THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
November 15th, 2011
Volume V, Edition CCLXIII
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by Tom Bowles
- Daytona International Speedway takes center stage as NASCAR teams begin aerodynamic testing for the 2012 Daytona 500. Electronic fuel injection is the technical reason for the extra time; five teams are looking to test the newly mandated engine that will make its debut during Daytona Speedweeks. However, their presence at the superspeedway also comes attached with an ulterior motive, participating in experiments by the sanctioning body they hope will eliminate the two-car drafts that have dominated restrictor plate racing for the better part of two years.
A number of baseline packages will be attempted, most of which have been kept under wraps although sources have claimed a smaller spoiler will be used. Want a sign NASCAR's serious about making a change? Restrictor plate guru Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who typically despises testing will be in attendance and driving one of two cars for Hendrick Motorsports. Other drivers on the list include Aric Almirola (Hendrick), Marcos Ambrose (running for Roush Fenway), Joey Logano (Joe Gibbs Racing), Joe Nemechek (NEMCO Motorsports), David Ragan (Roush Fenway), and Martin Truex, Jr. (Michael Waltrip Racing).
- Both head wrenches competing for the 2011 Sprint Cup championship, working for Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards will participate in a national teleconference with reporters as a whirlwind week of Chase publicity kicks off. Crew chiefs Bob Osborne (Edwards) and Darian Grubb (Stewart) will be made available for questions as both men seek their first title holding this position. Their two drivers enter Homestead separated by just three points, one of the closest battles in NASCAR history with one race remaining in the ten-race playoff.
- Kevin Harvick, third in the championship standings but eliminated from contention will also hold a teleconference with reporters. Harvick, who is winless during the Chase is also facing the final race for his Kevin Harvick, Inc. Nationwide and Truck teams this weekend at Homestead.
Today's Top News
by Tom Bowles
Vickers Will Not Be Penalized Further
The drama "As The Brian Vickers Turns" continued to envelop NASCAR Nation Monday after the front bumper of the No. 83 made contact with Matt Kenseth, again, during Sunday's race at Phoenix. After the bumping crashed out Kenseth, who still had a mathematical shot at the Sprint Cup title, the 2003 champ became critical when NASCAR failed to black flag his rival for the incident.
"It was so premeditated, it just surprises me that they didn't do anything," said Kenseth, displaying heightened tensions just one week after Kyle Busch's one-race parking for instant retaliation. "I am disappointed, but I expected it. We aren't racing street stocks at a quarter-mile track so they need to figure out how to get the drivers to settle their differences in a different way, talk about it or figure it out or do something instead of using your car as a battering ram somewhere this fast."
However, Vickers had a different story, briefing reporters that the brakes on the No. 17 car failed in front of him. That left his Red Bull Toyota with nowhere to go, slamming right into the back of the car and getting attached to the point wrecking was an inevitability.
"If he wants to doubt us, that's fine," Vickers said, documented in an ESPN.com report from David Newton. "He wrecked me at Martinsville, he got wrecked here, but it actually wasn't (payback). I'm not saying I wasn't going to pay him back, but I'm just saying that wasn't it."
For their part, NASCAR officials claimed Kenseth's radio channel indicated brakes were failing on the No. 17 car. That was enough of an extenuating circumstance, or so they claimed to keep them from penalizing Vickers for the incident. On Monday, ESPN's Marty Smith also issued a public Twitter apology for claiming the driver should have been parked; he and Vickers had a long talk about the issue in which Vickers reiterated the story above.
There are no plans at this time for any further penalties from NASCAR. Meanwhile, it's unknown whether Kenseth and Vickers plan to talk out their issues before Homestead.
Cope Partners With New Investor
Derrike Cope's self-owned No. 75 team got a much-needed boost this week, partnering with a Le Mans sports car owner as he gears up for 2012. The Sprint Cup program, now called Creation-Cope Racing (CCR) is planning to become a Driver Development program for European and Asian drivers to transition into NASCAR.
Ireland's Ali Jackson, the team's first signee has already tested a K&N Pro Series vehicle and plans to transition into stock cars next season. The overall plans remain broad, with opportunities being offered in all tiers of NASCAR competition: from Sprint Cup, to Nationwide, to Trucks, K&N and all of the lower levels within the sport.
The new investor for the team, Michael Jankowski, is based in London and owns the sports car operation Creation Autosportif. The organization, formed in 2003 has run the 24 Hours of Le Mans a handful of times and participated in everything from the FIA GT Championship to the Le Mans Endurance Series. There's no word on what, exactly, has spurred his interest to break into NASCAR.
Cope, the 1990 Daytona 500 winner has driven full-time in the Nationwide Series this season, sitting 20th in the standings after pairing with underfunded Jay Robinson Racing. Earning just one top-20 finish – a 17th at Road America – he's also failed to qualify twice on the Cup level, while running the Bud Shootout and Sprint Cup All-Star Showdown as non-points events.
Mears Earns New Sponsor
Casey Mears, searching for additional funding to run all 36 races next year for Germain Racing has found at least one additional backer. Hard Rock Vodka has signed on for the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, allowing the team to run the distance for the first time without part-time primary GEICO Insurance on board. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Of note, this sponsorship was previously announced in August as part of Germain partnering with Florida businessman O.B. Osceola, Jr. and several Native American tribes. The company was supposed to headline a Nationwide Series entry, one the duo was preparing to debut full-time in 2012.
According to several reports, GEICO will step up their funding to 24 of 36 races next season for Germain's single-car effort, leaving 12 spots open for additional primary backers. The team will continue to start-and-park in events where there's not enough funding to run the distance.
News Bites
- On the heels of Sam Hornish, Jr.'s Nationwide Series win, Roger Penske told ESPN's David Newton that the former IndyCar star could be back in Cup as soon as 2013. Admitting the mistake of rushing the open-wheel convert into stock cars – he had just a handful of Nationwide starts when making the full-time jump in 2008 – the plan from Penske is to do things the right way a second time around. After a part-time Nationwide schedule in 2011, Hornish is expected to run full-time next year, competing for the title while his success or failure determines his short-term ascension back to Sprint Cup competition.
- In case you missed it, Juan Pablo Montoya confirmed over the weekend he'd signed a contract extension to remain at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. Terms were not disclosed. The move had been expected for months, with neither side looking elsewhere but no official word had come down during a disappointing season for the Colombian: he sits 19th in points with just two top-5 finishes, leading only 123 laps despite snagging two pole positions.
Have news for Tom and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at ashland10@mail.com with a promising lead or tip.
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JOIN THE FRONTSTRETCH FAMILY
Numbers Game: Kobalt Tools 500k
by Brett Poirier
3
Times Tony Stewart has led the most laps in the last four races. Stewart led a race-high 160 laps at Phoenix.
4
Top-10s for Jeff Burton in 2011. Three of those finishes have come in the last four races. He was fourth on Sunday.
5
Points separating eighth through 11th place in the Sprint Cup standings. Only the top-10 will be honored at Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas.
5
Top-11 finishes apiece for Richard Petty Motorsports teammates Marcos Ambrose and A.J. Allmendinger in the last seven races. Allmendinger was sixth and Ambrose was eighth on Sunday.
5.2
The average finishing position of points leader Carl Edwards in The Chase through nine races.
6
Top-10s for Kasey Kahne in the last seven Sprint Cup events. He has five top-5s in the Chase, the most of any non-Chase contender.
7
Non-Chase eligible drivers to place in the top-10 at Phoenix. Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman were the only Chasers to score top 10s.
11
Top-10s for Carl Edwards in the last 12 Sprint Cup races. The lone exception: an 11th-place result at Talladega.
11
Wins for Kasey Kahne in a Dodge. Kahne picked up his first victory in a Toyota on Sunday.
16th
The average finishing position of the most recent race winner in the next week's race. Tony Stewart placed third at Phoenix after winning at Martinsville.
18
Different race winners in the Sprint Cup Series in 2011. Kahne became the 18th different driver to visit Victory Lane Sunday. The record for most winners in a single season is 19 in 2001.
22
Different drivers have won a race in the Sprint Cup Series at Phoenix.
25
Top-10 results for Carl Edwards in 2011. No other driver has more than 21 (Jimmie Johnson).
28
Points separating the No. 38 and No. 71 teams in the Sprint Cup owner standings with one race remaining. The No. 38, owned by Front Row Motorsports and driven by Travis Kvapil / J.J. Yeley holds the advantage for the 35th spot. The No. 71, TRG Motorsports' car driven by Andy Lally didn't qualify for the race in Phoenix, pretty much assuring the final spot in the top-35 goes to their rivals after holding it for much of the season's second half.
294
The combined length of the win streaks snapped in the last four races at Phoenix. Ryan Newman broke a 77-race drought in the spring of 2010, Carl Edwards broke a 70-race streak in the fall of 2010, Jeff Gordon snapped a 66-race skid earlier this season and Kasey Kahne snapped an 81-race streak on Sunday.
1998
The last time the No. 4 won a race in the Sprint Cup Series. Bobby Hamilton won at Martinsville on April 20, 1998 for now defunct Morgan-McClure Motorsports.
Brett Poirier is a Contributor to Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at brett.poirier@frontstretch.com.
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Got NASCAR-related questions or comments?
Send them John Potts' way at john.potts@frontstretch.com; and if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print when he does his weekly column answering back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat. Potts' Shots will run on Thursdays with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!
~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Featured Commentary
Nominating the Next Sprint Cup Champion
JOIN THE FRONTSTRETCH FAMILY
Hey Frontstretch Readers,
We are looking for someone who shares our enthusiasm for NASCAR and has an experienced background in web design. Specifically, we are looking for someone who can help maintain and enhance our website, increase our SEO, and upgrade our publishing platform while producing a limited amount of content throughout the season. This job presents a perfect opportunity for someone with a technical background, a person who wants their work to gain national exposure.
If you are interested, contact frontstretcheditors@googlegroups.com. Please include references to your past work in your e-mail.
Frontstretch will also be looking to add 3-5 writers for the 2012 season. Details to come in the next few weeks.
~~~~~~~~~~ Frontstretch will also be looking to add 3-5 writers for the 2012 season. Details to come in the next few weeks.
Numbers Game: Kobalt Tools 500k
by Brett Poirier
3
Times Tony Stewart has led the most laps in the last four races. Stewart led a race-high 160 laps at Phoenix.
4
Top-10s for Jeff Burton in 2011. Three of those finishes have come in the last four races. He was fourth on Sunday.
5
Points separating eighth through 11th place in the Sprint Cup standings. Only the top-10 will be honored at Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas.
5
Top-11 finishes apiece for Richard Petty Motorsports teammates Marcos Ambrose and A.J. Allmendinger in the last seven races. Allmendinger was sixth and Ambrose was eighth on Sunday.
5.2
The average finishing position of points leader Carl Edwards in The Chase through nine races.
6
Top-10s for Kasey Kahne in the last seven Sprint Cup events. He has five top-5s in the Chase, the most of any non-Chase contender.
7
Non-Chase eligible drivers to place in the top-10 at Phoenix. Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman were the only Chasers to score top 10s.
11
Top-10s for Carl Edwards in the last 12 Sprint Cup races. The lone exception: an 11th-place result at Talladega.
11
Wins for Kasey Kahne in a Dodge. Kahne picked up his first victory in a Toyota on Sunday.
16th
The average finishing position of the most recent race winner in the next week's race. Tony Stewart placed third at Phoenix after winning at Martinsville.
18
Different race winners in the Sprint Cup Series in 2011. Kahne became the 18th different driver to visit Victory Lane Sunday. The record for most winners in a single season is 19 in 2001.
22
Different drivers have won a race in the Sprint Cup Series at Phoenix.
25
Top-10 results for Carl Edwards in 2011. No other driver has more than 21 (Jimmie Johnson).
28
Points separating the No. 38 and No. 71 teams in the Sprint Cup owner standings with one race remaining. The No. 38, owned by Front Row Motorsports and driven by Travis Kvapil / J.J. Yeley holds the advantage for the 35th spot. The No. 71, TRG Motorsports' car driven by Andy Lally didn't qualify for the race in Phoenix, pretty much assuring the final spot in the top-35 goes to their rivals after holding it for much of the season's second half.
294
The combined length of the win streaks snapped in the last four races at Phoenix. Ryan Newman broke a 77-race drought in the spring of 2010, Carl Edwards broke a 70-race streak in the fall of 2010, Jeff Gordon snapped a 66-race skid earlier this season and Kasey Kahne snapped an 81-race streak on Sunday.
1998
The last time the No. 4 won a race in the Sprint Cup Series. Bobby Hamilton won at Martinsville on April 20, 1998 for now defunct Morgan-McClure Motorsports.
Brett Poirier is a Contributor to Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at brett.poirier@frontstretch.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
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!
~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Featured Commentary
Nominating the Next Sprint Cup Champion
Sitting In The Stands: A Fan's View
by S.D. Grady
Now, we come down to it: two drivers, three points, one race and a shiny Sprint Cup championship to boot. Perhaps best of all, we will be crowning somebody new come Sunday for the first time in six years. Like dust in the wind, so is the reign of Mr. Five-Time.
With all the grumbling that I have done since oh, about 2008, it won't be a surprise that I will be happy to welcome somebody other than J.J. to the head table in Vegas. But, just how happy? What will a sometimes irascible Smoke bring to NASCAR as its spokesman? Or would we be better served by a grinning Cousin Carl? Such is the choice before us. I realize what we might want for a representative of our sport may not be what we get, but it's worth wishing for, isn't it?
Let's take a look at the areas that have been lacking for the past few years and see if either Stewart or Edwards might prove more... interesting.
While Mr. Knaus has managed to draw a raised eyebrow from the gentlemen in the Oval Office from time to time with his tinkering of the templates, what he says directly to the camera is anything but controversial. Likewise, as the other half of the No. 48 team, Mr. Johnson heeded his classes in answering the media quite well. Yes, he might tend to fall off golf carts in the offseason, but I can't recall a moment where he looked foolish at the track over his tenure. He has made Mr. Hendrick proud.
Meanwhile, since his arrival in NASCAR Tony has managed to create drama in almost every conceivable manner. In the early going, we had anger management issues -- off the track and on. But there have also been pranks, frustration, joy, giggling... I've witnessed just about every emotion conceivable play across Smoke's visage. He has been the host of lots of intrigue over the years, never a dull moment even after transitioning into owner/driver mode. Clearly, we would not be bored with Tony at the helm.
What about Carl? On first impressions, you can't help but like his big grin and happy persona. The backflip is really cool -- especially after a long, hot race. And there's his face-to-face hugging the fans when he should be in Victory Lane. That has to earn him a few votes come election day. He likes talking to the media and holds his tongue well when stressed. Uh-oh. This one is beginning to sound a little bit like a clone of Jimmie Johnson. Edwards did add the pretty wife and kids to the roster recently, too.
So, for presenting an honestly interesting face to the public -- neither too shiny nor ragged -- the nomination goes to Tony Stewart, the proud owner of two Cups already.
Now, for on-track performances. You have to admit that the No. 14's meteoric rise from the dregs of the Chasers to fighting off the year-round performer in the dwindling weeks of the season recommends Mr. Stewart to the "electric to watch" category. However, despite the vast herd of naysayers in the "consistent" category, you can't deny that Carl has a flair of his own. Yes, he's only got the one mark in the win column this year, but the AFLAC duck has seen more TV exposure than almost any other car out there -- even Junior's! He's just plain been good. Solid pits, smart decisions when it comes time for fuel and a team that has got his back.
This nomination is a sticky wicket for me. I'd really like to go with Tony's great comeback, for its attention-grabbing storyline. But honestly, I do believe in rewarding consistency -- especially when we are talking excellence. For racing, and keeping his fenders clean for most of the year, I give the nod to Carl Edwards.
And now, for a tie-breaker, which has absolutely nothing to do with at-the-track performances. We have the "Best Sponsor Whore" nomination. Not who can thank the companies that pay the bills without looking at their suit award, but who do I think makes a better PR man, appearing on the media that reaches more of NASCAR's fan base than any other -- television ads?
Let me explain. As the recipient of the Sprint Cup, the winner will be required to appear in a flood of advertisements hocking the best NASCAR has to offer. We will be forced to watch these things many, many times a day, multiplied tenfold on race day. Which one do you want to be stuck with viewing the most?
In the past years, Tony has built a house, been lost in polishing his car and ate enough burgers to elicit some comments about his ever-increasing and decreasing waistline. I usually enjoy the silliness, enough that upon the thousandth viewing there is still some entertainment to be drawn from the moment.
Carl has argued with a cantankerous duck and neatly eaten a stack of Subway sandwiches, all the while maintaining his perfect smile and trademark acrobatics. There are also the plethora of Claritin ads, completely forgettable in their blandness. Quite frankly, for all the polished perfection, there is something lacking in all these appearances -- an ability to laugh at oneself, perhaps?
Stack those observations up against Johnson's Mr. Fix-it spots, and, well you see the inevitable winner in this category... Tony Stewart.
Tony Stewart wins! We want Tony! We want Tony!
That my friends, is a completely unscientific approach to crowning a champ. And if you want to know, I'm a bit surprised at the conclusion. I've been a vehement anti-Smoke fan in the past, and have always displayed my Edwards colors proudly at the track. But when I think about who I would be proud and excited to see up on that podium for the next 12 months, Tony Stewart's ever-changing and quixotic personality has won me over.
Now I know who I'm cheering for come Sunday afternoon. How about you?
by S.D. Grady
Now, we come down to it: two drivers, three points, one race and a shiny Sprint Cup championship to boot. Perhaps best of all, we will be crowning somebody new come Sunday for the first time in six years. Like dust in the wind, so is the reign of Mr. Five-Time.
With all the grumbling that I have done since oh, about 2008, it won't be a surprise that I will be happy to welcome somebody other than J.J. to the head table in Vegas. But, just how happy? What will a sometimes irascible Smoke bring to NASCAR as its spokesman? Or would we be better served by a grinning Cousin Carl? Such is the choice before us. I realize what we might want for a representative of our sport may not be what we get, but it's worth wishing for, isn't it?
Let's take a look at the areas that have been lacking for the past few years and see if either Stewart or Edwards might prove more... interesting.
While Mr. Knaus has managed to draw a raised eyebrow from the gentlemen in the Oval Office from time to time with his tinkering of the templates, what he says directly to the camera is anything but controversial. Likewise, as the other half of the No. 48 team, Mr. Johnson heeded his classes in answering the media quite well. Yes, he might tend to fall off golf carts in the offseason, but I can't recall a moment where he looked foolish at the track over his tenure. He has made Mr. Hendrick proud.
Meanwhile, since his arrival in NASCAR Tony has managed to create drama in almost every conceivable manner. In the early going, we had anger management issues -- off the track and on. But there have also been pranks, frustration, joy, giggling... I've witnessed just about every emotion conceivable play across Smoke's visage. He has been the host of lots of intrigue over the years, never a dull moment even after transitioning into owner/driver mode. Clearly, we would not be bored with Tony at the helm.
What about Carl? On first impressions, you can't help but like his big grin and happy persona. The backflip is really cool -- especially after a long, hot race. And there's his face-to-face hugging the fans when he should be in Victory Lane. That has to earn him a few votes come election day. He likes talking to the media and holds his tongue well when stressed. Uh-oh. This one is beginning to sound a little bit like a clone of Jimmie Johnson. Edwards did add the pretty wife and kids to the roster recently, too.
So, for presenting an honestly interesting face to the public -- neither too shiny nor ragged -- the nomination goes to Tony Stewart, the proud owner of two Cups already.
Now, for on-track performances. You have to admit that the No. 14's meteoric rise from the dregs of the Chasers to fighting off the year-round performer in the dwindling weeks of the season recommends Mr. Stewart to the "electric to watch" category. However, despite the vast herd of naysayers in the "consistent" category, you can't deny that Carl has a flair of his own. Yes, he's only got the one mark in the win column this year, but the AFLAC duck has seen more TV exposure than almost any other car out there -- even Junior's! He's just plain been good. Solid pits, smart decisions when it comes time for fuel and a team that has got his back.
This nomination is a sticky wicket for me. I'd really like to go with Tony's great comeback, for its attention-grabbing storyline. But honestly, I do believe in rewarding consistency -- especially when we are talking excellence. For racing, and keeping his fenders clean for most of the year, I give the nod to Carl Edwards.
And now, for a tie-breaker, which has absolutely nothing to do with at-the-track performances. We have the "Best Sponsor Whore" nomination. Not who can thank the companies that pay the bills without looking at their suit award, but who do I think makes a better PR man, appearing on the media that reaches more of NASCAR's fan base than any other -- television ads?
Let me explain. As the recipient of the Sprint Cup, the winner will be required to appear in a flood of advertisements hocking the best NASCAR has to offer. We will be forced to watch these things many, many times a day, multiplied tenfold on race day. Which one do you want to be stuck with viewing the most?
In the past years, Tony has built a house, been lost in polishing his car and ate enough burgers to elicit some comments about his ever-increasing and decreasing waistline. I usually enjoy the silliness, enough that upon the thousandth viewing there is still some entertainment to be drawn from the moment.
Carl has argued with a cantankerous duck and neatly eaten a stack of Subway sandwiches, all the while maintaining his perfect smile and trademark acrobatics. There are also the plethora of Claritin ads, completely forgettable in their blandness. Quite frankly, for all the polished perfection, there is something lacking in all these appearances -- an ability to laugh at oneself, perhaps?
Stack those observations up against Johnson's Mr. Fix-it spots, and, well you see the inevitable winner in this category... Tony Stewart.
Tony Stewart wins! We want Tony! We want Tony!
That my friends, is a completely unscientific approach to crowning a champ. And if you want to know, I'm a bit surprised at the conclusion. I've been a vehement anti-Smoke fan in the past, and have always displayed my Edwards colors proudly at the track. But when I think about who I would be proud and excited to see up on that podium for the next 12 months, Tony Stewart's ever-changing and quixotic personality has won me over.
Now I know who I'm cheering for come Sunday afternoon. How about you?
S.D. Grady is a Senior Editor for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via e-mail at sonya.grady@frontstretch.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
ADVERTISEMENT
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~~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Five Points to Ponder: Motivation, Substitution, Last-Ditch Efforts, And Ending Eras
by Bryan Davis Keith
NASCAR 2012: A Look Ahead
by Danny Peters
Who's Hot / Who's Not in NASCAR: Phoenix-Homestead Edition
by Summer Dreyer
Talking NASCAR TV: Commercials Or Racing? Ads Overwhelming ESPN Coverage
by Phil Allaway
Fact Or Fiction: Vickers Goes Free, A Busch On The Ropes And Dynasties Rebuilt
by Tom Bowles
~~~~~~~~~~
ADVERTISEMENT
Are you looking to advertise your website, product or brand? A good way to get your name out there is via direct advertising here in the Frontstretch Newsletter! Interested parties can contact us at frontstretcheditors@googlegroups.com for details.
~~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Five Points to Ponder: Motivation, Substitution, Last-Ditch Efforts, And Ending Eras
by Bryan Davis Keith
NASCAR 2012: A Look Ahead
by Danny Peters
Who's Hot / Who's Not in NASCAR: Phoenix-Homestead Edition
by Summer Dreyer
Talking NASCAR TV: Commercials Or Racing? Ads Overwhelming ESPN Coverage
by Phil Allaway
Fact Or Fiction: Vickers Goes Free, A Busch On The Ropes And Dynasties Rebuilt
by Tom Bowles
~~~~~~~~~~~
Get THE ANNUAL, 2011 Racing Preview for your mobile device.
Go to Frontstretch.com and click on "The Annual" link on the right side to order and download this special issue that includes: Track Information, Driver profiles and In-Depth Features.
~~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The 1999 Pennzoil 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway not only marked the Cup Series' debut on Homestead's then-six degree banks, but also the return of NBC to the series after an absence of 15 years. Who was in the broadcast booth for NBC that day?
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: The 1999 Pennzoil 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway not only marked the Cup Series' debut on Homestead's then-six degree banks, but also the return of NBC to the series after an absence of 15 years. Who was in the broadcast booth for NBC that day?
Check back Wednesday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Monday's Answer:
Q: What is now known as Homestead-Miami Speedway opened in the Fall of 1995. The original plan was to open the venue with an IndyCar race, but the track was not ready to host the March event on its original "Mini-Indy" configuration. Where was this race held, and what was notable about the track?
A: CART started their 1995 season at Bicentennial Park in Downtown Miami. Despite the previous street races that CART had held in Miami, this was the first time CART had run here. The race used the circuit that IMSA used for their Miami street races in the late 1980's and early 1990's. However, to guarantee that no one would have an advantage, the circuit was run in the opposite direction.
Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee: If we mess up, you get the shirt off our backs! If we've provided an incorrect answer to the Frontstretch Trivia question, be the first to email the corrected trivia answer to trivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!
~~~~~~~~~~
Hey, Frontstretch Readers!
We know you love the roar of raw horsepower under the hood that powers 43 of the best drivers in the world every weekend, but did you ever wonder how the sponsor on top of that hood also contributes to keeping the sport moving? What about the contributions of official NASCAR companies? If you think they are simply writing checks, think again. Check out our newest feature - Sunday Money. This weekly Frontstretch exclusive provides you with a behind the scenes look at how NASCAR, its affiliates and team sponsors approach the daunting task of keeping fans interested and excited about the sport for 38 weeks of the year.
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Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Tom Bowles
-- 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
Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards aren't the only drivers with plenty on the line in the season finale. Tom Bowles looks at several other records and streaks at stake heading to Homestead in his list of small but important observations around the NASCAR circuit.
Mirror Driving by the Frontstretch Staff
Follow our writer roundtable this week as they enter into a heated debate about who will walk out of Homestead with the championship, whether Brian Vickers should have been parked for his move on Matt Kenseth on Sunday, whether the "choose a series" rule has worked for the 2011 season in the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series and more.
Top 15 Power Rankings by the Frontstretch Staff
Which driver came out of Phoenix on top of our 2011 Power Rankings chart? Tony Stewart? Carl Edwards? Kasey Kahne? Someone else? Find out who our select Frontstretch experts have labeled as this week's favorite heading into Homestead.
Special Commentary by Summer Dreyer
Vito is off this week, but Summer is here with a look at latest and greatest controversies affecting the stock car circuit.
Beyond the Cockpit: Justin Lofton as told to Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth recently caught up with the driver of the No. 6 CollegeComplete.com Chevrolet Silverado for Eddie Sharp Racing to talk about his season, his move back to ESR after stints with Red Horse Racing and Germain Racing, and his goals for the 2012 season.
Frontstretch Top Ten by the Frontstretch Staff
Our weekly list based on the latest NASCAR controversy will start your morning off with a laugh -- guaranteed.
Foto Funnies: Phoenix by Kurt Smith
Kurt's back to show you the funniest photos you never did see from a weekend at Phoenix.
-----------------------------
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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!
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