THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
April 27th, 2011
Volume V, Edition LXXIV
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
April 27th, 2011
Volume V, Edition LXXIV
~~~~~~~~~~
For Dale Earnhardt Day Info (This Friday), check out Mike Neff's Full Throttle Column below.
For Dale Earnhardt Day Info (This Friday), check out Mike Neff's Full Throttle Column below.
Top News
by Tom Bowles
A.J. Allmendinger Snags New Sponsor For Richmond
A.J. Allmendinger's strong start to 2011 is also being backed up in the boardroom. His team, Richard Petty Motorsports, snagged a new sponsor for the No. 43 car this week, with Nautica apparel coming on board as a primary backer in a one-race deal for Richmond. The clothing company, established in 1983, is making their first sponsorship foray into the Sprint Cup Series.
"We feel good that an organization as well known as Nautica has decided to showcase its brand on the No. 43 Ford," said team owner Richard Petty about their debut on the hood. "We welcome them to the RPM family and look forward to showing them everything the sport has to offer this weekend in Richmond. The No. 43 team has shown great promise this season, and A.J. is a force to be reckoned with every week. We're excited to have Nautica here this weekend and we think NASCAR's legions of fans will be enthusiastic as well."
So far this season, Allmendinger ranks 15th in points on the strength of one top-10 finish, 10 laps led and an average start of 15.2. Still searching for his first victory of his NASCAR career, the 29-year-old has had a history of recent success at Richmond: he was 17th and eighth in both races last year.
Means Motorsports Taps LePage To Drive: Rensi Motorsports Shut Down?
Means Motorsports announced Tuesday veteran Kevin LePage has been hired to man their No. 52 Nationwide car for the next four events, beginning at Richmond this weekend. LePage, 48, is a veteran of all NASCAR's top three divisions, driving most recently for Rensi Motorsports in Nationwide before making this switch in a one-race deal he hopes to turn into more. TRX Alliance will back the team this weekend as a primary sponsor, while Hyatt Place Richmond has signed on as a co-associate.
LePage's former team, Rensi Motorsports appears to have shut down their Nationwide operation, at least temporarily after failing to enter the last two events on the schedule. Completing just one event with their two-car team this season – a 28th-place finish at Fontana with LePage at the controls – they had been starting-and-parking both the No. 24 car and the No. 25, driven by Kelly Bires, while hoping for sponsorship to come through. Bires has also moved on, at least for the coming weekend as he's moved into the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 due to a one-race sponsorship deal with Heil Heating and Cooling Products.
No comment was available at press time but as of Tuesday night, the team website lists simply an email contact address and no additional information on the program. The Rensis, Nationwide owners since 1999 have a total of 404 starts, five wins, and 82 top-10 finishes during their time in the series.
Nationwide Series Ratings Set Record For Nashville
With only 18,000 fans in the stands, Nashville Superspeedway struggled to gain traction within its own community. But across the nation? Fans were paying attention in record numbers. The race scored a 1.5 in the Nielsens, a number that makes it the highest recorded viewership the Speedway has seen for the Spring race since ESPN began televising the event in 2007. It was a 36 percent increase over last year's 1.1, an impressive viewership number that's in line with an overall bump for NASCAR's second-tier division this season. Through eight races, ESPN is averaging a 1.6 rating for the series – a 14.3 percent increase over last year's 1.4 for the same span of races.
News Bits
- As previously reported, Clint Bowyer confirmed he needs sponsorship to fill several races later this year for primary sponsorship. Bowyer has also not been re-signed yet by Richard Childress Racing; his contract is up at the end of 2011.
- Scott Speed has added the May 22nd race at Iowa to his schedule with Kevin Harvick, Inc. He'll also drive in the second Iowa race August 6th for the No. 33 team, rounding out his schedule with the August 20th road course event at Montreal.
- Speaking of Iowa, John Deere will be the primary sponsor for the Iowa race on May 22nd. And on the Sprint Cup side of things, Fed Ex has agreed to partner with Autism Speaks and be the primary sponsor for Dover's 400-miler May 15th.
Editor's Note: Check out our first ever Frontstretch Podcast this Friday! Doug Turnbull and our small group of racing experts will get you prepped for the Richmond weekend with exclusive driver audio, debates on the latest NASCAR issues and so much more. Check out the main page to listen, only on Frontstretch.com.
by Tom Bowles
A.J. Allmendinger Snags New Sponsor For Richmond
A.J. Allmendinger's strong start to 2011 is also being backed up in the boardroom. His team, Richard Petty Motorsports, snagged a new sponsor for the No. 43 car this week, with Nautica apparel coming on board as a primary backer in a one-race deal for Richmond. The clothing company, established in 1983, is making their first sponsorship foray into the Sprint Cup Series.
"We feel good that an organization as well known as Nautica has decided to showcase its brand on the No. 43 Ford," said team owner Richard Petty about their debut on the hood. "We welcome them to the RPM family and look forward to showing them everything the sport has to offer this weekend in Richmond. The No. 43 team has shown great promise this season, and A.J. is a force to be reckoned with every week. We're excited to have Nautica here this weekend and we think NASCAR's legions of fans will be enthusiastic as well."
So far this season, Allmendinger ranks 15th in points on the strength of one top-10 finish, 10 laps led and an average start of 15.2. Still searching for his first victory of his NASCAR career, the 29-year-old has had a history of recent success at Richmond: he was 17th and eighth in both races last year.
Means Motorsports Taps LePage To Drive: Rensi Motorsports Shut Down?
Means Motorsports announced Tuesday veteran Kevin LePage has been hired to man their No. 52 Nationwide car for the next four events, beginning at Richmond this weekend. LePage, 48, is a veteran of all NASCAR's top three divisions, driving most recently for Rensi Motorsports in Nationwide before making this switch in a one-race deal he hopes to turn into more. TRX Alliance will back the team this weekend as a primary sponsor, while Hyatt Place Richmond has signed on as a co-associate.
LePage's former team, Rensi Motorsports appears to have shut down their Nationwide operation, at least temporarily after failing to enter the last two events on the schedule. Completing just one event with their two-car team this season – a 28th-place finish at Fontana with LePage at the controls – they had been starting-and-parking both the No. 24 car and the No. 25, driven by Kelly Bires, while hoping for sponsorship to come through. Bires has also moved on, at least for the coming weekend as he's moved into the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 due to a one-race sponsorship deal with Heil Heating and Cooling Products.
No comment was available at press time but as of Tuesday night, the team website lists simply an email contact address and no additional information on the program. The Rensis, Nationwide owners since 1999 have a total of 404 starts, five wins, and 82 top-10 finishes during their time in the series.
Nationwide Series Ratings Set Record For Nashville
With only 18,000 fans in the stands, Nashville Superspeedway struggled to gain traction within its own community. But across the nation? Fans were paying attention in record numbers. The race scored a 1.5 in the Nielsens, a number that makes it the highest recorded viewership the Speedway has seen for the Spring race since ESPN began televising the event in 2007. It was a 36 percent increase over last year's 1.1, an impressive viewership number that's in line with an overall bump for NASCAR's second-tier division this season. Through eight races, ESPN is averaging a 1.6 rating for the series – a 14.3 percent increase over last year's 1.4 for the same span of races.
News Bits
- As previously reported, Clint Bowyer confirmed he needs sponsorship to fill several races later this year for primary sponsorship. Bowyer has also not been re-signed yet by Richard Childress Racing; his contract is up at the end of 2011.
- Scott Speed has added the May 22nd race at Iowa to his schedule with Kevin Harvick, Inc. He'll also drive in the second Iowa race August 6th for the No. 33 team, rounding out his schedule with the August 20th road course event at Montreal.
- Speaking of Iowa, John Deere will be the primary sponsor for the Iowa race on May 22nd. And on the Sprint Cup side of things, Fed Ex has agreed to partner with Autism Speaks and be the primary sponsor for Dover's 400-miler May 15th.
Editor's Note: Check out our first ever Frontstretch Podcast this Friday! Doug Turnbull and our small group of racing experts will get you prepped for the Richmond weekend with exclusive driver audio, debates on the latest NASCAR issues and so much more. Check out the main page to listen, only on Frontstretch.com.
Have news for Tom and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at ashland10@mail.com with a promising lead or tip.
~~~~~~~~~~
Got NASCAR-related questions or comments?
Send them John Potts' way at john.potts@frontstretch.com; and if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print when he does his weekly column answering back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat. Potts' Shots will run on Thursdays with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!
~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Featured Commentary
Dale Earnhardt Day's Tenth Anniversary
Full Throttle
by Mike Neff
February 18th this year marked the tenth anniversary of the passing of Dale Earnhardt. This Friday will also be the tenth anniversary of Dale Earnhardt Day, a celebration of the birthday and the life of the racing legend that also serves as one of the biggest fundraising days out of the entire year for his foundation.
After that fateful tragedy ten years ago, fans of Earnhardt flocked to the headquarters of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. in Mooresville, NC to leave mementos or simply surround themselves with other people who were feeling similar emotions and not sure how to deal with them. The employees at the facility would clean up items left behind every night and move them inside the building, but every item that was left outside the front gate was saved. As the memorial began to shrink, discussions began about the first Dale Earnhardt Day as a way to keep the driver's memory alive. The folks at DEI decided to have a celebration of the Intimidator's life on his birthday: April 29th.
The event included displays of race cars, both current and former, greater access to the DEI building than was normally available and even used race tires being distributed to fans who were interested in taking one home. The drivers for DEI were not present because that first day took place on the same day as the tenth race of the 2001 season in California. That meant the fans in attendance were able to watch the race on a large TV screen that was set up; unfortunately, they did not see a storybook ending.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. had the best finish of the day, coming home in third place. Steve Park, DEI's very first Cup driver, crossed the line in 15th while Michael Waltrip crashed out of the race on lap 152 and finished last. Earnhardt's former employer didn't do so well, either. Jeff Green was the top finisher for Richard Childress Racing that day, bringing his AOL car home in 21st. Kevin Harvick, who had replaced Earnhardt after his untimely death was 25th while Mike Skinner brought the Lowe's Chevy home in 32nd.
Ten years later, things at DEI are a little bit different than they were in 2001. The company's Cup operations have been merged with Ginn Motorsports and ultimately Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. However, the passion of the fans has not died and the ultimate goal of the day has not changed. The festivities celebrate the life of Dale Earnhardt and the activities help raise money for the Dale Earnhardt Foundation, a charity designed to honor the driver's lifelong dedication to children and their needs. Included in the day will be the traditional cupcakes that celebrate what would have been Earnhardt's 60th birthday. Fans will be able to see video footage of the Dale Earnhardt Tribute Concert that took place in 2003 and they'll also have the opportunity to purchase specially commissioned guitars celebrating the tribute concert. The guitars will only be available on Friday and can be purchased for $300.
Fans will also be treated to the unveiling of the second generation Intimidator Camaro. The first version was shown to the fans 10 years ago and the new car will be a much more "refined" specimen. The engine is purported to put out 740 horsepower, a car Dale would be proud of and one that will be auctioned off to raise money for the foundation - with tickets available for a $100 donation. The sale of tickets will begin on Friday after the car is unveiled.
The day will also serve as a collection effort for books to be donated to the Dale Earnhardt Book Center at the Salvation Army Center of Hope. The Center is the largest women's and children's homeless shelter in the Southeast. Books donated to the center are given to women and children living at the shelter in the name of fans and corporate sponsors.
Ten years ago, fans came together to share their feelings about their hero that they lost some two and a half months earlier. It was an event that offered the chance for healing, closure and just comfort for people who had at least one thing in common: their love for the driver of the No. 3. Today, the building may not house Cup Series race cars but it is still the dream of Dale Earnhardt and becomes the gathering point every year for his fans to share the birthday of the "Man in Black."
Dale Earnhardt Day, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Address (For 4/29): 1675 Dale Earnhardt Hwy #3, Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
Mike Neff is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at mike.neff@frontstretch.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
Hey, Frontstretch Readers!
We know you love the roar of raw horsepower under the hood that powers 43 of the best drivers in the world every weekend, but did you ever wonder how the sponsor on top of that hood also contributes to keeping the sport moving? What about the contributions of official NASCAR companies? If you think they are simply writing checks, think again. Check out our newest feature - Sunday Money. This weekly Frontstretch exclusive provides you with a behind the scenes look at how NASCAR, its affiliates and team sponsors approach the daunting task of keeping fans interested and excited about the sport for 38 weeks of the year.
~~~~~~~~~~
Tweet 'N' Greet
by Jay Pennell
Editor's Note: With the NASCAR Twitter community expanding by leaps and bounds, it remains a place for instantaneous news, reactions, and a whole lot of inside jokes. We understand if you don't want to join the Twitter community - but as a fan, it's important to know the news and info you're missing out on! That's why, every week, Jay Pennell will sort through the thousands of messages and give us a little taste of what's going on each Wednesday.
So, without further ado, here's a look at what those in NASCAR were thinking over the past seven days...
@mforde (Mike Forde): My mouth is still agape. Nothing offends me. Except this. RT @jeff_gluck: Whoever made the @AdamPetty45 account needs to be banned from Twitter.
@TheDalyPlanet (John Daly): Thanks to Twitter for removing the @flamingtable account and banning the user. #appreciatethat @KylePetty @JennaFryer @Jeff_Gluck
@dennyhamlin: Excited about this week's events.. going home, and putting on a great race Thursday night.
@dennyhamlin: Who plans on coming out to RIR on Thursday to support?? Last year we were able to help build a new wing on a children's hospital with the $.
@Kenny_Wallace: Hello @dennyhamlin Hey Denny!..I am gonna be a pit reporter for your charity race this Thursday night at Richmond...Awesome :)
@dennyhamlin: @Kenny_Wallace So are you going to let the other guys talk too? Lol
@Kenny_Wallace: Hello @dennyhamlin. Hell NO!..I will be the Only talker :) ha ha ha!..You're doing nice things for your Charity!..Good Job!
@kaseykahne: I'm just taking it easy this weekend. I had knee surgery again Monday. Re tore my meniscus. wish i was racing sprint cars this weekend.
@kaseykahne: It actually just about feels better now than it has the last month so yeah I will def be driving Richmond.
@JennaFryer: For the last time, I NEVER said @kaseykahne couldn't announce anything he wanted, at any time he wanted, on Twitter (cont)
@JennaFryer: I was dismayed that nothing official went in tandem with his tweet. BTW, that's pretty standard in EVERY other professional sports league.
@JennaFryer: But, silly, silly, silly me for wanting INFORMATION to pass on to readers. I'll try not to do it again.
@Kenny_Wallace: Nascar just told me that in 4 races I will make my 500th Nationwide start in IOWA..that's a BIG DEAL..
@JimmieJohnson: Last night of vacation and I'm convinced my liver hates me...
@16_spotter (Joel Edmonds): Smokey Yunick's "Best Damn Garage in Town" is destroyed by fire in Daytona Beach FL.
@Amanda_Speed: Yah!!!!!!!!!!!! Its a girl!!!!!!!!!! Wish I could've recorded @scottspeed's reaction. LOL
@BradPaisley: I know I've been watching too much @NASCAR when I'm stuck behind a Prius & it's ALL I CAN DO not to bump them off the track...I mean road.
@Critic84 (Phil Allaway, Frontstretch.com): ESPN (along with FOX, SPEED and TNT, for that matter) should get those loop maps and work it into their broadcasts every week.
@MonsterMile: Ron Hornaday, Ryan Truex and Max Papis to sign FREE autographs at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, 2p to 2:45p on Wed, April 27th. Be there!
Jay Pennell is an Assistant Editor to Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at jaywpennell@yahoo.com, and you can also check out his work at allleftturns.com or jaywpennell.blogspot.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Did You Notice? ... Who's The Short Track King, Quick Hits, And Sliced Dreams
by Tom Bowles
Up In Smoke: Yunick's Hall Of Fame Legacy Burns In Daytona Beach
by Vito Pugliese
Mirror Driving: Carl's Contract, All-Star Racers and a Solution to Nationwide Interlopers?
by the Frontstretch Staff
Denny Hamlin's Curse And Why Richmond Should Help
by Summer Dreyer
Top 15 NASCAR Power Rankings: Up-And-Coming Drivers
compiled by Mike Neff
Top 10 Excuses For Spinning Someone Out On A Short Track
by the Frontstretch Staff
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
~~~~~~~~~~
Got NASCAR-related questions or comments?
Send them John Potts' way at john.potts@frontstretch.com; and if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print when he does his weekly column answering back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat. Potts' Shots will run on Thursdays with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!
~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Featured Commentary
Dale Earnhardt Day's Tenth Anniversary
Full Throttle
by Mike Neff
February 18th this year marked the tenth anniversary of the passing of Dale Earnhardt. This Friday will also be the tenth anniversary of Dale Earnhardt Day, a celebration of the birthday and the life of the racing legend that also serves as one of the biggest fundraising days out of the entire year for his foundation.
After that fateful tragedy ten years ago, fans of Earnhardt flocked to the headquarters of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. in Mooresville, NC to leave mementos or simply surround themselves with other people who were feeling similar emotions and not sure how to deal with them. The employees at the facility would clean up items left behind every night and move them inside the building, but every item that was left outside the front gate was saved. As the memorial began to shrink, discussions began about the first Dale Earnhardt Day as a way to keep the driver's memory alive. The folks at DEI decided to have a celebration of the Intimidator's life on his birthday: April 29th.
The event included displays of race cars, both current and former, greater access to the DEI building than was normally available and even used race tires being distributed to fans who were interested in taking one home. The drivers for DEI were not present because that first day took place on the same day as the tenth race of the 2001 season in California. That meant the fans in attendance were able to watch the race on a large TV screen that was set up; unfortunately, they did not see a storybook ending.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. had the best finish of the day, coming home in third place. Steve Park, DEI's very first Cup driver, crossed the line in 15th while Michael Waltrip crashed out of the race on lap 152 and finished last. Earnhardt's former employer didn't do so well, either. Jeff Green was the top finisher for Richard Childress Racing that day, bringing his AOL car home in 21st. Kevin Harvick, who had replaced Earnhardt after his untimely death was 25th while Mike Skinner brought the Lowe's Chevy home in 32nd.
Ten years later, things at DEI are a little bit different than they were in 2001. The company's Cup operations have been merged with Ginn Motorsports and ultimately Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. However, the passion of the fans has not died and the ultimate goal of the day has not changed. The festivities celebrate the life of Dale Earnhardt and the activities help raise money for the Dale Earnhardt Foundation, a charity designed to honor the driver's lifelong dedication to children and their needs. Included in the day will be the traditional cupcakes that celebrate what would have been Earnhardt's 60th birthday. Fans will be able to see video footage of the Dale Earnhardt Tribute Concert that took place in 2003 and they'll also have the opportunity to purchase specially commissioned guitars celebrating the tribute concert. The guitars will only be available on Friday and can be purchased for $300.
Fans will also be treated to the unveiling of the second generation Intimidator Camaro. The first version was shown to the fans 10 years ago and the new car will be a much more "refined" specimen. The engine is purported to put out 740 horsepower, a car Dale would be proud of and one that will be auctioned off to raise money for the foundation - with tickets available for a $100 donation. The sale of tickets will begin on Friday after the car is unveiled.
The day will also serve as a collection effort for books to be donated to the Dale Earnhardt Book Center at the Salvation Army Center of Hope. The Center is the largest women's and children's homeless shelter in the Southeast. Books donated to the center are given to women and children living at the shelter in the name of fans and corporate sponsors.
Ten years ago, fans came together to share their feelings about their hero that they lost some two and a half months earlier. It was an event that offered the chance for healing, closure and just comfort for people who had at least one thing in common: their love for the driver of the No. 3. Today, the building may not house Cup Series race cars but it is still the dream of Dale Earnhardt and becomes the gathering point every year for his fans to share the birthday of the "Man in Black."
Dale Earnhardt Day, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Address (For 4/29): 1675 Dale Earnhardt Hwy #3, Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
Mike Neff is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at mike.neff@frontstretch.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
Hey, Frontstretch Readers!
We know you love the roar of raw horsepower under the hood that powers 43 of the best drivers in the world every weekend, but did you ever wonder how the sponsor on top of that hood also contributes to keeping the sport moving? What about the contributions of official NASCAR companies? If you think they are simply writing checks, think again. Check out our newest feature - Sunday Money. This weekly Frontstretch exclusive provides you with a behind the scenes look at how NASCAR, its affiliates and team sponsors approach the daunting task of keeping fans interested and excited about the sport for 38 weeks of the year.
~~~~~~~~~~
Tweet 'N' Greet
by Jay Pennell
Editor's Note: With the NASCAR Twitter community expanding by leaps and bounds, it remains a place for instantaneous news, reactions, and a whole lot of inside jokes. We understand if you don't want to join the Twitter community - but as a fan, it's important to know the news and info you're missing out on! That's why, every week, Jay Pennell will sort through the thousands of messages and give us a little taste of what's going on each Wednesday.
So, without further ado, here's a look at what those in NASCAR were thinking over the past seven days...
@mforde (Mike Forde): My mouth is still agape. Nothing offends me. Except this. RT @jeff_gluck: Whoever made the @AdamPetty45 account needs to be banned from Twitter.
@TheDalyPlanet (John Daly): Thanks to Twitter for removing the @flamingtable account and banning the user. #appreciatethat @KylePetty @JennaFryer @Jeff_Gluck
@dennyhamlin: Excited about this week's events.. going home, and putting on a great race Thursday night.
@dennyhamlin: Who plans on coming out to RIR on Thursday to support?? Last year we were able to help build a new wing on a children's hospital with the $.
@Kenny_Wallace: Hello @dennyhamlin Hey Denny!..I am gonna be a pit reporter for your charity race this Thursday night at Richmond...Awesome :)
@dennyhamlin: @Kenny_Wallace So are you going to let the other guys talk too? Lol
@Kenny_Wallace: Hello @dennyhamlin. Hell NO!..I will be the Only talker :) ha ha ha!..You're doing nice things for your Charity!..Good Job!
@kaseykahne: I'm just taking it easy this weekend. I had knee surgery again Monday. Re tore my meniscus. wish i was racing sprint cars this weekend.
@kaseykahne: It actually just about feels better now than it has the last month so yeah I will def be driving Richmond.
@JennaFryer: For the last time, I NEVER said @kaseykahne couldn't announce anything he wanted, at any time he wanted, on Twitter (cont)
@JennaFryer: I was dismayed that nothing official went in tandem with his tweet. BTW, that's pretty standard in EVERY other professional sports league.
@JennaFryer: But, silly, silly, silly me for wanting INFORMATION to pass on to readers. I'll try not to do it again.
@Kenny_Wallace: Nascar just told me that in 4 races I will make my 500th Nationwide start in IOWA..that's a BIG DEAL..
@JimmieJohnson: Last night of vacation and I'm convinced my liver hates me...
@16_spotter (Joel Edmonds): Smokey Yunick's "Best Damn Garage in Town" is destroyed by fire in Daytona Beach FL.
@Amanda_Speed: Yah!!!!!!!!!!!! Its a girl!!!!!!!!!! Wish I could've recorded @scottspeed's reaction. LOL
@BradPaisley: I know I've been watching too much @NASCAR when I'm stuck behind a Prius & it's ALL I CAN DO not to bump them off the track...I mean road.
@Critic84 (Phil Allaway, Frontstretch.com): ESPN (along with FOX, SPEED and TNT, for that matter) should get those loop maps and work it into their broadcasts every week.
@MonsterMile: Ron Hornaday, Ryan Truex and Max Papis to sign FREE autographs at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, 2p to 2:45p on Wed, April 27th. Be there!
Jay Pennell is an Assistant Editor to Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at jaywpennell@yahoo.com, and you can also check out his work at allleftturns.com or jaywpennell.blogspot.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Did You Notice? ... Who's The Short Track King, Quick Hits, And Sliced Dreams
by Tom Bowles
Up In Smoke: Yunick's Hall Of Fame Legacy Burns In Daytona Beach
by Vito Pugliese
Mirror Driving: Carl's Contract, All-Star Racers and a Solution to Nationwide Interlopers?
by the Frontstretch Staff
Denny Hamlin's Curse And Why Richmond Should Help
by Summer Dreyer
Top 15 NASCAR Power Rankings: Up-And-Coming Drivers
compiled by Mike Neff
Top 10 Excuses For Spinning Someone Out On A Short Track
by the Frontstretch Staff
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was quoted a couple of years as saying that Richmond International Raceway needs to have sealer on it so that there can be better side-by-side racing. Was that the real reason for sealer being laid down on the track beginning in 1998? Or, was there another reason?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: The 1991 Miller Genuine Draft 400 at Richmond International Raceway was won by Harry Gant. It was the second race in the streak of four consecutive wins that earned Gant the nickname "Mr. September." However, the race marked a first for RIR. What was this first?
A: That race happened to be the first night race at Richmond International Raceway. The whole time that Richmond was a half-mile track, races were held in the daytime. That continued after the conversion into a three-quarter mile oval in 1988, as those early September races were Sunday afternoon events. For fans like your trivia writer, these were unseen races due to an inexplicable decision by Cablevision not to carry TBS at the time. For 1991, lights were installed at Richmond and the September race was moved to the nighttime to avoid the muggy and hot weather that Virginia typically experiences that time of year.
Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee: If we mess up, you get the shirt off our backs! If we've provided an incorrect answer to the Frontstretch Trivia question, be the first to email the corrected trivia answer to trivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!
~~~~~~~~~~
Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Phil Allaway
-- Shakedown Session by Brody Jones
-- What's Vexing Vito by Vito Pugliese
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
MPM2Nite / Happy Hour by Kurt Smith
Matt is off this week, leaving the return of one of your favorite columnists back into the fold for a 2011 update.
Voices From the Heartland by Jeff Meyer
Your favorite midwestern writer is back for another season of making you want to laugh, cry and even pull your hair out. This week, Jeff takes on the NASCAR Fan Council.
Potts' Shots by John Potts
Fanning the Flames has become Potts' Shots, and John Potts is here to answer your questions in our weekly Fan Q & A. Do you have something you'd like to ask John? Don't sit on the sidelines! Send it to john.potts@frontstretch.com, and you just may see your question in print next week!
Fantasy Insider by Brett Poirier
Did your fantasy racing team take a hit at Talladega? Well, Brett has just what you need to know to turn things around when choosing your teams for Richmond Saturday night.
5th Column TBA - A Special Frontstretch Debut
Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee: If we mess up, you get the shirt off our backs! If we've provided an incorrect answer to the Frontstretch Trivia question, be the first to email the corrected trivia answer to trivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!
~~~~~~~~~~
Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Phil Allaway
-- Shakedown Session by Brody Jones
-- What's Vexing Vito by Vito Pugliese
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
MPM2Nite / Happy Hour by Kurt Smith
Matt is off this week, leaving the return of one of your favorite columnists back into the fold for a 2011 update.
Voices From the Heartland by Jeff Meyer
Your favorite midwestern writer is back for another season of making you want to laugh, cry and even pull your hair out. This week, Jeff takes on the NASCAR Fan Council.
Potts' Shots by John Potts
Fanning the Flames has become Potts' Shots, and John Potts is here to answer your questions in our weekly Fan Q & A. Do you have something you'd like to ask John? Don't sit on the sidelines! Send it to john.potts@frontstretch.com, and you just may see your question in print next week!
Fantasy Insider by Brett Poirier
Did your fantasy racing team take a hit at Talladega? Well, Brett has just what you need to know to turn things around when choosing your teams for Richmond Saturday night.
5th Column TBA - A Special Frontstretch Debut
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Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
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©2011 Frontstretch.com
Today's Comment: On Mark Martin's Trivia Question
In Richmond's 1990 post-race inspection, Martin's Folgers Ford was discovered to have an incorrectly installed carburator spacer. Specifically, it was bolted on instead of welded. There was no performance advantage to be gained from the move.
As a former racer, track owner, and series organizer (SUPR Late Models), I believe that this statement is incorrect. There had to be a performance reason to bolt the spacer on instead of weld it on. In my twenty years, I NEVER saw a racer do something outside the written rule book that did not positively influence performance. My belief was that the bolting instead of welding allowed air to slip in under the plate, giving the engine more air to breathe.
If there was no performance advantage, why do it?
Roxy Dancy
Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Got something to say about an article you've seen in the newsletter? It's as easy as replying directly to this message or sending an email to editors@frontstretch.com. We'll take the best comments and publish them here!
©2011 Frontstretch.com
Today's Comment: On Mark Martin's Trivia Question
In Richmond's 1990 post-race inspection, Martin's Folgers Ford was discovered to have an incorrectly installed carburator spacer. Specifically, it was bolted on instead of welded. There was no performance advantage to be gained from the move.
As a former racer, track owner, and series organizer (SUPR Late Models), I believe that this statement is incorrect. There had to be a performance reason to bolt the spacer on instead of weld it on. In my twenty years, I NEVER saw a racer do something outside the written rule book that did not positively influence performance. My belief was that the bolting instead of welding allowed air to slip in under the plate, giving the engine more air to breathe.
If there was no performance advantage, why do it?
Roxy Dancy
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