Race Weekend Central

Couch Potato Tuesday: ESPN Shirking Other Responsibilities During Chase

2014 Loudon I Cup Jamie Mcmurray Car Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

When you think of Chase for the Sprint Cup coverage on TV broadcasts, what do you think of? Coverage of the playoffs, sure, but how about the other 27 drivers racing for something other than the title? Surely you expect some coverage thrown their way, right? If the first race of the Chase, held last …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in NASCAR: Chicago – New Hampshire Edition

2014 Richmond Ii Cup Clint Bowyer Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2014)

The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup is a chance for 16 of the best drivers to start anew, but with only 10 races, divided into four segments, those drivers have very little time to make an impression and even less room for error before eliminations are made. It’s a fragile state that promises to …

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Fantasy Insider: Separating Your Team From the Chase

2014 Michigan Ii Cup Danica Patrick Kyle Larson Racing Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Yes, it’s certainly easy to understand all the talk about the Chase for the Championship heading into Chicago. We understand that in the real NASCAR world that what happens in each of the next three sets of races is the most important part of the season before the finale at Homestead. However, if you’ve been …

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Richmond

2014 Richmond Ii Cup Brad Keselowski Woohoo Cia

After 26 races and 13 race winners, the 2014 Chase field has been set. Brad Keselowski made a championship statement Saturday night, leading 383 of the 400 laps en route to his season-leading fourth victory. With his win, Keselowski claimed the number one seed as the Chase standing reset heading to Chicago. Results were mixed …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: Narrow Focus on Chase Hopefuls Hurts ESPN

2014 Richmond Ii Cup Clint Bowyer Paul Menard Racing Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

The Chase was the name of the game last weekend, which is probably how things should be. After all, regardless of one’s opinion of NASCAR’s playoffs, it’s certainly the focal point of the next 10 races, meaning the lead-in is just as important when it comes to determining who gets to play and who’s left …

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Racing to the Point: Separating the Chase Contenders & Pretenders

2014 Richmond Ii Cup Ford Chase Drivers Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

This new elimination-style playoff format has many people believing that some of the Chase underdogs have a chance at the title as along as they keep their noses clean and survive each round. I want to dispel that rumor right now. The cream is still going to rise to the top, as it always does. …

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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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Voice of Vito: Scouting Championship Scenarios in Pre-Chase Preview

2014 Dover I Cup Jimmie Johnson Woohoo Cia

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Saturday night’s Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway will mark the final event of the 26-week regular season and set the stage for the latest iteration of NASCAR’s Chase playoff system. It’s been 10 years and four championship scenarios now, of heading into RIR the first weekend of September to see who’s in …

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NASCAR Mailbox: The Lack of Negativity Surrounding Tony Stewart’s Return Was Refreshing

2014 Atlanta Cup Tony Stewart Cockpit Cia

(Credit: CIA)

Tony Stewart’s return to NASCAR was a story that wasn’t just a big deal to the NASCAR community. It was a big deal to a lot of people who rarely pay attention to the sport, if ever. Mainstream news organizations were present at Atlanta Motor Speedway, from Friday afternoon when Stewart made his first public …

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Going By the Numbers: NASCAR Bubble Drivers “Chasing”… What, Exactly?

2014 Daytona Ii Cup Kyle Larson Jamie Mcmurray Conversation Cia

(Credit: CIA)

You’re well aware by now of the talk surrounding the Chase for the Sprint Cup – and, most particularly, the drivers who will make it into NASCAR’s version of a playoff system. Who’s in? Who’s out? Who’s out but could make their way in? Hold on. Is there really any reason to ask that last …

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Watkins Glen Looking at Safety Upgrades in Wake of Huge Crash

Jeff Gordon leads a pack of cars in the 2014 Cheez-It 355 at the Glen at Watkins Glen, NY

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

In an interview with FOX Sports’ Jay Pennell, Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup noted that the track is looking at potential safety improvements in the wake of the huge crash involving Ryan Newman and Michael McDowell that red flagged the Cheez-It 355 At The Glen for 90 minutes.  However, figuring out what those changes …

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Michigan

2014 Michigan Ii Cup Jeff Gordon Trophy Cia

Give Jeff Gordon enough chances and he’ll eventually beat you. That’s what happened to Joey Logano as Jeff Gordon pulled off a flawless restart with 17 laps to go, taking the lead and claiming his third win of the season. It’s the most wins Gordon has had in a single season since 2011. It was …

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