Tuesday, August 02, 2011

The Frontstretch Newsletter: August 2nd, 2011

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
August 2nd, 2011
Volume V, Edition CLI
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Today's Top News
by Tom Bowles

Report: Danica To JR Motorsports, Stewart-Haas Racing Full-Time

After months of speculation, Danica Patrick has reportedly made a final decision to transition out of open-wheel racing and move to NASCAR full-time. The Associated Press reported Monday Patrick is in the final stages of a contract that would put her in JR Motorsports' No. 7 car in 2012, running the entire Nationwide Series schedule along with a handful of Sprint Cup races in a Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet. GoDaddy, her longtime sponsor is expected to back the effort.

Patrick, who is under contract with Andretti Autosport through this season, refused to comment on any speculation she's leaving open-wheel. 11th in IndyCar Series points, she's had a second straight rough season with just one top-5 finish, six top-10s and only ten laps led – all of which came in May's Indy 500. In comparison, her NASCAR track record has dramatically improved with one top-5, three top-10s, and 14 laps led in just six starts.

No word on if an Indy 500 attempt would either be allowed or included in the deal, which could be announced before Patrick's next start in NASCAR, the road course event in Montreal on August 20th (she races IndyCar this Sunday at Mid-Ohio). Terms of the deal have not gone public, but consider that Forbes recently named Patrick the third-highest paid female athlete; she checks in at a reported $12 million for 2010-11.

Injured Jackman Has Cracked Heel, Will Be At Pocono


JTG Daugherty jackman Mike Klein is on the mend this Tuesday, two days after getting clipped by Jimmie Johnson on pit road at Indianapolis. Klein, who has a cracked heel, claims he'll be at Pocono this weekend pending an MRI; the injury is on a non-weight bearing spot of his foot, so it's expected to heal naturally. Both Johnson and JTG driver Bobby Labonte have called, offering support, with the jackman claiming both men "showed a lot of character" by checking up on him.

Edwards' Future Still In Limbo

As Tuesday dawns, NASCAR's biggest free agent chip still remains without a home for 2012. All indications are for point leader Carl Edwards he's got two choices: remaining at Roush Fenway Racing, with Ford structuring a long-term deal or choosing to jump to rival Joe Gibbs Racing and drive their Toyotas. Among those dominoes affected will be Joey Logano, who loses his ride if Edwards jumps ship; Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and Trevor Bayne, who will compete for the open spot in RFR's Sprint Cup lineup; and Greg Zipadelli, who's expected to jump ship to Stewart-Haas Racing rather than work with Edwards in 2012.

Edwards is keeping mum on the situation, asking for privacy but some drivers closely connected to the situation aren't so quiet. Greg Biffle, his teammate at Roush Fenway Racing claims a decision needs to be made soon, expressing some frustration at the circus-like media atmosphere that's developing every week surrounding the contract.

"It's obvious that it's coming to a head, kind of like whether we're going to approve the debt ceiling or not," Biffle said at Indianapolis. "At some point, he's going to have to say that I'm not coming back [if that's what he decides]. He's not going to be able to wait until Homestead, we all know that."

"So Carl is a big boy, he's a man and he has to make his own decisions. Eventually, he's going to have to make a decision."

Others, like rival Jeff Gordon claim Edwards' bid for this year's title is "done" if he leaves Roush, expecting the team will be unable to rally around a "lame duck" driver. However, despite the pressure it's clear a choice won't be made for the next few weeks, at least with both sides – Ford and Toyota – continuing to fight for space at the bargaining table.

News Bites

-    No NASCAR ratings yet for the Cup Series, but IndyCar continues to see their ratings explode on Versus. Edmonton saw a 99% jump in viewership, to 642,000 making it the most-watched race ever on the network.

-    Regan Smith is expected to throw out the first pitch at Wednesday's Colorado Rockies game. The Furniture Row Racing driver, coming off a third-place finish at Indianapolis is just looking to get the ball over the plate.

"I've been fortunate to participate in many neat things throughout my career and throwing out the first pitch at a Rockies game is going to rank right up there," said Smith. "I am really excited about this opportunity and hope I can throw a strike."

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: Brickyard 400
by Brett Poirier

0
The number of top-10 finishes for Jeff Burton in 20 starts this season. 35th at Indianapolis, he is the only driver in the top-30 in points who hasn't recorded a top-10 result.

1
NASCAR driver who's earned their first career victory at Indianapolis. Paul Menard became the first on Sunday.

2

Top-5 finishes for Regan Smith in 2011 (he was third on Sunday). Smith had no top-5 finishes in his career (95 starts) prior to this season.

4
The consecutive number of top-10 finishes for Greg Biffle at Indianapolis. Biffle was seventh on Sunday.

4

First-time winners in Sprint Cup in 2011. Paul Menard joined David Ragan, Regan Smith and Trevor Bayne.

6
Consecutive races in which Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has finished outside the top-10. He was 16th on Sunday.

6
The number of Sprint Cup races this season in which Kyle Busch has not led a lap. He failed to lead a lap Sunday and finished 10th. It was the second race in a row he didn't get up front.

9
Of 18 Brickyard 400s won by a Chevrolet.

13
The consecutive number of races in which Tony Stewart has finished on the lead lap at Indianapolis. It is the longest streak of any active driver.

14

Different winners after 20 Sprint Cup races in 2011. There were 13 different winners all of last season.

14

Top-10 finishes recorded by Jeff Gordon in 18 starts at Indianapolis. He was second on Sunday.

17
Years since the No. 27 car went to Victory Lane in the Sprint Cup Series before Paul Menard's win on Sunday. Jimmy Spencer was the last driver to do so before that in 1994 (Talladega, that Fall in Junior Johnson's car).

18
Points separating first to sixth in the Sprint Cup point standings.

19.2
The average finishing position of Sprint Cup drivers following a win in the previous Sprint Cup race in 2011. After winning at New Hampshire, Ryan Newman finished 12th at Indianapolis.

31st

Regan Smith's previous best finish at Indianapolis before placing third on Sunday.

98
Sprint Cup Series victories for Richard Childress Racing after Menard's win. It moved the team into a tie with the Wood Brothers for fifth on the all-time list.

167
The number of races it took Paul Menard to record his first Sprint Cup Series victory.
 
849

Laps completed this season by Joe Nemechek through 20 Sprint Cup races. He ran 19 laps at Indianapolis on his way to a 38th-place finish.

2007
The last time the Sprint Cup Series had four different first-time winners in a single season (Casey Mears, Martin Truex, Jr., Juan Pablo Montoya, Clint Bowyer).

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
Dear NASCAR Drivers, Manners Still Matter
Sitting In The Stands: A Fan's View
by S.D. Grady

Boys, please listen.  Manners are important.  It is what people will remember about you when you've left for the day.  Whether you've bumped someone out of the way or let them move in front of you, those actions shape how you are perceived by everyone, now and in the years to come.

I'm talking NASCAR here, in case you weren't sure.  Maybe life, too, but this is a NASCAR newsletter, so I'll keep my preaching to the sport at hand.

Perhaps the best illustration of "manners making the man" came this past weekend at the Brickyard and Lucas Oil Raceway - in the form of David Ragan's paint job on the normally brown No. 6 in Sprint Cup.  The car appeared blue—not Petty blue—but a softer shade that had been associated with Ned Jarrett in his glory days.  Not only did Ned's name grace the car in bold white print, but also his nickname: "Gentleman Ned Jarrett."

Not Brat Boy, the Intimidator, Spinning Spencer…need I go on?  Ned Jarrett's Hall of Fame career will always be marked with the polite addition of Gentleman, because that's who he is.  A nice guy.  Fierce competitor, but a nice guy.   Wouldn't we all want to be remembered as such?

I propose the question to all competing drivers, how do you want to be remembered?  And what actions will you take to ensure your fans recall your career in the manner you desire?

After bumping Austin Dillon's No. 3 into the wall on the last lap of the truck race, simply because he just plain ran out of track and truck, Todd Bodine had a choice.  He could just let it be and leave the sophomore thinking he was taken out in the name of competition, or he could…apologize.  Mr. Bodine took choice B and earned a few kudos from me for taking responsibility for the mishap.  Yeah sure, the Onion is known for being a ruthless competitor, but he's also known for his quick smile and enthusiasm.   He's earned a slot in my character scrapbook, one I wouldn't want the Truck Series to be without.

Now, after Bodine and Dillon bumped each other, trucks were running out of gas left and right.  With such a long green run at the end of the race (really, who ever thought a race at Lucas Oil Raceway would ever stay green for 107 laps?) nobody had a solid handle on the gas mileage.  Timothy Peters sailed his way to the finish with gas left in the tank, thanks to a flat tire and spin that just made him pit on the final caution.  Luck smiled on the white and black No. 17.  That is truly a moment to celebrate, and worthy of a burnout.

But, Ricky Carmichael wasn't so lucky.  His Monster Energy drink truck slowed on the backstretch, all but stopping in Turn 4 out of fuel.  As he kept hitting the starter, his truck kept rolling forward a bit more… and a bit more.  Yet Peters pulled up on the Finish Line, in front of Carmichael's crawling vehicle, and commenced to lay down enough tire smoke to stop Ricky in his tracks.  Not only was the No. 4 on the bottom inching forward, but Dillon was trying to finish out his lap up by the wall.

It would've been nice to see Carmichael and Dillon cross the finish line.  It would have been nice to see Peters peel out down by Turn 1, away from the boys just trying to prove they could finish a race.  It would have been nice to have Peters' spotter fill him in on all these happenings.

If you'll notice, I'm not talking about an action that really affected the outcome of the race, but only how I perceived those running the race.  Timothy Peters is a nice guy, someone who deserves the win, and always has a smile for the camera and the fans.  But, I would think better of him if the excitement of the win didn't erase all thought for others. 

There are a lot of competitors in this sport who have practiced their speeches and work hard to maintain a shiny reputation, but a plastic smile and rote replies don't truly win over the fans.  It's more often the time it takes to sign an autograph, respond to a tweet, shake a hand and display a responsible demeanor on and off the track that will draw my attention and keep it.

I love watching drivers get into it on the track.  Clean fenders do not automatically endear me to anybody who sits in the cockpit; a race that finishes with a few red faces and even a bit of swearing on the radio doesn't put me off.  Finger pointing, name calling, retaliating with bumpers, sulking, displaying entitlement — that's what will sour me faster than anything.

Ultimately, it is up to you, dear drivers, to show me the very best of yourself.  By all means, show me your humanity as a competitor, but I hope to see a bit of humility with it.  Otherwise, you won't be added to my scrapbook of favorite characters in the sport.  You'll just be remembered as someone I wish I didn't see, or perhaps, even worse - you won't be remembered at all.

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: Sponsor Handshakes, The Ford vs. Edwards Battle And A Fond Farewell
by Bryan Davis Keith
by Brody Jones

Talking NASCAR TV: ESPN's Cup Return Successful For 159 Laps... But About Lap 160...
by Phil Allaway

Fact Or Fiction Four-Pack: Which Crew Chief Change Has Become A Chase "Wild Card"
by Tom Bowles

The Bookies Never Get It Wrong
by Danny Peters
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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 1995, Dale Jarrett had the best of both worlds at Pocono Raceway.  In July, he was able to hold off Jeff Gordon to win the Miller Genuine Draft 500.  However, in June, he suffered a far different fate.  What happened?
 
Check back Wednesday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
 
Monday's Answer:

Q:
  In 1989, Pocono Raceway had two unusual occurrences happen during the June event.  What happened?

A:  Firstly, the entire race was shown commercial-free on Showtime.  Pocono events in the late 1980s were quirky in their telecasts.  The previous year's June race (which saw Bobby Allison's career-ending crash on the first lap) was on Pay-Per-View via Viewers' Choice, which is what amounts to be the predecessor to inDemand today.  It mainly came from the fact that the tracks were responsible for signing their own TV deals for race telecasts.  Perhaps the Mattiolis were thinking outside of the box at the time (the July event was televised live on ESPN).

Secondly, this race was one of the rare occasions that rookie Larry Pearson was able to finish on the lead lap with his Chattanooga Chew Buick.  Pearson was the final car on the lead lap in ninth for his second and final lead lap finish of the season (also his second and final top-10 of the year).
 
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 Tom Bowles
-- Full Throttle by Mike Neff
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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 reason why all eyes are focused on Edwards? Tom Bowles says it's not what you think along with several other small, important observations from the NASCAR circuit.

Mirror Driving by the Frontstretch Staff
The Mirror crew is at it again with more talking points to debate.  Topics include NASCAR's controversial call at the end of the Nationwide race, what will happen with the No. 99 if Carl Edwards moves to Joe Gibbs Racing, the chances of anyone (including Paul Menard) winning the $3 million from Sprint at Atlanta, and more.
 
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 Indianapolis 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 Pocono.

Foto Funnies: Brickyard 400 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 the banhammer, to use a message board reference.  There are certain drivers whose time in Sprint Cup may be coming to an end soon.  Who are they?  Check out Vito's column to find out.

Beyond The Cockpit: TBA by Mike Neff
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©2011 Frontstretch.com

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