THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
October 7, 2011
Volume V, Edition CCXI
~~~~~~~~~~
NEW PODCAST! Don't forget our new FREE weekly audio segments hosted by Doug Turnbull. Click here for the October 7th edition that features Max Gresham and Cole Whitt as our main racing guests.
~~~~~~~~~~
Top News
by Summer Dreyer
JTG Daugherty Looking Ahead to 2012
The more things change, the more things stay the same—at least that's how JTG Daugherty Racing co-owner Tad Geschickter hopes it works out. Geschickter, who appeared on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio's _Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody_, said that he expects to continue the team's relationship with Michael Waltrip Racing and Toyota in 2012, even with the race team's move out of MWR's race shop.
"We are looking at a number of different options that will enable us to continue to share notes and technical support with Michael Waltrip," he said. "We continue to work every week with Michael to figure out what (the relationship) is going to look like."
Geshickter said the race team will operate out of its own Harrisburg, NC shop next season, after renting space at MWR for a time.
In addition, JTG Daughtery is also expected to return to Toyota next season, though the alliance is not yet set in stone. However, Geschickter says, "I'm not the type of person who announces anything before it's signed, but we've certainly gone well downfield with those folks in defining what the next several years will look like for us in the Toyota camp. We're excited about that, and hopefully there will be an announcement coming soon."
An announcement regarding the future of the team is expected to come at Talladega Superspeedway in a few weeks, including the driver lineup for 2012. Bobby Labonte is expected to return to the organization next season, and the team is looking to potentially expand its operation in 2013.
"Bobby and I shook hands, which is all we've ever needed to do," he said. "Short of signing a contract, we're feeling pretty good about getting that done."
Labonte is currently 29th in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points, with his best finish of the season coming in the form of a fourth-place finish in the season opening Daytona 500.
Caterpillar, Wheaties Splitting Sponsorship on No. 31 Car
Richard Childress Racing driver Jeff Burton will have two primary sponsors on board during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, with Caterpillar returning to the team for a majority of the races next season. Wheaties will act as an associate sponsor during Caterpillar's main races, and vice-versa.
"We'll still be the primary for the majority of races and they'll pick up some races where they'll be the primary and we'll be the associate," Director of Racing Programs at Caterpillar Greg Towles told pjstar.com.
Wheaties and General Mills is moving over from Clint Bowyer's No. 33 car, who is announcing his move from RCR to Michael Waltrip Racing this weekend.
"We've never bought the entire schedule," said Towles. "And now that Clint Bowyer is moving on, General Mills wanted to stay at (Richard Childress Racing) and so there's some races they can pick up on the 31 car."
Burton has struggled through the 2011 season, and is currently 24th in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points with only one top-10 finish all season. Both Burton and Caterpillar signed a contract extension with RCR earlier this year.
Have news for Summer and The Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com with a promising lead or tip.
~~~~~~~~~~
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 special 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.
~~~~~~~~~~
In Case You Missed It
by Brett Poirier
Rockingham Adds SAFER Barrier
In preparation for its inaugural Camping World Truck Series race in April of 2012, Rockingham Speedway has begun the installation of Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barriers along the inside backstretch wall.
The track will wait to begin installation of the barriers in the turns until after the completion of the American 200 doubleheader ARCA Series races on Nov.5 and the Polar Bear 150 Frank Kimmel Street Stock Nationals event on Nov. 26.
"As a racer, safety is always my number one concern," Track President Andy Hillenburg said. "Regardless of NASCAR's decision to come back to Rockingham, SAFER barriers were a need for us and I'm glad we are able to get that process underway. As we've seen over the years, there are some hard hits along that inside wall coming off of (turn) two and when things go bad getting into (turn) one, they go very bad."
PGA Tour Player Named Honorary Official for Hollywood Casino 400
Topeka, Kansas native and PGA Tour player Gary Woodland has been named an honorary official for the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway.
"We're excited to have Gary participate in the pre-race activities for the Hollywood Casino," Track President Patrick Warren said. "Gary had a great run in the PGA Tour's championship playoffs this year and we're looking forward to having him at our championship event as well."
Woodland won his first career PGA Tour event in March at the Transitions Championship. Woodland finished 12th in the last major tournament, the PGA Championship.
Dover Rescue Team Member Awarded ServiceMaster Clean 'Extra-Mile Award'
Jesse Cobb, crew chief of the Turn 4 fire rescue team at Dover International Speedway, was honored with the ServiceMaster Clean Extra Mile Award for his work at the track in 2011. Cobb is the second track worker to be honored by ServiceMaster. The unique award was created to honor track service personnel whose hard work often goes unnoticed. Cobb has worked at the speedway for the last 36 years.
Before the AAA 400 on Sunday, Cobb was joined by wife, Ronna, and son, Aaron, for a special award presentation during the pre-race ceremonies. Cobb has been a track firefighter since 1975 and is also the primary driver of the ServiceMaster Clean track dryer. Cobb received a plaque to keep and a separate plaque with each award winner's name engraved will be kept at the speedway.
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
October 7, 2011
Volume V, Edition CCXI
~~~~~~~~~~
NEW PODCAST! Don't forget our new FREE weekly audio segments hosted by Doug Turnbull. Click here for the October 7th edition that features Max Gresham and Cole Whitt as our main racing guests.
~~~~~~~~~~
Top News
by Summer Dreyer
JTG Daugherty Looking Ahead to 2012
The more things change, the more things stay the same—at least that's how JTG Daugherty Racing co-owner Tad Geschickter hopes it works out. Geschickter, who appeared on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio's _Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody_, said that he expects to continue the team's relationship with Michael Waltrip Racing and Toyota in 2012, even with the race team's move out of MWR's race shop.
"We are looking at a number of different options that will enable us to continue to share notes and technical support with Michael Waltrip," he said. "We continue to work every week with Michael to figure out what (the relationship) is going to look like."
Geshickter said the race team will operate out of its own Harrisburg, NC shop next season, after renting space at MWR for a time.
In addition, JTG Daughtery is also expected to return to Toyota next season, though the alliance is not yet set in stone. However, Geschickter says, "I'm not the type of person who announces anything before it's signed, but we've certainly gone well downfield with those folks in defining what the next several years will look like for us in the Toyota camp. We're excited about that, and hopefully there will be an announcement coming soon."
An announcement regarding the future of the team is expected to come at Talladega Superspeedway in a few weeks, including the driver lineup for 2012. Bobby Labonte is expected to return to the organization next season, and the team is looking to potentially expand its operation in 2013.
"Bobby and I shook hands, which is all we've ever needed to do," he said. "Short of signing a contract, we're feeling pretty good about getting that done."
Labonte is currently 29th in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points, with his best finish of the season coming in the form of a fourth-place finish in the season opening Daytona 500.
Caterpillar, Wheaties Splitting Sponsorship on No. 31 Car
Richard Childress Racing driver Jeff Burton will have two primary sponsors on board during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, with Caterpillar returning to the team for a majority of the races next season. Wheaties will act as an associate sponsor during Caterpillar's main races, and vice-versa.
"We'll still be the primary for the majority of races and they'll pick up some races where they'll be the primary and we'll be the associate," Director of Racing Programs at Caterpillar Greg Towles told pjstar.com.
Wheaties and General Mills is moving over from Clint Bowyer's No. 33 car, who is announcing his move from RCR to Michael Waltrip Racing this weekend.
"We've never bought the entire schedule," said Towles. "And now that Clint Bowyer is moving on, General Mills wanted to stay at (Richard Childress Racing) and so there's some races they can pick up on the 31 car."
Burton has struggled through the 2011 season, and is currently 24th in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points with only one top-10 finish all season. Both Burton and Caterpillar signed a contract extension with RCR earlier this year.
Have news for Summer and The Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com with a promising lead or tip.
~~~~~~~~~~
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 special 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.
~~~~~~~~~~
In Case You Missed It
by Brett Poirier
Rockingham Adds SAFER Barrier
In preparation for its inaugural Camping World Truck Series race in April of 2012, Rockingham Speedway has begun the installation of Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barriers along the inside backstretch wall.
The track will wait to begin installation of the barriers in the turns until after the completion of the American 200 doubleheader ARCA Series races on Nov.5 and the Polar Bear 150 Frank Kimmel Street Stock Nationals event on Nov. 26.
"As a racer, safety is always my number one concern," Track President Andy Hillenburg said. "Regardless of NASCAR's decision to come back to Rockingham, SAFER barriers were a need for us and I'm glad we are able to get that process underway. As we've seen over the years, there are some hard hits along that inside wall coming off of (turn) two and when things go bad getting into (turn) one, they go very bad."
PGA Tour Player Named Honorary Official for Hollywood Casino 400
Topeka, Kansas native and PGA Tour player Gary Woodland has been named an honorary official for the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway.
"We're excited to have Gary participate in the pre-race activities for the Hollywood Casino," Track President Patrick Warren said. "Gary had a great run in the PGA Tour's championship playoffs this year and we're looking forward to having him at our championship event as well."
Woodland won his first career PGA Tour event in March at the Transitions Championship. Woodland finished 12th in the last major tournament, the PGA Championship.
Dover Rescue Team Member Awarded ServiceMaster Clean 'Extra-Mile Award'
Jesse Cobb, crew chief of the Turn 4 fire rescue team at Dover International Speedway, was honored with the ServiceMaster Clean Extra Mile Award for his work at the track in 2011. Cobb is the second track worker to be honored by ServiceMaster. The unique award was created to honor track service personnel whose hard work often goes unnoticed. Cobb has worked at the speedway for the last 36 years.
Before the AAA 400 on Sunday, Cobb was joined by wife, Ronna, and son, Aaron, for a special award presentation during the pre-race ceremonies. Cobb has been a track firefighter since 1975 and is also the primary driver of the ServiceMaster Clean track dryer. Cobb received a plaque to keep and a separate plaque with each award winner's name engraved will be kept at the speedway.
~~~~~~~~~~
Hey Frontstretch Readers!
Did you know The Frontstretch has a weekly podcast? Hosted by Doug Turnbull, the latest podcast comes out every Friday. This week, Doug and columnist Bryan Davis Keith break down Reed Sorenson's shocking dismissal, the state of the Chase and much more! Check it out here!
~~~~~~~~~~
Keepin' It Short: Daytona 500 for Late Models and The Fest in the Midwest
by Mike Neff
The weekend is upon us and the biggest Late Model race of the season is this Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. The Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 will feature 42 of the best Late Model drivers anywhere and the winner will etch his name next to some of the legends of the sport, along with taking home a grandfather clock.
Saturday will feature qualifying which will lock in the top 22 fastest cars for Sunday's 200-lap race. The remaining 70 or so cars will have to run in one of the four heat races Sunday that will determine the other 20 spots in the field. The top-5 finishers in the four, 25-lap heat races will fill in the field behind the 22 fastest before they drop the rag on the main event. The race will run 100 laps and then take a break for teams to make adjustments before an unknown number of cars will be inverted from the front of the field before the race resumes. The race will continue until lap 190 when a caution will fly and the final 10-lap sprint to the finish will occur.
The race will most likely include Philip Morris, the recently crowned National Champion of the Whelen All-American Series of NASCAR. Third place in the national point race, Lee Pulliam, will also probably be in the starting lineup along with fourth-place finisher C. E. Falk, III. Recently crowned ASA National Champion Barry Beggarly will also be attempting to make the 42 car field.
Beggarly and Morris are among the list of former winners of Late Model races at Martinsville who will be attempting to make this weekend's field. Along with those two former winners, Frank Deiny, Jr., Tony McGuire, Jamie Caudill, Alex Yontz, Jake Crum and Jason York will also be former winners attempting to run their way into the starting lineup.
This event has been run only in the Fall since 1998, but has been a 200-lap race since 1993. For Late Model fans anywhere near the Southeast Sunday is the day that you should be making the trip to southern Virginia to watch some of the best close quarter, beating and banging that you will see all season from local short track heroes.
Late Model Stock Car History at Martinsville Speedway:
100-Lap Format:
1985 -- Curtis Markham(100-lap race)
1985 -- Barry Beggarly(100-lap race)
1986 -- Elton Sawyer(100-lap race)
1987 -- Curtis Markham(100-lap race)
1987 -- Mark Martin(100-lap race)
1988 -- Wayne Patterson(100-lap race)
1988 -- Phil Warren(100-lap race)
1989 -- Ronnie Thomas(100-lap race)
1989 -- Curtis Markham(100-lap race)
1990 -- David Blankenship(100-lap race)
1990 -- Wayne Patterson(100-lap race)
1991 -- Jay Fogleman(100-lap race)
1991 -- Mike Buffkin(150-lap race)
1991 -- Curtis Markham(100-lap race)
1992 -- Dennis Setzer(100-lap race)
1992 -- Jay Fogleman(150-lap race)
1992 -- Joe Gaita(100-lap race)
1993 -- Eddie Johnson(150-lap race)
Races in Current 200-lap Format:
1993 -- Mike Skinner (fall)
1994 -- Bugs Hairfield (spring)
1994 -- Barry Beggarly (spring)
1994 -- Barry Beggarly (fall)
1995 -- Shayne Lockhart (spring)
1995 -- Tony McGuire (fall) ** First Ever Taco Bell 300, Stand Alone Event **
1996 -- Donnie Apple (spring)
1996 -- BA Wilson (fall)
1997 -- David Hyder (spring)
1997 -- Billy Hogan (fall)
Fall Only Races:
1998 -- Dexter Canipe, Sr.
1999 -- Robert Powell
2000 -- Philip Morris
2001 -- Phil Warren
2002 -- Frank Deiny, Jr.
2003 -- Jamey Caudill
2004 -- Tony McGuire ** First Ever Bailey's 300 **
2005 -- Timothy Peters
2006 -- Alex Yontz
2007 -- Dennis Setzer
2008 -- Jason York
2009 -- Jake Crum
2010 -- Philip Morris ** First Ever Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 **
Winner list courtesy of Langley Austin at Race22.com
If you are in the Midwest and just can't make the trip all of the way to Virginia, you can still get your racing fix at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway. The 42nd Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend is taking place this weekend featuring the ASA Midwest Tour, Big-8 Late Models and Super Late Models. Racing will take place from Thursday through Sunday with Friday night's feature race being the Dick Trickle 99 and Sunday's main event the ASA Midwest Tour 100-lapper.
Similar to Martinsville, the Oktoberfest winners' list reads like a Hall of Fame roster for Short Track racing in the heart of the country. Dick Trickle, Rich Bickle, Joe Shear and Steve Carlson are all represented on the list of wheelmen who have taken home the big win at LaCrosse.
Oktoberfest Feature Race Winners:
1970 – Tom Reffner
1971 – Dick Trickle
1972 – Joe Shear
1973 – Marv Marzofka
1974 – Jerry Makara
1975 – Tom Reffner
1976 – Larry Detjens
1977 – Larry Detjens
1978 – Dave Watson
1979 – Butch Miller
1980 – Mark Martin
1981 – Junior Hanley
1982 – Jim Back
1983 – Tom Reffner
1984 – Bryan Reffner
1985 – John Ziegler
1986 – Rich Bickle, Jr.
1987 – Dick Trickle
1988 – Ted Musgrave
1989 – Joe Shear
1990 – Scott Hansen
1991 – Tom Carlson
1992 – Tom Carlson
1993 – Matt Kenseth
1994 – Joe Shear
1995 – Joe Shear
1996 - Joe Shear
1997 – Terry Baldry
1998 – Eddie Hoffman
1999 – Eddie Hoffman
2000 – Steve Carlson
2001 – Eddie Hoffman
2002 – Brian Hoppe
2003 – Tim Shendel
2004 – Brian Hoppe
2005 – Tim Shendel
2006 – Steve Holzhausen
2007 – Dan Fredrickson
2008 – Dan Fredrickson
2009 – Travis Sauter
2010 – Dan Fredrickson
Dick Trickle 99 Race Winners:
2007 – Steve Holzhausen
2008 – Nathan Haseleu
2009 – Chris Weinkauf
2010 – Dan Fredrickson
Click here for further information. If you're in the area and want to know anything about the racing, just click on the fan guide. There is more information about the event in that guide than any program of any short track race anywhere in the country. The Oktoberfest weekend is a racing fix like no other. 19 racing divisions, 600 feature race laps, five divisions of Late Models, 1,200 total laps of racing and more camping and food than you can shake a stick at. If you have the chance this weekend and you're in the Wisconsin area, head over to LaCrosse for the Oktoberfest. You won't be disappointed.
This Weekend's Racing Schedule
Fri : Oct. 7th - Bakersfield Speedway ; Oildale : CA – WCS Late Models Budweiser Nationals
Fri : Oct. 7th - Bakersfield Speedway ; Oildale : CA – WCS Modified Budweiser Nationals
Fri : Oct. 7th - Ocean Speedway ; Watsonville : CA - Taco Bravo Ocean Sprints
Fri : Oct. 7th - Waterford Speedbowl ; Waterford : CT - New England Truck Series
Fri : Oct. 7th - Dixie Speedway ; Woodstock : GA - Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Fri : Oct. 7th - Tri-City Speedway ; Granite City : IL - USAC National Midgets
Fri : Oct. 7th – West Liberty Raceway ; West Liberty : IA – IMCA Late Models
Fri : Oct. 7th – West Liberty Raceway ; West Liberty : IA – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : Oct. 7th – Heartland Park ; Topeka : KS – Midwest Late Models
Fri : Oct. 7th – Heartland Park ; Topeka : KS – Modifieds
Fri : Oct. 7th - Kansas Speedway ; Kansas City : KS - ARCA Late Models
Fri : Oct. 7th - Lakeside Speedway ; Kansas City : KS - Midwest LateModels
Fri : Oct. 7th – Jones Motor Speedway ; Chatham : LA – Late Models
Fri : Oct. 7th – Jones Motor Speedway ; Chatham : LA – Modifieds
Fri : Oct. 7th – Viking Speedway ; Alexandria : MN – WISSOTA Late Models
Fri : Oct. 7th – Viking Speedway ; Alexandria : MN – WISSOTA Modifieds
Fri : Oct. 7th - Greenville Speedway ; Greenville : MS - NeSmith Dirt Late Model Series
Fri : Oct. 7th – Eldora Speedway ; Rossburg : OH – UMP Late Models
Fri : Oct. 7th – Eldora Speedway ; Rossburg : OH – UMP Modifieds
Fri : Oct. 7th – Moler Raceway Park ; Williamsburg : OH – ADRA Late Models
Fri : Oct. 7th - Southern Oregon Speedway ; Medford : OR - Interstate Sprint Car Series
Fri : Oct. 7th - Path Valley Speedway ; Spring Run : PA - PA Sprint Series
Fri : Oct. 7th - Roaring Knob Speedway ; Markleysburg : PA – FASTRAK Late Models
Fri : Oct. 7th - Roaring Knob Speedway ; Markleysburg : PA - Unified Force Race Championship Tour
Fri : Oct. 7th – Riverview Speedway ; Carthage : TN – Ken Ten Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – I-30 Speedway ; Little Rock : AR – IMCA Modifieds
Sat : Oct. 8th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Comp Cams Super Dirt
Sat : Oct. 8th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Bartlett Hardwood Super Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th - Havasu 95 Speedway ; Lake Havasu City : AZ - ASA / Truck Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - Bakersfield Speedway ; Oildale : CA – WCS Late Model Budweiser Nationals
Sat : Oct. 8th - Bakersfield Speedway ; Oildale : CA – WCS Modified Budweiser Nationals
Sat : Oct. 8th - Chowchilla Speedway ; Chowchilla : CA - BCRA Midget Lites
Sat : Oct. 8th – Marysville Raceway Park ; Marysville : CA – 360 Sprints
Sat : Oct. 8th - Perris Auto Speedway ; Perris : CA - USAC/CRA 410
Sat : Oct. 8th - Shasta Raceway Park ; Redding : CA - USAC Western Sprint Cars
Sat : Oct. 8th - Stockton 99 Speedway ; Stockton : CA - NCMA Sprints
Sat : Oct. 8th - Thunderbowl Raceway ; Tulare : CA - ASCS SoCal Sprint Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - Thunderbowl Raceway ; Tulare : CA – IMCA Modifieds
Sat : Oct. 8th - Thunderbowl Raceway ; Tulare : CA – IMCA Stock Cars
Sat : Oct. 8th - Thunderbowl Raceway ; Tulare : CA - USAC 360 Sprint Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - Waterford Speedbowl ; Waterford : CT - New England Truck Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - Cross Roads Motorplex ; Jasper : FL - MMRA / Mini-Cups
Sat : Oct. 8th – Desoto Super Speedway ; Bradenton : FL – Florida United Promoters Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th - East Bay Raceway ; Gibsonton : FL - Top Gun Sprint Car Series
Sat : Oct. 8th – Five Flags Speedway ; Pensacola : FL – Pro Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th - North Florida Speedway ; Lake City : FL - Florida Mini-Sprints
Sat : Oct. 8th - Dixie Speedway ; Woodstock : GA - Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - Autobahn County Club ; Joliet : IL - 24 Hours of LeMons
Sat : Oct. 8th - Avcom Park ; Avon : IL - IMRA TQ Series
Sat : Oct. 8th – Belle-Clair Speedway ; Belleville : IL – PCRA Late Models 2X
Sat : Oct. 8th - Tri-City Speedway ; Granite City : IL - USAC National Midgets
Sat : Oct. 8th - Brownstown Speedway ; Brownstown : IN - Indiana Late Model Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - Indianapolis Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN - 100 lap Figure 8 Special
Sat : Oct. 8th - Tri-State Speedway ; Haubstad : IN - Midwest Sprint Car Series (410)
Sat : Oct. 8th – West Liberty Raceway ; West Liberty : IA – IMCA Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – West Liberty Raceway ; West Liberty : IA – IMCA Modifieds
Sat : Oct. 8th - 81 Speedway ; Wichita : KS - NCRA / Modifieds
Sat : Oct. 8th - 81 Speedway ; Wichita : KS - NCRA / Southern SportMod Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - Lakeside Speedway ; Kansas City : KS - Midwest LateModels
Sat : Oct. 8th – Jones Motor Speedway ; Chatham : LA – Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – Jones Motor Speedway ; Chatham : LA – Modifieds
Sat : Oct. 8th - Seekonk Speedway ; Seekonk : MA - Modified Racing Series of New England
Sat : Oct. 8th - Seekonk Speedway ; Seekonk : MA - NEMA Lites
Sat : Oct. 8th - Seekonk Speedway ; Seekonk : MA - NEMA Midgets
Sat : Oct. 8th - Seekonk Speedway ; Seekonk : MA - Pro Four Modfieds of New England
Sat : Oct. 8th – Berlin Raceway ; Marne : MI – CRA Super Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - M-40 Speedway ; Jones : MI - Bishop Performance Legend Cars
Sat : Oct. 8th - M-40 Speedway ; Jones : MI - MCR Dwarf Cars
Sat : Oct. 8th - M-40 Speedway ; Jones : MI – Outlaw Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – Viking Speedway ; Alexandria : MN – WISSOTA Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – Viking Speedway ; Alexandria : MN – WISSOTA Modifieds
Sat : Oct. 8th - Greenville Speedway ; Greenville : MS - NeSmith Dirt Late Model Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - Las Vegas Motor Speedway ; Las Vegas : NV - Vintage Auto Racing Association
Sat : Oct. 8th - Airborne Speedway ; Plattsburg : NY - ACT US Tour
Sat : Oct. 8th - Airborne Speedway ; Plattsburg : NY – Castrol Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th - Rolling Wheels Raceway ; Elbridge : NY – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Sat : Oct. 8th - Rolling Wheels Raceway ; Elbridge : NY – Big Block Modifieds
Sat : Oct. 8th – 311 Motor Speedway ; Madison : NC – Carolina Clash
Sat : Oct. 8th – Ace Speedway ; Altamahaw : NC – Southeast Limited Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – Cleveland County Speedway ; Lawndale : NC – FASTRAK Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Allison Legacy Series
Sat : Oct. 8th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – CARS Pro Cup
Sat : Oct. 8th – Orange County Speedway ; Rougemont : NC – CCS Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – Orange County Speedway ; Rougemont : NC – Limited Sportsman
Sat : Oct. 8th - Eldora Speedway ; Rossburg : OH - American Late Model Series
Sat : Oct. 8th – Eldora Speedway ; Rossburg : OH – UMP Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – Eldora Speedway ; Rossburg : OH – UMP Modifieds
Sat : Oct. 8th - Nelson Ledges Road Course ; Garrettsville : OH - ChumpCar World Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - Thunderbird Speedway ; Muskogee : OK - ASCS / Sooner Region
Sat : Oct. 8th - Peterborough Speedway ; Peterborough : Ontario - OSCAAR Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th - Cottage Grove Speedway ; Cottage Grove : OR - Interstate Sprint Cars
Sat : Oct. 8th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – 410 Sprints
Sat : Oct. 8th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – 358 Sprints
Sat : Oct. 8th - Mountain Speedway ; Saint Johns : PA - ATQMRA TQ Midgets
Sat : Oct. 8th - Roaring Knob Speedway ; Markleysburg : PA – FASTRAK Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th - Roaring Knob Speedway ; Markleysburg : PA - Unified Force Race Championship Tour
Sat : Oct. 8th – Selinsgrove Speedway ; Selinsgrove : PA – Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – Florence Motor Speedway ; Timmonsville : SC – Limited Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – Newport Speedway ; Newport : TN – Late Models 4X
Sat : Oct. 8th - C C Speedway ; Corpus Christi : TX - Dwarf Car Series of Texas
Sat : Oct. 8th - Lone Star Speedway ; Kilgore : TX - Southern Thunder Sprints
Sat : Oct. 8th - LaCrosse Fair Speedway ; LaCrosse : WI – Oktoberfest ASA Midwest Tour
Sat : Oct. 8th - LaCrosse Fair Speedway ; LaCrosse : WI – Oktoberfest Big 8
Sat : Oct. 8th - LaCrosse Fair Speedway ; LaCrosse : WI – Oktoberfest Mid-American Stock Car Series
Sun : Oct. 9th - Georgetown Speedway ; Georgetown : DE - Racesaver Sprints
Sun : Oct. 9th - DeSoto Super Speedway ; Bradenton : FL - Florida United Promoters Late Model Series
Sun : Oct. 9th - Rome Speedway ; Rome : GA - Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Sun : Oct. 9th - Autobahn County Club ; Joliet : IL - 24 Hours of LeMons
Sun : Oct. 9th - Seekonk Speedway ; Seekonk : MA - Modified Racing Series of New England
Sun : Oct. 9th - Seekonk Speedway ; Seekonk : MA - NEMA Midgets
Sun : Oct. 9th - M-40 Speedway ; Jones : MI - Bishop Performance Legend Cars
Sun : Oct. 9th - Las Vegas Motor Speedway ; Las Vegas : NV - Vintage Auto Racing Association
Sun : Oct. 9th - New York State Fairgrounds ; Syracuse : NY - Super DIRTcar Big Block Series
Sun : Oct. 9th - Nelson Ledges Road Course ; Garrettsville : OH - ChumpCar World Series
Sun : Oct. 9th - Peterborough Speedway ; Peterborough : Ontario - OSCAAR Late Models
Sun : Oct. 9th - Coos Bay Int Speedway ; Coos Bay : OR - Interstate Sprint Car Series
Sun : Oct. 9th – Dog Hollow Speedway ; Strongstown : PA – FASTRAK Late Models
Sun : Oct. 9th - Martinsville Speedway ; Martinsville : VA – Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300
Sun : Oct. 9th - LaCrosse Fair Speedway ; LaCrosse : WI – Oktoberfest ASA Midwest Tour
Wed : Oct. 12th - Dirt Track @ Charlotte ; Concord : NC - WoO Late Model Series
Thu : Oct. 13th - Charlotte Motor Speedway (1/5) ; Concord : NC - NASCAR Southern Modified Tour
Thu : Oct. 13th – K-C Raceway ; Chillicothe : OH – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Mike Neff is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at mike.neff@frontstretch.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
Hey Frontstretch Readers!
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 Folio: Hollywood Casino 400
by Summer Dreyer
This weekend, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Kansas Speedway for the Hollywood Casino 400. Sunday's race will be the 30th of 36 races this season and fourth race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Sunday's race will be broadcast live Sunday, October 9th, at 2 PM ET on ESPN. Drivers will compete for 267 laps (400.5 miles) before taking the checkered flag.
Records and Facts
Matt Kenseth holds the track qualifying record with a lap of 28.858 sec at 180.856 mph during qualifying for the 2005 Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra Foods. Kenseth finished fifth in the race after leading 71 laps. Kenseth had one victory, 12 top 5s, 17 top 10s, and an average finish of 15th during the 2005 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, finishing seventh in points.
Greg Biffle holds the record for the fastest race run at Kansas Speedway, with a speed of 138.077 mph in the 2010 Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods. Biffle led 60 of the 267 laps to win by 7.638 sec over second-place Jimmie Johnson. Kevin Harvick finished third, followed by Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon to round out the top 5. Biffle won a total of two races during the 2010 season, including a victory at Pocono, and finished sixth in points.
Biffle is also the defending race winner of this event, and is coming into the weekend with no victories this season. The Washington native finished 10th in the June race at this track earlier this year but was unable to lead any laps. He enters this race 15th in points with a total of two top 5s, eight top 10s, and an average finish of 17th in 29 races so far in 2011.
Track Facts
Track/Race Length: 1.5-mile D-shaped oval, 267 laps (400.5 miles)
Degree of Banking: 15 degrees in the corners
Frontstretch: 2,685 ft., banked 10.4 degrees
Backstretch: 2,207 ft., banked 5 degrees
Grandstand Seating: 74,000
Pre-race Schedule
Practice: Friday, October 7, 12:30 – 2:00 PM ET on ESPN2
Qualifying: Friday, October 7, 5:10 PM ET on ESPN2
Practice: Saturday, October 8, 12:30 – 1:15 PM ET on SPEED
Happy Hour: Saturday, October 8, 1:50 – 2:50 PM ET on SPEED
VIPs
National Anthem: Curb Recording artist Tim Dugger
Race Day Forecast
Sunday: Few showers, 30% chance of rain
High: 78
Low: 57
Say What?!
"A lot of the things that we use at Kansas setup-wise are really similar to Michigan, and we've had good speed at both Michigan races this year. Jay and J.J. (Yeley) had a good car at Chicagoland, which is also a very similar type of racetrack. I feel like we've got a really good idea of what we need to take to Kansas after going over our notes. We'll take a newer car that this team has. It's the same car that J.J. had at Loudon a couple weeks ago, and he had pretty good speed in it. So, I feel like we're taking our best car for the 38 team and we've got good notes to get us off to a good start off the truck." -Travis Kvapil
"This has been a great track for us and I can't wait for this weekend's race. I hope we run like we did earlier this year. If so, it gives us a chance to make up some points." -Jeff Gordon
"I really truly love racing at Kansas. It's one of the most fun racetracks we go to. The surface is nice. The groove is wide. You know why I want to win there: it's my home track. It would mean the world to me to win that race. I feel we've run well enough at these mile-and-a-half's. I feel like personally I'm very, very motivated to win that race. I think my guys feel they can do the job on pit road." -Carl Edwards
Summer Dreyer is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via email at summer.dreyer@frontstretch.com.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Washed Up By 25: Why NASCAR Needs A Stronger Development Path
by Amy Henderson
Four Burning Questions: A Close Championship, the New Phoenix and Dillon's Debut
by Mike Lovecchio
Voices From the Heartland: BSNews; NASCAR Explains Empty Seats at Kansas
by Jeff Meyer
Marcos Ambrose Driver Diary: A Tough Stretch, Keeping Momentum, and Digging for Gold on TV
as told to Toni Montgomery
2011 May As Well Be Over
by Bryan Davis Keith
Frontstretch Podcast: October 7th Edition
hosted by Doug Turnbull
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: Originally, the Conrod Straight was a flat-out blast all the way from Forrest's Elbow to Murray's Corner right before the start-finish line. This clip from 1985 shows what the track was like pre-Chase. However, in 1987, the "Caltex Chase" was added. Why?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: The Bathurst 1000 has been curtailed short of its scheduled distance only twice since the inaugural race in 1962 (when it was just a 500-mile race). One of them was in 1981 due to massive crash that blocked the track at McPhilliamy Park, near the highest point on the course. The second time happened in 1992. Why was the race cut short?
A: With 19 laps remaining in the race, a massive rainstorm swept over Mount Panorama, pelting the track with heavy rain and high wind. Since the precipitation came over the track so quickly, many teams were caught out on the mountain, over two miles from the pits (the track is 3.858 miles long). A series of pile-ups ensued, involving cars on slick tires losing control, including one at the beginning of the long Conrod Straight. Jim Richards hit the wall and broke the right front corner of his Nissan Skyline on the mountain, then crashed into that pile-up. At this point, the race was red flagged.
Dick Johnson was the first back to the line and believed that he had won in his No. 17 Shell Ford Sierra RS500. However, rules dictate that the final order is set by the last completed lap, giving the disabled Skyline driven by Richards and Mark Skaife the win. The rain and the crashes can be seen here.
Also of note, the race was the final event for the Nissan Skyline R32 that won the race. The four wheel drive Nissan had already been banned for 1993 in order to bring in new "Group 3a" cars that were the forefathers of today's V8 Supercars. The fans didn't exactly like the Nissans, nicknamed "Godzilla" because of their four-wheel drive, four wheel steering, twin-turbo engines and substantially more horsepower than anyone else creating an uneven playing field (especially in 1991). As a result of that, and Johnson ramping the crowd up, Richards and Skaife came out on the podium to a loud chorus of boos. After getting fed up with the angry fans, Richards let loose with a classic line that you can see at the 7:40 mark of this clip.
Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee: Take 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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Coming Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Hollywood Casino 400 Race Recap by TBA
-- Running Their Mouth: Hollywood Casino 400 by Brody Jones
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
Monday on the Frontstretch:
Matt McLaughlin's Thinkin' Out Loud: Hollywood Casino 400 by Matt McLaughlin
Matt will be here with his overall thoughts about the action from Sunday afternoon's action from the Kansas.
David vs. Goliath by Bryan Davis Keith
Who's hot and who's not towards the back end of the owner points battle? Bryan brings the stories you didn't hear about into print from Sunday's race from Kansas.
Monday Morning Teardown by Ron Lemasters
Ron returns for a website look at one of the big stories from Sunday's race from Kansas.
Bowles-Eye View by Tom Bowles
Tom brings back his weekly post-race commentary with all of the insight you need from a weekend of racing from Kansas.
Big Six: Hollywood Casino 400 by Amy Henderson
Looking for all you need to know leaving the third race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup? Amy has your who, what, when, where, why and how from a weekend of racing at Kansas.
Nationwide Series Breakdown: Kansas Lottery 300 by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan has all the post-race analysis you need after Saturday afternoon's Nationwide Series race from Kansas.
-----------------------------
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
Hey Frontstretch Readers!
Did you know The Frontstretch has a weekly podcast? Hosted by Doug Turnbull, the latest podcast comes out every Friday. This week, Doug and columnist Bryan Davis Keith break down Reed Sorenson's shocking dismissal, the state of the Chase and much more! Check it out here!
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Keepin' It Short: Daytona 500 for Late Models and The Fest in the Midwest
by Mike Neff
The weekend is upon us and the biggest Late Model race of the season is this Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. The Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 will feature 42 of the best Late Model drivers anywhere and the winner will etch his name next to some of the legends of the sport, along with taking home a grandfather clock.
Saturday will feature qualifying which will lock in the top 22 fastest cars for Sunday's 200-lap race. The remaining 70 or so cars will have to run in one of the four heat races Sunday that will determine the other 20 spots in the field. The top-5 finishers in the four, 25-lap heat races will fill in the field behind the 22 fastest before they drop the rag on the main event. The race will run 100 laps and then take a break for teams to make adjustments before an unknown number of cars will be inverted from the front of the field before the race resumes. The race will continue until lap 190 when a caution will fly and the final 10-lap sprint to the finish will occur.
The race will most likely include Philip Morris, the recently crowned National Champion of the Whelen All-American Series of NASCAR. Third place in the national point race, Lee Pulliam, will also probably be in the starting lineup along with fourth-place finisher C. E. Falk, III. Recently crowned ASA National Champion Barry Beggarly will also be attempting to make the 42 car field.
Beggarly and Morris are among the list of former winners of Late Model races at Martinsville who will be attempting to make this weekend's field. Along with those two former winners, Frank Deiny, Jr., Tony McGuire, Jamie Caudill, Alex Yontz, Jake Crum and Jason York will also be former winners attempting to run their way into the starting lineup.
This event has been run only in the Fall since 1998, but has been a 200-lap race since 1993. For Late Model fans anywhere near the Southeast Sunday is the day that you should be making the trip to southern Virginia to watch some of the best close quarter, beating and banging that you will see all season from local short track heroes.
Late Model Stock Car History at Martinsville Speedway:
100-Lap Format:
1985 -- Curtis Markham(100-lap race)
1985 -- Barry Beggarly(100-lap race)
1986 -- Elton Sawyer(100-lap race)
1987 -- Curtis Markham(100-lap race)
1987 -- Mark Martin(100-lap race)
1988 -- Wayne Patterson(100-lap race)
1988 -- Phil Warren(100-lap race)
1989 -- Ronnie Thomas(100-lap race)
1989 -- Curtis Markham(100-lap race)
1990 -- David Blankenship(100-lap race)
1990 -- Wayne Patterson(100-lap race)
1991 -- Jay Fogleman(100-lap race)
1991 -- Mike Buffkin(150-lap race)
1991 -- Curtis Markham(100-lap race)
1992 -- Dennis Setzer(100-lap race)
1992 -- Jay Fogleman(150-lap race)
1992 -- Joe Gaita(100-lap race)
1993 -- Eddie Johnson(150-lap race)
Races in Current 200-lap Format:
1993 -- Mike Skinner (fall)
1994 -- Bugs Hairfield (spring)
1994 -- Barry Beggarly (spring)
1994 -- Barry Beggarly (fall)
1995 -- Shayne Lockhart (spring)
1995 -- Tony McGuire (fall) ** First Ever Taco Bell 300, Stand Alone Event **
1996 -- Donnie Apple (spring)
1996 -- BA Wilson (fall)
1997 -- David Hyder (spring)
1997 -- Billy Hogan (fall)
Fall Only Races:
1998 -- Dexter Canipe, Sr.
1999 -- Robert Powell
2000 -- Philip Morris
2001 -- Phil Warren
2002 -- Frank Deiny, Jr.
2003 -- Jamey Caudill
2004 -- Tony McGuire ** First Ever Bailey's 300 **
2005 -- Timothy Peters
2006 -- Alex Yontz
2007 -- Dennis Setzer
2008 -- Jason York
2009 -- Jake Crum
2010 -- Philip Morris ** First Ever Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 **
Winner list courtesy of Langley Austin at Race22.com
If you are in the Midwest and just can't make the trip all of the way to Virginia, you can still get your racing fix at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway. The 42nd Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend is taking place this weekend featuring the ASA Midwest Tour, Big-8 Late Models and Super Late Models. Racing will take place from Thursday through Sunday with Friday night's feature race being the Dick Trickle 99 and Sunday's main event the ASA Midwest Tour 100-lapper.
Similar to Martinsville, the Oktoberfest winners' list reads like a Hall of Fame roster for Short Track racing in the heart of the country. Dick Trickle, Rich Bickle, Joe Shear and Steve Carlson are all represented on the list of wheelmen who have taken home the big win at LaCrosse.
Oktoberfest Feature Race Winners:
1970 – Tom Reffner
1971 – Dick Trickle
1972 – Joe Shear
1973 – Marv Marzofka
1974 – Jerry Makara
1975 – Tom Reffner
1976 – Larry Detjens
1977 – Larry Detjens
1978 – Dave Watson
1979 – Butch Miller
1980 – Mark Martin
1981 – Junior Hanley
1982 – Jim Back
1983 – Tom Reffner
1984 – Bryan Reffner
1985 – John Ziegler
1986 – Rich Bickle, Jr.
1987 – Dick Trickle
1988 – Ted Musgrave
1989 – Joe Shear
1990 – Scott Hansen
1991 – Tom Carlson
1992 – Tom Carlson
1993 – Matt Kenseth
1994 – Joe Shear
1995 – Joe Shear
1996 - Joe Shear
1997 – Terry Baldry
1998 – Eddie Hoffman
1999 – Eddie Hoffman
2000 – Steve Carlson
2001 – Eddie Hoffman
2002 – Brian Hoppe
2003 – Tim Shendel
2004 – Brian Hoppe
2005 – Tim Shendel
2006 – Steve Holzhausen
2007 – Dan Fredrickson
2008 – Dan Fredrickson
2009 – Travis Sauter
2010 – Dan Fredrickson
Dick Trickle 99 Race Winners:
2007 – Steve Holzhausen
2008 – Nathan Haseleu
2009 – Chris Weinkauf
2010 – Dan Fredrickson
Click here for further information. If you're in the area and want to know anything about the racing, just click on the fan guide. There is more information about the event in that guide than any program of any short track race anywhere in the country. The Oktoberfest weekend is a racing fix like no other. 19 racing divisions, 600 feature race laps, five divisions of Late Models, 1,200 total laps of racing and more camping and food than you can shake a stick at. If you have the chance this weekend and you're in the Wisconsin area, head over to LaCrosse for the Oktoberfest. You won't be disappointed.
This Weekend's Racing Schedule
Fri : Oct. 7th - Bakersfield Speedway ; Oildale : CA – WCS Late Models Budweiser Nationals
Fri : Oct. 7th - Bakersfield Speedway ; Oildale : CA – WCS Modified Budweiser Nationals
Fri : Oct. 7th - Ocean Speedway ; Watsonville : CA - Taco Bravo Ocean Sprints
Fri : Oct. 7th - Waterford Speedbowl ; Waterford : CT - New England Truck Series
Fri : Oct. 7th - Dixie Speedway ; Woodstock : GA - Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Fri : Oct. 7th - Tri-City Speedway ; Granite City : IL - USAC National Midgets
Fri : Oct. 7th – West Liberty Raceway ; West Liberty : IA – IMCA Late Models
Fri : Oct. 7th – West Liberty Raceway ; West Liberty : IA – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : Oct. 7th – Heartland Park ; Topeka : KS – Midwest Late Models
Fri : Oct. 7th – Heartland Park ; Topeka : KS – Modifieds
Fri : Oct. 7th - Kansas Speedway ; Kansas City : KS - ARCA Late Models
Fri : Oct. 7th - Lakeside Speedway ; Kansas City : KS - Midwest LateModels
Fri : Oct. 7th – Jones Motor Speedway ; Chatham : LA – Late Models
Fri : Oct. 7th – Jones Motor Speedway ; Chatham : LA – Modifieds
Fri : Oct. 7th – Viking Speedway ; Alexandria : MN – WISSOTA Late Models
Fri : Oct. 7th – Viking Speedway ; Alexandria : MN – WISSOTA Modifieds
Fri : Oct. 7th - Greenville Speedway ; Greenville : MS - NeSmith Dirt Late Model Series
Fri : Oct. 7th – Eldora Speedway ; Rossburg : OH – UMP Late Models
Fri : Oct. 7th – Eldora Speedway ; Rossburg : OH – UMP Modifieds
Fri : Oct. 7th – Moler Raceway Park ; Williamsburg : OH – ADRA Late Models
Fri : Oct. 7th - Southern Oregon Speedway ; Medford : OR - Interstate Sprint Car Series
Fri : Oct. 7th - Path Valley Speedway ; Spring Run : PA - PA Sprint Series
Fri : Oct. 7th - Roaring Knob Speedway ; Markleysburg : PA – FASTRAK Late Models
Fri : Oct. 7th - Roaring Knob Speedway ; Markleysburg : PA - Unified Force Race Championship Tour
Fri : Oct. 7th – Riverview Speedway ; Carthage : TN – Ken Ten Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – I-30 Speedway ; Little Rock : AR – IMCA Modifieds
Sat : Oct. 8th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Comp Cams Super Dirt
Sat : Oct. 8th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Bartlett Hardwood Super Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th - Havasu 95 Speedway ; Lake Havasu City : AZ - ASA / Truck Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - Bakersfield Speedway ; Oildale : CA – WCS Late Model Budweiser Nationals
Sat : Oct. 8th - Bakersfield Speedway ; Oildale : CA – WCS Modified Budweiser Nationals
Sat : Oct. 8th - Chowchilla Speedway ; Chowchilla : CA - BCRA Midget Lites
Sat : Oct. 8th – Marysville Raceway Park ; Marysville : CA – 360 Sprints
Sat : Oct. 8th - Perris Auto Speedway ; Perris : CA - USAC/CRA 410
Sat : Oct. 8th - Shasta Raceway Park ; Redding : CA - USAC Western Sprint Cars
Sat : Oct. 8th - Stockton 99 Speedway ; Stockton : CA - NCMA Sprints
Sat : Oct. 8th - Thunderbowl Raceway ; Tulare : CA - ASCS SoCal Sprint Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - Thunderbowl Raceway ; Tulare : CA – IMCA Modifieds
Sat : Oct. 8th - Thunderbowl Raceway ; Tulare : CA – IMCA Stock Cars
Sat : Oct. 8th - Thunderbowl Raceway ; Tulare : CA - USAC 360 Sprint Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - Waterford Speedbowl ; Waterford : CT - New England Truck Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - Cross Roads Motorplex ; Jasper : FL - MMRA / Mini-Cups
Sat : Oct. 8th – Desoto Super Speedway ; Bradenton : FL – Florida United Promoters Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th - East Bay Raceway ; Gibsonton : FL - Top Gun Sprint Car Series
Sat : Oct. 8th – Five Flags Speedway ; Pensacola : FL – Pro Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th - North Florida Speedway ; Lake City : FL - Florida Mini-Sprints
Sat : Oct. 8th - Dixie Speedway ; Woodstock : GA - Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - Autobahn County Club ; Joliet : IL - 24 Hours of LeMons
Sat : Oct. 8th - Avcom Park ; Avon : IL - IMRA TQ Series
Sat : Oct. 8th – Belle-Clair Speedway ; Belleville : IL – PCRA Late Models 2X
Sat : Oct. 8th - Tri-City Speedway ; Granite City : IL - USAC National Midgets
Sat : Oct. 8th - Brownstown Speedway ; Brownstown : IN - Indiana Late Model Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - Indianapolis Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN - 100 lap Figure 8 Special
Sat : Oct. 8th - Tri-State Speedway ; Haubstad : IN - Midwest Sprint Car Series (410)
Sat : Oct. 8th – West Liberty Raceway ; West Liberty : IA – IMCA Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – West Liberty Raceway ; West Liberty : IA – IMCA Modifieds
Sat : Oct. 8th - 81 Speedway ; Wichita : KS - NCRA / Modifieds
Sat : Oct. 8th - 81 Speedway ; Wichita : KS - NCRA / Southern SportMod Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - Lakeside Speedway ; Kansas City : KS - Midwest LateModels
Sat : Oct. 8th – Jones Motor Speedway ; Chatham : LA – Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – Jones Motor Speedway ; Chatham : LA – Modifieds
Sat : Oct. 8th - Seekonk Speedway ; Seekonk : MA - Modified Racing Series of New England
Sat : Oct. 8th - Seekonk Speedway ; Seekonk : MA - NEMA Lites
Sat : Oct. 8th - Seekonk Speedway ; Seekonk : MA - NEMA Midgets
Sat : Oct. 8th - Seekonk Speedway ; Seekonk : MA - Pro Four Modfieds of New England
Sat : Oct. 8th – Berlin Raceway ; Marne : MI – CRA Super Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - M-40 Speedway ; Jones : MI - Bishop Performance Legend Cars
Sat : Oct. 8th - M-40 Speedway ; Jones : MI - MCR Dwarf Cars
Sat : Oct. 8th - M-40 Speedway ; Jones : MI – Outlaw Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – Viking Speedway ; Alexandria : MN – WISSOTA Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – Viking Speedway ; Alexandria : MN – WISSOTA Modifieds
Sat : Oct. 8th - Greenville Speedway ; Greenville : MS - NeSmith Dirt Late Model Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - Las Vegas Motor Speedway ; Las Vegas : NV - Vintage Auto Racing Association
Sat : Oct. 8th - Airborne Speedway ; Plattsburg : NY - ACT US Tour
Sat : Oct. 8th - Airborne Speedway ; Plattsburg : NY – Castrol Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th - Rolling Wheels Raceway ; Elbridge : NY – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Sat : Oct. 8th - Rolling Wheels Raceway ; Elbridge : NY – Big Block Modifieds
Sat : Oct. 8th – 311 Motor Speedway ; Madison : NC – Carolina Clash
Sat : Oct. 8th – Ace Speedway ; Altamahaw : NC – Southeast Limited Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – Cleveland County Speedway ; Lawndale : NC – FASTRAK Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Allison Legacy Series
Sat : Oct. 8th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – CARS Pro Cup
Sat : Oct. 8th – Orange County Speedway ; Rougemont : NC – CCS Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – Orange County Speedway ; Rougemont : NC – Limited Sportsman
Sat : Oct. 8th - Eldora Speedway ; Rossburg : OH - American Late Model Series
Sat : Oct. 8th – Eldora Speedway ; Rossburg : OH – UMP Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – Eldora Speedway ; Rossburg : OH – UMP Modifieds
Sat : Oct. 8th - Nelson Ledges Road Course ; Garrettsville : OH - ChumpCar World Series
Sat : Oct. 8th - Thunderbird Speedway ; Muskogee : OK - ASCS / Sooner Region
Sat : Oct. 8th - Peterborough Speedway ; Peterborough : Ontario - OSCAAR Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th - Cottage Grove Speedway ; Cottage Grove : OR - Interstate Sprint Cars
Sat : Oct. 8th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – 410 Sprints
Sat : Oct. 8th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – 358 Sprints
Sat : Oct. 8th - Mountain Speedway ; Saint Johns : PA - ATQMRA TQ Midgets
Sat : Oct. 8th - Roaring Knob Speedway ; Markleysburg : PA – FASTRAK Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th - Roaring Knob Speedway ; Markleysburg : PA - Unified Force Race Championship Tour
Sat : Oct. 8th – Selinsgrove Speedway ; Selinsgrove : PA – Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – Florence Motor Speedway ; Timmonsville : SC – Limited Late Models
Sat : Oct. 8th – Newport Speedway ; Newport : TN – Late Models 4X
Sat : Oct. 8th - C C Speedway ; Corpus Christi : TX - Dwarf Car Series of Texas
Sat : Oct. 8th - Lone Star Speedway ; Kilgore : TX - Southern Thunder Sprints
Sat : Oct. 8th - LaCrosse Fair Speedway ; LaCrosse : WI – Oktoberfest ASA Midwest Tour
Sat : Oct. 8th - LaCrosse Fair Speedway ; LaCrosse : WI – Oktoberfest Big 8
Sat : Oct. 8th - LaCrosse Fair Speedway ; LaCrosse : WI – Oktoberfest Mid-American Stock Car Series
Sun : Oct. 9th - Georgetown Speedway ; Georgetown : DE - Racesaver Sprints
Sun : Oct. 9th - DeSoto Super Speedway ; Bradenton : FL - Florida United Promoters Late Model Series
Sun : Oct. 9th - Rome Speedway ; Rome : GA - Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Sun : Oct. 9th - Autobahn County Club ; Joliet : IL - 24 Hours of LeMons
Sun : Oct. 9th - Seekonk Speedway ; Seekonk : MA - Modified Racing Series of New England
Sun : Oct. 9th - Seekonk Speedway ; Seekonk : MA - NEMA Midgets
Sun : Oct. 9th - M-40 Speedway ; Jones : MI - Bishop Performance Legend Cars
Sun : Oct. 9th - Las Vegas Motor Speedway ; Las Vegas : NV - Vintage Auto Racing Association
Sun : Oct. 9th - New York State Fairgrounds ; Syracuse : NY - Super DIRTcar Big Block Series
Sun : Oct. 9th - Nelson Ledges Road Course ; Garrettsville : OH - ChumpCar World Series
Sun : Oct. 9th - Peterborough Speedway ; Peterborough : Ontario - OSCAAR Late Models
Sun : Oct. 9th - Coos Bay Int Speedway ; Coos Bay : OR - Interstate Sprint Car Series
Sun : Oct. 9th – Dog Hollow Speedway ; Strongstown : PA – FASTRAK Late Models
Sun : Oct. 9th - Martinsville Speedway ; Martinsville : VA – Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300
Sun : Oct. 9th - LaCrosse Fair Speedway ; LaCrosse : WI – Oktoberfest ASA Midwest Tour
Wed : Oct. 12th - Dirt Track @ Charlotte ; Concord : NC - WoO Late Model Series
Thu : Oct. 13th - Charlotte Motor Speedway (1/5) ; Concord : NC - NASCAR Southern Modified Tour
Thu : Oct. 13th – K-C Raceway ; Chillicothe : OH – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Mike Neff is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at mike.neff@frontstretch.com.
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Hey Frontstretch Readers!
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 Folio: Hollywood Casino 400
by Summer Dreyer
This weekend, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Kansas Speedway for the Hollywood Casino 400. Sunday's race will be the 30th of 36 races this season and fourth race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Sunday's race will be broadcast live Sunday, October 9th, at 2 PM ET on ESPN. Drivers will compete for 267 laps (400.5 miles) before taking the checkered flag.
Records and Facts
Matt Kenseth holds the track qualifying record with a lap of 28.858 sec at 180.856 mph during qualifying for the 2005 Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra Foods. Kenseth finished fifth in the race after leading 71 laps. Kenseth had one victory, 12 top 5s, 17 top 10s, and an average finish of 15th during the 2005 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, finishing seventh in points.
Greg Biffle holds the record for the fastest race run at Kansas Speedway, with a speed of 138.077 mph in the 2010 Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods. Biffle led 60 of the 267 laps to win by 7.638 sec over second-place Jimmie Johnson. Kevin Harvick finished third, followed by Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon to round out the top 5. Biffle won a total of two races during the 2010 season, including a victory at Pocono, and finished sixth in points.
Biffle is also the defending race winner of this event, and is coming into the weekend with no victories this season. The Washington native finished 10th in the June race at this track earlier this year but was unable to lead any laps. He enters this race 15th in points with a total of two top 5s, eight top 10s, and an average finish of 17th in 29 races so far in 2011.
Track Facts
Track/Race Length: 1.5-mile D-shaped oval, 267 laps (400.5 miles)
Degree of Banking: 15 degrees in the corners
Frontstretch: 2,685 ft., banked 10.4 degrees
Backstretch: 2,207 ft., banked 5 degrees
Grandstand Seating: 74,000
Pre-race Schedule
Practice: Friday, October 7, 12:30 – 2:00 PM ET on ESPN2
Qualifying: Friday, October 7, 5:10 PM ET on ESPN2
Practice: Saturday, October 8, 12:30 – 1:15 PM ET on SPEED
Happy Hour: Saturday, October 8, 1:50 – 2:50 PM ET on SPEED
VIPs
National Anthem: Curb Recording artist Tim Dugger
Race Day Forecast
Sunday: Few showers, 30% chance of rain
High: 78
Low: 57
Say What?!
"A lot of the things that we use at Kansas setup-wise are really similar to Michigan, and we've had good speed at both Michigan races this year. Jay and J.J. (Yeley) had a good car at Chicagoland, which is also a very similar type of racetrack. I feel like we've got a really good idea of what we need to take to Kansas after going over our notes. We'll take a newer car that this team has. It's the same car that J.J. had at Loudon a couple weeks ago, and he had pretty good speed in it. So, I feel like we're taking our best car for the 38 team and we've got good notes to get us off to a good start off the truck." -Travis Kvapil
"This has been a great track for us and I can't wait for this weekend's race. I hope we run like we did earlier this year. If so, it gives us a chance to make up some points." -Jeff Gordon
"I really truly love racing at Kansas. It's one of the most fun racetracks we go to. The surface is nice. The groove is wide. You know why I want to win there: it's my home track. It would mean the world to me to win that race. I feel we've run well enough at these mile-and-a-half's. I feel like personally I'm very, very motivated to win that race. I think my guys feel they can do the job on pit road." -Carl Edwards
Summer Dreyer is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via email at summer.dreyer@frontstretch.com.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Washed Up By 25: Why NASCAR Needs A Stronger Development Path
by Amy Henderson
Four Burning Questions: A Close Championship, the New Phoenix and Dillon's Debut
by Mike Lovecchio
Voices From the Heartland: BSNews; NASCAR Explains Empty Seats at Kansas
by Jeff Meyer
Marcos Ambrose Driver Diary: A Tough Stretch, Keeping Momentum, and Digging for Gold on TV
as told to Toni Montgomery
2011 May As Well Be Over
by Bryan Davis Keith
Frontstretch Podcast: October 7th Edition
hosted by Doug Turnbull
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: Originally, the Conrod Straight was a flat-out blast all the way from Forrest's Elbow to Murray's Corner right before the start-finish line. This clip from 1985 shows what the track was like pre-Chase. However, in 1987, the "Caltex Chase" was added. Why?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: The Bathurst 1000 has been curtailed short of its scheduled distance only twice since the inaugural race in 1962 (when it was just a 500-mile race). One of them was in 1981 due to massive crash that blocked the track at McPhilliamy Park, near the highest point on the course. The second time happened in 1992. Why was the race cut short?
A: With 19 laps remaining in the race, a massive rainstorm swept over Mount Panorama, pelting the track with heavy rain and high wind. Since the precipitation came over the track so quickly, many teams were caught out on the mountain, over two miles from the pits (the track is 3.858 miles long). A series of pile-ups ensued, involving cars on slick tires losing control, including one at the beginning of the long Conrod Straight. Jim Richards hit the wall and broke the right front corner of his Nissan Skyline on the mountain, then crashed into that pile-up. At this point, the race was red flagged.
Dick Johnson was the first back to the line and believed that he had won in his No. 17 Shell Ford Sierra RS500. However, rules dictate that the final order is set by the last completed lap, giving the disabled Skyline driven by Richards and Mark Skaife the win. The rain and the crashes can be seen here.
Also of note, the race was the final event for the Nissan Skyline R32 that won the race. The four wheel drive Nissan had already been banned for 1993 in order to bring in new "Group 3a" cars that were the forefathers of today's V8 Supercars. The fans didn't exactly like the Nissans, nicknamed "Godzilla" because of their four-wheel drive, four wheel steering, twin-turbo engines and substantially more horsepower than anyone else creating an uneven playing field (especially in 1991). As a result of that, and Johnson ramping the crowd up, Richards and Skaife came out on the podium to a loud chorus of boos. After getting fed up with the angry fans, Richards let loose with a classic line that you can see at the 7:40 mark of this clip.
Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee: Take 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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Coming Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Hollywood Casino 400 Race Recap by TBA
-- Running Their Mouth: Hollywood Casino 400 by Brody Jones
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
Monday on the Frontstretch:
Matt McLaughlin's Thinkin' Out Loud: Hollywood Casino 400 by Matt McLaughlin
Matt will be here with his overall thoughts about the action from Sunday afternoon's action from the Kansas.
David vs. Goliath by Bryan Davis Keith
Who's hot and who's not towards the back end of the owner points battle? Bryan brings the stories you didn't hear about into print from Sunday's race from Kansas.
Monday Morning Teardown by Ron Lemasters
Ron returns for a website look at one of the big stories from Sunday's race from Kansas.
Bowles-Eye View by Tom Bowles
Tom brings back his weekly post-race commentary with all of the insight you need from a weekend of racing from Kansas.
Big Six: Hollywood Casino 400 by Amy Henderson
Looking for all you need to know leaving the third race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup? Amy has your who, what, when, where, why and how from a weekend of racing at Kansas.
Nationwide Series Breakdown: Kansas Lottery 300 by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan has all the post-race analysis you need after Saturday afternoon's Nationwide Series race from Kansas.
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