Race Weekend Central

Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2015 AAA 400 at Dover

2015 Dover II CUP Jimmie Johnson kid guest CIA

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Well… no one expected that. Oh, sure, Kevin Harvick winning isn’t a surprise, but being able to pull through in a high-pressure situation has been a struggle for him as of late. Then Dover comes – a track Harvick had never formerly won at at – and WHAM! there he is in Victory Lane again. Just like that, …

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Kevin Harvick Does It, Advances to Round 2 with 2015 AAA 400 Victory at Dover

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Photo Credit: Zach Catanzareti, Frontstretch

The driver they call “The Closer” simply did it at Dover International Speedway. Needing a win to advance to the Contender Round of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase, Kevin Harvick grabbed the top spot on lap 24 and led an outstanding 355 laps – a career high for Harvick in a single race – …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2015 Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire

2015 Loudon II CUP Denny Hamlin window CIA

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Two races into the Chase and the Challenger Round continues to surprise and excite. After trouble in Chicago, Kevin Harvick knew he had to win to advance to the Contender Round. It looked like he was going to just that as he dominated most of the race, but he couldn’t stretch his fuel mileage far enough, …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in NASCAR: 2015 AAA 400 at Dover Edition

2015 Loudon II CUP Greg Biffle car CIA

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

We’re at the place in the Chase where the pressure is really on when the Sprint Cup Series goes to Dover next weekend. It’s the first elimination race and we will see who the first four out will be. And after Sunday’s race at New Hampshire, it’s just not really clear cut who will be …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2015 Myafibrisk.com 400 at Chicagoland

2015 Chicago CUP Denny Hamlin hot dog CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­­

One race into the Chase and fists are already flying. The incident between Kevin Harvick and Jimmie Johnson might have been unintentional, but the results could take Harvick out of Chase contention after the first round… unless he wins within the next two weeks, of course. Then will all be forgiven? Denny Hamlin made the “spin-and-win” …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in NASCAR: 2015 Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Edition

2015 Chicago CUP Denny hamlin vertical CIA

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Race No. 1 of the Chase is finished, but now you have to wonder if the pushing and shoving, on and off the track, is not. My guess here is an emphatic no, and I would say that’s an expected and good thing. There will be some intense moments as the races become more and …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2015 myAFibRisk.com 400 at Chicagoland

2015 Chicago CUP Denny Hamlin burnout CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photography, 2015)

Who’s in the headline – Dave Rogers made a call to stay out on a late-race caution and Denny Hamlin restarted the race in third with five laps to go. He went three-wide on the bottom of the track, cleared Jeff Gordon in turns 1 and 2, passed Kurt Busch as they spilled onto the …

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Denny Hamlin Wins 2015 myAFibRisk.com 400 at Chicagoland; Advances to Round 2 in Chase

2015 Chicago CUP Denny Hamlin trophy CIA

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

The 2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship started off with a bang at Chicagoland Speedway. For Denny Hamlin, it was a surprise victory as the Joe Gibbs Racing driver stayed out under the final caution to grab the lead from Jeff Gordon on old tires and win for the second time in 2015. …

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Holding A Pretty Wheel: Can a Chase Underdog Win It All?

2015 Richmond II CUP Ryan Newman Martin Truex Jr CIA

Martin Truex, Jr. hopes to accomplish what Ryan Newman came one position from doing in 2014. (Photo: CIA Stock Photography)

As NASCAR sits on the brink of the Chase, it’s easy to pick out the favorites. They’re the ones at or near the top of the standings before the reset, the ones who have been consistently excellent all season long. When it comes right down to it, they’re the ones who probably deserve to win …

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2-Headed Monster: Can a Winless Driver Conquer the Chase?

2015 Darlington CUP Ryan Newman CIA

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Race fans, the time is finally here. Whether you look forward to it or dread it, the Chase for the Sprint Cup is upon us. This season’s Chase is the second installment of NASCAR’s playoff format, pitting the top-16 competitors on the circuit against each other in rounds, with four drivers dropping out after every …

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NASCAR Mailbox: Denny Hamlin and the Chase Media Tour in… Mexico?

2015 Richmond II CUP Denny Hamlin family CIA

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

That collective gasp you just heard was the sigh of relief from Jeff Gordon fans. The No. 24 team will make the Chase and contend for a fifth NASCAR Sprint Cup championship this year, for the final time in the driver’s 24-year career. We also saw drivers Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman, Clint Bowyer and Paul Menard make it …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in NASCAR: 2015 Chase Edition

2015 Richmond II CUP Kevin harvick car CIA

(CIA Stock Photography, 2015)

So here we are heading into the first race of the Chase at Chicagoland on Sunday and the good news is that going in, there is may be not one clear cut favorite. If this had been done by the old pre-Chase points system, Kevin Harvick would pretty much have things wrapped up with 10 …

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