THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
July 27th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CXXXVII
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Top News
by Jeff Wolfe
Patrick Eyes a Return to Indy 500, Part-Time Nationwide Status in 2013
Danica Patrick is back at one of her familiar places, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, this week as NASCAR's Nationwide Series will run at the famed 2.5-mile oval for the first time. The former IndyCar driver turned to NASCAR full-time this year and is expected to drive full-time in the Sprint Cup Series next year for Stewart-Haas Racing.
But in an interview with Curt Cavin of the Indianapolis Star she also said she wouldn't mind returning to race in the Indy 500 next year, which is held on the same day as NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600.
When asked about the odds of running in the Indy 500 next year, Patrick replied, "Fair chance. I'll say 50-50. We're working on it."
What might help Patrick's chances is that her car owner, Tony Stewart, did perform the two races in one day feat before and also is a former IndyCar racer.
In a separate item on Patrick, Kelly Earnhardt-Miller, the co-owner of JR Motorsports with her brother Dale Earnhardt Jr., told ESPN.com's David Newton that Patrick would likely run a partial Nationwide Series schedule next year, probably splitting the ride with Earnhardt, Jr. Earnhardt-Miller said that a deal has yet to be reached and that an exact number of races has not been determined.
She also said the team hopes to run two full-time cars in the Nationwide Series, with Cole Whitt returning to run the No. 88 full-time and the No. 7 being split between Earnhardt, Jr. and Patrick. GoDaddy.com sponsors Patrick in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series and would likely remain with her in 2013.
Patrick goes into Saturday's Nationwide race in Indianapolis ninth in points.
"She's done a good job,'' Earnhardt-Miller said. "She's not going out there and wrecking racecars."
Top 35 Qualifying System Could Be On the Way Out
Currently the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series guarantees that the top 35 in owners' points will make that weekend's race, but that could be changing. According to NASCAR Director of Competition Robin Pemberton, the qualifying system is under review.
"We have started talking to teams about the potential changes to not having the top 35 locked in, qualifying on speed and going back to provisionals and things like that," Pemberton said. "We're getting some pretty good feedback from the teams.
"I think for the most part, a lot of people have the opinion where we're at the time where we can make some changes."
Those changes would include having almost all of the field set by qualifying speed, and then having possibly four or five provisional spots available based on points. However, Pemberton said there would be a limit on the number of provisionals a team could use.
NASCAR has changed its qualifying standards in the past. The top 35 rule has been in place since 2005 and there was no limit on provisionals during 2005 and 2006, but since 2008 NASCAR has limited the past champion's provisional starts to six for the 36-race season.
While making the top 35 in points has been crucial to some teams in the past, this year the gap between the 35th and 36th spots is 78 points. It also caused some controversy earlier this year when David Reutimann tried to limp the No. 10 car through the final laps of the Martinsville race in April to keep it in the top 35 for Danica Patrick, only to have the car stall and cause a late caution and controversy. The No. 10 car has a 90-point cushion now and currently sits in 32nd in the owners points.
NASCAR President Helton Defends Drug Testing Policy
NASCAR's drug testing policy has come under the microscope in recent days after Sprint Cup Series driver AJ Allmendinger was suspended for the July 7 Daytona race after testing positive. Helton wouldn't reveal what the drug in Allmendinger's system was to Sporting News' Bob Pockrass or other reporters Thursday.
When Allmendinger's B sample also came back positive this week, he was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR and has entered the Road to Recovery Program. Allmendinger's business manager said the driver tested positive for an amphetamine that would not be in the category of an illegal drug.
"It's our policy that we haven't disclosed (the drug) and a lot of it has to do with the complexities of the whole process itself and realizing that you're dealing with personalities," Helton said Thursday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "If the member wants to, that's their privilege to. We take the position with the complexities of (federal) HIPAA laws and a lot of other medical elements that go along with the substance abuse bucket. We've just taken the position that we're not going to disclose it so far."
NASCAR's testing policy began in 2009 and Allmendinger and Jeremy Mayfield are the only two Sprint Cup drivers to have a positive test. Mayfield, who had a positive test in May of 2009, recently dropped a lawsuit that challenged NASCAR's testing policy. According to documents from Mayfield's lawsuit, NASCAR tests five drivers, 10 crewmen and five officials in each series every week.
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.
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
July 27th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CXXXVII
~~~~~~~~~~
Top News
by Jeff Wolfe
Patrick Eyes a Return to Indy 500, Part-Time Nationwide Status in 2013
Danica Patrick is back at one of her familiar places, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, this week as NASCAR's Nationwide Series will run at the famed 2.5-mile oval for the first time. The former IndyCar driver turned to NASCAR full-time this year and is expected to drive full-time in the Sprint Cup Series next year for Stewart-Haas Racing.
But in an interview with Curt Cavin of the Indianapolis Star she also said she wouldn't mind returning to race in the Indy 500 next year, which is held on the same day as NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600.
When asked about the odds of running in the Indy 500 next year, Patrick replied, "Fair chance. I'll say 50-50. We're working on it."
What might help Patrick's chances is that her car owner, Tony Stewart, did perform the two races in one day feat before and also is a former IndyCar racer.
In a separate item on Patrick, Kelly Earnhardt-Miller, the co-owner of JR Motorsports with her brother Dale Earnhardt Jr., told ESPN.com's David Newton that Patrick would likely run a partial Nationwide Series schedule next year, probably splitting the ride with Earnhardt, Jr. Earnhardt-Miller said that a deal has yet to be reached and that an exact number of races has not been determined.
She also said the team hopes to run two full-time cars in the Nationwide Series, with Cole Whitt returning to run the No. 88 full-time and the No. 7 being split between Earnhardt, Jr. and Patrick. GoDaddy.com sponsors Patrick in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series and would likely remain with her in 2013.
Patrick goes into Saturday's Nationwide race in Indianapolis ninth in points.
"She's done a good job,'' Earnhardt-Miller said. "She's not going out there and wrecking racecars."
Top 35 Qualifying System Could Be On the Way Out
Currently the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series guarantees that the top 35 in owners' points will make that weekend's race, but that could be changing. According to NASCAR Director of Competition Robin Pemberton, the qualifying system is under review.
"We have started talking to teams about the potential changes to not having the top 35 locked in, qualifying on speed and going back to provisionals and things like that," Pemberton said. "We're getting some pretty good feedback from the teams.
"I think for the most part, a lot of people have the opinion where we're at the time where we can make some changes."
Those changes would include having almost all of the field set by qualifying speed, and then having possibly four or five provisional spots available based on points. However, Pemberton said there would be a limit on the number of provisionals a team could use.
NASCAR has changed its qualifying standards in the past. The top 35 rule has been in place since 2005 and there was no limit on provisionals during 2005 and 2006, but since 2008 NASCAR has limited the past champion's provisional starts to six for the 36-race season.
While making the top 35 in points has been crucial to some teams in the past, this year the gap between the 35th and 36th spots is 78 points. It also caused some controversy earlier this year when David Reutimann tried to limp the No. 10 car through the final laps of the Martinsville race in April to keep it in the top 35 for Danica Patrick, only to have the car stall and cause a late caution and controversy. The No. 10 car has a 90-point cushion now and currently sits in 32nd in the owners points.
NASCAR President Helton Defends Drug Testing Policy
NASCAR's drug testing policy has come under the microscope in recent days after Sprint Cup Series driver AJ Allmendinger was suspended for the July 7 Daytona race after testing positive. Helton wouldn't reveal what the drug in Allmendinger's system was to Sporting News' Bob Pockrass or other reporters Thursday.
When Allmendinger's B sample also came back positive this week, he was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR and has entered the Road to Recovery Program. Allmendinger's business manager said the driver tested positive for an amphetamine that would not be in the category of an illegal drug.
"It's our policy that we haven't disclosed (the drug) and a lot of it has to do with the complexities of the whole process itself and realizing that you're dealing with personalities," Helton said Thursday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "If the member wants to, that's their privilege to. We take the position with the complexities of (federal) HIPAA laws and a lot of other medical elements that go along with the substance abuse bucket. We've just taken the position that we're not going to disclose it so far."
NASCAR's testing policy began in 2009 and Allmendinger and Jeremy Mayfield are the only two Sprint Cup drivers to have a positive test. Mayfield, who had a positive test in May of 2009, recently dropped a lawsuit that challenged NASCAR's testing policy. According to documents from Mayfield's lawsuit, NASCAR tests five drivers, 10 crewmen and five officials in each series every week.
Have news for The Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com with a promising lead or tip.
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In Case You Missed It
by Beth Lunkenheimer
White to Co-Drive in Rolex Series at Indy
O'Connell Racing announced Thursday that Jason White, driver of the No. 23 GunBroker.com Dodge in the Camping World Truck Series, will serve as co-driver with Kevin O'Connell in the inaugural Brickyard Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The start behind the wheel of the Rick Ware Racing Ford BOSS Mustang will be White's first. He brings with him sponsorship from GunBroker.com, a partnership that's expected to continue on the Grand-Am side for the remainder of the season. The race begins at 4:10 PM ET this afternoon and will be broadcast on SPEED.
Fastenal Back Stenhouse at Iowa
Roush Fenway Racing announced Thursday that Fastenal will serve as primary sponsor on Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.'s No. 6 Ford for the U.S. Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway next weekend. In a car that will look very similar to Carl Edwards' No. 99 Fastenal Ford, Stenhouse looks for his four consecutive victory at Iowa. He became the first driver to score three consecutive victories at a single track since Kyle Busch did at Texas from 2009-2010.
Montoya, McMurray to Run Brickyard Grand Prix
Friday afternoon, Juan Pablo Montoya and Jamie McMurray will make their second Grand-Am Rolex Series start of the year when they co-drive the No. 02 Chevron BMW Riley alongside 2008 Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Along with teammates Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, who co-drive the No. 01 TELMEX BMW Riley, the trio look to give Chip Ganassis Racing with Felix Sabates a second victory at the historic track this weekend. In May, Target Chip Ganassi racing driver Dario Franchitti won the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500.
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Keepin' It Short: Crowning a World Champion in Minnesota
by Mike Neff
For the second year in a row the United States Modified Touring Series will be sanctioning the World Modified Dirt Track Championship at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minnesota. A field of the best dirt modified race car drivers from across the country and around the world will converge on southern Minnesota to take their shot at taking home the $25,000 winner's check.
Starting on Wednesday night, drivers will have a chance to qualify for the main event that will he held on Saturday. For drivers who are not able to qualify on the first two nights they have the option to use a "Mulligan" and try to make the main event during a second round of qualifying on Friday night. If a driver cannot make it into the A-main on one of the first three nights of qualifying, there will still be an "Alphabet Soup" on Saturday before the A-main. As with most other major dirt events, drivers can progress through the lettered races leading up to the A-main and race their way into a good payday. The winner will take home the big money but all drivers who start the A will take home at least $1,500.
Each of the first three nights of the racing is comprised of group time trials with a green-white-checkered format. The racers will then compete in heat races and main events. They will earn points based on qualifying and heat race performances. The top six point winning drivers each night will be locked into the A-main on Saturday. The racer who tallies the most points over the first three nights will start on the pole.
After Saturdays alphabet of races there will be 12 more racers added to the field of the big race. A 31st starting spot will go to a driver chosen by the winner of an auction before the feature on Saturday night. Nearly $100,000 will be paid out for Saturday's World Modified Dirt Track Championship and $160,000 will be handed out over the full four days. $25 will get adults in the gates Wednesday through Friday while it will be $35 for Saturday. Kids under 12 years-old will get in for $10. Adults can also purchase a four-day pass for $100.
On Wednesday the WISSOTA Super Stocks were part of the racing docket while Thursday the USRA Stock Cars shared the track with the Modifieds. The WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds are racing as support classes on both Friday and Saturday.
If you're anywhere near the upper Midwest on Friday or Saturday night, it would serve you well to visit Spring Valley, Minnesota to watch the World Modified Dirt Track Championship.
Whelen All-American National Points Race
Lee Pulliam put a little distance between himself and the rest of the field this past weekend with two more maximum point wins at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Virginia. The wins pushed Pulliam's lead to 50 markerss over 2010 National Champion Keith Rocco. The top 10 drivers in the National Points have all now raced over 18 races so the point gains over the remainder of the season are going to be more gradual, which is why Pulliam's lead is now looking very formidable. Pulliam can still score 20 more bonus points by winning four more races, which leaves 60 points that he can still pick up to reach the maximum points possible. While nothing is certain until all of the point races are done, a 50 point margin over second place is going to be a tough row to hoe for anyone behind Pulliam to overcome.
Position Name Races Wins Top 5s Top 10s Total Points
1. Lee Pulliam 21 14 18 19 730
2. Keith Rocco 30 10 19 23 680
3. C E Falk III 23 13 19 21 677
4. Ted Christopher 31 5 24 27 649
5. Nate Monteith 22 7 15 18 647
6. Ryan Preece 29 8 20 25 629
7. Deac McCaskill 19 11 17 19 617
8. Anthony Anders 36 2 23 33 578
9. Tim Brown 19 6 10 13 576
10. Jase Kaser 20 6 13 16 572
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 Race
East Region
Position Name Average
1. Lance Gatlin 3.5027
2. Dennis Queen 3.0885
3. Taylor Coffman 2.8858
4. Wayne Webb 2.8291
5. Taylor Nesbitt 2.7625
West Region
Position Name Average
1. Shelby Stroebel 3.6429
2. Mike Slone 3.1972
3. Matt Wallace 3.1051
4. Rus Ward 2.8666
5. Jim Vanzandt 2.6948
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.
Weekend's Race Schedule
Fri : July 27th – Silver Dollar Speedway ; Chico : CA – Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Fri : July 27th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – Limited Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – SK Lights
Fri : July 27th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – SK Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Five Flags Speedway ; Pensacola : FL – Pro Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Meridian Speedway ; Meridian : ID – Rocky Mountain Challenge Series Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Fayette County Speedway ; Brownstown : IL – Cornbelt Clash Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Lucas Oil Raceway Park ; Indianapolis : IN – ARCA Racing Series
Fri : July 27th – Lucas Oil Raceway Park ; Indianapolis : IN – CRA Super Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Lucas Oil Raceway Park ; Indianapolis : IN – USAC MOPAR National Midgets
Fri : July 27th – Lucas Oil Raceway Park ; Indianapolis : IN – USAC Silver Crown
Fri : July 27th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets
Fri : July 27th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Legends
Fri : July 27th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Roadsters
Fri : July 27th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Mel Kenyon Midgets
*Fri : July 27th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – USMTS World Modified Dirt Track Championship Qualifying*
Fri : July 27th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Street Stocks
Fri : July 27th – Valley Speedway ; Grain Valley : MO – United Late Model Association Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – Open Wheel Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – Street Stocks
Fri : July 27th – Tri-County Racetrack ; Brasstown : NC – USCS 600 Sprint Cars
Fri : July 27th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Street Stocks
Fri : July 27th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – 358 Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Sportsman
Fri : July 27th – Autodrome Granby ; Granby : Quebec – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Fri : July 27th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Sprint Cars
Fri : July 27th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Street Stocks
Fri : July 27th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Super Stocks
Fri : July 27th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Sport Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Stock
Fri : July 27th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – Street Stock
Fri : July 27th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – Winged Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Sprint Cars
Fri : July 27th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Street Stock
Fri : July 27th – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI – IMCA Sport Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI – Street Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Talladega Short Track ; Eastaboga : AL – Southern All Star Dirt Super Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Huntsville Speedway ; Huntsville : AL – Sportsman
Sat : July 28th – Sayre Speedway ; Sayre : AL – Southern Superstars Super Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – 305 Winged Sprints
Sat : July 28th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – 600 Mini Sprints
Sat : July 28th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – Lucas Oil Modified Tour
Sat : July 28th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – Race #4 Coors Light Open Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – Sport Mods
Sat : July 28th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – Hobby Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Perris Auto Speedway ; Perris : CA – USAC/CRA Sprint Cars
Sat : July 28th – Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway ; Hanford : CA – Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Sat : July 28th – Colorado National Speedway ; Dacono : CO – NASCAR K&N Pro East Series
Sat : July 28th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Super Late Models
Sat : July 28th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Sportsman
Sat : July 28th – New Senoia Raceway ; Senoia : GA – Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Sugar Creek Raceway ; Blue Ridge : GA – USCS 600 Sprint Cars
Sat : July 28th – Watermelon Capital Speedway ; Cordele : GA – Super Streets
Sat : July 28th – Meridian Speedway ; Meridian : ID – Rocky Mountain Challenge Series Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Limited Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Street Stocks
Sat : July 28th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Late Models
Sat : July 28th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Sportsman
Sat : July 28th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Street Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – 10th Annual Phyllis Tunny Memorial Late Model Figure 8
Sat : July 28th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets Figure 8
Sat : July 28th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – American Super Cups
Sat : July 28th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Stock Cars
Sat : July 28th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Sport Mods
Sat : July 28th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Sportsman
Sat : July 28th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Pure Streets
Sat : July 28th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Mini Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Outlaw Mini-Cups
Sat : July 28th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Junior Mini-Cups
Sat : July 28th – Beech Ridge Motor Speedway ; Scarborough : ME – ACT Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – 4 & 8 Cylinder Obstacle Course
Sat : July 28th – Hagerstown Speedway ; Hagerstown : MD – 31st Annual Conococheague 50 Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Hagerstown Speedway ; Hagerstown : MD – Pure Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Berlin Raceway ; Marne : MI – Super Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Berlin Raceway ; Marne : MI – Outlaw Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Flat Rock Speedway ; Flat Rock : MI – ARCA Gold Cup
Sat : July 28th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Outlaw Super Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Super Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Pro Stocks
*Sat : July 28th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – USMTS World Modified Dirt Track Championship*
Sat : July 28th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Street Stocks
Sat : July 28th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Super Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Super Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – NeSmith Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Street Stocks
Sat : July 28th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – ASA Late Models
Sat : July 28th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Sportsman
Sat : July 28th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Road Warrior Brawl Road Warriors
Sat : July 28th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Chargers
Sat : July 28th – Dunn Tire Raceway Park ; Lancaster : NY – Sportsman
Sat : July 28th – Dunn Tire Raceway Park ; Lancaster : NY – Street Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Riverhead Raceway ; Riverhead : NY – NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Sat : July 28th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – UARA Stars Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Late Model Trucks x2
Sat : July 28th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Street Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Orange County Speedway ; Rougemont : NC – PASS South
Sat : July 28th – Tri-County Speedway ; Hudson : NC – CARS Pro Cup Series
Sat : July 28th – Red River Valley Speedway ; West Fargo : ND – All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars
Sat : July 28th – Red River Valley Speedway ; West Fargo : ND – Super Stocks
Sat : July 29th – Columbus Motor Speedway ; Columbus : OH – John Nuckles Memorial Outlaw Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Emo Speedway ; Emo : Ontario – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – Emo Speedway ; Emo : Ontario – Wissota Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – Emo Speedway ; Emo : Ontario – Street Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – ARDC Midgets
Sat : July 28th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Xcel 600 CCs
Sat : July 28th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – 410 Sprints
Sat : July 28th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – 358 Sprints
Sat : July 28th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – Thundercars
Sat : July 28th – Mahoning Valley Speedway ; Lehighton : PA – 4c Super Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Street Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Autodrome Drummond ; Drummondville : Quebec – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Sat : July 28th – Circuit Riverside Speedway ; Saint Croix : Quebec – ACT Castrol Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Langley Speedway ; Hampton : VA – Hampton Heat 200 Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Motor Mile Speedway ; Radford : VA – Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Motor Mile Speedway ; Radford : VA – Limited Sportsman
Sat : July 28th – Motor Mile Speedway ; Radford : VA – Street Stock x2
Sat : July 28th – Shenandoah Speedway ; Shenandoah : VA – Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Shenandoah Speedway ; Shenandoah : VA – Sportsman
Sat : July 28th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Midwest Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – UMSS 360 Sprint Cars
Sat : July 28th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – UMSS Traditional Sprint Cars
Sat : July 28th – Lafayette County Speedway ; Darlington : WI – Cornbelt Clash Late Models
Sat : July 28th – State Park Speedway ; Wasau : WI – Larry Detjens Memorial Super Late Models
Sat : July 28th – TNT Speedway ; Three Lakes : WI – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – TNT Speedway ; Three Lakes : WI – Wissota Street Stocks
Sun : July 29th – Santa Maria Speedway ; Santa Maria : CA – Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Sun : July 29th – Cornwall Motor Speedway ; Cornwall : Ontario – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Sun : July 29th – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Super Late Models
Sun : July 29th – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – NeSmith Late Models
Sun : July 29th – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Street Stocks
Sun : July 29th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – POWRi Midgets
Sun : July 29th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – WAR Non-Wing Sprint Cars
Sun : July 29th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – Sport Mods
Sun : July 29th – Shangri La II Speedway ; Tioga Center : NY – Race of Champions Modifieds
Tue : July 31st – Cedar County Raceway ; Tipton : IA – Deery Brothers Summer Series IMCA Late Models
Tue : July 31st – Concord Speedway ; Concord : NC – USAC Eastern Focus Midgets
Tue : July 31st – Ohsweken Speedway ; Ohsweken : Ontario – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Wed : Aug 1st – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – 32nd Annual Sponsor Appreciation Night Hornets
Wed : Aug 1st – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – 32nd Annual Sponsor Appreciation Night Late Models
Wed : Aug 1st – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – 32nd Annual Sponsor Appreciation Night Stocks
Wed : Aug 1st – Buene Vista Raceway ; Alta : IA – USMTS National Championship Series
Wed : Aug 1st – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Outlaws
Wed : Aug 1st – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Rebels
Wed : Aug 1st – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Renegades
Wed : Aug 1st – Millbridge Speedway ; Salisbury : NC – Mini Outlaws
Wed : Aug 1st – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Wed : Aug 1st – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Sprint Cars
Wed : Aug 1st – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Sport Modifieds
Wed : Aug 1st – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Street Stock
Wed : Aug 1st – Shawano Speedway ; Shawano : WI – World of Outlaws Late Models
Thu : Aug 2nd – Knoxville Raceway ; Knoxville : IA – 22nd Annual ASCS Knoxville Nationals Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Thu : Aug 2nd – Mineral City Speedway ; Fort Dodge : IA – USMTS National Championship Series
Thu : Aug 2nd – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Cornbelt Clash Late Models
Thu : Aug 2nd – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Midwest Modifieds
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: Crown Royal Presents the Curtiss Shaver 400 at the Brickyard 400
by Jeff Wolfe
It can be debated where the Indianapolis Motor Speedway stands among NASCAR's best tracks, though it has been open for more than 100 years and is full of IndyCar Series history. However, NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series didn't come to Indianapolis until 1994 and while Sunday's 400-mile, 160-lap race will be the 19th Sprint Cup race there, the track seems to have cemented its place as one of NASCAR's major players. It's hard to say if the speedway deserves to be held in the same esteem as say Daytona, Talladega, Darlington or Bristol, though.
But one thing that can't be debated about Indianapolis is that if a driver finishes well there, it often bodes well for the rest of the season. Of the 18 races there, eight times the winner went on to win the Sprint Cup title. Jimmie Johnson accomplished the feat three times, Jeff Gordon twice, and Tony Stewart, Dale Jarrett and Bobby Labonte each did it once.
However, there is more. There are 11 different winners at the 2.5-mile oval that have combined for a grand total of 22 titles. The group is led by the late Dale Earnhardt's seven, Johnson's five, Gordon's four and Stewart's three. The only drivers to win at Indy who have not won a Sprint Cup title at some point in their careers are Ricky Rudd in 1997, Kevin Harvick in 2003, Jamie McMurray in 2010 and Paul Menard last year.
When it comes down to it, a driver and team at Indy have to be hitting on all cylinders (both figuratively and literally) to run well. And maybe that's a big reason why teams that do well at Indy, also usually do well over the course of the season.
Top 5 Picks
Tony Stewart: He's got two wins at Indy, with six top-5 finishes and nine top 10s. A pretty safe bet on his home track.
Jimmie Johnson: He has three wins at Indy and is a major threat to get his fourth.
Jeff Gordon: Going with another home stater here. He has four wins and even though he's 17th in points, his car has been good all season. There's no better place for him to breakthrough and get his first win of the year.
Kasey Kahne: No, he doesn't have a win at Indy, but he's been running well lately, picking up the win two weeks ago at New Hampshire. Also, he's a Hendrick Motorsports driver and that team has had plenty of success there.
Kevin Harvick: He's the only driver in the top 7 without a victory this year. He does have one win and seven top 10s in 11 races at Indy.
Shoulda, woulda, coulda: It would make a great story if Juan Pablo Montoya became the first driver to win the Indy 500 and Brickyard 400, but it's not something that has a big chance of happening. Montoya has only one top-10 finish at Indy in NASCAR and has not been a regular contender at other places this season as he sits 21st in the points standings.
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: Crown Royal Presents the Curtiss Shaver 400 at the Brickyard
by Rick Lunkenheimer
The twentieth stop this season takes the Sprint Cup series to the World Famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway located in the heart of Indiana. The Crown Royal Presents the Curtiss Shaver 400 at the Brickyard will be televised on Sunday July 29th on ESPN at 1pm ET. It will also be broadcast on the IMS radio network and SiriusXm radio channel 90. Drivers will compete for 160 laps (400 miles) in the only stop at IMS on the schedule. The race will re-air Monday, July 30 at 2:00 AM ET on ESPN2 and Wednesday, August 1 at 12:00 PM ET on SPEED
Records and Facts
Casey Mears holds the track qualifying record with a speed of 186.293. This record has stood since 2004 and although he started on the pole his car was no match against race winner Jeff Gordon; Mears ended up finishing 26th.
Bobby Labonte holds the race record with a speed of 155.912 set back in 2000. Starting from the third spot Labonte was able to overtake pole sitter Ricky Rudd for the race win, on his way to his first cup championship.
Track Facts
Track Length / Race Length: 2.5-mile quad-oval / 160 laps (400 miles)
Degree of Banking: Turns 9 degrees
Frontstretch: Length: 3,330 feet
Backstretch: Length: 3,330 feet
Grandstand Seating: 257,325; Max Capacity: ~350,000
Track Opened: 1909
Pre-race Schedule
Practices: Saturday, July 28, 8:30 - 9:30 AM ET on SPEED
Happy Hour: Saturday, July 28, 10:30 AM - 12:20 PM ET on ESPN2
Qualifying: Saturday, July 28 at 2:10 PM ET on ESPN
VIPs
Grand Marhsal / Command: Mary Hulman George
National Anthem: Lead Singer for The Mavericks, Raul Malo
Military Flyover: 2 V-22 Osprey's USMC
Weather Forecast
Sunday: Partly Cloudy, 10% Chance of Rain
High: 89
Low: 69
Say What?!?
"It's always one you have circled on your calendar and you're ready to go when you get there. In the past we've had some really good runs and some really good cars and haven't always had the finishes, but it's probably circumstances more than anything. I think we have equipment as good as anybody, we've just got to figure out how to make that all work for there and for the race and strategy that goes into being successful at Indy." -Matt Kenseth
"You can't go to the Brickyard without thinking about what the track means not only to NASCAR, but to auto racing in general. Being from the Midwestern section of the country myself, I always looked to the spectacle of the Indianapolis 500 and wondered what it would be like to compete there. Now we have the Brickyard 400 for stock cars and it has become one of the most prestigious races in the country as well. Everyone on the Miller Lite Dodge Charger team is excited about the new car we are bringing this weekend. A lot of work went into building it and I think it's going to give us our best shot yet to get Mr. (Roger) Penske a Brickyard 400 trophy." -Brad Keselowski
"I think I learned a lot from the three NASCAR races I ran before at Indy. You have to be sure to position yourself to get to the finish of the race. We had good cars there before and tried to get to the front too quickly. Patience will definitely be at the top of my mind there this weekend for sure." -Sam Hornish, Jr.
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:
Landon Cassill Driver Diary: Move Over Flags and Twitter Trades
as told to Summer Dreyer
Four Burning Questions: Distractions and Additions
by Summer Dreyer
Do You Think of NASCAR and Integrity In the Same Sentence?
by Jeff Meyer
Potts' Shots:Outgrowing Raceway Park, Underweight Cars, & Dog-tracking
by John Potts
Winner, Champion...and Racer: Kenny Wallace Is All of These
by Amy Henderson
Looking Back: A Surprising 2012 for the Nationwide Series
by Bryan Davis Keith
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: This year's Indianapolis 500 was the first one since 1996 to feature cars with turbocharged engines. The 1996 race was marked by pole sitter Scott Brayton dying days after claiming the pole (and a long-retired Danny Ongais coming in to finish seventh), outdated cars (some by as many as three years), and a winner (Buddy Lazier) who all but couldn't get out of the car on his own due to prior injuries. However, Tony Stewart appeared to be the dominant force in his No. 20 Glidden-sponsored Lola Menard V6. What ultimately took him out of the race?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: In the 1997 Brickyard 400, Rich Bickle made a one-off start in a No. 26 Chevrolet sponsored by Kentucky Fried Chicken (Note: There was no mention of Macaroni and Cheese or Mashed Potatoes on ABC's broadcast that day). Bickle qualified an excellent tenth and ran well all day before blowing a tire and wrecking in the only start for this team. However, what was it supposed to turn into?
A: Bickle was driving a second car for Darrell Waltrip Motorsports in the race. At the time, Bickle drove for Waltrip full-time in the Craftsman Truck Series (and finished second in points). The original grandmaster plan for this ride was for it to become a second full-time team for 1998, hopefully with KFC onboard. However, Darrell Waltrip himself ran into sponsor issues at the end of the 1997 season when Western Auto, via Parts America, left the team, and Waltrip attempted to replace them with a rather unusual combination of backing from a company called Speedblock.
Speedblock was a combination of backing from the long dead Hechinger, Home Quarters (HQ) and Builder's Square home improvement chains, and from vendors to those stores. Unfortunately, the money never came and Waltrip's entire operation fell apart; the home improvement chain was liquidated a year later (many of those stores are now Home Depots). Bickle went from having a championship-capable Truck Series gig and a potential Cup ride to being out in the cold (a combination of Waltrip needing to focus on his own car, plus Sears pulling a fast one and leaving the team) until Greg Sacks' injuries at Texas resulted in Bickle taking over the No. 98.
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:
-- Crown Royal Presents the Curtiss Shaver 400 at the Brickyard 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: Crown Royal Presents the Curtiss Shaver 400 at the Brickyard 400 by Matt McLaughlin
Matt will be here with his overall thoughts about the action from Sunday afternoon's race from Indianapolis.
Monday Morning Teardown by TBA
A website look at one of the big stories from Sunday's race from Indianapolis.
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 Indianapolis.
Big Six: Crown Royal Presents the Curtiss Shaver 400 at the Brickyard 400 by Amy Henderson
Looking for all you need to know leaving Sunday's event at Indianapolis? Amy has your who, what, when, where, why and how from a weekend of racing.
Pace Laps: Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis.
Nationwide Breakdown: Indiana 250 by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan has all the post-race analysis you need following Saturday afternoon's Nationwide Series debut at Indianapolis.
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In Case You Missed It
by Beth Lunkenheimer
White to Co-Drive in Rolex Series at Indy
O'Connell Racing announced Thursday that Jason White, driver of the No. 23 GunBroker.com Dodge in the Camping World Truck Series, will serve as co-driver with Kevin O'Connell in the inaugural Brickyard Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The start behind the wheel of the Rick Ware Racing Ford BOSS Mustang will be White's first. He brings with him sponsorship from GunBroker.com, a partnership that's expected to continue on the Grand-Am side for the remainder of the season. The race begins at 4:10 PM ET this afternoon and will be broadcast on SPEED.
Fastenal Back Stenhouse at Iowa
Roush Fenway Racing announced Thursday that Fastenal will serve as primary sponsor on Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.'s No. 6 Ford for the U.S. Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway next weekend. In a car that will look very similar to Carl Edwards' No. 99 Fastenal Ford, Stenhouse looks for his four consecutive victory at Iowa. He became the first driver to score three consecutive victories at a single track since Kyle Busch did at Texas from 2009-2010.
Montoya, McMurray to Run Brickyard Grand Prix
Friday afternoon, Juan Pablo Montoya and Jamie McMurray will make their second Grand-Am Rolex Series start of the year when they co-drive the No. 02 Chevron BMW Riley alongside 2008 Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Along with teammates Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, who co-drive the No. 01 TELMEX BMW Riley, the trio look to give Chip Ganassis Racing with Felix Sabates a second victory at the historic track this weekend. In May, Target Chip Ganassi racing driver Dario Franchitti won the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500.
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Keepin' It Short: Crowning a World Champion in Minnesota
by Mike Neff
For the second year in a row the United States Modified Touring Series will be sanctioning the World Modified Dirt Track Championship at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minnesota. A field of the best dirt modified race car drivers from across the country and around the world will converge on southern Minnesota to take their shot at taking home the $25,000 winner's check.
Starting on Wednesday night, drivers will have a chance to qualify for the main event that will he held on Saturday. For drivers who are not able to qualify on the first two nights they have the option to use a "Mulligan" and try to make the main event during a second round of qualifying on Friday night. If a driver cannot make it into the A-main on one of the first three nights of qualifying, there will still be an "Alphabet Soup" on Saturday before the A-main. As with most other major dirt events, drivers can progress through the lettered races leading up to the A-main and race their way into a good payday. The winner will take home the big money but all drivers who start the A will take home at least $1,500.
Each of the first three nights of the racing is comprised of group time trials with a green-white-checkered format. The racers will then compete in heat races and main events. They will earn points based on qualifying and heat race performances. The top six point winning drivers each night will be locked into the A-main on Saturday. The racer who tallies the most points over the first three nights will start on the pole.
After Saturdays alphabet of races there will be 12 more racers added to the field of the big race. A 31st starting spot will go to a driver chosen by the winner of an auction before the feature on Saturday night. Nearly $100,000 will be paid out for Saturday's World Modified Dirt Track Championship and $160,000 will be handed out over the full four days. $25 will get adults in the gates Wednesday through Friday while it will be $35 for Saturday. Kids under 12 years-old will get in for $10. Adults can also purchase a four-day pass for $100.
On Wednesday the WISSOTA Super Stocks were part of the racing docket while Thursday the USRA Stock Cars shared the track with the Modifieds. The WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds are racing as support classes on both Friday and Saturday.
If you're anywhere near the upper Midwest on Friday or Saturday night, it would serve you well to visit Spring Valley, Minnesota to watch the World Modified Dirt Track Championship.
Whelen All-American National Points Race
Lee Pulliam put a little distance between himself and the rest of the field this past weekend with two more maximum point wins at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Virginia. The wins pushed Pulliam's lead to 50 markerss over 2010 National Champion Keith Rocco. The top 10 drivers in the National Points have all now raced over 18 races so the point gains over the remainder of the season are going to be more gradual, which is why Pulliam's lead is now looking very formidable. Pulliam can still score 20 more bonus points by winning four more races, which leaves 60 points that he can still pick up to reach the maximum points possible. While nothing is certain until all of the point races are done, a 50 point margin over second place is going to be a tough row to hoe for anyone behind Pulliam to overcome.
Position Name Races Wins Top 5s Top 10s Total Points
1. Lee Pulliam 21 14 18 19 730
2. Keith Rocco 30 10 19 23 680
3. C E Falk III 23 13 19 21 677
4. Ted Christopher 31 5 24 27 649
5. Nate Monteith 22 7 15 18 647
6. Ryan Preece 29 8 20 25 629
7. Deac McCaskill 19 11 17 19 617
8. Anthony Anders 36 2 23 33 578
9. Tim Brown 19 6 10 13 576
10. Jase Kaser 20 6 13 16 572
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 Race
East Region
Position Name Average
1. Lance Gatlin 3.5027
2. Dennis Queen 3.0885
3. Taylor Coffman 2.8858
4. Wayne Webb 2.8291
5. Taylor Nesbitt 2.7625
West Region
Position Name Average
1. Shelby Stroebel 3.6429
2. Mike Slone 3.1972
3. Matt Wallace 3.1051
4. Rus Ward 2.8666
5. Jim Vanzandt 2.6948
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.
Weekend's Race Schedule
Fri : July 27th – Silver Dollar Speedway ; Chico : CA – Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Fri : July 27th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – Limited Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – SK Lights
Fri : July 27th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – SK Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Five Flags Speedway ; Pensacola : FL – Pro Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Meridian Speedway ; Meridian : ID – Rocky Mountain Challenge Series Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Fayette County Speedway ; Brownstown : IL – Cornbelt Clash Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Lucas Oil Raceway Park ; Indianapolis : IN – ARCA Racing Series
Fri : July 27th – Lucas Oil Raceway Park ; Indianapolis : IN – CRA Super Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Lucas Oil Raceway Park ; Indianapolis : IN – USAC MOPAR National Midgets
Fri : July 27th – Lucas Oil Raceway Park ; Indianapolis : IN – USAC Silver Crown
Fri : July 27th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets
Fri : July 27th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Legends
Fri : July 27th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Roadsters
Fri : July 27th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Mel Kenyon Midgets
*Fri : July 27th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – USMTS World Modified Dirt Track Championship Qualifying*
Fri : July 27th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Street Stocks
Fri : July 27th – Valley Speedway ; Grain Valley : MO – United Late Model Association Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – Open Wheel Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – Street Stocks
Fri : July 27th – Tri-County Racetrack ; Brasstown : NC – USCS 600 Sprint Cars
Fri : July 27th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Street Stocks
Fri : July 27th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – 358 Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Sportsman
Fri : July 27th – Autodrome Granby ; Granby : Quebec – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Fri : July 27th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Sprint Cars
Fri : July 27th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Street Stocks
Fri : July 27th – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Super Stocks
Fri : July 27th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Sport Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Stock
Fri : July 27th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – Street Stock
Fri : July 27th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – Winged Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Fri : July 27th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Sprint Cars
Fri : July 27th – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Street Stock
Fri : July 27th – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI – IMCA Sport Modifieds
Fri : July 27th – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI – Street Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Talladega Short Track ; Eastaboga : AL – Southern All Star Dirt Super Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Huntsville Speedway ; Huntsville : AL – Sportsman
Sat : July 28th – Sayre Speedway ; Sayre : AL – Southern Superstars Super Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – 305 Winged Sprints
Sat : July 28th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – 600 Mini Sprints
Sat : July 28th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – Lucas Oil Modified Tour
Sat : July 28th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – Race #4 Coors Light Open Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – Sport Mods
Sat : July 28th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – Hobby Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Perris Auto Speedway ; Perris : CA – USAC/CRA Sprint Cars
Sat : July 28th – Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway ; Hanford : CA – Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Sat : July 28th – Colorado National Speedway ; Dacono : CO – NASCAR K&N Pro East Series
Sat : July 28th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Super Late Models
Sat : July 28th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Sportsman
Sat : July 28th – New Senoia Raceway ; Senoia : GA – Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Sugar Creek Raceway ; Blue Ridge : GA – USCS 600 Sprint Cars
Sat : July 28th – Watermelon Capital Speedway ; Cordele : GA – Super Streets
Sat : July 28th – Meridian Speedway ; Meridian : ID – Rocky Mountain Challenge Series Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Limited Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Street Stocks
Sat : July 28th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Late Models
Sat : July 28th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Sportsman
Sat : July 28th – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Street Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – 10th Annual Phyllis Tunny Memorial Late Model Figure 8
Sat : July 28th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets Figure 8
Sat : July 28th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – American Super Cups
Sat : July 28th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Stock Cars
Sat : July 28th – Independence Motor Speedway ; Independence : IA – IMCA Sport Mods
Sat : July 28th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Sportsman
Sat : July 28th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Pure Streets
Sat : July 28th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Mini Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Outlaw Mini-Cups
Sat : July 28th – Corbin Speedway ; Corbin : KY – Junior Mini-Cups
Sat : July 28th – Beech Ridge Motor Speedway ; Scarborough : ME – ACT Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – 4 & 8 Cylinder Obstacle Course
Sat : July 28th – Hagerstown Speedway ; Hagerstown : MD – 31st Annual Conococheague 50 Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Hagerstown Speedway ; Hagerstown : MD – Pure Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Berlin Raceway ; Marne : MI – Super Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Berlin Raceway ; Marne : MI – Outlaw Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Flat Rock Speedway ; Flat Rock : MI – ARCA Gold Cup
Sat : July 28th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Outlaw Super Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Super Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Pro Stocks
*Sat : July 28th – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – USMTS World Modified Dirt Track Championship*
Sat : July 28th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Street Stocks
Sat : July 28th – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Wissota Super Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Super Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – NeSmith Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Street Stocks
Sat : July 28th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – ASA Late Models
Sat : July 28th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Sportsman
Sat : July 28th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Road Warrior Brawl Road Warriors
Sat : July 28th – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Chargers
Sat : July 28th – Dunn Tire Raceway Park ; Lancaster : NY – Sportsman
Sat : July 28th – Dunn Tire Raceway Park ; Lancaster : NY – Street Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Riverhead Raceway ; Riverhead : NY – NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Sat : July 28th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – UARA Stars Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Late Model Trucks x2
Sat : July 28th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Street Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Orange County Speedway ; Rougemont : NC – PASS South
Sat : July 28th – Tri-County Speedway ; Hudson : NC – CARS Pro Cup Series
Sat : July 28th – Red River Valley Speedway ; West Fargo : ND – All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars
Sat : July 28th – Red River Valley Speedway ; West Fargo : ND – Super Stocks
Sat : July 29th – Columbus Motor Speedway ; Columbus : OH – John Nuckles Memorial Outlaw Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Emo Speedway ; Emo : Ontario – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – Emo Speedway ; Emo : Ontario – Wissota Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – Emo Speedway ; Emo : Ontario – Street Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – ARDC Midgets
Sat : July 28th – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Xcel 600 CCs
Sat : July 28th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – 410 Sprints
Sat : July 28th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – 358 Sprints
Sat : July 28th – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – Thundercars
Sat : July 28th – Mahoning Valley Speedway ; Lehighton : PA – 4c Super Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Street Stocks
Sat : July 28th – Autodrome Drummond ; Drummondville : Quebec – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Sat : July 28th – Circuit Riverside Speedway ; Saint Croix : Quebec – ACT Castrol Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Langley Speedway ; Hampton : VA – Hampton Heat 200 Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Motor Mile Speedway ; Radford : VA – Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Motor Mile Speedway ; Radford : VA – Limited Sportsman
Sat : July 28th – Motor Mile Speedway ; Radford : VA – Street Stock x2
Sat : July 28th – Shenandoah Speedway ; Shenandoah : VA – Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Shenandoah Speedway ; Shenandoah : VA – Sportsman
Sat : July 28th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Late Models
Sat : July 28th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Midwest Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – UMSS 360 Sprint Cars
Sat : July 28th – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – UMSS Traditional Sprint Cars
Sat : July 28th – Lafayette County Speedway ; Darlington : WI – Cornbelt Clash Late Models
Sat : July 28th – State Park Speedway ; Wasau : WI – Larry Detjens Memorial Super Late Models
Sat : July 28th – TNT Speedway ; Three Lakes : WI – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : July 28th – TNT Speedway ; Three Lakes : WI – Wissota Street Stocks
Sun : July 29th – Santa Maria Speedway ; Santa Maria : CA – Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Sun : July 29th – Cornwall Motor Speedway ; Cornwall : Ontario – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Sun : July 29th – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Super Late Models
Sun : July 29th – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – NeSmith Late Models
Sun : July 29th – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Street Stocks
Sun : July 29th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – POWRi Midgets
Sun : July 29th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – WAR Non-Wing Sprint Cars
Sun : July 29th – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – Sport Mods
Sun : July 29th – Shangri La II Speedway ; Tioga Center : NY – Race of Champions Modifieds
Tue : July 31st – Cedar County Raceway ; Tipton : IA – Deery Brothers Summer Series IMCA Late Models
Tue : July 31st – Concord Speedway ; Concord : NC – USAC Eastern Focus Midgets
Tue : July 31st – Ohsweken Speedway ; Ohsweken : Ontario – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Wed : Aug 1st – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – 32nd Annual Sponsor Appreciation Night Hornets
Wed : Aug 1st – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – 32nd Annual Sponsor Appreciation Night Late Models
Wed : Aug 1st – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – 32nd Annual Sponsor Appreciation Night Stocks
Wed : Aug 1st – Buene Vista Raceway ; Alta : IA – USMTS National Championship Series
Wed : Aug 1st – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Outlaws
Wed : Aug 1st – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Rebels
Wed : Aug 1st – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Renegades
Wed : Aug 1st – Millbridge Speedway ; Salisbury : NC – Mini Outlaws
Wed : Aug 1st – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Wed : Aug 1st – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Sprint Cars
Wed : Aug 1st – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Sport Modifieds
Wed : Aug 1st – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Street Stock
Wed : Aug 1st – Shawano Speedway ; Shawano : WI – World of Outlaws Late Models
Thu : Aug 2nd – Knoxville Raceway ; Knoxville : IA – 22nd Annual ASCS Knoxville Nationals Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Thu : Aug 2nd – Mineral City Speedway ; Fort Dodge : IA – USMTS National Championship Series
Thu : Aug 2nd – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Cornbelt Clash Late Models
Thu : Aug 2nd – Cedar Lake Speedway ; New Richmond : WI – Midwest Modifieds
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: Crown Royal Presents the Curtiss Shaver 400 at the Brickyard 400
by Jeff Wolfe
It can be debated where the Indianapolis Motor Speedway stands among NASCAR's best tracks, though it has been open for more than 100 years and is full of IndyCar Series history. However, NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series didn't come to Indianapolis until 1994 and while Sunday's 400-mile, 160-lap race will be the 19th Sprint Cup race there, the track seems to have cemented its place as one of NASCAR's major players. It's hard to say if the speedway deserves to be held in the same esteem as say Daytona, Talladega, Darlington or Bristol, though.
But one thing that can't be debated about Indianapolis is that if a driver finishes well there, it often bodes well for the rest of the season. Of the 18 races there, eight times the winner went on to win the Sprint Cup title. Jimmie Johnson accomplished the feat three times, Jeff Gordon twice, and Tony Stewart, Dale Jarrett and Bobby Labonte each did it once.
However, there is more. There are 11 different winners at the 2.5-mile oval that have combined for a grand total of 22 titles. The group is led by the late Dale Earnhardt's seven, Johnson's five, Gordon's four and Stewart's three. The only drivers to win at Indy who have not won a Sprint Cup title at some point in their careers are Ricky Rudd in 1997, Kevin Harvick in 2003, Jamie McMurray in 2010 and Paul Menard last year.
When it comes down to it, a driver and team at Indy have to be hitting on all cylinders (both figuratively and literally) to run well. And maybe that's a big reason why teams that do well at Indy, also usually do well over the course of the season.
Top 5 Picks
Tony Stewart: He's got two wins at Indy, with six top-5 finishes and nine top 10s. A pretty safe bet on his home track.
Jimmie Johnson: He has three wins at Indy and is a major threat to get his fourth.
Jeff Gordon: Going with another home stater here. He has four wins and even though he's 17th in points, his car has been good all season. There's no better place for him to breakthrough and get his first win of the year.
Kasey Kahne: No, he doesn't have a win at Indy, but he's been running well lately, picking up the win two weeks ago at New Hampshire. Also, he's a Hendrick Motorsports driver and that team has had plenty of success there.
Kevin Harvick: He's the only driver in the top 7 without a victory this year. He does have one win and seven top 10s in 11 races at Indy.
Shoulda, woulda, coulda: It would make a great story if Juan Pablo Montoya became the first driver to win the Indy 500 and Brickyard 400, but it's not something that has a big chance of happening. Montoya has only one top-10 finish at Indy in NASCAR and has not been a regular contender at other places this season as he sits 21st in the points standings.
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: Crown Royal Presents the Curtiss Shaver 400 at the Brickyard
by Rick Lunkenheimer
The twentieth stop this season takes the Sprint Cup series to the World Famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway located in the heart of Indiana. The Crown Royal Presents the Curtiss Shaver 400 at the Brickyard will be televised on Sunday July 29th on ESPN at 1pm ET. It will also be broadcast on the IMS radio network and SiriusXm radio channel 90. Drivers will compete for 160 laps (400 miles) in the only stop at IMS on the schedule. The race will re-air Monday, July 30 at 2:00 AM ET on ESPN2 and Wednesday, August 1 at 12:00 PM ET on SPEED
Records and Facts
Casey Mears holds the track qualifying record with a speed of 186.293. This record has stood since 2004 and although he started on the pole his car was no match against race winner Jeff Gordon; Mears ended up finishing 26th.
Bobby Labonte holds the race record with a speed of 155.912 set back in 2000. Starting from the third spot Labonte was able to overtake pole sitter Ricky Rudd for the race win, on his way to his first cup championship.
Track Facts
Track Length / Race Length: 2.5-mile quad-oval / 160 laps (400 miles)
Degree of Banking: Turns 9 degrees
Frontstretch: Length: 3,330 feet
Backstretch: Length: 3,330 feet
Grandstand Seating: 257,325; Max Capacity: ~350,000
Track Opened: 1909
Pre-race Schedule
Practices: Saturday, July 28, 8:30 - 9:30 AM ET on SPEED
Happy Hour: Saturday, July 28, 10:30 AM - 12:20 PM ET on ESPN2
Qualifying: Saturday, July 28 at 2:10 PM ET on ESPN
VIPs
Grand Marhsal / Command: Mary Hulman George
National Anthem: Lead Singer for The Mavericks, Raul Malo
Military Flyover: 2 V-22 Osprey's USMC
Weather Forecast
Sunday: Partly Cloudy, 10% Chance of Rain
High: 89
Low: 69
Say What?!?
"It's always one you have circled on your calendar and you're ready to go when you get there. In the past we've had some really good runs and some really good cars and haven't always had the finishes, but it's probably circumstances more than anything. I think we have equipment as good as anybody, we've just got to figure out how to make that all work for there and for the race and strategy that goes into being successful at Indy." -Matt Kenseth
"You can't go to the Brickyard without thinking about what the track means not only to NASCAR, but to auto racing in general. Being from the Midwestern section of the country myself, I always looked to the spectacle of the Indianapolis 500 and wondered what it would be like to compete there. Now we have the Brickyard 400 for stock cars and it has become one of the most prestigious races in the country as well. Everyone on the Miller Lite Dodge Charger team is excited about the new car we are bringing this weekend. A lot of work went into building it and I think it's going to give us our best shot yet to get Mr. (Roger) Penske a Brickyard 400 trophy." -Brad Keselowski
"I think I learned a lot from the three NASCAR races I ran before at Indy. You have to be sure to position yourself to get to the finish of the race. We had good cars there before and tried to get to the front too quickly. Patience will definitely be at the top of my mind there this weekend for sure." -Sam Hornish, Jr.
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:
Landon Cassill Driver Diary: Move Over Flags and Twitter Trades
as told to Summer Dreyer
Four Burning Questions: Distractions and Additions
by Summer Dreyer
Do You Think of NASCAR and Integrity In the Same Sentence?
by Jeff Meyer
Potts' Shots:Outgrowing Raceway Park, Underweight Cars, & Dog-tracking
by John Potts
Winner, Champion...and Racer: Kenny Wallace Is All of These
by Amy Henderson
Looking Back: A Surprising 2012 for the Nationwide Series
by Bryan Davis Keith
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: This year's Indianapolis 500 was the first one since 1996 to feature cars with turbocharged engines. The 1996 race was marked by pole sitter Scott Brayton dying days after claiming the pole (and a long-retired Danny Ongais coming in to finish seventh), outdated cars (some by as many as three years), and a winner (Buddy Lazier) who all but couldn't get out of the car on his own due to prior injuries. However, Tony Stewart appeared to be the dominant force in his No. 20 Glidden-sponsored Lola Menard V6. What ultimately took him out of the race?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: In the 1997 Brickyard 400, Rich Bickle made a one-off start in a No. 26 Chevrolet sponsored by Kentucky Fried Chicken (Note: There was no mention of Macaroni and Cheese or Mashed Potatoes on ABC's broadcast that day). Bickle qualified an excellent tenth and ran well all day before blowing a tire and wrecking in the only start for this team. However, what was it supposed to turn into?
A: Bickle was driving a second car for Darrell Waltrip Motorsports in the race. At the time, Bickle drove for Waltrip full-time in the Craftsman Truck Series (and finished second in points). The original grandmaster plan for this ride was for it to become a second full-time team for 1998, hopefully with KFC onboard. However, Darrell Waltrip himself ran into sponsor issues at the end of the 1997 season when Western Auto, via Parts America, left the team, and Waltrip attempted to replace them with a rather unusual combination of backing from a company called Speedblock.
Speedblock was a combination of backing from the long dead Hechinger, Home Quarters (HQ) and Builder's Square home improvement chains, and from vendors to those stores. Unfortunately, the money never came and Waltrip's entire operation fell apart; the home improvement chain was liquidated a year later (many of those stores are now Home Depots). Bickle went from having a championship-capable Truck Series gig and a potential Cup ride to being out in the cold (a combination of Waltrip needing to focus on his own car, plus Sears pulling a fast one and leaving the team) until Greg Sacks' injuries at Texas resulted in Bickle taking over the No. 98.
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:
-- Crown Royal Presents the Curtiss Shaver 400 at the Brickyard 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: Crown Royal Presents the Curtiss Shaver 400 at the Brickyard 400 by Matt McLaughlin
Matt will be here with his overall thoughts about the action from Sunday afternoon's race from Indianapolis.
Monday Morning Teardown by TBA
A website look at one of the big stories from Sunday's race from Indianapolis.
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 Indianapolis.
Big Six: Crown Royal Presents the Curtiss Shaver 400 at the Brickyard 400 by Amy Henderson
Looking for all you need to know leaving Sunday's event at Indianapolis? Amy has your who, what, when, where, why and how from a weekend of racing.
Pace Laps: Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis.
Nationwide Breakdown: Indiana 250 by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan has all the post-race analysis you need following Saturday afternoon's Nationwide Series debut at Indianapolis.
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