John Force to run Jeff Gordon tribute Funny Car at Charlotte NHRA Funny Car champion John Force is going to pay homage to another racing champ at Charlotte. Force will drive a Jeff Gordon tribute car over the weekend while the NHRA races in NASCAR's backyard. Gordon is retiring at the end of the season and will move into a broadcast role for Fox in 2016. Check out the Jeff Gordon tribute … [Read more...]

Power Rankings: (In)accurately predicting the results of the 2015 Chase Our Power Rankings are far from a scientific formula. In fact, it's the perfect blend of analytics and bias against your favorite driver. And you think we dislike your favorite driver, so it makes sense, right? Direct all your complaints to us at [email protected] and we'll try to have some fun. This week we're … [Read more...]

Michael McDowell nails safety truck during Richmond caution RICHMOND, Va.—Of all the vehicles you'd expect to get hit on a NASCAR track, the safety truck is among the last. But that's exactly what happened on Saturday night: OH NO. Michael McDowell has MAJOR damage after hitting a safety truck! #NASCARreplayhttp://t.co/UunGbIo7rO http://t.co/5txEDVLGDy— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 13, 2015 … [Read more...]

Denny Hamlin: Injury won't hamper Chase chances RICHMOND, Va.—At this point, it's easier to find a spot on Denny Hamlin's body he hasn't hurt. The driver of the No. 11 FedEx Toyota has suffered injury to his legs, back, chest, and eye, and he's currently feeling the effects of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Hamlin tore the ligament while playing basketball—driving to … [Read more...]

Clint Bowyer calls interest from teams for 2016 'humbling' If Clint Bowyer has decided on the team he's going to drive for in 2016, he's not saying it publicly.  Bowyer said any negotiations for his future plans were put on a brief hold as he works to make sure he qualifies for the 2015 Chase. Bowyer is currently the final driver in the Chase. If there's no new winner at Richmond on Saturday … [Read more...]

Happy Hour: Darlington, the Chase and testing for 2016 Throughout the week you can send us your best questions, jokes, rants and just plain miscellaneous thoughts to [email protected] or @NickBromberg. We'll post them here and have a good time. Still coming off the high of Darlington on Sunday? You're not alone. And your peer group likely includes a lot of drivers. If the silence … [Read more...]

Denny Hamlin tears right ACL, won't miss final 11 races of 2015 Denny Hamlin will be driving with a torn ACL again. The driver of the No. 11 tore his right ACL on Tuesday. According to a statement from Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin has been cleared by doctors to drive at Richmond on Saturday and in the Chase. He tore it playing basketball. "Hamlin had a MRI this morning to confirm the diagnosis … [Read more...]

Power Rankings: How far does Carl Edwards climb? Our Power Rankings are far from a scientific formula. In fact, it's the perfect blend of analytics and bias against your favorite driver. And you think we dislike your favorite driver, so it makes sense, right? Direct all your complaints to us at [email protected] and we'll try to have some fun while keeping in mind the somber news of … [Read more...]

NASCAR's thorny throwback problem: the Confederate flag DARLINGTON, S.C.—NASCAR billed Sunday’s Bojangles Southern 500 as a “throwback” weekend, and virtually every race team responded in kind. Retro-paint-scheme cars evoking memories of Richard Petty’s classic red-and-blue STP ride, Ricky Craven’s orange Tide car, and the Days of Thunder Mello Yello, among others—28 of the 43 Cup cars in … [Read more...]

Chase Watch: There ain't much drama heading into Richmond If you were looking for a Richmond race full of drama for the final spots of the Chase, you're probably going to be severely disappointed. Without a bunch of surprises during Sunday night's Southern 500 for drivers on the Chase bubble, the likelihood of drama at Richmond for more than one Chase spot was low. And there were no … [Read more...]