WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The old adage that you never know what you might see at "The Madhouse" now holds truer than ever. If ...

The exhibition race turned into a cold, caution-filled marathon that tested NASCAR, teams, and fans alike.

The economy, dissatisfaction with the country, helped Democrats win key seats. Tuesday night was a far cry from the shell-shocked scenes in Democrats' election headquarters a year ago this November.