Tuesday, May 08, 2012

The Frontstretch Newsletter: May 9th, 2012

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
May 9th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition LXXIX

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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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Top News
by Brad Morgan

Stewart Won't Be Penalized For Sunday Rant

Talladega may have tripped up Smoke's temper, but one place it won't cost him is in the wallet. In the wake of Stewart's sarcastic post-race remarks, NASCAR announced Tuesday that they will not pursue disciplinary action against the reigning Sprint Cup champion.  To say that Stewart was annoyed or mad after a late race wreck ruined what could have been a special day at Talladega Superspeedway would be an understatement.  Fans and media members alike were once again reminded of why the three-time champion is viewed as one of NASCAR's most polarizing figures during interviews following the event.

Stewart began expressing his frustration by sarcastically answering questions aimed at him concerning Talladega and the way that the governing body handles restrictor plate races.
   
"I don't think it really matters," Stewart said when asked if he believed races there should be shortened.  "I think if you made it 20 laps, we would all still crash with five to go or eight to go.  If we did that, we would be able to fill the time that the fans deserve. I mean, they deserve to see us run 500 miles. Like I said, if we don't crash half of the field by the end of the race they really need to extend it because that is what the fans want; they want to see that excitement. I feel bad that as drivers we couldn't do a better job of crashing enough cars for them today."

Comments like these may have shocked those who heard them simply because many people couldn't recognize if Stewart was serious or simply joking.  Later, when asked if he was happy or upset with the way the race played out, the driver responded with another confusing and somewhat cynical message.

"I'm upset that we didn't crash more cars. I feel like that is what we are here for," he added. "I feel bad if I don't spend at least $150,000 in torn up race cars going back to the shop. We definitely have to do a better job with that."

For those who have followed the sport for the past 14 years, Stewart's actions probably don't come as a big surprise.  Over the course of his career in NASCAR, Stewart has created a lasting impression as someone who is both highly opinionated -- especially regarding some of the sports more controversial issues -- and as one who won't hesitate to express his views by almost any means necessary.

Penske Crew Chiefs Fined Following Nationwide Infractions

The atmosphere at Penske Racing shops took a hit Tuesday despite Brad Keselowski's win in the Aaron's 499 at Talladega over the weekend.  Following opening day inspection infractions committed by both Penske Nationwide teams, crew chiefs Jeremy Bullins (No. 22 car) and Chad Walter (No. 12) have each been fined $10,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31.

Officials found several rules infractions on the cars when they were submitted for inspection before teams ever took the track for practice.  Both cars were found to have broken the following rules: Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing), 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20-A of the rule book), 20A-2.1E (streamlining of the contours of the car, beyond what is approved by the series director will not be permitted.  Installation of air directional devices, underpans, baffles, shields or the like beneath the car or the car's hood and fender area, front firewall, floor, rear firewall area, rear deck and quarter panel will not be permitted.  If, in the judgment of NASCAR officials, any part or component of the car not previously approved by NASCAR has been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance, will not be permitted.  All cars must remain standard in appearance), 20A-3.10A (front upper bumper cover must be from the respective OEM manufacturer and must be approved by NASCAR.  The front lower bumper cover and rear bumper cover must be from an approved manufacturer and must be approved by NASCAR.  Once approved, the front lower bumper covers may be used on all approved models.  NASCAR officials may use bumper covers provided by the respective manufacturer as a guide in determining whether a competitor's bumper cover conforms to the specifications of the NASCAR rule book.  Unless otherwise authorized by the series director, cutting and reshaping of bumper covers will not be permitted.)

NASCAR is apparently taking a closer look at this particular section on the Nationwide Series cars.  Just last week, the crew chiefs from six Nationwide teams from Richard Childress Racing and Turner Motorsports were given identical penalties for similar infractions.

Ragan to Honor Fallen Police Officers

David Ragan's No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford Fusion has seen several different sponsors and badges this season, but perhaps none have had more of an impact than those which will be sported at Darlington this weekend. During the Bojangles' Southern 500, Ragan will honor Scotty Richardson and Sandy Rogers – former public safety officers who were shot and killed earlier this year in Aiken, SC, in the form of a tributary sticker located alongside fellow sponsor McCall Farms.

Richardson was killed in December 2011 when he and his partner pulled over a suspect in a drive-by shooting who opened fire on them, killing Richardson and wounding his partner.  Rogers became the first female officer in South Carolina history to be killed in the line of duty when she was gunned down in January approaching the scene of another murder.

Ragan is coming off a top-10 finish this weekend for FRM at Talladega, his best result in his new 2012 ride.

 

Have news for Brad and 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 Thursday with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!

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Today's Featured Commentary
Listening At All Times
Full Throttle
by Mike Neff


After the race at Talladega, Tony Stewart's soliloquy was an oration for the ages. To the uneducated, it might have sounded as though Stewart was legitimately saddened by the fact that more cars weren't torn up during the event. However, the point of the discourse may have been a shot at the media for their continuing focus on the lack of wrecks over the past few races, or it potentially could have been aimed at the fans who seem to want more crashes, at least at Bristol Motor Speedway. Smoke may have even been taking a shot at NASCAR and how the new restrictor plate rules package made it extremely difficult to race with cars overheating, even in the middle of the pack.  Some in attendance were amused, others were puzzled, but surely it made all reporters sit up and listen, right?  Well, not so fast.

On PRN's Fast Talk with Doug Rice and Kyle Petty Monday evening, Jeff Gluck from SB Nation made the comment that, for the reporters who asked questions near the end of the Stewart rant, they may have just not have been paying attention - adding to the confusion over whether the driver was sounding sarcastic or serious. He stated that there are times, when you are at the track every week, that you have your own agenda. You attend driver availabilities, stick your recorder into the driver's face, wait for your turn, ask your question, and then listen to the responses later.

Huh? As a member of the media, I disagree with that philosophy, and while it probably happens that way for some writers, it shouldn't. We owe it to the fans and the drivers to give our undivided attention during the times we interact with people providing us information. It's troubling to think that sometimes, certain experts in the sport might not really be listening to what's being said. Being a member of the media is a job, a career, a calling, a vocation, or some combination of all of those things. And while it might sound self-serving or egotistical, it is also an important role. The media has a duty to be factually accurate, attentive to detail and to perform due diligence whenever pursuing a story. That applies to any interactions with the drivers during race weekends, PR events or personal interviews. Just like the drivers need to always focus on the task at hand, the people who write and broadcast about them need to make sure they don't just "mail in" their efforts.

One of the complaints that we hear from time to time doing this job is that the drivers have no emotion. They show up for their assigned media availability and spit out canned answers with no thought or feeling behind them. If an established member of the media is going to admit, on a nationally broadcast radio show, that writers don't always pay attention during the times when drivers are speaking, then who can blame the drivers? The media plays a very important role in the world of NASCAR. The views that fans have of the drivers are most often shaped based on the words that the print and electronic media share with them about their heroes or the villains of the sport. The least the members of the media can do is have the decency to give their attention to the drivers, crew chiefs, owners, celebrities and fans that they speak to during a race weekend.

There are millions of NASCAR fans in the world, and there are thousands who would love to bring the story to those fans on a weekly basis. The pool of outlets that bring those written visions to the fans is getting smaller and smaller, and the number of people supplying the narratives to the outlets is shrinking at an even more rapid pace. It's more important than ever for who's holding the recorder to have their ears and eyes open at all times, because if the "agenda" they're after differs from what actually happens, thousands or perhaps millions of fans' opinions could be unfairly affected. Smoke may have been pulling our leg, but the media needs to make sure in these types of situations, they're doing enough to pull their weight in the face of a rapidly changing story.

Mike Neff is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com.  He can be reached via e-mail at mike.neff@frontstretch.com.

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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.
 
If you are interested, contact frontstretcheditors@googlegroups.com. Please include references to your past work in your e-mail.

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Tweet 'N' Greet
by Summer Dreyer

Editor's Note: With the NASCAR Twitter community expanding by leaps and bounds, it remains a place for instantaneous news, reactions, and a whole lot of inside jokes. We understand if you don't want to join the Twitter community - but as a fan, it's important to know the news and info you're missing out on! That's why, every week, Summer Dreyer will sort through the thousands of messages and give us a little taste of what's going on each Wednesday.

So, without further ado, here's a look at what those in NASCAR were thinking over the past seven days...

@Rchildress3 (Richard Childress): Have you ever been in a situation when you really wanted to say something but !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@KevinHarvick: Just finished the CPR class with this little guy! http://t.co/XKl7Yb3i

@nascarcasm: Really wish @KyleBusch would stop begging me for an RT JUST because it's his birthday, sheesh... #nascar

@RickyCarmichael: Hey @DeLanaHarvick ol @KevinHarvick better enjoy these last few months of freedom and doing what he wants. #babylockdowniscoming

@ClintBowyer: It's so sad to see this awesome facility just sitting here with nothing going on but testing. http://t.co/D1B9dbnG

@jeff_gluck: Want to see the reason for the debris cautions? A top #NASCARofficial calls people like that "a little needy" --> http://t.co/zWKhqNPP

@TheOrangeCone: All you dummies watching at home who want to see debris that causes cautions can keep wishing. It's officially NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.

@jeff_gluck: Personally, I would like to see the reason for every debris caution just so everyone knows it's legit. But then again, I'm kind of needy.

@Tbayne21 (Trevor Bayne): Bout to swing some clubs with @StenhouseJr... No telling what's gonna happen! #foouurrr!!

@RyanNewman39: B's first big catch! http://t.co/TC0t4b2a

@EmmaBlaney: Is @RyanBlaney10 off his high horse yet from this weekend? Yup, Mom made him do his Economics homework bright and early Monday morning.

@PPistone (Pete Pistone): Is #NASCAR perfect? Nope. But still better than that mess going on in #IndyCar right now.

@MrsDGilly (Michelle Gilliland): Went to Lowe's w/ @DavidGilliland he ran into me w/cart and told me he was practicing bump drafting.

@RutledgeWood: Here's today's office on @KPCharityRide http://instagr.am/p/KIVNOtDApm/

@KPCharityRide: GORGEOUS! Million Dollar Highway! Thank you @FLUIDYNE for our riding gloves - going to be chilly in the mountains!

@landoncassill: It's @echocassill birthday today and I'm trying to get her in trouble by calling her during class. happy bday sis

@JimmieJohnson: #HardToBelieve http://t.co/egY0KV9j

@DeLanaHarvick: hey @NewmanKrissie thanks for getting me stuck on sonic ice while i'm pregnant... baby otis insists on it! #pebbleice

@Andy__Rock (Andy Hillenburg): Wow remodeled bathrooms in the infield at @TalladegaSuperS (I notice stuff like that now) used to only look at cars

@JimmieJohnson: Video from the ride I gave Knaus in the @TORCOffRoad truck a few weeks ago. #goodtimes http://t.co/fhsN8PyK

@pkligerman (Parker Kligerman): Just RAN across entire CLT airport in under 5 min to make flight, in flip flops and with 2 bags. Need a shower. #travellikeaboss

@nascarcasm: Talladega and Kentucky Derby being run on same weekend confuses me. I begin wondering which horses are hanging in the back to avoid trouble.

@ClintBowyer: OK...Think I've changed my opinion on Nashville! Right now, on this very minute. I hate it...

@PPistone: I respect those with complaints and criticisms to be sure but still believe that's a vocal minority whether it's racing, TV, or whatever

@dennyhamlin: Went to Tuscaloosa today for a home dedication to the Torres family whose home was destroyed during last year's tornados. @fedexcares

@scottspeed: There is nothing I have ever done in my life that has given me more pleasure then watching my lil baby girl grow up...

@AJDinger (AJ Allmendinger): Think she'll be good this weekend...hopefully the other cars can keep wheels on in pit lane

@RB_Mrs (Nicole Briscoe): Random TV pet peeve: Taping. Hate it. Live is soooo much better!

@nascarcasm: Someone please keep an eye on Bruton and Humpy, and if you happen to hear "Hold my teeth," step in because it's about to get ugly. #nascar

@mw55 (Michael Waltrip): Costly putt @dennyhamlin http://t.co/i9DNUXGW

@dennyhamlin: @mw55 for you yes it was. Sorry buddy

@ESPNMcGee (Ryan McGee): You know you're at a gas station near the racetrack when... http://t.co/W3q3xztE

@Kenny_Wallace: I have not been in the @NASCAR_NNS car for 2 races and crew members are coming up to me like I've been gone a year! I love you all too :)

@Kenny_Wallace: I just entered the @NASCAR_NNS hauler and seen these "Not Approved" Dodge noses! Oh My not again! 2 weeks in a row. http://t.co/LjW6BHJY

@DNewtonESPN (Dave Newton): Alabama paint scheme and Bama helmet? You finally can feel like a champion @ClintBowyer. #NASCAR #CFB #RollTide

@Elliott_Sadler: Note to self.... Don't leave phone unattended or unlocked around my bunch!!!

@DeLanaHarvick: bebe, a.k.a. the "turd burglar" isn't too happy with my babies r us find today! #nomorekittypoosnacks http://t.co/4ULwsTz9

@nascarcasm: This morning, Dale Jr. woke up, walked to the bathroom, grabbed a razor, and said, "Here comes today's top news story..." #nascar

@nascarcasm: This could be the coolest supermarket display of all time. #IndyCar http://t.co/9N8GE9mo

@Kenny_Wallace: The Motor Home is gonna be easy to explain, Next to sell is my Home in Concord N.C....We are moving back to St.Louis :)

@Andy__Rock: Being at a racetrack is like being in a giant force field to me. I truly love this stuff. Wish you guys were ALL here!!! #NASCAR

@KurtBusch: "If you ain't first, you're last." http://t.co/U3Vy5t2s

@RyanTruex: I just tried to eat my cereal with a fork... I'm up too early

@ClintBowyer: Going to be interesting to see how tough it'll be to manage temps being that it is a lot hotter than it was in February.

@bobpockrass: When I watched the 48 go through tech, it appeared officials took a little longer on the c-posts before they moved on. #nascar

@KevinHarvick: Went for a jog through the Talladega infield learned it is pretty warm outside and I was the only one without a beer in my hand...

@jamiemcmurray: Happy with the car today. I think keeping the cars cool enough is going to be a challenge on Sunday.

@Kenny_Wallace: Congrats to @SPEED TV analyst @LarryMac28 on his Boy "Brandon McReynolds" Winning the Talladega ARCA race! BIG WIN :)

@joeylogano: Congrats to my good buddy @franchize28 on that ARCA win. Wish I could have seen it but with AIDB kids. @NASCARonSPEED

@J_Allgaier (Justin Allgaier): Can't thank everyone at @SPEED and @RickAllenracing and @philparsons98 for letting me commentate. Had a blast

@Kenny_Wallace: I must say the Fans in Talladega Alabama are Awesome :) I stopped at a store and they attacked me! I Love Alabama! Whoooo! Earnhardt!

@bscottracing (Brian Scott): Well I cruised @TalladegaSuperS #blvd and I saw some things that, quite frankly, I wish I could un-see. Still a sight to see though!

@DanicaPatrick: Even more fun! @StenhouseJr http://t.co/F1uwdgxm

@franchize28 (Brandon McReynolds): woke up this morning as a Talladega winner! #Hard to believe

@scottspeed: I just woke up... My hair is pretty awesome! ;) http://t.co/5U64m3dT

@DanicaPatrick: I have to say Talladega Blvd is a damn good party and it was fun to see! Here was my final bead shot. http://t.co/X5LO9zSj

@DanicaPatrick: Go to @godaddy to find out how I got them. Hehe

@TBayne21: Really excited to have Camping World and Good Sam Club back on board for 4 more races!! http://woodbrothersracing.com/?p=3851 @campingworld @thegoodsamclub

@jeff_gluck: Carl Edwards just stopped and had a conversation with this girl, who happened to win @odsteve's contest this week. http://t.co/zntGPIFp

@jeff_gluck: After Carl and the girl took the photo, he invited her to walk with him down pit road to his car. Pretty cool.

@kaseykahne: The spot where I have done majority of my interviews over the years at Talladega. http://t.co/Rb7IsLXm

@KevinHarvick: That's Talladega... I'm all good looked like it was just too many cars going for one spot. #thatsracing

@DeLanaHarvick: @KevinHarvick is OK... Made my heart stop for a moment. Prayers for the 14 and all others that were involved.

@JeffGordonWeb: Very thankful of SAFER barriers. As bad as that was it would have been much worse without them. Not sure why tires weren't locked up though?

@jeff_gluck: Everyone on pit road watches as helicopter carrying Eric McClure takes off. http://t.co/y78tm9Sm

@JeffGordonWeb: Just seeing the car on TV & seeing the steering column tells how big of an impact that was. Wow! Really hope he's OK.

@jeff_gluck: This is as close as NASCAR would let me get to McClure's car. Just tremendous damage. http://t.co/M60aigDM

@nascarcasm: One of those races where your only thought is, "Thank God that's over." #nascar

@nateryan: Nationwide Series director Joe Balash said no drivers were called to the Nationwide hauler after the race. #Nascar

@jim_utter: Apparently there was one more free pass given out after the race by #NASCAR

@kaseykahne: Sure was an exciting finish today! Fun watching from the couch every once in awhile.

@nascarcasm: Kyle Busch now planning on bringing a wig with long, black hair with him into the car, just in case. #NewPrecedent #Danica #Nascar

@DavidStremme: Maybe it's just girls can have at it

@skiprec (Ray Evernham): Glad to hear good news that Eric McClure has been alert . What these guys do is dangerous. We must never take driver safety lightly.

@joeylogano: Got the hardware woooo what a fun race. Thoughts and prayers are with Eric McClure http://t.co/F9dSJ2Mp

@3widemiddle (Chris Lambert): I guess Hornish didn't get the memo about giving Danica ALL the room she needs/wants!

@joeylogano: Eating a burger with pops and @LarryMac28. Crazy celebration ha @NASCARonSPEED #NASCAR http://t.co/H9xdXhkm

@31n2Spotter (Brett Griffin): And for all of the fans b*tching saying u want more wrecks I hope you watched today!!

@odsteve (Steve O'Donnell): HIPPA laws require patient/family member to "OK" release of any information - same policy for me or you and we comply with this at all times

@TimmyHillRacer: Thanks everyone for the wishes & prayers! I am doing better now! Been having flu like symptoms all day & played it safe with a driver swap

@DanicaPatrick: Just talked to @SamHornish and we are all good! He told me he had a flat right front which explains both incidences

@FrontRowJoe87 (Joe Nemechek): I'm looking at a top 3 and then... it does not get much tougher than it did today! :(

@KevinHarvick: Congratulations to my sister and her husband on the birth of their new baby boy Wyatt!!! #happyuncle

@Kris_Buescher: Please keep my family and I in your prayers... tire blew out on the motorhome. Everyone is okay! Thank you lord!

@Kris_Buescher: Everyone is okay...Gracie got stitches, James nothing, my mom cuts, and I hit my head. Just had a ct scan.

@Kris_Buescher: No Disney trip for us...we are headed back HOME! I don't think I will ever ride in a motorhome again!

@jeff_gluck: LOLOLOLOL... Kurt Busch is reciting the Ricky Bobby dinner speech word-by-word.

@jeff_gluck: Kurt Busch just thanked the tiny, infant baby Jesus and the new flavor of Mountain Dew mentioned in the movie.

@PPistone: I don't think Talladega Nights got this much attention when it was released like 5 years ago did it?

@KurtBusch: Driver intros just got pushed back an hour. That idea is about as good as a velvet painting of a whale & a dolphin gettin it on

@NASCAR_WXMAN (Brian Neudorff): I blame @rainonraceday for it raining, the person behind the account is ACTUALLY @TalladegaSuperS that's bad joojoo

@RutledgeWood: Respect the nap time folks! @JimmieJohnson means quiet ! pic.twitter.com/MJdpC8VG

@jeff_gluck: Just saw like a 5-year-old kid wearing a wife beater, camo shorts and a Dale Jr. hat. TALLADEGA!!!

@ClintBowyer: I'll be Damned if I don't have blisters on my feet... and matching 2 1/2 inch blisters on "BOTH" ass cheeks. Can't help but laugh! #FML

@SherryPollex: Hearing "4 wide, you're on the top" is not what I'd like to hear on MT's radio. Seriously?!! It's lap 20.

@JimmieJohnson: A view of the race I would rather not have... Oh well, let's go @TeamHendrick! #200 http://pic.twitter.com/kmpMiSAG

@Regan_Smith_: For those wondering our engine never got hot before it blew up. It was something else internal

@SherryPollex: Pretty sure we're junk. What the hell happened back there?? Geez. Come on ppl. http://t.co/QvYKUaHW

@landoncassill: Ugh. Looks like some folks missed their fuel mileage numbers. Headed to the care center. I'm fine.

@SherryPollex: I wonder if everyone that was complaining that there weren't enough wrecks in the last few races are happy now?

@MrsDGilly: I asked our car chief to hold my hand. He thought I was joking until they wrecked.. I grabbed him. He just moved lol!!

@Samantha_Busch: @MrsDGilly I do death grips on our engineer's arm too lol

@queers4gears: what the cameras didn't show: when @keselowski had his hand out the window at the restart.... he was tweeting a pic

@MartinTruexJr56: Holy crap people relax. All i said was the 24 hit me when i went spinning down the track i had no control. Never said it was anyone's fault

@dennyhamlin: Man what a bad ending.. I thought the 22 knew I was already there but I guess not. That's speedway racing. Sorry to all involved

@gbiffle (Greg Biffle): Had a good run today just wish @mattkenseth and I could have stayed hooked up we would have been gone!!! Another nice job by the team

@KyleBusch: Proud of the effort by my guys, gave me a good car, just wish I could have stuck to @keselowski and made a run to the line. Good weekend.

@Tymwr (Ty Norris): Holy hell .. Glad that's over. I love dega, just friggin hard to spot and tell ur driver everything. On to Lady in Black

@KurtBusch: Damn - I hate this for @PhoenixRacing51 @SupportAFF@Patricia_AFF they deserved @ least a top 5 today. Wish I could have brought it home.

@keselowski: Wooop woop I love plate racing!

@TimmyHillRacer: Just want 2 let everyone know that I feel a lot better today! I have been able to eat & drink fluids! My energy is also just about all back!

@nateryan: If this #nascar thing doesn't work out, Tony Stewart might have a future in standup comedy. It's the best deadpan since Steven Wright's heyday.

@JennaFryer: You know what sucks? When @55MarkMartin tweets about his workouts. He should consider more butter, french fries and chocolate cake.

@nascarcasm: Smoke's quip about turning Talladega into a figure 8 and running it backwards was a joke - sorry to disappoint you, Travis Pastrana. #nascar

@2spotter (Joey Meier): Back @TalladegaSuperS enjoying the last few hours at track b4 they dig it up for the figure 8 redesign ......

@HigNASCAR (David Higdon): #TonyStewart's comments were not disparaging given the context in which he delivered them nor were they a direct shot at the sport. #NASCAR

@keselowski: Leaving post apocalyptic @TalladegaSuperS First ones in, last ones out. Good work team! Hard work= Results http://t.co/aStDGLwF

@FrontRowJoe87: Still amazing we can go from planning for the win to being out in an instant. Racing! Now focus on Darlington. Thanks to all! #nascar #fb

@keselowski: Thank u sir, May I have another? #NASCAR http://t.co/7Svrpxdk

@nascarcasm: #NASCAR has said that Smoke will not be fined for his comments after the Talladega race, which is good. Wait... were they being sarcastic?

@ericmcclure: Miranda & I would like to say thank you to everyone for the thoughts & prayers the past few days. The outpouring of concern & support from

@ericcmclure: the motorsports community, its participants and, most importantly, the fans is overwhelming and humbling. It's something I'll never forget

@ericmcclure: There will be continued updates as needed and I look forward to talking with everyone very soon. Thank you again to each of you..

@keselowski: Wow just saw my car for @CLTMotorSpdwy Memorial Day weekend. #Sweet Here it is ---> http://t.co/SRKeFBbK

@rchilders55 (Rodney Childers): Yeah, quite a few rule changes just came out from NASCAR... Some of them are going to change some things up big time with setup stuff...

@rchilders55: Effective May 16th.. So we can have a week to get things changed around and get ready for it.

@rchilders55: Biggest thing that will affect the teams is a new minimum side skirt height for all tracks. 1.5" higher left side and 1" higher right side.

@rchilders55: One thing on shocks, one thing on crush panels, shark and deck lid fins at tracks 2mi and longer, that was about it.

Summer Dreyer is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via email at summer.dreyer@frontstretch.com.

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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:

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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:

Q: Today, Darlington Raceway's only Sprint Cup race is a 500-mile event. However, the "old" Spring race at Darlington - back when the venue had two Cup dates - was shortened, for a time from 500 miles (367 laps) to 400 miles (293 laps) in 1994. Why did that happen?

Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
 
Tuesday's Answer:

Q: Here's an easy one. For the 1997 Mountain Dew Southern 500, the start-finish line was moved to the backstretch. Why?

A: Darlington Raceway was looking to potentially add more seating for fans. However, the original frontstretch (current backstretch) is effectively right up against the Harry Byrd Highway (South Carolina Routes 34 and 151). In addition, the NMPA (National Motorsports Press Association) Hall of Fame is also right behind the existing grandstand. For lack of better words, there was simply no room to expand.

Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee:  If we mess up, you get the shirt off our backs!  If we've provided an incorrect answer to the Frontstretch Trivia question, be the first to email the corrected trivia answer to trivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE! 

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Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Phil Allaway
--
What's Vexing Vito by Vito Pugliese
--
Critic's Annex by Phil Allaway
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, the Line of the Week and more!

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Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:


Did You Notice?... by Tom Bowles
Tom is back with his series of quick hits after Talladega. (Postponed from Wednesday)

MPM2Nite by Matt McLaughlin
Matt McLaughlin is back again this season with his usual sarcastic sense of humor ... and incomparable insight. This week, Matt tackles Tony Stewart's postrace rant from Talladega and what those comments could tell us about the state of the sport.

Potts' Shots by John Potts
Fanning the Flames has become Potts' Shots, and John Potts is here to answer your questions in our weekly Fan Q & A. Do you have something you'd like to ask John? Don't sit on the sidelines! Send it to john.potts@frontstretch.com and you just may see your question in print next week!

Professor Of Speed by Mark Howell
Our professor of racing history "has at it" with another column pertinent to the sport at large. This week, Mark looks ahead to the upcoming race at Dover and the focus NASCAR places on autism as an emerging epidemic.

Dollars and Sense by Jesse Medford
The newest addition to the Frontstretch family will take a look at the business side of NASCAR.

Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back this year on a new night, but it's the same great commentary you've come to enjoy on NASCAR's Truck Series!
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