THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
May 25th, 2011
Volume V, Edition XCVII
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
May 25th, 2011
Volume V, Edition XCVII
~~~~~~~~~~
What To Watch For: Wednesday
A long list of Nationwide, Truck, and up-and-coming drivers are scheduled to participate in the "NASCAR Fans Choice Challenge" Go-Kart event at NASCAR SpeedPark located at Concord Mills Mall in Concord, North Carolina from 6:00 -8:00pm/et. Want to go? For more SpeedPark details, visit the NASCAR SpeedPark website.
For those in Charlotte, there are several Fan Fests and special autograph signings as the race this weekend is occurring just miles away from the team's main North Carolina shops. Check out Jayski's Driver Appearance page for more information.
The official police report on Kyle Busch's speeding incident is expected to be made public.
Top News
by Tom Bowles
Kyle Busch Caught Speeding
Typically, going fast isn't a problem for Kyle Busch. But on Tuesday, he learned that speeding off the racetrack has its consequences. The NASCAR superstar was stopped by local North Carolina police and cited for breaking the law yesterday afternoon, clocked at 128 miles an hour in a 45 mile an hour zone driving his personal vehicle. The incident occurred on the border of Troutman and Mooresville, two suburbs 45 minutes outside of Charlotte on a side road where Busch was "test driving" a new Lexus sports car.
According to Lt. Troy Miller, ACE Team Supervisor for the Sheriff's Office Iredell County Office Sgt. Chris Stone pulled Busch over and wrote the citation that includes careless driving, reckless driving and speeding. The Stateville Record & Landmark, on board first with this story had Stone quoting Busch as, "This is just a toy," when asked further about the Lexus, a two-door coupe. The car was supposedly on loan from the manufacturer, according to police who also claimed there was an unidentified woman in the car.
There's nothing to indicate Busch was uncooperative with police; however, the speed involved could force an automatic suspension of his everyday license under the law. According to North Carolina Statute 20-16.1a, "The Division shall suspend for a period of 30 days the license of any driver without preliminary hearing on receiving a record of the driver's conviction of either (i) exceeding by more than 15 miles per hour the speed limit, either within or outside the corporate limits of a municipality, if the person was also driving at a speed in excess of 55 miles per hour at the time of the offense, or (ii) driving at a speed in excess of 80 miles per hour at the time of the offense."
The citation is also considered a Class 2 misdemeanor, a criminal charge that could have gotten Busch arrested and one he will have to eventually fight in court. In response to the incident, the driver issued the following statement through his KBM public relations representative, Andy Gee Tuesday evening:
"Today, I received a traffic citation in Iredell County," he said. "I was test driving a new sports car and I got carried away. I went beyond the speed I should have been going on a public road. I apologize to the public, my fans, sponsors, and race teams for my lack of judgment. I take responsibility for my actions and I can assure you that something like this will never happen again. I thank the Iredell County Sheriff's Department and all law enforcement for the hard work they do every day to protect the public and to enforce the laws in a fair and equitable manner."
Busch's ability to drive in NASCAR should be unaffected; he's currently scheduled to run in both the Nationwide and Cup Series events for Joe Gibbs Racing this weekend at Charlotte.
Danica Patrick To NASCAR?
Terry Blount of ESPN.com reported Tuesday Danica Patrick's part-time flirtation with NASCAR is heading toward a full-time marriage over the long-term. According to sources reporting in to ESPN, the driver is working on a multi-year deal that would place her in the Nationwide Series for all 34 races next season, running a part-time Sprint Cup schedule before moving up to NASCAR's top level in 2013. The deal would supposedly allow Patrick to race in the Indy 500 for an undisclosed organization going forward, but beyond that her IndyCar career would all but come to an end.
If true, the move would be a huge blow for the struggling open-wheel side of racing, where Patrick remains its most recognizable face. Currently driving for Andretti Autosport, racing's best-performing female has struggled for much of the last two years in IndyCar; 16th in the point standings over there, she's without a top-5 finish and has been largely uncompetitive at Indianapolis this month, barely squeezing in the starting field on Bump Day (26th.) Two of her Andretti Autosport teammates, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Mike Conway failed to make the race on speed although Hunter-Reay will jump in an A.J. Foyt car for the 500.
Meanwhile, over on the NASCAR side Patrick has shown progress during the second season of her stock car transition. She scored a fourth-place finish at Las Vegas, the best of her career in the Nationwide Series and even led a lap at Daytona in February.
"I suppose anything is possible," she said recently when asked about her future in either side of the sport. "But I know for me, I haven't made any of those decisions yet."
If true, there's no indication where the contract would land her in NASCAR over the long-term. Currently driving for JR Motorsports, a subsidiary of Hendrick that organization has no Cup Series cars at the moment and there's no room at the Hendrick inn; incoming driver Kasey Kahne, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr., in the midst of signing a contract extension will all have deals that last well beyond the 2013 season, when Patrick is expected to move up to Cup.
TV Ratings For All-Star Race Increase Slightly
NASCAR's All-Star extravaganza packed little of the punch promised by Marcus Smith and Charlotte Motor Speedway Saturday night. But some last-minute marketing by track officials, a barrage that included Smith offering to pay the NASCAR fines of Kevin Harvick or Kyle Busch if they retaliated against each other clearly helped the TV numbers. The year-to-year audience for the sport's main exhibition was up 1 percent, pulling a 3.32 rating in the Nielsens that's equivalent to roughly 3.99 million viewers.
Perhaps most encouraging for the sport going forward was a sharp increase in the Male 18-34 demographic, jumping an impressive 58% in viewership compared to last year. The final number there, a 1.26, was the highest amongst that group in three years for the race. Saturday night's NASCAR showdown also served as top billing for the 35-54 and 55+ male demographics on cable.
While a positive step, the audience still trailed the record for NASCAR viewership on SPEED for the All-Star Race by 11.2 percent. The record remains a 3.74, recorded for the 2008 edition of the event.
Burton Crew Member Suspended For Substance Abuse Policy
The hits just keep on coming for Jeff Burton and the No. 31 team. Still without a top-10 finish in 2011, Tuesday afternoon NASCAR announced crewmember Gary Frost had been suspended indefinitely under the sport's substance abuse policy. Frost, who was listed as a mechanic for the Caterpillar Chevrolet was terminated immediately under Richard Childress Racing's zero tolerance policy for drug offenders.
No replacement for Frost was named within the struggling program; 11 races into the season, 2010 Chaser Burton sits 23rd in points, has blown two engines and led just 23 laps all year.
Also... Kimi Raikkonen was revealed to be testing for Robby Gordon Motorsports' No. 7 car at Virginia International Raceway Tuesday. Rumors persist Raikkonen will slide behind the wheel of a Cup car for the race at Infineon.
What To Watch For: Wednesday
A long list of Nationwide, Truck, and up-and-coming drivers are scheduled to participate in the "NASCAR Fans Choice Challenge" Go-Kart event at NASCAR SpeedPark located at Concord Mills Mall in Concord, North Carolina from 6:00 -8:00pm/et. Want to go? For more SpeedPark details, visit the NASCAR SpeedPark website.
For those in Charlotte, there are several Fan Fests and special autograph signings as the race this weekend is occurring just miles away from the team's main North Carolina shops. Check out Jayski's Driver Appearance page for more information.
The official police report on Kyle Busch's speeding incident is expected to be made public.
Top News
by Tom Bowles
Kyle Busch Caught Speeding
Typically, going fast isn't a problem for Kyle Busch. But on Tuesday, he learned that speeding off the racetrack has its consequences. The NASCAR superstar was stopped by local North Carolina police and cited for breaking the law yesterday afternoon, clocked at 128 miles an hour in a 45 mile an hour zone driving his personal vehicle. The incident occurred on the border of Troutman and Mooresville, two suburbs 45 minutes outside of Charlotte on a side road where Busch was "test driving" a new Lexus sports car.
According to Lt. Troy Miller, ACE Team Supervisor for the Sheriff's Office Iredell County Office Sgt. Chris Stone pulled Busch over and wrote the citation that includes careless driving, reckless driving and speeding. The Stateville Record & Landmark, on board first with this story had Stone quoting Busch as, "This is just a toy," when asked further about the Lexus, a two-door coupe. The car was supposedly on loan from the manufacturer, according to police who also claimed there was an unidentified woman in the car.
There's nothing to indicate Busch was uncooperative with police; however, the speed involved could force an automatic suspension of his everyday license under the law. According to North Carolina Statute 20-16.1a, "The Division shall suspend for a period of 30 days the license of any driver without preliminary hearing on receiving a record of the driver's conviction of either (i) exceeding by more than 15 miles per hour the speed limit, either within or outside the corporate limits of a municipality, if the person was also driving at a speed in excess of 55 miles per hour at the time of the offense, or (ii) driving at a speed in excess of 80 miles per hour at the time of the offense."
The citation is also considered a Class 2 misdemeanor, a criminal charge that could have gotten Busch arrested and one he will have to eventually fight in court. In response to the incident, the driver issued the following statement through his KBM public relations representative, Andy Gee Tuesday evening:
"Today, I received a traffic citation in Iredell County," he said. "I was test driving a new sports car and I got carried away. I went beyond the speed I should have been going on a public road. I apologize to the public, my fans, sponsors, and race teams for my lack of judgment. I take responsibility for my actions and I can assure you that something like this will never happen again. I thank the Iredell County Sheriff's Department and all law enforcement for the hard work they do every day to protect the public and to enforce the laws in a fair and equitable manner."
Busch's ability to drive in NASCAR should be unaffected; he's currently scheduled to run in both the Nationwide and Cup Series events for Joe Gibbs Racing this weekend at Charlotte.
Danica Patrick To NASCAR?
Terry Blount of ESPN.com reported Tuesday Danica Patrick's part-time flirtation with NASCAR is heading toward a full-time marriage over the long-term. According to sources reporting in to ESPN, the driver is working on a multi-year deal that would place her in the Nationwide Series for all 34 races next season, running a part-time Sprint Cup schedule before moving up to NASCAR's top level in 2013. The deal would supposedly allow Patrick to race in the Indy 500 for an undisclosed organization going forward, but beyond that her IndyCar career would all but come to an end.
If true, the move would be a huge blow for the struggling open-wheel side of racing, where Patrick remains its most recognizable face. Currently driving for Andretti Autosport, racing's best-performing female has struggled for much of the last two years in IndyCar; 16th in the point standings over there, she's without a top-5 finish and has been largely uncompetitive at Indianapolis this month, barely squeezing in the starting field on Bump Day (26th.) Two of her Andretti Autosport teammates, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Mike Conway failed to make the race on speed although Hunter-Reay will jump in an A.J. Foyt car for the 500.
Meanwhile, over on the NASCAR side Patrick has shown progress during the second season of her stock car transition. She scored a fourth-place finish at Las Vegas, the best of her career in the Nationwide Series and even led a lap at Daytona in February.
"I suppose anything is possible," she said recently when asked about her future in either side of the sport. "But I know for me, I haven't made any of those decisions yet."
If true, there's no indication where the contract would land her in NASCAR over the long-term. Currently driving for JR Motorsports, a subsidiary of Hendrick that organization has no Cup Series cars at the moment and there's no room at the Hendrick inn; incoming driver Kasey Kahne, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr., in the midst of signing a contract extension will all have deals that last well beyond the 2013 season, when Patrick is expected to move up to Cup.
TV Ratings For All-Star Race Increase Slightly
NASCAR's All-Star extravaganza packed little of the punch promised by Marcus Smith and Charlotte Motor Speedway Saturday night. But some last-minute marketing by track officials, a barrage that included Smith offering to pay the NASCAR fines of Kevin Harvick or Kyle Busch if they retaliated against each other clearly helped the TV numbers. The year-to-year audience for the sport's main exhibition was up 1 percent, pulling a 3.32 rating in the Nielsens that's equivalent to roughly 3.99 million viewers.
Perhaps most encouraging for the sport going forward was a sharp increase in the Male 18-34 demographic, jumping an impressive 58% in viewership compared to last year. The final number there, a 1.26, was the highest amongst that group in three years for the race. Saturday night's NASCAR showdown also served as top billing for the 35-54 and 55+ male demographics on cable.
While a positive step, the audience still trailed the record for NASCAR viewership on SPEED for the All-Star Race by 11.2 percent. The record remains a 3.74, recorded for the 2008 edition of the event.
Burton Crew Member Suspended For Substance Abuse Policy
The hits just keep on coming for Jeff Burton and the No. 31 team. Still without a top-10 finish in 2011, Tuesday afternoon NASCAR announced crewmember Gary Frost had been suspended indefinitely under the sport's substance abuse policy. Frost, who was listed as a mechanic for the Caterpillar Chevrolet was terminated immediately under Richard Childress Racing's zero tolerance policy for drug offenders.
No replacement for Frost was named within the struggling program; 11 races into the season, 2010 Chaser Burton sits 23rd in points, has blown two engines and led just 23 laps all year.
Also... Kimi Raikkonen was revealed to be testing for Robby Gordon Motorsports' No. 7 car at Virginia International Raceway Tuesday. Rumors persist Raikkonen will slide behind the wheel of a Cup car for the race at Infineon.
Have news for Tom and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at ashland10@mail.com with a promising lead or tip.
~~~~~~~~~~
Got NASCAR-related questions or comments?
Send them John Potts' way at john.potts@frontstretch.com; and if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print when he does his weekly column answering back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat. Potts' Shots will run on Thursdays with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!
~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Featured Commentary
Current Drivers Should Celebrate Hall of Fame Inductees
Full Throttle
by Mike Neff
Monday night, the second class was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and the four living inductees took to the podium to talk about their lives and careers. The stories of sacrifice and passion that drove them to rise towards the top reminded all of those in attendance, and watching on TV, how much it took from all of the pioneers in the sport to lay the foundation that supports what we enjoy on the track today.
The current generation of drivers live like rock stars: flying to races, staying in multi-million dollar motor homes at the race track, receiving compensation for appearances and sponsorship not to mention competing for teams with budgets that are well into the eight-figure realm. The drivers who built this sport, in comparison, made hard economic sacrifices simply to get their cars built and to the race track for competition. Ned Jarrett tells the story of writing a check he didn't have the money for in anticipation of winning the money that weekend at short tracks to cover it. Dale Earnhardt went through two marriages as he fought to establish himself as a driver, often borrowing money to get what he needed for his cars in anticipation of winning the money back at the track the following weekend. Raymond Parks also put a large amount of his own money into the sport, investing in the very early years without return to ensure that drivers were paid for their finishes in NASCAR-sanctioned events.
So as the crowd filed into the ballroom of the NASCAR Hall of Fame to take in the induction ceremony, there should have been a large number of drivers on hand to stand in recognition of these legends - the men indirectly responsible for their career to even exist. Joey Logano, Kurt Busch, Clint Bowyer, David Reutimann, Mark Martin, Brian Scott and several of the Drive for Diversity participants did make the walk down the Blue Carpet, while Brian Keselowski was spotted in the audience.
And... that's it. Sadly, that was the extent of the representation by the current list of drivers in all of the NASCAR touring series. How sad. With the Truck and Cup series in Charlotte this weekend, the drivers would be hard pressed to make travel an excuse for not being in attendance. Martin actually calls Florida his home and yet he put forth the effort to commemorate the contributions of this year's inductees. The rest of the drivers who had something better to do should take a look in the mirror when they put on their driving suit this weekend and remember who it was that got them there.
Think of the advances in safety these past generations have afforded drivers, risking their lives and sometimes losing them in the name of advancing the sport. Fireball Roberts died in Charlotte after he sustained extensive burns in an accident at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the 1960s; drivers have since worn fire retardant suits to prevent that from happening. More recently, Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin, Tony Roper and Dale Earnhardt all died from 2000-01, a series of tragedies that ultimately led to the requirement of HANS devices or other head and neck restraint systems. Fuel spills and fires resulted in foam filled gas tank bladders which now minimize fuel loss during accidents. SAFER barriers came about because so many people paid the ultimate price during races. From tragedy to triumph, these Hall of Famers contributed greatly to the current state of NASCAR and the life that the top drivers are afforded. The current crop owes a great debt of gratitude to each and every one of them, especially those who are being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
It is truly a shame, as fans and media lined the carpet outside the ballroom, waiting to get a glimpse of the celebrities who paraded into the event, they saw only a handful of current drivers. The Hall of Fame's economic struggles are no secret, with first-year attendance figures falling well below the initial estimates, and the revenue stream has resulted in shortfalls and potential default on bonds. The best thing that could happen for the Hall is having extensive support from the current drivers and a large amount of exposure because of it. However, that isn't the most important reason for the drivers to be there. Without the blood, sweat, tears, and lost lives of these Hall of Famers, they'd be running around at local tracks and making next to nothing, if that.
To the current list of drivers in the upper echelons of NASCAR, you should be embarrassed. Every driver, barring the handful who showed up on Monday night, should sit down at a desk and write a letter, not a tweet, not a text, not an email, an actual letter to every living member of the Hall of Fame and express their sincere apology for not attending the induction. There is no reason that they shouldn't have been there. None.
Meanwhile, to the 10 members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and especially to the six living members -- Richard Petty, Junior Johnson, Bobby Allison, Bud Moore, David Pearson and Ned Jarrett -- I thank you. Thank you for putting your wives and families through the separation required to succeed in stock car racing. Thank you for taking the risks and accepting the challenges to become champions and heroes for all of the fans of this sport.
It's too bad many of the men who have followed in your footsteps don't appreciate it.
Mike Neff is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at mike.neff@frontstretch.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
Hey, Frontstretch Readers!
We know you love the roar of raw horsepower under the hood that powers 43 of the best drivers in the world every weekend, but did you ever wonder how the sponsor on top of that hood also contributes to keeping the sport moving? What about the contributions of official NASCAR companies? If you think they are simply writing checks, think again. Check out our newest feature - Sunday Money. This weekly Frontstretch exclusive provides you with a behind the scenes look at how NASCAR, its affiliates and team sponsors approach the daunting task of keeping fans interested and excited about the sport for 38 weeks of the year.
~~~~~~~~~~
Tweet 'N' Greet
by Jay Pennell
Editor's Note: With the NASCAR Twitter community expanding by leaps and bounds, it remains a place for instantaneous news, reactions, and a whole lot of inside jokes. We understand if you don't want to join the Twitter community - but as a fan, it's important to know the news and info you're missing out on! That's why, every week, Jay Pennell will sort through the thousands of messages and give us a little taste of what's going on each Wednesday.
So, without further ado, here's a look at what those in NASCAR were thinking over the past seven days...
@JimmieJohnson: These tornadoes need to lay off... We are worried for Chani's family in Muskogee, sounds like there is one on the ground there.
@KevinHarvick: Riding in the passenger seat with @mother_function driving scares the crap out of me... flower beds curbs you name it we've hit it..
@KevinHarvick: Ouch!! RT @jeff_gluck: Report: Kyle Busch nailed with a 128 mph speeding ticket in Troutman, NC. --> http://bit.ly/lNAZsi
@CopaCavanna (Alan Cavanna): To give you some perspective, KyBusch took the All-Star race pole with a speed of 135.916 mph @CLTMotorSpdwy #nascar
@JennaFryer: From NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp: "This is a matter that Kyle will have to handle with the authorities in Iredell County. Based on what we know right now, this would not impact his status as a NASCAR driver."
@31n2Spotter (Brett Griffin): Kyle doing an outreach program to teens could save lives. Let him keep his DL and have him do some safe driving seminars. #movealong
@31n2Spotter: Fans & media need to remember social media has changed the game. Stuff gets out quicker to public. Makes PR response look slow...
@31n2Spotter (on Kyle Busch's speeding): No wonder he's so dam good at restarts!! He practices 'em all week??? I think this must be a joke...
@tomjensen100 (Tom Jensen): Too bad we didn't know this yesterday. I could have gotten reaction from Junior Johnson about a NASCAR driver speeding on rural roads.
@JennaFryer: Somehow, @kylepetty was just the center of conversation by the TNT halftime crew. That led Barkley to say "You know I love @kylepetty ..."
@JennaFryer: "but my new hero is Kyle Busch." And I thought wtf? Then 2 more NASCAR references came up. Oh yeah! TNT takes over the schedule soon ...
@JimmieJohnson: My summer salute it to all military families including mine on both sides. Both of my Grandfathers served, 1 in the Army and 1 in the Navy.
@Bobby_Labonte: If u are in Charlotte, I'll be at the MWR fan fest from 5:30-7:30pm Wednesday at their shop. Check it out for food,fun and autographs.
@PLANETROBBY (Robby Gordon Headquarters): Kimi Raikkonen testing the #7 at VIR today while Robby Gordon is out west.
@PLANETROBBY: This is Raikkonen's first ever laps in a cup car. And he gets to do it in a RGM road course car.
@PLANETROBBY: @jeff_gluck @CandiceSpencer Kimi got off course & nose did what Carl's did at Charlotte in grass.
@31n2Spotter: Cool thing about our sport is the legends stay involved! All 4 of the inductees from last night will be at the track a few times a year!
@tomjensen100: Classy, as always, Ned Jarrett thanks "the media for all you do for our sport." We rarely hear that during our interviews at tracks now.
@MartySmithESPN (Marty Smith): I reiterate, be honored to be listening to Bud Moore speak. He just told us about D-Day. "That was some kind of experience. It was bad, I'll tell you that."
@jaywpennell (Jay W. Pennell): Having been to Normandy on the 61st anniversary of D-Day & stood down looking on the beach, I can't imagine what Bud Moore faced that day.
@jaywpennell: It's amazing we sit here & tweet, often complain about TV coverage, yet Bud Moore talking about the days of racing in 1947 before #NASCAR
@SummerDreyer: Kerry Tharp doesn't know my name, so he always refers to me as "young lady" when I have a question. Should I tell him? LOL #NASCAR
Jay Pennell is an Assistant Editor to Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at jaywpennell@yahoo.com, and you can also check out his work at allleftturns.com or jaywpennell.blogspot.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Did You Notice? ... Big-Name, Open-Wheel Risks, The Marcus Marketing Experiment And Speeding Towards... What?
by Tom Bowles
Mirror Driving: All-Star Disappointment, Kyle's Ticket and Raikkonen's Future
by the Frontstretch Staff
Beyond the Cockpit: Mark Beaver Loving Life as a Truck Series Owner
by Bryan Davis Keith
Perception: Why Iowa's Attendance May Not Have Been As Great As It Seemed
by Summer Dreyer
Top 10 Excuses Kyle Busch Gave For Speeding
by the Frontstretch Staff
Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After The All-Star Race
compiled by Mike Neff
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
~~~~~~~~~~
Got NASCAR-related questions or comments?
Send them John Potts' way at john.potts@frontstretch.com; and if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print when he does his weekly column answering back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat. Potts' Shots will run on Thursdays with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!
~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Featured Commentary
Current Drivers Should Celebrate Hall of Fame Inductees
Full Throttle
by Mike Neff
Monday night, the second class was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and the four living inductees took to the podium to talk about their lives and careers. The stories of sacrifice and passion that drove them to rise towards the top reminded all of those in attendance, and watching on TV, how much it took from all of the pioneers in the sport to lay the foundation that supports what we enjoy on the track today.
The current generation of drivers live like rock stars: flying to races, staying in multi-million dollar motor homes at the race track, receiving compensation for appearances and sponsorship not to mention competing for teams with budgets that are well into the eight-figure realm. The drivers who built this sport, in comparison, made hard economic sacrifices simply to get their cars built and to the race track for competition. Ned Jarrett tells the story of writing a check he didn't have the money for in anticipation of winning the money that weekend at short tracks to cover it. Dale Earnhardt went through two marriages as he fought to establish himself as a driver, often borrowing money to get what he needed for his cars in anticipation of winning the money back at the track the following weekend. Raymond Parks also put a large amount of his own money into the sport, investing in the very early years without return to ensure that drivers were paid for their finishes in NASCAR-sanctioned events.
So as the crowd filed into the ballroom of the NASCAR Hall of Fame to take in the induction ceremony, there should have been a large number of drivers on hand to stand in recognition of these legends - the men indirectly responsible for their career to even exist. Joey Logano, Kurt Busch, Clint Bowyer, David Reutimann, Mark Martin, Brian Scott and several of the Drive for Diversity participants did make the walk down the Blue Carpet, while Brian Keselowski was spotted in the audience.
And... that's it. Sadly, that was the extent of the representation by the current list of drivers in all of the NASCAR touring series. How sad. With the Truck and Cup series in Charlotte this weekend, the drivers would be hard pressed to make travel an excuse for not being in attendance. Martin actually calls Florida his home and yet he put forth the effort to commemorate the contributions of this year's inductees. The rest of the drivers who had something better to do should take a look in the mirror when they put on their driving suit this weekend and remember who it was that got them there.
Think of the advances in safety these past generations have afforded drivers, risking their lives and sometimes losing them in the name of advancing the sport. Fireball Roberts died in Charlotte after he sustained extensive burns in an accident at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the 1960s; drivers have since worn fire retardant suits to prevent that from happening. More recently, Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin, Tony Roper and Dale Earnhardt all died from 2000-01, a series of tragedies that ultimately led to the requirement of HANS devices or other head and neck restraint systems. Fuel spills and fires resulted in foam filled gas tank bladders which now minimize fuel loss during accidents. SAFER barriers came about because so many people paid the ultimate price during races. From tragedy to triumph, these Hall of Famers contributed greatly to the current state of NASCAR and the life that the top drivers are afforded. The current crop owes a great debt of gratitude to each and every one of them, especially those who are being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
It is truly a shame, as fans and media lined the carpet outside the ballroom, waiting to get a glimpse of the celebrities who paraded into the event, they saw only a handful of current drivers. The Hall of Fame's economic struggles are no secret, with first-year attendance figures falling well below the initial estimates, and the revenue stream has resulted in shortfalls and potential default on bonds. The best thing that could happen for the Hall is having extensive support from the current drivers and a large amount of exposure because of it. However, that isn't the most important reason for the drivers to be there. Without the blood, sweat, tears, and lost lives of these Hall of Famers, they'd be running around at local tracks and making next to nothing, if that.
To the current list of drivers in the upper echelons of NASCAR, you should be embarrassed. Every driver, barring the handful who showed up on Monday night, should sit down at a desk and write a letter, not a tweet, not a text, not an email, an actual letter to every living member of the Hall of Fame and express their sincere apology for not attending the induction. There is no reason that they shouldn't have been there. None.
Meanwhile, to the 10 members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and especially to the six living members -- Richard Petty, Junior Johnson, Bobby Allison, Bud Moore, David Pearson and Ned Jarrett -- I thank you. Thank you for putting your wives and families through the separation required to succeed in stock car racing. Thank you for taking the risks and accepting the challenges to become champions and heroes for all of the fans of this sport.
It's too bad many of the men who have followed in your footsteps don't appreciate it.
Mike Neff is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at mike.neff@frontstretch.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
Hey, Frontstretch Readers!
We know you love the roar of raw horsepower under the hood that powers 43 of the best drivers in the world every weekend, but did you ever wonder how the sponsor on top of that hood also contributes to keeping the sport moving? What about the contributions of official NASCAR companies? If you think they are simply writing checks, think again. Check out our newest feature - Sunday Money. This weekly Frontstretch exclusive provides you with a behind the scenes look at how NASCAR, its affiliates and team sponsors approach the daunting task of keeping fans interested and excited about the sport for 38 weeks of the year.
~~~~~~~~~~
Tweet 'N' Greet
by Jay Pennell
Editor's Note: With the NASCAR Twitter community expanding by leaps and bounds, it remains a place for instantaneous news, reactions, and a whole lot of inside jokes. We understand if you don't want to join the Twitter community - but as a fan, it's important to know the news and info you're missing out on! That's why, every week, Jay Pennell will sort through the thousands of messages and give us a little taste of what's going on each Wednesday.
So, without further ado, here's a look at what those in NASCAR were thinking over the past seven days...
@JimmieJohnson: These tornadoes need to lay off... We are worried for Chani's family in Muskogee, sounds like there is one on the ground there.
@KevinHarvick: Riding in the passenger seat with @mother_function driving scares the crap out of me... flower beds curbs you name it we've hit it..
@KevinHarvick: Ouch!! RT @jeff_gluck: Report: Kyle Busch nailed with a 128 mph speeding ticket in Troutman, NC. --> http://bit.ly/lNAZsi
@CopaCavanna (Alan Cavanna): To give you some perspective, KyBusch took the All-Star race pole with a speed of 135.916 mph @CLTMotorSpdwy #nascar
@JennaFryer: From NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp: "This is a matter that Kyle will have to handle with the authorities in Iredell County. Based on what we know right now, this would not impact his status as a NASCAR driver."
@31n2Spotter (Brett Griffin): Kyle doing an outreach program to teens could save lives. Let him keep his DL and have him do some safe driving seminars. #movealong
@31n2Spotter: Fans & media need to remember social media has changed the game. Stuff gets out quicker to public. Makes PR response look slow...
@31n2Spotter (on Kyle Busch's speeding): No wonder he's so dam good at restarts!! He practices 'em all week??? I think this must be a joke...
@tomjensen100 (Tom Jensen): Too bad we didn't know this yesterday. I could have gotten reaction from Junior Johnson about a NASCAR driver speeding on rural roads.
@JennaFryer: Somehow, @kylepetty was just the center of conversation by the TNT halftime crew. That led Barkley to say "You know I love @kylepetty ..."
@JennaFryer: "but my new hero is Kyle Busch." And I thought wtf? Then 2 more NASCAR references came up. Oh yeah! TNT takes over the schedule soon ...
@JimmieJohnson: My summer salute it to all military families including mine on both sides. Both of my Grandfathers served, 1 in the Army and 1 in the Navy.
@Bobby_Labonte: If u are in Charlotte, I'll be at the MWR fan fest from 5:30-7:30pm Wednesday at their shop. Check it out for food,fun and autographs.
@PLANETROBBY (Robby Gordon Headquarters): Kimi Raikkonen testing the #7 at VIR today while Robby Gordon is out west.
@PLANETROBBY: This is Raikkonen's first ever laps in a cup car. And he gets to do it in a RGM road course car.
@PLANETROBBY: @jeff_gluck @CandiceSpencer Kimi got off course & nose did what Carl's did at Charlotte in grass.
@31n2Spotter: Cool thing about our sport is the legends stay involved! All 4 of the inductees from last night will be at the track a few times a year!
@tomjensen100: Classy, as always, Ned Jarrett thanks "the media for all you do for our sport." We rarely hear that during our interviews at tracks now.
@MartySmithESPN (Marty Smith): I reiterate, be honored to be listening to Bud Moore speak. He just told us about D-Day. "That was some kind of experience. It was bad, I'll tell you that."
@jaywpennell (Jay W. Pennell): Having been to Normandy on the 61st anniversary of D-Day & stood down looking on the beach, I can't imagine what Bud Moore faced that day.
@jaywpennell: It's amazing we sit here & tweet, often complain about TV coverage, yet Bud Moore talking about the days of racing in 1947 before #NASCAR
@SummerDreyer: Kerry Tharp doesn't know my name, so he always refers to me as "young lady" when I have a question. Should I tell him? LOL #NASCAR
Jay Pennell is an Assistant Editor to Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at jaywpennell@yahoo.com, and you can also check out his work at allleftturns.com or jaywpennell.blogspot.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Did You Notice? ... Big-Name, Open-Wheel Risks, The Marcus Marketing Experiment And Speeding Towards... What?
by Tom Bowles
Mirror Driving: All-Star Disappointment, Kyle's Ticket and Raikkonen's Future
by the Frontstretch Staff
Beyond the Cockpit: Mark Beaver Loving Life as a Truck Series Owner
by Bryan Davis Keith
Perception: Why Iowa's Attendance May Not Have Been As Great As It Seemed
by Summer Dreyer
Top 10 Excuses Kyle Busch Gave For Speeding
by the Frontstretch Staff
Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After The All-Star Race
compiled by Mike Neff
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The 2000 Coca-Cola 600 is best known as the race where Matt Kenseth picked up his first career Winston Cup victory. However, there was also a special promotion that was held that weekend. What was it?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: The 1988 Coca-Cola 600 marked a major milestone for NASCAR's Memorial Day weekend classic. What was it?
A: Surprisingly, 1988 was the first time that the Coca-Cola 600 was televised live, flag-to-flag. Previous to 1988, a variety of networks covered the race, from over-the-air networks to regional entities. Previous to TBS taking the event over for 1988, the race was televised in a highlighted fashion by Jefferson Pilot Sports (or simply, JP Sports). They would pick the race up in progress, having missed approximately 40 percent of the actual event.
Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee: If we mess up, you get the shirt off our backs! If we've provided an incorrect answer to the Frontstretch Trivia question, be the first to email the corrected trivia answer to trivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!
~~~~~~~~~~
Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Phil Allaway
-- Shakedown Session by Brody Jones
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
MPM2Nite by Matt McLaughlin
Matt is back again this season with his sarcastic sense of humor ... and incomparable NASCAR insight.
Voices From the Heartland by Jeff Meyer
Your favorite midwestern writer is back for another season of making you want to laugh, cry and even pull your hair out. This week, Jeff takes on the latest from Brian France in his far from memorable "State of the Sport" speech.
Potts' Shots by John Potts
Fanning the Flames has become Potts' Shots, and John Potts is here to answer your questions in our weekly Fan Q & A. Do you have something you'd like to ask John? Don't sit on the sidelines! Send it to john.potts@frontstretch.com, and you just may see your question in print next week!
Fantasy Insider by Brett Poirier
Did your fantasy racing team take a hit at Dover? Well, Brett has just what you need to know to turn things around when choosing your teams for the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday.
5th Column TBA
------------------------------Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee: If we mess up, you get the shirt off our backs! If we've provided an incorrect answer to the Frontstretch Trivia question, be the first to email the corrected trivia answer to trivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!
~~~~~~~~~~
Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Phil Allaway
-- Shakedown Session by Brody Jones
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
MPM2Nite by Matt McLaughlin
Matt is back again this season with his sarcastic sense of humor ... and incomparable NASCAR insight.
Voices From the Heartland by Jeff Meyer
Your favorite midwestern writer is back for another season of making you want to laugh, cry and even pull your hair out. This week, Jeff takes on the latest from Brian France in his far from memorable "State of the Sport" speech.
Potts' Shots by John Potts
Fanning the Flames has become Potts' Shots, and John Potts is here to answer your questions in our weekly Fan Q & A. Do you have something you'd like to ask John? Don't sit on the sidelines! Send it to john.potts@frontstretch.com, and you just may see your question in print next week!
Fantasy Insider by Brett Poirier
Did your fantasy racing team take a hit at Dover? Well, Brett has just what you need to know to turn things around when choosing your teams for the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday.
5th Column TBA
Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
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