THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
August 23rd, 2011
Volume V, Edition CLVI
~~~~~~~~~~
Latest Top News
by Tom Bowles
New NASCAR Team To Start In 2012
Germain Racing, a longtime Cup and Truck Series team has retained a major investor to inject much-needed financial support and expansion of their racing operations. Sirius Speedway has learned the backer, O.B. Osceola, Jr. will assist the team in debuting a Hard Rock-vodka sponsored car in the Nationwide race in Homestead-Miami, part of a long-term plan to go full-time in the Cup, Nationwide, and Truck Series as Germain-Osceola Racing in 2012.
Funding for the program will come from Osceola through a number of Native American tribes. As the planning ramps up for the future, for now investment money can help the team's cash-strapped programs on its top level: the Cup No. 13 of Casey Mears, whose GEICO sponsorship is only for roughly half the season, the start-and-park Cup No. 60 of Mike Skinner and the "satellite" No. 50 Cup car driven by T.J. Bell - another team which has yet to finish a race. On the Truck side, Germain has already needed to merge with Randy Moss Motorsports to keep defending Truck champion Todd Bodine running full-time; its other Truck programs, run by Brendan Gaughan and Max Papis are the only fully-sponsored teams under their umbrella.
It's unclear at this time who would get the opportunity to drive the new car next season. However, at a time where new owners have been few and far between in NASCAR as of late, Germain is excited about the unique, diverse partnership he's formed.
"O.B.'s grandfather was Chief of the Seminole tribe for many, many years, and O.B. is active on the Seminole Tribal Council," said Germain to SIRIUS Speedway's Dave Moody. "He has a lot of pull with Seminole Gaming, which owns all the Hard Rock Cafes in the world and many other casinos and resorts. The tribes have casinos all over the country, and for some reason, even in a down economy like we're in right now, they remain very consistent (financially). They seem to be doing very well."
"There are a lot of good things going on there, and I really think we're onto something. It's something new for NASCAR, and I think we're going to see a lot of good things come out of this program."
Today's Top News
by Summer Dreyer
Jerry Baxter, Michael Waltrip Offer Apology
The "hair-pulling" racing incident around the world now has an "I'm sorry" to go along with it. On Saturday in Montreal, following an on-track incident between Steve Wallace and Patrick Carpentier in the Nationwide Series event, Carpentier's crew chief Jerry Baxter walked down to Wallace's car post-race, reached inside, and yanked Wallace's hair. Wallace, who seemed unfazed by the action, was obviously frustrated over Baxter's retaliation, making the infamous public comment: "Only girls pull hair." Baxter had been angered by the fact Wallace spun Carpentier, driving in his last major event of any kind before retirement.
On Monday, Baxter appeared remorseful in issuing an apology over the conflict. "I'm sorry for what happened after the race on Saturday and I take responsibility for my own actions," he said. "I called Steve [Wallace] today and apologized. I was just very frustrated and let my emotions get to me. That was Patrick's [Carpentier] last race and we wanted to make it special. We really thought he had a shot for the win and everything boiled over when that chance went away in the wreck. Everyone was just racing hard and there was no intent to wreck anyone. There's no excuse for what I did after the race and I apologize to everyone."
PWR co-owner Michael Waltrip also released a statement. "Pastrana Waltrip Racing prides itself on racing hard, but we always want to be good sports," he said. "Jerry Baxter is very passionate about our race team, but what Jerry did after Saturday's race was wrong and he knows it. I talked to him about it that night and again today. Believe me, I understand how emotional you can get behind the wheel or up on the pit box, I've been there. But, you have to draw a line and Jerry crossed that line. It's not what we are all about. I apologize to Steve Wallace and all his fans as well as all NASCAR fans."
Consequences from NASCAR officials may be coming for Baxter this week. The sanctioning body has issued penalties for similar incidents this year, including Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick's pit road feud in Darlington and Richard Childress's assault on Busch at Kansas Speedway.
Drug Policy Suspension, Reinstatement
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Shane Sieg has been indefinitely suspended for violating NASCAR's substance abuse policy. Violating the typical Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) along with 12-19 (substance abuse), it is unknown at this time exactly what substance, incident, or positive test got the 29-year-old into trouble.
Sieg has competed in 12 of 15 NCWTS races in the No. 93 Chevrolet this season, with his highest finish coming at Darlington Raceway with a 12th-place showing. His family-owned team, who also races brother Ryan has yet to name a replacement in the Truck for Bristol Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, NASCAR Nationwide Series crewmember Denise Harmon-Mixon has been reinstated following the conclusion of NASCAR's Road to Recovery Program. Harmon-Mixon, initially suspended on July 9th for violating the substance abuse policy, will now resume her former duties with Mike Harmon's teams.
Pit Crew Coach Released from RCR
Pit crew coach Matt Clark, who has worked with Richard Childress Racing since January 2008, has been released from the team following pit road issues on Kevin Harvick's No. 29 team in Sunday's race at Michigan, according to SPEED.
Clark coached all of RCR's NASCAR and ARCA teams, but was released following Michigan when Harvick's pit crew missed a lugnut early on in the race. Harvick went on to finish a disappointing 22nd. No word on a replacement for the team heading to Bristol this weekend...
Scott Speed Lands Ride with Whitney Motorsports
Following a sixth-place finish in the Nationwide Series race at Montreal, former Red Bull Racing driver Scott Speed has signed on to compete in the 13 remaining NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races driving the No. 46 Ford for Whitney Motorsports. Speed will replace Erik Darnell in the driver's seat.
Speed has competed in three races in the No. 37 Ford this season, but wound up parking the car after a few laps. The most laps he ran in a single race was 45 at Watkins Glen. Right now, Whitney Motorsports claims they have sponsorship to run Atlanta and Kansas; all other events will be start-and-parks without proper backing to run the distance.
Speed will have to qualify on time as the team is outside the top-35 in owner points. Whitney's car has finished just eight of the 46 races it's competed in at the Cup level; J.J. Yeley holds the best finish for the program, a 19th in last July's Coke Zero 400 at Daytona.
NFL Games Pre-empt Bristol Coverage
Don't think pigskin takes preference over circle-track racing these days? In a discouraging move for the sport, ABC is moving the race off its main channel in select markets in order to show NFL preseason football. The following eight markets will see the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night pre-empted by NFL games or other programming: Nashville, TN; Duluth and Rochester, MN; Phoenix, AZ; Casper, WY; Sioux Falls and Rapid City, SD; and Weslaco, TX. The race will instead be aired regionally on ESPN2 for those locations.
Houston viewers can see the race on KTRK's channel 13.2, normally occupied by the Live Well Network. Check your local listings as to where that channel would appear your cable system.
by Tom Bowles
New NASCAR Team To Start In 2012
Germain Racing, a longtime Cup and Truck Series team has retained a major investor to inject much-needed financial support and expansion of their racing operations. Sirius Speedway has learned the backer, O.B. Osceola, Jr. will assist the team in debuting a Hard Rock-vodka sponsored car in the Nationwide race in Homestead-Miami, part of a long-term plan to go full-time in the Cup, Nationwide, and Truck Series as Germain-Osceola Racing in 2012.
Funding for the program will come from Osceola through a number of Native American tribes. As the planning ramps up for the future, for now investment money can help the team's cash-strapped programs on its top level: the Cup No. 13 of Casey Mears, whose GEICO sponsorship is only for roughly half the season, the start-and-park Cup No. 60 of Mike Skinner and the "satellite" No. 50 Cup car driven by T.J. Bell - another team which has yet to finish a race. On the Truck side, Germain has already needed to merge with Randy Moss Motorsports to keep defending Truck champion Todd Bodine running full-time; its other Truck programs, run by Brendan Gaughan and Max Papis are the only fully-sponsored teams under their umbrella.
It's unclear at this time who would get the opportunity to drive the new car next season. However, at a time where new owners have been few and far between in NASCAR as of late, Germain is excited about the unique, diverse partnership he's formed.
"O.B.'s grandfather was Chief of the Seminole tribe for many, many years, and O.B. is active on the Seminole Tribal Council," said Germain to SIRIUS Speedway's Dave Moody. "He has a lot of pull with Seminole Gaming, which owns all the Hard Rock Cafes in the world and many other casinos and resorts. The tribes have casinos all over the country, and for some reason, even in a down economy like we're in right now, they remain very consistent (financially). They seem to be doing very well."
"There are a lot of good things going on there, and I really think we're onto something. It's something new for NASCAR, and I think we're going to see a lot of good things come out of this program."
Today's Top News
by Summer Dreyer
Jerry Baxter, Michael Waltrip Offer Apology
The "hair-pulling" racing incident around the world now has an "I'm sorry" to go along with it. On Saturday in Montreal, following an on-track incident between Steve Wallace and Patrick Carpentier in the Nationwide Series event, Carpentier's crew chief Jerry Baxter walked down to Wallace's car post-race, reached inside, and yanked Wallace's hair. Wallace, who seemed unfazed by the action, was obviously frustrated over Baxter's retaliation, making the infamous public comment: "Only girls pull hair." Baxter had been angered by the fact Wallace spun Carpentier, driving in his last major event of any kind before retirement.
On Monday, Baxter appeared remorseful in issuing an apology over the conflict. "I'm sorry for what happened after the race on Saturday and I take responsibility for my own actions," he said. "I called Steve [Wallace] today and apologized. I was just very frustrated and let my emotions get to me. That was Patrick's [Carpentier] last race and we wanted to make it special. We really thought he had a shot for the win and everything boiled over when that chance went away in the wreck. Everyone was just racing hard and there was no intent to wreck anyone. There's no excuse for what I did after the race and I apologize to everyone."
PWR co-owner Michael Waltrip also released a statement. "Pastrana Waltrip Racing prides itself on racing hard, but we always want to be good sports," he said. "Jerry Baxter is very passionate about our race team, but what Jerry did after Saturday's race was wrong and he knows it. I talked to him about it that night and again today. Believe me, I understand how emotional you can get behind the wheel or up on the pit box, I've been there. But, you have to draw a line and Jerry crossed that line. It's not what we are all about. I apologize to Steve Wallace and all his fans as well as all NASCAR fans."
Consequences from NASCAR officials may be coming for Baxter this week. The sanctioning body has issued penalties for similar incidents this year, including Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick's pit road feud in Darlington and Richard Childress's assault on Busch at Kansas Speedway.
Drug Policy Suspension, Reinstatement
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Shane Sieg has been indefinitely suspended for violating NASCAR's substance abuse policy. Violating the typical Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) along with 12-19 (substance abuse), it is unknown at this time exactly what substance, incident, or positive test got the 29-year-old into trouble.
Sieg has competed in 12 of 15 NCWTS races in the No. 93 Chevrolet this season, with his highest finish coming at Darlington Raceway with a 12th-place showing. His family-owned team, who also races brother Ryan has yet to name a replacement in the Truck for Bristol Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, NASCAR Nationwide Series crewmember Denise Harmon-Mixon has been reinstated following the conclusion of NASCAR's Road to Recovery Program. Harmon-Mixon, initially suspended on July 9th for violating the substance abuse policy, will now resume her former duties with Mike Harmon's teams.
Pit Crew Coach Released from RCR
Pit crew coach Matt Clark, who has worked with Richard Childress Racing since January 2008, has been released from the team following pit road issues on Kevin Harvick's No. 29 team in Sunday's race at Michigan, according to SPEED.
Clark coached all of RCR's NASCAR and ARCA teams, but was released following Michigan when Harvick's pit crew missed a lugnut early on in the race. Harvick went on to finish a disappointing 22nd. No word on a replacement for the team heading to Bristol this weekend...
Scott Speed Lands Ride with Whitney Motorsports
Following a sixth-place finish in the Nationwide Series race at Montreal, former Red Bull Racing driver Scott Speed has signed on to compete in the 13 remaining NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races driving the No. 46 Ford for Whitney Motorsports. Speed will replace Erik Darnell in the driver's seat.
Speed has competed in three races in the No. 37 Ford this season, but wound up parking the car after a few laps. The most laps he ran in a single race was 45 at Watkins Glen. Right now, Whitney Motorsports claims they have sponsorship to run Atlanta and Kansas; all other events will be start-and-parks without proper backing to run the distance.
Speed will have to qualify on time as the team is outside the top-35 in owner points. Whitney's car has finished just eight of the 46 races it's competed in at the Cup level; J.J. Yeley holds the best finish for the program, a 19th in last July's Coke Zero 400 at Daytona.
NFL Games Pre-empt Bristol Coverage
Don't think pigskin takes preference over circle-track racing these days? In a discouraging move for the sport, ABC is moving the race off its main channel in select markets in order to show NFL preseason football. The following eight markets will see the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night pre-empted by NFL games or other programming: Nashville, TN; Duluth and Rochester, MN; Phoenix, AZ; Casper, WY; Sioux Falls and Rapid City, SD; and Weslaco, TX. The race will instead be aired regionally on ESPN2 for those locations.
Houston viewers can see the race on KTRK's channel 13.2, normally occupied by the Live Well Network. Check your local listings as to where that channel would appear your cable system.
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: Good Sam RV Insurance 500
~~~~~~~~~~
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: Good Sam RV Insurance 500
by Brett Poirier
1
Driver who has clinched a spot in the Chase for the Cup. Kyle Busch became the first driver to clinch a spot with his fourth victory of 2011 on Sunday.
2nd
Brad Keselowski's average finishing position in the last three Sprint Cup races. He has finished first, second and third and has climbed up to 12th in the standings.
4
Times Kyle Busch entered a Sprint Cup Series race with the point lead in 2011. Sunday was the first race in which he retained the lead after the event.
4
The number of top-5 finishes for Ryan Newman in the past six races. He was fifth at Michigan.
6
Races run past the scheduled distance in 2011. The Pure Michigan 400 went 203 laps because of a green-white-checkered. It was the second consecutive week a race went past the scheduled distance.
8
Times Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has finished outside the top-10 in his last nine races. He was 14th on Sunday.
9
The consecutive number of top-15 finishes for Carl Edwards at Michigan before running 36th on Sunday.
15
Top 10s recorded by Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson in the first 23 races of the Sprint Cup season.
16
Points separating Denny Hamlin and Paul Menard for the final wild card spot in the Chase for the Cup.
18
Top 5s recorded for Mark Martin at Michigan. Martin finished fourth on Sunday and tied Jeff Gordon for most among active drivers.
18.4
The average finishing position of Sprint Cup drivers following a win in the previous Sprint Cup race in 2011. After winning at Watkins Glen, Marcos Ambrose finished 27th at Michigan.
20
The number of Sprint Cup races won from a starting position outside the top 10 in 85 races. Kyle Busch started 17th on Sunday.
20
Starts made by Jimmie Johnson without recording a victory, the most of any track he is yet to win at. Johnson recorded his best finish, second, on Sunday.
21
Pit stops made by Kevin Harvick in Sunday's Sprint Cup race. He finished 22nd.
23
Career Sprint Cup victories for Kyle Busch. Busch is now tied for 26th on the all-time list with brother Kurt and Ricky Rudd.
154
The number of laps led by Greg Biffle at Michigan in 2011, the most of any driver. Biffle was 15th in the first race and 20th on Sunday.
893
Laps completed this season by Joe Nemechek through 23 Sprint Cup races. He ran 18 laps at Michigan on his way to a 41st-place finish.
1,158
Laps led this season by Kyle Busch in the Sprint Cup Series, a number that leads all drivers. He paced the field for 22 laps and won on Sunday at Michigan, meaning Busch has led in 17 of the first 23 races.
2006
The last time Jeff Gordon led 50 laps at Michigan before he did it on Sunday. Gordon still hasn't won at the track since 2001.
81,000
The listed attendance at Michigan for Sunday's race. Last year, the listed attendance was 105,000.
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
Blind Corners: Another No-No NASCAR Must Fix
1
Driver who has clinched a spot in the Chase for the Cup. Kyle Busch became the first driver to clinch a spot with his fourth victory of 2011 on Sunday.
2nd
Brad Keselowski's average finishing position in the last three Sprint Cup races. He has finished first, second and third and has climbed up to 12th in the standings.
4
Times Kyle Busch entered a Sprint Cup Series race with the point lead in 2011. Sunday was the first race in which he retained the lead after the event.
4
The number of top-5 finishes for Ryan Newman in the past six races. He was fifth at Michigan.
6
Races run past the scheduled distance in 2011. The Pure Michigan 400 went 203 laps because of a green-white-checkered. It was the second consecutive week a race went past the scheduled distance.
8
Times Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has finished outside the top-10 in his last nine races. He was 14th on Sunday.
9
The consecutive number of top-15 finishes for Carl Edwards at Michigan before running 36th on Sunday.
15
Top 10s recorded by Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson in the first 23 races of the Sprint Cup season.
16
Points separating Denny Hamlin and Paul Menard for the final wild card spot in the Chase for the Cup.
18
Top 5s recorded for Mark Martin at Michigan. Martin finished fourth on Sunday and tied Jeff Gordon for most among active drivers.
18.4
The average finishing position of Sprint Cup drivers following a win in the previous Sprint Cup race in 2011. After winning at Watkins Glen, Marcos Ambrose finished 27th at Michigan.
20
The number of Sprint Cup races won from a starting position outside the top 10 in 85 races. Kyle Busch started 17th on Sunday.
20
Starts made by Jimmie Johnson without recording a victory, the most of any track he is yet to win at. Johnson recorded his best finish, second, on Sunday.
21
Pit stops made by Kevin Harvick in Sunday's Sprint Cup race. He finished 22nd.
23
Career Sprint Cup victories for Kyle Busch. Busch is now tied for 26th on the all-time list with brother Kurt and Ricky Rudd.
154
The number of laps led by Greg Biffle at Michigan in 2011, the most of any driver. Biffle was 15th in the first race and 20th on Sunday.
893
Laps completed this season by Joe Nemechek through 23 Sprint Cup races. He ran 18 laps at Michigan on his way to a 41st-place finish.
1,158
Laps led this season by Kyle Busch in the Sprint Cup Series, a number that leads all drivers. He paced the field for 22 laps and won on Sunday at Michigan, meaning Busch has led in 17 of the first 23 races.
2006
The last time Jeff Gordon led 50 laps at Michigan before he did it on Sunday. Gordon still hasn't won at the track since 2001.
81,000
The listed attendance at Michigan for Sunday's race. Last year, the listed attendance was 105,000.
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
Blind Corners: Another No-No NASCAR Must Fix
Sitting In The Stands: A Fan's View
by S.D. Grady
"More Drivers Die in the Month of August"
The headline in the local paper barely caught my eye, as it had all the panic I associate with pointless statistics and surveys. More people on vacation, drinking with friends, and traversing unknown roads results in—drum roll please—more fatalities on the highways. Complacency breeds inattention which breeds ill fortune.
However, after watching the Nationwide race on Saturday, I was halfway to believing the story.
I adore road racing. Perhaps there's more for my brain to process as the cars navigate terrain that has not been implanted on the inside of my eyeballs, even after two decades of watching NASCAR events. Watching the pitch and roll of a car as it first is flung to the left then back to the right is fascinating. Somehow, fuel mileage is always a factor and braking is necessary to survive the afternoon. And there's the anticipation of what is lurking around the next bend…
What was around the next bend on Saturday was the No. 81 driven by Maryeve Dufault. After spinning out, and stopping nicely on the edge of the course, Maryeve decided that executing a lazy three-point turn would be the best way to get her car going in the right direction at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Unfortunately, it seemed that once she got her car parked across the entire width of the racing surface, she couldn't put it in reverse. Did I mention she sat on the exit of a blind turn?
Oh, the track safety worker put out a pretty blue flag indicating a local yellow for oncoming traffic to see, but that didn't happen until she was fully stopped on the track. Not when she first spun. Not as she drove back across incoming traffic to the opposite side of the track, or even as the No. 81 took a left turn so that she could reverse to get the nose pointed in the right direction.
So, what do you think happened next? The blue flag barely flutters its first flap and three cars appear out of nowhere, aimed to drill the right side door of a stationary car at full speed. It was the kind of moment that had me wanting to close my eyes, and yet couldn't look away from the impending horror.
We were lucky. Somehow, the first car managed to slow down enough to thread the needle between the rear bumper of the No. 81 and the Armco barrier. Trevor Bayne was not so lucky, ripping off her bumper cover and crunching his right front fender. The No. 11 slowed down enough to follow through without further mishap.
I know we'd like to blame the rookie driver for this near disaster, but actually Trevor Bayne's instant reaction on his radio pinned the problem much more precisely. He asked his spotters and crew chief, "Where were you guys? I almost died!" Which also follows the question; why didn't NASCAR at least deploy the blue flag much sooner? Let alone the yellow.
Due to the size and complexity of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, teams do not have spotters located where eyes are available in every part of the track. That spin just happened to be in a blind spot, for drivers and spotters. Who would've thunk?
And who would've thought that David Ragan and David Reutimann would ping-pong off the blue Armco barriers at Watkins Glen in precisely that manner? Or that Denny Hamlin's No. 11 would line up perfectly to wrap the radiator around a cement piling that held up the fence? Or at the beginning of the Glen last week, the fog would hover so low that spotters and cameras had difficulty seeing down the stretch, but the drivers had a clear shot? Nobody else could say if the track was clear, but the drivers could. Yeah, that's safe.
NASCAR is a sport of uncertainty. Time and time again, just when it's decided we've installed SAFER barriers everywhere a car is going to wreck, drivers manage to launch their vehicles into the one spot on the track with an awkward angle and outdated fencing. If NASCAR thinks a certain corner on a road course won't have an accident, it will. When ESPN cuts to commercial, you just know the yellow will fly.
The fact is, NASCAR is not a safe sport. If a driver doesn't have a spotter located on a blind corner, it behooves the team to get one. If a track is missing SAFER barriers, it needs them. If most of the carbon monoxide has been removed from the cockpit, teams must work to get rid of all of it. And if a car is stalled in the middle of the racing surface with oncoming traffic, press the damn button and throw the yellow!
Too many times it has taken tragedy to impel safety technology in this sport forward, when in all actuality it is the responsibility of anyone working in any workplace to make it their personal priority on a daily basis. Complacency can't be tolerated.
Four drivers lucked out on Saturday afternoon. That was one instance where luck should never have entered into the equation. NASCAR waited much too long to react and fly the yellow and failed to install a rule that spotters are required to have a view of the entire racing surface. These are the big leagues; the teams can afford it.
And NASCAR certainly can't afford to let the headline at the top of this article come true.
by S.D. Grady
"More Drivers Die in the Month of August"
The headline in the local paper barely caught my eye, as it had all the panic I associate with pointless statistics and surveys. More people on vacation, drinking with friends, and traversing unknown roads results in—drum roll please—more fatalities on the highways. Complacency breeds inattention which breeds ill fortune.
However, after watching the Nationwide race on Saturday, I was halfway to believing the story.
I adore road racing. Perhaps there's more for my brain to process as the cars navigate terrain that has not been implanted on the inside of my eyeballs, even after two decades of watching NASCAR events. Watching the pitch and roll of a car as it first is flung to the left then back to the right is fascinating. Somehow, fuel mileage is always a factor and braking is necessary to survive the afternoon. And there's the anticipation of what is lurking around the next bend…
What was around the next bend on Saturday was the No. 81 driven by Maryeve Dufault. After spinning out, and stopping nicely on the edge of the course, Maryeve decided that executing a lazy three-point turn would be the best way to get her car going in the right direction at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Unfortunately, it seemed that once she got her car parked across the entire width of the racing surface, she couldn't put it in reverse. Did I mention she sat on the exit of a blind turn?
Oh, the track safety worker put out a pretty blue flag indicating a local yellow for oncoming traffic to see, but that didn't happen until she was fully stopped on the track. Not when she first spun. Not as she drove back across incoming traffic to the opposite side of the track, or even as the No. 81 took a left turn so that she could reverse to get the nose pointed in the right direction.
So, what do you think happened next? The blue flag barely flutters its first flap and three cars appear out of nowhere, aimed to drill the right side door of a stationary car at full speed. It was the kind of moment that had me wanting to close my eyes, and yet couldn't look away from the impending horror.
We were lucky. Somehow, the first car managed to slow down enough to thread the needle between the rear bumper of the No. 81 and the Armco barrier. Trevor Bayne was not so lucky, ripping off her bumper cover and crunching his right front fender. The No. 11 slowed down enough to follow through without further mishap.
I know we'd like to blame the rookie driver for this near disaster, but actually Trevor Bayne's instant reaction on his radio pinned the problem much more precisely. He asked his spotters and crew chief, "Where were you guys? I almost died!" Which also follows the question; why didn't NASCAR at least deploy the blue flag much sooner? Let alone the yellow.
Due to the size and complexity of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, teams do not have spotters located where eyes are available in every part of the track. That spin just happened to be in a blind spot, for drivers and spotters. Who would've thunk?
And who would've thought that David Ragan and David Reutimann would ping-pong off the blue Armco barriers at Watkins Glen in precisely that manner? Or that Denny Hamlin's No. 11 would line up perfectly to wrap the radiator around a cement piling that held up the fence? Or at the beginning of the Glen last week, the fog would hover so low that spotters and cameras had difficulty seeing down the stretch, but the drivers had a clear shot? Nobody else could say if the track was clear, but the drivers could. Yeah, that's safe.
NASCAR is a sport of uncertainty. Time and time again, just when it's decided we've installed SAFER barriers everywhere a car is going to wreck, drivers manage to launch their vehicles into the one spot on the track with an awkward angle and outdated fencing. If NASCAR thinks a certain corner on a road course won't have an accident, it will. When ESPN cuts to commercial, you just know the yellow will fly.
The fact is, NASCAR is not a safe sport. If a driver doesn't have a spotter located on a blind corner, it behooves the team to get one. If a track is missing SAFER barriers, it needs them. If most of the carbon monoxide has been removed from the cockpit, teams must work to get rid of all of it. And if a car is stalled in the middle of the racing surface with oncoming traffic, press the damn button and throw the yellow!
Too many times it has taken tragedy to impel safety technology in this sport forward, when in all actuality it is the responsibility of anyone working in any workplace to make it their personal priority on a daily basis. Complacency can't be tolerated.
Four drivers lucked out on Saturday afternoon. That was one instance where luck should never have entered into the equation. NASCAR waited much too long to react and fly the yellow and failed to install a rule that spotters are required to have a view of the entire racing surface. These are the big leagues; the teams can afford it.
And NASCAR certainly can't afford to let the headline at the top of this article come true.
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:
5 Points to Ponder: When Drivers Attack!... With Awful Results, Engine Boost For... Busch? And Long Live The Rock
~~~~~~~~~~
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: When Drivers Attack!... With Awful Results, Engine Boost For... Busch? And Long Live The Rock
by Bryan Davis Keith
by Summer Dreyer
Talking NASCAR TV: Does Wallace's Team Ownership Limit His Preparation?
by Phil Allaway
Setting The Table: Heavyweight Fighters Gearing Up On Johnson
by Tom Bowles
The Chase: Who's In, Who's Out And Who Just Might Make It
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 1997, Jeff Gordon was leading the Goody's 500 at Bristol and appeared to be well on his way to his ninth win of the season. However, it just wasn't meant to be. What happened to knock Gordon clean out of the race and clear the way for Dale Jarrett to triumph?
Talking NASCAR TV: Does Wallace's Team Ownership Limit His Preparation?
by Phil Allaway
Setting The Table: Heavyweight Fighters Gearing Up On Johnson
by Tom Bowles
The Chase: Who's In, Who's Out And Who Just Might Make It
by Danny Peters
~~~~~~~~~~~
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 1997, Jeff Gordon was leading the Goody's 500 at Bristol and appeared to be well on his way to his ninth win of the season. However, it just wasn't meant to be. What happened to knock Gordon clean out of the race and clear the way for Dale Jarrett to triumph?
Check back Wednesday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Monday's Answer:
Q: In 1987, Neil Bonnett was forced to take relief from Ken Schrader during the Busch 500 at Bristol International Raceway. Why did this happen?
A: Bonnett was suffering from carbon monoxide sickness. It literally got to the point that Bonnett could not see where he was going anymore, hence why he pitted under green to put Ken Schrader in the No. 75 (Schrader's No. 90 was already out of the race at this point). Bonnett can be seen talking about his issue at the 1:25 mark of this clip.
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 win/lose scenario laid out for NASCAR's Most Popular Driver? Tom Bowles has that, the latest on Denny Hamlin's crumbling season, a wild card driver to watch and so much more in his list of small but important weekly observations surrounding the NASCAR circuit.
Mirror Driving by the Frontstretch Staff
The Mirror crew is at it again with more talking points to debate. Topics include potential future stars currently racing in the Camping World Truck Series, whether a 16th different driver could win this weekend in Bristol, who the primary title favorite with 13 races to go is, and more.
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
Which driver came out of Michigan 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 Bristol.
Foto Funnies: Good Sam RV Insurance 500 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
Vito is back with a classic commentary piece.
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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!
©2011 Frontstretch.com
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!
©2011 Frontstretch.com
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