Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
May 20th, 2011
Volume V, Edition LXXXVII
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Top News
by Summer Dreyer
Trevor Bayne to Miss All-Star Race, Iowa
Roush Fenway Racing and Wood Brothers Racing have withdrawn Daytona 500 champion Trevor Bayne from the weekend's events, including the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday night and the John Deere Dealers 250, Sunday's Nationwide Series race at Iowa Speedway.
Bayne has been hospitalized for symptoms twice this season which were originally linked to an insect bite, but now are thought to be related to some sort of inflammatory condition. He has missed three Nationwide Series races thus far in 2011.
"Although we would like for Trevor to be on the track this weekend, we want to make sure that he is fully back to prime condition before he goes out to compete with the best drivers in the world," said Steve Newmark, president of Roush Fenway Racing.
In addition, both the No. 16 and the No. 21 cars have been removed from the Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup Series events, respectively.
Hamlin's Crew Defends 2010 Pit Crew Challenge Win
by Beth Lunkenheimer
Denny Hamlin's pit crew defended their title in NASCAR's Pit Crew Challenge to become the first repeat winner in the seven year history of the event. The team, made up of gas man Scott Wood, catch-can man Justin White, front tire carrier Brandon Pegram, front tire changer Nick Krizmanich, rear tire carrier Heath Cherry, rear tire changer Mike Hicks and jack man Nate Bolling changed four tires, fueled the car and pushed it 40 yards in 22.298 seconds to earn $70,675.
"We know where the weakest link [on Johnson's team] is, obviously. This is their main stage. This is not my main stage," Hamlin said. "Obviously we had a great shot and a great year last year. This was kind of the spot we really started hitting our stride last year. So hopefully that momentum keeps goings.
Hamlin's crew had an advantage as they were the team that managed to push their car down the simulated pit road all night at the Time Warner Cable Arena. They beat out Jimmie Johnson's crew in the final round.
"It's especially gratifying to beat them," Bolling said. "Going back-to-back is especially gratifying too. But we'd trade this in a heartbeat to beat them at the end of the year.
Since most of the focus on race day is on the driver, last night's challenge helped to spotlight the people on pit road who actually play a huge role during each race weekend.
"It's a huge deal for these guys," team owner Joe Gibbs said. "There's a lot of pressure on them and to do it two years in a row, that's hard to do."
The seven member team also earned the right to choose their pit stall--they chose No. 1--for Saturday night's All-Star race.
Clint Bowyer and Tony Stewart each saw their crews split all of the individual awards while setting speed records. Stewart's No. 14 crew was assessed ten seconds worth of penalties for spilled fuel, allowing Johnson's crew to move on to the finals.
Have news for Summer, Beth 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 Beth Lunkenheimer and Summer Dreyer
Endangered Bird Species Nests at CMS
Two killdeer birds have built a nest in a Charlotte Motor Speedway campground, a federally protected species of bird under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Four eggs have been laid in the nest, which could take up to 40 days to hatch.
Fences have been placed around the nest to ensure it and the birds are left undisturbed. Campers in the area will be relocated by the racetrack over the Sprint All-Star Race and Coca-Cola 600 weekends.
Wallace to Make 500th Nationwide Start
This weekend at Iowa Speedway, Kenny Wallace will make his 500th career Nationwide Series start. Since joining the series in 1988, Wallace has nine wins, 64 top 5s and 162 top-10 finishes. The closest he's ever come to a championship in the series was in 1991 when he finished runner-up to Bobby Labonte.
"I'm really honored to make my 500th start in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. When I was a kid growing up in St. Louis, I dreamed of racing in NASCAR," Wallace said. "But to make 855 combined starts in this great sport, including NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Camping World Truck, I am forever thankful to all the teams that hired me and to all the fans who have supported me. But without my brother Rusty, I would have never made it to this point."
Wallace has one of his best career starts with RAB Racing this season with three top-10 finishes and an average finish of 15.3. He currently sits seventh in the standings, just 62 points behind leader Elliott Sadler.
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Frontstretch Folio: Sprint All-Star Race
by Summer Dreyer
This weekend, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Sprint All-Star Race. Saturday's race will mark a break in the Sprint Cup Series points races, and will be broadcast live Saturday, May 21st, at 7:30 PM ET on SPEED and 6:30 PM ET on MRN Radio. Drivers will compete for 100 laps divided up into four different segments before taking the checkered flag.
Records and Facts
Only four drivers have won from the pole position in the Sprint All-Star Race. Dale Earnhardt was the first to accomplish the feat in 1990. Davey Allison followed suit the next two seasons, winning the The Winston after starting up front in 1991 and 1992. No other driver was able to win from the pole until last season when Kurt Busch pulled off the victory from the front row.
In the 26 Sprint All-Star Races run in NASCAR history, there have been 18 different winners. Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon have won three apiece, with Davey Allison, Terry Labonte, Mark Martin, and Jimmie Johnson each with two victories to their name. The race has been very competitive in the recent past, with seven different drivers winning the last seven Sprint All-Star Races.
Kurt Busch is the defending winner of this event, leading 19 of the 100 laps to win the Sprint All-Star Race by .358 sec over second-place Martin Truex, Jr. Joey Logano finished third, followed by Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart. The win was Busch's first All-Star Race victory.
Track Facts
Track/Race Length: 1.5-mile quad oval, 100 laps divided into four segments
Pit Road Speed: 45 mph
Degree of Banking: 24 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,952.8 ft., banked 5 degrees
Backstretch: 1,360 ft., banked 5 degrees
Grandstand Seating: 171,000
Pre-race Schedule
Happy Hour: Begins Friday, May 20th at 12PM ET on SPEED
Qualifying: Begins Friday, May 20th at 5PM ET on SPEED
Race Day Forecast
Saturday: Mostly sunny, 10% chance of rain
High: 91
Low: 66
Say What?!
"This is usually one of those throw-down, exciting races that leaves a lot to be talked about on Sunday morning. I love this race. It's all kind of out there on the line. No points. Just the win. It's a great race, too, because everyone brings their family out for it. It kind of reminds me of those Saturday night races we were all in as kids. There's just an excitement to it." -Mark Martin
"I'm really looking forward to the All-Star race this weekend. One of the best things about the All-Star race is that everyone on the pit crew gets to share the spotlight. The crew will get a lot of recognition with the pit crew challenge on Thursday, the pit stop during qualifying on Friday night and the pit stops during the race. They also participate in the driver introductions and that's a lot of fun for all of us. Hopefully we'll all learn some things in the All-Star race that will help us in the Coke 600 next weekend." -Greg Biffle
"This is such a fun event for the fans. Charlotte is one of my favorite tracks on the circuit and probably my best track. So the plan is to race our way into the main event. I was fortunate and surprised to win the fan vote my first year, hopefully we can lock ourselves in by finishing in the top two and move onto the big show. It's a great gauge for the Coke 600 and it's always fun to race under the lights in front of the home crowd." -Joey Logano
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: Capping Off a Racing Weekend
by Mike Neff
The first of two big race weeks in a row in the Charlotte area does not end on Saturday night with the All-Star race. It actually rolls to a finish on Sunday afternoon when Caraway Speedway drops the flag on three races, including the 200 lap Super Five Late Model race which will feature some of the best Late Model racing talent in the region in the starting lineup. There will be several drivers in the race who don't normally run at Caraway but are taking advantage of the Sunday afternoon start to get in an extra race on the weekend.
Caraway's Super Five is a set of five races that will take place over the course of the season that are all 200 laps or longer. If a driver can win all five of the races he'll receive a $25,000 bonus which, combined with the $5,000 paid to win each race, would mean a $50,000 purse for their efforts. While that money pales in comparison to the million dollars that the Cup boys will be running for at Charlotte on Saturday night, it is a hefty chunk of change for local racers and the reason that they'll be coming from all over the Southeast to run for it. Sunday is the second race of the Super Five. The first took place March 19th and the rest are scheduled for July 5th and 6th, July 30th and October 15th and 16th.
Davin Scites has a race at his local track on Saturday so he's coming in on Sunday and starting at the back of the pack because he will miss qualifying. Scites has the added incentive of being the winner of the first of the Super Five races so he's the only one with a shot at the $25,000. Randy Burnett is a member of Jamie McMurray's raceday team so he'll be at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday and missing qualifying just like Scites. However, with Sunday being one of only four days during the Cup season that he can race he'll be getting up bright and early on Sunday morning to get to the track.
For those folks in the Charlotte area for the race weekend, it is definitely worth a drive to exit 96 on Interstate 85. Caraway speedway is off the beaten path but worth the drive. $20 will get you 35 laps of Legends racing, 100 laps of Limited Late Model action and 200 laps of some outstanding Late Model racing. Kids between 7 and 14 get in for $5 and under seven get in for free.
The Whelen All-American national points are now out since all of the tracks across the country for the most part, barring weather issues, have opened and run some points races. Keith Rocco has picked up where he left off last season although he hasn't had quite the torrid pace that he did last year. He's run 11 races to date taking five wins, eight top 5s and 10 top 10s. Philip Morris has been dominant at South Boston this season, leading nearly 500 consecutive laps and winning six consecutive races. He's run eight races this season and taken home seven checkered flags.
Lee Pulliam, who is fourth in points, has found similar success at Morris's old track, Motor Mile Speedway. Pulliam hasn't had quite the dominance that Morris has but he's still snagged four wins in eight races. He also took a trip to South Boston last weekend and tried to take the $500 bounty that the track has put on Morris to try and get someone to break his winning streak but he finished second to Morris. Frank Deiny Jr., who is sixth in points, is the driver who interrupted Morris's lap leading parade or the former national champion would have close to 800 consecutive laps led.
The National points:
1) Keith Rocco – Stafford, Waterford, Thompson – 317
2) Philip Morris – South Boston – 283
3) Zachary Hausler – Houston, Thunderhill – 257
4) Lee Pulliam – South Boston, Motor Mile – 246
5) Tommy Lemons, Jr. – Motor Mile, Caraway, South Boston – 230
6) Frank Deiny, Jr. – Caraway, South Boston – 222
7) Brandon Davis – Toyota – 221
8) Justin T. Johnson – South Boston – 204
9) Josh Oakley – South Boston – 200
10) Kyle Moon – Hickory – 198
Short Track Schedule This Week
Fri : May 20th - Batesville Motor Speedway ; Batesville : AR – Lucas Oil Late Models
Fri : May 20th – Meridian Motor Speedway ; Meridian : ID – West Coast Vintage Racers
Fri : May 20th – Kankakee County Speedway ; Kankakee : IL – American Late Models
Fri : May 20th – Wayne County Speedway ; Wayne City : IL – POWRI Micro-Sprints
Fri : May 20th – Bloomington Speedway ; Bloomington : IN – Midwest Mini-Sprints
Fri : May 20th – Bloomington Speedway ; Bloomington : IN – USAC National Sprints
Fri : May 20th – Mount Lawn Speedway ; New Castle : IN – USSA Midgets
Fri : May 20th – Ponderosa Speedway ; Junction City : KY – STARS Midwest Dirt League
Fri : May 20th – Hartford Motor Speedway ; Hartford : MI – ASCS Sprints
Fri : May 20th – Callaway Raceway ; Fulton : MO – United Late Models
Fri : May 20th – Electric City Speedway ; Great Falls : MT – Big Sky Sprints
Fri : May 20th – Ace Speedway ; Altamahaw : NC – Late Models
Fri : May 20th – Wake County Speedway ; Raleigh : NC – Super Late Models
Fri : May 20th – Wake County Speedway ; Raleigh : NC – Limited Late Models
Fri : May 20th – Canaan Fair Speedway ; Canaan : NH – Northeast Mini Sprints
Fri : May 20th – Lee USA Speedway ; Epping : NH – NEMA Lites
Fri : May 20th – Attica Raceway Park ; Attica : OH – World of Outlaw Sprints
Fri : May 20th – Kil-Kare Speedway ; Xenia : OH – International Outlaw Figure 8s
Fri : May 20th – Raceway 7 ; Conneaut : OH – ULMS E Modifieds
Fri : May 20th – Lernerville Speedway ; Sarver : PA – BRP Modifieds
Fri : May 20th – Path Valley Speedway ; Spring Run : PA – Pennsylvania Sprints
Fri : May 20th – Anderson Motor Speedway ; Anderson : SC – Late Models
Fri : May 20th – Anderson Motor Speedway ; Anderson : SC – MMRA Mini Cups
Fri : May 20th – Kingsport Speedway ; Kingsport : TN – Late Models
Fri : May 20th – Boyd Speedway ; Boyd : TX – ASCA Lone Star Region
Fri : May 20th – Desert Thunder Raceway ; Price : UT – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : May 20th – Manitowoc Expo Raceway ; Manitowoc : WI – Midwest Sprint Cars
Fri : May 20th – Manitowoc Expo Raceway ; Manitowoc : WI – Wisconsin Late Models
Fri : May 20th – Mississippi Thunder Speedway ; Fountain City : WI – Interstate Racing Association.
Sat : May 21st – Bridge County Raceway ; Lethbridge : Alberta – Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Race City Motorsports ; Calgary : Alberta – ChumpCar World Series
Sat : May 21st - Batesville Motor Speedway ; Batesville : AR – Lucas Oil Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Texarkana 67 Speedway ; Texarkana : AR – ASCS Lone Star Region
Sat : May 21st – Canyon Speedway Park ; Peoria : AZ – ASCS Southwest Region
Sat : May 21st – Western Speedway ; Victoria : BC – WILROC Sprint Cars
Sat : May 21st – Bakersfield Speedway ; Oildale : CA – National ¾ Midgets
Sat : May 21st – Giant Chevrolet Speedway ; Hanford : CA – ASCS SoCal Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Giant Chevrolet Speedway ; Hanford : CA – Taco Bravo Ocean Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Giant Chevrolet Speedway ; Hanford : CA – USAC 360 Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Santa Maria Speedway ; Santa Maria : CA – Golden State Challenge
Sat : May 21st – Stockton 99 Speedway ; Stockton : CA – NCMA Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Toyota Speedway of Irwindale ; Irwindale : CA – ASA Trucks
Sat : May 21st – Willow Springs Motorsports Park ; Rosamond : CA – National Auto Sport Association
Sat : May 21st – Colorado National Speedway ; Erie : CO – Englewood Racing Association
Sat : May 21st – East Bay Raceway ; Gibsonton : FL – Top Gun Sprints
Sat : May 21st – North Florida Speedway ; Lake City : FL – National Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Oglethorpe Speedway Park ; Pooler : GA – United Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Iowa Speedway ; Newton : IA – Camping World East
Sat : May 21st – Iowa Speedway ; Newton : IA – Camping World West
Sat : May 21st – Meridian Motor Speedway ; Meridian : ID – Northwest Pro 4s
Sat : May 21st – Meridian Motor Speedway ; Meridian : ID – West Coast Vintage
Sat : May 21st – Fairbury Speedway ; Fairbury : IL – Northern All Star Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Brownstown Speedway ; Brownstown : IN – Indiana Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Brownstown Speedway ; Brownstown : IN – Midwest Mini Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Lawrenceburg Speedway ; Lawrenceburg : IN – American Mini Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Lawrenceburg Speedway ; Lawrenceburg : IN – King of Indiana Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Montpelier Speedway ; Montpelier : IN – UMRA TQ Midgets
Sat : May 21st – Tri-State Speedway ; Haubstad : IN – POWRI Midgets
Sat : May 21st – Tri-State Speedway ; Haubstad : IN – POWRI Micro Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Tri-State Speedway ; Haubstad : IN – USAC National Midgets
Sat : May 21st – Thunderhill Speedway ; Mayetta : KS – Midwest Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Lake Cumberland Speedway ; Jamestown : KY – STARS Midwest Dirt
Sat : May 21st – Ark-La-Tex Speedway ; Vivian : LA = Southern Thunder Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Leesville 171 Speedway ; Leesville : LA – Ark-La_Tex Winged Modifieds
Sat : May 21st – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford : ME – Senior Tour Auto Racers
Sat : May 21st – Allegan County Fairgrounds ; Allegan : MI – Unique Bump and Run
Sat : May 21st – Berlin Raceway ; Marne : MI – USA Modifieds
Sat : May 21st – I-96 Speedway ; Lake Odessa : MI – World of Outlaw Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Brainerd Raceway ; Brainerd : MN – National Auto Sport Association
Sat : May 21st – Central Missouri Speedway ; Warrensburg : MO – United Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – United Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Scotland County Speedway ; Memphis : MO – United Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Pike County Speedway ; Magnolia : MS – SUPR Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Electric City Speedway ; Great Falls : MT – Big Sky Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Dublin Speedway ; Dublin : NC – Carolina Clash Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Bowman-Gray Stadium ; Winston-Salem : NC – Twin Modifeds
Sat : May 21st – Bowman-Gray Stadium ; Winston-Salem : NC – Sportsman
Sat : May 21st – Canaan Speedway ; Canaan : NH – Pro Four Modifieds
Sat : May 21st – Monadnock Speedway ; Winchester : NH – New England Trucks
Sat : May 21st – White Mountain Motorsports Park ; North Woodstock : NH – PASS North Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Aztec Speedway ; Aztec : NM – New Mexico Motor Racing
Sat : May 21st – Stateline Speedway ; Busti : NY – ULMS E Mods
Sat : May 21st – Fayette County Fairgrounds ; Washington : OH – Antique Auto Racing
Sat : May 21st – Lake County Speedway ; Painesville : OH – International Outlaw Figure 8s
Sat : May 21st – National Trail Raceway ; Hebron : OH – Mo-Power
Sat : May 21st – Sandusky Speedway ; Sandusky : OH – Main Event Racing Series
Sat : May 21st – Sandusky Speedway ; Sandusky : OH – Midwest Supermodifieds
Sat : May 21st – Beaver Raceway ; Beaver : OK – NCRA Southern SportMod
Sat : May 21st – Tulsa Raceway Park ; Tulsa : OK – All American Track Racing
Sat : May 21st – Merrittville Speedway ; Thorold : OK – BRP CanAm Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Cottage Grove Speedway ; Cottage Grove : OR – Washington Midgets
Sat : May 21st – Port Royal Speedway ; Port Royal : PA – Pennsylvania Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Thunder Valley Raceway ; Central City : PA – Unified Force Race Championship
Sat : May 21st – Williams Grove Speedway ; Mechanicsburg : PA – Super Sportsman
Sat : May 21st – Dillon Motor Speedway ; Dillon : SC – Super Trucks
Sat : May 21st – Florence Motor Speedway ; Timmonsville : SC – Limited Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Carolina Motor Sports Park ; Kershaw : SC – 24 Hours of LeMons
Sat : May 21st – Cleveland Speeday ; Cleveland : TN – Southern All Star Racing
Sat : May 21st – Newport Speedway ; Newport : TN – Rolling Thunder Modifieds
Sat : May 21st – Newport Speedway ; Newport : TN – Super Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Route 66 Motor Speedway ; Amarillo : TX – USMTS Modifieds
Sat : May 21st – Thunderhill Raceway ; Kyle : TX – Dwarf Car Series
Sat : May 21st – Desert Thunder Raceway ; Price : UT – IMCA Modifieds
Sat : May 21st – Franklin County Speedway ; Callaway : VA – Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Langley Speedway ; Hampton : VA – Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Old Dominion Speedway ; Manassas : VA – Twin Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Motor Mile Speedway ; Radford : VA – Twin Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Motor Mile Speedway ; Radford : VA – Limited Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Shenandoah Speedway ; Shenandoah : VA – Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Bear Ridge Speedway ; Bradford : VT – Granite State Mini-Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Evergreen Speedway ; Monroe : WA – Northwest Pro 4 Trucks
Sat : May 21st – South Sound Speedway ; Tenino : WA – Washington Econo Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Interstate Racing
Sat : May 21st – Plymouth Dirt Track ; Plymouth : WI – Midwest Sprintcars
Sat : May 21st – Plymouth Dirt Track ; Plymouth : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Sun : May 22nd – Bridge County Raceway ; Lethbridge : Alberta – Late Models
Sun : May 22nd – Race City Motorsports Park ; Calgary : Alberta – ChumpCar World Series
Sun : May 22nd – Merced Speedway ; Merced : CA – Golden State Challenge
Sun : May 22nd – Willow Springs Motorsports Park ; Rosamond : CA – National Auto Sport
Sun : May 22nd – Swainsboro Raceway ; Swainsboro : GA – United Late Models
Sun : May 22nd – Shepp's Speedway ; Alexander : IL – Northern All Star Late Models
Sun : May 22nd – Baer Field Speedway ; Fort Wayne : IN – CRA Super Series
Sun : May 22nd – Baer Field Speedway ; Fort Wayne : IN – USA Modifieds
Sun : May 22nd – Salem Speedway ; Salem : IN – Winged Outlaw Figure 8s
Sun : May 22nd – Brainerd Raceway ; Brainerd : MN – National Auto Sport
Sun : May 22nd – Dawson County Speedway ; Lexington : NE – United Rebel Sprints
Sun : May 22nd – New Jersey Motorsports Park ; Millville : NJ – ARCA Late Models
Sun : May 22nd – Scotia Speedworld ; Halifax : Nova Scotia – Parts for Trucks Pro Stock
Sun : May 22nd – Five Mile Point Speedway ; Kirkwood : NY – Capitol Region Sprintcars
Sun : May 22nd – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Late Models
Sun : May 22nd – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Limited Late Models
Sun : May 22nd – Fayette County Fairgrounds ; Washington : OH – Antique Auto Racing
Sun : May 22nd – Millstream Speedway ; Findlay : OH – NRA SprintInvaders
Sun : May 22nd – National Trail Raceway ; Hebron : OH – Mo-Power
Sun : May 22nd – Enid Speedway ; Enid : OK – USMTS Modifieds
Sun : May 22nd – Tulsa Raceway Park ; Tulsa : OK – All American Track Racing
Sun : May 22nd – Sunset Speedway ; Stroud : ON – Can-Am TQ Midgets
Sun : May 22nd – Sunset Speedway ; Stroud : ON – OSCARR Late Models
Sun : May 22nd – Erie Speedway ; Erie : PA – ULMS E mods
Sun : May 22nd – Carolina Motorsports Park ; Kershaw : SC – 24 hours of LeMons
Sun : May 22nd – Devil's Bowl Speedway ; Fair Haven : VT – ACT US Tour
Wed : May 25th – Southern Iowa Speedway ; Oskaloosa : IA – USMTS Modifieds
Wed : May 25th – Anderson Speedway ; Anderson : IN – Must See Xtreme Sprints
Wed : May 25th – Indianapolis Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – USAC Midgets
Wed : May 25th – Indianapolis Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – USAC Mopar D1 Midgets
Wed : May 25th – Grandview Speedway ; Bechtelsville : PA – Keystone Cup 410 Sprints
Wed : May 25th – 141 Speedway ; Columbus : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Wed : May 25th – Highway 3 Raceway ; Allison : IA – USMTS Modifieds
Wed : May 25th – Terre Haute Action Track ; Terre Haute : IN – USAC National Sprints
Wed : May 25th – I-80 Speedway ; Greenwood : NE – ASCS Midwest Series
Wed : May 25th – McKean County Speedway ; East Smethport : PA – ULMS Late Models
Wed : May 25th – McKean County Speedway ; East Smethport : PA – ULMS E mods
Wed : May 25th – Port Royal Speedway ; Port Royal : PA – Keystone Cup 410 Sprints
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:
Cup Drivers Aren't the Only NASCAR Stars: Nationwide, CWTS Need All-Star Events Too
by Amy Henderson
Four Burning Questions: McDowell and Raikkonen's Chances, And All-Star Surprises
by Mike Lovecchio
Racing At Its Most "Ideal"
by Summer Dreyer
Kenny Wallace Driver Diary: Good Cars, Good Karma, and One Big Milestone
as told to Amy Henderson
Tearing Apart the Trucks: Raikkonen Set to Debut
by Beth Lunkenheimer
Frontstretch Podcast: May 20th Edition
hosted by Doug Turnbull
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In 1998, Hendrick Motorsports brought a very strong car for Jeff Gordon to The Winston. Gordon dominated the event, only to run out of fuel on the last lap of Segment No. 3, allowing Mark Martin to win. What was notable about the scheme Gordon was running that night?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: In 1997, Jeff Gordon came from the 19th starting spot to lead the final nine laps to win The Winston. What was notable about the mount that Gordon was driving that night?
A: Gordon was driving a red and black No. 24 with a special paint scheme commemorating the VHS release of The Lost World: Jurassic Park (the 1996 sequel to the smash 1993 movie, Jurassic Park). That special scheme gave the car its nickname, "T-Rex." T-Rex was a car that pushed the boundaries of all of the grey areas contained in the Winston Cup Rulebook at the time. The result was a radical race car that fit all of the templates, but was not necessarily within the spirit of the rules. NASCAR let the car race, but famously told the team never to bring it back to the track in that configuration.
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:
-- Sprint All-Star Race Recap by TBA
-- Big Six: Sprint All-Star Race by Amy Henderson
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
Monday on the Frontstretch:
Matt McLaughlin's Thinkin' Out Loud: Sprint All-Star Race by Matt McLaughlin
Matt will be here with his overall thoughts about the action from Saturday night's action from Charlotte.
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 Charlotte.
Running Their Mouth: Sprint All-Star Race 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 Saturday night's race from Charlotte.
Nationwide Series Breakdown: John Deere Dealers 250 by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan has all the post-race analysis you need after Sunday afternoon's Nationwide Series race from Iowa.
Tracking the Trucks: North Carolina Education Lottery 200 by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth has all the post-race analysis you need after Friday night's Camping World Truck Series race from Charlotte.
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©2011 Frontstretch.com
-- This weekend at Iowa Speedway, Kenny Wallace will make his 500th career Nationwide Series start. Since joining the series in 1988, Wallace has nine wins, 64 top 5s and 162 top-10 finishes. The closest he's ever come to a championship in the series was in 1991 when he finished runner-up to Bobby Labonte.
"I'm really honored to make my 500th start in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. When I was a kid growing up in St. Louis, I dreamed of racing in NASCAR," Wallace said. "But to make 855 combined starts in this great sport, including NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Camping World Truck, I am forever thankful to all the teams that hired me and to all the fans who have supported me. But without my brother Rusty, I would have never made it to this point."
Wallace has one of his best career starts with RAB Racing this season with three top-10 finishes and an average finish of 15.3. He currently sits seventh in the standings, just 62 points behind leader Elliott Sadler.
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Frontstretch Folio: Sprint All-Star Race
by Summer Dreyer
This weekend, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Sprint All-Star Race. Saturday's race will mark a break in the Sprint Cup Series points races, and will be broadcast live Saturday, May 21st, at 7:30 PM ET on SPEED and 6:30 PM ET on MRN Radio. Drivers will compete for 100 laps divided up into four different segments before taking the checkered flag.
Records and Facts
Only four drivers have won from the pole position in the Sprint All-Star Race. Dale Earnhardt was the first to accomplish the feat in 1990. Davey Allison followed suit the next two seasons, winning the The Winston after starting up front in 1991 and 1992. No other driver was able to win from the pole until last season when Kurt Busch pulled off the victory from the front row.
In the 26 Sprint All-Star Races run in NASCAR history, there have been 18 different winners. Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon have won three apiece, with Davey Allison, Terry Labonte, Mark Martin, and Jimmie Johnson each with two victories to their name. The race has been very competitive in the recent past, with seven different drivers winning the last seven Sprint All-Star Races.
Kurt Busch is the defending winner of this event, leading 19 of the 100 laps to win the Sprint All-Star Race by .358 sec over second-place Martin Truex, Jr. Joey Logano finished third, followed by Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart. The win was Busch's first All-Star Race victory.
Track Facts
Track/Race Length: 1.5-mile quad oval, 100 laps divided into four segments
Pit Road Speed: 45 mph
Degree of Banking: 24 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,952.8 ft., banked 5 degrees
Backstretch: 1,360 ft., banked 5 degrees
Grandstand Seating: 171,000
Pre-race Schedule
Happy Hour: Begins Friday, May 20th at 12PM ET on SPEED
Qualifying: Begins Friday, May 20th at 5PM ET on SPEED
Race Day Forecast
Saturday: Mostly sunny, 10% chance of rain
High: 91
Low: 66
Say What?!
"This is usually one of those throw-down, exciting races that leaves a lot to be talked about on Sunday morning. I love this race. It's all kind of out there on the line. No points. Just the win. It's a great race, too, because everyone brings their family out for it. It kind of reminds me of those Saturday night races we were all in as kids. There's just an excitement to it." -Mark Martin
"I'm really looking forward to the All-Star race this weekend. One of the best things about the All-Star race is that everyone on the pit crew gets to share the spotlight. The crew will get a lot of recognition with the pit crew challenge on Thursday, the pit stop during qualifying on Friday night and the pit stops during the race. They also participate in the driver introductions and that's a lot of fun for all of us. Hopefully we'll all learn some things in the All-Star race that will help us in the Coke 600 next weekend." -Greg Biffle
"This is such a fun event for the fans. Charlotte is one of my favorite tracks on the circuit and probably my best track. So the plan is to race our way into the main event. I was fortunate and surprised to win the fan vote my first year, hopefully we can lock ourselves in by finishing in the top two and move onto the big show. It's a great gauge for the Coke 600 and it's always fun to race under the lights in front of the home crowd." -Joey Logano
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: Capping Off a Racing Weekend
by Mike Neff
The first of two big race weeks in a row in the Charlotte area does not end on Saturday night with the All-Star race. It actually rolls to a finish on Sunday afternoon when Caraway Speedway drops the flag on three races, including the 200 lap Super Five Late Model race which will feature some of the best Late Model racing talent in the region in the starting lineup. There will be several drivers in the race who don't normally run at Caraway but are taking advantage of the Sunday afternoon start to get in an extra race on the weekend.
Caraway's Super Five is a set of five races that will take place over the course of the season that are all 200 laps or longer. If a driver can win all five of the races he'll receive a $25,000 bonus which, combined with the $5,000 paid to win each race, would mean a $50,000 purse for their efforts. While that money pales in comparison to the million dollars that the Cup boys will be running for at Charlotte on Saturday night, it is a hefty chunk of change for local racers and the reason that they'll be coming from all over the Southeast to run for it. Sunday is the second race of the Super Five. The first took place March 19th and the rest are scheduled for July 5th and 6th, July 30th and October 15th and 16th.
Davin Scites has a race at his local track on Saturday so he's coming in on Sunday and starting at the back of the pack because he will miss qualifying. Scites has the added incentive of being the winner of the first of the Super Five races so he's the only one with a shot at the $25,000. Randy Burnett is a member of Jamie McMurray's raceday team so he'll be at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday and missing qualifying just like Scites. However, with Sunday being one of only four days during the Cup season that he can race he'll be getting up bright and early on Sunday morning to get to the track.
For those folks in the Charlotte area for the race weekend, it is definitely worth a drive to exit 96 on Interstate 85. Caraway speedway is off the beaten path but worth the drive. $20 will get you 35 laps of Legends racing, 100 laps of Limited Late Model action and 200 laps of some outstanding Late Model racing. Kids between 7 and 14 get in for $5 and under seven get in for free.
The Whelen All-American national points are now out since all of the tracks across the country for the most part, barring weather issues, have opened and run some points races. Keith Rocco has picked up where he left off last season although he hasn't had quite the torrid pace that he did last year. He's run 11 races to date taking five wins, eight top 5s and 10 top 10s. Philip Morris has been dominant at South Boston this season, leading nearly 500 consecutive laps and winning six consecutive races. He's run eight races this season and taken home seven checkered flags.
Lee Pulliam, who is fourth in points, has found similar success at Morris's old track, Motor Mile Speedway. Pulliam hasn't had quite the dominance that Morris has but he's still snagged four wins in eight races. He also took a trip to South Boston last weekend and tried to take the $500 bounty that the track has put on Morris to try and get someone to break his winning streak but he finished second to Morris. Frank Deiny Jr., who is sixth in points, is the driver who interrupted Morris's lap leading parade or the former national champion would have close to 800 consecutive laps led.
The National points:
1) Keith Rocco – Stafford, Waterford, Thompson – 317
2) Philip Morris – South Boston – 283
3) Zachary Hausler – Houston, Thunderhill – 257
4) Lee Pulliam – South Boston, Motor Mile – 246
5) Tommy Lemons, Jr. – Motor Mile, Caraway, South Boston – 230
6) Frank Deiny, Jr. – Caraway, South Boston – 222
7) Brandon Davis – Toyota – 221
8) Justin T. Johnson – South Boston – 204
9) Josh Oakley – South Boston – 200
10) Kyle Moon – Hickory – 198
Short Track Schedule This Week
Fri : May 20th - Batesville Motor Speedway ; Batesville : AR – Lucas Oil Late Models
Fri : May 20th – Meridian Motor Speedway ; Meridian : ID – West Coast Vintage Racers
Fri : May 20th – Kankakee County Speedway ; Kankakee : IL – American Late Models
Fri : May 20th – Wayne County Speedway ; Wayne City : IL – POWRI Micro-Sprints
Fri : May 20th – Bloomington Speedway ; Bloomington : IN – Midwest Mini-Sprints
Fri : May 20th – Bloomington Speedway ; Bloomington : IN – USAC National Sprints
Fri : May 20th – Mount Lawn Speedway ; New Castle : IN – USSA Midgets
Fri : May 20th – Ponderosa Speedway ; Junction City : KY – STARS Midwest Dirt League
Fri : May 20th – Hartford Motor Speedway ; Hartford : MI – ASCS Sprints
Fri : May 20th – Callaway Raceway ; Fulton : MO – United Late Models
Fri : May 20th – Electric City Speedway ; Great Falls : MT – Big Sky Sprints
Fri : May 20th – Ace Speedway ; Altamahaw : NC – Late Models
Fri : May 20th – Wake County Speedway ; Raleigh : NC – Super Late Models
Fri : May 20th – Wake County Speedway ; Raleigh : NC – Limited Late Models
Fri : May 20th – Canaan Fair Speedway ; Canaan : NH – Northeast Mini Sprints
Fri : May 20th – Lee USA Speedway ; Epping : NH – NEMA Lites
Fri : May 20th – Attica Raceway Park ; Attica : OH – World of Outlaw Sprints
Fri : May 20th – Kil-Kare Speedway ; Xenia : OH – International Outlaw Figure 8s
Fri : May 20th – Raceway 7 ; Conneaut : OH – ULMS E Modifieds
Fri : May 20th – Lernerville Speedway ; Sarver : PA – BRP Modifieds
Fri : May 20th – Path Valley Speedway ; Spring Run : PA – Pennsylvania Sprints
Fri : May 20th – Anderson Motor Speedway ; Anderson : SC – Late Models
Fri : May 20th – Anderson Motor Speedway ; Anderson : SC – MMRA Mini Cups
Fri : May 20th – Kingsport Speedway ; Kingsport : TN – Late Models
Fri : May 20th – Boyd Speedway ; Boyd : TX – ASCA Lone Star Region
Fri : May 20th – Desert Thunder Raceway ; Price : UT – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : May 20th – Manitowoc Expo Raceway ; Manitowoc : WI – Midwest Sprint Cars
Fri : May 20th – Manitowoc Expo Raceway ; Manitowoc : WI – Wisconsin Late Models
Fri : May 20th – Mississippi Thunder Speedway ; Fountain City : WI – Interstate Racing Association.
Sat : May 21st – Bridge County Raceway ; Lethbridge : Alberta – Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Race City Motorsports ; Calgary : Alberta – ChumpCar World Series
Sat : May 21st - Batesville Motor Speedway ; Batesville : AR – Lucas Oil Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Texarkana 67 Speedway ; Texarkana : AR – ASCS Lone Star Region
Sat : May 21st – Canyon Speedway Park ; Peoria : AZ – ASCS Southwest Region
Sat : May 21st – Western Speedway ; Victoria : BC – WILROC Sprint Cars
Sat : May 21st – Bakersfield Speedway ; Oildale : CA – National ¾ Midgets
Sat : May 21st – Giant Chevrolet Speedway ; Hanford : CA – ASCS SoCal Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Giant Chevrolet Speedway ; Hanford : CA – Taco Bravo Ocean Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Giant Chevrolet Speedway ; Hanford : CA – USAC 360 Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Santa Maria Speedway ; Santa Maria : CA – Golden State Challenge
Sat : May 21st – Stockton 99 Speedway ; Stockton : CA – NCMA Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Toyota Speedway of Irwindale ; Irwindale : CA – ASA Trucks
Sat : May 21st – Willow Springs Motorsports Park ; Rosamond : CA – National Auto Sport Association
Sat : May 21st – Colorado National Speedway ; Erie : CO – Englewood Racing Association
Sat : May 21st – East Bay Raceway ; Gibsonton : FL – Top Gun Sprints
Sat : May 21st – North Florida Speedway ; Lake City : FL – National Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Oglethorpe Speedway Park ; Pooler : GA – United Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Iowa Speedway ; Newton : IA – Camping World East
Sat : May 21st – Iowa Speedway ; Newton : IA – Camping World West
Sat : May 21st – Meridian Motor Speedway ; Meridian : ID – Northwest Pro 4s
Sat : May 21st – Meridian Motor Speedway ; Meridian : ID – West Coast Vintage
Sat : May 21st – Fairbury Speedway ; Fairbury : IL – Northern All Star Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Brownstown Speedway ; Brownstown : IN – Indiana Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Brownstown Speedway ; Brownstown : IN – Midwest Mini Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Lawrenceburg Speedway ; Lawrenceburg : IN – American Mini Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Lawrenceburg Speedway ; Lawrenceburg : IN – King of Indiana Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Montpelier Speedway ; Montpelier : IN – UMRA TQ Midgets
Sat : May 21st – Tri-State Speedway ; Haubstad : IN – POWRI Midgets
Sat : May 21st – Tri-State Speedway ; Haubstad : IN – POWRI Micro Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Tri-State Speedway ; Haubstad : IN – USAC National Midgets
Sat : May 21st – Thunderhill Speedway ; Mayetta : KS – Midwest Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Lake Cumberland Speedway ; Jamestown : KY – STARS Midwest Dirt
Sat : May 21st – Ark-La-Tex Speedway ; Vivian : LA = Southern Thunder Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Leesville 171 Speedway ; Leesville : LA – Ark-La_Tex Winged Modifieds
Sat : May 21st – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford : ME – Senior Tour Auto Racers
Sat : May 21st – Allegan County Fairgrounds ; Allegan : MI – Unique Bump and Run
Sat : May 21st – Berlin Raceway ; Marne : MI – USA Modifieds
Sat : May 21st – I-96 Speedway ; Lake Odessa : MI – World of Outlaw Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Brainerd Raceway ; Brainerd : MN – National Auto Sport Association
Sat : May 21st – Central Missouri Speedway ; Warrensburg : MO – United Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – United Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Scotland County Speedway ; Memphis : MO – United Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Pike County Speedway ; Magnolia : MS – SUPR Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Electric City Speedway ; Great Falls : MT – Big Sky Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Dublin Speedway ; Dublin : NC – Carolina Clash Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Bowman-Gray Stadium ; Winston-Salem : NC – Twin Modifeds
Sat : May 21st – Bowman-Gray Stadium ; Winston-Salem : NC – Sportsman
Sat : May 21st – Canaan Speedway ; Canaan : NH – Pro Four Modifieds
Sat : May 21st – Monadnock Speedway ; Winchester : NH – New England Trucks
Sat : May 21st – White Mountain Motorsports Park ; North Woodstock : NH – PASS North Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Aztec Speedway ; Aztec : NM – New Mexico Motor Racing
Sat : May 21st – Stateline Speedway ; Busti : NY – ULMS E Mods
Sat : May 21st – Fayette County Fairgrounds ; Washington : OH – Antique Auto Racing
Sat : May 21st – Lake County Speedway ; Painesville : OH – International Outlaw Figure 8s
Sat : May 21st – National Trail Raceway ; Hebron : OH – Mo-Power
Sat : May 21st – Sandusky Speedway ; Sandusky : OH – Main Event Racing Series
Sat : May 21st – Sandusky Speedway ; Sandusky : OH – Midwest Supermodifieds
Sat : May 21st – Beaver Raceway ; Beaver : OK – NCRA Southern SportMod
Sat : May 21st – Tulsa Raceway Park ; Tulsa : OK – All American Track Racing
Sat : May 21st – Merrittville Speedway ; Thorold : OK – BRP CanAm Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Cottage Grove Speedway ; Cottage Grove : OR – Washington Midgets
Sat : May 21st – Port Royal Speedway ; Port Royal : PA – Pennsylvania Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Thunder Valley Raceway ; Central City : PA – Unified Force Race Championship
Sat : May 21st – Williams Grove Speedway ; Mechanicsburg : PA – Super Sportsman
Sat : May 21st – Dillon Motor Speedway ; Dillon : SC – Super Trucks
Sat : May 21st – Florence Motor Speedway ; Timmonsville : SC – Limited Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Carolina Motor Sports Park ; Kershaw : SC – 24 Hours of LeMons
Sat : May 21st – Cleveland Speeday ; Cleveland : TN – Southern All Star Racing
Sat : May 21st – Newport Speedway ; Newport : TN – Rolling Thunder Modifieds
Sat : May 21st – Newport Speedway ; Newport : TN – Super Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Route 66 Motor Speedway ; Amarillo : TX – USMTS Modifieds
Sat : May 21st – Thunderhill Raceway ; Kyle : TX – Dwarf Car Series
Sat : May 21st – Desert Thunder Raceway ; Price : UT – IMCA Modifieds
Sat : May 21st – Franklin County Speedway ; Callaway : VA – Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Langley Speedway ; Hampton : VA – Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Old Dominion Speedway ; Manassas : VA – Twin Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Motor Mile Speedway ; Radford : VA – Twin Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Motor Mile Speedway ; Radford : VA – Limited Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Shenandoah Speedway ; Shenandoah : VA – Late Models
Sat : May 21st – Bear Ridge Speedway ; Bradford : VT – Granite State Mini-Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Evergreen Speedway ; Monroe : WA – Northwest Pro 4 Trucks
Sat : May 21st – South Sound Speedway ; Tenino : WA – Washington Econo Sprints
Sat : May 21st – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Interstate Racing
Sat : May 21st – Plymouth Dirt Track ; Plymouth : WI – Midwest Sprintcars
Sat : May 21st – Plymouth Dirt Track ; Plymouth : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Sun : May 22nd – Bridge County Raceway ; Lethbridge : Alberta – Late Models
Sun : May 22nd – Race City Motorsports Park ; Calgary : Alberta – ChumpCar World Series
Sun : May 22nd – Merced Speedway ; Merced : CA – Golden State Challenge
Sun : May 22nd – Willow Springs Motorsports Park ; Rosamond : CA – National Auto Sport
Sun : May 22nd – Swainsboro Raceway ; Swainsboro : GA – United Late Models
Sun : May 22nd – Shepp's Speedway ; Alexander : IL – Northern All Star Late Models
Sun : May 22nd – Baer Field Speedway ; Fort Wayne : IN – CRA Super Series
Sun : May 22nd – Baer Field Speedway ; Fort Wayne : IN – USA Modifieds
Sun : May 22nd – Salem Speedway ; Salem : IN – Winged Outlaw Figure 8s
Sun : May 22nd – Brainerd Raceway ; Brainerd : MN – National Auto Sport
Sun : May 22nd – Dawson County Speedway ; Lexington : NE – United Rebel Sprints
Sun : May 22nd – New Jersey Motorsports Park ; Millville : NJ – ARCA Late Models
Sun : May 22nd – Scotia Speedworld ; Halifax : Nova Scotia – Parts for Trucks Pro Stock
Sun : May 22nd – Five Mile Point Speedway ; Kirkwood : NY – Capitol Region Sprintcars
Sun : May 22nd – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Late Models
Sun : May 22nd – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Limited Late Models
Sun : May 22nd – Fayette County Fairgrounds ; Washington : OH – Antique Auto Racing
Sun : May 22nd – Millstream Speedway ; Findlay : OH – NRA SprintInvaders
Sun : May 22nd – National Trail Raceway ; Hebron : OH – Mo-Power
Sun : May 22nd – Enid Speedway ; Enid : OK – USMTS Modifieds
Sun : May 22nd – Tulsa Raceway Park ; Tulsa : OK – All American Track Racing
Sun : May 22nd – Sunset Speedway ; Stroud : ON – Can-Am TQ Midgets
Sun : May 22nd – Sunset Speedway ; Stroud : ON – OSCARR Late Models
Sun : May 22nd – Erie Speedway ; Erie : PA – ULMS E mods
Sun : May 22nd – Carolina Motorsports Park ; Kershaw : SC – 24 hours of LeMons
Sun : May 22nd – Devil's Bowl Speedway ; Fair Haven : VT – ACT US Tour
Wed : May 25th – Southern Iowa Speedway ; Oskaloosa : IA – USMTS Modifieds
Wed : May 25th – Anderson Speedway ; Anderson : IN – Must See Xtreme Sprints
Wed : May 25th – Indianapolis Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – USAC Midgets
Wed : May 25th – Indianapolis Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – USAC Mopar D1 Midgets
Wed : May 25th – Grandview Speedway ; Bechtelsville : PA – Keystone Cup 410 Sprints
Wed : May 25th – 141 Speedway ; Columbus : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Wed : May 25th – Highway 3 Raceway ; Allison : IA – USMTS Modifieds
Wed : May 25th – Terre Haute Action Track ; Terre Haute : IN – USAC National Sprints
Wed : May 25th – I-80 Speedway ; Greenwood : NE – ASCS Midwest Series
Wed : May 25th – McKean County Speedway ; East Smethport : PA – ULMS Late Models
Wed : May 25th – McKean County Speedway ; East Smethport : PA – ULMS E mods
Wed : May 25th – Port Royal Speedway ; Port Royal : PA – Keystone Cup 410 Sprints
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:
Cup Drivers Aren't the Only NASCAR Stars: Nationwide, CWTS Need All-Star Events Too
by Amy Henderson
Four Burning Questions: McDowell and Raikkonen's Chances, And All-Star Surprises
by Mike Lovecchio
Racing At Its Most "Ideal"
by Summer Dreyer
Kenny Wallace Driver Diary: Good Cars, Good Karma, and One Big Milestone
as told to Amy Henderson
Tearing Apart the Trucks: Raikkonen Set to Debut
by Beth Lunkenheimer
Frontstretch Podcast: May 20th Edition
hosted by Doug Turnbull
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In 1998, Hendrick Motorsports brought a very strong car for Jeff Gordon to The Winston. Gordon dominated the event, only to run out of fuel on the last lap of Segment No. 3, allowing Mark Martin to win. What was notable about the scheme Gordon was running that night?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: In 1997, Jeff Gordon came from the 19th starting spot to lead the final nine laps to win The Winston. What was notable about the mount that Gordon was driving that night?
A: Gordon was driving a red and black No. 24 with a special paint scheme commemorating the VHS release of The Lost World: Jurassic Park (the 1996 sequel to the smash 1993 movie, Jurassic Park). That special scheme gave the car its nickname, "T-Rex." T-Rex was a car that pushed the boundaries of all of the grey areas contained in the Winston Cup Rulebook at the time. The result was a radical race car that fit all of the templates, but was not necessarily within the spirit of the rules. NASCAR let the car race, but famously told the team never to bring it back to the track in that configuration.
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!
~~~~~~~~~~
Coming Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Sprint All-Star Race Recap by TBA
-- Big Six: Sprint All-Star Race by Amy Henderson
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
Monday on the Frontstretch:
Matt McLaughlin's Thinkin' Out Loud: Sprint All-Star Race by Matt McLaughlin
Matt will be here with his overall thoughts about the action from Saturday night's action from Charlotte.
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 Charlotte.
Running Their Mouth: Sprint All-Star Race 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 Saturday night's race from Charlotte.
Nationwide Series Breakdown: John Deere Dealers 250 by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan has all the post-race analysis you need after Sunday afternoon's Nationwide Series race from Iowa.
Tracking the Trucks: North Carolina Education Lottery 200 by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth has all the post-race analysis you need after Friday night's Camping World Truck Series race from Charlotte.
-----------------------------
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