Race Weekend Central

Bring the Golden A Plan to NASCAR Nationwide Series

I firmly oppose the joke of a points system also known as the Chase, but I’d be lying if I said that points have not been on my brain all weekend. Be it what needs to happen to keep Ryan Newman in or Kyle Busch out, I’ve spent more time calculating than actually anticipating the awesome …

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Did You Notice? Whether Family & NASCAR Really Mix?, No Chase, No Crew & White House Snubs

Did You Notice? How amazing it is Jeff Gordon’s competing for the title this year? I say that not because of his ailing back (although that’s another story all to itself)… it’s because he’s busy changing diapers at home. Who in the world is capable of doing both? Now, I’m mostly joking around with that …

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Talking NASCAR TV: Backseat Drivers Bring Different Feel to ESPN’s Booth at Michigan

Hello, race fans. This past weekend, we had two races end with slightly unexpected outcomes at Michigan International Speedway. The Nationwide Series event ended with Brad Keselowski winning after Brian Vickers forced Kyle Busch down to the apron at the white-flag lap, hurting both cars’ momentum enough for his No. 88 to pull alongside. Meanwhile, …

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Nationwide Series Breakdown: 2009 CARFAX 250 at Michigan

Brian Vickers dominated from the pole on Saturday at Michigan (Aug. 15), and when he didn’t lead, Kyle Busch did. Neither of them won. Racing hard with two laps to go, Vickers got loose in the exit of turn 3 and broke the momentum of second-place Busch catching the car, allowing none other than the …

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Mike Bliss the Latest Casualty of Phoenix Racing

Last week, everyone following the Nationwide Series was left scratching their heads as to why CJM Racing chose to let go of promising rookie Scott Lagasse Jr. despite knocking on the door of the top 10 in points and having a sponsor happy with their wheelman. Since that move was indeed a head-scratcher, I’m still …

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Fanning the Flames: No to the Camaro, Stremme v. Gordon & ESPN’s Twittergate

Some involved questions this week, so let’s jump right in. Small-engine repair tips are welcome as well. Q: I read about the Nationwide Series needing an “identity” every week. It’s a common theme on this site and others. My question is how can that series do so if guys like Mike Bliss, a Nationwide-only driver, …

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Did You Notice? Vickers Vexed by Pit Road, the 5-Lap Farce & Nationwide’s Double Standard?

Did You Notice? How much pit-road mistakes have played into the momentum of teams this season? It started in Daytona, when Dale Earnhardt Jr. missed his pit en route to what’s been a disastrous season. Between Juan Pablo Montoya’s speeding penalty causing controversy at Indy, failed gas gambles like Michigan’s 1-2 stumble by both Jimmie …

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Nationwide Series Breakdown: 2009 Kroger 200 at IRP

After Saturday night’s race, even I am willing to put aside the fact that yet again the Nationwide Series ended a race with a 1-2 dose of Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch (though this time, Edwards came out on top). Why? Without a doubt, the Kroger 200 was the most exciting race of the 2009 …

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Nationwide Series Breakdown: 2009 Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 at Gateway

On a rare weekend where the Nationwide Series was the only show in town, Cup regulars were nonetheless the story all night long… though a different face did most of the dominating. With announcements swirling that he would be doing more Nationwide driving in his own No. 33 car next season, Kevin Harvick led over …

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Nationwide Series Breakdown: 2009 Dollar General 300 at Chicagoland

It’s amazing what a driver can do when Goodyear brings rock-hard tires to the track. In a scenario reminiscent of that seen at the Cup race in Charlotte last October, where Jeff Burton managed to hold off a hard-charging Jimmie Johnson despite having nearly 40-lap older tires, Joey Logano and Jason Leffler stayed out under …

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