey Logano came out of turn 4, heading to the flagstand for the white flag, Kurt Busch’s car that had lost a left rear tire began spreading debris on the track and race control called for a caution. The ensuing pit stops saw Jeff Gordon take two tires, along with Brian Vickers. …

Read more