THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
July 26th, 2011
Volume V, Edition CXLVI
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Today's Top News
by Tom Bowles
Heading into Sunday's race at Indy, 2010 Chaser Jeff Burton now finds himself with more crew chiefs (two) this season than top-10 finishes (zero). Todd Berrier, paired with the driver since October of 2009, was reassigned within Richard Childress Racing Monday, the strongest shift yet within a program that's struggled to meet the weight of expectations in 2011. Luke Lambert, an engineer for Burton's No. 31 car since 2008 will assume Berrier's role immediately; the rookie head wrench will man the pit box for the final 17 races this season.
It's been tough sledding for Burton, who signed an extension with Childress and sponsor Caterpillar this Spring but is suffering through the worst year of his career. 25th in the standings, he's without a top-10 result – the longest drought for him to start a season since 1995 – and is all but eliminated from title contention. Since making the Chase three straight years, from 2006-08 Burton's made the postseason only once while being shut out of Victory Lane since Charlotte in October, 2008.
Berrier and Burton started strong, with three top-5 finishes in four races to close the 2009 season but end their partnership without a Sprint Cup victory together. Berrier, an RCR employee since 1994 has not been released by the company, however; in a press release, the team indicated a future position will be named for him at a later date.
Scott Speed, Max Q Motorsports Team Up
Red Bull Racing's former Sprint Cup darling has finally found himself a new home. Scott Speed, out of the Cup Series since November 2010, was named the driver of Larry Gunselman's Max Q Motorsports car Monday; he'll attempt Sunday's race at Indy as well as Pocono and Watkins Glen in August in a three-race deal.
"I am excited to get back to the track," said Speed, whose lawsuit against his former Cup employer is still pending. "Max Q Motorsports seem to have a good operation and a great group of guys working on the [No.] 37. Ford has a great engine package, so I'm hopeful that we can get the ball rolling quickly and be competitive out [of] the gate."
Staying competitive has been a big problem for the fledgling program, which has yet to score a top-20 finish so far this season. Failing to qualify half-a-dozen times, the team – using mostly journeyman driver Tony Raines – has DNF's in four of its last five starts and has finished on the lead lap only once. Raines owns the best pair of finishes for the organization, 25th-place results at Phoenix and Martinsville, respectively.
Speed has 76 career starts on the Cup level, with his best performance a fifth at Talladega in April, 2009. Both sides are working on primary sponsorship; should it come through, expect this partnership to extend through the rest of the 2011 regular season.
Cal Wells Leaves Michael Waltrip Racing
One of Toyota's flagship programs lost a key executive Monday, the latest twist in what's been a roller coaster year for the program. Cal Wells, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Michael Waltrip Racing has mutually parted ways with the company, ending a four-year relationship that began once his own race team folded at the conclusion of the 2006 season.
"We want to thank Cal for his strong contribution to getting Michael Waltrip Racing to where it is today. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors," said MWR co-owner Rob Kauffman. "We plan to go forward now with the solid management team that is in place, and bring MWR to the next level."
It's the second major change within the organization in just the last two months; Pat Tryson was relieved of his duties as Martin Truex, Jr.'s crew chief in June. As for Wells, his departure ends a decade's worth of contributions to the Cup Series, following a run as team owner from 2000-06. His mostly single-car program, twice a winner with Ricky Craven, scored 26 top-10 finishes and three poles in 260 career starts.
News Bites
- On SPEED's Race Hub, Chad Knaus revealed the No. 48 team will have a new front tire changer at Indianapolis; however, he maintained that no major changes will occur with their over-the-wall rotation system prior to the Chase. Jimmie Johnson, angry over the team's pit road performance at Loudon, had publicly mouthed off about the developmental program last Sunday. But Knaus termed that a "moment of frustration," said the team was just "going through some growing pains," and is content with the progress overall.
- Former Camping World Trucks champion Jack Sprague, initially pegged for a return to the series at Lucas Oil Raceway saw his No. 1 entry for Rick Ware Racing withdrawn on Monday. No reason was initially given for the change; Sprague has not had a start in the series since ending the 2008 season with Wyler Racing's No. 60 (now owned by Stacy Compton).
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.
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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!
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Numbers Game: Lenox Industrial Tools 301
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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!
~~~~~~~~~~
Numbers Game: Lenox Industrial Tools 301
by Brett Poirier
1
Austin Dillon's starting and finishing position in Friday's Camping World Truck race.
4
The number of top-10 finishes for Johnny Sauter in five truck starts at Nashville.
5
Points separating point leader Reed Sorenson from second place Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. in the Nationwide championship chase.
6
Wins this season by Jack Roush-owned cars in the Nationwide Series.
9
Top-10 finishes for Kenny Wallace in the Nationwide Series this season. He had only seven top-10s in the previous five seasons coming into 2011.
13
Austin Dillon's average number of races per victory in the Truck Series. He has three wins in 39 career starts.
15
Spots gained by Todd Bodine from start to finish in his first start in the No. 5 truck. He started 21st and finished sixth.
18
The number of points separating second-place Austin Dillon from first-place Johnny Sauter in the Truck Series point standings.
20
Cars within three laps of the lead at the end of Saturday's Nationwide race.
34
Victories for Carl Edwards in 230 career Nationwide starts.
65
Laps led by Austin Dillon in the Nationwide and Camping World Truck races combined. He led 56 laps on Friday and nine on Saturday.
Brett Poirier is a Website Contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at brett.poirier@frontstretch.com.
Today's Featured Commentary
Wishing For Just A Bit Of Austin Dillon's Youth
1
Austin Dillon's starting and finishing position in Friday's Camping World Truck race.
4
The number of top-10 finishes for Johnny Sauter in five truck starts at Nashville.
5
Points separating point leader Reed Sorenson from second place Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. in the Nationwide championship chase.
6
Wins this season by Jack Roush-owned cars in the Nationwide Series.
9
Top-10 finishes for Kenny Wallace in the Nationwide Series this season. He had only seven top-10s in the previous five seasons coming into 2011.
13
Austin Dillon's average number of races per victory in the Truck Series. He has three wins in 39 career starts.
15
Spots gained by Todd Bodine from start to finish in his first start in the No. 5 truck. He started 21st and finished sixth.
18
The number of points separating second-place Austin Dillon from first-place Johnny Sauter in the Truck Series point standings.
20
Cars within three laps of the lead at the end of Saturday's Nationwide race.
34
Victories for Carl Edwards in 230 career Nationwide starts.
65
Laps led by Austin Dillon in the Nationwide and Camping World Truck races combined. He led 56 laps on Friday and nine on Saturday.
Brett Poirier is a Website Contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at brett.poirier@frontstretch.com.
Today's Featured Commentary
Wishing For Just A Bit Of Austin Dillon's Youth
Sitting In The Stands: A Fan's View
by S.D. Grady
Ah, the exuberance of youth! Austin Dillon ran across the grass, his stride vigorous, a huge grin plastered across his face. He had, after all, just won the Lucas Deep Clean 200 at Nashville. Some kind of celebration beyond the obligatory burnout was clearly called for.
He neared the huge, painted logo on the frontstretch grass, and launched himself. Arms wide, head back… really, it looked like a classic headfirst slide into first base, until he hit the ground. Turns out that paint is sticky, not slippery; instead of a dramatic slide through the grass, Dillon planted his face in the sponsor's logo, his back bending in the direction not meant to and his legs waving somewhere close to his nose.
I laughed. The TV commentators giggled. The production truck recued the moment for replay. Probably a slew of NASCAR fans grabbed it off their DVR and "uploaded immediately to YouTube.":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_46rXqSGHko It was hilarious. Dillon thought so, too. He popped up, shook his head and started jogging back to his car, laughing the whole way.
And then I cringed. Had it been me misjudging the stickiness of grass, I'd probably be loaded up into an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder and back injuries. Here, I had just enjoyed watching this guy win his third race in the Camping World Truck Series, placing him firmly in the "to be watched" pile of hungry, smiling youngsters that hope to climb their way into the upper echelon of NASCAR, and all I could think about was that he probably wouldn't feel the effects of that pass in the grass tomorrow morning.
In that instant, I felt old.
Not ancient, mind you, but my body has definitely been used for more years than I like to accept. I considered the other smiling faces I've been following lately in NASCAR… the feeling began to sink in deeper. Only five drivers in the entry list for Indy were driving when I started watching the sport. How many have retired in that time, moving into the broadcast booth, car ownership or worst of all, into oblivion…I don't like to contemplate.
Like all major sports, NASCAR belongs to the young. Drivers just out of high school scramble to gain the attention of powerhouse racing stables, maybe spend a few years driving their butts off in the regional series and practice their interview lingo. I enjoyed watching the climb into the jungle back then; I still do to this day.
Which wide grin will win me over in pre-race interviews? Who will demonstrate nerves of steel behind the wheel or possess an explosive temper, providing entertainment on pit road on occasion? Who will win, despite an ill-handling monster?
None of that has anything to do with age, per se, but it is when we are young, before life has tested us that we are willing to toss caution to the wind, believing in our immortality. Thus, it is the young that will dazzle us with an impossible pass, squeezing into a space far too small for any vehicle, and diving into a corner a little too deep. Perhaps in the moment that we become a fan of that youth, we can believe in our own immortality, however foolish that might sound.
Thus, today I am an Austin Dillon fan. He drives the wheels off that black No. 3 truck, and leaps into the air confident that the ground will cushion his fall by allowing him to slide across the tri-oval. Perhaps the fact that it didn't won me over a bit more. Either that, or perhaps it was the humility he displayed by being able to laugh at his own mishap.
Whatever the case, maybe I'm a bit older than I used to be when I chose my first rookie to follow, but the same things still draw me to a not so familiar face and name scribed over the driver's door.
Enthusiasm, wild commitment, stunning ability, a little bit of a sheepish smile, and now... apparently the chance to feel a little less of my age for a moment from time to time.
by S.D. Grady
Ah, the exuberance of youth! Austin Dillon ran across the grass, his stride vigorous, a huge grin plastered across his face. He had, after all, just won the Lucas Deep Clean 200 at Nashville. Some kind of celebration beyond the obligatory burnout was clearly called for.
He neared the huge, painted logo on the frontstretch grass, and launched himself. Arms wide, head back… really, it looked like a classic headfirst slide into first base, until he hit the ground. Turns out that paint is sticky, not slippery; instead of a dramatic slide through the grass, Dillon planted his face in the sponsor's logo, his back bending in the direction not meant to and his legs waving somewhere close to his nose.
I laughed. The TV commentators giggled. The production truck recued the moment for replay. Probably a slew of NASCAR fans grabbed it off their DVR and "uploaded immediately to YouTube.":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_46rXqSGHko It was hilarious. Dillon thought so, too. He popped up, shook his head and started jogging back to his car, laughing the whole way.
And then I cringed. Had it been me misjudging the stickiness of grass, I'd probably be loaded up into an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder and back injuries. Here, I had just enjoyed watching this guy win his third race in the Camping World Truck Series, placing him firmly in the "to be watched" pile of hungry, smiling youngsters that hope to climb their way into the upper echelon of NASCAR, and all I could think about was that he probably wouldn't feel the effects of that pass in the grass tomorrow morning.
In that instant, I felt old.
Not ancient, mind you, but my body has definitely been used for more years than I like to accept. I considered the other smiling faces I've been following lately in NASCAR… the feeling began to sink in deeper. Only five drivers in the entry list for Indy were driving when I started watching the sport. How many have retired in that time, moving into the broadcast booth, car ownership or worst of all, into oblivion…I don't like to contemplate.
Like all major sports, NASCAR belongs to the young. Drivers just out of high school scramble to gain the attention of powerhouse racing stables, maybe spend a few years driving their butts off in the regional series and practice their interview lingo. I enjoyed watching the climb into the jungle back then; I still do to this day.
Which wide grin will win me over in pre-race interviews? Who will demonstrate nerves of steel behind the wheel or possess an explosive temper, providing entertainment on pit road on occasion? Who will win, despite an ill-handling monster?
None of that has anything to do with age, per se, but it is when we are young, before life has tested us that we are willing to toss caution to the wind, believing in our immortality. Thus, it is the young that will dazzle us with an impossible pass, squeezing into a space far too small for any vehicle, and diving into a corner a little too deep. Perhaps in the moment that we become a fan of that youth, we can believe in our own immortality, however foolish that might sound.
Thus, today I am an Austin Dillon fan. He drives the wheels off that black No. 3 truck, and leaps into the air confident that the ground will cushion his fall by allowing him to slide across the tri-oval. Perhaps the fact that it didn't won me over a bit more. Either that, or perhaps it was the humility he displayed by being able to laugh at his own mishap.
Whatever the case, maybe I'm a bit older than I used to be when I chose my first rookie to follow, but the same things still draw me to a not so familiar face and name scribed over the driver's door.
Enthusiasm, wild commitment, stunning ability, a little bit of a sheepish smile, and now... apparently the chance to feel a little less of my age for a moment from time to time.
S.D. Grady is an Assistant Editor for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via e-mail at sonya.grady@frontstretch.com. Follow her on Twitter at @laregna.
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~~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
5 Points to Ponder: An Idiot Pastor, A Stuntman and The Fans Who Won't Be There
~~~~~~~~~~
ADVERTISEMENT
Are you looking to advertise your website, product or brand? A good way to get your name out there is via direct advertising here in the Frontstretch Newsletter! Interested parties can contact us at frontstretcheditors@googlegroups.com for details.
~~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
5 Points to Ponder: An Idiot Pastor, A Stuntman and The Fans Who Won't Be There
by Danny Peters
by Summer Dreyer
Talking NASCAR TV: Is Michael Waltrip's Sponsor 'Pimping' Out Of Hand?
by Phil Allaway
Fact Or Fiction Four-Pack: Vickers, Burton, Indy, And Nashville
by Tom Bowles
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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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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In 1991, Chuck Bown completely dominated the Kroger 200 at then-Indianapolis Raceway Park. However, something very strange cost him the win. What happened?
Talking NASCAR TV: Is Michael Waltrip's Sponsor 'Pimping' Out Of Hand?
by Phil Allaway
Fact Or Fiction Four-Pack: Vickers, Burton, Indy, And Nashville
by Tom Bowles
~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In 1991, Chuck Bown completely dominated the Kroger 200 at then-Indianapolis Raceway Park. However, something very strange cost him the win. What happened?
Check back Wednesday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Monday's Answer:
Q: Prior to 1996, then-Indianapolis Raceway Park's infield grass had the hazard of exposed light poles if drivers were unfortunate enough to get spun out on the backstretch. Chris Diamond and Gary St. Amant both hit the same pole back in 1995, necessitating a new inside wall. However, there were close calls before then. One of those occurred in 1990. Who nearly had a meeting with a light pole, and what happened to cause the incident?
A: There were actually two drivers that nearly had a one-on-one meeting with poles during the race. One was Joe Nemechek in his own No. 87 Buick. Nemechek spun off of Turn 2 and hit the barrier around one of the poles, but not the pole itself. Nemechek's car was damaged in the crash, but he continued on to finish five laps down in 23rd. A few laps after the restart from that incident, Dave Mader III, driving the No. 56 Buick for Ronald Cooper, had a similar problem. Mader was running third at the time when he rubbed up against the lapped car of L.D. Ottinger exiting Turn 2. Mader then spun inside of the light poles and had to dodge them in near complete darkness. Miraculously, Mader did not hit anything and continued on, eventually finishing on the lead lap in tenth.
Both of the incidents can be seen in this clip, since they occurred less than ten minutes apart in real time. The Nemechek crash can be seen at the 5:15 mark, while Mader's slide can be seen at the 10:30 mark.
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!
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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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Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from TBA
-- Full Throttle by Mike Neff
-- Tweet 'N' Greet by Jay Pennell
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
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Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Did You Notice? ... by Tom Bowles
Did You Notice the box NASCAR's put itself in this off week? Tom Bowles explains what that means, takes a quick look at the harsh reality of driver economics, crew chief carousels and more in his latest round of small but noticeable observations within the stock car circuit.
Blake Koch Feature by Phil Allaway
Sadly, NASCAR does not necessarily do the best job promoting the Nationwide Series these days. As a result, young, up-and-coming racers can toil in near complete anonymity. Blake Koch is an example of such a driver, and MacDonald Motorsports is an example of that kind of team. Our own Phil Allaway recently had a chance to sit down with the Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year contender and discovered quite an interesting individual. Check out the feature to learn more about this rookie facing an uphill battle to make it in stock car racing.
Mirror Driving by the Frontstretch Staff
The Mirror crew is at it again with more talking points to debate.
Frontstretch Top Ten by Jeff Meyer
Our weekly list based on the latest NASCAR controversy will start your morning off with a laugh -- guaranteed.
Top 15 Power Rankings by the Frontstretch Staff
Since the Sprint Cup Series took last weekend off, we're taking a break from our usual rankings. However, that doesn't mean they're taking the week off. In place of Sprint Cup, we're bringing you rankings of the top up-and-coming drivers in NASCAR.
Foto Funnies: Off Week Edition by Kurt Smith
Kurt's back to leave you laughing with the best photos you didn't see in the papers from NASCAR recently.
Voice Of Vito by Vito Pugliese
This week, Vito's breaking out a wish list for this weekend's Brickyard 400.
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Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
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©2011 Frontstretch.com
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