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  • What Next for Tony Stewart?

    What Next for Tony Stewart?

    Whilst the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has presented us with no end of drama, there can have been few more unfortunate moments than when it was announced that the three-times champion Tony Stewart suffered a painful back injury whilst riding a dune buggy in San Diego in January.

    It shows that things rarely go to plan in the NASCAR arena, as although Tony Stewart is the hero of the sports betting world and should have been on course for his fourth Sprint Cup Series victory, the accident has let young challengers like Brad Keselowski in with a real chance of denying the veteran another racing triumph.

    The star has already made a lasting impression on the NASCAR world with his outspoken personality nearly matching his on-track exploits for drama and controversy. But 2016 was meant to have been a memorable year for Stewart, as ever since he announced his retirement in 2015, the 45-year old has been keen to show that he still has what it takes to reign supreme in the world of NASCAR motorsport.

    And the star has certainly shown some impressive determination on the track since he returned with some strong performances in Pocono and Watkins Glen, as well as a very credible second place finish at New Hampshire.

    But despite these returns to form, Stewart faces an almost impossible challenge if he’s to rise up the odds at sports betting sites like Coral who’ll be sceptical as to whether the driver can help his Stewart-Haas Racing team and improve upon his current fifteenth position in the drivers’ standings.

    With just weeks until the final Ford Ecoboost 400 race takes place in Florida, it’s inevitable that it will be drivers like Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr., and Kyle Busch who will provide the most fascinating battles in the race for Sprint Cup Series title.

    However, such is the legend surrounding Tony Stewart’s name that the driver will never be too far away from the headlines. Although the star is undergoing further back surgery in December, he’s already announced that he’ll be willing to compete in no less than 40 to 50 races next year.

    Whilst most of these races will inevitably be on dirt, there’s still a good chance that the Stewart will take part in the Knoxville Nationals in August 2017 where he’ll be looking to beat Jason Johnson’s impressive 2016 victory and provide a few more upsets in the sports betting world and beyond.

     

  • Passing Your CompTIA Security+ Exam Is a Breeze with Dumps

    The demand for IT professionals with a security specialty is at an all-time high. Companies are working to secure their data and networks, so they’re always on the lookout for professionals highly qualified in this sphere.

    As someone who’s aiming to further their career in IT, one of the certifications that you can get to achieve that is  This credential validates your mastery of the fundamentals of security of networks, software, and devices. If you have it, companies will line up to get you to work for them. To understand why it goes this way, let’s delve into details of this badge and how to easily ace its required exam, SY0-501.

    What to Know About CompTIA Security+ Certification?

    Sure, it’s going to open up a lot of opportunities for you, but what is it really about, and whom is it really for? First, Security+ is for those who already have some IT background in the form of the previously obtained badge and two years of hands-on experience in IT administration.

    https://www.examsnap.com/comptia-a-plus-certification-dumps.html

    Speaking of the perks it can bring you, with this badge, you can earn about $75,000 annually according to the PayScale.com, and it is just on average. Also, the positions of a security engineer, network administrator, and penetration tester become available for you, to mention just some of the options.

    Earning Your Security+ Badge

    The main requirement for you to meet is to pass the SY0-501 exam.  Its primary focus includes threat assessment, risk management, and penetration testing as these serve the backbone of the majority of work involved in making sure your devices, networks, and data are all safe.

    https://www.examsnap.com/comptia-certification-training.html

    One thing to note, though, is that CompTIA is planning to launch an updated SY0-601 test by November 2020. So, if you have plans on sitting for the assessment by then, consider preparing for the new version. If not, there are definitely a lot of resources out there for SY0-501, and below, we’ll tell you about several of them.

    https://www.examsnap.com/sy0-501-dumps.html

    How to Efficiently Prepare for Your Security+ Exam?

    First of all, it’s useful to visit the vendor itself offers its own preparation resources that range from eLearning modules to study guides to instructor-led training. On top of that, you can train with sample tests, which is one of the most efficient ways to prepare for any IT certification.

    https://www.examsnap.com/sy0-601-dumps.html

    However, you may always supplement your set of study materials with third-party dumps. These files will boost your confidence many times as they contain actual SY0-501 questions and answers and in some cases can even be run in the. Training with dumps, you’ll identify the areas where you may lack the knowledge to pay more attention to them. 

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    Wrap up

    As long as, you can surely pass the Security+ exam on the first try and earn your certification. It’s going to entail some work, but the rewards and benefits are absolutely worth it. So, couple the reliable dumps with other preparation materials that you find helpful, study thoroughly, and success will come for sure!

  • No. 20 Team Must Pay Up After Failed Inspection

    No. 20 Team Must Pay Up After Failed Inspection

    It’s been simultaneously a good and a bad week for Matt Kenseth, the driver and owner of the Joe Gibbs racing No. 20 team. While they won the race in question at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, there were no celebrations following the victory. After the race, the car was deemed to have some infractions, as shown from the results of the Laser Inspection Station (LIS). The LIS measures aspects regarding the chassis, including its alignment, as well as the axle housing and the tire chamber. However, NASCAR declined to confirm which specific area of the LIS test was not met by Kenseth’s Toyota.

    The penalties for such infractions took more than one form. Driver and owner, Matt Kenseth was personally given a 15 point deduction in the Sprint Cup. This had some consequences for him, as with fifteen less points his position dropped from eighth to ninth place. However, following his two wins, the 15 point penalty did not do huge damage. In addition the crew chief of No. 20, Jason Ratcliff incurred a $25 000 fine and has also been placed on probation. Such a fine has got to hit Ratcliff where it hurts, and we hope that he has some money stashed away for these types of events. He also may want to try his hand at some betting offers to replenish his funds! With a really great variety of betting offers online it is becoming easier and easier to make some extra money, all while having fun and following the sports you love to watch.

    But the No. 20 team was not the only team who got in trouble; other teams were given written warnings on Wednesday by the sanctioning body. These teams include, but are not limited to Ty Dillion who is the driver for the Richard Childress Racing No. 3 Chevrolet team, and Joey Logano who is the driver for the team Penske No. 22 Ford team. Hopefully, this crackdown by the sanctioning body will act as a motivation for future drivers and crew chiefs to ensure that their cars meet all stipulated requirements and specifications in accordance with NASCAR’s rules. However, for drivers like Kenseth who are doing pretty well for themselves, they may not really feel the burn of a 15 point deduction. But hopefully, drivers will be more careful in the future.

    Kenseth and Ratcliff must be expectedly disappointed, but considering what the consequences could have been, they did get off fairly lightly. Following the news that the No. 20 Toyota had not passed the LIS, NASCAR fans took to social media; demanding that Kenseth have his victory annulled. However, this did not happen. NASCAR stated that it was their policy to allow drivers to retain their wins, even if their car is found to be in contravention to the rules after the race. The sanctioning body’s rationale for this is that it is important that the winner does not change after the drivers have left the track.

  • The Silent Killer That Surrounds Us

    The Silent Killer That Surrounds Us

    On Jan. 22, 2003 NASCAR driver Rick Mast, then 45, announced that he was retiring from racing due to due to acute and chronic carbon monoxide poisoning from the race cars he occupied for over 15 years. He became the first NASCAR driver to announce that carbon monoxide was a contributing factor in his decision to retire from racing. According to an article in the New York Times, dated Feb. 2, 2003, Mast’s symptoms included being disoriented and falling ill for days at a time.

    According to the Mayo Clinic, “Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when carbon monoxide builds up in your bloodstream. When too much carbon monoxide is in the air, your body replaces the oxygen in your red blood cells with carbon monoxide. This can lead to serious tissue damage or even death. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by burning gas, wood, propane, charcoal or other fuel. Improperly ventilated appliances and engines, particularly in a tightly sealed or enclosed space, may allow carbon monoxide to accumulate to dangerous levels.”

    Carbon monoxide (CO) is a byproduct of just about everything that motorsports does. In race cars, much progress has been made to keep the drivers safer from carbon monoxide while they race.  It was very common in the 1990s and early 2000s for carbon monoxide to be a factor in a race.

    Reports from Michigan in 1991 indicated that Dale Earnhardt was ill after damage early in the race to his vehicle caused carbon monoxide to build up. In September of 1998, Ricky Rudd extended his annual Cup Series race win streak at Martinsville. At the race track, Rudd collapsed in Victory Lane and it was reported at the time that it was because his cooling system failed and it was almost 100 degrees at race time. However, carbon monoxide was also an issue.

    Ward Burton had an issue in the motor coach lot prior to the Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. After the race, Burton said, “It went from one end of the spectrum to the other all day. The motorhome compound is so tight here that I got a little carbon monoxide poisoning last night and that kind of played against me. I wasn’t 100 percent in the car late in the race. I hope Humpy and them will do something about that because that’s not right. We were all over the place. The generator fumes were coming up under the bus and I started to get a hell of a headache. The buses are so close together it’s like you can hardly open the doors.”

    From 1999 to 2010 the Center for Disease control noted that there were 5,149 deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning in non-fire circumstances. In the NASCAR world, the biggest carbon monoxide issues are not in the race cars or garage areas but in the camping and living areas, where deaths have been reported in the past. So take so, me time and review the portable CO buying guide to protect yourself and others from accidental poisoning.

    I recall an incident at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in May 2002 when two campers died from carbon monoxide poisoning due to them trying to heat their tent with a charcoal grill during a record cold snap. As recent as 2013, a camper died when his RV had a leaky exhaust causing carbon monoxide to build up at the Talladega Superspeedway.

    The author has personal experience with carbon monoxide poisoning. In 1987 his fraternity house furnace malfunctioned when it was -20 degrees. Having been trained in the US Marine Corps about the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, the fire department was called and they used special equipment along with a carbon monoxide respirator to inspect the house.  A disaster was averted when local officials deemed the house unsuitable for living quarters until the furnace was fixed.

    As the NASCAR season is underway and the weather has been somewhat unpredictable up and down the east coast, generator safety is paramount. Generators are a source of electricity for RVs, travel trailers, pop-up campers, and tent campers. One thing I’ve personally witnessed is the variety of ways generator owners try to protect their investment in a generator. They will build wooden boxes with covers but those don’t necessarily consider the proper and safe operation of the generator.

    One product that any generator owner should consider is the GenTent (http://www.gentent.com/).

    “Regardless of the numerous published warnings, consumers continue to operate portable generators in unsafe manners which prove to result in serious injuries and deaths every year,” said Mark Carpenter, CEO, Founder, GenTent Safety Canopies. “GenTent’s Top 10 Portable Generator Safety Tips list is a playbook for the proper use of portable generators and it enables owners to experience safe generator use year-round.”

    The folks from GenTent have created a product that allows generators to be operated safely in any kind of weather. More importantly, it allows the ventilation of carbon monoxide outside the tented area. The website is a plethora of information regarding safely operating a generator.

    As people load up their campers and head to the track, it’s important to remind everyone that carbon monoxide is an odorless gas and can kill in minutes. Take a few moments to check over your generator and correct any issues with its operation. It could mean the difference between life and death.

  • The inspiration that led to the NASCAR slot machine

    The inspiration that led to the NASCAR slot machine

    NASCAR is a popular auto-racing sport that gives birth to diehard fans that are intensely loyal to the sport. Bally Technologies began distributing the now hugely popular NASCAR slot machine in 2013, and the slot machine was one of many that began to bridge the gap between traditional spin slots and immersive video games. You can click to view best slot sites at slotsmummy.com, where you’ll be able to find and play this game at to your heart’s content. The slot machine goes beyond the simplicity of player-character interaction and comes equipped with high-quality video cards, 3D engines and complex math making it almost like a video game within the slot machine. Bally Technologies’ game development director Bill Wadleigh (a former video game developer who describes himself as a huge NASCAR fan) worked on creating some of the slot machine’s key attributes mixed with the themes and popular aspects of NASCAR – its racing.

    The NASCAR slot machine had to attract both devoted slot machine players and casual NASCAR fans. It did this by creating the interactive Daytona Motor Speedway race and character customisation to a certain driver, due to NASCAR fans’ loyalty towards particular drivers. It had to be careful in its selection of drivers, as they had to remain relevant. Machines such as the NASCAR slot machine offer gamblers scenarios they can control. Boyd Casinos across Las Vegas and the rest of the US introduced the game due to the company’s good relation with NASCAR fans generally. The slot machine designers were inspired to create something new and exciting to the table, as many developers have been gradually creating games based on television shows, movies or pop stars such as Pawn Stars, Bally’s Michael Jackson slots, and IGT’s CSI slots. The connection between traditional slot machines and compelling video games is being pulled ever closer to create memorable and engaging gaming experiences.

    Wadleigh also recalled that he was inspired to create one of the bonus games by stating that the slot business was as simple as spinning the wheel of a toy car. This then created the spinning bonus graphic of the NASCAR game, using a tyre of a car as a spinning wheel.  NASCAR is one of the most followed motor sports in America, and with its intense driving and high-octane racing, NASCAR has an inept ability to keep viewers on the edge of their seats at all times – which is exactly how the developers of the NASCAR slot machine wanted their players to be. The slot machine gives fans of NASCAR a chance to enjoy the sport as well as earning some money, and equally attract more fans to the sport, by opening its availability to a wide range of slots fans. With a 32-inch LCD touch screen (rather than the traditional lever pull) and surround sound in the seat to really make the game immersive, it is easy to see that traditional slot machines are rapidly evolving.

    There a huge variety of slots available on the market, such as traditional 777 slots, video slots, and slots with progressive jackpots, but arcade-inspired slot machines are looking to be the future of casinos and slot machines. By combining the excitement of casino betting with the thrill of an arcade racing game, you have yourself a winning combination. Tapping into the cultures that people love is a sure way to attract a crossover between gambling and culture, and the NASCAR/slot machine crossover is just one of the most successful ways this has been done.

  • Must Have Gear for a Motorcycle Track Day

    Must Have Gear for a Motorcycle Track Day

    If you are just getting into the thrilling world of motorcycle racing, you’re probably wondering which pieces of gear are essential for your first race. Thankfully, if you’re already quite safety conscious when on your motorcycle, you’ll probably have most of the safety gear that you’ll need for the race. However, racing can be more dangerous than riding on the roads as you’ll be going much faster, and taking corners a lot faster than you would on the roads. Because of this, you might need to buy some extra safety gear to make sure that you’re best protected in the event of an accident.

    A Helmet

    If you don’t already ride with a helmet, you should definitely get one. Although in certain areas and states it might not be illegal to ride a motorcycle without wearing a helmet, it certainly doesn’t mean that it’s not unsafe. If you fall off a motorcycle without a helmet at even a low speed you could be susceptible to head injuries that can cause serious health problems – so the need to wear one is even more crucial if you’re traveling at speed. Check with the race managers about any required standards that your helmet may need to meet. Since 45% of impacts to motorcycle helmets occur around the face, choose one that covers your entire head and face – not only do they offer more protection, it’ll also keep the wind out of your face as well.

    Leather Gloves

    You might be able to get away with riding on the roads without gloves, but imagine the damage that you could do to your hands if you’re riding at a high speed during a race and come off? In the event of a fall we instinctively put our hands out in front of us to help reduce the impact, however, in some situations, this can actually cause more harm than good. If you fall off, you’ll want to be wearing strong, reinforced leather motorcycle gloves to minimize injury to your hands.

    Leathers

    A leather jacket and pants are essential for a motorcycle race. Even though it’s not illegal to ride on the roads without them and many motorcyclists may wear jeans and a regular jacket, specially designed motorcycle jackets and pants will protect you better than any other items of clothing in the event of an accident. If you come off your motorcycle at high speed you are likely to slide or could even be dragged across a hard floor which could easily rip through denim and other materials. AlpineStars is a good brand to look out for.

    Motorcycle Boots

    Regular boots or sneakers are simply not enough when it comes to motorcycle safety. They don’t support your feet well enough, meaning that you could end up with nasty injuries and broken bones if you come off. Motorcycle boots are specially designed to protect your feet and legs properly and minimize any injury.

    Ready for your first motorcycle race?  With the right gear you will be.

  • 10 Greatest NASCAR Races of All Time

    10 Greatest NASCAR Races of All Time

    by Matthew Young (@mattbeardyoung)

    The equation of fast cars plus dynamic crashes unanimously results in the product desired by all NASCAR fans. Cars speeding around the oval at lethal speeds draws the crowd into the speedway and the drivers’ strategies and near-misses keep them coming back.  Add a few spin outs and a crash and you’re hooked for life! Here is a list of ten of the greatest NASCAR races in history.

    #10 – 1999 Goody’s 500
    On August 28, 1999, fans were treated to a Dale Earnhardt victory that earned him $89,880. Bristol Motor Speedway, said to be a true race fan’s track showcased this race where a classic showdown between Earnhardt and Terry Labonte took place.

    Beginning in the 26th position, it only took Earnhardt 65 laps to cruise into the top 10 standings. With number six of ten cautions, lap 299 was a defining lap as many opted no pit which placed them into the top five standings. This included Earnhardt, Labonte, Jimmy Spencer, Geoffrey Bodine and Ricky Rudd. Earnhardt raced ahead and took the leading spot with 121 laps remaining.

    Then during lap 410, Dave Marcis came to a stop creating another caution and resulted in officials contemplating whether or not Marcis’ move was a cheating strategy to help Earnhardt since Earnhardt’s car owner was known to have assisted Marcis previously. Ultimately, Marcis faced penalty for this move.

    Earnhardt took to the pit on the backstretch and sped out and into the third position following Labonte and Jeff Gordon. Coming off turn two, an outside move enabled him to pass Gordon on lap 426 as he slid into the second place position. An inside move on lap 435 put Earnhardt in front of Labonte as they made their way through turns three and four. With the lead, Earnhardt raced on as Stewart roared up creating a tight three-way fight for the finish.

    Labonte made contact with Earnhardt’s car which fired up Earnhardt who decided to “rattle his cage a little bit” as he sent Labonte spinning in a strategy that took him on the inside and into the number one spot. 140,000 cheering fans delighted in this eventful finish as officials reviewed footage from various angles and determined to let the standings remain with Earnhardt in first, Spencer taking second, Rudd with third, Gordon in fourth and Tony Stewart as fifth.

    #9 – 1981 Talladega 500
    On a track “known for giving NASCAR first-time winners,” Talladega Superspeedway delivered in 1981 with Ron Bouchard’s surprise victory. Darrell Waltrip was a powerful, youthful driver commanding the lead as the cars entered the last lap of the race.

    On the back straightway, Bouchard closed in taking a low move yet failed to gain position. With a high move, Terry Labonte attempted to take Waltrip for the lead. As these moves fell into place, Waltrip’s strategy was to move high and pinch Labonte in order to stifle his momentum so these two were side-by-side as they closed in on the finish line.

    To everyone’s surprise, Bouchard took his car low under the two leaders. Without realizing this, Waltrip was unable to block low and once he discovered this Bouchard had already sped ahead and it was a three-car-wide spread as they crossed the finish line. With such a close finish, there was uncertainty to the top finisher and replay clearly documented the number 47 car driven by Bouchard as the first finisher. This would be his first and only NASCAR Winston Cup win for his entire career.

    #8 – 2010 Aaron’s 499
    This record-breaking race took the honors of setting the record for both leaders and lead changes with 29 different drivers leading the pack for at least one lap and 88 changes in leaders.

    The race began with growing tension between two of the big NASCAR personalities- Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. Gordon had even stated Johnson was “testing my patience” and that “it takes a lot to make me mad, and I am pissed right now.” This fiery feud ignited two of the wrecks on the track that day. Half-way through the race, there was a 10-car pile up which increased the excitement of the crowd even more.

    In the end, Kevin Harvick’s good timing paid off as he made his move around Jamie McMurray as the checkered flag emerged. Harvick edged McMurray across the stripe as the two ended the race side-by-side. With a .11 second victory spread between the two cars, this race provided all the essential elements for a race car fan’s dream race.

    #7 – 2000 Cracker Barrel 500
    Atlanta Motor Speedway’s March 12, 2000 showdown earned Dale Earnhardt $123,100 in one of Winston Cup’s closest finishes ever as his .01 seconds was just enough to edge Bobby Labonte. In a race with 17 drivers and 30 lead changes, Mike Skinner was said to be the driver to beat.

    Before blowing his engine, Skinner led 191 of 325 laps. Before his day was over, Skinner had left his mark on Earnhardt as his car pushed in Earnhardt’s front right fender on an attempt to block Earnhardt’s car. This contact fired up Earnhardt as he shook his fist at Skinner.

    On lap 316, Labonte took the high side and passed Earnhardt on the backstretch, but Earnhardt didn’t give up. In turns 3 and 4, Earnhardt went high and regained the first place position five car lengths ahead of the pack. During the white flag lap, Labonte narrowed in to Earnhardt’s bumper and the two cars continued neck-and-neck during turns 3 and 4 and across the finish line. The .01 second victory was just enough time for Earnhardt to earn his 9th title at Atlanta Motor Speedway and his 75th Winston Cup win.

    #6 – 2007 Daytona 500
    February 18, 2007 was a day crammed full of controversy and crashes in Daytona, Florida. With only four laps left, a famous wreck eliminated Dale Earnhardt Jr. along with two more cars bringing a red flag and all drivers to a standstill for over 11 minutes. The setting sun had drastically changed track conditions as evidenced in the final 50 laps resulting in 22 of 43 cars accounting for five more collisions.

    The cooler track gave a better grip for the tires allowing the drivers to push the pedal to the metal. Mark Martin continued his lead into the last turn of the last lap. With the stripe within reach, Kevin Harvick’s number 29 took the high line as Martin took it low. As the cluster crashed behind them, Harvick charged ahead of Martin to win by two-hundredths of a second.

    NASCAR officials originally confirmed a green flag finish, but later changed their call as a yellow flag did come out after Harvick pulled ahead.

    #5 – 2000 Winston 500
    Amid 170,000 fans, Dale Earnhardt drove to his final win in Alabama. While Bobby Labonte’s 252 points topped Jeff Burton, Talladega witnessed a four and five-wide race with three laps remaining.

    After the final pit, Jeff Gordon led as Dale Earnhardt, Jr. motored ahead with Labonte close behind. With four laps to go, the battle for the leading spot heated up as Mike Skinner surpassed Jr. Back in the traffic, Earnhardt emerged from the 17th place position. With a little help from Kenny Wallace, Earnhardt was able to move into the middle with only 2 laps to go.

    With Earnhardt and Wallace ruling the outside, Skinner and Jr. took the inside. Jr. moved to make it three-wide, but ran out of space to pass Skinner. Earnhardt, Wallace and Joe Nemechek then raced on and the “Master of Talladega” upheld his name as he crossed the line in first.

    #4 – 2001 Cracker Barrel 500
    With Earnhardt’s death on NASCAR nation’s mind, Atlanta Motor Speedway would begin the healing process as his predecessor Kevin Harvick drove his number 29 car. Although Dale Jarrett began on pole, Harvick was in the lead by the seventh lap with Jeff Gordon close behind.

    On lap 19, Gordon passed Harvick and led 118 of the beginning 142 laps. However, Dave Blaney took over to lead 70 of the next 75, but his run came to an end with 108 to go when he discovered a loose rear wheel.

    After spinning out of lap 3, Jerry Nadeau recovered and took the lead during lap 218. Then with 100 laps to go, five drivers tightly forged ahead to Nadeau and the number two spot Jarrett. With 6 laps left, Harvick shifted to the front of the pack with Gordon responding two laps later into the number two spot. Going high, Harvick left the bottom wide open for Gordon; however, he was able to edge Gordon by .006 seconds for the win.

    #3 – 1984 Talladega 500
    This July race was a photo finish for the spots of second through fifth. There was a fierce battle for the leading position during the initial 160 laps. At 20 laps remaining, Dale Earnhardt was in third and passed Terry Labonte with 10 left. It wasn’t long for Labonte to respond as he regained his spot 5 laps later.

    Then in the final lap, there was a pack battle behind the leaders. As Labonte held the inside, Earnhardt took the high road in turn two and pushed on for a run to the finish. As Labonte ventured side-to-side, Earnhardt swept past extending the space between him and the rest of the pack. Labonte was then challenged for the next spot by Buddy Baker. Immediately behind them Cale Yarborough and Bobby Labonte battled for fourth and fifth.

    #2 – 1992 Hooters 500
    Perhaps the most influential race where one era ended and another began and the most successful racer of all time said he “wanted to go out in a blaze of glory; I just forgot about the glory part.” Richard Petty’s accident on lap 95 resulted in a fire and heavily damaged car; yet, with 2 laps left he emerged without any sheet metal to finish his final race.

    This race was the first for newcomer Jeff Gordon, but the real attention was on six drivers who were eligible for the championship. The points leader Davey Allison, “odd duck” Alan Kulwicki and favorite Bill Elliott were the three to watch. By lap 210, each had led at least one lap and secured 5 bonus points. Kulwicki’s strategy proved to be the pivotal factor to the win. He switched pit strategy and ended up finishing in second place. His strategy enabled him to earn the bonus for leader of most laps, which in turn gave him a 10 point edge preventing Elliott as the victor. Kulwicki drove his “polish victory lap” along with Petty driving a farewell in one last lap as a tribute to his fans.

    #1 – 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400
    Darlington Raceway set the stage as Ricky Craven squeaked past Kurt Busch by a fraction of an inch. Amid smoke, the two raced to the finish after making contact many times during this 100th cup race at Darlington.

    Early on, Jeff Gordon appeared to be the projected winner, but a conflict that sent him into the wall ended his day in the 33rd spot. With an eventful start and many cautions, Jerry Nadeau’s lap 6 spin out ended up with damage for Kenseth and McMurray. Jack Sprague’s solitary spin six laps later created a big chain reaction as Sterling Martin and Jimmie Johnson made contact and prompted problems for several behind them. Jeff Burton’s motor reached its final destination early. Ward Burton and Ryan Newman were responsible for the fifth yellow and John Andretti made the sixth when he brushed Jimmie Spencer.

    After all of this chaos, Busch came up just shy of the win even though he managed to get through losing his power steering late in the race. Craven’s close win over Busch ended a day of wild rides for many drivers which lands this race in the top spot for best races.

    Any fan can see, a close finish and a big melee makes the most memories. There are so many amazing races, these create one compilation of the ten greatest of all time. Do you know others who should crack the list? Consider the ingredients for a great NASCAR race and see if your top ten picks really measure up.

  • Chase for the 2015 Sprint Cup Championship Preview with Two to Go

    Chase for the 2015 Sprint Cup Championship Preview with Two to Go

  • Newman Discusses Driver Safety With NASCAR

    Newman Discusses Driver Safety With NASCAR

    Ryan Newman has joined the band of drivers voicing their thoughts to NASCAR about ways to improve track safety. The Richard Childress Racing driver met with NASCAR officials last week to express his personal concern and thoughts about the needed safety enhancements. The 2015 season has witnessed multiple incidents of issues with a less than satisfactory amount of “soft wall” technology on particular portions of major tracks.

    Newman earned an engineering degree from Purdue in 2001 providing unique insight during his discussion with NASCAR officials. Newman joined four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon as prominent drivers voicing their desire to meet with NASCAR officials to discuss their personal concerns with the safety enhancements. NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell expressed NASCAR’s mutual desire to meet and discuss the concerns with both star drivers and any other drivers looking to give their input on the possible enhancements to be made to ensure driver safety. O’Donnell sees the meetings with the drivers as an opportunity to discuss plans the tracks are making in regards to the anticipated safety enhancements as well as hear the input of the drivers themselves with O’Donnell expressing, “We’ve encouraged open dialogue throughout the entire industry.”

    Multiple prominent tracks across the country have begun investigating and planning enhancements to improve driver safety. The core issue revolves around portions of tracks not sufficiently protected with SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barriers. Drivers like Newman and Gordon believe the entire track should provide this top-notch “soft wall” technology. The technology of the SAFER barriers has been around since 2002 but many tracks have been slow to cover all their walls. The SAFER barriers absorb the collision reducing G-force impact kinetic energy by 50 percent.

    Gordon’s desire to meet with NASCAR officials came after he struck an unprotected portion of the wall during the Sprint Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway earlier this month. Gordon was not injured in the crash but the harsh impact clearly lite a fire in Gordon about resolving the issues of non-protected portions of the track. Gordon told reporters the difference between colliding with a portion of the track touting the SAFER barriers and an unprotected portion were drastic, “I’m always caught off guard by the impact and how severe it is. When I get out of the car, my first thing is I want to see what I hit. Every time I have felt that, it is because I hit something that was not protected with SAFER barrier.”

    Gordon, a top-four favorite to capture a fifth NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship according to Gambling.com partners, revealed the 2015 season will be his last full season of competition. With his historic career winding down, Gordon clearly wants to leave the sport he fell in love with better and more safe then when he found it.

    Unfortunately, Gordon’s crash at the Atlanta Motor Speedway was not the first incident of 2015 involving a major star colliding with an unprotected portion of a track; a week prior to Gordon’s incident, Kyle Busch was involved in a head-on collision with an unprotected portion of the track during the NASCAR XFINITY Series opener. The wreck at the Daytona International Speedway resulted in Busch suffering a compound fracture in his right leg and a fracture in his left foot.

    The 2015 season also saw lesser known drivers personally witness the impact of the unprotected walls at major tracks across the nation. Erik Jones slammed into a portion of the track unprotected by the SAFER barriers during an XFINITY Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

    It is clear the lack of full-track SAFER barrier coverage has become an issue for all drivers. The importance of major stars like Newman and Gordon expressing their desire to open dialogue between drivers and NASCAR officials about the needed enhancements is vital in pressuring the governing body to enforce the importance of driver safety at all tracks.

  • Top 5 NASCAR Drivers to Watch in 2015

    Top 5 NASCAR Drivers to Watch in 2015

    The wait for NASCAR racing in 2015 is finally over. We will see season two of the new Chase era kick off, as 25 drivers prepare to give it their all in the Sprint Unlimited.

    Unlike previous years when fans could enjoy some preseason Daytona racing in January and start making their predictions about which drivers will finish in the top three, the new NASCAR policy on testing has forced us to wait till February 14 before making wagers with friends or online.

    NASCAR sports betting is all the rage

    In fact, NASCAR punters and diehard fans will be eyeing closely the action during this weekend’s 75-lap race, especially since the new Chase has radically changed the playoff format and made it even more thrilling and unpredictable.

    For daredevils keen on extra excitement and who want to make their NASCAR knowledge payoff, online sportsbooks offer three different bet types for each race. Fans can choose to wager on: which driver will win the race, which driver will place in the top three or that a particular driver finishes at a higher position than another.

    People familiar with sports betting will have no trouble grasping the concepts of NASCAR betting, while fans who are new to the thrills of sports betting will be quickly understand how it works and make their viewing experience even more memorable!

     

    Top 5 NASCAR drivers in 2015

    It’s tough to say which driver will win the championship this season. Anything can happen after the green flag waves: a tire could rupture, something in the engine could malfunction or an underdog could upset all prognostications in a split-second.

    Nevertheless, we went ahead and picked our top five NASCAR drivers who we think have the best shot at winning the title this year. Any one of these five drivers could be your ticket to a NASCAR fortune!

    1. Kevin Harvick

    Kevin Harvick, who turns 40 this year, will enter the season as the defending champion and there are no indications that he can’t pull off a title win for the second consecutive time.

    Harvick will be working with the same team from last season and crew chief Rodney Childers is again in his corner. If the two men collaborate as well as they did last year, they should find it easy to adapt to the new NASCAR rules and become the favorite team.

    1. Brad Keselowski

    Brad Keselowski is probably still fuming after failing to make the last round of the Chase last year. This means he’s more determined than ever for success and if he can channel that aggressive energy into the race once he’s behind the wheel, there could be no stopping him.

    Despite last season’s disappointment, Keselowski won a series-high six races which makes him a formidable opponent. His ability to deliver during the most crucial moments of the races could mean that a second title might be just within reach.

    1. Joey Logano

    Last year, Joey Logano was poised to be the the driver most likely to battle Harvick for the championship title. Unfortunately, his hopes for the title were dashed after a poor performance at Homestead-Miami Speedway and a bungled pit stop which robbed him of his chances.

    Logano is brimming with potential and this year might just be the one where he finally gets to lift the trophy. However, at just 24 years old, Logano is one of the youngest drivers and still has plenty left to mature compared to the other drivers, even though this will be his seventh Sprint Cup season.

    1. Jeff Gordon

    Jeff Gordon will be donning his NASCAR racing suit for the last time this year and fans are rooting for him to end his legacy with a title win. The four-time champion scored the most points overall last year but didn’t advance to the championship round, even though he had the fastest car and could have easily won it all.

    The new Chase format has ruined Gordon’s chances of winning several times; many fans therefore think it would be a fitting end to a brilliant career if he finally gets his fifth title. Gordon will be the sentimental favorite to win the championship in his final full season and if he gets the right breaks, he could do it.

    1. Jimmie Johnson

    Jimmie Johnson enters the 2015 NASCAR championship after finishing his worst season ever.

    Johnson clocked the fewest top-five finishes since he started his rookie season, getting eliminated in the second round of the Chase. Despite the dismal statistics, he managed to win four races and led over 1,300 laps, so if things start going for the better for him personally and his team adapts well to the big NASCAR rule changes, Johnson could easily be a serious contender for this season’s title.

     

    Conclusion

    Before the actual Sprint Unlimited next Saturday, we’ll have a chance to see the drivers practice for the event on Friday.

    These two races will set the tone for the rest of the championship, starting from the Daytona 500 race on February 22, as well as provide a gold mine of information for NASCAR fans who want to put their knowledge of the sports to the ultimate test and possibly turn a tidy profit.