Angie’s Spin Zone

DARLINGTON, S.C. -- “But my heart wants me to continue,” Earnhardt emphasized, “and wants me to continue to be working with the guys I’ve got. I’m only 41. I think I have some good years left. I’m as good as I have ever been inside the car. My ability to communicate and drive the car and get everything out of it, I feel very confident.

DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Darlington paid tribute to the Timmonsville, South Carolina native, Cale Yarborough, Saturday morning in a special ceremony at the track. In his honor, the Darlington Raceway Sprint Cup Garage was renamed the Cale Yarborough Garage.

Alon Day will make history Saturday in his XFINITY Series debut at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, becoming the first driver from Israel to make a start in a national series event. The 24-year-old, a 2016 NASCAR Next member, will drive the No. 40 Dodge for MBM Motorsports and is also scheduled to compete at Road America on August 27.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has missed the last three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races after suffering concussion-like symptoms. Monday he participated in The Dale Jr. Download podcast to discuss his treatment progress, future racing plans and the decision to make his health a priority.

Ryan Preece is the consummate racer. It’s not only his career choice, it’s the driving force that fuels his passion for winning. The NASCAR Next alum began racing full-time in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in 2007. The following year, he became the youngest driver in the series history to capture a pole. Preece won the championship in 2013 and claimed another first as the youngest champion in the NWMT history.

During his career, Mark Martin exemplified the best of NASCAR. He was a rare combination of an intense competitive spirit tempered with a moral code that garnered respect both on and off the track. When he retired in 2013, the sport lost one of its most esteemed ambassadors.

“I think with my experience in the Cup Series for the last two years, these nine races, I have to go win some. I have to prove that I should be here and I think winning means that.”

Jeremy Clements survived a tumultuous finish at Talladega Superspeedway to snare a career-best finish of fourth place in the Sparks Energy 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series race.

Though NASCAR has a reputation to protect, matters of safety should always be addressed openly and not relegated to the shadows. More importantly, when several veterans of the sport are concerned enough to speak out, NASCAR would be well advised to listen rather than worrying about public perception.

We’ve all heard the adage, it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game. For racers, nothing could be further from the truth. Winning is everything.