Marty's mailbag: The Chase and beyond
While strolling down pit road Saturday evening at Richmond, I was approached by a group of guys my parents' age. "Where'd The Six go?" one said, re…
Elimination Chase: Good, bad … or both?
NASCAR is methodically informing Sprint Cup teams that it is strongly, legitimately considering an elimination Chase format, backing up what chairman …
Brian Vickers gains a fresh perspective
Brian Vickers leaned forward on folded arms toward a microphone in the center of a table, detailing his three-month absence from the Sprint Cup series…
Marcos Ambrose welcomes a fresh start
A man can tell himself that an uncertain future has no impact on the present. And even if he genuinely believes that in the moment, he's lying to hims…
Can Brad Keselowski deliver for Penske?
BROOKLYN, Mich. -- Brad Keselowski is a Michigan man. He bleeds maize and blue. On Thursday he even attended the Wolverines' football practice, part …
Hush-hush about hush-up money
So NASCAR told a couple of its outspoken drivers to pay up then shut up, and folks are all-to-hell about it. Why? Are you really surprised? Fundamenta…
A new perspective on Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon is a captivating person, insightful and honest and very normal. He has the rare quality of meshing with most any crowd and making each ind…
I am not the Sheriff
SPEEDWAY, Ind. -- Given that the Brickyard 400 is ESPN's first Sprint Cup Series race broadcast of each season, we studio types are asked to do many m…
Dignity and hope in a backpack
CARMEL, Ind. -- Go back with me to the first day of school. Remember the infinite newness? Every year, everything was new. Even if the kids were the s…
Swan song for the famed No. 3?
On Friday evening, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will slide his body through the window and into the seat of the No. 3 Wrangler Chevrolet for 300 miles of Nation…
