What’s Up with Smoke?

Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Bass Pro Shops / Mobil 1 Chevrolet, prepares to drive during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 27, 2015 Photo - Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Bass Pro Shops / Mobil 1 Chevrolet, prepares to drive during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 27, 2015 Photo – Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

With multiple drivers in winning race cars and a couple of late restarts, the Folds of Honor 500 was a success in terms of what you would like out of any Sprint Cup Series race, but as I sat there watching Sunday afternoon, I couldn’t help but think, what is up with Tony Stewart?

Stewart ended up 30th Sunday after being involved in a late race crash, but what caught my attention was how he was running before the end of the race. Throughout the race I saw Tony running from 25th to 30th and struggling to move forward. But as I sat there Sunday afternoon I began to think of the big ‘Tony Stewart’ picture and came to some conclusive thoughts. Continue reading

Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 Preview and Fantasy Picks

Zachs-SCS-Preview-Fantasy-Picks

Here are my Preview and Fantasy Picks for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 1, 2015. Watch the action at 1 pm ET on FOX.

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Kevin Harvick – He looked great through practice and qualifying until the engine failure. Although he will start in the back he will find guys like Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Matt Kenseth back there with him. I think he has the car in terms of race trim but what will the engine failure cost him anything? Should be Interesting.  Continue reading

Weekend Thoughts: Plate Racing, Qualifying, Daytona 500

Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet, and Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, lead the field to the green flag for the running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 57th Annual Daytona 500 at  Daytona International Speedway on February 22, 2015 Photo - Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet, and Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, lead the field to the green flag for the running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 57th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 22, 2015 Photo – Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

 

With another controversial Daytona speedweeks over, the question is whether it is truly deemed successful? More importantly should we continue to do as much plate racing in the Sprint Cup schedule? I will never suggest that we remove the Daytona 500, but I do see plate racing as more harmful and not beneficial to the sport. Continue reading

Kevin Harvick the Champion has Changed for the Better

A Focused Kevin Harvick Photo - Getty Images

A Focused Kevin Harvick Photo – Getty Images

We all remember Kevin Harvick when he first entered the Sprint Cup Series, a young kid from Bakersfield, California with huge shoes to fill. Somebody who wore his heart on his sleeve and had no problem expressing his opinion on or off the track, making him a perfect fit to fill the driver seat of Dale Earnhardt Sr. From jumping on the hood of Ricky Rudd’s car, to jumping over Gregg Biffle’s car and grabbing a hold of him, you could see this kid had fire and passion that was almost unprecedented. Although he showed a drive to do whatever it takes in his early years, he was not a constant threat to win the championship every season although he won many races.

There’s a change since then, developing him into a champion. Continue reading

Jeff Gordon Poised for One Last Season: What Does it Mean for NASCAR and Fans?

Photo - Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

Photo – Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

With the 2015 NASCAR season less than two weeks away, there is intrigue for what the last season has in store for the man known as the “The Kid” Jeff Gordon. Since announcing 2015 is his last season, to his successor being named in Chase Elliot, now is the time for all NASCAR fans to witness what greatness could come out of this situation.

With four wins last season Gordon is still a championship contender which is unlike the norm for somebody who is on their way out of any sport. Like Gordon or not, you can admire what his competitiveness and fire has brought to this sport. From his rivalry with the late Dale Earnhardt Sr., to him shoving Matt Kenseth and Jeff Burton, and his four NASCAR Sprint Cup titles, you really do have to appreciate a guy who shows so much passion for the sport and his results. Continue reading