Race Weekend Central

Racing to the Point: Separating the Chase Contenders & Pretenders

2014 Richmond Ii Cup Ford Chase Drivers Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

This new elimination-style playoff format has many people believing that some of the Chase underdogs have a chance at the title as along as they keep their noses clean and survive each round. I want to dispel that rumor right now. The cream is still going to rise to the top, as it always does. …

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Mirror Driving: Best In Show, Can Kasey Contend & Screening Smoke

2014 Atlanta Cup Kasey Kahne Burnout Cua

Welcome to Mirror Driving. Every week, your favorite columnists sit down and give their opinion about the latest NASCAR news, rumors and controversy. Love us or hate us, make a comment below and tell us how you feel about what we’ve said! This Week’s Participants: Amy Henderson (Mondays / The Big Six & Wednesdays / …

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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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Five Points to Ponder: A Debut For One, One Veteran’s Record And One Race Left

2014 Atlanta Cup Ty Dillon Car Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

ONE: ONE TO GO: RICHMOND And then there was one. Just 300 miles and 400 laps at Richmond International Raceway separate us from the end of the regular season and the start of the newfangled Chase for the Sprint Cup format. Kasey Kahne became the 13th driver to win a race this season at Atlanta …

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

2014 Bristol Ii Cup Jimmie Johnson Car Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

The Chase bubble wasn’t a major area of focus entering the Oral-B USA 500 after Bristol seemingly divided the haves from the have-nots. But as the Sprint Cup Series has shown, things can change in a hurry. After wild-card placeholder Clint Bowyer went to the Atlanta Motor Speedway garage, several drivers who were all but …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud – Atlanta Oral-B 500: Stewart Makes His Return

2014 Atlanta Cup Tony Stewart Press Conference Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. Copyright 2014)

Key Moment – Kyle Busch and Martin Truex, Jr. had a dispute in Turn 1 with two laps to go. Busch hit Truex in the back bumper and put him into the wall. The resulting contact brought out the caution flag, which prompted a Green-White-Checkered finish. Kasey Kahne, who was headed to a potential victory …

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Playoff Success: Winless Wonders Have Their Day at Atlanta

2014 Atlanta Cup Kevin Harvick Matt Kenseth Lead Racing Action Credit Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Last week, a running theme from Bristol revolved around teams missing their season-long opportunity to capitalize on a win. Several winless drivers, whose best shot might have been at Thunder Valley, instead looked like they were struck by lightning, thrown backwards while the sport’s best teams padded their playoff spots. My, what a difference eight …

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Kasey At The Bat

2014 Atlanta Cup Brad Keselowski Kasey Kahne Racing For The Lead Credit Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Kasey Kahne has built his Sprint Cup career on intermediates. While Richmond sits just a week away, the site of his first career win, it’s also the only track where he has won less than a mile in length. That made Sunday night’s mission clear, the second Kahne worked his way into contention in Atlanta: win or …

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Pace Laps: Kahne In, Harvick Cruises, IndyCar Adieu, and More

2014 Atlanta Cup Kasey Kahne Victory Credit Cia

Kasey Kahne stepped up in a big way late in Sunday's Cup race. (Credit: CIA)

Cup: Sweet Relief for Kahne          By racing for the Cup juggernaut Hendrick Motorsports, there are high expectations for Kasey Kahne.  That his brethren at the organization have all earned three wins apiece makes his season look all the worse.  In fact, with only two top-5 finishes in 2014, Kahne was looking like …

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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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