Sprint Cup

Preview: Bowyer out to increase lead, not just hold on to it

Before getting a job offer over the phone from Richard Childress as he worked at his job in a body shop in his hometown of Emporia, Kan., Clint Bowyer was a champion at one of the Midwest’s top dirt short tracks.

Preview: Bowyer out to increase lead, not just hold on to it

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Weekend Preview: Gordon a danger to snap winless streak at Atlanta

Here’s a look at the top five drivers in the Cup Series standings and five drivers to watch in Sunday night’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway (7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN). All statistical references are for Cup races at Atlanta unless otherwise indicated. Driver Rating is based on the past 11 races at the track.

Weekend Preview: Gordon a danger to snap winless streak at Atlanta

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Numbers: Drivers poised to battle on the bubble at Atlanta

Race No. 25: Emory Healthcare 500 from Atlanta Motor Speedway (7:30 p.m. ET Sunday on ESPN). Green flag at 7:46 p.m. ET.

Numbers: Drivers poised to battle on the bubble at Atlanta

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Fantasy Preview: At Atlanta, trust the numbers to set a lineup

Last week, NASCAR fans saw a lot of fresh faces in the Nationwide and Truck series races. In part, that was because the cars ran on the road course in Montreal and the trucks were part of an ARCA doubleheader at Chicagoland.

Fantasy Preview: At Atlanta, trust the numbers to set a lineup

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Smith signs extension through ‘12 with Furniture Row

Furniture Row Racing on Thursday announced that Regan Smith has signed a contract extension through the 2012 season to drive the team’s No. 78 Chevrolet in the Sprint Cup Series.

Smith signs extension through ‘12 with Furniture Row

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Blaney to drive Front Row’s 38 at Atlanta

Dave Blaney will be in the driver’s seat next week at Atlanta Motor Speedway, taking the wheel of the No. 38 Ford for Front Row Motorsports. Blaney will practice and attempt to qualify the car for the Emory Healthcare 500, a race that the No. 38 team must make on speed.

Blaney to drive Front Row’s 38 at Atlanta

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Petty on A.J.’s season: ‘Not too good’

Car owner Richard Petty didn’t mince words Tuesday when he was asked to assess the 2010 season of driver A.J. Allmendinger.

Petty on A.J.’s season: ‘Not too good’

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AMS’ Labor Day race becomes four-day spectacle

NASCAR fans can attend four days of racing activities at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sept. 3-6 for $69, arguably making this the most-affordable race weekend on the NASCAR circuit.

AMS’ Labor Day race becomes four-day spectacle

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Reutimann guts it out for second-place finish

When this race weekend began, David Reutimann was flat on his back in bed, fighting some sort of horrible stomach issue.

Reutimann guts it out for second-place finish

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Busch grabs spot in record books with sweep

Check off a major accomplishment from Kyle Busch’s bucket list.

Busch grabs spot in record books with sweep

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Vickers has heart surgery, vows to return in ‘11

After having surgery to close a hole in his heart this summer, Brian Vickers fully expects to be back in a Sprint Cup car by the start of the 2011 season.

Vickers has heart surgery, vows to return in ‘11

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Notes: Red Bull undecided on team size for 2011 season

On the assumption Brian Vickers will return to the No. 83 Toyota next season, Red Bull faces a choice between adding a third team to accommodate the signing of Kasey Kahne for one year or replacing Scott Speed with Kahne and continuing to operate as a two-car team.

Notes: Red Bull undecided on team size for 2011 season

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Johnson earns first Bristol pole, bettering Edwards

Qualifying hasn’t been an issue for Jimmie Johnson lately.

Johnson earns first Bristol pole, bettering Edwards

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Champion with no victory? Possible, not probable

Heading into Saturday’s Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, half of the top 12 drivers currently occupying the Cup Series point standings have yet to win a race this season.

Champion with no victory? Possible, not probable

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Happy Hour: Gilliland puts 38 high on speed charts

David Gilliland paced Friday’s first Sprint Cup Series practice at Bristol Motor Speedway, which might have come as a bit of a surprise to the competition. But after he backed that up with another solid effort in Happy Hour for Saturday’s Irwin Tools Night Race, everybody was well aware of the No. 38 Ford.

Happy Hour: Gilliland puts 38 high on speed charts

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Cup Preview: Bristol comes at opportune time for Busch

If any Sprint Cup driver out there who is still within naked-eye viewing distance of the Chase cutoff point is wondering how far and how fast somebody can plummet in one race, he can just walk over to the No. 2 Penske hauler this weekend.

Cup Preview: Bristol comes at opportune time for Busch

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Weekend Preview: Bristol adds twist of excitement as Chase nears

Here’s a look at the top five drivers in the Sprint Cup Series standings and five drivers to watch in Saturday night’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway (7 p.m. ET on ABC). All statistical references are for Sprint Cup races at Bristol unless otherwise indicated. Driver Rating is based on the past 11 races at the track.

Weekend Preview: Bristol adds twist of excitement as Chase nears

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Close-quarters racing as Bristol closes in on 100

Race No. 24: Irwin Tools Night Race from Bristol Motor Speedway (7 p.m. ET Saturday on ABC). Green flag at 7:43 p.m. ET.

Close-quarters racing as Bristol closes in on 100

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Mears replaces Papis in the No. 13 Cup car

Casey Mears will take over the driving duties in the Germain Racing No. 13 Toyota for the remaining races this year in which the team has sponsorship from Geico, team officials announced Wednesday.

Mears replaces Papis in the No. 13 Cup car

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France: Chase not considered for Nationwide

NASCAR is considering changes to the Nationwide Series that could make full-time Sprint Cup drivers ineligible to win the series championship, but a Chase format for the Nationwide Series is not under consideration, said Brian France, chairman and CEO of the sanctioning body.

France: Chase not considered for Nationwide

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Fantasy Preview: Unpredictable has become the norm at Bristol

There are several races that capture the spirit of stock car racing.

Fantasy Preview: Unpredictable has become the norm at Bristol

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Texas Motor Speedway to play host to night race in 2011

You know what they say. Everything is bigger in Texas.

Texas Motor Speedway to play host to night race in 2011

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Ambrose calls move to RPM a ‘dream opportunity’

When Marcos Ambrose decided he would part ways with JTG/Daugherty Racing, the first telephone call he made was to Ford, the manufacturer that had launched his career in V8 Supercars in Australia. The second call he made was to Richard Petty Motorsports.

Ambrose calls move to RPM a ‘dream opportunity’

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Budweiser moving sponsorship to Harvick in 2011

Budweiser has teamed with Sprint Cup Series points leader Kevin Harvick as a primary sponsor for most of the 2011 season.

Budweiser moving sponsorship to Harvick in 2011

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Ambrose signs with Richard Petty Motorsports

In preparation for the 2011 season, Richard Petty Motorsports announced Tuesday that Marcos Ambrose has signed a multi-year agreement with the organization to drive the No. 9 Ford Fusion in the Sprint Cup Series. Long-time RPM sponsor Stanley Black & Decker will be the primary sponsor of the No. 9 team.

Ambrose signs with Richard Petty Motorsports

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