Ron Thornton

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A former radio and television broadcaster, newspaper columnist, Little League baseball coach, Ron Thornton has been following NASCAR on this site since 2004. While his focus may have changed over recent years, he continues to make periodic appearances only when he has something to say. That makes him a rather unique journalist.

The Final Word – Here is hoping Chicago can top Richmond’s WatchingPaintDry 400

You know you have a problem when the most exciting action at the track was the shirtless guy parked upon the top of the fence on turn four. Richmond was to excitement what Rusty Wallace is to broadcasting. In fact, I think I broke my fast forward button.

Hot 20 – Long Term Product Branding Works on the Range, but Holds Little Appeal for NASCAR

I had hoped to announce the NASCAR Ron Thornton series, but I came up about $200 million short. Instead, the former Busch series and soon to be former Nationwide series shall be the NASCAR Xfinity Series for the next 10 years. Oh, so close.

The Final Word – A Kahne-Do Spirit Trumps a Fast Car, a Fast Pit Crew, and Two Brats at Atlanta

Atlanta was a race we thought would be decided by a driver who had a great car, one who had a great pit crew, or one who was simply too desperate for victory to be denied. In the end, it was decided by two guys who turned their high-powered machines into bumper cars to force a green-white-checker...or two.

Hot 20 – Atlanta’s Final Fall Race as it Springs to the Spring…er…Winter…in 2015

In 2015, the Atlanta 500 makes its return. Well, sort of. That was the name of the early season race in Atlanta before they pimped out the brand to the sponsors. In 2010, they lost that date, while what once was the season finale in Cup got moved to where we find it today.

The Final Word – It was just another whiny ass Saturday night at Bristol

We learned a lot at Bristol on Saturday night. We learned that there might be some bashed fenders. Okay, we already knew that. Kyle Busch learned it as well as anyone else.

Hot 20 – How bad did you have it, and wouldn’t NASCAR fans love to have it again?

Where is the passion? That is one area I have heard presented as to why NASCAR is not as red hot as it once was. There was a time a few members of my family would gather for some of the big races, or any race, to cheer and sneer at our favorites.

The Final Word – All the World’s a Stage, as we Close the Curtain on Michigan

A curmudgeon. An old fart who sits in the wings like a Muppet and mocks those upon the stage. In this case, for me that includes the three in the booth and the three on the desk offered up by ESPN. I am sure even a certain green talking frog would not have been safe from my sarcasm.

Hot 20 – After the Week We’ve Had, We Could Use a Little Good News From Michigan

The news of late has been enough to make a clown cry. In fact, we just lost one of our most treasured entertainers, by his own hand. We have the tragedy involving Kevin Ward Jr. and Tony Stewart still on our minds. We have Martin Truex Jr.’s girlfriend facing health challenges.

The Lynching of Tony Stewart

The references to the “hot head” Tony Stewart really burn me, as though his past demonstrations of temperament have any more to do with the events of last weekend than whether or not he takes a morning tinkle upon awakening or if his facial stubble is the result of a poor razor.

The Final Word – Tragedy in New York

Watkins Glen might have hosted the action on Sunday, but it was Saturday night at the Canandaigua Motorsports Park a hundred miles away that drew our attention.

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Toyota claims fourth Cup Series Manufacturers’ Championship

For the fourth time in its history, Toyota has won the NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturers’ Championship on the strength of 18 wins so far this season.

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Cody Ware (Started 37th, Finished 35th / Accident, completed 220 of 312 laps)

Tyler Reddick utilizes pit strategy for resurgent Cup victory at Phoenix

The 2026 Daytona 500 champion from Corning, California, utilized a two-tire pit stop to drive from fifth to first in two laps during a 19-lap shootout and be within 56 points shy of the points lead with his sixth Cup victory of 2026 in the desert state.

Tyler Reddick returns to Victory Lane in Chase-changing race at Phoenix

After a phenomenal start to the 2026 season, followed by an agonizing dry spell, Tyler Reddick returned to Victory Lane on Sunday—and simultaneously did NASCAR Cup Series leader Kyle Larson a significant favor.

TOYOTA RACING – NCS Phoenix Post-Race Report – 10.18.26

Tyler Reddick used a key two-tire stop by crew chief Billy Scott late in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway and held off several other front-runners to earn his series-leading sixth win of the season.
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