AJ Allmendinger Grabs a Chase Spot with Thrilling Win at Watkins Glen

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Capturing his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Victory, AJ Allmendinger held off a hard charging Marcos Ambrose during the closing laps of the Cheez-It™ 355 at The Glen. 

The last road course of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season at The Glen gave AJ Allmendinger and Marcos Ambrose their best chance to qualify for the Chase. They both knew the stakes were high and gave their best effort to secure a win. They bumped each other door-to-door, racing side-by-side through the esses, and amazingly did it without wrecking. To the thrill of fans they ran a clean, hard race before Allmendinger made his last pass in turn six with just over one lap left to run. From there he went on to the checkered flag and his first series’ career win. Continue reading

Sprint Cup Series Cheez-It™ 355 at The Glen Preview

cheezit355attheglen

The Cheez-It 355™ at Watkins Glen International is the next race in the Chase Countdown Challenge for the Sprint Cup Series.

Learn more about the Chase Countdown Challenges for some Sprint Cup drivers via the link above.  For a couple other drivers – Dale Earnhardt Jr and Jeff Gordon – their specific Chase Countdown Challenge at Watkins Glen is more in-depth in this Cheez-It™ 355  at The Glen preview, along with some other noteworthy topics of interest.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. To Top Of The Chase Grid

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s win on Sunday at Pocono Raceway catapulted him to the top of the Chase Grid Outlook, and if the Chase for the Sprint Cup began today, he’d start as the number one seed; which would be a first for the 11-time Most Popular Driver. Continue reading

The Chase Countdown Challenge Continues for Sprint Cup Drivers

5ToGoWGI-RIR

Five races on five very different tracks give NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers a challenge as they countdown to the Chase. 

That’s what faces the Sprint Cup Series and the 2014 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. For 11 drivers, it’s all or nothing time. For those 11 drivers with wins – and a likely Chase spot – a victory means three more bonus points tacked on their total to start the Chase.

But, really, these next five races are all about those with no wins. There are some big names out there battling for their playoff hopes – Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle. If the Chase started today, only Biffle would make it among the three perennial Chasers.

So while this is not yet panic time, there’s a definite sense of urgency – with a big opportunity awaiting drivers on Sunday afternoon.  Continue reading

For Martin Truex Jr and his Team, Winning Means More than Making the Chase

Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Furniture Row Chevrolet, practices for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International on August 8, 2014  Photo - Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Furniture Row Chevrolet, practices for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International on August 8, 2014 Photo – Mark Wilson/Getty Images

‘What a difference a year makes’ is a phrase that rings so true for NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Martin Truex Jr. Last year the driver was on his way to making the Chase for Michael Waltrip Racing, a big deal for his team and sponsor, NAPA.  But all of that changed by the end of the 2013 Richmond race in September. With controversy swirling over incidents involving his teammates during the race, penalties from NASCAR followed and ultimately the loss of sponsorship by NAPA.  By the end of the season, without funds to continue at Michael Waltrip Racing, Truex was left seeking a new team and sponsor. He landed at Furniture Row – a Colorado based and single-car team – in the No. 78. Continue reading

Jason’s Journey: Being in Victory Lane

JasonJourneylogo400x300It’s something fans dream of when attending any race – Being in victory lane at any NASCAR Race. It’s an exclusive club for winners. Victory lane is symbolic in our sport as a place of triumph and it’s where drivers can turn into legends. Being in a place that powerful seems impossible. I never imagined being there, but a magical Sunday at Watkins Glen left me pinching myself, wondering if it was true. That’s one Sunday I won’t soon forget. Continue reading