Let The Engines Roar: by Anthony Baker

   Today is Wednesday and while I don't want to beat a dead horse, I am intrigued by all of the different opinions of the current state of superspeedway racing. Some people love it while other people hate it and then there's the people that are just in the middle. I don't really love or hate the fuel saving aspect of things but when it's time to go 100%, that is where the real problem lies. As summed up best by Kyle Busch "ride in line and finish where you are, pull out to make a pass and finish last". The cars don't really allow for much moving around in the pack when going 100% which has made track position mean more, even if it means gaining a few tenths on pit road. While it wasn't as extreme as Daytona, this type of strategy at the super speedways seems to be the new normal in comparison to the days of train racing single file, but the overall product still leaves a lot to be desired. So where do we go from here?        First off adding more stage...

      This is probably the most exciting yet scariest track to race at on the NASCAR circuit. This is a 2.66 mile, 32 degree banked superspeedway oval that has produced speeds up to 220 mph. Of course that doesn’t exist today with restricted engines and strict rule packages, but we do still have 190 mph tight pack racing which leads to thrills and chills, so without further ado let’s get into this preview.        As we have seen lately, the field at times will get gridlocked and nobody can really lane switch because it’s like a box, so strategy will be important.  It will be interesting to see who goes for track position and who goes for stage points throughout this race. I believe whoever is able to stay at the front throughout the full race will have the best shot, not only because they are in the front, but they also will know how the car will react and what the car needs at that spot of the field as compared to riding in the back.   ...

     Some argue that the races need to be more entertaining. Others argue that entertainment doesn’t equal good racing. Some argue that the cars and track should be hard to drive. Others point out the imperfections of a race track and blame it for a lackluster product. Then there’s the folks that always blame the car. These were all talking points coming out of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, so let’s take a deeper analysis.       First things first, I am by no means calling this configuration better than the old one, or calling this the best Texas race ever but the the unique configuration has now started to show potential. This tracks current configuration is known for lackluster racing in Cup especially with the compounds put down in turn 1 for grip to keep cars from sliding everywhere, but we saw how exciting the racing was with that. Fast forward to 2024 and it’s been a few years since new compound has been applied and this track se...

         As I write this the NASCAR Cup Series will be racing in around 3 hours at Texas Motor Speedway, a track that has left a lot to be desired. The track hasn’t shown the racing that it once had ever since the configuration as turns 1-2 are completely different, flatter and with a more narrow groove for race cars that are very aero dependent. Texas is often looked at as the worst race track, hoped to be reconfigured by many, and frequently used in jokes about turning the place into a Walmart. However I think at least the fall races have been good for Texas standards, and so far this weekend has seemed even better now so I am not one of the haters as of this moment. I’m a believer.         So far the next gen cars have put on shows at the 1.5 mile racetracks, and outside of the all star race and a tire situation in 2022 playoffs, Texas has improved. The surface is worn out and slick and drivers really have to fight to save their cars from ...

     Even though I have never been to this historic half mile race track, I can smell the hot dogs cooking now. It’s Martinsville weekend and it’s a jammed packed weekend as well. We have all three of the top NASCAR Touring series here with the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and Craftsman truck series, yet we have one glaring concern that continues to fluctuate over time with this being a short track.     This track is known and  for its beating and banging. Late race contact and battles for the win, sometimes even side by side. Events in the past fans went to the track anticipating an absolute show, but lately the focus has shifted to can the race be a good short track race with the Cup car. The gen 7 car since its debut season hasn’t produced the best racing at short tracks and probably the biggest sign of that has been the races at martinsville speedway. While in 2022 the track was the host of the Hail Mellon move by Ross Chastain on the verge of elimination, that...