Race Weekend Central

Who’s Hot & Who’s Not in NASCAR: Phoenix – Homestead Edition

2014 Texas II CUP Ryan Newman face CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

The Championship Round is set. A Sunday date at Phoenix International Raceway separated the final four drivers from the rest of the field. The teams left in the mix weren’t necessarily the ones on top for the majority of 2014, just the ones who got it done best in the Eliminator Round. Who’s hot enough …

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Six NASCAR Sprint Cup Teams Test at Homestead-Miami Speedway

2014 Martinsville II CUP Matt Kenseth scared CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2014)

Homestead-Miami Speedway announced that six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams comprising of more than 15 of the top drivers tested on Tuesday Oct. 28th and Wednesday in anticipation for the Ford EcoBoost 400, where the championship will be determined among four drivers. Seven of the eight drivers in the Eliminator Round of the Chase (all …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500

2014 Martinsville II CUP Dale Earnhardt Jr burnout CIA

Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Key Moment – During the caution flag that flew for the third incident between Kasey Kahne and Brian Vickers on lap 278, Steve Letarte realized that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was going to restart in the fourth position, which would have put him in the outside line. Letarte called Earnhardt in, put four tires on his …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not: Talladega – Martinsville Edition

2014 Michigan II CUP Ricky Stenhouse Jr CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Some of NASCAR’s best drivers from the regular season were left out of the Eliminator Round after falling flat at Talladega Superspeedway. Three former champions entered Talladega weekend on the outside of the bubble looking in, and one of them didn’t advance. Only three remain along with five drivers who have never lifted the Sprint …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: GEICO 500 – Brad Keselowski Lives to Fight Another Day

2014 Talladega II CUP Brad Keselowski flag credit NASCAR via Getty Images

Credit: NASCAR via Getty Images

Key Moment – The caution flag flew with four laps to go for a piece of metal on the race track. The No. 22 of Joey Logano had it on his grill under caution and rubbed it off when the yellow flag was in the air. The end result was a green-white-checkered finish that brought …

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Four Burning Questions in Talladega: Starting Grid SNAFUs and Sordid Strategies

2014 Kansas II CUP Ricky Stenhouse Jr car CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

The race that everyone in the NASCAR world has had circled on their calendars since the Chase began has arrived. It’s big, it’s bad, it’s fast. It’s Talladega. After a race at Charlotte last week that saw fireworks erupt between Chasers Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin, and Matt Kenseth in the garage area, NASCAR has been …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in NASCAR: Charlotte – Talladega Edition

2014 Michigan II CUP David Ragan CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

With one race remaining in the Contender Round, some of 2014’s biggest names still aren’t contending. Two former champions left Charlotte Motor Speedway unfulfilled and another rides the wrong side of the bubble. Next, a return trip to Talladega Superspeedway does nothing to clear up a complicated Chase picture. The six drivers inside the cutoff …

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Frontstretch Foto Funnies: You Had WHAT for Breakfast?

2014 Dover II CUP Ryan Newman face CIA

Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Welcome to the Frontstretch Foto Funnies! Ever see a photo that’s just begging for a caption? We see them all the time! Each week, we’ll pick a few, then let our staff give it their best shot. We’ll post the best ones for you! Want to get in on the fun?  Leave your best ideas …

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Quotes to Remember: AAA 400

2014 Dover II CUP Jeff Gordon wins CIA

Credit: CIA Stock Photography

“I don’t know what happened to Kevin Harvick. It was unfortunate for him. He was the class of the field. We were tuning on it to try to keep even with him. When I saw him go out, I knew we could compete with the No.2 (Brad Keselowski) car. The No. 2 was really good …

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Team Penske and Roush Fenway Racing Test at Texas Motor Speedway

2014 Loudon II CUP Joey Logano Brad Keselowski window CIA

With Texas Motor Speedway being near the bottom of the Sprint Cup Series schedule, there’s no doubt it’ll be a pivotal race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. That’s why on Monday and Tuesday, Team Penske drivers Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski, along with Roush Fenway Racing drivers Carl Edwards, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and …

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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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Going By the Numbers: Why Stewart Still Sits In Perfect Chase Position

2014 Mudsummer Classic Eldora Speedway Tony Stewart Camping World Trucks Mike Neff-223

(Credit: Mike Neff)

When it’s all said and done, Ryan Newman will be part of the 2014 Chase for the Sprint Cup. But you already figured – perhaps knew – that, didn’t you? After all, all Newman has a 19-point lead on Greg Biffle entering Richmond, the final race before the Chase begins. Even if, Biffle made up those points, …

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