Race Weekend Central

NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Charlotte

2014 Charlotte Ii Cup Kevin Harvick Burnout Credit Yvonne Leonard

Credit: Yvonne Leonard

Kevin Harvick exorcised his demons Saturday night, winning his third race of the season, but more importantly locking himself into the eight-driver Eliminator Round. Harvick won the pole and led the most laps, as usual.  This time, however, he was able to survive a late-race caution which set up a two-lap shootout to win the …

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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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NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Kansas

2014 Kansas Ii Cup Joey Logano Confetti Cia

Credit - CIA Stock Photography

Team Penske continued their dominating performance during the Chase as Joey Logano captured his fifth win of the season, second in the Chase and locked himself into the eight driver Eliminator Round. The Penske duo of Logano and Brad Keselowski have combined to win three of the first four Chase races. Many thought Talladega would …

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Voices from the Cheap Seats: Can Matt Kenseth Repeat History?

2014 Pocono Ii Cup Matt Kenseth Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

The more I think about all this elimination crap, the more I hate it. On one hand, it could be a Godsend. On the other, it could show Brian France and the top brass in Daytona that they are indeed dumber than a box of rocks. I’m praying for the latter. Of course, it’s all …

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Who’s Hot / Who’s Not In NASCAR: Kansas – Charlotte Edition

2014 Dover Ii Cup Kyle Busch Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

The Hollywood Casino 400 had all the twists and turns of a great Hollywood script and left many of the Sprint Cup Series’ best with unfavorable odds of advancement moving forward. A Contender Round opener at Kansas Speedway did a number on the Who’s Hot and Who’s Not landscape and things are just getting started. …

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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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NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Dover

2014 Dover Ii Cup Jeff Gordon Woohoo Cia

The revised Chase format brought exactly what was expected to the first round of eliminations at Dover. Jeff Gordon earned his fourth win of the season, becoming the first non-Team Penske driver to win a Chase race. Meanwhile, Kevin Harvick dominated the day yet again, leading a race-high 223 laps before left front suspension issues …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud – Dover – Chase Race No. 3 – The field is trimmed to 12

2014 Dover Ii Cup Jeff Gordon Family Trophy Cia

Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Key Moment – The pass for the lead by Jeff Gordon over Brad Keselowski with 95 laps to go was the difference in the race. Keselowski was in the top 3 all day long and looked to be the driver to beat once Kevin Harvick’s car had issues with an inner liner going flat. Gordon …

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Fantasy Insider: Defining Dover Dominance For Your Roster

2014 Dover I Cup Jimmie Johnson Trophy Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

The good news for NASCAR Sprint Cup competitors is that defending and six-time champion Jimmie Johnson hasn’t done much lately. The bad news for those same competitors is that Johnson still sits fourth in points and the even more bad news for them is that the race this week is at Dover. It’s a track …

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Frontstretch Foto Funnies: Simon Says You’re Out

Ff 9 19 14 1

Dale Junior is eliminated when the emcee doesn’t say "Simon Says" before giving the command to look to the left. (Photo: CIA Editorial 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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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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NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Chicago

2014 Chicago Cup Brad Keselowski Trophy Cia

Credit: CIA Editorial Photography

If starting first, leading all but seven laps, winning the race and claiming the top seed in the Chase at Richmond was enough for Brad Keselowski to make a championship statement, no one told him. He came from 25th place Sunday afternoon, led 62 laps and claimed his fifth overall and series-leading victory. On top …

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