THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
June 29th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CXXVI
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James Buescher Dominates in UNOH 225 Victory
by Bryan Davis Keith
This one was almost over before it started. Though much of the talk pre-race circulated around Turner Motorsports' most recent winner in Nelson Piquet, Jr after he qualified second, it was clear early that James Buescher was the class of the field on Thursday. Leading 119 of the 150 laps run, Buescher blasted to the front on a lap 108 restart past Ty Dillon and Timothy Peters and never looked back, scoring his second win of the season. The victory made Buescher the first repeat winner of the 2012 Truck Series season. Brad Keselowski, Dillon, pole sitter Matt Crafton and Peters rounded out the top 5.
Bryan Davis Keith is a Senior Editor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at bryan.keith@frontstretch.com.
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Top News
by Jeff Wolfe
Hamlin Close to Contract Extension with JGR
While the focus surrounds the possibility of Matt Kenseth signing with Joe Gibbs Racing, another driver looks to extend his contract with the organization. According to USA Today, Denny Hamlin in the final stages of negotiating a contract extension with the only team he's raced for in the Sprint Cup Series.
"I think I'm up at the end of next year, but I know where my future is, and that's at Gibbs. FedEx knows who they want driving their car. We typically try to do our deals together as a partnership, because that's what it is between the three of us," Hamlin said. "As long as FedEx likes me, I know I want to be with Gibbs. We're to all working together to solidify that for years to come. I think it'll be done within a week. Everything but the ink on the paper is pretty much done. Everything is pretty much locked in, and we know where we're going to be for the foreseeable future."
Hamlin, who drives the No. 11 Toyota, continues to have a strong relationship with his sponsor, FedEx, and earlier this week spent time at a FedEx Hub in Anchorage, Alaska.
"My relationship with FedEx has been amazing. I'm very, very blessed, and I never take it for granted how good of a sponsor I have, especially as economically tight as sponsorship is now," he said. "It is very cool the things I get to do with them. Visiting the hubs and the employees is what gets me going the most, because they're the ones that have your back no matter what.
"Just look at all the championship drivers having trouble getting sponsorship and filling sponsorship for their race cars. It has been good to be branded as the FedEx guy. As long as I can keep the sponsor happy, I feel I have a job in the sport for years to come."
Hamlin is still trying to win his first Sprint Cup championship. After finishing second in the standings to Jimmie Johnson two years ago, he slumped to ninth last season. This season he is eighth in the standings and two victories, making him a virtual lock to qualify for NASCAR's Chase for the Championship.
Mayfield Case Against NASCAR Officially Over
According to Sporting News' Bob Pockrass, former NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield didn't file an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court by Wednesday's deadline, essentially ending Mayfield's long-standing lawsuit to fight his 2009 suspension for a failed drug test for methamphetamines.
A U.S. District Court judge ruled in favor of NASCAR in 2010 and a U.S. Court of Appeals upheld that ruling in March, citing that Mayfield signed a waiver regarding the implementation of NASCAR's substance-abuse policy.
"We're pleased that this case is behind us," NASCAR spokesman David Higdon said. "The courts supported our position that NASCAR can establish reasonable rules and requirements to help us regulate our sport."
While NASCAR may be finished with its role in the court case, Mayfield has more legal issues remaining. He faces 19 felony charges in three North Carolina counties, mostly on stolen goods related charges and one methamphetmine charge. Mayfield is currently free on bond and faces three court dates in September. The 43-year-old last raced in a NASCAR Sprint Cup series in 2009.
UPS Delivers One-Race Sponsorship For Edwards in Kentucky
The United Parcel Service will return to the NASCAR Sprint Cup series for one race this weekend in Kentucky, where it will sponsor the No. 99 Roush Fenway car of Carl Edwards. UPS was a regular NASCAR sponsor for years, before pulling out this season. UPS had been the primary sponsor for Dale Jarrett in the 1990s and early 2000s and then for David Regan.
UPS is back on the track at Kentucky Speedway this week largely because the track is located about 90 miles from its UPS Worldport hub in Louisville, Ky., the largest fully automated package handling facility in the world. It services 130 aircraft each day and processes more than 1.6 million packages per day.
Edwards currently sits 11th in points, just 11 markers behind 10th place Brad Keselowski and is searching for that elusive win. In the first 16 races this season, Edwards has just two top-5 and five top-10 finishes. He did finish fifth last year at Kentucky, the first Sprint Cup race at that track.
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.
~~~~~~~~~~
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!
~~~~~~~~~~
In Case You Missed It
by Nick Schwartz and Beth Lunkenheimer
Phoenix Racing to honor military members in special paint schemes
In an effort to honor our nation's military members, Phoenix Racing will begin displaying certain individuals on the No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet. This weekend at Kentucky Speedway, 1st Lieutenant Ashley White Stumpf, late member of the Army Rangers, will adorn the No. 51. Stumpf was killed in October of 2011 in Khandahar, Afghanistan. She had volunteered to work with Special Operations Forces, and worked extensively with Afghan women and children.
Wimmer Working on Nationwide Deal
According to WAOW ABC 9, Scott Wimmer is close to inking a Nationwide Series deal that would put him back behind the wheel later this season. With an expected return at Rockingham, the partnership would include a full-time commitment for next season as well. Wimmer believes the deal would allow him to be competitive week after week. The 36-year-old ran just 21 Nationwide events last year with a variety of teams, including a best finish of 12th at Talladega behind the wheel of the No. 40 Key Motorsports Chevrolet.
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
June 29th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CXXVI
~~~~~~~~~~
James Buescher Dominates in UNOH 225 Victory
by Bryan Davis Keith
This one was almost over before it started. Though much of the talk pre-race circulated around Turner Motorsports' most recent winner in Nelson Piquet, Jr after he qualified second, it was clear early that James Buescher was the class of the field on Thursday. Leading 119 of the 150 laps run, Buescher blasted to the front on a lap 108 restart past Ty Dillon and Timothy Peters and never looked back, scoring his second win of the season. The victory made Buescher the first repeat winner of the 2012 Truck Series season. Brad Keselowski, Dillon, pole sitter Matt Crafton and Peters rounded out the top 5.
The extreme heat and bumpy racing surface made for treacherous conditions early, as John Wes Townley, Todd Bodine and Jeff Agnew all were involved in individual spins in Turn 3 early. The most notable wreck of the evening came on lap 69; entering Turn 1, Bodine tried to squeeze himself under Justin Lofton and the two made contact, spinning out and collecting Nelson Piquet as well. The resulting damage to the passenger side of Lofton's truck left the No. 6 team to finish 14th, a result that cost them the points lead to Peters and Red Horse Racing.
Perhaps the most notable story off the track was the crowd...or lack thereof. The grandstands were sparse and the infield quiet for the rare weeknight race, a dismal first indicator of how the Kentucky Speedway is set to rebound from its ugly traffic snafu in 2011.
For more details on Thursday's event, check out Beth Lunkenheimer's Tracking the Trucks feature Saturday on the Frontstretch.
Bryan Davis Keith is a Senior Editor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at bryan.keith@frontstretch.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
Top News
by Jeff Wolfe
Hamlin Close to Contract Extension with JGR
While the focus surrounds the possibility of Matt Kenseth signing with Joe Gibbs Racing, another driver looks to extend his contract with the organization. According to USA Today, Denny Hamlin in the final stages of negotiating a contract extension with the only team he's raced for in the Sprint Cup Series.
"I think I'm up at the end of next year, but I know where my future is, and that's at Gibbs. FedEx knows who they want driving their car. We typically try to do our deals together as a partnership, because that's what it is between the three of us," Hamlin said. "As long as FedEx likes me, I know I want to be with Gibbs. We're to all working together to solidify that for years to come. I think it'll be done within a week. Everything but the ink on the paper is pretty much done. Everything is pretty much locked in, and we know where we're going to be for the foreseeable future."
Hamlin, who drives the No. 11 Toyota, continues to have a strong relationship with his sponsor, FedEx, and earlier this week spent time at a FedEx Hub in Anchorage, Alaska.
"My relationship with FedEx has been amazing. I'm very, very blessed, and I never take it for granted how good of a sponsor I have, especially as economically tight as sponsorship is now," he said. "It is very cool the things I get to do with them. Visiting the hubs and the employees is what gets me going the most, because they're the ones that have your back no matter what.
"Just look at all the championship drivers having trouble getting sponsorship and filling sponsorship for their race cars. It has been good to be branded as the FedEx guy. As long as I can keep the sponsor happy, I feel I have a job in the sport for years to come."
Hamlin is still trying to win his first Sprint Cup championship. After finishing second in the standings to Jimmie Johnson two years ago, he slumped to ninth last season. This season he is eighth in the standings and two victories, making him a virtual lock to qualify for NASCAR's Chase for the Championship.
Mayfield Case Against NASCAR Officially Over
According to Sporting News' Bob Pockrass, former NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield didn't file an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court by Wednesday's deadline, essentially ending Mayfield's long-standing lawsuit to fight his 2009 suspension for a failed drug test for methamphetamines.
A U.S. District Court judge ruled in favor of NASCAR in 2010 and a U.S. Court of Appeals upheld that ruling in March, citing that Mayfield signed a waiver regarding the implementation of NASCAR's substance-abuse policy.
"We're pleased that this case is behind us," NASCAR spokesman David Higdon said. "The courts supported our position that NASCAR can establish reasonable rules and requirements to help us regulate our sport."
While NASCAR may be finished with its role in the court case, Mayfield has more legal issues remaining. He faces 19 felony charges in three North Carolina counties, mostly on stolen goods related charges and one methamphetmine charge. Mayfield is currently free on bond and faces three court dates in September. The 43-year-old last raced in a NASCAR Sprint Cup series in 2009.
UPS Delivers One-Race Sponsorship For Edwards in Kentucky
The United Parcel Service will return to the NASCAR Sprint Cup series for one race this weekend in Kentucky, where it will sponsor the No. 99 Roush Fenway car of Carl Edwards. UPS was a regular NASCAR sponsor for years, before pulling out this season. UPS had been the primary sponsor for Dale Jarrett in the 1990s and early 2000s and then for David Regan.
UPS is back on the track at Kentucky Speedway this week largely because the track is located about 90 miles from its UPS Worldport hub in Louisville, Ky., the largest fully automated package handling facility in the world. It services 130 aircraft each day and processes more than 1.6 million packages per day.
Edwards currently sits 11th in points, just 11 markers behind 10th place Brad Keselowski and is searching for that elusive win. In the first 16 races this season, Edwards has just two top-5 and five top-10 finishes. He did finish fifth last year at Kentucky, the first Sprint Cup race at that track.
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.
~~~~~~~~~~
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!
~~~~~~~~~~
In Case You Missed It
by Nick Schwartz and Beth Lunkenheimer
Phoenix Racing to honor military members in special paint schemes
In an effort to honor our nation's military members, Phoenix Racing will begin displaying certain individuals on the No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet. This weekend at Kentucky Speedway, 1st Lieutenant Ashley White Stumpf, late member of the Army Rangers, will adorn the No. 51. Stumpf was killed in October of 2011 in Khandahar, Afghanistan. She had volunteered to work with Special Operations Forces, and worked extensively with Afghan women and children.
Wimmer Working on Nationwide Deal
According to WAOW ABC 9, Scott Wimmer is close to inking a Nationwide Series deal that would put him back behind the wheel later this season. With an expected return at Rockingham, the partnership would include a full-time commitment for next season as well. Wimmer believes the deal would allow him to be competitive week after week. The 36-year-old ran just 21 Nationwide events last year with a variety of teams, including a best finish of 12th at Talladega behind the wheel of the No. 40 Key Motorsports Chevrolet.
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COME JOIN THE FRONTSTRETCH FAMILY!
If you are interested, contact frontstretcheditors@googlegroups.com. Please include references to your past work in your e-mail.
~~~~~~~~~~
Keepin' It Short: Racing For America's Birthday
by Mike Neff
While Summer has only been officially here for a week, July 4th unofficially marks the mid point of the season. The holiday is famous for picnics and parties, but it is also one of the biggest race weekends of the year. Daytona used to host the Firecracker 400 on the 4th of July, although now it is just a weekend close to the 4th. However, at short tracks around the country, there will be races and fireworks displays galore between Sunday and Wednesday, culminating in the huge night of the same on the 4th of July.
The World Crown will take place at Gresham Motorsports Park. For 29 years Gresham has hosted one of the biggest Super Late Model races of the Summer and all of the biggest names in Super racing will once again descend on the Jefferson, Georgia race track to try and take home the crown. In the Midwest, the Hell Tour continues to roll as Late Models and UMP Modifieds will cruise through Peoria, Alexander, LaSalle and Macon, Illinois from Monday through Thursday. The competitors on the Hell Tour have had an unprecedented run of fortunate weather with 15 straight race days without a single rain out.
Caraway Speedway will be running the annual Rusty Harpe Memorial as they have every year for the last six years in honor of one of the most popular drivers to ever race at the track. Pennsylvania Speedweek for 410 Sprint Cars is opening up on Saturday with races on consecutive nights at Lincoln, Big Diamond, Grandview, Hagerstown, Williams Grove, Port Royal and Selinsgrove. Ohio Sprint Week continues to ramble around the state before concluding Saturday night at Fremont Speedway.
Attending local short track events is more of an experience than just a destination. Tailgating and cooking out are always part of the experience but they are even more a part of the race day when it is the 4th of July. Socializing with fellow Americans, who are also race fans, while cheering for favorite friends and drivers on the track will be a huge part of the day. As the economy continues to turn around and more people are beginning to have some disposable income, visiting local tracks, especially on a week night, will go a long way toward promoting auto racing and ensuring that the tracks will be there for years to come.
America will be 236 years old on Wednesday while auto racing is just over 100 years old. Everyone should go out and support their local race track and celebrate the fact that we live in the greatest country in the world where we are allowed to watch races, burn meat, drink malted beverages and blow up things without fear of our freedoms being wrested away from us. God Bless America!!
Whelen All-American National Championship Points
Anthony Anders has been leading the points race since the first week that points were released in May. It has been primarily a preponderance of races, as Anders has logged more events than anyone else in the top 10. Unfortunately for Anders, the points only take into account the top 18 points races. As a result, the point battle is tightening up at the top of the standings. Nate Monteith continues to benefit from the resurgence of Kingsport Speedway and their large fields, as he's cut Anders lead down to 15 points.
C.E. Falk will be a little tired if he races this weekend thanks to his participation in the Camping World Truck race at Kentucky Speedway Thursday night. The two drivers to keep an eye on are still Lee Pulliam and Duane Howard. Pulliam has been winning consistently since returning from his suspension and Howard is winning against full fields. Pulliam just needs to have enough cars show up at the races he's running while Howard has to hope that he doesn't have any slipups during the limited Summer schedule at Grandview.
Pos. Name Races Wins Top 5s Top 10s Total Points
1. Anthony Anders 31 2 19 29 565
2. Nate Monteith 18 6 13 15 550
3. Ted Christopher 20 4 15 16 538
4. Deac McCaskill 16 11 15 16 531
5. C.E. Falk III 17 9 13 15 521
6. Ryan Preece 19 5 12 16 519
7. Keith Rocco 20 6 11 14 512
8. Matt Bowling 18 1 13 16 493
9. Lee Pulliam 14 7 11 12 477
10. Duane Howard 11 7 10 11 447
**Under the points structure for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, the
race winner receives two points for every car in the event up to 20. Second
place receives two fewer points, and so-on through the field. Race winners
receive an additional five bonus points. For example, if there are 20 cars,
the winner receives 45 points, second gets 38 and third 36. If there are 15
cars, the winner received 35 points, second gets 28 and third 26. The top 18
races count towards the National Championship for a driver. A perfect season
for a driver would be 18 race wins with 20 car fields which equates to 810
points. The first driver to reach 810 points is declared the National
Champion in the event of a tie.**
ASA National Points
The ASA National Points race continues to get more and more interesting as Shelby Stroebel continues on an amazing tear of 12 straight victories in Modifieds at Meridian Speedway. While Stroebel and Mike Slone are the top two in the West Region and the top two in the National race, Barry Beggarly, last year's champion and Speedy Faucette are right on their tales. This battle is going to go down to the very end.
East Region Point Leaders
1. Barry Beggarly 1.9367
2. Dustin Rumley 1.9340
3. Speedy Faucette 1.9255
4. Rodney Cook 1.7500
5. Dean Fogleman 1.7201
West Region Point Leaders
1. Shelby Stroebel 2.4192
2. Mike Slone 2.0279
3. Rus Ward 1.9011
4. Matt Wallace 1.8440
5. Roger Wilson 1.7971
Throughout the season, drivers competing in the premiere divisions at eligible ASA Member Tracks are in the running for the 2012 ASA Member Track National Championship. In order to have a chance for the national title, a driver must first win their 2012 track championship.
Speednetdirect.com, for the fifth year in a row, will tabulate the National Championship standings. Using a proprietary formula that creates an average based on wins, finishing positions, number of cars passed, car counts and events. The driver who wins their track championship and has the highest average over the other ASA Member Track champions will win the 2012 ASA Member Track National Championship. Full standings are available at www.speednetdirect.com. Click on the ASA Member Track logo at the top of the page.
This Week's Race Schedule
Fri : June 29th – Ocean Speedway ; Watsonville : CA – Taco Bravo Ocean Sprints
Fri : June 29th – Stockton 99 Speedway ; Stockton : CA – NCMA Sprints
Fri : June 29th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – Late Models
Fri : June 29th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – Limited Late Models
Fri : June 29th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – SK Lights
Fri : June 29th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – SK Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Orlando Speedworld ; Orlando : FL – Brighthouse Challenge Super Late Models
Fri : June 29th – Boyd's Speedway ; Ringgold : GA – Southern Regional Racing Series
Fri : June 29th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets
Fri : June 29th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Legends
Fri : June 29th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Mel Kenyon Midgets
Fri : June 29th – Highway 3 Raceway ; Allison : IA – USMTS National Championship Series Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Belleville Highbanks ; Belleville : KS – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Fri : June 29th – Paducah International Raceway ; Paducah : KY – Hell Tour DIRTCar Late Models Summer Nationals
Fri : June 29th – Paducah International Raceway ; Paducah : KY – DIRTCar Summit UMP Modified Nationals
Fri : June 29th – Winston Speedway ; Rothbury : MI – Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models
Fri : June 29th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – USRA Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – IMCA Stock Cars
Fri : June 29th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – WISSOTA Street Stocks
Fri : June 29th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Fireworks 150 USCS 600 Sprint Cars
Fri : June 29th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Fireworks 150 USCS Outlaw Thunder Sprint Cars
Fri : June 29th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Late Models
Fri : June 29th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Street Stocks
Fri : June 29th – Valley Speedway ; Grain Valley : MO – United Late Model Association Late Models
Fri : June 29th – I-80 Speedway ; Greenwood : NE – Cornbelt Clash Late Models
Fri : June 29th – I-80 Speedway ; Greenwood : NE – Midwest Late Model Racing Association
Fri : June 29th – I-80 Speedway ; Greenwood : NE – MARS Dirtcar Series Late Models
Fri : June 29th – Lee USA Speedway ; Lee : NH – MRS Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – NDRA Road Show
Fri : June 29th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Jackson 50 Late Models
Fri : June 29th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Street Stocks
Fri : June 29th – Toledo Speedway ; Toledo : OH – USAC MOPAR National Midgets
Fri : June 29th – Toledo Speedway ; Toledo : OH – USAC Silver Crown
Fri : June 29th – Van Wert Fairgrounds ; Van Wert : OH – Antique Auto Racing Association
Fri : June 29th – Coos Bay International Speedway ; Coos Bay : OR – West Coast Vintage Racers
Fri : June 29th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – 358 Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Sportsman
Fri : June 29th – Lernerville Speedway ; Sarver : PA – World of Outlaws Late Models
Fri : June 29th – Estevan Motor Speedway ; Estevan : Saskatchewan – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Estevan Motor Speedway ; Estevan : Saskatchewan – IMCA Street Stocks
Fri : June 29th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Sprint Cars
Fri : June 29th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Street Stocks
Fri : June 29th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Super Stocks
Fri : June 29th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Sport Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Stock
Fri : June 29th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – Street Stock
Fri : June 29th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – Winged Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Fri : June 29th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Sprint Cars
Fri : June 29th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Street Stock
Fri : June 29th – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI – IMCA Sport Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI – Street Stocks
Fri : June 29th – St. Croix Valley Raceway ; St. Croix Falls : WI – Upper Midwest Sprints
Fri : June 29th – Sweetwater Speedway ; Sweetwater : WY – Championship Late Models
Sat : June 30th – NEA Speedway ; Harrisburg : AR – USCS 600 Sprint Cars
Sat : June 30th – NEA Speedway ; Harrisburg : AR – USCS Outlaw Thunder Sprint Cars
Sat : June 30th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – 305 Winged Sprints
Sat : June 30th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – 600 Mini Sprints
Sat : June 30th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Buttonwillow Raceway Park ; Buttonwillow : CA – 24 Hours of LeMons
Sat : June 30th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – SRL Southwest Tour Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – Hobby Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Placerville Speedway ; Placerville : CA – BCRA Midgets
Sat : June 30th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – 9th Annual Carquest Super Saturday ISMA Supermodifieds
Sat : June 30th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – 9th Annual Carquest Super Saturday NEMA Midgets
Sat : June 30th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – 9th Annual Carquest Super Saturday Pro-4 Mods
Sat : June 30th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Pro Late Models
Sat : June 30th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – E-Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Sportsman
Sat : June 30th – Punta Gorda Speedway ; Punta Gorda : FL – Mid Season Championship Late Model Sportsman
Sat : June 30th – Punta Gorda Speedway ; Punta Gorda : FL – Mid Season Championship Open Wheel Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – New Senoia Raceway ; Senoia : GA – Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Watermelon Capital Speedway ; Cordele : GA – Super Streets
Sat : June 30th – Grundy County Speedway ; Morris : IL – USAC Midwest Focus Midgets
Sat : June 30th – Grundy County Speedway ; Morris : IL – USAC Mopar D1 Stars
Sat : June 30th – Grundy County Speedway ; Morris : IL – USAC MOPAR National Midgets
Sat : June 30th – Route 66 Raceway ; Joliet : IL – Jeg's All-Stars Pro Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Paragon Speedway ; Paragon : IN – King of Indiana Sprint Car Series
Sat : June 30th – Twin Cities Raceway Park ; North Vernon : IN – Midwest Mini-Sprint Association
Sat : June 30th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN - $1,500 to win Mini Stock
Sat : June 30th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Late Models
Sat : June 30th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Sportsman
Sat : June 30th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Street Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – 66th Annual Family Fireworks Late Model Firecracker
Sat : June 30th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets Figure 8
Sat : June 30th – Adams County Speedway ; Corning : IA – MARS Dirtcar Series Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Adams County Speedway ; Corning : IA – Cornbelt Clash Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Adams County Speedway ; Corning : IA – Midwest Late Model Racing Association
Sat : June 30th – Hardin County Fairgrounds ; Eldora : IA – Henrick Racing Figure 8s
Sat : June 30th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Stock Cars
Sat : June 30th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Sport Mods
Sat : June 30th – Southern Iowa Speedway ; Oskaloosa : IA – Iowa Sportsman Series
Sat : June 30th – Upper Iowa Speedway ; Decorah : IA – USMTS National Championship Series Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Lakeside Speedway ; Kansas City : KS – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Sat : June 30th– Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Late Models
Sat : June 30th– Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Sportsman
Sat : June 30th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Pure Street
Sat : June 30th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Mini Stock
Sat : June 30th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Outlaw Mini Cup
Sat : June 30th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Baby Grand
Sat : June 30th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Pro Challenge
Sat : June 30th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Outlaws
Sat : June 30th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Strictly Stock
Sat : June 30th – Hagerstown Speedway ; Hagerstown : MD – 47th Annual Johnny Roberts Memorial Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Hagerstown Speedway ; Hagerstown : MD – Late Model Sportsman
Sat : June 30th – Hagerstown Speedway ; Hagerstown : MD – Pure Stocks
Sat : June 30th – I-96 Speedway ; Lake Odessa : MI – Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Outlaw Super Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Super Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Pro Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Springport Motor Speedway ; Springport : MI – Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Springport Motor Speedway ; Springport : MI – Super Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Firecracker Wissota Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Firecracker Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Firecracker Wissota Street Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Firecracker Wissota Super Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Firecracker USRA Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Street Stocks
Sat : June 30th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Super Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Super Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – NeSmith Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Street Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Whynot Motorsports Park ; Meridian : MS – Cajun Sprinters Association
Sat : June 30th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Salute to America Firecracker 50 ASA Late Models
Sat : June 30th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Salute to America Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Salute to America Sportsman
Sat : June 30th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Salute to America Road Warriors
Sat : June 30th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Salute to America Chargers
Sat : June 30th – I-55 Raceway ; Pevely : MO – Hell Tour DIRTCar Late Models Summer Nationals
Sat : June 30th – I-55 Raceway ; Pevely : MO – DIRTCar Summit UMP Modified Nationals
Sat : June 30th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – American Patriot Night Factory Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – American Patriot Night A-Mods
Sat : June 30th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – American Patriot Night B-Mods
Sat : June 30th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – American Patriot Night United Late Model Association Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Canaan Fair Speedway ; Canaan : NH – PASS North Super Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Monadnock Speedway ; Winchester : NH – New England Truck Series
Sat : June 30th – Riverside Speedway ; Groveton : NH – Senior Tour Auto Racers
Sat : June 30th – Holland Speedway ; Holland : NY – Race of Champions Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Limited Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Street Stock
Sat : June 30th – Red River Valley Speedway ; West Fargo : ND – Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Red River Valley Speedway ; West Fargo : ND – Super Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Southwest Speedway ; Dickinson : ND – IMCA Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Southwest Speedway ; Dickinson : ND – Wissota Street Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Sandusky Speedway ; Sandusky : OH – Midwest Supermodifieds
Sat : June 30th – Southern Oklahoma Speedway ; Ardmore : OK – Oil Capital Racing Series
Sat : June 30th – Emo Speedway ; Emo : Ontario – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Emo Speedway ; Emo : Ontario – Wissota Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Emo Speedway ; Emo : Ontario – Street Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Sunset Speedway ; Innisfil : Ontario – OSCAAR Super Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – ARDC Midgets
Sat : June 30th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Xcel 600 CCs
Sat : June 30th – Lernerville Speedway ; Sarver : PA – World of Outlaws Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – Pennsylvania Speedweek Opener/13th Annual Kevin Gobrecht Memorial 410 Sprints
Sat : June 30th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Street Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Path Valley Speedway ; Spring Run : PA – Sidewinder Sprints
Sat : June 30th – Williams Grove Speedway ; Mechanicsburg : PA – Super Sportsman
Sat : June 30th – Oyster Bed Speedway ; Oyster Bed Bridge : Prince Edward Island – Parts for Trucks Pro Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Autodrome Montmagny ; Montmagny : Quebec – ACT Castrol Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Dillon Motor Speedway ; Dillon : SC – Southeast Limited Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Smoky Mountain Speedway ; Maryville : TN – Southern Regional Racing Series
Sat : June 30th – C C Speedway ; Corpus Christi : TX – Dwarf Car Series of Texas
Sat : June 30th – Shenandoah Speedway ; Shenandoah : VA – Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Shenandoah Speedway ; Shenandoah : VA – Sportsman
Sat : June 30th – Evergreen Speedway ; Monroe : WA – Northwest Pro 4 Alliance
Sat : June 30th – Evergreen Speedway ; Monroe : WA – Northwest Pro 4 Trucks
Sat : June 30th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Midwest Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Marshfield Motor Speedway ; Marshfield : WI – ASA Midwest Tour
Sat : June 30th – TNT Speedway ; Three Lakes : WI – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – TNT Speedway ; Three Lakes : WI – Wissota Street Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Sweetwater Speedway ; Sweetwater : WY – Championship Late Models
Sun : July 1st – Buttonwillow Raceway Park ; Buttonwillow : CA – 24 Hours of LeMons
Sun : July 1st – Lincoln Speedway ; Lincoln : IL – Hell Tour DIRTCar Late Models Summer Nationals
Sun : July 1st – Lincoln Speedway ; Lincoln : IL – DIRTCar Summit UMP Modified Nationals
Sun : July 1st – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – 4 & 8 Cylinder Obstacle Course
Sun : July 1st – Springport Motor Speedway ; Springport : MI – Jeg's All Star Pro Late Models
Sun : July 1st – Springport Motor Speedway ; Springport : MI – USAC Midwest Focus Midgets
Sun : July 1st – Wall Speedway ; Wall : NJ – North East Enduro Tour
Sun : July 1st – Portsmouth Raceway Park ; Portsmouth : OH – Lucas Oil Late Models
Sun : July 1st – Cornwall Motor Speedway ; Cornwall : Ontario – DIRTCar Big-Block Modifieds
Sun : July 1st – Varney Motor Speedway ; Varney : Ontario – Can-Am TQ Midgets
Sun : July 1st – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Pennsylvania Speedweek 410 Sprints
Sun : July 1st – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Keystone Legend Car Tour
Sun : July 1st – Seymour Speedway ; Seymour : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Mon : July 2nd – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Hell Tour DIRTCar Late Models Summer Nationals
Mon : July 2nd – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – DIRTCar Summit UMP Modified Nationals
Mon : July 2nd – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Limited Late Models
Mon : July 2nd – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – Deery Brothers Late Models
Mon : July 2nd – Rolling Wheels Raceway ; Elbridge : NY – DIRTCar Big-Block Modifieds
Tue : July 3rd – Huntsville Speedway ; Huntsville : AL – Southern Superstars Super Late Models
Tue : July 3rd – Huntsville Speedway ; Huntsville : AL – Modifieds
Tue : July 3rd – Crowley's Ridge Raceway ; Paragould : AR – USCS 600 Sprint Cars
Tue : July 3rd – Crowley's Ridge Raceway ; Paragould : AR – USCS Outlaw Thunder Sprint Cars
Tue : July 3rd – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – World Crown 300 Super Late Models
Tue : July 3rd – Shepp's Speedway ; Alexander : IL – Hell Tour DIRTCar Late Models Summer Nationals
Tue : July 3rd – Shepp's Speedway ; Alexander : IL – DIRTCar Summit UMP Modified Nationals
Tue : July 3rd – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – FWD Enduro Race #2
Tue : July 3rd – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Super Late Models
Tue : July 3rd – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – NeSmith Late Models
Tue : July 3rd – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Street Stocks
Tue : July 3rd – Monett Speedway ; Monett : MO – MARS Dirtcar Series Late Models
Tue : July 3rd – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – 1st Annual Nationals Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Tue : July 3rd – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – A Mods
Tue : July 3rd – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – Sport Mods
Tue : July 3rd – Midvale Speedway ; Midvale : OH – Main Event Super Late Models
Tue : July 3rd – Muskingum County Speedway ; Zanesville : OH – Lucas Oil Late Models
Tue : July 3rd – Anderson Motor Speedway ; Anderson : SC – PASS South
Tue : July 3rd – Huset's Speedway ; Brandon : SD – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Tue : July 3rd – South Boston Speedway ; South Boston : VA – Late Models
Tue : July 3rd – South Boston Speedway ; South Boston : VA – Limited Late Models
Wed : July 4th – East Alabama Motor Speedway ; Phenix City : AL – Nesmith Dirt Late Models
Wed : July 4th – Perris Auto Speedway ; Perris : CA – USAC/CRA Sprint Cars
Wed : July 4th – Placerville Speedway ; Placerville : CA – 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular California Civil War Series Sprint Cars
Wed : July 4th – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – Outlaws
Wed : July 4th – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – World Crown 300 Super Late Models
Wed : July 4th – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – Trucks
Wed : July 4th – Lasalle Speedway ; LaSalle : IL – Hell Tour DIRTCar Late Models Summer Nationals
Wed : July 4th – Lasalle Speedway ; LaSalle : IL – DIRTCar Summit UMP Modified Summer Nationals
Wed : July 4th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Late Models
Wed : July 4th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Baby Grand
Wed : July 4th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Pro Challenge
Wed : July 4th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Late Models
Wed : July 4th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Rebels
Wed : July 4th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Strictly Stock
Wed : July 4th – Hagerstown Speedway ; Hagerstown : MD – Pennsylvania Speedweek 410 Sprints
Wed : July 4th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Rusty Harpe Memorial Late Models
Wed : July 4th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Late Model Trucks
Wed : July 4th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Limited Late Models
Wed : July 4th – Wagner Speedway ; Wagner : SD – Super Late Model Racing Series
Wed : July 4th – Langlade County Speedway ; Antigo : WI – Cornbelt Clash Late Models
Wed : July 4th – Langlade Speedway ; Antigo : WI – Late Models
Wed : July 4th – Langlade Speedway ; Antigo : WI – Modifieds
Thu : July 5th – Macon Speedway ; Macon : IL – Hell Tour DIRTCar Late Models Summer Nationals
Thu : July 5th – Macon Speedway ; Macon : IL – DIRTCar Summit UMP Modified Nationals
Thu : July 5th – US 30 Speedway ; Columbus : NE – Super Late Model Racing Series
Mike Neff is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at mike.neff@frontstretch.com.
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Fantasy Friday: Quaker State 400
by Jeff Wolfe
The time is now for Matt Kenseth ... and for a lot of reasons.
It was announced earlier this week that Kenseth was parting ways after this season with the team he's made all but six of his NASCAR Sprint Cup starts with, Roush Fenway Racing. It seemed a bit odd that Kenseth would go elsewhere considering that he is leading the point standings going into Saturday's race.
That Kenseth will be changing teams next year, isn't good news for his competition. Last year's champion, Tony Stewart, proved that a team with big changes coming, can indeed win the title. That was the case when Stewart and crew chief Darian Grubb split.
He has already said he has a deal in place for 2013, so he's also racing without the extra pressure to win for himself, but the motivation to win for others on his team.
Whatever team that has apparently already signed him, heavily rumored to be Joe Gibbs Racing, knows they will be getting a quality person with no extra-curricular issues to deal with as Kenseth is one of NASCAR's good guys. So maybe that will help his odds of winning again.
The Sprint Cup series makes its second trip to Kentucky Speedway and apparently the track has made significant improvements in its traffic flow patterns (mainly by adding more parking space) so more fans can actually get into their seats to watch the race instead of listening to it on the radio while they sit in long lines.
This is a bit of a difficult week to predict, since there is only one race to go off, but here we go.
Top 5 Picks
Kyle Busch - He won here last year, but whether his engine can last an entire race will be the big question.
Jimmie Johnson - He's king of the 1.5-mile tracks and he's driving with a special paint scheme to commemorate classic Chevys from the 1960s. He and Dale Earnhardt Jr. each won with special paint schemes at Dover and Michigan, so why not again?
Tony Stewart - Kentucky and Darlington are the two active Sprint Cup tracks he has not won on, and other than Indianapolis, this is as close to home as Stewart will race this year. He did finish 12th at Kentucky last year.
Brad Keselowski - He finished seventh last year, but had 31 of the fastest laps run during the race, the second most behind Busch.
Matt Kenseth - Wouldn't it be dramatic to see him in Victory Lane after this week's news and he did finish sixth last year.
Shoulda, woulda, coulda - Clint Bowyer won last week, but that was a road course, which is, of course, much different than the usual ovals that NASCAR runs on. While Bowyer has been improving as the season has gone on, it's hard to pick him at Kentucky.
ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP
Here's a look at how last week's picks fared at Sonoma.
Jeff Gordon: 5th. Overcame running out of gas to rally for a good finish.
Tony Stewart: 2nd. A nice drive, coming from 24th with only two cautions all day
Juan Pablo Montoya: 34th. Sort of ironic that his ex-crew chief was celebrating in Victory Lane at the end of the day
Marcos Ambrose: 8th. He led 11 laps early, but was disappointed he didn't contend for the win.
Boris Said: 29th. Disappointed here, too, but yes, I'll pick him again at Watkins Glen.
Season Stats
80 Predictions
8 Wins
30 Top 5s
38 Top 10s
Grade for the week: B-. No victory this week, and Montoya's effort was the killer here. Took a shot with Boris Said, but maybe not enough Said Head karma was going on Sunday. Where are the Said Heads when I need them? Stewart methodically went through the field all day. Four or five more laps, maybe he would have caught eventual winner Clint Bowyer.
One Last Thing: This is no surprise, but in case you were wondering, Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers with wins at 1.5 mile tracks with 16.
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: Quaker State 400
by Nick Schwartz
This weekend, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Kentucky Speedway for the Quaker State 400—the 17th race of the season. Saturday's race will be broadcast live June 30th, at 6:30 PM EST on TNT and 6:00 PM EST on PRN Radio. Drivers will compete for 267 laps (400.5 miles) before taking the checkered flag.
Records and Facts
This will be the second Sprint Cup Series visit to Kentucky Speedway, but there still isn't a record for fast qualifying lap. Qualifying was rained out in 2011, and the field was set by practice speeds; Kyle Busch started on the pole.
Kyle Busch is also the defending winner of the Quaker State 400, having won from the pole in 2011. David Reutimann, Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman and Carl Edwards rounded out the top 5. The victory gave Busch a four-point lead over Carl Edwards in the Sprint Cup Series point standings at the time.
Track Facts
Track/Race Length: 1.5-mile tri-oval; 267 laps (400.5 miles)
Degree of Banking: Turns 14 degrees
Frontstretch: Length: 1,662 feet, banked eight degrees
Backstretch: Length: 1,600 feet, banked four degrees
Grandstand Seating: 66,089
VIPs
Grand Marshal / Command: Steve Reindl, Vice President of North America key accounts, Quaker State
Honorary Starter / Wave Green Flag: Kyle Klingenberg, President, Major Brands Oil Co.
National Anthem: Country Singer Laura Bell Bundy
Flyover: T-45's from the U.S. Naval Air Station, Meridian, Mississippi
Invocation: Pastor John Roberts, Raceway Ministries
Pre-race Schedule
Practice: Friday, June 29 11:30 AM EST - 12:30 PM EST on SPEED
Happy Hour: Friday, June 29 1:30 PM EST - 3:00PM EST on SPEED
Qualifying: Friday, June 29 5:00 PM EST on SPEED
Race Day Forecast
Saturday: Sunny
High: 101
Low: 74
They Said It
"If you can get your car where it's comfortable over the bumps in Turns 1 and 2, that's obviously going to be the fast way around Kentucky. Sometimes that is easier said than done so some drivers will choose to enter a bit higher to avoid the bumps. Usually that will establish a second groove around the middle of the race, which can lead to some great side-by-side racing over the final laps. It's definitely a place with a lot of character, despite the fact that it looks like a lot of the other intermediate tracks that we visit." -Brad Keselowski
"Kentucky is another one of the tough mile-and-a-half tracks. The Sprint Cup Series had never raced there until last year, but I had tested on the track about three years before. We saw just how tough Kentucky Speedway can be last season during our inaugural race there. With qualifying getting rained out last year, we started way back in 23rd. We fought a loose condition just about all race long and never could get a handle on it. We wound up finishing 28th. It certainly wasn't what we were hoping to put into the record book for the first-ever Cup race there. Our Shell-Pennzoil Dodge team has shown a lot of strength on the intermediate tracks this season. We've had some fast race cars and have been able to qualify really well. But we've had all kinds of problems – like the fuel system issues and mechanical trouble – that have prevented us getting the good finishes." -AJ Allmendinger
"The fans last year looked very enthused. Kentucky (Speedway) is one of those places that we've been racing at for a long time. I was fortunate to be a part of the first Nationwide Series race there. I've never really raced a race there when the stand haven't been full, so it's one of those places that just really supports everything that we 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:
The Green Flag Flies on NASCAR Silly Season 2012
by Amy Henderson
Four Burning Questions: Traffic Troubles and Busch's Benevolence
by Summer Bedgood
BSNews!: Phoenix Racing Welcomes Matt Kenseth
by Jeff Meyer
Buescher Returns to Top of Truck Series, Turner Motorsports
by Bryan Davis Keith
Tearing Apart the Trucks: Kentucky's Championship Effect
by Beth Lunkenheimer
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Saturday on the Frontstretch:
Nationwide Breakdown: Feed the Children 300 by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan has all the post-race analysis you need following Friday night's Nationwide Series race from Kentucky.
Tracking the Trucks: UNOH 225 by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth has all the post-race analysis you need following Thursday night's Camping World Truck Series race from Kentucky
Landon Cassill Driver Diary as told to Summer Dreyer
The driver of the No. 83 BK Racing Chevrolet is back to dish on Sonoma, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s win at Michigan and so much more!
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In the 2002 Kroger 300 at Kentucky Speedway, Larry Foyt equaled his best career starting position in the Busch Series with a fifth-place qualifying effort in his Harrah's Chevrolet. However, he couldn't convert that position into a good finish. What happened?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: The first major race held at Kentucky Speedway was the Kroger 225 for the then-Craftsman Truck Series. This race was won by Greg Biffle for Roush Racing, however, Roush's other squad suffered a nasty crash during the event. What happened?
A: This is relatively similar in tone to some of the incidents that have occurred in Sprint Cup this year. Kurt Busch was at the helm of the No. 99 Exide/Tractor Supply Co. Ford for Roush Racing and had a knack for overdriving at times. During this particular race, Busch got very loose on Lap 112 in Turn 3 and instead of just spinning out in a lazy fashion and minimizing damage, Busch overcorrected in an unsuccessful attempt to save the truck. The result was a nasty head-on impact into the concrete wall. Busch was OK, but the truck was thrashed.
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:
-- Quaker State 400 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: Quaker State 400 by Matt McLaughlin
Matt will be here with his overall thoughts about the action from Saturday night's race from Kentucky.
Monday Morning Teardown by TBA
A website look at one of the big stories from Saturday's race from Kentucky.
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 Kentucky.
Big Six: Quaker State 400 by Amy Henderson
Looking for all you need to know leaving Saturday's event at Kentucky? Amy has your who, what, when, where, why and how from a weekend of racing.
Pace Laps: Kentucky 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 Kentucky.
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Keepin' It Short: Racing For America's Birthday
by Mike Neff
While Summer has only been officially here for a week, July 4th unofficially marks the mid point of the season. The holiday is famous for picnics and parties, but it is also one of the biggest race weekends of the year. Daytona used to host the Firecracker 400 on the 4th of July, although now it is just a weekend close to the 4th. However, at short tracks around the country, there will be races and fireworks displays galore between Sunday and Wednesday, culminating in the huge night of the same on the 4th of July.
The World Crown will take place at Gresham Motorsports Park. For 29 years Gresham has hosted one of the biggest Super Late Model races of the Summer and all of the biggest names in Super racing will once again descend on the Jefferson, Georgia race track to try and take home the crown. In the Midwest, the Hell Tour continues to roll as Late Models and UMP Modifieds will cruise through Peoria, Alexander, LaSalle and Macon, Illinois from Monday through Thursday. The competitors on the Hell Tour have had an unprecedented run of fortunate weather with 15 straight race days without a single rain out.
Caraway Speedway will be running the annual Rusty Harpe Memorial as they have every year for the last six years in honor of one of the most popular drivers to ever race at the track. Pennsylvania Speedweek for 410 Sprint Cars is opening up on Saturday with races on consecutive nights at Lincoln, Big Diamond, Grandview, Hagerstown, Williams Grove, Port Royal and Selinsgrove. Ohio Sprint Week continues to ramble around the state before concluding Saturday night at Fremont Speedway.
Attending local short track events is more of an experience than just a destination. Tailgating and cooking out are always part of the experience but they are even more a part of the race day when it is the 4th of July. Socializing with fellow Americans, who are also race fans, while cheering for favorite friends and drivers on the track will be a huge part of the day. As the economy continues to turn around and more people are beginning to have some disposable income, visiting local tracks, especially on a week night, will go a long way toward promoting auto racing and ensuring that the tracks will be there for years to come.
America will be 236 years old on Wednesday while auto racing is just over 100 years old. Everyone should go out and support their local race track and celebrate the fact that we live in the greatest country in the world where we are allowed to watch races, burn meat, drink malted beverages and blow up things without fear of our freedoms being wrested away from us. God Bless America!!
Whelen All-American National Championship Points
Anthony Anders has been leading the points race since the first week that points were released in May. It has been primarily a preponderance of races, as Anders has logged more events than anyone else in the top 10. Unfortunately for Anders, the points only take into account the top 18 points races. As a result, the point battle is tightening up at the top of the standings. Nate Monteith continues to benefit from the resurgence of Kingsport Speedway and their large fields, as he's cut Anders lead down to 15 points.
C.E. Falk will be a little tired if he races this weekend thanks to his participation in the Camping World Truck race at Kentucky Speedway Thursday night. The two drivers to keep an eye on are still Lee Pulliam and Duane Howard. Pulliam has been winning consistently since returning from his suspension and Howard is winning against full fields. Pulliam just needs to have enough cars show up at the races he's running while Howard has to hope that he doesn't have any slipups during the limited Summer schedule at Grandview.
Pos. Name Races Wins Top 5s Top 10s Total Points
1. Anthony Anders 31 2 19 29 565
2. Nate Monteith 18 6 13 15 550
3. Ted Christopher 20 4 15 16 538
4. Deac McCaskill 16 11 15 16 531
5. C.E. Falk III 17 9 13 15 521
6. Ryan Preece 19 5 12 16 519
7. Keith Rocco 20 6 11 14 512
8. Matt Bowling 18 1 13 16 493
9. Lee Pulliam 14 7 11 12 477
10. Duane Howard 11 7 10 11 447
**Under the points structure for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, the
race winner receives two points for every car in the event up to 20. Second
place receives two fewer points, and so-on through the field. Race winners
receive an additional five bonus points. For example, if there are 20 cars,
the winner receives 45 points, second gets 38 and third 36. If there are 15
cars, the winner received 35 points, second gets 28 and third 26. The top 18
races count towards the National Championship for a driver. A perfect season
for a driver would be 18 race wins with 20 car fields which equates to 810
points. The first driver to reach 810 points is declared the National
Champion in the event of a tie.**
ASA National Points
The ASA National Points race continues to get more and more interesting as Shelby Stroebel continues on an amazing tear of 12 straight victories in Modifieds at Meridian Speedway. While Stroebel and Mike Slone are the top two in the West Region and the top two in the National race, Barry Beggarly, last year's champion and Speedy Faucette are right on their tales. This battle is going to go down to the very end.
East Region Point Leaders
1. Barry Beggarly 1.9367
2. Dustin Rumley 1.9340
3. Speedy Faucette 1.9255
4. Rodney Cook 1.7500
5. Dean Fogleman 1.7201
West Region Point Leaders
1. Shelby Stroebel 2.4192
2. Mike Slone 2.0279
3. Rus Ward 1.9011
4. Matt Wallace 1.8440
5. Roger Wilson 1.7971
Throughout the season, drivers competing in the premiere divisions at eligible ASA Member Tracks are in the running for the 2012 ASA Member Track National Championship. In order to have a chance for the national title, a driver must first win their 2012 track championship.
Speednetdirect.com, for the fifth year in a row, will tabulate the National Championship standings. Using a proprietary formula that creates an average based on wins, finishing positions, number of cars passed, car counts and events. The driver who wins their track championship and has the highest average over the other ASA Member Track champions will win the 2012 ASA Member Track National Championship. Full standings are available at www.speednetdirect.com. Click on the ASA Member Track logo at the top of the page.
This Week's Race Schedule
Fri : June 29th – Ocean Speedway ; Watsonville : CA – Taco Bravo Ocean Sprints
Fri : June 29th – Stockton 99 Speedway ; Stockton : CA – NCMA Sprints
Fri : June 29th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – Late Models
Fri : June 29th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – Limited Late Models
Fri : June 29th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – SK Lights
Fri : June 29th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – SK Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Orlando Speedworld ; Orlando : FL – Brighthouse Challenge Super Late Models
Fri : June 29th – Boyd's Speedway ; Ringgold : GA – Southern Regional Racing Series
Fri : June 29th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets
Fri : June 29th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Legends
Fri : June 29th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Mel Kenyon Midgets
Fri : June 29th – Highway 3 Raceway ; Allison : IA – USMTS National Championship Series Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Belleville Highbanks ; Belleville : KS – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Fri : June 29th – Paducah International Raceway ; Paducah : KY – Hell Tour DIRTCar Late Models Summer Nationals
Fri : June 29th – Paducah International Raceway ; Paducah : KY – DIRTCar Summit UMP Modified Nationals
Fri : June 29th – Winston Speedway ; Rothbury : MI – Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models
Fri : June 29th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – USRA Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – IMCA Stock Cars
Fri : June 29th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – WISSOTA Street Stocks
Fri : June 29th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Fireworks 150 USCS 600 Sprint Cars
Fri : June 29th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Fireworks 150 USCS Outlaw Thunder Sprint Cars
Fri : June 29th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Late Models
Fri : June 29th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Street Stocks
Fri : June 29th – Valley Speedway ; Grain Valley : MO – United Late Model Association Late Models
Fri : June 29th – I-80 Speedway ; Greenwood : NE – Cornbelt Clash Late Models
Fri : June 29th – I-80 Speedway ; Greenwood : NE – Midwest Late Model Racing Association
Fri : June 29th – I-80 Speedway ; Greenwood : NE – MARS Dirtcar Series Late Models
Fri : June 29th – Lee USA Speedway ; Lee : NH – MRS Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – NDRA Road Show
Fri : June 29th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Jackson 50 Late Models
Fri : June 29th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Street Stocks
Fri : June 29th – Toledo Speedway ; Toledo : OH – USAC MOPAR National Midgets
Fri : June 29th – Toledo Speedway ; Toledo : OH – USAC Silver Crown
Fri : June 29th – Van Wert Fairgrounds ; Van Wert : OH – Antique Auto Racing Association
Fri : June 29th – Coos Bay International Speedway ; Coos Bay : OR – West Coast Vintage Racers
Fri : June 29th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – 358 Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Sportsman
Fri : June 29th – Lernerville Speedway ; Sarver : PA – World of Outlaws Late Models
Fri : June 29th – Estevan Motor Speedway ; Estevan : Saskatchewan – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Estevan Motor Speedway ; Estevan : Saskatchewan – IMCA Street Stocks
Fri : June 29th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Sprint Cars
Fri : June 29th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Street Stocks
Fri : June 29th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Super Stocks
Fri : June 29th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Sport Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Stock
Fri : June 29th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – Street Stock
Fri : June 29th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – Winged Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Fri : June 29th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Sprint Cars
Fri : June 29th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Street Stock
Fri : June 29th – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI – IMCA Sport Modifieds
Fri : June 29th – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI – Street Stocks
Fri : June 29th – St. Croix Valley Raceway ; St. Croix Falls : WI – Upper Midwest Sprints
Fri : June 29th – Sweetwater Speedway ; Sweetwater : WY – Championship Late Models
Sat : June 30th – NEA Speedway ; Harrisburg : AR – USCS 600 Sprint Cars
Sat : June 30th – NEA Speedway ; Harrisburg : AR – USCS Outlaw Thunder Sprint Cars
Sat : June 30th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – 305 Winged Sprints
Sat : June 30th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – 600 Mini Sprints
Sat : June 30th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Buttonwillow Raceway Park ; Buttonwillow : CA – 24 Hours of LeMons
Sat : June 30th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – SRL Southwest Tour Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – Hobby Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Placerville Speedway ; Placerville : CA – BCRA Midgets
Sat : June 30th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – 9th Annual Carquest Super Saturday ISMA Supermodifieds
Sat : June 30th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – 9th Annual Carquest Super Saturday NEMA Midgets
Sat : June 30th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – 9th Annual Carquest Super Saturday Pro-4 Mods
Sat : June 30th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Pro Late Models
Sat : June 30th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – E-Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Sportsman
Sat : June 30th – Punta Gorda Speedway ; Punta Gorda : FL – Mid Season Championship Late Model Sportsman
Sat : June 30th – Punta Gorda Speedway ; Punta Gorda : FL – Mid Season Championship Open Wheel Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – New Senoia Raceway ; Senoia : GA – Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Watermelon Capital Speedway ; Cordele : GA – Super Streets
Sat : June 30th – Grundy County Speedway ; Morris : IL – USAC Midwest Focus Midgets
Sat : June 30th – Grundy County Speedway ; Morris : IL – USAC Mopar D1 Stars
Sat : June 30th – Grundy County Speedway ; Morris : IL – USAC MOPAR National Midgets
Sat : June 30th – Route 66 Raceway ; Joliet : IL – Jeg's All-Stars Pro Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Paragon Speedway ; Paragon : IN – King of Indiana Sprint Car Series
Sat : June 30th – Twin Cities Raceway Park ; North Vernon : IN – Midwest Mini-Sprint Association
Sat : June 30th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN - $1,500 to win Mini Stock
Sat : June 30th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Late Models
Sat : June 30th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Sportsman
Sat : June 30th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Street Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – 66th Annual Family Fireworks Late Model Firecracker
Sat : June 30th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets Figure 8
Sat : June 30th – Adams County Speedway ; Corning : IA – MARS Dirtcar Series Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Adams County Speedway ; Corning : IA – Cornbelt Clash Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Adams County Speedway ; Corning : IA – Midwest Late Model Racing Association
Sat : June 30th – Hardin County Fairgrounds ; Eldora : IA – Henrick Racing Figure 8s
Sat : June 30th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Stock Cars
Sat : June 30th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Sport Mods
Sat : June 30th – Southern Iowa Speedway ; Oskaloosa : IA – Iowa Sportsman Series
Sat : June 30th – Upper Iowa Speedway ; Decorah : IA – USMTS National Championship Series Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Lakeside Speedway ; Kansas City : KS – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Sat : June 30th– Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Late Models
Sat : June 30th– Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Sportsman
Sat : June 30th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Pure Street
Sat : June 30th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Mini Stock
Sat : June 30th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Outlaw Mini Cup
Sat : June 30th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Baby Grand
Sat : June 30th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Pro Challenge
Sat : June 30th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Outlaws
Sat : June 30th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Strictly Stock
Sat : June 30th – Hagerstown Speedway ; Hagerstown : MD – 47th Annual Johnny Roberts Memorial Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Hagerstown Speedway ; Hagerstown : MD – Late Model Sportsman
Sat : June 30th – Hagerstown Speedway ; Hagerstown : MD – Pure Stocks
Sat : June 30th – I-96 Speedway ; Lake Odessa : MI – Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Outlaw Super Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Super Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Pro Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Springport Motor Speedway ; Springport : MI – Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Springport Motor Speedway ; Springport : MI – Super Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Firecracker Wissota Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Firecracker Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Firecracker Wissota Street Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Firecracker Wissota Super Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Firecracker USRA Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Street Stocks
Sat : June 30th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Super Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Super Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – NeSmith Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Street Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Whynot Motorsports Park ; Meridian : MS – Cajun Sprinters Association
Sat : June 30th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Salute to America Firecracker 50 ASA Late Models
Sat : June 30th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Salute to America Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Salute to America Sportsman
Sat : June 30th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Salute to America Road Warriors
Sat : June 30th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Salute to America Chargers
Sat : June 30th – I-55 Raceway ; Pevely : MO – Hell Tour DIRTCar Late Models Summer Nationals
Sat : June 30th – I-55 Raceway ; Pevely : MO – DIRTCar Summit UMP Modified Nationals
Sat : June 30th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – American Patriot Night Factory Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – American Patriot Night A-Mods
Sat : June 30th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – American Patriot Night B-Mods
Sat : June 30th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – American Patriot Night United Late Model Association Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Canaan Fair Speedway ; Canaan : NH – PASS North Super Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Monadnock Speedway ; Winchester : NH – New England Truck Series
Sat : June 30th – Riverside Speedway ; Groveton : NH – Senior Tour Auto Racers
Sat : June 30th – Holland Speedway ; Holland : NY – Race of Champions Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Limited Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Street Stock
Sat : June 30th – Red River Valley Speedway ; West Fargo : ND – Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Red River Valley Speedway ; West Fargo : ND – Super Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Southwest Speedway ; Dickinson : ND – IMCA Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Southwest Speedway ; Dickinson : ND – Wissota Street Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Sandusky Speedway ; Sandusky : OH – Midwest Supermodifieds
Sat : June 30th – Southern Oklahoma Speedway ; Ardmore : OK – Oil Capital Racing Series
Sat : June 30th – Emo Speedway ; Emo : Ontario – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Emo Speedway ; Emo : Ontario – Wissota Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Emo Speedway ; Emo : Ontario – Street Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Sunset Speedway ; Innisfil : Ontario – OSCAAR Super Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – ARDC Midgets
Sat : June 30th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Xcel 600 CCs
Sat : June 30th – Lernerville Speedway ; Sarver : PA – World of Outlaws Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – Pennsylvania Speedweek Opener/13th Annual Kevin Gobrecht Memorial 410 Sprints
Sat : June 30th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Street Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Path Valley Speedway ; Spring Run : PA – Sidewinder Sprints
Sat : June 30th – Williams Grove Speedway ; Mechanicsburg : PA – Super Sportsman
Sat : June 30th – Oyster Bed Speedway ; Oyster Bed Bridge : Prince Edward Island – Parts for Trucks Pro Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Autodrome Montmagny ; Montmagny : Quebec – ACT Castrol Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Dillon Motor Speedway ; Dillon : SC – Southeast Limited Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Smoky Mountain Speedway ; Maryville : TN – Southern Regional Racing Series
Sat : June 30th – C C Speedway ; Corpus Christi : TX – Dwarf Car Series of Texas
Sat : June 30th – Shenandoah Speedway ; Shenandoah : VA – Late Models
Sat : June 30th – Shenandoah Speedway ; Shenandoah : VA – Sportsman
Sat : June 30th – Evergreen Speedway ; Monroe : WA – Northwest Pro 4 Alliance
Sat : June 30th – Evergreen Speedway ; Monroe : WA – Northwest Pro 4 Trucks
Sat : June 30th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Midwest Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – Marshfield Motor Speedway ; Marshfield : WI – ASA Midwest Tour
Sat : June 30th – TNT Speedway ; Three Lakes : WI – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : June 30th – TNT Speedway ; Three Lakes : WI – Wissota Street Stocks
Sat : June 30th – Sweetwater Speedway ; Sweetwater : WY – Championship Late Models
Sun : July 1st – Buttonwillow Raceway Park ; Buttonwillow : CA – 24 Hours of LeMons
Sun : July 1st – Lincoln Speedway ; Lincoln : IL – Hell Tour DIRTCar Late Models Summer Nationals
Sun : July 1st – Lincoln Speedway ; Lincoln : IL – DIRTCar Summit UMP Modified Nationals
Sun : July 1st – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – 4 & 8 Cylinder Obstacle Course
Sun : July 1st – Springport Motor Speedway ; Springport : MI – Jeg's All Star Pro Late Models
Sun : July 1st – Springport Motor Speedway ; Springport : MI – USAC Midwest Focus Midgets
Sun : July 1st – Wall Speedway ; Wall : NJ – North East Enduro Tour
Sun : July 1st – Portsmouth Raceway Park ; Portsmouth : OH – Lucas Oil Late Models
Sun : July 1st – Cornwall Motor Speedway ; Cornwall : Ontario – DIRTCar Big-Block Modifieds
Sun : July 1st – Varney Motor Speedway ; Varney : Ontario – Can-Am TQ Midgets
Sun : July 1st – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Pennsylvania Speedweek 410 Sprints
Sun : July 1st – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Keystone Legend Car Tour
Sun : July 1st – Seymour Speedway ; Seymour : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Mon : July 2nd – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Hell Tour DIRTCar Late Models Summer Nationals
Mon : July 2nd – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – DIRTCar Summit UMP Modified Nationals
Mon : July 2nd – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Limited Late Models
Mon : July 2nd – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – Deery Brothers Late Models
Mon : July 2nd – Rolling Wheels Raceway ; Elbridge : NY – DIRTCar Big-Block Modifieds
Tue : July 3rd – Huntsville Speedway ; Huntsville : AL – Southern Superstars Super Late Models
Tue : July 3rd – Huntsville Speedway ; Huntsville : AL – Modifieds
Tue : July 3rd – Crowley's Ridge Raceway ; Paragould : AR – USCS 600 Sprint Cars
Tue : July 3rd – Crowley's Ridge Raceway ; Paragould : AR – USCS Outlaw Thunder Sprint Cars
Tue : July 3rd – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – World Crown 300 Super Late Models
Tue : July 3rd – Shepp's Speedway ; Alexander : IL – Hell Tour DIRTCar Late Models Summer Nationals
Tue : July 3rd – Shepp's Speedway ; Alexander : IL – DIRTCar Summit UMP Modified Nationals
Tue : July 3rd – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – FWD Enduro Race #2
Tue : July 3rd – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Super Late Models
Tue : July 3rd – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – NeSmith Late Models
Tue : July 3rd – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Street Stocks
Tue : July 3rd – Monett Speedway ; Monett : MO – MARS Dirtcar Series Late Models
Tue : July 3rd – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – 1st Annual Nationals Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Tue : July 3rd – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – A Mods
Tue : July 3rd – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – Sport Mods
Tue : July 3rd – Midvale Speedway ; Midvale : OH – Main Event Super Late Models
Tue : July 3rd – Muskingum County Speedway ; Zanesville : OH – Lucas Oil Late Models
Tue : July 3rd – Anderson Motor Speedway ; Anderson : SC – PASS South
Tue : July 3rd – Huset's Speedway ; Brandon : SD – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Tue : July 3rd – South Boston Speedway ; South Boston : VA – Late Models
Tue : July 3rd – South Boston Speedway ; South Boston : VA – Limited Late Models
Wed : July 4th – East Alabama Motor Speedway ; Phenix City : AL – Nesmith Dirt Late Models
Wed : July 4th – Perris Auto Speedway ; Perris : CA – USAC/CRA Sprint Cars
Wed : July 4th – Placerville Speedway ; Placerville : CA – 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular California Civil War Series Sprint Cars
Wed : July 4th – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – Outlaws
Wed : July 4th – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – World Crown 300 Super Late Models
Wed : July 4th – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – Trucks
Wed : July 4th – Lasalle Speedway ; LaSalle : IL – Hell Tour DIRTCar Late Models Summer Nationals
Wed : July 4th – Lasalle Speedway ; LaSalle : IL – DIRTCar Summit UMP Modified Summer Nationals
Wed : July 4th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Late Models
Wed : July 4th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Baby Grand
Wed : July 4th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Pro Challenge
Wed : July 4th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Late Models
Wed : July 4th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Rebels
Wed : July 4th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Strictly Stock
Wed : July 4th – Hagerstown Speedway ; Hagerstown : MD – Pennsylvania Speedweek 410 Sprints
Wed : July 4th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Rusty Harpe Memorial Late Models
Wed : July 4th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Late Model Trucks
Wed : July 4th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Limited Late Models
Wed : July 4th – Wagner Speedway ; Wagner : SD – Super Late Model Racing Series
Wed : July 4th – Langlade County Speedway ; Antigo : WI – Cornbelt Clash Late Models
Wed : July 4th – Langlade Speedway ; Antigo : WI – Late Models
Wed : July 4th – Langlade Speedway ; Antigo : WI – Modifieds
Thu : July 5th – Macon Speedway ; Macon : IL – Hell Tour DIRTCar Late Models Summer Nationals
Thu : July 5th – Macon Speedway ; Macon : IL – DIRTCar Summit UMP Modified Nationals
Thu : July 5th – US 30 Speedway ; Columbus : NE – Super Late Model Racing Series
Mike Neff is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at mike.neff@frontstretch.com.
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Fantasy Friday: Quaker State 400
by Jeff Wolfe
The time is now for Matt Kenseth ... and for a lot of reasons.
It was announced earlier this week that Kenseth was parting ways after this season with the team he's made all but six of his NASCAR Sprint Cup starts with, Roush Fenway Racing. It seemed a bit odd that Kenseth would go elsewhere considering that he is leading the point standings going into Saturday's race.
That Kenseth will be changing teams next year, isn't good news for his competition. Last year's champion, Tony Stewart, proved that a team with big changes coming, can indeed win the title. That was the case when Stewart and crew chief Darian Grubb split.
He has already said he has a deal in place for 2013, so he's also racing without the extra pressure to win for himself, but the motivation to win for others on his team.
Whatever team that has apparently already signed him, heavily rumored to be Joe Gibbs Racing, knows they will be getting a quality person with no extra-curricular issues to deal with as Kenseth is one of NASCAR's good guys. So maybe that will help his odds of winning again.
The Sprint Cup series makes its second trip to Kentucky Speedway and apparently the track has made significant improvements in its traffic flow patterns (mainly by adding more parking space) so more fans can actually get into their seats to watch the race instead of listening to it on the radio while they sit in long lines.
This is a bit of a difficult week to predict, since there is only one race to go off, but here we go.
Top 5 Picks
Kyle Busch - He won here last year, but whether his engine can last an entire race will be the big question.
Jimmie Johnson - He's king of the 1.5-mile tracks and he's driving with a special paint scheme to commemorate classic Chevys from the 1960s. He and Dale Earnhardt Jr. each won with special paint schemes at Dover and Michigan, so why not again?
Tony Stewart - Kentucky and Darlington are the two active Sprint Cup tracks he has not won on, and other than Indianapolis, this is as close to home as Stewart will race this year. He did finish 12th at Kentucky last year.
Brad Keselowski - He finished seventh last year, but had 31 of the fastest laps run during the race, the second most behind Busch.
Matt Kenseth - Wouldn't it be dramatic to see him in Victory Lane after this week's news and he did finish sixth last year.
Shoulda, woulda, coulda - Clint Bowyer won last week, but that was a road course, which is, of course, much different than the usual ovals that NASCAR runs on. While Bowyer has been improving as the season has gone on, it's hard to pick him at Kentucky.
ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP
Here's a look at how last week's picks fared at Sonoma.
Jeff Gordon: 5th. Overcame running out of gas to rally for a good finish.
Tony Stewart: 2nd. A nice drive, coming from 24th with only two cautions all day
Juan Pablo Montoya: 34th. Sort of ironic that his ex-crew chief was celebrating in Victory Lane at the end of the day
Marcos Ambrose: 8th. He led 11 laps early, but was disappointed he didn't contend for the win.
Boris Said: 29th. Disappointed here, too, but yes, I'll pick him again at Watkins Glen.
Season Stats
80 Predictions
8 Wins
30 Top 5s
38 Top 10s
Grade for the week: B-. No victory this week, and Montoya's effort was the killer here. Took a shot with Boris Said, but maybe not enough Said Head karma was going on Sunday. Where are the Said Heads when I need them? Stewart methodically went through the field all day. Four or five more laps, maybe he would have caught eventual winner Clint Bowyer.
One Last Thing: This is no surprise, but in case you were wondering, Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers with wins at 1.5 mile tracks with 16.
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: Quaker State 400
by Nick Schwartz
This weekend, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Kentucky Speedway for the Quaker State 400—the 17th race of the season. Saturday's race will be broadcast live June 30th, at 6:30 PM EST on TNT and 6:00 PM EST on PRN Radio. Drivers will compete for 267 laps (400.5 miles) before taking the checkered flag.
Records and Facts
This will be the second Sprint Cup Series visit to Kentucky Speedway, but there still isn't a record for fast qualifying lap. Qualifying was rained out in 2011, and the field was set by practice speeds; Kyle Busch started on the pole.
Kyle Busch is also the defending winner of the Quaker State 400, having won from the pole in 2011. David Reutimann, Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman and Carl Edwards rounded out the top 5. The victory gave Busch a four-point lead over Carl Edwards in the Sprint Cup Series point standings at the time.
Track Facts
Track/Race Length: 1.5-mile tri-oval; 267 laps (400.5 miles)
Degree of Banking: Turns 14 degrees
Frontstretch: Length: 1,662 feet, banked eight degrees
Backstretch: Length: 1,600 feet, banked four degrees
Grandstand Seating: 66,089
VIPs
Grand Marshal / Command: Steve Reindl, Vice President of North America key accounts, Quaker State
Honorary Starter / Wave Green Flag: Kyle Klingenberg, President, Major Brands Oil Co.
National Anthem: Country Singer Laura Bell Bundy
Flyover: T-45's from the U.S. Naval Air Station, Meridian, Mississippi
Invocation: Pastor John Roberts, Raceway Ministries
Pre-race Schedule
Practice: Friday, June 29 11:30 AM EST - 12:30 PM EST on SPEED
Happy Hour: Friday, June 29 1:30 PM EST - 3:00PM EST on SPEED
Qualifying: Friday, June 29 5:00 PM EST on SPEED
Race Day Forecast
Saturday: Sunny
High: 101
Low: 74
They Said It
"If you can get your car where it's comfortable over the bumps in Turns 1 and 2, that's obviously going to be the fast way around Kentucky. Sometimes that is easier said than done so some drivers will choose to enter a bit higher to avoid the bumps. Usually that will establish a second groove around the middle of the race, which can lead to some great side-by-side racing over the final laps. It's definitely a place with a lot of character, despite the fact that it looks like a lot of the other intermediate tracks that we visit." -Brad Keselowski
"Kentucky is another one of the tough mile-and-a-half tracks. The Sprint Cup Series had never raced there until last year, but I had tested on the track about three years before. We saw just how tough Kentucky Speedway can be last season during our inaugural race there. With qualifying getting rained out last year, we started way back in 23rd. We fought a loose condition just about all race long and never could get a handle on it. We wound up finishing 28th. It certainly wasn't what we were hoping to put into the record book for the first-ever Cup race there. Our Shell-Pennzoil Dodge team has shown a lot of strength on the intermediate tracks this season. We've had some fast race cars and have been able to qualify really well. But we've had all kinds of problems – like the fuel system issues and mechanical trouble – that have prevented us getting the good finishes." -AJ Allmendinger
"The fans last year looked very enthused. Kentucky (Speedway) is one of those places that we've been racing at for a long time. I was fortunate to be a part of the first Nationwide Series race there. I've never really raced a race there when the stand haven't been full, so it's one of those places that just really supports everything that we 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:
The Green Flag Flies on NASCAR Silly Season 2012
by Amy Henderson
Four Burning Questions: Traffic Troubles and Busch's Benevolence
by Summer Bedgood
BSNews!: Phoenix Racing Welcomes Matt Kenseth
by Jeff Meyer
Buescher Returns to Top of Truck Series, Turner Motorsports
by Bryan Davis Keith
Tearing Apart the Trucks: Kentucky's Championship Effect
by Beth Lunkenheimer
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Saturday on the Frontstretch:
Nationwide Breakdown: Feed the Children 300 by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan has all the post-race analysis you need following Friday night's Nationwide Series race from Kentucky.
Tracking the Trucks: UNOH 225 by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth has all the post-race analysis you need following Thursday night's Camping World Truck Series race from Kentucky
Landon Cassill Driver Diary as told to Summer Dreyer
The driver of the No. 83 BK Racing Chevrolet is back to dish on Sonoma, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s win at Michigan and so much more!
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In the 2002 Kroger 300 at Kentucky Speedway, Larry Foyt equaled his best career starting position in the Busch Series with a fifth-place qualifying effort in his Harrah's Chevrolet. However, he couldn't convert that position into a good finish. What happened?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: The first major race held at Kentucky Speedway was the Kroger 225 for the then-Craftsman Truck Series. This race was won by Greg Biffle for Roush Racing, however, Roush's other squad suffered a nasty crash during the event. What happened?
A: This is relatively similar in tone to some of the incidents that have occurred in Sprint Cup this year. Kurt Busch was at the helm of the No. 99 Exide/Tractor Supply Co. Ford for Roush Racing and had a knack for overdriving at times. During this particular race, Busch got very loose on Lap 112 in Turn 3 and instead of just spinning out in a lazy fashion and minimizing damage, Busch overcorrected in an unsuccessful attempt to save the truck. The result was a nasty head-on impact into the concrete wall. Busch was OK, but the truck was thrashed.
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:
-- Quaker State 400 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: Quaker State 400 by Matt McLaughlin
Matt will be here with his overall thoughts about the action from Saturday night's race from Kentucky.
Monday Morning Teardown by TBA
A website look at one of the big stories from Saturday's race from Kentucky.
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 Kentucky.
Big Six: Quaker State 400 by Amy Henderson
Looking for all you need to know leaving Saturday's event at Kentucky? Amy has your who, what, when, where, why and how from a weekend of racing.
Pace Laps: Kentucky 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 Kentucky.
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