Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
May 13th, 2011
Volume V, Edition LXXXVII
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Top News
by Summer Dreyer
Ganassi Nominated for Two Sports Business Awards
NASCAR owner Chip Ganassi and his Chip Ganassi Racing teams have been nominated for two prestigious sports business awards, with Ganassi receiving a nomination for Sports Executive of the Year and Chip Ganassi Racing nominated for Professional Sports Team of the Year. Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal administers the awards and will announce the winners in New York City on Wednesday, May 18th.
Last year, Ganassi, who owns teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series, and the IZOD IndyCar Series, became the first owner to win the Daytona 500, Indianapolis 500, and the Brickyard 400 in the same year and followed it up with a win in the GRAND-AM Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2011. He is the only car owner in the history of American motorsports to hold all four titles at one time. At the end of 2010, Ganassi Racing had 19 wins—a team record—and two series championships. In addition, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams was able to renew 100% of existing partnerships from 2010 into 2011 and beyond and add on multiple big-name partnerships such as McDonald's and Unilever.
"The accomplishments of Chip Ganassi and his race organization on the race track last year were not surprising, and the honor is very much deserved," said NASCAR's Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Steve Phelps. "Chip and his entire organization are great representatives of NASCAR and American auto racing, which is why their success on the race track translates so well with corporate partners."
Additional individuals receiving a nomination for Sports Executive of the Year include George Bodenheimer of ESPN/ABC Sports, Kevin Plank of Under Armour, and Pat Riley of the Miami Heat. Professional Sports Team of the Year nominations include the New York Jets, the Orlando Magic, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the San Francisco Giants.
FAS Lane Racing, Mike Bliss Bring On Sponsor for Dover
Following a 15th-place finish with FAS Lane Racing and driver Terry Labonte in the Daytona 500, U.S. Chrome has signed on to sponsor the No. 32 FAS Lane Racing Ford for Sunday's FedEx 400 at Dover International Speedway with driver Mike Bliss behind the wheel.
U.S. Chrome and FAS Lane Racing owner Frank Stoddard have a history together, extending back to when the company sponsored driver Dana Patten with Stoddard acting as the head mechanic and front tire carrier.
"I'm excited to have Bob and U.S. Chrome on board again at Dover," said Stoddard. "He is a wonderful friend and I admire his passion for the sport. I'd love to go out there and have a great run for him, his family and U.S. Chrome."
Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR Foundation Raise Money for Alabama Relief Efforts
Last weekend's Donate and Drive 'DEGA—where anyone who donated $50 to the American Red Cross could drive their personal vehicle around Talladega Superspeedway—raised nearly $34,000 for Alabama relief efforts for the devastating damage caused by a tornado outbreak on April 27th.
The NASCAR Foundation was also able to raise a significant amount for disaster relief efforts, bringing in over $58,000 from donations and the sales of the $5 NASCAR Unites wristbands. In addition to the nearly $100,000 raised by both efforts, Talladega Superspeedway had already committed to a $100,00 donation on April 28th.
"I'm extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from the NASCAR community," said Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch. "With the help of our race fans, our media partners, sponsors and The NASCAR Foundation, we've managed to raise a lot of money to help the citizens of Alabama that were impacted by the storms. It's a tremendous step in the right direction."
Have news for Summer and The Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com with a promising lead or tip.
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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.
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In Case You Missed It
by Brett Poirier
NASCAR Teams Unite for Autism Speaks
Cars in all three NASCAR series will sport the Autism Speaks blue puzzle piece this weekend at Dover International Speedway. The Sprint Cup Series Fed Ex 400 benefiting Autism Speaks will mark the fifth straight year the organization has been associated with NASCAR. Autism Speaks is the nation's leading autism science and advocacy organization.
To raise awareness, 20 of tonight's Camping World Truck Series teams will feature the blue puzzle piece and along with 15 of the Nationwide cars on Saturday. On Sunday, 29 Sprint Cup cars will feature the puzzle piece. The list of drivers participating on Sunday includes: Jamie McMurray, Brad Keselowski, Kasey Kahne, David Ragan, Marcos Ambrose, Denny Hamlin, Casey Mears, Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Kurt Busch, Paul Menard, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer, David Gilliland, Travis Kvapil, Ryan Newman, Juan Pablo Montoya, A.J. Allmendinger, J.J. Yeley, Martin Truex Jr., Mike Skinner, Michael McDowell, Scott Riggs, Brian Vickers and Carl Edwards.
Charlotte Motor Speedway Invites Earnhardt, Jr. to Test on World's Largest HD Screen
President and General Manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway Marcus Smith invited NASCAR's most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. to the speedway on Tuesday to test out the world's largest high-definition television to signify the completion of the project. Earnhardt, Jr., known as an avid video-game player, took virtual laps around the track using iRacing Simulation software, while showcasing his skills on a 200 foot-wide, by 80 foot-tall screen made by Panasonic.
"Charlotte sets the standard for the rest of the tracks," said Earnhardt, Jr. "They always do things first and do things the biggest and look. Here we are today with another first from them. Charlotte holds a special place in a lot of drivers' hearts, mine included and the big TV makes this place even more special."
The public debut of the screen will be during the Sprint Cup All-Star Race on May 21. The screen is on the backstretch, directly in the middle of turns 2 and 3. The best spots to view the screen will be for fans seated from turn 4 to turn 1. The television weighs over 332 tons and took over four months to construct.
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Frontstretch Folio: FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks
by Summer Dreyer
This weekend, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Dover International Speedway for the FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks. Sunday's race will be the 11th race of the season. The FedEx 400 will be broadcast live Sunday, May 15th, on FOX at 1 PM ET and MRN at 12 PM ET. Drivers will compete for 400 laps (400 miles) before taking the checkered flag.
Records and Facts
Jeremy Mayfield holds the track qualifying record with a lap of 22.288 sec. at 161.522 mph for the 2004 MBNA America 400 "A Salute to Heroes". Mayfield finished eighth in the race after leading 78 laps. The pole was Mayfield's first of two fastest qualifying efforts that year. He finished out the season 10th in points with one win, five top 5s, 13 top 10s, and an average finish of 17th in 36 races that year.
Mark Martin holds the record for the fastest race run at Dover International Speedway, with a speed of 132.719 mph in the 1997 MBNA 400. Martin led 194 of the 400 laps and had a margin of victory of 10.334 sec over second-place Dale Earnhardt. Kyle Petty finished third, followed by Bobby Labonte and Dale Jarrett. The win was Martin's fourth and final win of the 1997 season. In the 32 races during the 1997 season, Martin grabbed four wins, 16 top 5s, 24 top 10s, and an average finish of ninth. He finished third in points.
Kyle Busch is the defending race winner of this event, leading 131 of the 400 laps to win the 2010 Autism Speaks 400 presented by Hershey's by 7.551 sec over second-place Jeff Burton. Matt Kenseth finished third, followed by Denny Hamlin and David Reutimann to round out the top 5. The win was Busch's second of three victories in 2010. In 36 starts that season, Busch grabbed three wins, 10 top 5s, 18 top 10s, and an average finish of 14th to finish eighth in points.
Track Facts
Track/Race Length: 1.0 concrete oval, 400 laps (400 miles)
Pit Road Speed: 35 mph
Degree of Banking: 24 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,076 ft., banked 9 degrees
Backstretch: 1,076 ft., banked 9 degrees
Grandstand Seating: 135,000
Pre-race Schedule
Practice: Friday, May 13, 11:00 AM – 12:25 PM ET on SPEED
Qualifying: Saturday, May 14, 12:10 PM ET on SPEED
Happy Hour: Friday, May 13, 2:45 – 4:15PM ET on SPEED
VIPs
National Anthem: Miss Willie Brown
Race Day Forecast
*Sunday: Scattered thunderstorms, 60% chance of rain
High: 77
Low: 62
Say What?!
"Whenever I'm asked what my favorite track is on the circuit, I always answer with Dover. The track is so fast and challenging, and it's unique because of the way you drive up out of the turns. The turns sit a bit lower than the straightaways and you can feel it when you're driving out there. I got my first Cup start at Dover and we've won in the Cup car, led a lot of laps and we've won a couple of times in the Nationwide Series there as well. We've had a lot of good times at Dover and I'm looking forward to going there again this weekend." -Matt Kenseth
"Yeah, [Dover's] a fun racetrack. I think it's a track that really suits my style, and the stats show that. There's a certain rhythm there. You have to be comfortable with typically the racecar at least into the corner, then you have to figure out somehow to make it turn the center, fight forward grip up off the corner to run a good lap there. The rubber, I understand we're going back to the same tire as we had there in the fall. That tire laid a lot of rubber down and caused a lot of handling issues for teams. We did a good job of working around that. So I'm excited going back. I think it will be a strong race for the Lowe's team." -Jimmie Johnson
"I like racing at Dover. It's a fast, concrete racetrack and I like concrete tracks. I like places that have a lot of banking like Bristol and Dover. This is about as close to Bristol as any other track out there. Dover is not Bristol, but it's about as close as any track to Bristol. I love going up there for races. My Dad (Buzzie Reutimann) raced a lot up and around that area and had a lot of success in that area of the country, so a lot of fans come out and they always ask how my Dad's doing – which is pretty special. Dover just overall is a cool racetrack with the way it's laid out, the people, the facilities … really everything about it." -David Reutimann
Summer Dreyer is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via email at summer.dreyer@frontstretch.com.
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Hey Frontstretch Readers!
Get THE ANNUAL, 2011 Racing Preview for your mobile device!
Go to Frontstretch.com and click on "The Annual" link on the right side to order and download this special issue that includes: Track Information, Driver profiles and In-Depth Features.
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Keepin' It Short: Short Track Road Trip
by Mike Neff
Being a short track racing fan can frequently lead to road trips to exotic locations like Asheboro, NC and Greenville, SC. There are all sorts of exciting happenings that can take place along the highways and byways as you travel to and from race tracks. This week I thought I'd share some of those events that have happened to me and some of my friends a couple of weeks ago.
Traveling with the gang from Race22.com to Richmond for the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown ended up with some humorous activities on the way back home. After a full day of covering racing we were headed back towards North Carolina and I was trying to get some work done along the way. As we headed away from Richmond, Langley, our driver, pulled us into a Golden Arch restaurant and put in an order for a large quantity of McDoubles with fries and sweat tea. Apparently that is the customary meal of Frank Deiny, a car owner and local racer. We worked over the vast quantities of reheated meat and potatoes while washing them down with the ridiculously sweetened water.
We headed on down the road and began the long cruise back towards the operating headquarters of Race22 when Langley noticed some flashing lights behind the Race 22 transporter (that would be a Chrysler Town and Country minivan) and immediately suggested I find a hiding place for the radar detector that was on the console since they're illegal in Virginia. I quickly relocated the detector to one of the pant leg pockets on my cargo pants as the police officer approached the transporter. The officer asked for license and registration, took a quick look and then asked if we knew why he'd pulled us over.
None of us had any idea so he pointed to the laptop I had on my lap and said "What he's doing over there.". Mind you, I've looked at some interesting things on the Internet in my time but I was merely pulling pictures off of my camera and beginning to write Keepin' it Short. As I stared at the screen to try and figure out what could possibly be illegal about moving pictures the law enforcement official informed us that it is illegal to have a video screen that is not part of a GPS system forward of the backs of the front seats in a vehicle in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
We informed the officer that we were unaware of this legislation but that we would immediately cease and desist violating this critical ordinance. While he returned to the squad car we discussed the irony that we'd done this hundreds of times in the past and had never had any issues with local law enforcement, although most times it was in the states of North Carolina and Tennessee. As we waited for the officer to return with the citation we noticed that two other law enforcement vehicles had arrived on the scene and, based on the sounds from one of the cars, at least one of them was a K9 unit. We stared at each other in disbelief wondering exactly what could be wrong that so many reinforcements would be necessary for a traffic stop.
Shortly after the supporting cruisers arrived there was another officer at the window who told us that he only had one question. We asked what it was and he replied "Was that race fixed?". It caught us somewhat off guard but we quickly ascertained that the officer who had responded as backup was a racing fan. We told him we felt that Kyle Busch would never, under any circumstances, allow Denny Hamlin to beat him willfully. The officer then asked if we were at the event as fans and we told him we were there as members of the media covering the event. He immediately asked us where the free stuff was that media folks always have. A scavenger hunt for the Race22 T-shirts in the back of the transporter quickly ensued and while we looked we inquired as to what size shirts he might like. After hearing that he was interested in two extra large and one medium shirt we located them and handed them over to the officer. He told us that he'd be right back with the license and registration.
The other officer quickly returned and gave Langley his driver's license and registration back. He also informed him that he might want to slow down a little since he was doing 70 in a 55. We promised we'd slow down and not use the computer in the front seat again. We headed on down the road and immediately recalled how humorous that entire exchange had been. As we laughed along the road we realized that we'd missed our exit and were pretty much east of Raleigh. We analyzed the local road maps and plotted a new route to get us home.
Once we entered North Carolina I returned to my work on the laptop and wrote what I could until the Verizon Mifi ran out of juice. Unfortunately we only had one plug on the power inverter so I had to give up the computer while the wireless device recharged. While the charging activity took place Langley suggested we attempt to find a gas station because the light had come on suggesting we might be low on petroleum byproduct. For the next five or six exits we looked for a station and repeatedly found establishments that were closed.
Fortunately, as the fumes were all but gone from the gas tank of the transporter we found that amazing oasis that is a Sheetz gas station which allowed us to refuel and also get a cup of the glorious nectar of the gods that is a frozen orange sickle slushee. After an hour of charging the Mifi I returned to my writing as Langley turned over the driving duties to Cory because getting up before sometime in the afternoon was too much for Langley and he was running out of juice. I did my best to continue my writing while Cory put the hammer down and we barreled towards the homestead.
Eventually we made it back home, only a couple of hours later than we'd anticipated, having been stopped once by law enforcement, nearly running out of gas once when we were unable to find an open gas station for several exits and consuming large amounts of fast food. As the sun rose over the horizon we unloaded the transporter after reaching the world headquarters for Race22 and headed to our own homesteads. As I pulled into my driveway and composed the final thoughts I wanted to put on paper for my column I couldn't help but smile and chuckle over a Virginia police officer who asked us if the race was fixed.
Short Track Schedule for the Upcoming Week:
Fri : May 13 – Ocean Speedway ; Watsonville : CA – Taco Bravo Ocean Sprints
Fri : May 13 – 34 Raceway ; Burlington : IA – Lucas Oil Late Model
Fri : May 13 – Belle-Clair Speedway ; Belleville : IL – POWRI Midgets
Fri : May 13 – Belle-Clair Speedway ; Belleville : IL – POWRI Micro Sprints
Fri : May 13 – Bloomington Speedway ; Bloomington : IN – American Modifieds
Fri : May 13 – Gas City I-69 Speedway ; Gas City : IN – King of Indiana Sprint Cars
Fri : May 13 – USA Speedway ; Sterlington : LA – Mid-South Racing Association
Fri : May 13 – Dixie Motor Speedway ; Birch Run : MI – Michigan Legend Cars
Fri : May 13 – Chateau Speedway ; Austin : MN – Upper Midwest Sprints
Fri : May 13 – Callaway Raceway ; Fulton : MO – United Late Model Association
Fri : May 13 – Canaan Fair Speedway ; Canaan : NH – Sprint Cars of New England
Fri : May 13 – I-88 Speedway ; Alton : NY – Capitol Region Sprint Cars
Fri : May 13 – Ace Speedway ; Altamahaw : NC – Late Models
Fri : May 13 – Ace Speedway ; Altamahaw : NC – Limited Late Models
Fri : May 13 – Wake County Speedway ; Raleigh : NC – Super Late Models
Fri : May 13 – Wake County Speedway ; Raleigh : NC – Limited Late Models
Fri : May 13 – Wake County Speedway ; Raleigh : NC - Modifieds
Fri : May 13 – Toledo Speedway ; Toledo : OH – Buckeye Super Sprints
Fri : May 13 – Outlaw Motor Speedway ; Muskogee : OK – Midwest Late Models
Fri : May 13 – Cottage Grove Speedway ; Cottage Grove : OR – ASCS Northwest Tour
Fri : May 13 – Clinton County Raceway ; Lock Haven : PA – Pennsylvania Sprints
Fri : May 13 – Williams Grove Speedway ; Mechanicsburg : PA – World of Outlaw Sprints
Fri : May 13 – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Championship Late Models
Fri : May 13 – Park Jefferson Speedway ; Jefferson : SD – Jackson Sprint Touring
Fri : May 13 – Kingsport Speedway ; Kingsport : TN – Late Models
Fri : May 13 – El Paso Speedway Park ; El Paso : TX – Renegade Sprint Cars
Fri : May 13 – Golden Triangle ; Beaumont : TX – ASCS Gulf South Region
Fri : May 13 – Manitowoc Expo Raceway ; Manitowoc : WI – Midwest Sprint Cars
Fri : May 13 – Manitowoc Expo Raceway ; Manitowoc : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Huntsville Speedway ; Huntsville : AL – Southern Superstars Short Track
Sat : May 14 – Mobile International Speedway ; Irvington : AL – Pro Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Drew County Speedway ; Monticello : AR – Mid-South Racing Association
Sat : May 14 – USA Race Park ; Tucson : AZ – ASCS Canyon Region
Sat : May 14 – All American Speedway ; Roseville : CA – NCMA Sprints
Sat : May 14 – All American Speedway ; Roseville : CA – USAC Western Classic Racing
Sat : May 14 – All American Speedway ; Roseville : CA – USAC Western Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Chowchilla Speedway ; Chowchilla : CA – BCRA Midget Lites
Sat : May 14 – Chowchilla Speedway ; Chowchilla : CA – Western AllStar DIRTcar Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Santa Maria Speedway ; Santa Maria : CA – California Lightning Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Thunderbowl Raceway ; Tulane : CA – Golden State Challenge
Sat : May 14 – Thunderbowl Raceway ; Tulane : CA – USAC 360 Sprint Cars
Sat : May 14 – Thunderhill Park ; Willows : CA – National Auto Sport Association
Sat : May 14 – Thunderhill Park ; Willows : CA – US Touring Car Championship
Sat : May 14 – Ukiah Speedway ; Ukiah : CA – BCRA Midgets
Sat : May 14 – Ukiah Speedway ; Ukiah : CA – BCRA Vintage
Sat : May 14 – Pueblo Motorsports Park ; Pueblo : CO – National Auto Sports Association
Sat : May 14 – Auburndale Speedway ; Winter Haven : FL – Florida United Promoters Late Models
Sat : May 14 – North Florida Speedway ; Lake City : FL – Florida Mini Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Ocala Micro Speedway ; Ocala : FL – Sunshine
Sat : May 14 – Lanier National Speedway ; Braselton : GA – Super Six Pro Late Models
Sat : May 14 – North Georgia Speedway ; Chatsworth : GA – Volunteer Racing Series
Sat : May 14 – Cochran Speedway ; Cochran : GA – National Late Model Series
Sat : May 14 – 441 Speedway ; Dublin : GA – Nesmith National Dirt Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Toccoa Speedway ; Toccoa : GA – Ultimate Super Late Model
Sat : May 14 – Stateline Stadium ; Past Falls : ID – MMRA Baby Grands
Sat : May 14 – Avcom Park ; Avon : IL – IMRA TQ Series
Sat : May 14 – Blackhawk Farms Raceway ; Rockton : IL – SCCA National
Sat : May 14 – LaSalle Speedway ; LaSalle : IL – Lucas Oil Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Route 66 Raceway ; Joliet : IL – Midwest Super Comp Series
Sat : May 14 – Anderson Speedway ; Anderson : IN – CRA Late Model Sportsman
Sat : May 14 – Angola Motor Speedway ; Angola : IN – Great Lakes Outlaw Late Model
Sat : May 14 – Angola Motor Speedway ; Angola : IN – MCR Dwarf Cars
Sat : May 14 – Baer Field Speedway ; Fort Wayne : IN – Hoosier Outlaw Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Brownstown Speedway ; Brownstown : IN – Indiana Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Brownstown Speedway ; Brownstown : IN – UMRA TQ Midgets
Sat : May 14 – Lawrenceburg Speedway ; Lawrenceburg : IN – Midwest Sprint Cars
Sat : May 14 – Paragon Speedway ; Paragon : IN – Midwest Mini-Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Illiana Speedway ; Schererville : IN – JEGS/CRA Crate Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Shelby County Speedway ; Shelbyville : IN – Midwest TQ Racing
Sat : May 14 – Winchester Speedway ; Winchester : IN – USA Modifieds
Sat : May 14 – Great American Dirt Track ; Jetmore : KS – United Rebel Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Bluegrass Speedway ; Bardstown : KY – American Modifieds
Sat : May 14 – Baton Rouge Raceway ; Baton Rouge : LA – Cajun Sprinters
Sat : May 14 – Champion Park Speedway ; Haughton : LA – Ark-La-Tex Winged Modifieds
Sat : May 14 – I-96 Speedway ; Lake Odessa : MI – ASCS Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Norway Speedway ; Norway : MI – Mid-American Stock Cars
Sat : May 14 – Brainerd Raceway ; Brainerd : MN – SCCA National
Sat : May 14 – Central Missouri Speedway ; Warrensburg : MO – United Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – United Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Scotland County Speedway ; Memphis : MO – United Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Springfield Raceway ; Springfield : MO – MARS DIRTcars
Sat : May 14 – Springfield Raceway ; Springfield : MO – Midwest Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Jackson Motor Speedway ; Byram : MS – Mississippi State Championship Challenge
Sat : May 14 – Junction Motor Speedway ; McCool : NE – Super Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Monadnock Speedway ; Winchester : NH – Pro Four Mods
Sat : May 14 – Star Speedway ; Epping : NH – PASS Modifieds
Sat : May 14 – Star Speedway ; Epping : NH – PASS North Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Star Speedway ; Epping : NH – PASS Sportsman
Sat : May 14 – The Bullring ; Las Vegas : NV – SRL Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Reno-Fernley Raceway ; Fernley : NV – 24 Hours of LeMons
Sat : May 14 – Concord Motorsports Park ; Concord : NC – Frank Kimmel Street Stocks
Sat : May 14 – Concord Motorsports Park ; Concord : NC – Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Coastal Plains Raceway ; Jacksonville : NC – Limited Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Twin Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Limited Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Rockingham Raceway ; Rockingham : NC – UARA
Sat : May 14 – Rockingham Raceway ; Rockingham : NC – USAR Pro Cup
Sat : May 14 – Orange County Speedway ; Rougemont : NC – CCS Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Bowman-Gray Stadium ; Winston-Salem : NC – Whelen Modifieds
Sat : May 14 – Columbus Motor Speedway ; Columbus : OH – Super Cup Stock Cars
Sat : May 14 – K-C Raceway ; Chillicothe : OH – American Mini Sprint
Sat : May 14 – Sandusky Speedway ; Sandusky : OH – Buckeye Super Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Lorain County Speedway ; South Amherst : OH – TBRA Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Toledo Speedway ; Toledo : OH – ARCA Trucks
Sat : May 14 – Oklahoma Sports Park ; Ada : OK – Oil Capital Racing
Sat : May 14 – Lawton Speedway ; Lawton : OK – ASCS Sooner Region
Sat : May 14 – Mid America Speedway ; South Coffeyville : OK – Show Me Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Flamboro Speedway ; Freelton : Ontario – Can-Am TQ Midgets
Sat : May 14 – Flamboro Speedway ; Freelton : Ontario – Canadian Vintage Midgets
Sat : May 14 – Cottage Grove Speedway ; Cottage Grove : OR – ASCS Northwest Region
Sat : May 14 – Mahoning Valley Speedway ; Lehighton : PA – ATQMRA TQ Midgets
Sat : May 14 – Pittsburghs PA Motor Speedway ; Imperial : PA – United Force Race Championship Tour
Sat : May 14 – Pittsburghs PA Motor Speedway ; Imperial : PA – ULMS Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Pittsburghs PA Motor Speedway ; Imperial : PA – ULMS E Modifieds
Sat : May 14 – Selinsgrove Speedway ; Selinsgrove : PA – United Racing
Sat : May 14 – Susquehanna Speedway ; Newberrytown : PA – Central Pennsylvania Legends
Sat : May 14 – Williams Grove Speedway ; Mechanicsburg : PA – World of Outlaws Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Dillon Motor Speedway ; Dillon : SC – ISCARS Dash
Sat : May 14 – Dillon Motor Speedway ; Dillon : SC – Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Florence Motor Speedway ; Timmonsville : SC – Allison Legacy
Sat : May 14 – Greenville-Pickens Speedway ; Greenville : SC – Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Clayhill Motorsports ; Atwood : TN – Southern All Stars
Sat : May 14 – Riverview Speedway Park ; Cartage : TN – Southern Superstock
Sat : May 14 – Smoky Mountain Speedway ; Maryville : TN – Nesmith Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Newport Speedway ; Newport : TN – Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Thunderhill Raceway ; Summertown : TN – USCS Sprint Cars
Sat : May 14 – Devil's Bowl Speedway ; Mesquite : TX – Sprint Series of Texas
Sat : May 14 – Lone Star Speedway ; Kilgore : TX – Southern Thunder Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Texana Raceway Park ; Edna : TX – ASCS Gulf South Region
Sat : May 14 – Franklin County Speedway ; Callaway : VA – Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Lonesome Pine Speedway ; Coeburn : VA – Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Langley Speedway ; Hampton : VA – Twin Modifieds
Sat : May 14 – Old Dominion Speedway ; Manassas : VA – Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Old Dominion Speedway ; Manassas : VA – Sprints
Sat : May 14 – South Boston Speedway ; South Boston : VA – Late Models
Sat : May 14 – South Boston Speedway ; South Boston : VA – Limited Late Models
Sat : May 14 – South Boston Speedway ; South Boston : VA – SV Modifieds
Sat : May 14 – Winchester Speedway ; Winchester : VA – World of Outlaws Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Grays Harbor Raceway ; Elma : WA – Northwest Wingless Sprints
Sat : May 14 – South Sound Speedway ; Tenino : WA – Washington Midgets
Sat : May 14 – Angell Park Speedway ; Sun Prairie : WI – Badger Midgets
Sat : May 14 – Angell Park Speedway ; Sun Prairie : WI – USAC Midgets
Sat : May 14 – Plymouth Dirt Track ; Plymouth : WI – Midwest Sprintcars
Sat : May 14 – Plymouth Dirt Track ; Plymouth : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Wisconsin International Raceway ; Kaukauna : WI – ASA Midwest
Sat : May 14 – Tyler County Speedway ; Middlebourne : WV – Fastrak Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Gillette Thunder Speedway ; Gillette : WY – Championship Late Models
Sun : May 15 – Thunderhill Park ; Willows : CA – National Auto Sport
Sun : May 15 – Thunderhill Park ; Willows : CA – US Touring Car Championship
Sun : May 15 – Pueblo Motorsports Park ; Pueblo : CO – National Auto Sport
Sun : May 15 – Blackhawk Farms Raceway ; Rockton : IL – SCCA National
Sun : May 15 – Quincy Raceway ; Quincy : IL – USMTS Modifieds
Sun : May 15 – Kokomo Speedway ; Kokomo : IN – UMRA TQ Midgets
Sun : May 15 – Salem Speedway ; Salem : IN – USAC Mopar D1 Midgets
Sun : May 15 – Winchester Speedway ; Winchester : IN – Must See Xtreme Sprints
Sun : May 15 – Winchester Speedway ; Winchester : IN – USA Modifieds
Sun : May 15 – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford : ME – ACT US Tour
Sun : May 15 – Brainerd Raceway ; Brainerd : MN – SCCA National
Sun : May 15 – I-80 Speedway ; Greenwood : NE – Good Ol' Time Racing
Sun : May 15 – Big Daddy's Speedbowl ; Wentworth : NH – Granite State Mini Sprints
Sun : May 15 – Big Daddy's Speedbowl ; Wentworth : NH – Northeast Mini Sprints
Sun : May 15 – Big Daddy's Speedbowl ; Wentworth : NH – Sprint Cars of New England
Sun : May 15 – New Hampshire International Speedway ; Loudon : NH – 24 Hours o LeMons
Sun : May 15 – Shangri-La II ; Tioga Center : NY – Race of Champions
Sun : May 15 – Millstream Speedway ; Findlay : OH – American Late Models
Sun : May 15 – Millstream Speedway ; Findlay : OH – All Star Late Models
Sun : May 15 – Toledo Speedway ; Toledo : OH – ARCA Late Models
Sun : May 15 – Angell Park Speedway ; Sun Prairie : WI – Badger Midgets
Sun : May 15 – Slinger Super Speedway ; Slinger : WI – American Super Cup
Sun : May 15 – Wisconsin International Raceway ; Kaukauna : WI – ASA Midwest
Tue : May 17 – Marshalltown Speedway ; Marshalltown : IA – IMCA Deery Brothers Late Models
Tue : May 17 – New Hampshire International Speedway ; Loudon : NH – New England Antique Racers
Wed : May 18 – New Hampshire International Speedway ; Loudon : NH – New England Antique Racers
Thu : May 19 – New Hampshire International Speedway ; Loudon : NH – New England Antique Racers
Thu : May 19 – Concord Motorsports Park ; Concord : NC – USAC Midgets
Mike Neff is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at mike.neff@frontstretch.com.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Never Fear; Underdog is Here! And He's Saving the Season
by Amy Henderson
Four Burning Questions: Dover Edition
by Brody Jones
Is Smith's Darlington Victory The Greatest Upset In Recent Memory?
by Garrett Horto
Tearing Apart the Trucks: Is Another First-Time Winner at Dover in the Cards This Weekend?
by Beth Lunkenheimer
Frontstretch Podcast: May 13th Edition
hosted by Doug Turnbull
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: Staying on the topic of the 2004 Spring race at Dover, Kasey Kahne was on track to claim his first career Cup victory. However, it all came apart with 20 laps to go. What happened?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: The 2004 MBNA America "A Salute To Heroes" 400 is a race best known for a 19-car pileup that eliminated many of the race's contenders. However, there was also one of the longest-ever caution periods during the race. Why?
A: Let's give some background. On Lap 320, Ryan Newman crashed while trying to get onto Dover's treacherous (pre-renovation) pit road, drawing the eighth caution of the race in the middle of a round of stops. The incident can be seen live at the 12:00 mark of this clip. Scoring issues erupted since Jeremy Mayfield basically put himself on a lap of his own due to the timing of the yellow. After 25 laps under caution (nearly 40 minutes in real time), the field restarted with Mayfield in the lead, but about eight rows back due to drivers on the tail end of the lead lap. Then, the infamous wreck mentioned earlier occurred half a lap after the restart. It says a lot that the race took over four hours to run.
Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee: Take 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!
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Coming Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks Race Recap by TBA
-- Big Six: FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks by Amy Henderson
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
Monday on the Frontstretch:
Matt McLaughlin's Thinkin' Out Loud: FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks by Matt McLaughlin
Matt will be here with his overall thoughts about the action from Sunday afternoon's action from Dover.
Monday Morning Tear-Down by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan takes a look at the biggest story from the weekend and analyzes it without pulling any punches.
Bowles-Eye View by Tom Bowles
Tom brings back his weekly post-race commentary with all of the insight you need from a weekend of racing at Dover.
Running Their Mouth: FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks by Brody Jones
Did he really say that? You bet he did! Brody brings you the most interesting, unusual, and downright crazy quotes to come from the drivers after Sunday afternoon's race from Dover.
Bubble Breakdown by Dave Thompson
Dave takes a look at the backmarkers battling for the 35th and final "locked in" spot and sees how their performances pay off at Dover.
Nationwide Series Breakdown: 5-Hour Energy 200 by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan has all the post-race analysis you need after Saturday afternoon's Nationwide Series race from Dover.
Tracking the Trucks: Lucas Oil 200 by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth has all the post-race analysis you need after Friday night's Camping World Truck Series race from Dover.
-----------------------------
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
-- Cars in all three NASCAR series will sport the Autism Speaks blue puzzle piece this weekend at Dover International Speedway. The Sprint Cup Series Fed Ex 400 benefiting Autism Speaks will mark the fifth straight year the organization has been associated with NASCAR. Autism Speaks is the nation's leading autism science and advocacy organization.
To raise awareness, 20 of tonight's Camping World Truck Series teams will feature the blue puzzle piece and along with 15 of the Nationwide cars on Saturday. On Sunday, 29 Sprint Cup cars will feature the puzzle piece. The list of drivers participating on Sunday includes: Jamie McMurray, Brad Keselowski, Kasey Kahne, David Ragan, Marcos Ambrose, Denny Hamlin, Casey Mears, Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Kurt Busch, Paul Menard, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer, David Gilliland, Travis Kvapil, Ryan Newman, Juan Pablo Montoya, A.J. Allmendinger, J.J. Yeley, Martin Truex Jr., Mike Skinner, Michael McDowell, Scott Riggs, Brian Vickers and Carl Edwards.
Charlotte Motor Speedway Invites Earnhardt, Jr. to Test on World's Largest HD Screen
President and General Manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway Marcus Smith invited NASCAR's most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. to the speedway on Tuesday to test out the world's largest high-definition television to signify the completion of the project. Earnhardt, Jr., known as an avid video-game player, took virtual laps around the track using iRacing Simulation software, while showcasing his skills on a 200 foot-wide, by 80 foot-tall screen made by Panasonic.
"Charlotte sets the standard for the rest of the tracks," said Earnhardt, Jr. "They always do things first and do things the biggest and look. Here we are today with another first from them. Charlotte holds a special place in a lot of drivers' hearts, mine included and the big TV makes this place even more special."
The public debut of the screen will be during the Sprint Cup All-Star Race on May 21. The screen is on the backstretch, directly in the middle of turns 2 and 3. The best spots to view the screen will be for fans seated from turn 4 to turn 1. The television weighs over 332 tons and took over four months to construct.
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Frontstretch Folio: FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks
by Summer Dreyer
This weekend, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Dover International Speedway for the FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks. Sunday's race will be the 11th race of the season. The FedEx 400 will be broadcast live Sunday, May 15th, on FOX at 1 PM ET and MRN at 12 PM ET. Drivers will compete for 400 laps (400 miles) before taking the checkered flag.
Records and Facts
Jeremy Mayfield holds the track qualifying record with a lap of 22.288 sec. at 161.522 mph for the 2004 MBNA America 400 "A Salute to Heroes". Mayfield finished eighth in the race after leading 78 laps. The pole was Mayfield's first of two fastest qualifying efforts that year. He finished out the season 10th in points with one win, five top 5s, 13 top 10s, and an average finish of 17th in 36 races that year.
Mark Martin holds the record for the fastest race run at Dover International Speedway, with a speed of 132.719 mph in the 1997 MBNA 400. Martin led 194 of the 400 laps and had a margin of victory of 10.334 sec over second-place Dale Earnhardt. Kyle Petty finished third, followed by Bobby Labonte and Dale Jarrett. The win was Martin's fourth and final win of the 1997 season. In the 32 races during the 1997 season, Martin grabbed four wins, 16 top 5s, 24 top 10s, and an average finish of ninth. He finished third in points.
Kyle Busch is the defending race winner of this event, leading 131 of the 400 laps to win the 2010 Autism Speaks 400 presented by Hershey's by 7.551 sec over second-place Jeff Burton. Matt Kenseth finished third, followed by Denny Hamlin and David Reutimann to round out the top 5. The win was Busch's second of three victories in 2010. In 36 starts that season, Busch grabbed three wins, 10 top 5s, 18 top 10s, and an average finish of 14th to finish eighth in points.
Track Facts
Track/Race Length: 1.0 concrete oval, 400 laps (400 miles)
Pit Road Speed: 35 mph
Degree of Banking: 24 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,076 ft., banked 9 degrees
Backstretch: 1,076 ft., banked 9 degrees
Grandstand Seating: 135,000
Pre-race Schedule
Practice: Friday, May 13, 11:00 AM – 12:25 PM ET on SPEED
Qualifying: Saturday, May 14, 12:10 PM ET on SPEED
Happy Hour: Friday, May 13, 2:45 – 4:15PM ET on SPEED
VIPs
National Anthem: Miss Willie Brown
Race Day Forecast
*Sunday: Scattered thunderstorms, 60% chance of rain
High: 77
Low: 62
Say What?!
"Whenever I'm asked what my favorite track is on the circuit, I always answer with Dover. The track is so fast and challenging, and it's unique because of the way you drive up out of the turns. The turns sit a bit lower than the straightaways and you can feel it when you're driving out there. I got my first Cup start at Dover and we've won in the Cup car, led a lot of laps and we've won a couple of times in the Nationwide Series there as well. We've had a lot of good times at Dover and I'm looking forward to going there again this weekend." -Matt Kenseth
"Yeah, [Dover's] a fun racetrack. I think it's a track that really suits my style, and the stats show that. There's a certain rhythm there. You have to be comfortable with typically the racecar at least into the corner, then you have to figure out somehow to make it turn the center, fight forward grip up off the corner to run a good lap there. The rubber, I understand we're going back to the same tire as we had there in the fall. That tire laid a lot of rubber down and caused a lot of handling issues for teams. We did a good job of working around that. So I'm excited going back. I think it will be a strong race for the Lowe's team." -Jimmie Johnson
"I like racing at Dover. It's a fast, concrete racetrack and I like concrete tracks. I like places that have a lot of banking like Bristol and Dover. This is about as close to Bristol as any other track out there. Dover is not Bristol, but it's about as close as any track to Bristol. I love going up there for races. My Dad (Buzzie Reutimann) raced a lot up and around that area and had a lot of success in that area of the country, so a lot of fans come out and they always ask how my Dad's doing – which is pretty special. Dover just overall is a cool racetrack with the way it's laid out, the people, the facilities … really everything about it." -David Reutimann
Summer Dreyer is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via email at summer.dreyer@frontstretch.com.
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Hey Frontstretch Readers!
Get THE ANNUAL, 2011 Racing Preview for your mobile device!
Go to Frontstretch.com and click on "The Annual" link on the right side to order and download this special issue that includes: Track Information, Driver profiles and In-Depth Features.
~~~~~~~~~~
Keepin' It Short: Short Track Road Trip
by Mike Neff
Being a short track racing fan can frequently lead to road trips to exotic locations like Asheboro, NC and Greenville, SC. There are all sorts of exciting happenings that can take place along the highways and byways as you travel to and from race tracks. This week I thought I'd share some of those events that have happened to me and some of my friends a couple of weeks ago.
Traveling with the gang from Race22.com to Richmond for the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown ended up with some humorous activities on the way back home. After a full day of covering racing we were headed back towards North Carolina and I was trying to get some work done along the way. As we headed away from Richmond, Langley, our driver, pulled us into a Golden Arch restaurant and put in an order for a large quantity of McDoubles with fries and sweat tea. Apparently that is the customary meal of Frank Deiny, a car owner and local racer. We worked over the vast quantities of reheated meat and potatoes while washing them down with the ridiculously sweetened water.
We headed on down the road and began the long cruise back towards the operating headquarters of Race22 when Langley noticed some flashing lights behind the Race 22 transporter (that would be a Chrysler Town and Country minivan) and immediately suggested I find a hiding place for the radar detector that was on the console since they're illegal in Virginia. I quickly relocated the detector to one of the pant leg pockets on my cargo pants as the police officer approached the transporter. The officer asked for license and registration, took a quick look and then asked if we knew why he'd pulled us over.
None of us had any idea so he pointed to the laptop I had on my lap and said "What he's doing over there.". Mind you, I've looked at some interesting things on the Internet in my time but I was merely pulling pictures off of my camera and beginning to write Keepin' it Short. As I stared at the screen to try and figure out what could possibly be illegal about moving pictures the law enforcement official informed us that it is illegal to have a video screen that is not part of a GPS system forward of the backs of the front seats in a vehicle in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
We informed the officer that we were unaware of this legislation but that we would immediately cease and desist violating this critical ordinance. While he returned to the squad car we discussed the irony that we'd done this hundreds of times in the past and had never had any issues with local law enforcement, although most times it was in the states of North Carolina and Tennessee. As we waited for the officer to return with the citation we noticed that two other law enforcement vehicles had arrived on the scene and, based on the sounds from one of the cars, at least one of them was a K9 unit. We stared at each other in disbelief wondering exactly what could be wrong that so many reinforcements would be necessary for a traffic stop.
Shortly after the supporting cruisers arrived there was another officer at the window who told us that he only had one question. We asked what it was and he replied "Was that race fixed?". It caught us somewhat off guard but we quickly ascertained that the officer who had responded as backup was a racing fan. We told him we felt that Kyle Busch would never, under any circumstances, allow Denny Hamlin to beat him willfully. The officer then asked if we were at the event as fans and we told him we were there as members of the media covering the event. He immediately asked us where the free stuff was that media folks always have. A scavenger hunt for the Race22 T-shirts in the back of the transporter quickly ensued and while we looked we inquired as to what size shirts he might like. After hearing that he was interested in two extra large and one medium shirt we located them and handed them over to the officer. He told us that he'd be right back with the license and registration.
The other officer quickly returned and gave Langley his driver's license and registration back. He also informed him that he might want to slow down a little since he was doing 70 in a 55. We promised we'd slow down and not use the computer in the front seat again. We headed on down the road and immediately recalled how humorous that entire exchange had been. As we laughed along the road we realized that we'd missed our exit and were pretty much east of Raleigh. We analyzed the local road maps and plotted a new route to get us home.
Once we entered North Carolina I returned to my work on the laptop and wrote what I could until the Verizon Mifi ran out of juice. Unfortunately we only had one plug on the power inverter so I had to give up the computer while the wireless device recharged. While the charging activity took place Langley suggested we attempt to find a gas station because the light had come on suggesting we might be low on petroleum byproduct. For the next five or six exits we looked for a station and repeatedly found establishments that were closed.
Fortunately, as the fumes were all but gone from the gas tank of the transporter we found that amazing oasis that is a Sheetz gas station which allowed us to refuel and also get a cup of the glorious nectar of the gods that is a frozen orange sickle slushee. After an hour of charging the Mifi I returned to my writing as Langley turned over the driving duties to Cory because getting up before sometime in the afternoon was too much for Langley and he was running out of juice. I did my best to continue my writing while Cory put the hammer down and we barreled towards the homestead.
Eventually we made it back home, only a couple of hours later than we'd anticipated, having been stopped once by law enforcement, nearly running out of gas once when we were unable to find an open gas station for several exits and consuming large amounts of fast food. As the sun rose over the horizon we unloaded the transporter after reaching the world headquarters for Race22 and headed to our own homesteads. As I pulled into my driveway and composed the final thoughts I wanted to put on paper for my column I couldn't help but smile and chuckle over a Virginia police officer who asked us if the race was fixed.
Short Track Schedule for the Upcoming Week:
Fri : May 13 – Ocean Speedway ; Watsonville : CA – Taco Bravo Ocean Sprints
Fri : May 13 – 34 Raceway ; Burlington : IA – Lucas Oil Late Model
Fri : May 13 – Belle-Clair Speedway ; Belleville : IL – POWRI Midgets
Fri : May 13 – Belle-Clair Speedway ; Belleville : IL – POWRI Micro Sprints
Fri : May 13 – Bloomington Speedway ; Bloomington : IN – American Modifieds
Fri : May 13 – Gas City I-69 Speedway ; Gas City : IN – King of Indiana Sprint Cars
Fri : May 13 – USA Speedway ; Sterlington : LA – Mid-South Racing Association
Fri : May 13 – Dixie Motor Speedway ; Birch Run : MI – Michigan Legend Cars
Fri : May 13 – Chateau Speedway ; Austin : MN – Upper Midwest Sprints
Fri : May 13 – Callaway Raceway ; Fulton : MO – United Late Model Association
Fri : May 13 – Canaan Fair Speedway ; Canaan : NH – Sprint Cars of New England
Fri : May 13 – I-88 Speedway ; Alton : NY – Capitol Region Sprint Cars
Fri : May 13 – Ace Speedway ; Altamahaw : NC – Late Models
Fri : May 13 – Ace Speedway ; Altamahaw : NC – Limited Late Models
Fri : May 13 – Wake County Speedway ; Raleigh : NC – Super Late Models
Fri : May 13 – Wake County Speedway ; Raleigh : NC – Limited Late Models
Fri : May 13 – Wake County Speedway ; Raleigh : NC - Modifieds
Fri : May 13 – Toledo Speedway ; Toledo : OH – Buckeye Super Sprints
Fri : May 13 – Outlaw Motor Speedway ; Muskogee : OK – Midwest Late Models
Fri : May 13 – Cottage Grove Speedway ; Cottage Grove : OR – ASCS Northwest Tour
Fri : May 13 – Clinton County Raceway ; Lock Haven : PA – Pennsylvania Sprints
Fri : May 13 – Williams Grove Speedway ; Mechanicsburg : PA – World of Outlaw Sprints
Fri : May 13 – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Championship Late Models
Fri : May 13 – Park Jefferson Speedway ; Jefferson : SD – Jackson Sprint Touring
Fri : May 13 – Kingsport Speedway ; Kingsport : TN – Late Models
Fri : May 13 – El Paso Speedway Park ; El Paso : TX – Renegade Sprint Cars
Fri : May 13 – Golden Triangle ; Beaumont : TX – ASCS Gulf South Region
Fri : May 13 – Manitowoc Expo Raceway ; Manitowoc : WI – Midwest Sprint Cars
Fri : May 13 – Manitowoc Expo Raceway ; Manitowoc : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Huntsville Speedway ; Huntsville : AL – Southern Superstars Short Track
Sat : May 14 – Mobile International Speedway ; Irvington : AL – Pro Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Drew County Speedway ; Monticello : AR – Mid-South Racing Association
Sat : May 14 – USA Race Park ; Tucson : AZ – ASCS Canyon Region
Sat : May 14 – All American Speedway ; Roseville : CA – NCMA Sprints
Sat : May 14 – All American Speedway ; Roseville : CA – USAC Western Classic Racing
Sat : May 14 – All American Speedway ; Roseville : CA – USAC Western Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Chowchilla Speedway ; Chowchilla : CA – BCRA Midget Lites
Sat : May 14 – Chowchilla Speedway ; Chowchilla : CA – Western AllStar DIRTcar Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Santa Maria Speedway ; Santa Maria : CA – California Lightning Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Thunderbowl Raceway ; Tulane : CA – Golden State Challenge
Sat : May 14 – Thunderbowl Raceway ; Tulane : CA – USAC 360 Sprint Cars
Sat : May 14 – Thunderhill Park ; Willows : CA – National Auto Sport Association
Sat : May 14 – Thunderhill Park ; Willows : CA – US Touring Car Championship
Sat : May 14 – Ukiah Speedway ; Ukiah : CA – BCRA Midgets
Sat : May 14 – Ukiah Speedway ; Ukiah : CA – BCRA Vintage
Sat : May 14 – Pueblo Motorsports Park ; Pueblo : CO – National Auto Sports Association
Sat : May 14 – Auburndale Speedway ; Winter Haven : FL – Florida United Promoters Late Models
Sat : May 14 – North Florida Speedway ; Lake City : FL – Florida Mini Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Ocala Micro Speedway ; Ocala : FL – Sunshine
Sat : May 14 – Lanier National Speedway ; Braselton : GA – Super Six Pro Late Models
Sat : May 14 – North Georgia Speedway ; Chatsworth : GA – Volunteer Racing Series
Sat : May 14 – Cochran Speedway ; Cochran : GA – National Late Model Series
Sat : May 14 – 441 Speedway ; Dublin : GA – Nesmith National Dirt Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Toccoa Speedway ; Toccoa : GA – Ultimate Super Late Model
Sat : May 14 – Stateline Stadium ; Past Falls : ID – MMRA Baby Grands
Sat : May 14 – Avcom Park ; Avon : IL – IMRA TQ Series
Sat : May 14 – Blackhawk Farms Raceway ; Rockton : IL – SCCA National
Sat : May 14 – LaSalle Speedway ; LaSalle : IL – Lucas Oil Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Route 66 Raceway ; Joliet : IL – Midwest Super Comp Series
Sat : May 14 – Anderson Speedway ; Anderson : IN – CRA Late Model Sportsman
Sat : May 14 – Angola Motor Speedway ; Angola : IN – Great Lakes Outlaw Late Model
Sat : May 14 – Angola Motor Speedway ; Angola : IN – MCR Dwarf Cars
Sat : May 14 – Baer Field Speedway ; Fort Wayne : IN – Hoosier Outlaw Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Brownstown Speedway ; Brownstown : IN – Indiana Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Brownstown Speedway ; Brownstown : IN – UMRA TQ Midgets
Sat : May 14 – Lawrenceburg Speedway ; Lawrenceburg : IN – Midwest Sprint Cars
Sat : May 14 – Paragon Speedway ; Paragon : IN – Midwest Mini-Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Illiana Speedway ; Schererville : IN – JEGS/CRA Crate Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Shelby County Speedway ; Shelbyville : IN – Midwest TQ Racing
Sat : May 14 – Winchester Speedway ; Winchester : IN – USA Modifieds
Sat : May 14 – Great American Dirt Track ; Jetmore : KS – United Rebel Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Bluegrass Speedway ; Bardstown : KY – American Modifieds
Sat : May 14 – Baton Rouge Raceway ; Baton Rouge : LA – Cajun Sprinters
Sat : May 14 – Champion Park Speedway ; Haughton : LA – Ark-La-Tex Winged Modifieds
Sat : May 14 – I-96 Speedway ; Lake Odessa : MI – ASCS Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Norway Speedway ; Norway : MI – Mid-American Stock Cars
Sat : May 14 – Brainerd Raceway ; Brainerd : MN – SCCA National
Sat : May 14 – Central Missouri Speedway ; Warrensburg : MO – United Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – United Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Scotland County Speedway ; Memphis : MO – United Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Springfield Raceway ; Springfield : MO – MARS DIRTcars
Sat : May 14 – Springfield Raceway ; Springfield : MO – Midwest Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Jackson Motor Speedway ; Byram : MS – Mississippi State Championship Challenge
Sat : May 14 – Junction Motor Speedway ; McCool : NE – Super Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Monadnock Speedway ; Winchester : NH – Pro Four Mods
Sat : May 14 – Star Speedway ; Epping : NH – PASS Modifieds
Sat : May 14 – Star Speedway ; Epping : NH – PASS North Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Star Speedway ; Epping : NH – PASS Sportsman
Sat : May 14 – The Bullring ; Las Vegas : NV – SRL Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Reno-Fernley Raceway ; Fernley : NV – 24 Hours of LeMons
Sat : May 14 – Concord Motorsports Park ; Concord : NC – Frank Kimmel Street Stocks
Sat : May 14 – Concord Motorsports Park ; Concord : NC – Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Coastal Plains Raceway ; Jacksonville : NC – Limited Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Twin Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Limited Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Rockingham Raceway ; Rockingham : NC – UARA
Sat : May 14 – Rockingham Raceway ; Rockingham : NC – USAR Pro Cup
Sat : May 14 – Orange County Speedway ; Rougemont : NC – CCS Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Bowman-Gray Stadium ; Winston-Salem : NC – Whelen Modifieds
Sat : May 14 – Columbus Motor Speedway ; Columbus : OH – Super Cup Stock Cars
Sat : May 14 – K-C Raceway ; Chillicothe : OH – American Mini Sprint
Sat : May 14 – Sandusky Speedway ; Sandusky : OH – Buckeye Super Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Lorain County Speedway ; South Amherst : OH – TBRA Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Toledo Speedway ; Toledo : OH – ARCA Trucks
Sat : May 14 – Oklahoma Sports Park ; Ada : OK – Oil Capital Racing
Sat : May 14 – Lawton Speedway ; Lawton : OK – ASCS Sooner Region
Sat : May 14 – Mid America Speedway ; South Coffeyville : OK – Show Me Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Flamboro Speedway ; Freelton : Ontario – Can-Am TQ Midgets
Sat : May 14 – Flamboro Speedway ; Freelton : Ontario – Canadian Vintage Midgets
Sat : May 14 – Cottage Grove Speedway ; Cottage Grove : OR – ASCS Northwest Region
Sat : May 14 – Mahoning Valley Speedway ; Lehighton : PA – ATQMRA TQ Midgets
Sat : May 14 – Pittsburghs PA Motor Speedway ; Imperial : PA – United Force Race Championship Tour
Sat : May 14 – Pittsburghs PA Motor Speedway ; Imperial : PA – ULMS Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Pittsburghs PA Motor Speedway ; Imperial : PA – ULMS E Modifieds
Sat : May 14 – Selinsgrove Speedway ; Selinsgrove : PA – United Racing
Sat : May 14 – Susquehanna Speedway ; Newberrytown : PA – Central Pennsylvania Legends
Sat : May 14 – Williams Grove Speedway ; Mechanicsburg : PA – World of Outlaws Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Dillon Motor Speedway ; Dillon : SC – ISCARS Dash
Sat : May 14 – Dillon Motor Speedway ; Dillon : SC – Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Florence Motor Speedway ; Timmonsville : SC – Allison Legacy
Sat : May 14 – Greenville-Pickens Speedway ; Greenville : SC – Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Clayhill Motorsports ; Atwood : TN – Southern All Stars
Sat : May 14 – Riverview Speedway Park ; Cartage : TN – Southern Superstock
Sat : May 14 – Smoky Mountain Speedway ; Maryville : TN – Nesmith Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Newport Speedway ; Newport : TN – Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Thunderhill Raceway ; Summertown : TN – USCS Sprint Cars
Sat : May 14 – Devil's Bowl Speedway ; Mesquite : TX – Sprint Series of Texas
Sat : May 14 – Lone Star Speedway ; Kilgore : TX – Southern Thunder Sprints
Sat : May 14 – Texana Raceway Park ; Edna : TX – ASCS Gulf South Region
Sat : May 14 – Franklin County Speedway ; Callaway : VA – Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Lonesome Pine Speedway ; Coeburn : VA – Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Langley Speedway ; Hampton : VA – Twin Modifieds
Sat : May 14 – Old Dominion Speedway ; Manassas : VA – Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Old Dominion Speedway ; Manassas : VA – Sprints
Sat : May 14 – South Boston Speedway ; South Boston : VA – Late Models
Sat : May 14 – South Boston Speedway ; South Boston : VA – Limited Late Models
Sat : May 14 – South Boston Speedway ; South Boston : VA – SV Modifieds
Sat : May 14 – Winchester Speedway ; Winchester : VA – World of Outlaws Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Grays Harbor Raceway ; Elma : WA – Northwest Wingless Sprints
Sat : May 14 – South Sound Speedway ; Tenino : WA – Washington Midgets
Sat : May 14 – Angell Park Speedway ; Sun Prairie : WI – Badger Midgets
Sat : May 14 – Angell Park Speedway ; Sun Prairie : WI – USAC Midgets
Sat : May 14 – Plymouth Dirt Track ; Plymouth : WI – Midwest Sprintcars
Sat : May 14 – Plymouth Dirt Track ; Plymouth : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Wisconsin International Raceway ; Kaukauna : WI – ASA Midwest
Sat : May 14 – Tyler County Speedway ; Middlebourne : WV – Fastrak Late Models
Sat : May 14 – Gillette Thunder Speedway ; Gillette : WY – Championship Late Models
Sun : May 15 – Thunderhill Park ; Willows : CA – National Auto Sport
Sun : May 15 – Thunderhill Park ; Willows : CA – US Touring Car Championship
Sun : May 15 – Pueblo Motorsports Park ; Pueblo : CO – National Auto Sport
Sun : May 15 – Blackhawk Farms Raceway ; Rockton : IL – SCCA National
Sun : May 15 – Quincy Raceway ; Quincy : IL – USMTS Modifieds
Sun : May 15 – Kokomo Speedway ; Kokomo : IN – UMRA TQ Midgets
Sun : May 15 – Salem Speedway ; Salem : IN – USAC Mopar D1 Midgets
Sun : May 15 – Winchester Speedway ; Winchester : IN – Must See Xtreme Sprints
Sun : May 15 – Winchester Speedway ; Winchester : IN – USA Modifieds
Sun : May 15 – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford : ME – ACT US Tour
Sun : May 15 – Brainerd Raceway ; Brainerd : MN – SCCA National
Sun : May 15 – I-80 Speedway ; Greenwood : NE – Good Ol' Time Racing
Sun : May 15 – Big Daddy's Speedbowl ; Wentworth : NH – Granite State Mini Sprints
Sun : May 15 – Big Daddy's Speedbowl ; Wentworth : NH – Northeast Mini Sprints
Sun : May 15 – Big Daddy's Speedbowl ; Wentworth : NH – Sprint Cars of New England
Sun : May 15 – New Hampshire International Speedway ; Loudon : NH – 24 Hours o LeMons
Sun : May 15 – Shangri-La II ; Tioga Center : NY – Race of Champions
Sun : May 15 – Millstream Speedway ; Findlay : OH – American Late Models
Sun : May 15 – Millstream Speedway ; Findlay : OH – All Star Late Models
Sun : May 15 – Toledo Speedway ; Toledo : OH – ARCA Late Models
Sun : May 15 – Angell Park Speedway ; Sun Prairie : WI – Badger Midgets
Sun : May 15 – Slinger Super Speedway ; Slinger : WI – American Super Cup
Sun : May 15 – Wisconsin International Raceway ; Kaukauna : WI – ASA Midwest
Tue : May 17 – Marshalltown Speedway ; Marshalltown : IA – IMCA Deery Brothers Late Models
Tue : May 17 – New Hampshire International Speedway ; Loudon : NH – New England Antique Racers
Wed : May 18 – New Hampshire International Speedway ; Loudon : NH – New England Antique Racers
Thu : May 19 – New Hampshire International Speedway ; Loudon : NH – New England Antique Racers
Thu : May 19 – Concord Motorsports Park ; Concord : NC – USAC Midgets
Mike Neff is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at mike.neff@frontstretch.com.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Never Fear; Underdog is Here! And He's Saving the Season
by Amy Henderson
Four Burning Questions: Dover Edition
by Brody Jones
Is Smith's Darlington Victory The Greatest Upset In Recent Memory?
by Garrett Horto
Tearing Apart the Trucks: Is Another First-Time Winner at Dover in the Cards This Weekend?
by Beth Lunkenheimer
Frontstretch Podcast: May 13th Edition
hosted by Doug Turnbull
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: Staying on the topic of the 2004 Spring race at Dover, Kasey Kahne was on track to claim his first career Cup victory. However, it all came apart with 20 laps to go. What happened?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: The 2004 MBNA America "A Salute To Heroes" 400 is a race best known for a 19-car pileup that eliminated many of the race's contenders. However, there was also one of the longest-ever caution periods during the race. Why?
A: Let's give some background. On Lap 320, Ryan Newman crashed while trying to get onto Dover's treacherous (pre-renovation) pit road, drawing the eighth caution of the race in the middle of a round of stops. The incident can be seen live at the 12:00 mark of this clip. Scoring issues erupted since Jeremy Mayfield basically put himself on a lap of his own due to the timing of the yellow. After 25 laps under caution (nearly 40 minutes in real time), the field restarted with Mayfield in the lead, but about eight rows back due to drivers on the tail end of the lead lap. Then, the infamous wreck mentioned earlier occurred half a lap after the restart. It says a lot that the race took over four hours to run.
Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee: Take 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!
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Coming Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks Race Recap by TBA
-- Big Six: FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks by Amy Henderson
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
Monday on the Frontstretch:
Matt McLaughlin's Thinkin' Out Loud: FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks by Matt McLaughlin
Matt will be here with his overall thoughts about the action from Sunday afternoon's action from Dover.
Monday Morning Tear-Down by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan takes a look at the biggest story from the weekend and analyzes it without pulling any punches.
Bowles-Eye View by Tom Bowles
Tom brings back his weekly post-race commentary with all of the insight you need from a weekend of racing at Dover.
Running Their Mouth: FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks by Brody Jones
Did he really say that? You bet he did! Brody brings you the most interesting, unusual, and downright crazy quotes to come from the drivers after Sunday afternoon's race from Dover.
Bubble Breakdown by Dave Thompson
Dave takes a look at the backmarkers battling for the 35th and final "locked in" spot and sees how their performances pay off at Dover.
Nationwide Series Breakdown: 5-Hour Energy 200 by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan has all the post-race analysis you need after Saturday afternoon's Nationwide Series race from Dover.
Tracking the Trucks: Lucas Oil 200 by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth has all the post-race analysis you need after Friday night's Camping World Truck Series race from Dover.
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