What To Watch For: Emory Health Care 500 In Atlanta

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is coming off of it’s last bye week of the year. In the off week however the NASCAR Nationwide Series kept us on the edge of our seats with a thrilling photo finish at Montreal. However this week is a totally different beast as NASCAR rolls into one of the fastest tracks on the circuit Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Emory Health Care 500.

Here are five things to keep an eye on this weekend.

NSCS: THAT. JUST. HAPPENED. – History Made at Bristol

Whether you are a Kyle Busch fan, or not, the fans witnessed a historic event when Busch became the first driver in NASCAR history to win all three national series races in the same week. Busch won the truck race on Wednesday, out dueled Brad Keselowski to win the Nationwide race on Saturday and completed the sweep by taking his No. 18 Doublemint gum Toyota Camry to victory lane on Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway.

NSCS: Johnson looks to repeat at Bristol

Jimmie Johnson earned the pole at Bristol with a stout qualifying lap time of 15.540 seconds at 123.475 mph. Johnson took the low line and made it stick for his first career pole at Bristol.

NSCS: First practice at Bristol

he IRWIN Tools Night Race first practice is complete at Bristol Motor Speedway with some definite surprises. David Gilliland shocked the field laying down the fastest lap early in practice and hold that top spot throughout the two hour practice session. Gilliland was a full second faster than the second spot with a speed of 120.543 mph.

NSCS: Harvick Captures Chase Spot with Win at Michigan

Continuing the Richard Childress Racing domination of the weekend, Kevin Harvick won the late-race battle with Denny Hamlin and took his No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil machine to Victory Lane, becoming the only driver to earn a spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup at the CARFAX 400 at Michigan International Speedway Sunday.

NSCS: Hendrick Breaks Into CARFAX 400 Final Cup Practice Top 10

For the most part, Richard Childress and Roush Fenway Racing have dominated all practices for this weekend’s CARFAX 400.

Until the final practice.

NSCS: Three Teams Dominate First NSCS Practice at Michigan

In the humidity and heat of Michigan International Speedway, three teams dominated the first practice – Roush Fenway Racing, Richard Childress Racing and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing took seven of the top ten spots. They were: Jeff Burton (1), Juan Pablo Montoya (2), Kevin Harvick (3), Carl Edwards (4), Greg Biffle (5), Jamie McMurray (7), and David Ragan (10).

NSCS: What To Watch For At Watkins Glen

This week the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will twist and turn, right as well as left on the road course in Watkins Glen, New York. This track is a very high speed road course, and as a result things can change very quickly.

NSCS: What To Watch For At Pocono

This week the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads back to Pocono Raceway for the second time this season. Even if the track isn’t known for overly exciting racing recently, there are more than enough storylines to keep you intrigued this weekend.

Hammer Down: Episode 9 – Schedule Changes, Fines, And Ambrose

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Episode 9 of our “Hammer Down” podcast is now available. This week RubbingsRacing.com senior writer Toby Christie is joined by Buddy Christie. The two go “Hammer Down” on five of the hottest topics in NASCAR over the past week.