THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
July 13th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CXXXVI
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Fronstretch at the Track: Amy Henderson will be live at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend for the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series races. Stay tuned to Facebook, Twitter (@Writer_Amy and @TheFrontstretch) as well as the Breaking News box for all of the latest information coming out of this weekend's events.
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Top News
by Jeff Wolfe
Stewart Wins ESPY Award For Best Driver
Tony Stewart's historic run to the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup title led to another prestigious honor given to him Wednesday night. Stewart, who won five of the final 10 races to take the Sprint Cup crown, won the ESPY for Best Driver. The three-time NASCAR champion beat out four-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti, Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel and NHRA champion Del Worsham for the honor.
"I am thrilled to win the 'Best Driver' award after what turned out to be a great NASCAR season last year. I was fortunate enough to be able to take the checkered flag when it mattered most," Stewart said. "There were some great drivers and great champions in this category, so I cannot thank the NASCAR fans and everyone who voted enough for their unbelievable support."
Stewart also won the best driver awards in 2003 and 2006, after winning his other titles in 2002 and 2005. Stewart was also nominated in the Best Championship category.
"I want to congratulate Tony on winning the ESPY for 'Best Driver' last night," said NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Steve Phelps. "His dramatic run to the championship highlighted his overall performance on the track last season, and we're thrilled the sports world recognized this achievement. Hats off to Tony Stewart and the entire Stewart-Haas Racing organization."
NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson, who presented the best Comeback Athlete honor at the ESPYs, had won the previous four Best Driver honors. Other NASCAR drivers involved in the ESPYs included Danica Patrick presenting the Best Team award along with Steve Nash to the Miami Heat. Patrick also presented that award last year at the ESPYs with Justin Bieber to the Dallas Mavericks.
Furniture Row Racing Growing Impatient with Smith
Regan Smith is 26th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup points standings heading into New Hampshire this weekend, but the question may be how much longer he has to improve that position. Smith, who drives for the Denver-based Furniture Row Racing, could be on the hot seat this weekend at New Hampshire.
According to a story in the Denver Post, team spokesman David Ferroni said changes are possible, but that for the moment Smith will remain the driver of the No. 78 car.
The team is managed by Denver native Joe Garone while the crew chief is Pete Rondeau and the director of competition is Mark McArdle. Smith finished 26th in the points standings last year, but had a win at Darlington and four top-10 finishes. He has failed to crack the top 10 in 18 races and has a best finish of 15th, one of two results where he's finished on the lead lap this year.
Johnson Among Drivers Featured in ESPN's Latest Marketing Campaign
ESPN will return its "nothing beats first place" marketing campaign in the coming weeks as it prepares to pick up coverage of the final 17 races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season starting July 29 with the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis. The drivers featured in the advertisements will be five-time champion Jimmie Johnson, along with Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski.
The campaign, also the theme for last year's advertisements, was successful enough to continue this season according to ESPN Front Row.
"We've done five different campaigns for five years, but we thought the strategy behind this one was very sound and it continued to apply to what we were doing in promotion of NASCAR," said David Zane, ESPN's associate director of sports marketing. "It seemed natural to bring it back. Fans were really receptive to the entire campaign because we were able to insert some ESPN brand personality into it. Fans had been clamoring for more humor and more personality."
Zane said the variety of drivers were picked for a variety of reasons.
"We wanted a really good mix of up and coming stars who would be relevant when the Sprint Cup series began," Zane said. "Johnson is always a great fit for us. We thought Edwards would be a great addition. Hamlin and Keselowski are young drivers poised to be future stars in the sport. We picked each of them for different reasons and to reach different groups of fans."
Johnson is looking to regain the Sprint Cup title after having his streak of five straight crowns broken last year by Tony Stewart. Hamlin with his two wins this year and Keselowski with his three wins this year are heavy favorites to make the Chase. Edwards, last year's runner-up on a tiebreaker with Stewart--who also boasts three wins--is currently 11th in the points standings.
The final TNT race of the season will be at 1 PM Sunday. The Sprint Cup series will resume after a rare Sunday off next week.
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
July 13th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CXXXVI
~~~~~~~~~~
Fronstretch at the Track: Amy Henderson will be live at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend for the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series races. Stay tuned to Facebook, Twitter (@Writer_Amy and @TheFrontstretch) as well as the Breaking News box for all of the latest information coming out of this weekend's events.
~~~~~~~~~~
Top News
by Jeff Wolfe
Stewart Wins ESPY Award For Best Driver
Tony Stewart's historic run to the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup title led to another prestigious honor given to him Wednesday night. Stewart, who won five of the final 10 races to take the Sprint Cup crown, won the ESPY for Best Driver. The three-time NASCAR champion beat out four-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti, Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel and NHRA champion Del Worsham for the honor.
"I am thrilled to win the 'Best Driver' award after what turned out to be a great NASCAR season last year. I was fortunate enough to be able to take the checkered flag when it mattered most," Stewart said. "There were some great drivers and great champions in this category, so I cannot thank the NASCAR fans and everyone who voted enough for their unbelievable support."
Stewart also won the best driver awards in 2003 and 2006, after winning his other titles in 2002 and 2005. Stewart was also nominated in the Best Championship category.
"I want to congratulate Tony on winning the ESPY for 'Best Driver' last night," said NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Steve Phelps. "His dramatic run to the championship highlighted his overall performance on the track last season, and we're thrilled the sports world recognized this achievement. Hats off to Tony Stewart and the entire Stewart-Haas Racing organization."
NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson, who presented the best Comeback Athlete honor at the ESPYs, had won the previous four Best Driver honors. Other NASCAR drivers involved in the ESPYs included Danica Patrick presenting the Best Team award along with Steve Nash to the Miami Heat. Patrick also presented that award last year at the ESPYs with Justin Bieber to the Dallas Mavericks.
Furniture Row Racing Growing Impatient with Smith
Regan Smith is 26th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup points standings heading into New Hampshire this weekend, but the question may be how much longer he has to improve that position. Smith, who drives for the Denver-based Furniture Row Racing, could be on the hot seat this weekend at New Hampshire.
According to a story in the Denver Post, team spokesman David Ferroni said changes are possible, but that for the moment Smith will remain the driver of the No. 78 car.
The team is managed by Denver native Joe Garone while the crew chief is Pete Rondeau and the director of competition is Mark McArdle. Smith finished 26th in the points standings last year, but had a win at Darlington and four top-10 finishes. He has failed to crack the top 10 in 18 races and has a best finish of 15th, one of two results where he's finished on the lead lap this year.
Johnson Among Drivers Featured in ESPN's Latest Marketing Campaign
ESPN will return its "nothing beats first place" marketing campaign in the coming weeks as it prepares to pick up coverage of the final 17 races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season starting July 29 with the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis. The drivers featured in the advertisements will be five-time champion Jimmie Johnson, along with Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski.
The campaign, also the theme for last year's advertisements, was successful enough to continue this season according to ESPN Front Row.
"We've done five different campaigns for five years, but we thought the strategy behind this one was very sound and it continued to apply to what we were doing in promotion of NASCAR," said David Zane, ESPN's associate director of sports marketing. "It seemed natural to bring it back. Fans were really receptive to the entire campaign because we were able to insert some ESPN brand personality into it. Fans had been clamoring for more humor and more personality."
Zane said the variety of drivers were picked for a variety of reasons.
"We wanted a really good mix of up and coming stars who would be relevant when the Sprint Cup series began," Zane said. "Johnson is always a great fit for us. We thought Edwards would be a great addition. Hamlin and Keselowski are young drivers poised to be future stars in the sport. We picked each of them for different reasons and to reach different groups of fans."
Johnson is looking to regain the Sprint Cup title after having his streak of five straight crowns broken last year by Tony Stewart. Hamlin with his two wins this year and Keselowski with his three wins this year are heavy favorites to make the Chase. Edwards, last year's runner-up on a tiebreaker with Stewart--who also boasts three wins--is currently 11th in the points standings.
The final TNT race of the season will be at 1 PM Sunday. The Sprint Cup series will resume after a rare Sunday off next week.
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In Case You Missed It
by Beth Lunkenheimer
Patrick Gives Couric Ride Around Indianapolis
Danica Patrick game television personality Katie Couric a ride around Indianapolis Motor Speedway Tuesday. Piloting a two-seater version of the No. 7 GoDaddy.com/NASCAR Unites "An American Salute" Chevy, the laps served as a warmup for Patril who will run the Nationwide Series race July 28th.
"It feels really good to be at the track. I enjoyed the laps that I made out there," Patrick said. "I really, really enjoyed coming out of Turn 4 and coming down the front straighaway and seeing everything again.
Patrick finished 10th in the 2011 Indianapolis 500, her last start at the 2.5-mile oval; it was her sixth top-10 finish in seven Indy 500 starts.
Montoya to Make 200th Start
Juan Pablo Montoya will make his 200th career Sprint Cup Series start in Sunday's LENOX Industrial Tools 301. His No. 42 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet will feature a new paint scheme with Degree as the primary sponsor as they feature their MOTIONSENSE Technology designed react to bod movement and release extra protection all day. In his first 199 career starts, Montoya has two victories (Sonoma - 2007 and Watkins Glen - 2010), 20 top 5s and 51 top-10 finishes.
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Keepin' It Short: A Hell Tour With a Southern Flair
by Mike Neff
The UMP Summer Nationals, long known as the Hell Tour, comes to a finish Saturday at Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio. Most likely Brian Shirley or Shannon Babb will walk away with the crown as the 2012 Summer Nationals Champion. Two days after the Tour wraps up, the Schaeffer's Southern Nationals begins at Wythe Raceway in Rural Retreat, Virginia. For the following 13 days, from Monday, July 16th through Saturday, July 28th, the Southern Nationals Tour will hit ten different race tracks. While it isn't 29 races in 32 days, the Southern Nationals Tour is still a very challenging test of both men and machines as the races take place on some of the hottest days of the year.
The Schaeffer's Southern Nationals have been run since 2005 and are promoted by Ray Cook, who is a driver as well as a promoter. He has been the promoter of the tour since the first year in 2005 when it featured just seven races as the first event on the schedule was rained out. Over the seven years that the tour has been held there have been 63 races contested. 22 drivers have taken home trophies, however Chris Madden has, by far, been the dominant driver on the tour. Madden has scored 17 victories during the seven years, which has translated into three Southern Nationals titles. Casey Roberts and Dennis Franklin are the closest drivers to Madden in win total and they have six wins each. Defending Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Champion Jimmy Owens is tied for fourth on the list with five wins, along with Jonathan Davenport. Randy Weaver has three tour wins while Benji Cole, Vic Hill, Tommy Kerr, Clint Smith and Anthony White have each notched two victories. 11 drivers have notched a single win, including Austin Dillon, Eddie Carrier Jr., Bub McCool and Billy Ogle, Jr.
While Chris Madden has taken home the Southern Nationals Championship three times, the other four years have seen four different winners. Jeff Cooke was the title winner in the inaugural 2005 season. Anthony White took the title in 2006 while Tommy Kerr was the 2009 champ and Jonathan Davenport took the title in 2010.
This season's schedule once again wraps up at Tazewell Speedway after making a circuitous trek through Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. The July 19th race has not been rescheduled after a little known law on the books in Ringgold, GA resulted in the race at Boyd's Speedway being pulled from the schedule due to a local noise ordinance. Cook assures fans that the race will take place as three different tracks have volunteered to host the event and it is just a matter of time before the particulars are worked out. The 2012 Schaeffer's Southern Nationals Schedule looks like this:
July 16th – Wythe Raceway – Rural Retreat, VA - $3,500 to win, $450 to start
July 17th – Smoky Mountain Speedway – Maryville, TN - $3,500 to win, $450 to start
July 19th – TBA
July 20th – Swainsboro Raceway – Swainsboro, GA - $5,300 to win, $530 to start
July 21st – Screven Motor Speedway – Sylvania, GA - $5,300 to win, $530 to start
July 22nd – Rome Speedway – Rome, GA - $5,300 to win, $530 to start
July 24th – East Alabama Motor Speedway - $3,500 to win, $450 to start
July 26th – Cleveland Speedway – Cleveland, TN - $3,500 to win, $450 to start
July 27th – Volunteer Speedway – Bulls Gap, TN - $5,300 to win, $530 to start
July 28th – Tazewell Speedway – Tazewell, TN - $5,300 to win, $530 to start
One added bonus to the 2012 Schaeffer's Southern Nationals is the Performance Rod and Custom Ironman Challenge. PRC, Hoosier Tires, Graphic Impressions and Schaeffer Oil have put together a $8,500 prize pack to any driver who completes the entire UMP Summer Nationals and then completes the entire Southern Nationals. That will be 39 races in 45 days, a true ironman feat. The prizes include $3,000 in cash, 100 free T-shirts, free entry into all ten tour races, two free pit passes for all ten races, one Hoosier tire for each race, four cases of Schaeffer 20w-50 oil and five gallons of Schaeffer truck oil. There are currently 10 drivers eligible for the challenge, but none of them have committed to the full 10 race tour. Drivers eligible include Shirley, Babb, Jason Feger, Brandon Sheppard, Ryan Unzicker, Dennis Erb, Jason McBride, Mike Spatola, Nick Bartells and Jerry Lierly.
Anyone in the Southeast with spare time during the next two weeks should check out the schedule and try and make a trip to see a Southern Nationals race. The World of Outlaws does not have any races scheduled during the two weeks of the Nationals while the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models will have races on half of the nights scheduled for the tour. There is a very good chance you could see World of Outlaw and possibly some Lucas Oil drivers in the races.
Whelen All-American National Championship race
Lee Pulliam may have had a tremendous week with three wins in five days but CE Falk, III wasn't too far behind, finishing second and third behind Pulliam before scoring two wins at his home track of Langley Speedway on Saturday, July 7th. Falk is now over the maximum number of 18 races so he dropped some points while adding his races from the week, but in the four races he totaled 144 points. As a result Falk vaulted from seventh to first in the Whelen All-American points race. Pulliam's 133-point week moved him from 11th to fifth, only 25 points behind Falk for the top spot. The one factor that Pulliam has playing in his favor is that he still needs one more race to get to the 18 race maximum. Assuming he wins a race that is anywhere close to maximum points, he'll move to the top of the standings.
In the meantime, Nate Monteith continues to ride the resurgence of Kingsport Speedway as he notched another win and added 43 points to his total, obviously dropping an early season poor finish from his total. Ted Christopher fell from first to third and sits just six points ahead of another former National Champion Keith Rocco. One other driver to keep an eye on, who is not in the top 10 this week, is Duane Howard. Howard continues to dominate at Grandview Speedway and has a higher average point total per race than the leaders at this point. Howard's concern is that he only has eight races left on the schedule at Grandview so he will only run a total of 20 races at this point. He has one finish already outside of the top five. He can only afford one more poor showing and seriously needs to win most of the races left on the schedule to make a run at the title.
Whelen All-American National Points
Position Name Races Wins Top 5s Top 10s Points
1. C E Falk, III 21 11 17 19 635
2. Nate Monteith 20 7 15 17 629
3. Ted Christopher 26 4 19 22 620
4. Keith Rocco 25 8 14 18 614
5. Lee Pulliam 17 10 14 15 610
6. Ryan Preece 25 6 17 21 600
7. Deac McCaskill 17 11 16 17 569
8. Anthony Anders 33 2 20 30 565
9. Jase Kaser 18 6 11 14 536
10. Matt Bowling 19 1 13 17 521
A driver's best 18 results through Sept. 16 are counted toward their states and national point totals, and the champions are decided on overall point total. Once a driver reaches 18 starts, their total would increase incrementally as they replace some poorer runs with better results.
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 cars. Second place receives two fewer points and so on through the field. Race winners receive an additional five points. For example, if 20 cars are in the field, the winner receives 45 points, second place 38 and third 36. If there are 15 cars, the winner receives 35 points, second 28 and third, 26.
ASA National Points
Shelby Stroebel continues to drive toward a National Championship in the ASA as he scored his ninth and tenth wins of the season this past weekend. Stroebel has won 12 straight races at Meridian Speedway to firmly stamp his name at the top of the ASA point standings. If Stroebel does stumble, several drivers are hot on his heels with 2011 National Champion Barry Beggarly at the point of the East Region standings.
Matt Wallace, who is fourth in West Region points, is trying to follow in his sister Chrissy's footsteps at I-44 Lebanon Speedway. Chrissy was the track champion at I-44 and also the West Region Champion in the ASA in 2011. The younger Wallace took the win at !-44 on the 4th of July and sits second in points behind Mike Slone, who is facing the daunting task of trying to chase down Stroebel who has a huge lead in the West.
West Region
Position Name Average
1. Shelby Stroebel 3.2570
2. Mike Slone 2.6936
3. Rus Ward 2.5627
4. Matt Wallace 2.4404
5. Jentry Pisca 2.2772
East Region
Position Name Average
1. Barry Beggarly 2.6302
2. Dustin Rumley 2.6057
3. Dennis Queen 2.4659
4. Rodney Cook 2.3551
5. Taylor Coffman 2.3163
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 : July 13th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – 5 Star Series Mid-Season Stretch Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – 5 Star Series Mid-Season Stretch Limited Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – 5 Star Series Mid-Season Stretch SK Lights
Fri : July 13th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – 5 Star Series Mid-Season Stretch SK Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Lakeside Speedway ; Kansas City : KS – USMTS National Championship Series Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Tri-City Speedway ; Pontoon Beach : IL – Lucas Oil Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Gas City I-69 Speedway ; Gas City : IN – AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars
Fri : July 13th – Gas City I-69 Speedway ; Gas City : IN – USAC Midwest Focus Midgets
Fri : July 13th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets
Fri : July 13th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Legends
Fri : July 13th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Mel Kenyon Midgets
Fri : July 13th – Iowa Speedway ; Newton : IA – ARCA Racing Series
Fri : July 13th – Dixie Motor Speedway ; Birch Run : MI – Dixie Classic Super Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – USRA Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – IMCA Stock Cars
Fri : July 13th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – WISSOTA Street Stocks
Fri : July 13th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – ASCS Midwest Sprint Cars
Fri : July 13th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – ASCS Warrior Sprint Cars
Fri : July 13th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – A Mods
Fri : July 13th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – Sport Mods
Fri : July 13th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Street Stocks
Fri : July 13th – Valley Speedway ; Grain Valley : MO – United Late Model Association Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – NDRA Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – Open Wheel Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – Street Stocks
Fri : July 13th – Tri-County Racetrack ; Brasstown : NC – USCS Outlaw Thunder Sprint Cars
Fri : July 13th – Dacotah Speedway ; Mandan : ND – Dakota Track Side Classic Tour IMCA Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Dacotah Speedway ; Mandan : ND – Dakota Track Side Classic Tour IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars
Fri : July 13th – River Cities Speedway ; Grand Forks : ND – World of Outlaws Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Attica Raceway Park ; Attica : OH – Hell Tour DIRTCar Late Models Summer Nationals
Fri : July 13th – Attica Raceway Park ; Attica : OH – DIRTCar Summit UMP Modified Nationals
Fri : July 13th – Eldora Speedway ; Rossburg : OH – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Fri : July 13th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Steel Block Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Street Stocks
Fri : July 13th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – 358 Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Sportsman
Fri : July 13th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Manuel Torres Memorial Street Stocks
Fri : July 13th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Manuel Torres Memorial Super Stocks
Fri : July 13th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Sport Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Stock
Fri : July 13th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – Street Stock
Fri : July 13th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – NorthTex Racing Series
Fri : July 13th – Grays Harbor Raceway ; Elma : WA – Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Fri : July 13th – Langlade Speedway ; Antigo : WI – Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Langlade Speedway ; Antigo : WI – Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Sprint Cars
Fri : July 13th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Sport Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Street Stock
Sat : July 14th – Mobile International Speedway ; Irvington : AL – TBARA Winged Sprint Cars
Sat : July 14th – Mobile International Speedway ; Irvington : AL – Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Montgomery Motor Speedway ; Montgomery : AL – Show Me The Money Pro Late Models
Sat : July 14th – NEA Speedway ; Harrisburd : AR – Comp Cams Super Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – 305 Winged Sprints
Sat : July 14th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – 600 Mini Sprints
Sat : July 14th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Motoplex Speedway ; Vernon : British Columbia – NASCAR Canadian Tire Series
Sat : July 14th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – USAC Sprint Cars
Sat : July 14th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – 410/360 Super Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – BCRA/USAC Midgets
Sat : July 14th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – NCMA Sprint Cars
Sat : July 14th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – Sport Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – BCRA Vintage Sprints
Sat : July 14th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – BCRA Vintage Midgets
Sat : July 14th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Pro Late Models
Sat : July 14th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Sportsman
Sat : July 14th – Dixie Speedway ; Woodstock : GA – USCS 600 Sprint Cars
Sat : July 14th – Dixie Speedway ; Woodstock : GA – USCS Outlaw Thunder Sprint Cars
Sat : July 14th – New Senoia Raceway ; Senoia : GA – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Watermelon Capital Speedway ; Cordele : GA – Outlaw Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Grundy County Speedway ; Morris : IL – USAC Mopar D1 Stars
Sat : July 14th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Limited Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Street Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Kokomo Speedway ; Kokomo : IN – AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars
Sat : July 14th – Montpelier Speedway ; Montpelier : IN – USAC Midwest Focus Midgets
Sat : July 14th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Sportsman
Sat : July 14th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Street Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets
Sat : July 14th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Late Model Figure 8
Sat : July 14th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Stock Cars
Sat : July 14th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Sport Mods
Sat : July 14th – Great American Dirt Track ; Jetmore : KS – USMTS National Championship Series Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Sportsman
Sat : July 14th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Pure Street
Sat : July 14th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Mini-Stock
Sat : July 14th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Outlaw Mini-Cup
Sat : July 14th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Junior Mini-Cup
Sat : July 14h – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Rebels
Sat : July 14th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Strictly Stock
Sat : July 14th – Hagerstown Speedway ; Hagerstown : MD – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Hagerstown Speedway ; Hagerstown : MD – Pure Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Berlin Raceway ; Marne : MI – Outlaw Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Outlaw Super Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Pro Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Wissota Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Wissota Street Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Wissota Super Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – USRA Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Street Stocks
Sat : July 14th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Super Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Super Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – NeSmith Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Street Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – 6th Annual Diamond Nationals Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – 6th Annual Diamond Nationals A-Mods
Sat : July 14th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – 6th Annual Diamond Nationals MLRA Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Canaan Fair Speedway ; Canaan : NH – MRS Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – New Hampshire Motor Speedway ; Loudon : NH – NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Sat : July 14th – Dunn Tire Raceway Park ; Lancaster : NY – Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Dunn Tire Raceway Park ; Lancaster : NY – Street Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Concord Motorsports Park ; Concord : NC – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Limited Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Street Stock
Sat : July 14th – Eldora Speedway ; Rossburg : OH – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Sat : July 14th – Oakshade Raceway ; Wauseon : OH – Hell Tour DIRTCar Late Models Summer Nationals
Sat : July 14th – Oakshade Raceway ; Wauseon : OH – DIRTCar Summit UMP Modified Nationals
Sat : July 14th – Emo Speedway ; Emo : Ontario – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Emo Speedway ; Emo : Ontario – Wissota Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Emo Speedway ; Emo : Ontario – Street Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Varney Motor Speedway ; Durham : Ontario – OSCAAR Super Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – ARDC Midgets
Sat : July 14th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Sprint Cars
Sat : July 14th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Xcel 600 CCs
Sat : July 14th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – BAPS Night 410 Sprints
Sat : July 14th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – BAPS Night 358 Sprints
Sat : July 14th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – BAPS Night Thundercars
Sat : July 14th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – 4c Super Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Street Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Raceway Park ; Clearfield : PA – NASCAR K&N Pro East Series
Sat : July 14th – Autodrome Saint Eustache ; Saint Eustache : Quebec – ACT Castrol Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Dillon Motor Speedway ; Dillon : SC – CARS Pro Cup Series
Sat : July 14th – Cleveland Speedway ; Cleveland : TN – Southern All Star Dirt Super Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Nashville Fairgrounds ; Nashville : TN – Ken Ten Pro Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Newport Motor Speedway ; Newport : TN – UARA Stars Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Motor Mile Speedway ; Radford : VA – PASS South
Sat : July 14th – Shenandoah Speedway ; Shenandoah : VA – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Shenandoah Speedway ; Shenandoah : VA – Sportsman
Sat : July 14th – Evergreen Speedway ; Monroe : WA – NASCAR K&N Pro East Series
Sat : July 14th – Grays Harbor Raceway ; Elma : WA – Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Sat : July 14th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Midwest Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – TNT Speedway ; Three Lakes : WI – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – TNT Speedway ; Three Lakes : WI – Wissota Street Stocks
Sun : July 15th – Lawrenceburg Speedway ; Lawrenceburg : IN – AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars
Sun : July 15th – Winchester Speedway ; Winchester : IN – Main Event Super Late Models
Sun : July 15th – Dubuque Fairgrounds Speedway ; Dubuque : IA – Deery Brothers Summer Series IMCA Late Models
Tue : July 17th – Red River Valley Speedway ; Fargo : ND – World of Outlaws Late Models
Tue : July 17th – Lernerville Speedway ; Sarver : PA – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Tue : July 17th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – Race of Champions Modifieds
Wed : July 18th – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – Outlaws
Wed : July 18th – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – Pro Late Models
Wed : July 18th – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – Trucks
Wed : July 18th – Quad City Speedway ; East Moline : IL – Deery Brothers Summer Series IMCA Late Models
Wed : July 18th – Terre Haute Action Track ; Terre Haute : IN – AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars
Wed : July 18th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Outlaws
Wed : July 18th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Rebels
Wed : July 18th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Renegades
Wed : July 18th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Osborn : MO – Cornbelt Clash Late Models
Wed : July 18th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – A Mods
Wed : July 18th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – Sport Mods
Wed : July 18th – Millbridge Speedway ; Salisbury : NC – Mini Outlaws
Wed : July 18th – Willamette Speedway ; Lebanon : OR – Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Thu : July 19th – Southern Iowa Speedway ; Oskaloosa : IA – USMTS National Championship Series Modifieds
Thu : July 19th – Lincoln Park Speedway ; Putnamville : IN – AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars
Thu : July 19th – I-80 Speedway ; Greenwood : NE – Super Late Model Racing Series
Thu : July 19th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – 410 Sprints
Thu : July 19th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – 358 Sprints
Thu : July 19th – Interstate Speedway ; Jefferson : SD – USMTS National Championship 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: LENOX Industrial Tools 301
by Jeff Wolfe
As the Sprint Cup Series heads off to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the 19th race on the 2011 schedule, the time for making the Chase is quickly dwindling. While drama builds in the Wild Card race for the final two slots in the Chase, a victory this weekend for a winless driver could be the ticket to NASCAR's playoffs, but there are several drivers those Chase hopefuls will have to work their way through.
Top 5 Picks
Tony Stewart - It's the summertime and Smoke is on his usual roll. He's got three wins at New Hampshire and 14 top 5 finishes.
Ryan Newman - He's always run well here with three wins and six poles. It's good timing for him as the No. 39 team is looking for sponsorship for next year.
Jimmie Johnson - He also has three wins at Loudon and is still a top contender at any track.
Jeff Burton - He hung around and finished second last week. His only chance of making the Chase is to get a win somewhere, and he's got four of them at Loudon.
Clint Bowyer - He's got two wins at Loudon in his career. He is sitting 10th in points with one win on the season. One more victory this year would likely guarantee him a spot in the Chase.
Shoulda, woulda, coulda - Kurt Busch has three wins at Loudon, but being on an underfunded team has hurt him all year. There's no doubt Busch has the talent to win, though, which made him worth consideration here.
ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP
Here's a look at how last week's picks fared at Daytona.
Tony Stewart: 1st. A big push from Kasey Kahne on the final laps got him the win.
Matt Kenseth: 3rd. Easily could have won it, but lost drafting partner Greg Biffle for a few seconds on the final lap.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr: 15th. He probably would have had a better finish but got caught up in the last lap melee. He was never really a serious threat to win, though.
Kevin Harvick: 23rd. Also was gunning for a decent finish until final lap crash-fest.
Jimmie Johnson: 36th. No C-posts issues this time at Daytona, just accident issues that allowed to run only 123 of the 160 laps.
Season Stats
90 Predictions
10 wins
33 top 5s
42 top 10s
Grade for the week: B. I gave you two of the top five, including the winner, which isn't bad for a restrictor plate race where anything can and usually does happen.
One Last Thing: Just how good has Jeff Burton been at Loudon? In 1999, he started 38th and won. Then in 2000, he led all 300 laps in a win at Loudon.
Jeff Wolfe is a Contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at jeff.wolfe@frontstretch.com.
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ADVERTISEMENT
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Frontstretch Folio: LENOX Industrial Tools 301
by Rick Lunkenheimer
This weekend's Lenox Industrial Tools 301at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will be the nineteenth race in the series. Located in Loudon, NH, the race will be televised on TNT at 1 ET; additionally the race will be broadcast on PRN, and SiriusXM radio channel 90 at the same time. Drivers will complete 301 laps for a total of 318.485 miles, in the first of two races at the speedway.
Records and Facts
Ryan Newman holds the track qualifying record in his No. 39 Chevrolet at 135.232 mph (28.165 sec) set on July 15, 2011 for the LENOX Industrial Tools 301. Newman went on to lead 119 laps en route to his only victory for the 2011 season.
Jeff Burton holds the race record of 117.134 mph (2:42:35) while running the 1997 Jiffy Lube 300. Burton led 99 laps on the way to victory lane for his second of three wins during the 1997 season. Ironically he also holds the record for most wins at the track with four.
Track Facts
Track Length / Race Length: 1.058-mile oval / 301 laps (318.485 miles)
Degree of Banking: Turns variable 7-9 degrees
Frontstretch: Length: 1,500 feet; banked one degree
Backstretch: Length: 1,500 feet; banked one degree
Grandstand Seating: 95,491
Pre-Race Schedule
Practices: Friday, July 13, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM ET on SPEED
Saturday, July 14, 9:00 AM - 9:55 AM ET on SPEED
Qualifying: Friday, July 13 at 3:40 PM ET on SPEED
Happy Hour: Saturday, July 14, 11:20 AM - 12:20 PM ET on SPEED
VIPs
Pace car driver: Ricky Craven
National Anthem: Speedway Star competition winner, 12-year-old Emma Joanis of Windham, N.H.
Say What?!?
"Our team is looking for a strong run this weekend at New Hampshire. This track is unlike anywhere else we race. It is essentially flat. A lot of people say it drives more like a road course than an oval because of its low banking. It's a challenge for a lot of teams, but it's also a place where we can have a good finish by working hard on our car.We seem to be picking up speed each week and now we need to turn them into better results. The past six weeks we've been just outside that top-25 mark. Now, we need to hit on it each week. We're an improving program, no doubt. I can see the progress, but we need to take that next step." -David Ragan
"I'm looking forward to this weekend at New Hampshire. Tommy has always been good at this track and it's his home track, so it is definitely a place he is very familiar with. This year our team has shown promise at the shorter tracks, so I am eager to see how we can do this weekend." -David Reutimann
Rick Lunkenheimer is a Contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at rick.lunkenheimer@frontstretch.com.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
NHMS Success and Dashed Hopes Link Newman, Burton
by Amy Henderson
Four Burning Questions: Military Sponsorships, and Chase hopefuls
by Summer Bedgood
Charity Corner: NAPA, Truex, Jr. Team Up for Wounded Soldiers
by Beth Lunkenheimer
Kenny Wallace Driver Diary: Bad Luck, Good Racing...and the Wizard
as told to Amy Henderson
Is Second Place Already the First Loser in the Truck, Nationwide Series?
by Bryan Davis Keith
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In the 1998 Jiffy Lube 300, Jeff Burton had a relatively easy time of it, leading 191 laps on his way to his second consecutive win at Loudon. Meanwhile, a number of drivers got involved in a big crash on Lap 35. What happened?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: For Derrike Cope, 1994 was a fairly tough season. He was fired from Cale Yarborough Motorsports midway through the season and replaced with rookie Jeremy Mayfield. Cope was then forced to drive for T.W. Taylor's No. 02 before finding a home at the underfunded Bobby Allison Motorsports (they landed Straight Arrow backing right about the time they signed him to replace Tim Steele after Steele was not even close to qualifying for the Brickyard 400). The Slick 50 300 at Loudon likely played a major role in why Cope was fired out of the No. 98. Why?
A: It may not look like it if you look at Racing-Reference.info's results from the race, but Cope managed to get caught up in three separate wrecks in the race. The third of these finally put Cope out of the race (he finished 35th). This performance completely and totally squandered the team's best qualifying effort (eighth) of the season. Before the next race, Yarborough and Fingerhut had had enough and dumped the veteran driver after a year and a half in the car.
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:
-- LENOX Industrial Tools 301 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: LENOX Industrial Tools 301 by Matt McLaughlin
Matt will be here with his overall thoughts about the action from Sunday afternoon's race from New Hampshire.
Monday Morning Teardown by TBA
A website look at one of the big stories from Sunday's race from New Hampshire.
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 New Hampshire.
Big Six: LENOX Industrial Tools 301 by Amy Henderson
Looking for all you need to know leaving Sunday's event at New Hampshire? Amy has your who, what, when, where, why and how from a weekend of racing.
Pace Laps: New Hampshire / Iowa 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 in New Hampshire and Iowa.
Nationwide Breakdown: F.W. Webb 200 by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan has all the post-race analysis you need following Saturday afternoon's Nationwide Series race from New Hampshire.
Tracking the Trucks: American Ethanol 200 by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth has all the post-race analysis you need following Saturday night's Camping World Truck Series standalone race from Iowa.
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In Case You Missed It
by Beth Lunkenheimer
Patrick Gives Couric Ride Around Indianapolis
Danica Patrick game television personality Katie Couric a ride around Indianapolis Motor Speedway Tuesday. Piloting a two-seater version of the No. 7 GoDaddy.com/NASCAR Unites "An American Salute" Chevy, the laps served as a warmup for Patril who will run the Nationwide Series race July 28th.
"It feels really good to be at the track. I enjoyed the laps that I made out there," Patrick said. "I really, really enjoyed coming out of Turn 4 and coming down the front straighaway and seeing everything again.
Patrick finished 10th in the 2011 Indianapolis 500, her last start at the 2.5-mile oval; it was her sixth top-10 finish in seven Indy 500 starts.
Montoya to Make 200th Start
Juan Pablo Montoya will make his 200th career Sprint Cup Series start in Sunday's LENOX Industrial Tools 301. His No. 42 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet will feature a new paint scheme with Degree as the primary sponsor as they feature their MOTIONSENSE Technology designed react to bod movement and release extra protection all day. In his first 199 career starts, Montoya has two victories (Sonoma - 2007 and Watkins Glen - 2010), 20 top 5s and 51 top-10 finishes.
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Keepin' It Short: A Hell Tour With a Southern Flair
by Mike Neff
The UMP Summer Nationals, long known as the Hell Tour, comes to a finish Saturday at Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio. Most likely Brian Shirley or Shannon Babb will walk away with the crown as the 2012 Summer Nationals Champion. Two days after the Tour wraps up, the Schaeffer's Southern Nationals begins at Wythe Raceway in Rural Retreat, Virginia. For the following 13 days, from Monday, July 16th through Saturday, July 28th, the Southern Nationals Tour will hit ten different race tracks. While it isn't 29 races in 32 days, the Southern Nationals Tour is still a very challenging test of both men and machines as the races take place on some of the hottest days of the year.
The Schaeffer's Southern Nationals have been run since 2005 and are promoted by Ray Cook, who is a driver as well as a promoter. He has been the promoter of the tour since the first year in 2005 when it featured just seven races as the first event on the schedule was rained out. Over the seven years that the tour has been held there have been 63 races contested. 22 drivers have taken home trophies, however Chris Madden has, by far, been the dominant driver on the tour. Madden has scored 17 victories during the seven years, which has translated into three Southern Nationals titles. Casey Roberts and Dennis Franklin are the closest drivers to Madden in win total and they have six wins each. Defending Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Champion Jimmy Owens is tied for fourth on the list with five wins, along with Jonathan Davenport. Randy Weaver has three tour wins while Benji Cole, Vic Hill, Tommy Kerr, Clint Smith and Anthony White have each notched two victories. 11 drivers have notched a single win, including Austin Dillon, Eddie Carrier Jr., Bub McCool and Billy Ogle, Jr.
While Chris Madden has taken home the Southern Nationals Championship three times, the other four years have seen four different winners. Jeff Cooke was the title winner in the inaugural 2005 season. Anthony White took the title in 2006 while Tommy Kerr was the 2009 champ and Jonathan Davenport took the title in 2010.
This season's schedule once again wraps up at Tazewell Speedway after making a circuitous trek through Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. The July 19th race has not been rescheduled after a little known law on the books in Ringgold, GA resulted in the race at Boyd's Speedway being pulled from the schedule due to a local noise ordinance. Cook assures fans that the race will take place as three different tracks have volunteered to host the event and it is just a matter of time before the particulars are worked out. The 2012 Schaeffer's Southern Nationals Schedule looks like this:
July 16th – Wythe Raceway – Rural Retreat, VA - $3,500 to win, $450 to start
July 17th – Smoky Mountain Speedway – Maryville, TN - $3,500 to win, $450 to start
July 19th – TBA
July 20th – Swainsboro Raceway – Swainsboro, GA - $5,300 to win, $530 to start
July 21st – Screven Motor Speedway – Sylvania, GA - $5,300 to win, $530 to start
July 22nd – Rome Speedway – Rome, GA - $5,300 to win, $530 to start
July 24th – East Alabama Motor Speedway - $3,500 to win, $450 to start
July 26th – Cleveland Speedway – Cleveland, TN - $3,500 to win, $450 to start
July 27th – Volunteer Speedway – Bulls Gap, TN - $5,300 to win, $530 to start
July 28th – Tazewell Speedway – Tazewell, TN - $5,300 to win, $530 to start
One added bonus to the 2012 Schaeffer's Southern Nationals is the Performance Rod and Custom Ironman Challenge. PRC, Hoosier Tires, Graphic Impressions and Schaeffer Oil have put together a $8,500 prize pack to any driver who completes the entire UMP Summer Nationals and then completes the entire Southern Nationals. That will be 39 races in 45 days, a true ironman feat. The prizes include $3,000 in cash, 100 free T-shirts, free entry into all ten tour races, two free pit passes for all ten races, one Hoosier tire for each race, four cases of Schaeffer 20w-50 oil and five gallons of Schaeffer truck oil. There are currently 10 drivers eligible for the challenge, but none of them have committed to the full 10 race tour. Drivers eligible include Shirley, Babb, Jason Feger, Brandon Sheppard, Ryan Unzicker, Dennis Erb, Jason McBride, Mike Spatola, Nick Bartells and Jerry Lierly.
Anyone in the Southeast with spare time during the next two weeks should check out the schedule and try and make a trip to see a Southern Nationals race. The World of Outlaws does not have any races scheduled during the two weeks of the Nationals while the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models will have races on half of the nights scheduled for the tour. There is a very good chance you could see World of Outlaw and possibly some Lucas Oil drivers in the races.
Whelen All-American National Championship race
Lee Pulliam may have had a tremendous week with three wins in five days but CE Falk, III wasn't too far behind, finishing second and third behind Pulliam before scoring two wins at his home track of Langley Speedway on Saturday, July 7th. Falk is now over the maximum number of 18 races so he dropped some points while adding his races from the week, but in the four races he totaled 144 points. As a result Falk vaulted from seventh to first in the Whelen All-American points race. Pulliam's 133-point week moved him from 11th to fifth, only 25 points behind Falk for the top spot. The one factor that Pulliam has playing in his favor is that he still needs one more race to get to the 18 race maximum. Assuming he wins a race that is anywhere close to maximum points, he'll move to the top of the standings.
In the meantime, Nate Monteith continues to ride the resurgence of Kingsport Speedway as he notched another win and added 43 points to his total, obviously dropping an early season poor finish from his total. Ted Christopher fell from first to third and sits just six points ahead of another former National Champion Keith Rocco. One other driver to keep an eye on, who is not in the top 10 this week, is Duane Howard. Howard continues to dominate at Grandview Speedway and has a higher average point total per race than the leaders at this point. Howard's concern is that he only has eight races left on the schedule at Grandview so he will only run a total of 20 races at this point. He has one finish already outside of the top five. He can only afford one more poor showing and seriously needs to win most of the races left on the schedule to make a run at the title.
Whelen All-American National Points
Position Name Races Wins Top 5s Top 10s Points
1. C E Falk, III 21 11 17 19 635
2. Nate Monteith 20 7 15 17 629
3. Ted Christopher 26 4 19 22 620
4. Keith Rocco 25 8 14 18 614
5. Lee Pulliam 17 10 14 15 610
6. Ryan Preece 25 6 17 21 600
7. Deac McCaskill 17 11 16 17 569
8. Anthony Anders 33 2 20 30 565
9. Jase Kaser 18 6 11 14 536
10. Matt Bowling 19 1 13 17 521
A driver's best 18 results through Sept. 16 are counted toward their states and national point totals, and the champions are decided on overall point total. Once a driver reaches 18 starts, their total would increase incrementally as they replace some poorer runs with better results.
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 cars. Second place receives two fewer points and so on through the field. Race winners receive an additional five points. For example, if 20 cars are in the field, the winner receives 45 points, second place 38 and third 36. If there are 15 cars, the winner receives 35 points, second 28 and third, 26.
ASA National Points
Shelby Stroebel continues to drive toward a National Championship in the ASA as he scored his ninth and tenth wins of the season this past weekend. Stroebel has won 12 straight races at Meridian Speedway to firmly stamp his name at the top of the ASA point standings. If Stroebel does stumble, several drivers are hot on his heels with 2011 National Champion Barry Beggarly at the point of the East Region standings.
Matt Wallace, who is fourth in West Region points, is trying to follow in his sister Chrissy's footsteps at I-44 Lebanon Speedway. Chrissy was the track champion at I-44 and also the West Region Champion in the ASA in 2011. The younger Wallace took the win at !-44 on the 4th of July and sits second in points behind Mike Slone, who is facing the daunting task of trying to chase down Stroebel who has a huge lead in the West.
West Region
Position Name Average
1. Shelby Stroebel 3.2570
2. Mike Slone 2.6936
3. Rus Ward 2.5627
4. Matt Wallace 2.4404
5. Jentry Pisca 2.2772
East Region
Position Name Average
1. Barry Beggarly 2.6302
2. Dustin Rumley 2.6057
3. Dennis Queen 2.4659
4. Rodney Cook 2.3551
5. Taylor Coffman 2.3163
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 : July 13th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – 5 Star Series Mid-Season Stretch Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – 5 Star Series Mid-Season Stretch Limited Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – 5 Star Series Mid-Season Stretch SK Lights
Fri : July 13th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – 5 Star Series Mid-Season Stretch SK Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Lakeside Speedway ; Kansas City : KS – USMTS National Championship Series Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Tri-City Speedway ; Pontoon Beach : IL – Lucas Oil Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Gas City I-69 Speedway ; Gas City : IN – AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars
Fri : July 13th – Gas City I-69 Speedway ; Gas City : IN – USAC Midwest Focus Midgets
Fri : July 13th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets
Fri : July 13th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Legends
Fri : July 13th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Mel Kenyon Midgets
Fri : July 13th – Iowa Speedway ; Newton : IA – ARCA Racing Series
Fri : July 13th – Dixie Motor Speedway ; Birch Run : MI – Dixie Classic Super Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – USRA Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – IMCA Stock Cars
Fri : July 13th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – WISSOTA Street Stocks
Fri : July 13th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – ASCS Midwest Sprint Cars
Fri : July 13th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – ASCS Warrior Sprint Cars
Fri : July 13th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – A Mods
Fri : July 13th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – Sport Mods
Fri : July 13th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Street Stocks
Fri : July 13th – Valley Speedway ; Grain Valley : MO – United Late Model Association Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – NDRA Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – Open Wheel Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – Street Stocks
Fri : July 13th – Tri-County Racetrack ; Brasstown : NC – USCS Outlaw Thunder Sprint Cars
Fri : July 13th – Dacotah Speedway ; Mandan : ND – Dakota Track Side Classic Tour IMCA Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Dacotah Speedway ; Mandan : ND – Dakota Track Side Classic Tour IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars
Fri : July 13th – River Cities Speedway ; Grand Forks : ND – World of Outlaws Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Attica Raceway Park ; Attica : OH – Hell Tour DIRTCar Late Models Summer Nationals
Fri : July 13th – Attica Raceway Park ; Attica : OH – DIRTCar Summit UMP Modified Nationals
Fri : July 13th – Eldora Speedway ; Rossburg : OH – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Fri : July 13th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Steel Block Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Street Stocks
Fri : July 13th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – 358 Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Sportsman
Fri : July 13th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Manuel Torres Memorial Street Stocks
Fri : July 13th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Manuel Torres Memorial Super Stocks
Fri : July 13th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Sport Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Stock
Fri : July 13th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – Street Stock
Fri : July 13th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – NorthTex Racing Series
Fri : July 13th – Grays Harbor Raceway ; Elma : WA – Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Fri : July 13th – Langlade Speedway ; Antigo : WI – Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Langlade Speedway ; Antigo : WI – Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Fri : July 13th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Sprint Cars
Fri : July 13th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Sport Modifieds
Fri : July 13th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Street Stock
Sat : July 14th – Mobile International Speedway ; Irvington : AL – TBARA Winged Sprint Cars
Sat : July 14th – Mobile International Speedway ; Irvington : AL – Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Montgomery Motor Speedway ; Montgomery : AL – Show Me The Money Pro Late Models
Sat : July 14th – NEA Speedway ; Harrisburd : AR – Comp Cams Super Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – 305 Winged Sprints
Sat : July 14th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – 600 Mini Sprints
Sat : July 14th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Motoplex Speedway ; Vernon : British Columbia – NASCAR Canadian Tire Series
Sat : July 14th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – USAC Sprint Cars
Sat : July 14th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – 410/360 Super Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – BCRA/USAC Midgets
Sat : July 14th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – NCMA Sprint Cars
Sat : July 14th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – Sport Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – BCRA Vintage Sprints
Sat : July 14th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – BCRA Vintage Midgets
Sat : July 14th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Pro Late Models
Sat : July 14th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Sportsman
Sat : July 14th – Dixie Speedway ; Woodstock : GA – USCS 600 Sprint Cars
Sat : July 14th – Dixie Speedway ; Woodstock : GA – USCS Outlaw Thunder Sprint Cars
Sat : July 14th – New Senoia Raceway ; Senoia : GA – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Watermelon Capital Speedway ; Cordele : GA – Outlaw Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Grundy County Speedway ; Morris : IL – USAC Mopar D1 Stars
Sat : July 14th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Limited Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Street Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Kokomo Speedway ; Kokomo : IN – AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars
Sat : July 14th – Montpelier Speedway ; Montpelier : IN – USAC Midwest Focus Midgets
Sat : July 14th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Sportsman
Sat : July 14th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Street Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets
Sat : July 14th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Late Model Figure 8
Sat : July 14th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Stock Cars
Sat : July 14th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Sport Mods
Sat : July 14th – Great American Dirt Track ; Jetmore : KS – USMTS National Championship Series Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Sportsman
Sat : July 14th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Pure Street
Sat : July 14th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Mini-Stock
Sat : July 14th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Outlaw Mini-Cup
Sat : July 14th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Junior Mini-Cup
Sat : July 14h – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Rebels
Sat : July 14th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Strictly Stock
Sat : July 14th – Hagerstown Speedway ; Hagerstown : MD – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Hagerstown Speedway ; Hagerstown : MD – Pure Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Berlin Raceway ; Marne : MI – Outlaw Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Outlaw Super Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Pro Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Wissota Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Wissota Street Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Wissota Super Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – USRA Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Street Stocks
Sat : July 14th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Super Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Super Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – NeSmith Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Street Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – 6th Annual Diamond Nationals Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – 6th Annual Diamond Nationals A-Mods
Sat : July 14th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – 6th Annual Diamond Nationals MLRA Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Canaan Fair Speedway ; Canaan : NH – MRS Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – New Hampshire Motor Speedway ; Loudon : NH – NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Sat : July 14th – Dunn Tire Raceway Park ; Lancaster : NY – Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Dunn Tire Raceway Park ; Lancaster : NY – Street Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Concord Motorsports Park ; Concord : NC – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Limited Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Street Stock
Sat : July 14th – Eldora Speedway ; Rossburg : OH – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Sat : July 14th – Oakshade Raceway ; Wauseon : OH – Hell Tour DIRTCar Late Models Summer Nationals
Sat : July 14th – Oakshade Raceway ; Wauseon : OH – DIRTCar Summit UMP Modified Nationals
Sat : July 14th – Emo Speedway ; Emo : Ontario – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Emo Speedway ; Emo : Ontario – Wissota Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Emo Speedway ; Emo : Ontario – Street Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Varney Motor Speedway ; Durham : Ontario – OSCAAR Super Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – ARDC Midgets
Sat : July 14th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Sprint Cars
Sat : July 14th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Xcel 600 CCs
Sat : July 14th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – BAPS Night 410 Sprints
Sat : July 14th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – BAPS Night 358 Sprints
Sat : July 14th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – BAPS Night Thundercars
Sat : July 14th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – 4c Super Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Street Stocks
Sat : July 14th – Raceway Park ; Clearfield : PA – NASCAR K&N Pro East Series
Sat : July 14th – Autodrome Saint Eustache ; Saint Eustache : Quebec – ACT Castrol Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Dillon Motor Speedway ; Dillon : SC – CARS Pro Cup Series
Sat : July 14th – Cleveland Speedway ; Cleveland : TN – Southern All Star Dirt Super Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Nashville Fairgrounds ; Nashville : TN – Ken Ten Pro Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Newport Motor Speedway ; Newport : TN – UARA Stars Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Motor Mile Speedway ; Radford : VA – PASS South
Sat : July 14th – Shenandoah Speedway ; Shenandoah : VA – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Shenandoah Speedway ; Shenandoah : VA – Sportsman
Sat : July 14th – Evergreen Speedway ; Monroe : WA – NASCAR K&N Pro East Series
Sat : July 14th – Grays Harbor Raceway ; Elma : WA – Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Sat : July 14th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Late Models
Sat : July 14th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Midwest Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – TNT Speedway ; Three Lakes : WI – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : July 14th – TNT Speedway ; Three Lakes : WI – Wissota Street Stocks
Sun : July 15th – Lawrenceburg Speedway ; Lawrenceburg : IN – AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars
Sun : July 15th – Winchester Speedway ; Winchester : IN – Main Event Super Late Models
Sun : July 15th – Dubuque Fairgrounds Speedway ; Dubuque : IA – Deery Brothers Summer Series IMCA Late Models
Tue : July 17th – Red River Valley Speedway ; Fargo : ND – World of Outlaws Late Models
Tue : July 17th – Lernerville Speedway ; Sarver : PA – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Tue : July 17th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – Race of Champions Modifieds
Wed : July 18th – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – Outlaws
Wed : July 18th – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – Pro Late Models
Wed : July 18th – Gresham Motorsports Park ; Jefferson : GA – Trucks
Wed : July 18th – Quad City Speedway ; East Moline : IL – Deery Brothers Summer Series IMCA Late Models
Wed : July 18th – Terre Haute Action Track ; Terre Haute : IN – AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars
Wed : July 18th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Outlaws
Wed : July 18th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Rebels
Wed : July 18th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Renegades
Wed : July 18th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Osborn : MO – Cornbelt Clash Late Models
Wed : July 18th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – A Mods
Wed : July 18th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – Sport Mods
Wed : July 18th – Millbridge Speedway ; Salisbury : NC – Mini Outlaws
Wed : July 18th – Willamette Speedway ; Lebanon : OR – Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Thu : July 19th – Southern Iowa Speedway ; Oskaloosa : IA – USMTS National Championship Series Modifieds
Thu : July 19th – Lincoln Park Speedway ; Putnamville : IN – AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars
Thu : July 19th – I-80 Speedway ; Greenwood : NE – Super Late Model Racing Series
Thu : July 19th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – 410 Sprints
Thu : July 19th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – 358 Sprints
Thu : July 19th – Interstate Speedway ; Jefferson : SD – USMTS National Championship 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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Editor's Note: Frontstretch has a brand new, redesigned Facebook page. Click Here to "Like" Us and get a direct connect to all your Frontstretch favorites along with polls, interaction with fans and so much more.
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Fantasy Friday: LENOX Industrial Tools 301
by Jeff Wolfe
As the Sprint Cup Series heads off to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the 19th race on the 2011 schedule, the time for making the Chase is quickly dwindling. While drama builds in the Wild Card race for the final two slots in the Chase, a victory this weekend for a winless driver could be the ticket to NASCAR's playoffs, but there are several drivers those Chase hopefuls will have to work their way through.
Top 5 Picks
Tony Stewart - It's the summertime and Smoke is on his usual roll. He's got three wins at New Hampshire and 14 top 5 finishes.
Ryan Newman - He's always run well here with three wins and six poles. It's good timing for him as the No. 39 team is looking for sponsorship for next year.
Jimmie Johnson - He also has three wins at Loudon and is still a top contender at any track.
Jeff Burton - He hung around and finished second last week. His only chance of making the Chase is to get a win somewhere, and he's got four of them at Loudon.
Clint Bowyer - He's got two wins at Loudon in his career. He is sitting 10th in points with one win on the season. One more victory this year would likely guarantee him a spot in the Chase.
Shoulda, woulda, coulda - Kurt Busch has three wins at Loudon, but being on an underfunded team has hurt him all year. There's no doubt Busch has the talent to win, though, which made him worth consideration here.
ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP
Here's a look at how last week's picks fared at Daytona.
Tony Stewart: 1st. A big push from Kasey Kahne on the final laps got him the win.
Matt Kenseth: 3rd. Easily could have won it, but lost drafting partner Greg Biffle for a few seconds on the final lap.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr: 15th. He probably would have had a better finish but got caught up in the last lap melee. He was never really a serious threat to win, though.
Kevin Harvick: 23rd. Also was gunning for a decent finish until final lap crash-fest.
Jimmie Johnson: 36th. No C-posts issues this time at Daytona, just accident issues that allowed to run only 123 of the 160 laps.
Season Stats
90 Predictions
10 wins
33 top 5s
42 top 10s
Grade for the week: B. I gave you two of the top five, including the winner, which isn't bad for a restrictor plate race where anything can and usually does happen.
One Last Thing: Just how good has Jeff Burton been at Loudon? In 1999, he started 38th and won. Then in 2000, he led all 300 laps in a win at Loudon.
Jeff Wolfe is a Contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at jeff.wolfe@frontstretch.com.
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ADVERTISEMENT
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Frontstretch Folio: LENOX Industrial Tools 301
by Rick Lunkenheimer
This weekend's Lenox Industrial Tools 301at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will be the nineteenth race in the series. Located in Loudon, NH, the race will be televised on TNT at 1 ET; additionally the race will be broadcast on PRN, and SiriusXM radio channel 90 at the same time. Drivers will complete 301 laps for a total of 318.485 miles, in the first of two races at the speedway.
Records and Facts
Ryan Newman holds the track qualifying record in his No. 39 Chevrolet at 135.232 mph (28.165 sec) set on July 15, 2011 for the LENOX Industrial Tools 301. Newman went on to lead 119 laps en route to his only victory for the 2011 season.
Jeff Burton holds the race record of 117.134 mph (2:42:35) while running the 1997 Jiffy Lube 300. Burton led 99 laps on the way to victory lane for his second of three wins during the 1997 season. Ironically he also holds the record for most wins at the track with four.
Track Facts
Track Length / Race Length: 1.058-mile oval / 301 laps (318.485 miles)
Degree of Banking: Turns variable 7-9 degrees
Frontstretch: Length: 1,500 feet; banked one degree
Backstretch: Length: 1,500 feet; banked one degree
Grandstand Seating: 95,491
Pre-Race Schedule
Practices: Friday, July 13, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM ET on SPEED
Saturday, July 14, 9:00 AM - 9:55 AM ET on SPEED
Qualifying: Friday, July 13 at 3:40 PM ET on SPEED
Happy Hour: Saturday, July 14, 11:20 AM - 12:20 PM ET on SPEED
VIPs
Pace car driver: Ricky Craven
National Anthem: Speedway Star competition winner, 12-year-old Emma Joanis of Windham, N.H.
Say What?!?
"Our team is looking for a strong run this weekend at New Hampshire. This track is unlike anywhere else we race. It is essentially flat. A lot of people say it drives more like a road course than an oval because of its low banking. It's a challenge for a lot of teams, but it's also a place where we can have a good finish by working hard on our car.We seem to be picking up speed each week and now we need to turn them into better results. The past six weeks we've been just outside that top-25 mark. Now, we need to hit on it each week. We're an improving program, no doubt. I can see the progress, but we need to take that next step." -David Ragan
"I'm looking forward to this weekend at New Hampshire. Tommy has always been good at this track and it's his home track, so it is definitely a place he is very familiar with. This year our team has shown promise at the shorter tracks, so I am eager to see how we can do this weekend." -David Reutimann
Rick Lunkenheimer is a Contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at rick.lunkenheimer@frontstretch.com.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
NHMS Success and Dashed Hopes Link Newman, Burton
by Amy Henderson
Four Burning Questions: Military Sponsorships, and Chase hopefuls
by Summer Bedgood
Charity Corner: NAPA, Truex, Jr. Team Up for Wounded Soldiers
by Beth Lunkenheimer
Kenny Wallace Driver Diary: Bad Luck, Good Racing...and the Wizard
as told to Amy Henderson
Is Second Place Already the First Loser in the Truck, Nationwide Series?
by Bryan Davis Keith
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In the 1998 Jiffy Lube 300, Jeff Burton had a relatively easy time of it, leading 191 laps on his way to his second consecutive win at Loudon. Meanwhile, a number of drivers got involved in a big crash on Lap 35. What happened?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: For Derrike Cope, 1994 was a fairly tough season. He was fired from Cale Yarborough Motorsports midway through the season and replaced with rookie Jeremy Mayfield. Cope was then forced to drive for T.W. Taylor's No. 02 before finding a home at the underfunded Bobby Allison Motorsports (they landed Straight Arrow backing right about the time they signed him to replace Tim Steele after Steele was not even close to qualifying for the Brickyard 400). The Slick 50 300 at Loudon likely played a major role in why Cope was fired out of the No. 98. Why?
A: It may not look like it if you look at Racing-Reference.info's results from the race, but Cope managed to get caught up in three separate wrecks in the race. The third of these finally put Cope out of the race (he finished 35th). This performance completely and totally squandered the team's best qualifying effort (eighth) of the season. Before the next race, Yarborough and Fingerhut had had enough and dumped the veteran driver after a year and a half in the car.
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:
-- LENOX Industrial Tools 301 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: LENOX Industrial Tools 301 by Matt McLaughlin
Matt will be here with his overall thoughts about the action from Sunday afternoon's race from New Hampshire.
Monday Morning Teardown by TBA
A website look at one of the big stories from Sunday's race from New Hampshire.
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 New Hampshire.
Big Six: LENOX Industrial Tools 301 by Amy Henderson
Looking for all you need to know leaving Sunday's event at New Hampshire? Amy has your who, what, when, where, why and how from a weekend of racing.
Pace Laps: New Hampshire / Iowa 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 in New Hampshire and Iowa.
Nationwide Breakdown: F.W. Webb 200 by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan has all the post-race analysis you need following Saturday afternoon's Nationwide Series race from New Hampshire.
Tracking the Trucks: American Ethanol 200 by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth has all the post-race analysis you need following Saturday night's Camping World Truck Series standalone race from Iowa.
-----------------------------
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