THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
July 5th, 2011
Volume V, Edition CXXIX
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Today's Top News
by Tom Bowles
Indianapolis Motor Speedway To Host Nationwide Series In 2012
For years, Indianapolis Motor Speedway was host to just one race only: the Indianapolis 500. But since the Cup Series became part of the schedule in 1994, adding the Brickyard 400 there's been a push to add more events on the docket, anything from the Formula 1 Series to motorcycle competition.
Come Wednesday, the track's going to expand once again.
Bob Pockrass is reporting this morning NASCAR will be moving the Nationwide Series to IMS in 2012, an announcement expected tomorrow in Indianapolis. The event would replace their race at Lucas Oil Speedway, a .686-mile short track right down the road that's been a part of that second-tier division since its inception in 1982. Popular with competitors and fans alike, NASCAR could not agree on sanctioning fees with the facility and hopes moving the race to the 2.5-mile oval results in bigger payouts and larger crowds. The purse for Lucas Oil in 2010, $789,827 was the smallest for any race in the series while the track's seating capacity (30,000) is 10% the size of IMS.
There's no word on the official mileage of any IMS race, but the distance will likely be no more than 100 laps (250 miles).
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Vents After Daytona
So far this season, Dale Jr.'s biggest weakness has been what used to be his biggest strength: restrictor plate racing. Posting a 19th-place result Saturday night at Daytona, Junior's average finish with the plates this season is 15.7: it's one of several reasons NASCAR's Most Popular Driver finds the current "tandem racing" style to not be his cup of tea.
After the race, Earnhardt vented to several reporters with comments that are still gaining traction this Tuesday.
"I am really ticked off. It was a foolish ... race. I don't know what to tell you," he fumed in comments reported by the AP. "I don't like this kind of racing and you know it."
Earnhardt joined the chorus of several drivers disgusted with the amount of carnage through two green-white-checkered finishes at the end of Daytona's 400-mile event. Through the first 158 laps of the race, there were just three cautions but in the final 12 (including overtime) there were three more, involving roughly two-thirds of the field in crashes which in many cases totaled restrictor plate equipment.
"You guys need to get your own opinions and write what you all think about it," Earnhardt added to reporters. "I think it is probably pretty damn close to mine. Stop putting my damn [words] with y'all and getting my [butt] in trouble. Y'all write what y'all think, man."
The Daytona race did set a record for lead changes, with 57 and NASCAR is expected to keep the same type of drafting package through at least Talladega this Fall.
SIlly Season Update
- With GoDaddy.com sold over the weekend, reports briefly swirled their sponsorship of Danica Patrick could be in jeopardy. But CEO Bob Parsons, a longtime Patrick supporter is remaining part of the company under the deal to outside investors; a source told ESPN nothing will change with Patrick going forward. Plans have not been announced, but multiple sources continue to point Patrick in the direction of a full-time Nationwide Series ride in 2012.
- Despite David Ragan's victory, UPS is not assured to be on the side of their car next year. Jack Roush said Saturday night the company is "in negotiations" and no official deals have been signed for the No. 6. RFR has only one of its four primary sponsors, 3M, inked to a deal next season; Crown Royal has already announced their departure from Matt Kenseth's No. 17 team.
For years, Indianapolis Motor Speedway was host to just one race only: the Indianapolis 500. But since the Cup Series became part of the schedule in 1994, adding the Brickyard 400 there's been a push to add more events on the docket, anything from the Formula 1 Series to motorcycle competition.
Come Wednesday, the track's going to expand once again.
Bob Pockrass is reporting this morning NASCAR will be moving the Nationwide Series to IMS in 2012, an announcement expected tomorrow in Indianapolis. The event would replace their race at Lucas Oil Speedway, a .686-mile short track right down the road that's been a part of that second-tier division since its inception in 1982. Popular with competitors and fans alike, NASCAR could not agree on sanctioning fees with the facility and hopes moving the race to the 2.5-mile oval results in bigger payouts and larger crowds. The purse for Lucas Oil in 2010, $789,827 was the smallest for any race in the series while the track's seating capacity (30,000) is 10% the size of IMS.
There's no word on the official mileage of any IMS race, but the distance will likely be no more than 100 laps (250 miles).
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Vents After Daytona
So far this season, Dale Jr.'s biggest weakness has been what used to be his biggest strength: restrictor plate racing. Posting a 19th-place result Saturday night at Daytona, Junior's average finish with the plates this season is 15.7: it's one of several reasons NASCAR's Most Popular Driver finds the current "tandem racing" style to not be his cup of tea.
After the race, Earnhardt vented to several reporters with comments that are still gaining traction this Tuesday.
"I am really ticked off. It was a foolish ... race. I don't know what to tell you," he fumed in comments reported by the AP. "I don't like this kind of racing and you know it."
Earnhardt joined the chorus of several drivers disgusted with the amount of carnage through two green-white-checkered finishes at the end of Daytona's 400-mile event. Through the first 158 laps of the race, there were just three cautions but in the final 12 (including overtime) there were three more, involving roughly two-thirds of the field in crashes which in many cases totaled restrictor plate equipment.
"You guys need to get your own opinions and write what you all think about it," Earnhardt added to reporters. "I think it is probably pretty damn close to mine. Stop putting my damn [words] with y'all and getting my [butt] in trouble. Y'all write what y'all think, man."
Controversy also swirled with Jimmie Johnson, whose decision to pit when Earnhardt didn't separated the tandem pair. Reaction against Johnson was so fierce on Twitter the driver actually posted a public rebuttal, claiming: "I didn't leave Jr hanging, you people are crazy. When my crew tells me to pit, I pit. Steve [Letarte] and Chad [Knaus, crew chiefs] sort out the details. And if you think either of us could have won from 25th, which is where we were at the caution, you're even more crazy."
The Daytona race did set a record for lead changes, with 57 and NASCAR is expected to keep the same type of drafting package through at least Talladega this Fall.
SIlly Season Update
- With GoDaddy.com sold over the weekend, reports briefly swirled their sponsorship of Danica Patrick could be in jeopardy. But CEO Bob Parsons, a longtime Patrick supporter is remaining part of the company under the deal to outside investors; a source told ESPN nothing will change with Patrick going forward. Plans have not been announced, but multiple sources continue to point Patrick in the direction of a full-time Nationwide Series ride in 2012.
- Despite David Ragan's victory, UPS is not assured to be on the side of their car next year. Jack Roush said Saturday night the company is "in negotiations" and no official deals have been signed for the No. 6. RFR has only one of its four primary sponsors, 3M, inked to a deal next season; Crown Royal has already announced their departure from Matt Kenseth's No. 17 team.
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!
~~~~~~~~~~
Numbers Game: Subway Jalapeno 250 / Coke Zero 400
~~~~~~~~~~
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: Subway Jalapeno 250 / Coke Zero 400
by Brett Poirier
0
The number of drivers to record top-10 finishes in all three restrictor plate races this season.
1
The number of laps led by race winner Joey Logano in Friday's Subway Jalapeno 250.
3
The number of top-10 finishes for Danica Patrick in six Nationwide starts this season (10th on Friday). She failed to record a single top 10 in 13 starts last year.
6
The number of infractions against Bobby Labonte in the Coke Zero 400. Labonte was forced to start in the back after an illegal engine change, pitted before pit road was open twice, had too many crew members over the wall twice and had a pit road tire violation. He finished 31st.
6
The number of Sprint Cup winners in 2011 to start inside the top 10. David Ragan started fifth on Saturday.
12
The number of different winners in 17 Sprint Cup races this season.
17th
David Ragan's position in the Sprint Cup driver standings. If the season ended today, though, Ragan would be a wild card in the Chase for the Cup after his Daytona victory.
17th
Kenny Wallace's running position in the Subway Jalapeno 250 when he took the white flag. Wallace avoided all the mayhem, including coming across the start/finish line in the grass to finish in seventh place.
19.3
The average finishing position of Sprint Cup drivers following a win in the previous Sprint Cup race in 2011. After winning at Infineon, Kurt Busch was 14th at Daytona.
22
The number of points separating Sprint Cup point leader Kevin Harvick from sixth-place Jimmie Johnson after Saturday's race.
25
The number of drivers to lead in the Coke Zero 400. It broke the previous track record for most leaders set in February (22).
25
The number of laps led by Ryan Newman in the Coke Zero 400, the most of any driver. Newman finished 23rd after getting involved in an accident on the final lap.
41st
Trevor Bayne's finishing position in the Coke Zero 400. It was the worst result for any season's Daytona 500 winner in the following July race at Daytona (the previous worst finish was 40th for Cale Yarborough in 1983).
57
The number of lead changes in Saturday's Coke Zero 400. That was 17 fewer lead changes than in the Daytona 500, but it set a record for the most lead changes in the July race. The old record was 49 in 1974.
163
The number of races it took David Ragan to get his first victory in the Sprint Cup Series.
756
Laps completed this season by Joe Nemechek through 17 Sprint Cup races. He ran a season-high 169 laps at Daytona on his way to a 30th-place finish.
935
Laps led this season by Kyle Busch in the Sprint Cup Series, a number that leads all drivers. He paced the field for 11 laps and finished fifth on Saturday, meaning Busch has led in 13 of the first 17 races.
2005
The last year that a UPS-sponsored car went to Victory Lane in the Sprint Cup Series. Dale Jarrett won the UAW-Ford 500 in October of 2005 at Talladega.
$100,000
The amount of money awarded to Reed Sorenson for winning the "Dash 4 Cash" Award in the Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona. Sorenson finished third.
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
Honoring the Medal of Honor Recipients: 2011
0
The number of drivers to record top-10 finishes in all three restrictor plate races this season.
1
The number of laps led by race winner Joey Logano in Friday's Subway Jalapeno 250.
3
The number of top-10 finishes for Danica Patrick in six Nationwide starts this season (10th on Friday). She failed to record a single top 10 in 13 starts last year.
6
The number of infractions against Bobby Labonte in the Coke Zero 400. Labonte was forced to start in the back after an illegal engine change, pitted before pit road was open twice, had too many crew members over the wall twice and had a pit road tire violation. He finished 31st.
6
The number of Sprint Cup winners in 2011 to start inside the top 10. David Ragan started fifth on Saturday.
12
The number of different winners in 17 Sprint Cup races this season.
17th
David Ragan's position in the Sprint Cup driver standings. If the season ended today, though, Ragan would be a wild card in the Chase for the Cup after his Daytona victory.
17th
Kenny Wallace's running position in the Subway Jalapeno 250 when he took the white flag. Wallace avoided all the mayhem, including coming across the start/finish line in the grass to finish in seventh place.
19.3
The average finishing position of Sprint Cup drivers following a win in the previous Sprint Cup race in 2011. After winning at Infineon, Kurt Busch was 14th at Daytona.
22
The number of points separating Sprint Cup point leader Kevin Harvick from sixth-place Jimmie Johnson after Saturday's race.
25
The number of drivers to lead in the Coke Zero 400. It broke the previous track record for most leaders set in February (22).
25
The number of laps led by Ryan Newman in the Coke Zero 400, the most of any driver. Newman finished 23rd after getting involved in an accident on the final lap.
41st
Trevor Bayne's finishing position in the Coke Zero 400. It was the worst result for any season's Daytona 500 winner in the following July race at Daytona (the previous worst finish was 40th for Cale Yarborough in 1983).
57
The number of lead changes in Saturday's Coke Zero 400. That was 17 fewer lead changes than in the Daytona 500, but it set a record for the most lead changes in the July race. The old record was 49 in 1974.
163
The number of races it took David Ragan to get his first victory in the Sprint Cup Series.
756
Laps completed this season by Joe Nemechek through 17 Sprint Cup races. He ran a season-high 169 laps at Daytona on his way to a 30th-place finish.
935
Laps led this season by Kyle Busch in the Sprint Cup Series, a number that leads all drivers. He paced the field for 11 laps and finished fifth on Saturday, meaning Busch has led in 13 of the first 17 races.
2005
The last year that a UPS-sponsored car went to Victory Lane in the Sprint Cup Series. Dale Jarrett won the UAW-Ford 500 in October of 2005 at Talladega.
$100,000
The amount of money awarded to Reed Sorenson for winning the "Dash 4 Cash" Award in the Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona. Sorenson finished third.
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
Honoring the Medal of Honor Recipients: 2011
Sitting In The Stands: A Fan's View
by S.D. Grady
Happy 235th Birthday to America! I hope all of you enjoyed a Happy 4th of July full of delicious food, the company of loyal friends and your family. But not everybody was able to spend the holiday with those they love. Thousands of men and women serving our country are stationed far away from home, fighting against terrorism and enemies of the freedom we hold so dear.
Each week when I turn on the race, I am proud of the way NASCAR celebrates our country and honors those that serve in the military. Cameras often pan over uniformed individuals during the presentation of the flag and the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. It's a small thank you for their service… very small, when all is considered.
So when Daytona International Speedway once again honored four Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, and the cameras showed us their aged faces for a few seconds, I felt it behooves all of us to think on their sacrifices a bit longer than a wide shot between the opening ceremonies and "Gentlemen, start your engines!" Sure, the four recipients were treated by DIS over the weekend to VIP access, a special luncheon and even participated in an autograph session in the FanZone. But considering the sacrifice they give for our country, I can't help but feel a little more recognition of these heroes should have been made by TNT. So, in an effort to correct that lack of publicity the following is a brief description of the actions that earned Staff Sergeant Jon R. Cavaiani, Captain Harold A. Fritz, Staff Sergeant Don J. Jenkins and Lieutenant Leo K. Thorsness the highest award for valor for those serving in our armed forces. Note that all of the men below received the CMOH while serving in the Vietnam War.
Staff Sergeant Cavaiani earned his medal for actions on June 4th and 5th, 1971. As platoon leader, assigned to lead security for a radio relay station situated behind enemy lines, Cavaiani repeatedly placed himself in the line of fire when the station came under attack on June 4th. He spent the day running from one position to another, providing direction to his men, supplies, and shoring up morale as the neverending barrage of enemy shelling continued. Each time he left the protection of one emplacement, he exposed himself to small arms fire, grenades, and automatic machine gun fire. All the while, he returned heavy fire from a variety of weapons he would pick up as he toured his locale. When the station was ordered to evacuate, Cavaiani remained on the ground providing cover fire, fighting hard until an increase in enemy fire demanded the evacuation be suspended until the following day. Unfortunately, heavy ground fog in the morning prevented the choppers from returning and the small force was left to stand against a concerted attack. With two ranks of the enemy marching on their position, Cavaiani picked up a machine gun, stood up and blanketed the advancing force with automatic fire, providing a means of escape for most of the remaining platoon.
While serving as platoon leader, Captain Harold A. Fritz suffered severe wounds when his armored column came under fire in the Binh Long Province on January 11th, 1969. Aware the column was caught in a crossfire and in danger of being overrun, Fritz ran from vehicle to vehicle, repositioning his men and preparing to provide a more effective defense in their vulnerable position, all the while ignoring his own wounds. Utilizing any and all weapons that came to hand, Fritz led the platoon in fending off the enemy attack. When backup forces arrived, he again exposed himself to enemy fire in order to effectively deploy the troops and drive off the enemy.
During a reconnaissance mission in the Kien Phong Province on January 6, 1969, Staff Sergeant Don J. Jenkins' unit became pinned down under persistent enemy fire. Placing himself in a vulnerable position, Jenkins used first a machine gun, then an anti-tank weapon and finally a grenade launcher to push back the enemy. During this exchange, he was seriously wounded by shrapnel. Undaunted, Jenkins returned three more times despite his injuries to pull other wounded men to safety.
Lieutenant Leo K. Thorsness piloted an F-105 over Vietnam on April 19, 1967 on a mission to destroy a surface-to-air missile site. After completing his initial mission, he dropped his bombs on a second SAM position. During the attack, Thorsness' wingman went down, causing the two crewmen to parachute into enemy territory. Thorsness stayed to report their position, fighting off an attacking MIG as a way to come to their aid. Beginning to run low on fuel, he left the area, only to return when he heard a report that the choppers trying to extricate the crewmen were under attack from more MIGs and ground fire. He struck one of the four attacking enemy fighters and drove the rest off. Now, seriously low on fuel, he headed to the closest fueling tanker. However, a radio transmission from another F-105 indicated they were dangerously low on fuel. Thorsness directed the tanker's crew to divert to the second F-105. He aimed his jet toward the closest airfield, throttled back to idle and glided to a landing on the runway as night closed in.
All tales of bravery, self-sacrifice and a commitment to those who stand with them in a fight, the recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor demonstrated the very best in all of us at a time when they were most needed. In these uncertain times, there are soldiers of a new generation who must make these kinds of decisions, too. As the U.S. continues at war, the roster for the CMOH continues to grow each day; we are just rarely told the stories, as many times we'd rather pretend we live in a world far more innocent than it is. There were no Hollywood actors, timed explosions or even a happy ever after for the experiences listed above; in fact, two of the men were captured, suffering as POWs.
Yes, we just celebrated Independence Day. But we should always remember that freedom was not something that America was given. We fought for it. And the men and women who serve our country in the Armed Forces even now continue to fight, putting their lives on the line when circumstances demand it, preserving our freedom still.
I thank them, the Veterans of wars past and present, and the active duty personnel. Thank you for everything you do for me.
Should you want to know more about the Congressional Medal of Honor and its growing list of recipients, please visit "The Congressional Medal of Honor Society":http://www.cmohs.org/
by S.D. Grady
Happy 235th Birthday to America! I hope all of you enjoyed a Happy 4th of July full of delicious food, the company of loyal friends and your family. But not everybody was able to spend the holiday with those they love. Thousands of men and women serving our country are stationed far away from home, fighting against terrorism and enemies of the freedom we hold so dear.
Each week when I turn on the race, I am proud of the way NASCAR celebrates our country and honors those that serve in the military. Cameras often pan over uniformed individuals during the presentation of the flag and the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. It's a small thank you for their service… very small, when all is considered.
So when Daytona International Speedway once again honored four Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, and the cameras showed us their aged faces for a few seconds, I felt it behooves all of us to think on their sacrifices a bit longer than a wide shot between the opening ceremonies and "Gentlemen, start your engines!" Sure, the four recipients were treated by DIS over the weekend to VIP access, a special luncheon and even participated in an autograph session in the FanZone. But considering the sacrifice they give for our country, I can't help but feel a little more recognition of these heroes should have been made by TNT. So, in an effort to correct that lack of publicity the following is a brief description of the actions that earned Staff Sergeant Jon R. Cavaiani, Captain Harold A. Fritz, Staff Sergeant Don J. Jenkins and Lieutenant Leo K. Thorsness the highest award for valor for those serving in our armed forces. Note that all of the men below received the CMOH while serving in the Vietnam War.
Staff Sergeant Cavaiani earned his medal for actions on June 4th and 5th, 1971. As platoon leader, assigned to lead security for a radio relay station situated behind enemy lines, Cavaiani repeatedly placed himself in the line of fire when the station came under attack on June 4th. He spent the day running from one position to another, providing direction to his men, supplies, and shoring up morale as the neverending barrage of enemy shelling continued. Each time he left the protection of one emplacement, he exposed himself to small arms fire, grenades, and automatic machine gun fire. All the while, he returned heavy fire from a variety of weapons he would pick up as he toured his locale. When the station was ordered to evacuate, Cavaiani remained on the ground providing cover fire, fighting hard until an increase in enemy fire demanded the evacuation be suspended until the following day. Unfortunately, heavy ground fog in the morning prevented the choppers from returning and the small force was left to stand against a concerted attack. With two ranks of the enemy marching on their position, Cavaiani picked up a machine gun, stood up and blanketed the advancing force with automatic fire, providing a means of escape for most of the remaining platoon.
While serving as platoon leader, Captain Harold A. Fritz suffered severe wounds when his armored column came under fire in the Binh Long Province on January 11th, 1969. Aware the column was caught in a crossfire and in danger of being overrun, Fritz ran from vehicle to vehicle, repositioning his men and preparing to provide a more effective defense in their vulnerable position, all the while ignoring his own wounds. Utilizing any and all weapons that came to hand, Fritz led the platoon in fending off the enemy attack. When backup forces arrived, he again exposed himself to enemy fire in order to effectively deploy the troops and drive off the enemy.
During a reconnaissance mission in the Kien Phong Province on January 6, 1969, Staff Sergeant Don J. Jenkins' unit became pinned down under persistent enemy fire. Placing himself in a vulnerable position, Jenkins used first a machine gun, then an anti-tank weapon and finally a grenade launcher to push back the enemy. During this exchange, he was seriously wounded by shrapnel. Undaunted, Jenkins returned three more times despite his injuries to pull other wounded men to safety.
Lieutenant Leo K. Thorsness piloted an F-105 over Vietnam on April 19, 1967 on a mission to destroy a surface-to-air missile site. After completing his initial mission, he dropped his bombs on a second SAM position. During the attack, Thorsness' wingman went down, causing the two crewmen to parachute into enemy territory. Thorsness stayed to report their position, fighting off an attacking MIG as a way to come to their aid. Beginning to run low on fuel, he left the area, only to return when he heard a report that the choppers trying to extricate the crewmen were under attack from more MIGs and ground fire. He struck one of the four attacking enemy fighters and drove the rest off. Now, seriously low on fuel, he headed to the closest fueling tanker. However, a radio transmission from another F-105 indicated they were dangerously low on fuel. Thorsness directed the tanker's crew to divert to the second F-105. He aimed his jet toward the closest airfield, throttled back to idle and glided to a landing on the runway as night closed in.
All tales of bravery, self-sacrifice and a commitment to those who stand with them in a fight, the recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor demonstrated the very best in all of us at a time when they were most needed. In these uncertain times, there are soldiers of a new generation who must make these kinds of decisions, too. As the U.S. continues at war, the roster for the CMOH continues to grow each day; we are just rarely told the stories, as many times we'd rather pretend we live in a world far more innocent than it is. There were no Hollywood actors, timed explosions or even a happy ever after for the experiences listed above; in fact, two of the men were captured, suffering as POWs.
Yes, we just celebrated Independence Day. But we should always remember that freedom was not something that America was given. We fought for it. And the men and women who serve our country in the Armed Forces even now continue to fight, putting their lives on the line when circumstances demand it, preserving our freedom still.
I thank them, the Veterans of wars past and present, and the active duty personnel. Thank you for everything you do for me.
Should you want to know more about the Congressional Medal of Honor and its growing list of recipients, please visit "The Congressional Medal of Honor Society":http://www.cmohs.org/
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.
~~~~~~~~~~
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:
Five Points to Ponder: Uncertain Futures For Logano, Cassill, UPS
~~~~~~~~~~
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:
Five Points to Ponder: Uncertain Futures For Logano, Cassill, UPS
by the Frontstretch Staff
by Brody Jones
~~~~~~~~~~~
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: Louisville Motor Speedway quickly gained a reputation in the Truck Series as a truck breaker. All five races held there had 11 or more cautions. In the 1996 running, the race was lengthened from 200 to 225 laps to give fans just that much more action. It also led to more wrecks. The biggest crash in the 1996 edition of the race involved Randy Renfrow and Joe Gaita. What happened?
~~~~~~~~~~~
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: Louisville Motor Speedway quickly gained a reputation in the Truck Series as a truck breaker. All five races held there had 11 or more cautions. In the 1996 running, the race was lengthened from 200 to 225 laps to give fans just that much more action. It also led to more wrecks. The biggest crash in the 1996 edition of the race involved Randy Renfrow and Joe Gaita. What happened?
Check back Wednesday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Monday's Answer:
Q: The Carroll family, the original owners of Kentucky Speedway, owned the now-closed Louisville Motor Speedway prior to the 1.5-mile tri-oval being built. What was unique about Louisville's track?
A: Louisville Motor Speedway, like many other short tracks, is actually two race tracks in one. The older track was a 3/8ths of a mile oval; the Busch Grand National Series actually raced on that version of the track in the 1980's. However, by the time the Truck Series was formed, an extension off of Turn 2 had been built to create a unique 7/16ths of a mile (.437-mile) track. The track included an uphill segment exiting Turn 1 and a downhill segment just before Turn 4 as a result of going up and down banking.
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!
~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~
Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from TBA
-- Full Throttle by Mike Neff
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Did You Notice? ... by Tom Bowles
Who will be the favorites heading to Kentucky, Joey Logano aside? Tom tackles that and a long list of small observations in his return to his premier column of the week.
Mirror Driving by the Frontstretch Staff
The Mirror crew is at it again with more talking points to debate.
Frontstretch Top Ten by the Frontstretch Staff
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
Which driver came out of Daytona on top of our 2011 Power Rankings chart? Jimmie Johnson? Carl Edwards? Kevin Harvick? Someone else? Find out who our select Frontstretch experts have labeled as this week's favorite heading into the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway.
Foto Funnies: Toyota/Save Mart 350k Edition by Kurt Smith
Kurt's back to leave you laughing with the best photos you didn't see in the papers from Sonoma.
Voice Of Vito by Vito Pugliese
Vito back with a commentary following Daytona's Saturday night thriller.
------------------------------
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Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Got something to say about an article you've seen in the newsletter? It's as easy as replying directly to this message or sending an email to editors@frontstretch.com. We'll take the best comments and publish them here!
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