SM Staff

It's time to cycle through the transmission for another edition of Four Gears. This week, our resident NASCAR analysts rate the three races that used the lower downforce package and give their takeaways from it. We also consider what three first-time winners this past weekend says about the level of talent with the young guns in the Truck, XFINITY and Cup Series as well as rate the quality of racing in the XFINITY Series over the last five races given the mix of tracks in those five races

One of the most appealing things about NASCAR is that it seems to produce memorable moments every weekend and 2016 is no exception. Whether it be close finishes, lug-nut controversies, or rookies taking poles, the first half of this year has not failed in producing much excitement.

2016 marks the second season of the great southern tradition’s return to Labor Day weekend. It also marks the second season of teams running “throwback” paint schemes to some of the sport’s most iconic cars throughout the years.

Michael McDowell drove to his first NASCAR national touring series victory in Saturday's NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Road America.

This week, our NASCAR experts answer if VHT should be used at other tracks, whether Jeff Gordon will be in the car again this season* if Kevin Harvick is back in championship form after his win at Bristol and if we'll see another surprise winner with three races remaining before the Chase.

If you are a fan of auto racing, you might be wondering whether or not racing would be a sport that fits in at the Olympics. After all, if equestrian dressage is classed as an Olympic sport, there’s no reason why racing couldn’t be, either.

This week, our NASCAR experts talk whether Mid-Ohio bettered the case for more road courses in NASCAR and whether Justin Mark's win was more on him and Ganassi or a stroke of luck. We also discussed possible themes that other tracks can do with Darlington's throwback weekend as a model and rated the first year of the race to the XFINITY Chase.

It's taken me about a week to get my thoughts together. I have read the thoughts of many about the loss of Bryan Clauson and the racing community continues to show how they come together in times of tragedy.

Justin Marks conquered the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Saturday, driving the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet to a rain-soaked Victory Lane. The newest track on the XFINITY Series schedule, Mid-Ohio has only hosted four races in the last four seasons but Saturday's race showed that the 2.258-mile road course may be the hardest track on the schedule.

Time to cycle through the transmission for this week's edition of Four Gears. This week, our staff takes a look at some of the hot topics in the world of NASCAR.