THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
May 11th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition LXXXI
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Frontstretch at the Track: Amy Henderson and Mike Neff will be live at Darlington Raceway for this weekend's events. Stayed tuned to the Breaking News box, Twitter (@thefrontstretch and @writeramy) and Facebook for all of the latest news coming out of the "Track Too Tough to Tame."
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Top News
by Jeff Wolfe
More Money Woes For the Mayfields
Less than ten days following the auction of Jeremy and Shana Mayfield's foreclosed Catawba County, North Carolina home, Shana filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy Wednesday.. The property of more than 400 acres was purchased by former mortgage holder Carolina Farm Credit for $1.725 million. In an email to SportingNews.com's Bob Pockrass, Shana stated the filing was "a natural step in the process of trying to rebuild." Because the bankruptcy was filed inside the ten day window that gives Mayfield a chance to pay off the debts on his home, the couple will be allowed to remain temporarily.
The Mayfields have been in financial straights since NASCAR suspended Jeremy indefinitely after he tested positive for methamphetamie May, 2009. Though Mayfield has argued from day one that the test was a false positive thanks to a combination of prescription and over the counter medications in his system at the time of the test, several appeals and lawsuit attempts failed before the 42-year-old finally dropped his suit against NASCAR in April. Shana Mayfield said in an e-mail to scenedaily.com that the Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing was just part of the natural process in their recovery. The filing automatically puts on hold the foreclosure proceedings on the Mayfield's 400 acre property in Catawba County, N.C., because the filing came within 10 days of the auction. Mayfield's property sold for $1.725 million to Carolina Farm Credit last week.
The bankruptcy filing doesn't bring any kind of closure to Mayfield's troubles. He also is facing 19 criminal felony charges in three North Carolina counties, 18 related to the alleged possession of stolen goods and one for alleged possession of methamphetamine.
And if all of that wasn't enough, according to a report in the Winston-Salem Journal, the Mayfields have been ordered to pay $1 million to a postal carrier attacked by Mayfield's five pitbulls last year. Judge William Z. Wood awarded Mary E. Bolton the settlement in a suit filed against both Jeremy and Shana last June.
Bolton delivered a package too large for the mailbox to the Mayfield residence, driving through a gate past "No Trespassing" and "Beware of Dogs" signs before the dogs attacked her. Jeremy heard the attack as it happened and carried Bolton into the house while Shana called 911. According to Bolton's attorney, Marc Madonia, she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and nerve damage following the attack.
Though the Mayfields had a chance to contest the allegations, they failed to, claiming they couldn't afford to hire yet another attorney since Jeremy currently has one working on his criminal cases. Bolton accused the Mayfields of being negligent in allowing the dogs to run loose on their property, and claims almost $15,000 in lost wages while she was out of work.
Mayfield, who will turn 43 on May 27, has five NASCAR Sprint Cup wins in his career, the last one coming at Michigan in 2005. He hasn't competed in NASCAR since his suspension in 2009.
Bowyer Stuck in Motorcycle Dispute
Klock Werks Kustom Cycles is suing Clint Bowyer over customization of a motorcycle that was completed in late 2008 and early 2009. The complaint, filed May 2nd by the Mitchell, South Dakota-based company, alleges Bowyer failed to pay more than $30,000 worth of work done on a 2009 Harley Davidson. According to MitchellRepublic.com Klock Werks is seeeking the cost of the work, 18 percent interest annually since completing the work plus attorney's fees and any court-related expenses.
Bowyer's response, which has not been officially filed yet, denies he agreed to pay money for the work and instead agreed to provide "certain promotional services and special accomodations within NASCAR and related publications." Bowyer claims he fulfilled his agreement with Klock Werks and they aren't entitled to any further compensation.
Bowyer, who is 10th in the 2012 Sprint Cup standings heading into Darlington Saturday night, has five career Sprint Cup victories though he has yet to visit victory lane this season.
Danica Patrick Gets a New Spotter for Darlington Debut
Danica Patrick will have a new set of eyes to help her out during her first Sprint Cup race at the Lady In Black Saturday night. According to report by ESPN.com's David Newton, Tab Boyd, who began the season spotting for Juan Pablo Montoya will replace Mark Robertson. Robertson spotted for Patrick in her Sprint Cup debut at Daytona where she finished 38th after getting caught up in a lap three wreck.
"As a driver you just need to have someone on the radio that you click with. Everybody needs something different," Patrick said during a promotion for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "For me, I need someone ... I'm going to say, almost drive the car. Like, tell me you're turning in too early, tell me be patient with the throttle; OK, pick it up. I need somebody that is familiar with those patterns, because I'm not."
Patrick will continue with spotter Rick Carrelli for her full-time Nationwide series effort with JR Motorsports. Carrelli served as spotter for Regan Smither's Sprint Cup Victory at Darlington last year.
Have news for The Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com with a promising lead or tip.
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Got NASCAR-related questions or comments?
Send them John Potts' way at john.potts@frontstretch.com; and if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print when he does his weekly column answering back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat. Potts' Shots will run on Thursdays with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!
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In Case You Missed It
by Nick Schwartz
BK Racing To Field Third Entry
For the first time, BK Racing will attempt to field three cars at Darlington Speedway this weekend. Travis Kvapil, who normally pilots the No. 93 Toyota, will pilot the No. 73 Dr Pepper Toyota for Saturday night's Bojangles' Southern 500. Kvapil joins the Nos. 83 and 93 Toyotas, driven by Landon Cassill and David Reutimann, respectively. Ben Leslie, whose drivers have scored one pole and one top-5 finish in eight starts at "The Track Too Tough To Tame," will be atop the pit box.
"It's a big step for BK Racing to field a third car. We didn't open our doors until February and we've managed to make every race and stay inside the top 35 in points," Kvapil said. "I'm looking forward to working with Ben (Leslie). We're proud of what we've accomplished so far and hope that this race is another step in our growth.
Kvapil, who will be forced to qualify on speed for Saturday night's field, will be back behind the wheel of the No. 93 for next weekend's Sprint All-Star Showdown. He has a best finish of 16th (Talladega) in nine starts this season.
Cargill to Host "Darlington Signature Burger Event"
Roush Fenway Racing sponsor Cargill Beef is teaming up with Darlington Raceway to pick out a new signature hamburger for the "Track Too Tough to Tame." Miss Sprint will prepare the top 4 recipes Saturday at 12:30 PM in the infield behind the west concession stand. The winner will be chosen by track president Chris Browning.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to select the winner of this contest and see what kind of hamburger recipes our fans come up with," Browning said. "A hamburger is a staple with any camping or tailgating experience at a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend at Darlington. As we all know, there are many different styles and varieties of hamburgers that are unique, so it will be fun to see on Saturday what our fans can bring to the table."
The top 20 recipes will be selected Friday and submitted to Cargill, who will narrow down the field to four. Fans intersted in submitting their our favorite recipes by emailing burgers@keystonemarketing.net. Winners will received a family four-pack tailgate package to next year's Darlington festivities or the fall event at Martinsville Speedway, October 28th.
Rain dampens Goodyear tire test at New Hampshire
Five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers were able to get in one day of tire testing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Wednesday, though weather halted what was supposed to be a two-day test at the short track. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Carl Edwards, Bobby Labonte, Regan Smith and Paul Menard all recorded four to five hours of testing on the new one-mile tire compound. The drivers arrived at the track Tuesday, but were forced to sit out a rainy day.
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Keepin' It Short: Leveling the Playing Field
by Mike Neff
Racing is all about going fast and finishing first. The rule book and the technical inspection process are focused on making sure that everyone attempts to accomplish those feats on a level playing field. This past weekend, Ronnie Bassett, Jr. was forced to start at the rear of the field for the UARA race at Kingsport, Tennessee after he hit a cone in qualifying. After racing through the entire field and taking the checkered flag first, his car was thoroughly inspected and the series officials decided they didn't like the feel of the cylinder heads, resulting in his car being disqualified. Bassett's crew chief filed an appeal and the head was sent to Ford Racing Technologies to be analyzed further for compliance with engine specifications.
Bassett runs a crate engine in his Late Model. The rules for crate engines are designed to allow teams to compete without having to spend the thousands of dollars necessary for hand built race engines. Depending on manufacturer, a built engine can run as high as $35,000 for an asphalt Late Model. A crate engine is priced somewhere around $5,000-$6,000. If the engine is sealed, then that is all that it costs. There are no changes allowed in the engine and the seals on it prevent modification or replacement of parts. Crate engines that aren't sealed are allowed to have some modifications--usually rocker arms and valve springs because the standard components are not designed for the intense rigors of racing. While the introduction of crate engines was designed to reduce the cost of racing, and it does afford teams a chance to spend less money on engines, the modification of the engines is beginning to make them almost as expensive as built engines.
An additional benefit of running a crate engine is that there is a weight break given to the cars that run the engines because they generally create less horsepower than a built engine. When teams start spending large sums of money to have the crate engines modified, legally, within the framework of the rules, it begins to circumvent the spirit of the rules and render the whole exercise fruitless.
That said, the UARA technical inspectors deserve kudos for eventually finding something wrong with the engine, if there was something wrong. The fact that they basically dismantled the majority of the car to find something seems a bit excessive though. There is little doubt that any car that hits the racetrack at the local level on a given weekend, if it is dissected enough, will have something that is illegal about it. It is through no intention by the teams racing them, it is just a matter of fact that there are so many different rules involved in racing a car, that it is all but impossible not to miss something.
Bassett scored the win in two of the first three races of the season, and finished second in the other before Kingsport. When he made it three out of four, there is no question that there were rumblings that some kind of cheating was going on. Whether there was or wasn't, whenever a team is dominating, they're going to be accused of breaking the rules. That is probably why the UARA officials were so thorough in tearing apart the No. 04 after the race. In the end, after the head was determined to feel wrong, and the Ford Racing Technology people backed up that decision, the win was taken away and rightly so.
Racing needs to be as fair as possible to ensure that the fans get their money's worth and everyone has a chance to win, if their strategy and talent prove to be good enough to win. At the same time, tearing a car down to the chassis for a win in a regional touring series is a bit excessive when the people racing the cars and putting them together are doing it in their spare time. There should be some sort of balance that can be achieved to allow fair racing and prevent teams from rebuilding their winning car after every race. Whatever that balance is, the UARA is one sanctioning body that will make sure you don't bend the rules.
This Weekend's Racing Schedule:
Fri : May 11th – I-30 Speedway ; Little Rock : AR – Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Fri : May 11th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – Limited Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – SK Lights
Fri : May 11th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – SK Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets
Fri : May 11th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Legends
Fri : May 11th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Roadsters
Fri : May 11th – Hartford Motor Speedway ; Hartford : MI – Lucas Oil Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – USRA Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – IMCA Stock Cars
Fri : May 11th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – WISSOTA Street Stocks
Fri : May 11th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Street Stocks
Fri : May 11th – Valley Speedway ; Grain Valley : MO – United Late Model Association Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Ace Speedway ; Altamahaw : NC – Limited Late Models x2
Fri : May 11th – Ace Speedway ; Altamahaw : NC – Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – NDRA Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – Open Wheel Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – Street Stocks
Fri : May 11th – Wake County Speedway ; Raleigh : NC – PASS South
Fri : May 11th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Street Stocks
Fri : May 11th – Thunderbird Speedway ; Muskogee : OK – Comp Cams Super Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – 358 Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Sportsman
Fri : May 11th – Williams Grove Speedway ; Mechanicsburg : PA – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Fri : May 11th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Sprint Cars
Fri : May 11th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Street Stocks
Fri : May 11th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Super Stocks
Fri : May 11th – RPM Speedway ; Crandall : TX – USMTS Casey's Cup Qualifier
Fri : May 11th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Sport Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Stock
Fri : May 11th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – Street Stock
Fri : May 11th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Sprint Cars
Fri : May 11th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Street Stock
Fri : May 11th – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI – IMCA Sport Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI – Street Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Mobile International Speedway ; Irvington : AL – Pro Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Mobile International Speedway ; Irvington : AL – Super Stock Trucks
Sat : May 12th – Montgomery Motor Speedway ; Montgomery : AL – Show Me The Money Pro Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Crawford County Speedway ; Van Buren : AR – Comp Cams Super Late Models
Sat : May 12th – I-30 Speedway ; Little Rock : AR – Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Sat : May 12th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – 305 Winged Sprints
Sat : May 12th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – 600 Mini Sprints
Sat : May 12th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – Desoto Speedway ; Bradenton : FL – Open Wheel Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – Desoto Speedway ; Bradenton : FL – Sportsman
Sat : May 12th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Sportsman
Sat : May 12th – Punta Gorda Speedway ; Punta Gorda : FL – Open Wheel Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – Outlaws
Sat : May 12th – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – Trucks
Sat : May 12th – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – Super Late Models
Sat : May 12th – New Senoia Raceway ; Senoia : GA – USCS 600 Sprint Cars
Sat : May 12th – New Senoia Raceway ; Senoia : GA – USCS Outlaw Thunder Sprint Cars
Sat : May 12th – New Senoia Raceway ; Senoia : GA – Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Waycross Motor Speedway ; Waycross : GA –Late Models
Sat : May 12th – LaSalle Speedway ; LaSalle : IL – Spring Shootout Lucas Oil Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Limited Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Street Stock
Sat : May 12th – Tri-State Speedway ; Haubstadt : IN – AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars
Sat : May 12th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Late Models
Sat : May 12th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Sportsman
Sat : May 12th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Street Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets
Sat : May 12th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Mel Kenyon Midgets
Sat : May 12th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Stock Cars
Sat : May 12th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Sport Mods
Sat : May 12th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Sportsman
Sat : May 12th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Pure Street
Sat : May 12th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Mini Stock
Sat : May 12th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Junior Mini Cup
Sat : May 12th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Outlaw Mini Cup
Sat : May 12th – Berlin Speedway ; Marne : MI – CRA Super Series
Sat : May 12th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Outlaw Super Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Super Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Pro Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Springport Motor Speedway ; Springport : MI – Super Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Wissota Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Wissota Street Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Wissota Super Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – USRA Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Street Stocks
Sat : May 12th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Super Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Super Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – NeSmith Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Street Stocks
Sat : May 12th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – ASA Late Models
Sat : May 12th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Sportsman
Sat : May 12th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Road Warriors
Sat : May 12th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Chargers
Sat : May 12th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – 3rd Annual Business Expo Factory Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – 3rd Annual Business Expo A-Mods
Sat : May 12th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – 3rd Annual Business Expo B-Mods
Sat : May 12th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – 3rd Annual Business Expo United Late Model Association Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Junction Motor Speedway ; McCool Junction : NE – Super Late Model Racing Series
Sat : May 12th – The Bull Ring at Las Vegas ; Las Vegas : NV – SRL Southwest Tour Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Monadnock Speedway ; Winchester : NH – NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Sat : May 12th – Star Speedway ; Epping : NH – PASS North Super Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Dunn Tire Raceway Park ; Lancaster : NY – John Fruendschuh Memorial Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Dunn Tire Raceway Park ; Lancaster : NY – Sportsman
Sat : May 12th – Dunn Tire Raceway Park ; Lancaster : NY – Street Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Dunn Tire Raceway Park ; Lancaster : NY – TQ Midgets
Sat : May 12th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Late Model Trucks
Sat : May 12th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Street Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Concord Motorsports Park ; Concord : NC – Late Models Twin 50s
Sat : May 12th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Limited Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Street Stock
Sat : May 12th – Red River Valley Speedway ; West Fargo : ND – Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – Red River Valley Speedway ; West Fargo : ND – Super Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : OH – USAC Midwest Focus Midgets
Sat : May 12th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – 305 Sprints
Sat : May 12th – Little Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Slingshots
Sat : May 12th – Williams Grove Speedway ; Mechanicsburg : PA – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Sat : May 12th – Cleveland Speedway ; Cleveland : TN – Southern All Star Dirt Super Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Cowtown Speedway ; Kennedale : TX – USMTS Casey's Cup Qualifier Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – School Buses
Sat : May 12th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Midwest Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – TNT Speedway ; Three Lakes : WI – Season Opener Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – TNT Speedway ; Three Lakes : WI – Season Opener Wissota Street Stocks
Sun : May 13th – Springport Motor Speedway ; Springport : MI – Modifieds
Sun : May 13th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Sport Modifieds
Sun : May 13th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Late Models
Sun : May 13th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Factory Stocks
Wed : May 16th – Rolling Wheels Raceway ; Elbridge : NY – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Wed : May 16th – Millbridge Speedway ; Salisbury : NC – Mini Outlaws
Thu : May 17th – Concord Speedway ; Concord : NC – USAC Eastern Focus Midgets
Mike Neff is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at mike.neff@frontstretch.com.
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Fantasy Friday: Bojangles' Southern 500
by Jeff Wolfe
Editor's Note: Welcome to the newest feature in the Frontstretch Newsletter where Jeff Wolfe takes a look at your best bets when it comes to picking your fantasy racing teams. Each week, Jeff will have your top 5 best bets along with a bonus pick just in time to finalize your lineup and settle in for a weekend full of action.
They call Darlington the Lady in Black, but for at least some NASCAR fans, Saturday's 7 PM race on FOX will be about the lady in green. Yes, Danica Patrick will make her first appearance in the Sprint Cup series since the season-opening Daytona 500. This much we know because the No. 10 car owned by Tommy Baldwin Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing has been reserved for Patrick and is inside the top 35 in owners points.
For sure there are some Danica haters out there. She's become popular just as much for her appearance as for her driving skill. But as women face an uphill battle to break into a sport that is predominantly male, can she really be blamed for using all of her assets to bring in much needed sponsorship dollars?
Unfortunately, it's hard to blame her for that.
I say unfortunate because there are some talented male drivers out there who are having sponsorship issues. Can somebody tell me why a young handsome, well-spoken driver and 2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne can't find a full-time sponsor? Or even former Sprint Cup champion Matt Kenseth, this year's Daytona 500 winner and a title contender again, has taken nearly one third of this season to find a regular full-time sponsor?
So, no, don't blame Danica for doing what she has to do. Ultimately, what she does on the track will matter - at least that's what we think. Whether that will be true or not remains to be seen.
As for how she will do Saturday night, Danica fans shouldn't come in with any big expectations. If she finishes inside the top 20, that would be a good accomplishment. If she finishes in the top 10, that wold be a big deal. Darlington is traditionally not kind to newcomers, so expect a big learning curve here.
Top 5 Picks
Greg Biffle: The current points leader has two wins and five top 10s, so he's gotta be picked here.
Jimmie Johnson: Also two wins and he has yet to win this season, so he's really due for an appearance in Victory Lane.
Denny Hamlin: He doesn't have a ton of experience at Darlington with just six races, but he does have one win and an average finish of 6.5. And he normally drives a black car, so hey, the Lady in Black must like him.
Tony Stewart: This is one of two Sprint Cup tracks Stewart has not won on yet, so he'll be fired up to contend. He does have an average finish of 12.3 and three top 5s at Darlington.
Kasey Kahne: He's had a string of good finishes now, including last week's fourth at Talladega. He does have the seventh-best driver rating and started on the pole last year, which shows he knows how to get around the 1.25-mile oval.
Coulda,shoulda, woulda: The numbers are jumping right out of the computer screen on this one, but couldn't pull the trigger here. Jeff Gordon has seven wins at Darlington and his team, Hendrick Racing, has 13 total victories and is still looking for that elusive 200th career Sprint Cup win. However, too much bad luck has plagued No. 24 team this year to pick him this time.
ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP
Here's a look at how last week's picks fared at Talladega.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - 9th. So much for my lock stock guaranteed absolutely without question can't miss winning prediction. The winless streak is now at 139 for those of you snoring at home.
Brad Keselowski - 1st. OK, so I didn't give you a guarantee here, but that's two winners in a row I've given you.
Kevin Harvick - 25th. He was a contender again until getting caught up in a late accident.
Jimmie Johnson - 35th. He had a grenade engine, nothing more restricting than that at a plate track.
Juan Pablo Montoya - 32nd. Well, he didn't run into the jet dryer. Doesn't that count as a win?
Season Stats
50 picks
4 wins
16 top 5s
19 top 10s
Grade for the week: B. We did get another winner this week as at least one of the Penske cars continued to run strong on a plate track. Engine woes and accidents put a damper on the rest of the day.
One Last Thing: Carl Edwards finished 31st last week at Talladega and dropped to 11th in the points standings. Edwards was the runner-up in for the championship last year and is trying to break a recent stretch of poor performances the following season by the previous year's runner-up. Denny Hamlin finished ninth last year, Mark Martin was 13th in 2010, and Edwards was 11th in 2009.
Jeff Wolfe is a Contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at jeff.wolfe@frontstretch.com.
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Frontstretch Folio: Bojangles' Southern 500
by Nick Schwartz
NASCAR returns to the track "Too Tough To Tame" this weekend as the Sprint Cup Series heads to Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina for the 11th race of the 2012 season. The Bojangles' Southern 500 will be broadcast live Saturday, May 12th, on FOX at 6:30 PM EDT and MRN Radio at 6:00 PM EDT. Drivers will compete for 367 laps (501.322 miles) before taking the checkered flag.
Records and Facts
Regan Smith is the defending winner of the event, having shocked NASCAR to take the 2011 Showtime Southern 500 in the Furniture Row Racing car for his first career win. Smith gained track position by staying out during a late-race caution while the leaders pitted, and held off challengers with better tires down the stretch. The race may be remembered not just for Smith's victory, but for the fight in pit lane that broke out between Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch after the race had concluded.
Darlington is lauded by many for its historical stature within the world of motorsports, with the first NASCAR sanctioned event at the track coming in 1950. The names that fill the record book span from numerous different eras in NASCAR's history, but no driver was more successful at Darlington than South Carolina-native David Pearson, who won 10 times in front of a home crowd. Richard Petty holds the record for most top-5 finishes with 25 in 65 starts, while Bill Elliot has recorded the most top 10s with 35. The best average finish among drivers that have made more than five starts belongs to Denny Hamlin, who boasts a 6.5 average with one victory (2010).
Track Facts
Track/Race Length: 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval, 367 laps (501.322 miles)
Pit Road Speed: 45 mph
Degree of Banking: Progressive banking ranges from 23-25 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,229 ft., banked 3 degrees
Backstretch: 1,229 ft., banked 2 degrees
Grandstand Seating: 68,000
Pre-race Schedule
Practice: Friday, May 11, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM EST on SPEED
Happy Hour: Friday, May 11, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST on SPEED
Qualifying: Friday, May 11, 5:00 PM EST on SPEED
VIPs
Grand Marshal / Command: Mothers of Several Drivers
National Anthem: Casey Weston
Honorary Starter: Randy Poindexter, Bojangles' Senior Vice President of Marketing
Race Day Forecast
Saturday: Cloudy, chance of precipitation 10%
High: 77
Low: 64
They Said It
"Darlington is one of my favorite tracks. I wish we had more like it on the schedule. It's just a tough, old racetrack that is nothing like anywhere else we go. I never had the opportunity to race there when the asphalt was worn out and I would have loved that. Hopefully I'll have a long career and I'll be able to see it get back to that 'slipping and sliding' racing that used to be so cool to watch on TV. Back in the day, the Southern 500 was one of our biggest races. It would mean a lot to me to have that trophy." -Brad Keselowski
"Since it was repaved, it's a totally different race track. The old surface had no grip at all; the tires would wear out in a couple laps and you would slide everywhere. Now, you run as fast as you do at the end of the run as you do at the beginning. It's not as tough as it used to be, but it's still pretty tough. You have to run up by the fence which leads to right-side damage and the infamous 'Darlington stripe.' Driving a foot off the wall, things are still going to happen." -Paul Menard
"As you go to Darlington (Raceway), you see the deep history of the sport. This track is probably highest on my list to try to get a win, so I'm looking forward to going there this weekend to see what we can do." -Kevin Harvick
Nick Schwartz is a Contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at nick.schwartz@frontstretch.com.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Now or Never: Darlington Begins A Critical Stretch for Championship Hopefuls
by Amy Henderson
Four Burning Questions: Sarcastic Stewart, and "Secret" Meetings
by Summer Dreyer
BSNews! Bits and Pieces of BSNews From the Mayfield's Yard
by Jeff Meyer
Regan Smith Driver Diary: Hockey Playoffs and Insight into 2013
as told to Tony Lumbis
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Nationwide Tackles Darlington
by Bryan Davis Keith
Formula 1 Friday: The Impossible Question of the Top 10 Drivers
by Andy Hollis
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This Weekend on the Frontstretch:
Nationwide Breakdown: VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan has all of the post race analysis you need following Friday evening's Nationwide Series race from Darlington.
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In 1996, Dale Jarrett had the chance to win the Winston Million. He even had a special helmet painted up for the occasion with the different tracks included in the Winston Million promotion on it. However, it just wasn't to be. What happened?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: Tim Richmond won the 1986 Southern 500 at Darlington. However, something incredibly weird occurred during the race. What happened?
A: Allegedly, a woman actually attempted to drive her personal car out onto the track during the race from the opening in the wall at the end of the frontstretch pits. The attempt not make air on ESPN because of on and off rain showers that resulted in the race taking the better part of eight hours to run (ESPN chose to jump back and forth between different live events that day to compensate). Thankfully, the woman was stopped before venturing out into traffic.
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:
-- Bojangles' Southern 500 Race Recap by Jeff Wolfe
-- Secret Star and Stat of the Race by Tom Bowles
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
Monday on the Frontstretch:
Matt McLaughlin's Thinkin' Out Loud: Bojangles' Southern 500 by Matt McLaughlin
Matt will be here with his overall thoughts about the action from Saturday evening's action from Darlington.
Monday Morning Teardown by Ron Lemasters
Ron returns for a website look at one of the big stories from Saturday's race from Darlington.
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 at Darlington.
Big Six: Bojangles' Southern 500 by Amy Henderson
Looking for all you need to know leaving Saturday's event at Darlington? Amy has your who, what, when, where, why and how from a weekend of racing.
Pace Laps: Darlington Weekend by the Frontstretch Staff
In our newest column this season, we'll take a look at the biggest stories to keep an eye on in each series after a weekend at Darlington.
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Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Got something to say about an article you've seen in the newsletter? It's as easy as replying directly to this message or sending an email to editors@frontstretch.com. We'll take the best comments and publish them here!
©2012 Frontstretch.com
-- Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
May 11th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition LXXXI
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Frontstretch at the Track: Amy Henderson and Mike Neff will be live at Darlington Raceway for this weekend's events. Stayed tuned to the Breaking News box, Twitter (@thefrontstretch and @writeramy) and Facebook for all of the latest news coming out of the "Track Too Tough to Tame."
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Top News
by Jeff Wolfe
More Money Woes For the Mayfields
Less than ten days following the auction of Jeremy and Shana Mayfield's foreclosed Catawba County, North Carolina home, Shana filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy Wednesday.. The property of more than 400 acres was purchased by former mortgage holder Carolina Farm Credit for $1.725 million. In an email to SportingNews.com's Bob Pockrass, Shana stated the filing was "a natural step in the process of trying to rebuild." Because the bankruptcy was filed inside the ten day window that gives Mayfield a chance to pay off the debts on his home, the couple will be allowed to remain temporarily.
The Mayfields have been in financial straights since NASCAR suspended Jeremy indefinitely after he tested positive for methamphetamie May, 2009. Though Mayfield has argued from day one that the test was a false positive thanks to a combination of prescription and over the counter medications in his system at the time of the test, several appeals and lawsuit attempts failed before the 42-year-old finally dropped his suit against NASCAR in April. Shana Mayfield said in an e-mail to scenedaily.com that the Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing was just part of the natural process in their recovery. The filing automatically puts on hold the foreclosure proceedings on the Mayfield's 400 acre property in Catawba County, N.C., because the filing came within 10 days of the auction. Mayfield's property sold for $1.725 million to Carolina Farm Credit last week.
The bankruptcy filing doesn't bring any kind of closure to Mayfield's troubles. He also is facing 19 criminal felony charges in three North Carolina counties, 18 related to the alleged possession of stolen goods and one for alleged possession of methamphetamine.
And if all of that wasn't enough, according to a report in the Winston-Salem Journal, the Mayfields have been ordered to pay $1 million to a postal carrier attacked by Mayfield's five pitbulls last year. Judge William Z. Wood awarded Mary E. Bolton the settlement in a suit filed against both Jeremy and Shana last June.
Bolton delivered a package too large for the mailbox to the Mayfield residence, driving through a gate past "No Trespassing" and "Beware of Dogs" signs before the dogs attacked her. Jeremy heard the attack as it happened and carried Bolton into the house while Shana called 911. According to Bolton's attorney, Marc Madonia, she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and nerve damage following the attack.
Though the Mayfields had a chance to contest the allegations, they failed to, claiming they couldn't afford to hire yet another attorney since Jeremy currently has one working on his criminal cases. Bolton accused the Mayfields of being negligent in allowing the dogs to run loose on their property, and claims almost $15,000 in lost wages while she was out of work.
Mayfield, who will turn 43 on May 27, has five NASCAR Sprint Cup wins in his career, the last one coming at Michigan in 2005. He hasn't competed in NASCAR since his suspension in 2009.
Bowyer Stuck in Motorcycle Dispute
Klock Werks Kustom Cycles is suing Clint Bowyer over customization of a motorcycle that was completed in late 2008 and early 2009. The complaint, filed May 2nd by the Mitchell, South Dakota-based company, alleges Bowyer failed to pay more than $30,000 worth of work done on a 2009 Harley Davidson. According to MitchellRepublic.com Klock Werks is seeeking the cost of the work, 18 percent interest annually since completing the work plus attorney's fees and any court-related expenses.
Bowyer's response, which has not been officially filed yet, denies he agreed to pay money for the work and instead agreed to provide "certain promotional services and special accomodations within NASCAR and related publications." Bowyer claims he fulfilled his agreement with Klock Werks and they aren't entitled to any further compensation.
Bowyer, who is 10th in the 2012 Sprint Cup standings heading into Darlington Saturday night, has five career Sprint Cup victories though he has yet to visit victory lane this season.
Danica Patrick Gets a New Spotter for Darlington Debut
Danica Patrick will have a new set of eyes to help her out during her first Sprint Cup race at the Lady In Black Saturday night. According to report by ESPN.com's David Newton, Tab Boyd, who began the season spotting for Juan Pablo Montoya will replace Mark Robertson. Robertson spotted for Patrick in her Sprint Cup debut at Daytona where she finished 38th after getting caught up in a lap three wreck.
"As a driver you just need to have someone on the radio that you click with. Everybody needs something different," Patrick said during a promotion for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "For me, I need someone ... I'm going to say, almost drive the car. Like, tell me you're turning in too early, tell me be patient with the throttle; OK, pick it up. I need somebody that is familiar with those patterns, because I'm not."
Patrick will continue with spotter Rick Carrelli for her full-time Nationwide series effort with JR Motorsports. Carrelli served as spotter for Regan Smither's Sprint Cup Victory at Darlington last year.
Have news for The Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com with a promising lead or tip.
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Got NASCAR-related questions or comments?
Send them John Potts' way at john.potts@frontstretch.com; and if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print when he does his weekly column answering back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat. Potts' Shots will run on Thursdays with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!
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In Case You Missed It
by Nick Schwartz
BK Racing To Field Third Entry
For the first time, BK Racing will attempt to field three cars at Darlington Speedway this weekend. Travis Kvapil, who normally pilots the No. 93 Toyota, will pilot the No. 73 Dr Pepper Toyota for Saturday night's Bojangles' Southern 500. Kvapil joins the Nos. 83 and 93 Toyotas, driven by Landon Cassill and David Reutimann, respectively. Ben Leslie, whose drivers have scored one pole and one top-5 finish in eight starts at "The Track Too Tough To Tame," will be atop the pit box.
"It's a big step for BK Racing to field a third car. We didn't open our doors until February and we've managed to make every race and stay inside the top 35 in points," Kvapil said. "I'm looking forward to working with Ben (Leslie). We're proud of what we've accomplished so far and hope that this race is another step in our growth.
Kvapil, who will be forced to qualify on speed for Saturday night's field, will be back behind the wheel of the No. 93 for next weekend's Sprint All-Star Showdown. He has a best finish of 16th (Talladega) in nine starts this season.
Cargill to Host "Darlington Signature Burger Event"
Roush Fenway Racing sponsor Cargill Beef is teaming up with Darlington Raceway to pick out a new signature hamburger for the "Track Too Tough to Tame." Miss Sprint will prepare the top 4 recipes Saturday at 12:30 PM in the infield behind the west concession stand. The winner will be chosen by track president Chris Browning.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to select the winner of this contest and see what kind of hamburger recipes our fans come up with," Browning said. "A hamburger is a staple with any camping or tailgating experience at a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend at Darlington. As we all know, there are many different styles and varieties of hamburgers that are unique, so it will be fun to see on Saturday what our fans can bring to the table."
The top 20 recipes will be selected Friday and submitted to Cargill, who will narrow down the field to four. Fans intersted in submitting their our favorite recipes by emailing burgers@keystonemarketing.net. Winners will received a family four-pack tailgate package to next year's Darlington festivities or the fall event at Martinsville Speedway, October 28th.
Rain dampens Goodyear tire test at New Hampshire
Five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers were able to get in one day of tire testing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Wednesday, though weather halted what was supposed to be a two-day test at the short track. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Carl Edwards, Bobby Labonte, Regan Smith and Paul Menard all recorded four to five hours of testing on the new one-mile tire compound. The drivers arrived at the track Tuesday, but were forced to sit out a rainy day.
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COME 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.
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Keepin' It Short: Leveling the Playing Field
by Mike Neff
Racing is all about going fast and finishing first. The rule book and the technical inspection process are focused on making sure that everyone attempts to accomplish those feats on a level playing field. This past weekend, Ronnie Bassett, Jr. was forced to start at the rear of the field for the UARA race at Kingsport, Tennessee after he hit a cone in qualifying. After racing through the entire field and taking the checkered flag first, his car was thoroughly inspected and the series officials decided they didn't like the feel of the cylinder heads, resulting in his car being disqualified. Bassett's crew chief filed an appeal and the head was sent to Ford Racing Technologies to be analyzed further for compliance with engine specifications.
Bassett runs a crate engine in his Late Model. The rules for crate engines are designed to allow teams to compete without having to spend the thousands of dollars necessary for hand built race engines. Depending on manufacturer, a built engine can run as high as $35,000 for an asphalt Late Model. A crate engine is priced somewhere around $5,000-$6,000. If the engine is sealed, then that is all that it costs. There are no changes allowed in the engine and the seals on it prevent modification or replacement of parts. Crate engines that aren't sealed are allowed to have some modifications--usually rocker arms and valve springs because the standard components are not designed for the intense rigors of racing. While the introduction of crate engines was designed to reduce the cost of racing, and it does afford teams a chance to spend less money on engines, the modification of the engines is beginning to make them almost as expensive as built engines.
An additional benefit of running a crate engine is that there is a weight break given to the cars that run the engines because they generally create less horsepower than a built engine. When teams start spending large sums of money to have the crate engines modified, legally, within the framework of the rules, it begins to circumvent the spirit of the rules and render the whole exercise fruitless.
That said, the UARA technical inspectors deserve kudos for eventually finding something wrong with the engine, if there was something wrong. The fact that they basically dismantled the majority of the car to find something seems a bit excessive though. There is little doubt that any car that hits the racetrack at the local level on a given weekend, if it is dissected enough, will have something that is illegal about it. It is through no intention by the teams racing them, it is just a matter of fact that there are so many different rules involved in racing a car, that it is all but impossible not to miss something.
Bassett scored the win in two of the first three races of the season, and finished second in the other before Kingsport. When he made it three out of four, there is no question that there were rumblings that some kind of cheating was going on. Whether there was or wasn't, whenever a team is dominating, they're going to be accused of breaking the rules. That is probably why the UARA officials were so thorough in tearing apart the No. 04 after the race. In the end, after the head was determined to feel wrong, and the Ford Racing Technology people backed up that decision, the win was taken away and rightly so.
Racing needs to be as fair as possible to ensure that the fans get their money's worth and everyone has a chance to win, if their strategy and talent prove to be good enough to win. At the same time, tearing a car down to the chassis for a win in a regional touring series is a bit excessive when the people racing the cars and putting them together are doing it in their spare time. There should be some sort of balance that can be achieved to allow fair racing and prevent teams from rebuilding their winning car after every race. Whatever that balance is, the UARA is one sanctioning body that will make sure you don't bend the rules.
This Weekend's Racing Schedule:
Fri : May 11th – I-30 Speedway ; Little Rock : AR – Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Fri : May 11th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – Limited Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – SK Lights
Fri : May 11th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – SK Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets
Fri : May 11th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Legends
Fri : May 11th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Roadsters
Fri : May 11th – Hartford Motor Speedway ; Hartford : MI – Lucas Oil Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – USRA Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – IMCA Stock Cars
Fri : May 11th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – WISSOTA Street Stocks
Fri : May 11th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Street Stocks
Fri : May 11th – Valley Speedway ; Grain Valley : MO – United Late Model Association Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Ace Speedway ; Altamahaw : NC – Limited Late Models x2
Fri : May 11th – Ace Speedway ; Altamahaw : NC – Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – NDRA Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – Open Wheel Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – Street Stocks
Fri : May 11th – Wake County Speedway ; Raleigh : NC – PASS South
Fri : May 11th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Street Stocks
Fri : May 11th – Thunderbird Speedway ; Muskogee : OK – Comp Cams Super Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – 358 Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Sportsman
Fri : May 11th – Williams Grove Speedway ; Mechanicsburg : PA – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Fri : May 11th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Sprint Cars
Fri : May 11th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Street Stocks
Fri : May 11th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Super Stocks
Fri : May 11th – RPM Speedway ; Crandall : TX – USMTS Casey's Cup Qualifier
Fri : May 11th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Sport Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Stock
Fri : May 11th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – Street Stock
Fri : May 11th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Fri : May 11th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Sprint Cars
Fri : May 11th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Street Stock
Fri : May 11th – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI – IMCA Sport Modifieds
Fri : May 11th – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI – Street Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Mobile International Speedway ; Irvington : AL – Pro Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Mobile International Speedway ; Irvington : AL – Super Stock Trucks
Sat : May 12th – Montgomery Motor Speedway ; Montgomery : AL – Show Me The Money Pro Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Crawford County Speedway ; Van Buren : AR – Comp Cams Super Late Models
Sat : May 12th – I-30 Speedway ; Little Rock : AR – Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Sat : May 12th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – 305 Winged Sprints
Sat : May 12th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – 600 Mini Sprints
Sat : May 12th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – Desoto Speedway ; Bradenton : FL – Open Wheel Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – Desoto Speedway ; Bradenton : FL – Sportsman
Sat : May 12th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Sportsman
Sat : May 12th – Punta Gorda Speedway ; Punta Gorda : FL – Open Wheel Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – Outlaws
Sat : May 12th – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – Trucks
Sat : May 12th – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – Super Late Models
Sat : May 12th – New Senoia Raceway ; Senoia : GA – USCS 600 Sprint Cars
Sat : May 12th – New Senoia Raceway ; Senoia : GA – USCS Outlaw Thunder Sprint Cars
Sat : May 12th – New Senoia Raceway ; Senoia : GA – Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Waycross Motor Speedway ; Waycross : GA –Late Models
Sat : May 12th – LaSalle Speedway ; LaSalle : IL – Spring Shootout Lucas Oil Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Limited Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Street Stock
Sat : May 12th – Tri-State Speedway ; Haubstadt : IN – AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars
Sat : May 12th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Late Models
Sat : May 12th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Sportsman
Sat : May 12th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Street Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets
Sat : May 12th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Mel Kenyon Midgets
Sat : May 12th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Stock Cars
Sat : May 12th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Sport Mods
Sat : May 12th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Sportsman
Sat : May 12th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Pure Street
Sat : May 12th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Mini Stock
Sat : May 12th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Junior Mini Cup
Sat : May 12th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Outlaw Mini Cup
Sat : May 12th – Berlin Speedway ; Marne : MI – CRA Super Series
Sat : May 12th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Outlaw Super Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Super Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Pro Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Springport Motor Speedway ; Springport : MI – Super Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Wissota Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Wissota Street Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Wissota Super Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – USRA Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Street Stocks
Sat : May 12th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Super Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Super Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – NeSmith Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Street Stocks
Sat : May 12th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – ASA Late Models
Sat : May 12th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Sportsman
Sat : May 12th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Road Warriors
Sat : May 12th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Chargers
Sat : May 12th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – 3rd Annual Business Expo Factory Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – 3rd Annual Business Expo A-Mods
Sat : May 12th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – 3rd Annual Business Expo B-Mods
Sat : May 12th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – 3rd Annual Business Expo United Late Model Association Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Junction Motor Speedway ; McCool Junction : NE – Super Late Model Racing Series
Sat : May 12th – The Bull Ring at Las Vegas ; Las Vegas : NV – SRL Southwest Tour Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Monadnock Speedway ; Winchester : NH – NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Sat : May 12th – Star Speedway ; Epping : NH – PASS North Super Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Dunn Tire Raceway Park ; Lancaster : NY – John Fruendschuh Memorial Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Dunn Tire Raceway Park ; Lancaster : NY – Sportsman
Sat : May 12th – Dunn Tire Raceway Park ; Lancaster : NY – Street Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Dunn Tire Raceway Park ; Lancaster : NY – TQ Midgets
Sat : May 12th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Late Model Trucks
Sat : May 12th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Street Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Concord Motorsports Park ; Concord : NC – Late Models Twin 50s
Sat : May 12th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Limited Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Street Stock
Sat : May 12th – Red River Valley Speedway ; West Fargo : ND – Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – Red River Valley Speedway ; West Fargo : ND – Super Stocks
Sat : May 12th – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : OH – USAC Midwest Focus Midgets
Sat : May 12th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – 305 Sprints
Sat : May 12th – Little Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Slingshots
Sat : May 12th – Williams Grove Speedway ; Mechanicsburg : PA – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Sat : May 12th – Cleveland Speedway ; Cleveland : TN – Southern All Star Dirt Super Late Models
Sat : May 12th – Cowtown Speedway ; Kennedale : TX – USMTS Casey's Cup Qualifier Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – School Buses
Sat : May 12th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Midwest Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – TNT Speedway ; Three Lakes : WI – Season Opener Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : May 12th – TNT Speedway ; Three Lakes : WI – Season Opener Wissota Street Stocks
Sun : May 13th – Springport Motor Speedway ; Springport : MI – Modifieds
Sun : May 13th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Sport Modifieds
Sun : May 13th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Late Models
Sun : May 13th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Factory Stocks
Wed : May 16th – Rolling Wheels Raceway ; Elbridge : NY – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Wed : May 16th – Millbridge Speedway ; Salisbury : NC – Mini Outlaws
Thu : May 17th – Concord Speedway ; Concord : NC – USAC Eastern Focus Midgets
Mike Neff is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at mike.neff@frontstretch.com.
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Editor's Note: Frontstretch has a brand new, redesigned Facebook page. Click Here to "Like" Us and get a direct connect to all your Frontstretch favorites along with polls, interaction with fans and so much more.
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Fantasy Friday: Bojangles' Southern 500
by Jeff Wolfe
Editor's Note: Welcome to the newest feature in the Frontstretch Newsletter where Jeff Wolfe takes a look at your best bets when it comes to picking your fantasy racing teams. Each week, Jeff will have your top 5 best bets along with a bonus pick just in time to finalize your lineup and settle in for a weekend full of action.
They call Darlington the Lady in Black, but for at least some NASCAR fans, Saturday's 7 PM race on FOX will be about the lady in green. Yes, Danica Patrick will make her first appearance in the Sprint Cup series since the season-opening Daytona 500. This much we know because the No. 10 car owned by Tommy Baldwin Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing has been reserved for Patrick and is inside the top 35 in owners points.
For sure there are some Danica haters out there. She's become popular just as much for her appearance as for her driving skill. But as women face an uphill battle to break into a sport that is predominantly male, can she really be blamed for using all of her assets to bring in much needed sponsorship dollars?
Unfortunately, it's hard to blame her for that.
I say unfortunate because there are some talented male drivers out there who are having sponsorship issues. Can somebody tell me why a young handsome, well-spoken driver and 2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne can't find a full-time sponsor? Or even former Sprint Cup champion Matt Kenseth, this year's Daytona 500 winner and a title contender again, has taken nearly one third of this season to find a regular full-time sponsor?
So, no, don't blame Danica for doing what she has to do. Ultimately, what she does on the track will matter - at least that's what we think. Whether that will be true or not remains to be seen.
As for how she will do Saturday night, Danica fans shouldn't come in with any big expectations. If she finishes inside the top 20, that would be a good accomplishment. If she finishes in the top 10, that wold be a big deal. Darlington is traditionally not kind to newcomers, so expect a big learning curve here.
Top 5 Picks
Greg Biffle: The current points leader has two wins and five top 10s, so he's gotta be picked here.
Jimmie Johnson: Also two wins and he has yet to win this season, so he's really due for an appearance in Victory Lane.
Denny Hamlin: He doesn't have a ton of experience at Darlington with just six races, but he does have one win and an average finish of 6.5. And he normally drives a black car, so hey, the Lady in Black must like him.
Tony Stewart: This is one of two Sprint Cup tracks Stewart has not won on yet, so he'll be fired up to contend. He does have an average finish of 12.3 and three top 5s at Darlington.
Kasey Kahne: He's had a string of good finishes now, including last week's fourth at Talladega. He does have the seventh-best driver rating and started on the pole last year, which shows he knows how to get around the 1.25-mile oval.
Coulda,shoulda, woulda: The numbers are jumping right out of the computer screen on this one, but couldn't pull the trigger here. Jeff Gordon has seven wins at Darlington and his team, Hendrick Racing, has 13 total victories and is still looking for that elusive 200th career Sprint Cup win. However, too much bad luck has plagued No. 24 team this year to pick him this time.
ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP
Here's a look at how last week's picks fared at Talladega.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - 9th. So much for my lock stock guaranteed absolutely without question can't miss winning prediction. The winless streak is now at 139 for those of you snoring at home.
Brad Keselowski - 1st. OK, so I didn't give you a guarantee here, but that's two winners in a row I've given you.
Kevin Harvick - 25th. He was a contender again until getting caught up in a late accident.
Jimmie Johnson - 35th. He had a grenade engine, nothing more restricting than that at a plate track.
Juan Pablo Montoya - 32nd. Well, he didn't run into the jet dryer. Doesn't that count as a win?
Season Stats
50 picks
4 wins
16 top 5s
19 top 10s
Grade for the week: B. We did get another winner this week as at least one of the Penske cars continued to run strong on a plate track. Engine woes and accidents put a damper on the rest of the day.
One Last Thing: Carl Edwards finished 31st last week at Talladega and dropped to 11th in the points standings. Edwards was the runner-up in for the championship last year and is trying to break a recent stretch of poor performances the following season by the previous year's runner-up. Denny Hamlin finished ninth last year, Mark Martin was 13th in 2010, and Edwards was 11th in 2009.
Jeff Wolfe is a Contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at jeff.wolfe@frontstretch.com.
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Frontstretch Folio: Bojangles' Southern 500
by Nick Schwartz
NASCAR returns to the track "Too Tough To Tame" this weekend as the Sprint Cup Series heads to Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina for the 11th race of the 2012 season. The Bojangles' Southern 500 will be broadcast live Saturday, May 12th, on FOX at 6:30 PM EDT and MRN Radio at 6:00 PM EDT. Drivers will compete for 367 laps (501.322 miles) before taking the checkered flag.
Records and Facts
Regan Smith is the defending winner of the event, having shocked NASCAR to take the 2011 Showtime Southern 500 in the Furniture Row Racing car for his first career win. Smith gained track position by staying out during a late-race caution while the leaders pitted, and held off challengers with better tires down the stretch. The race may be remembered not just for Smith's victory, but for the fight in pit lane that broke out between Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch after the race had concluded.
Darlington is lauded by many for its historical stature within the world of motorsports, with the first NASCAR sanctioned event at the track coming in 1950. The names that fill the record book span from numerous different eras in NASCAR's history, but no driver was more successful at Darlington than South Carolina-native David Pearson, who won 10 times in front of a home crowd. Richard Petty holds the record for most top-5 finishes with 25 in 65 starts, while Bill Elliot has recorded the most top 10s with 35. The best average finish among drivers that have made more than five starts belongs to Denny Hamlin, who boasts a 6.5 average with one victory (2010).
Track Facts
Track/Race Length: 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval, 367 laps (501.322 miles)
Pit Road Speed: 45 mph
Degree of Banking: Progressive banking ranges from 23-25 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,229 ft., banked 3 degrees
Backstretch: 1,229 ft., banked 2 degrees
Grandstand Seating: 68,000
Pre-race Schedule
Practice: Friday, May 11, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM EST on SPEED
Happy Hour: Friday, May 11, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST on SPEED
Qualifying: Friday, May 11, 5:00 PM EST on SPEED
VIPs
Grand Marshal / Command: Mothers of Several Drivers
National Anthem: Casey Weston
Honorary Starter: Randy Poindexter, Bojangles' Senior Vice President of Marketing
Race Day Forecast
Saturday: Cloudy, chance of precipitation 10%
High: 77
Low: 64
They Said It
"Darlington is one of my favorite tracks. I wish we had more like it on the schedule. It's just a tough, old racetrack that is nothing like anywhere else we go. I never had the opportunity to race there when the asphalt was worn out and I would have loved that. Hopefully I'll have a long career and I'll be able to see it get back to that 'slipping and sliding' racing that used to be so cool to watch on TV. Back in the day, the Southern 500 was one of our biggest races. It would mean a lot to me to have that trophy." -Brad Keselowski
"Since it was repaved, it's a totally different race track. The old surface had no grip at all; the tires would wear out in a couple laps and you would slide everywhere. Now, you run as fast as you do at the end of the run as you do at the beginning. It's not as tough as it used to be, but it's still pretty tough. You have to run up by the fence which leads to right-side damage and the infamous 'Darlington stripe.' Driving a foot off the wall, things are still going to happen." -Paul Menard
"As you go to Darlington (Raceway), you see the deep history of the sport. This track is probably highest on my list to try to get a win, so I'm looking forward to going there this weekend to see what we can do." -Kevin Harvick
Nick Schwartz is a Contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at nick.schwartz@frontstretch.com.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Now or Never: Darlington Begins A Critical Stretch for Championship Hopefuls
by Amy Henderson
Four Burning Questions: Sarcastic Stewart, and "Secret" Meetings
by Summer Dreyer
BSNews! Bits and Pieces of BSNews From the Mayfield's Yard
by Jeff Meyer
Regan Smith Driver Diary: Hockey Playoffs and Insight into 2013
as told to Tony Lumbis
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Nationwide Tackles Darlington
by Bryan Davis Keith
Formula 1 Friday: The Impossible Question of the Top 10 Drivers
by Andy Hollis
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This Weekend on the Frontstretch:
Nationwide Breakdown: VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan has all of the post race analysis you need following Friday evening's Nationwide Series race from Darlington.
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In 1996, Dale Jarrett had the chance to win the Winston Million. He even had a special helmet painted up for the occasion with the different tracks included in the Winston Million promotion on it. However, it just wasn't to be. What happened?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: Tim Richmond won the 1986 Southern 500 at Darlington. However, something incredibly weird occurred during the race. What happened?
A: Allegedly, a woman actually attempted to drive her personal car out onto the track during the race from the opening in the wall at the end of the frontstretch pits. The attempt not make air on ESPN because of on and off rain showers that resulted in the race taking the better part of eight hours to run (ESPN chose to jump back and forth between different live events that day to compensate). Thankfully, the woman was stopped before venturing out into traffic.
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:
-- Bojangles' Southern 500 Race Recap by Jeff Wolfe
-- Secret Star and Stat of the Race by Tom Bowles
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
Monday on the Frontstretch:
Matt McLaughlin's Thinkin' Out Loud: Bojangles' Southern 500 by Matt McLaughlin
Matt will be here with his overall thoughts about the action from Saturday evening's action from Darlington.
Monday Morning Teardown by Ron Lemasters
Ron returns for a website look at one of the big stories from Saturday's race from Darlington.
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 at Darlington.
Big Six: Bojangles' Southern 500 by Amy Henderson
Looking for all you need to know leaving Saturday's event at Darlington? Amy has your who, what, when, where, why and how from a weekend of racing.
Pace Laps: Darlington Weekend by the Frontstretch Staff
In our newest column this season, we'll take a look at the biggest stories to keep an eye on in each series after a weekend at Darlington.
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