Race Weekend Central

Couch Potato Tuesday: A New Man In NASCAR’s Play-by-Play Chair

2014 Pocono II CUP Justin Allgaier racing CIA

Credit: CIA Editorial Photography

Last weekend, all three series were back in action, though they were split up between Pocono and Iowa. ESPN continues their “lame duck” season covering the Nationwide and Sprint Cup series, while FOX Sports 1 continued their longtime coverage of Camping World Trucks. U.S. Cellular 250 On Saturday night, the Nationwide Series was back in …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in NASCAR: Pocono – Watkins Glen Edition

The return to Pocono Raceway had it all: widespread pitting strategies, tire-care issues, a high-energy finish and even a Big One. It was the ideal ending to a two-week flat track endeavor. NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series now shifts focus to Watkins Glen International Raceway, where road course specialists will be looking to sneak into the …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2014 GoBowling.com 400 at Pocono

2014 Pocono II CUP Greg Biffle car CIA

(Credit: CIA)

Looking for the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How behind Sunday’s race? Amy Henderson has you covered with 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? For most of the race, Greg Biffle was an …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2014 Crown Royal/John Wayne Walding 400 at Indianapolis

The better words here might be what affected the lack of action, because Sunday’s race, typical Indy fare, had far less of that than many events this year. And while tires and cars play a role, the fact that Indy itself is a big, flat track is what hurts the action the most. A racetrack can have all the history and prestige in the world for one type of racing, but that doesn’t make it an important place for everyone to race. Indy was built as a test track, and for Indy cars, it’s an ideal venue… but not for stock cars.

Four Burning Questions at the Brickyard: The Drive for Five and an IndyCar Ringer

2014 Loudon I CUP Jimmie Johnson garage CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photography, Inc. ©2014)

Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Simply reading those three words in succession should incite a fit of shivers up the spine of any race fan worth his/her salt. NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series will invade the historic facility today for the 21st annual Brickyard 400. It seems wild to think that Indianapolis has been on the schedule for …

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Going By the Numbers: Final 7 Races Offer Dividends for Kahne, Kenseth Among Others

2014 Loudon I CUP Kasey Kahne smiling CIA

Say what you will about the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule — no, really; there’s a lot to say — but one thing it’s been as of late is consistent. As the series comes off its final off-weekend of the 2014 season, there are but 17 races left in the season. A quick glance at …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not In NASCAR: Off-Week–Indianapolis Edition

2014 Loudon I CUP Cup Paul Menard Kevin HArvick loser CIA

(Credit: CIA)

Summer might be in full swing, but with seven races remaining before the Chase cutoff, things are only starting to heat up in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Drivers and teams received a bit of rest and relaxation over the season’s final off week but now, it’s back to business as stock car racing’s best …

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The Calm Before The Storm

2014 Loudon I CUP Joey Logano Brad Keselowski racing CIA

If nothing else, NASCAR enters this particular Monday morning well rested. Fresh off its last Sprint Cup off weekend, the news cycle slowed to a crawl last week as most participants were busy enjoying life elsewhere, away from the cameras on some Caribbean island. Even those who stayed at home would rather relax, mowing their …

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Nationwide Breakdown: EnjoyIllinois.com 300

2014 Richmond I NNS Chase Elliott helmet CIA

Chase Elliott had chances at winning the last few weeks go out the window when he ran out of fuel on more than one occasion. Saturday night at Chicagoland Speedway in the EnjoyIllinois.com 300, however, the No. 9 team played the pit road strategy perfectly to put themselves out front when it mattered the most. …

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Four Burning Questions on the Off-Week: Title Favorites, Silly Season Rumors, and Chase Predictions

Jimmis Johnson and Casey Mears race at Kentucky Speedway July 2014.

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

It’s a rare off-week in NASCAR-land, and as the men and women who make up the Sprint Cup Series enjoy some well-earned vacation time, the sport’s observers are left to reflect on the season that’s been as we sit at the de facto halfway point of the schedule. The 2014 season has been an interesting …

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Mirror Driving: Rain, Teams Teaming Up, and Who Got Pushed?

2014 Daytona II CUP Kyle Busch Kurt Busch racing CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photography)

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: Laying it On The Line in Loudon

2014 Sonoma CUP Brian Vickers car CIA

For some NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers, these are now desperate times. With a win needed to be guaranteed a spot in the Chase for the Championship, and 11 winners so far after 18 races, that means points don’t mean much at all to some drivers. Part of the issue is that of the 11 winners, …

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