By Keith Waltz Weather has long been an enemy of auto racing, but the impact of rain on major NASCAR events was significantly reduced in 2014 with the introduction of Air Titan 2.0, the second-generation of track-drying technology. Air Titan 2.0 uses compressed air to push water off of the racing surface. The self-contained unit is housed in the bed of a Toyota pickup truck and is more cost-effective and efficient than its predecessor. Overall, the Air Titan 2.0 emits 80 percent fewer emissions than traditional track-drying methods. Air Titan 2.0 more than tripled the blade capacity of the original version and…

By Ben White, NASCAR Pole Position Contributor When eventual three-time Cup series champion Darrell Waltrip first came to NASCAR’s premier circuit at Talladega on May 11, 1972, he wanted to use what he considered to be “his number.” The hurdles he encountered dictated a compromise. However, the double-digits he used are now closely associated with his impressive career. “I wanted the No. 48 because that’s what I raced in my Late Model Sportsman days back in Nashville,” Waltrip said. “I had No. 48 on all of my cars for quite a few years before coming to the Cup series. James Hylton had…

By Jared Turner, NASCAR Pole Position Contributor Kyle Larson has won the last two races at Michigan. It might not be a wise idea to bet against him. In three starts at Michigan, Chase Elliott has as many second-place finishes. To say Elliott is chomping at the bit to go to Victory Lane here would be an understatement. Martin Truex Jr. will unequivocally arrive at Michigan with both a fast Toyota Tundra and a load of confidence. Needing to go to Victory Lane in one of the next four races to punch his ticket into the playoffs, Joey Logano has a golden…

By Jared Turner, NASCAR Pole Position Contributor As the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to Michigan International Speedway for the second time in two months, storylines abound. Can Kyle Larson make it three wins in a row at the fast 2-mile track? Can Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer or Joey Logano — three drivers who need a win to make the playoffs — finally go to Victory Lane? Can Chase Elliott, a runner-up in each of the past three races at MIS, score a breakthrough first career triumph? Will Kyle Busch or Brad Keselowski seek retaliation after their run-in last Sunday…

By Jared Turner What does a driver have to do to keep a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series ride these days? That’s the question I was left pondering after Stewart-Haas Racing announced last week that it would not be picking up the option on Kurt Busch’s contract for the 2018 season. While it’s still possible that Busch could ultimately stay put at SHR — the team tweeted last week that it expected to retain Busch for another season — it’s bordering on insanity than I’m even having to spend good time opining on this topic. Remember what Busch did in February? He…