When fans think of wild card tracks in the Chase, Talladega and Martinsville come to mind. Over the last year, a new track has proven it belongs on that list and that track is Kansas Speedway. A reconfiguration has turned this once flat track into a high banked thriller. The corners are trickier, the straightaways are faster, and victory is that much harder to do. Kansas has turned itself into one of the most unpredictable races in the Chase. A survival game will be played on Sunday to see who can survive and advance in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Matt Kenseth
In the ‘Zone’: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Tests Goodyear’s New Tire At Kansas
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In the ‘Zone’: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Tests Goodyear’s New Tire At Kansas
In the ‘Zone’: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Tests Goodyear’s New Tire At Kansas
Photo – Getty Images
Multi-Zone Tread Tire Increases Grip, Durability
Its debut set records. Its encore offered a taste of what’s to come.
“It” is the innovative “multi-zone tread” Goodyear tire that the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers tested Thursday at Kansas Speedway, and will use during Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400, the fourth race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup (2 p.m. ET on ESPN, Motor Racing Network Radio and SiriusXM Satellite Radio).
Goodyear developed two zones on the right side tires: the outer zone dubbed the “traction zone” – which was made of a sticky and more grip-oriented compound – and the “inner zone” – also known as the “endurance zone” – which was built with a firmer compound to help prolong the tire life. Continue reading
Johnson Dominates Dover
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s / Kobalt Tools Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway on September 29, 2013
Photo – Justin Heiman/Getty Images
Jimmie Johnson’s quest for a sixth-championship went into full-effect Sunday afternoon at Dover. Johnson paced the field throughout the day to come away with the victory. It was his fifth win of the season, but more importantly his eighth at Dover making him the all-time leader of victories at the Monster Mile. Passing two legends in Bobby Allison and Richard Petty.
The race may not have begun well for Johnson, but he worked his Dover magic to make the outcome a favorable one for the No.48 team. His teammate, Dale Earnhardt Jr., began the day on the pole and led many laps in the early going. This race looked very promising for an Earnhardt Jr. victory, but the move that likely cost him the victory occurred under the first round of green-flag pit stops when he missed pit road. By carrying too much speed on his approach to the pits, he missed the entrance costing him valuable time. That misfortune was beneficial for Johnson who assumed the lead after the round of stops. Continue reading
Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 at Dover Preview
Dover is one of the most challenging turns the Chase takes. A concrete monster separates the contenders from the championship. To be crowned king at season’s end, drivers need to face the fight Dover offers. Each corner will test their focus, drive, and strength. Whichever competitor can pass those tests will move one step closer to claiming the Sprint Cup. Continue reading
Kenseth Now Two-for-Two in Sprint Cup Chase
Matt Kenseth, driver of the #20 Home Depot / Husky Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after wining the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 22, 2013
Photo – Justin Edmonds/Getty Images
First Chicagoland, now a New Hampshire victory for Matt Kenseth.
For the second straight week, in the second Chase for the Sprint Cup, Matt Kenseth led his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Kyle Busch to the checkered flag – and for Kenseth, who has struggled at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, that added a dreamlike quality to the victory. Continue reading