Thursday, August 30, 2012

The Frontstretch Newsletter: August 31st, 2012

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
August 31st, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CLXXIV

~~~~~~~~~~

Top News
by Jeff Wolfe

Sports Clips returns to sponsor Hamlin in Atlanta

Denny Hamlin's No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota will once again feature Sports Clips as the primary sponsor. Earlier this year, Hamlin posted a runner-up finish at Darlington with the company's colors on his car in retro scheme honoring Cale Yarborough's NASCAR Hall of Fame induction.

Hamlin will be looking for his second straight victory after winning last Saturday night at Bristol. He, along with Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski and defending champion Tony Stewart lead the Sprint Cup series this season with three victories apiece. Hamlin, who is searching for his first Sprint Cup championship, comes into Atlanta eighth in the, 16 markers behind seventh-place Keselowski.

Leicht to Have Special Operations OPSEC Fund as One-Race Sponsor

Circle Sports announced Thursday that the No. 33 car driven by Stephen Leicht will have Special Operations OPSEC Education Fund as its primary sponsor for Sunday's race in Atlanta, according to Speedwaydigest.com.

Special Operations OPSEC is a social welfare organization composed of former members of the U.S. Special Operations forces and intelligence community. The organization's goal is to educate and inform the public on the need for Operational Security and to bring attention to the "Dishonorable Disclosures" documentary that went viral on youtube.com with over 3.2 million views since its release on Aug. 15.

"We are honored Special Operations OPSEC Education Fund has chosen to partner with Circle Sport as they look to bring awareness to their cause by connecting with the NASCAR fan base," team owner Joe Falk said. "NASCAR is a powerful medium--just as is OPSEC's use of social media to promote its online documentary--and we hope to drive their message to millions of NASCAR fans."

The OPSEC name and logo will be on the hood and quarterpanels of the No. 33 along with the organization's website www.OPSECteam.org. Leicht, a rookie, is 41st in the points standings and hopes to start his 12th Sprint Cup race of the season Sunday night.

House Autry Mills to Sponsor Gilliland in Atlanta

House Autry Mills will not only be the primary sponsor on the David Gilliland's No. 38 in Atlanta this weekend, but is also having an on-line contest for fans to win Gilliland's firesuit and a House Autry gift pack at Facebook.com/HouseAutryMills. The company's product line includes chicken, seafood and pork breaders, cornbread, hushpuppy and biscuit mixes, and sauces to complement your favorite fried and baked foods. The sweepstakes runs through Oct. 31st.

Gilliland is 27th in the points standings and has started all 24 races this season for Front Row Motorsports. He has a best finish of 13th at Talladega in early May.

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.

~~~~~~~~~~

COME JOIN THE FRONTSTRETCH FAMILY!

Hey Frontstretch Readers! Are you looking for a fast-growing website that can give you an opportunity to not only share your thoughts on racing, but have FUN doing it with a group of laid-back, dedicated personnel?  Well, we have the place for you. Frontstretch is actively seeking 1-3 additional writers for both our newsletter and website to add to our dedicated staff. Follow this link for more information on how you can become a weekly columnist for the site and / or newsletter!

~~~~~~~~~~

In Case You Missed It
by Beth Lunkenheimer

Hornaday to Promote Breast Cancer Awareness in Atlanta

Ron Hornaday, Jr. teams up with Chevrolet in their "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" campaign. The driver of the No. 9 Joe Denette Motorsports Chevrolet will give breast cancer survivors a ride around Atlanta Motor Speedway in pink Camaro SS pace cars. In addition, the manufacturer will donate $200 for every lap the pace cars lead the field in Sunday's AdvoCare 500 Sprint Cup race.

NASCAR Wives, Girlfriends in "Racing For Awareness" Competition

Toyota Racing kicked off their "Racing For Awareness" campaign last Friday with a friendly competition among a handful of NASCAR wives and girlfriends. The women have designed their own t-shirts to raise awareness for breast cancer. Designers include Makena Bell (T.J. Bell), Samantha Busch (Kyle Busch), Janet Bodine (Todd Bodine), Jordan Fish & Mary Lou Hamlin (Denny Hamlin girlfriend, mom), Danielle Logano (Joey Logano), Sara Peters (Timothy Peters), Lorra Podsiadlo (Clint Bowyer), Sherry Pollex (Martin Truex, Jr.) and Cortney Sauter (Johnny Sauter). The design that receives the most votes will be revealed and produced during the Charlotte race weekend in October. Additionally, Toyota will donate $500 in the winner's name to the Carolina Breast Friends. Fans can vote for their favorite design by clicking here.

Sauter to Make 100th Career Start

Johnny Sauter will make his 100th career Camping World Truck Series start tonight at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The driver of the No. 13 Chevrolet boast five wins, 36 top 5s and 51 top-10 finishes in 99 starts. He currently sits 12th in the points standings.

~~~~~~~~~~

Keepin' It Short: Crowning a Champion
by Mike Neff

As the calendar gets close to Fall, the racing seasons at tracks across the country and for series all around begin to wind down. Concord Motorsports Park crowned a champion several weeks ago but most tracks will award their championship title in the next 30 days. On the national stage the IMCA Late Models are among the first to identify their number one driver for the year. For the third consecutive season, that moniker goes to Ray Guss, Jr.

Guss became the second driver in the history of the IMCA Late Models to win the title three times. This season was especially exciting for Guss because, when the final points were tallied, he bested Todd Cooney by a single point. Both drivers ended their regular seasons with 794 accumulated points. Cooney actually scored one more win on the season, visiting Victory Lane 15 times to Guss' 14, but he ended up losing the title on bonus points.

The IMCA awards bonus points based on track championships and average car counts. Guss received 16 bonus points for the title he won at Quad City Speedway while Cooney was only given 15 points for taking the title at Shelby County Speedway. The bonus points are determined by average car count at a track where a driver wins a track title. If a driver wins multiple titles, the track with the highest average car count is used to calculate the bonus points. This is the second year in a row that Cooney has been the runner-up to Guss for the National Championship.

Guss not only won the track title at Quad City, but also will be crowned state champion for Illinois. Cooney had a very outstanding year, notching track championships at Shelby County, the Iowa State Fairgrounds and Stuart Speedway. Cooney will be crowned Iowa state champion also. Tyler Bruening, Ryan Griffith and Nate Beuseling rounded out the top 5 in IMCA National Points. Darrel DeFrance, who was the first driver to claim three national titles, finished off the year in sixth position.

Chuck Hanna finished the season in 19th place in the points and was awarded the Rookie of the Year title. Beuseling took home the track championship at 34 Raceway. Griffith ended up on top of the point standings at Hamilton County Speedway while Bruening notched championships at both Independence Motor Speedway and Farley Speedway.

There will be more excitement in 2013 in the IMCA Late Model National Championship, but for now, congratulations to the top 20 finishers in the 2012 standings.

1. Ray Guss, Jr.                810
2. Todd Cooney         809
3. Tyler Bruening        799
4. Ryan Griffith             775
5. Nate Beuseling       769
6. Darrel DeFrance       768
7. Luke Goedert               767
8. Chad Cooney          764
9. Matt Ryan            758
10. Mike Murphy, Jr.       757
11. Stephan Kammerer 739
12. Joel Callahan       723
13. Todd Malmstrom     721
14. Justin Kay               714
15. Nick Marolf              704
16. Mike Zemo, Jr.       695
17. Curt Schroeder      695
18. Joe Ross          686
19. Chuck Hanna      682
20. Mike Garland      678

Whelen All-American National Championship

Lee Pulliam took three more shots at closing in on the perfect season last weekend, but came up short in all three attempts. Caraway Speedway saw Pulliam cross the finish line second in both of the twin feature races on Friday night. He then headed to Southern National Motor Sports Park on Saturday and crossed the line as the first loser again. Fortunately for Pulliam, Nate Monteith didn't gain many points so the lead heading into the last two weeks of the regular season is 57 points, which is all but insurmountable over the small amount of time left.

It was good to see Keith Rocco not only back behind the wheel of a race car but in Victory Lane at Stafford Motor Speedway Friday night. Rocco went to the Winner's Circe for the 12th time this season and raised his point total to 714 with the win.

Position Name Races Wins Top 5s Top 10s Total Points

1.    Lee Pulliam 32 20 27 28 783
2.    Nate Monteith    27 10 20 23 726
3.    Keith Rocco 36 12 22 27 714
4.    Ryan Preece 41 13 28 34 707
5.    C E Falk III 26 14 22 24 705
6.    Deac McCaskill 16 22 24 700
7.    Ted Christopher 43 6 35 38 697
8.    Duane Howard 18 8 15 18 692
9.    Tim Brown 24 8 13 18 672
10.    Jason O'Brien 5 18 24 657

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

Shelby Stroebel continues to lead the ASA National Points race with his 12 straight victories this season. He'll have two chances to continue the streak this Labor Day Weekend. Lance Gatlin is hoping to recapture the magic that he had to start the year. After nine straight wins out of the gate this year, his last three races have wound up short of the trophy. Mike Slone is facing a stiff test at I-44 this weekend and needs to hold off Matt Wallace for the track title. While Dennis Queen and the usual cast of thousands at Newport will be taking 50 laps around the track to pick a winner on Friday night.

The ASA season is far from over so Stroebel and Gatlin have no room for error until the checkered flag drops on the season.

Western Region Point Standings:

Position Name Average

1.    Shelby Stroebel 4.5261
2.    Matt Wallace 4.0754
3.    Mike Slone 4.0237
4.    Jim VanZandt 3.7815
5.    Michael Hale 3.6495

Eastern Region Point Standings

Position Name Average

1.    Lance Gatlin 4.3944
2.    Dennis Queen 3.9873
3.    Taylor Coffman 3.8419
4.    Ryan Stiltner 3.7508
5.    Wayne Webb 3.6740

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 Racing Schedule

Fri : Aug 31st – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – 3rd Annual Shark Cycle 80 Late Models
Fri : Aug 31st – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – 3rd Annual Shark Cycle 80 Limited Late Models
Fri : Aug 31st – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – 3rd Annual Shark Cycle 80 SK Lights
Fri : Aug 31st – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – 3rd Annual Shark Cycle 80 SK Modifieds
Fri : Aug 31st – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – 3rd Annual Shark Cycle 80 MRS Modifieds
Fri : Aug 31st – Boyd's Speedway ; Ringgold : GA – USCS Outlaw Thunder Sprint Cars
Fri : Aug 31st – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets
Fri : Aug 31st – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Legends
Fri : Aug 31st – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Roadsters
Fri : Aug 31st – Dixie Motor Speedway ; Birch Run : MI – Main Event Super Late Models
Fri : Aug 31st – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – USMTS Hunt for the Casey's Cup Modifieds
Fri : Aug 31st – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – IMCA Stock Cars
Fri : Aug 31st – Chateau Raceway ; Lansing : MN – WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds
Fri : Aug 31st – Whynot Motorsports Park ; Meridian : MS – Nesmith Dirt Late Models
Fri : Aug 31st – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – ASCS Midwest Sprint Cars
Fri : Aug 31st – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – ASCS Warrior Sprint Cars
Fri : Aug 31st – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – A Mods
Fri : Aug 31st – U.S. 36 Raceway ; Cameron : MO – Sport Mods
Fri : Aug 31st – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Late Models
Fri : Aug 31st – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Modifieds
Fri : Aug 31st – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Street Stocks
Fri : Aug 31st – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – NDRA Late Models
Fri : Aug 31st – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – Late Models
Fri : Aug 31st – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – Open Wheel Modifieds
Fri : Aug 31st – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – Street Stocks
Fri : Aug 31st – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Steel Block Late Models
Fri : Aug 31st – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Modifieds
Fri : Aug 31st – Jackson County Speedway ; Jackson : OH – Street Stocks
Fri : Aug 31st – Portsmouth Raceway Park ; Portsmouth : OH – Lucas Oil Late Models
Fri : Aug 31st – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Coalcracker Sportsman
Fri : Aug 31st – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Point Championship Night Late Models
Fri : Aug 31st – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Point Championship Night Sprint Cars
Fri : Aug 31st – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Point Championship Night Street Stocks
Fri : Aug 31st – Black Hills Speedway ; Rapid City : SD – Point Championship Night Super Stocks
Fri : Aug 31st – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : Aug 31st – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Sport Modifieds
Fri : Aug 31st – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Stock
Fri : Aug 31st – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – Street Stock
Fri : Aug 31st – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – Winged Modifieds
Fri : Aug 31st – Skagit Speedway ; Alger : WA – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Fri : Aug 31st – Langlade Speedway ; Antigo : WI – Late Models
Fri : Aug 31st – Langlade Speedway ; Antigo : WI – Modifieds
Fri : Aug 31st – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Labor Day Classic Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Fri : Aug 31st – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Labor Day Classic Sprint Cars
Fri : Aug 31st – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Labor Day Classic Street Stock
Fri : Aug 31st – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI –IMCA Modifieds
Fri : Aug 31st – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI –IMCA Sport Modifieds
Fri : Aug 31st – Oshkosh Speedzone Winnebago County Fairgrounds ; Oshkosh : WI –Street Stocks
Sat : Sept 1st – Green Valley Speedway ; Glencoe : AL – Crate Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Green Valley Speedway ; Glencoe : AL – KMSA
Sat : Sept 1st – Green Valley Speedway ; Glencoe : AL – Outlaw Thunder
Sat : Sept 1st – Green Valley Speedway ; Glencoe : AL – Sportsman
Sat : Sept 1st – Green Valley Speedway ; Glencoe : AL – Street Stock
Sat : Sept 1st – Green Valley Speedway ; Glencoe : AL – Super Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Calistoga Speedway ; Calistoga : CA – USAC/CRA Sprint Cars
Sat : Sept 1st – Desoto Speedway ; Bradenton : FL – DS Trucks
Sat : Sept 1st – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – 14th Annual Clyde Hart Memorial Super Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Modifieds
Sat : Sept 1st – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Sportsman
Sat : Sept 1st – Sugar Creek Raceway ; Blue Ridge : GA – USCS Outlaw Thunder Sprint Cars
Sat : Sept 1st – Grundy County Speedway ; Morris : IL – USAC Mopar D1 Stars
Sat : Sept 1st – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Season Championship Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Season Championship Sportsman
Sat : Sept 1st – South Bend Speedway ; South Bend : IN – Season Championship Street Stocks
Sat : Sept 1st – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – American Super Cups
Sat : Sept 1st – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets Figure 8
Sat : Sept 1st – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Late Models Figure 8
Sat : Sept 1st – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Stocks
Sat : Sept 1st – Terre Haute Action Track ; Terre Haute : IN – AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars
Sat : Sept 1st – 34 Raceway ; West Burlington : IA – Deery Brothers Summer Series IMCA Late  Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Shelby County Speedway ; Harlan : IA – Super Late Model Racing Series
Sat : Sept 1st – Dodge City Raceway Park ; Dodge City : KS – Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Sat : Sept 1st – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Outlaws
Sat : Sept 1st – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Rebels
Sat : Sept 1st – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Renegades
Sat : Sept 1st – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – Strictly Stock
Sat : Sept 1st – Hagerstown Speedway ; Hagerstown : MD – 27th Annual McBee/Hays Championship Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Hagerstown Speedway ; Hagerstown : MD – Pure Stocks
Sat : Sept 1st – Berlin Raceway ; Marne : MI – Super Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Outlaw Super Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Super Stocks
Sat : Sept 1st – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Pro Stocks
Sat : Sept 1st – Owosso Speedway ; Ovid : MI – Jeg's All Stars Pro Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – USMTS Hunt for the Casey's Cup Modifieds
Sat : Sept 1st – Deer Creek Speedway ; Spring Valley : MN – Cornbelt Clash Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Mighty Axe Nationals UMSS Sprint Cars
Sat : Sept 1st – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Mighty Axe Nationals RV Modified Tour
Sat : Sept 1st – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Mighty Axe Nationals Wissota Modifieds
Sat : Sept 1st – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Mighty Axe Nationals Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : Sept 1st – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Mighty Axe Nationals Wissota Street Stocks
Sat : Sept 1st – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Mighty Axe Nationals Wissota Super Stocks
Sat : Sept 1st – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Super Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – NeSmith Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Columbus Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Street Stocks
Sat : Sept 1st – Whynot Motorsports Park ; Meridian : MS – Nesmith Dirt Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – World 50 ASA Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Modifieds
Sat : Sept 1st – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Sportsman
Sat : Sept 1st – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Road Warriors
Sat : Sept 1st – I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – Chargers
Sat : Sept 1st – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – MLRA Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – A-Mods
Sat : Sept 1st – Dunn Tire Raceway Park ; Lancaster : NY – Sportsman
Sat : Sept 1st – Dunn Tire Raceway Park ; Lancaster : NY – Street Stocks
Sat : Sept 1st – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – PASS South
Sat : Sept 1st – Concord Motorsports Park ; Concord : NC – Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Bobby Issac Memorial Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Limited Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Hickory Motor Speedway ; Newton : NC – Street Stock
Sat : Sept 1st – Orange County ; Rougemont : NC – CARS Pro Cup Series
Sat : Sept 1st – Portsmouth Raceway Park ; Portsmouth : OH – Lucas Oil Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Peterborough Speedway ; Peterborough : Ontario – OSCAAR Super Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – ARDC Midgets
Sat : Sept 1st – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Xcel 600 CCs
Sat : Sept 1st – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – 410 Sprints
Sat : Sept 1st – Lincoln Speedway ; Abbottstown : PA – 358 Sprints
Sat : Sept 1st – Mahoning Valley Speedway ; Lehighton : PA – 4c Super Modifieds
Sat : Sept 1st – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Sport Modifieds
Sat : Sept 1st – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Factory Stocks
Sat : Sept 1st – Autodrome Montmagny ; Montmagny : Quebec – ACT Castrol Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Rocky Mountain Raceway ; West Valley City : UT – Rocky Mountain Challenge Series Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Langley Speedway ; Hampton : VA – NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour
Sat : Sept 1st – Shenandoah Speedway ; Shenandoah : VA – Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Shenandoah Speedway ; Shenandoah : VA – Sportsman
Sat : Sept 1st – Skagit Speedway ; Alger : WA – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Sat : Sept 1st – Tyler County Speedway ; Middlebourne : WV – World of Outlaws Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Labor Day Classic Wisconsin Dirt Late Models
Sat : Sept 1st – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Labor Day Classic Sprint Cars
Sat : Sept 1st – Manitowoc County Fairgrounds ; Manitowoc : WI – Labor Day Classic Street Stock
Sat : Sept 1st – TNT Speedway ; Three Lakes : WI – Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sat : Sept 1st – TNT Speedway ; Three Lakes : WI – Wissota Street Stocks
Sun : Sept 2nd – Huntsville Speedway ; Huntsville : AL – Southern Superstars World Classic Super Late Models
Sun : Sept 2nd – Huntsville Speedway ; Huntsville : AL – Modifieds
Sun : Sept 2nd – Huntsville Speedway ; Huntsville : AL – Sportsman
Sun : Sept 2nd – Calistoga Speedway ; Calistoga : CA – USAC/CRA Sprint Cars
Sun : Sept 2nd – DuQuoin State Fairgrounds ; DuQuoin : IL – USAC Silver Crown
Sun : Sept 2nd – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – 36th Annual Late Model One Hour Figure 8
Sun : Sept 2nd – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – American Super Cup
Sun : Sept 2nd – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets Figure 8
Sun : Sept 2nd – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Stocks Figure 8 Enduro
Sun : Sept 2nd – Winchester Speedway ; Winchester : IN – CRA Super Series
Sun : Sept 2nd – Winchester Speedway ; Winchester : IN – Top Speed Modifieds
Sun : Sept 2nd – Dodge City Raceway Park ; Dodge City : KS – Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Sun : Sept 2nd – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – FWD Enduro Race #3
Sun : Sept 2nd – Norway Speedway ; Norway : MI – Labor Day 100 Late Models
Sun : Sept 2nd – Spartan Speedway ; Mason : MI – Harvest 300 Slugfest #5 Late Models
Sun : Sept 2nd – Dodge County Speedway ; Kasson : MN – USMTS Hunt for the Casey's Cup Modifieds
Sun : Sept 2nd – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Mighty Axe Nationals UMSS Sprint Cars
Sun : Sept 2nd – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Mighty Axe Nationals RV Modified Tour
Sun : Sept 2nd – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Mighty Axe Nationals Wissota Modifieds
Sun : Sept 2nd – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Mighty Axe Nationals Wissota Midwest Modifieds
Sun : Sept 2nd – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Mighty Axe Nationals Wissota Street Stocks
Sun : Sept 2nd – North Central Speedway ; Brainerd : MN – Mighty Axe Nationals Wissota Super Stocks
Sun : Sept 2nd – Raceway Park ; Shakopee : MN – ASA Midwest Tour Labor Day 125
Sun : Sept 2nd – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Super Late Models
Sun : Sept 2nd – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – NeSmith Dirt Late Models
Sun : Sept 2nd – Magnolia Motor Speedway ; Columbus : MS – Street Stocks
Sun : Sept 2nd – Monett Speedway ; Monett : MO – MARS Dirtcar Series Late Models
Sun : Sept 2nd – I-80 Speedway ; Greenwood : NE – Super Late Model Racing Series
Sun : Sept 2nd – Speedway 660 ; Fredericton : New Brunswick – Auto Value 250
Sun : Sept 2nd – Big Diamond Speedway ; Minersville : PA – Coalcracker 358 Modifieds
Sun : Sept 2nd – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Modifieds
Sun : Sept 2nd – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Street Stocks
Sun : Sept 2nd – Smoky Mountain Speedway ; Maryville : TN – USCS 600 Sprint Cars
Sun : Sept 2nd – Smoky Mountain Speedway ; Maryville : TN – USCS Outlaw Thunder Sprint Cars
Sun : Sept 2nd – Thunder Road International Speedbowl ; Barre : VT – 34th Labor Day Classic 200 ACT Late Models
Mon : Sept 3rd – DuQuoin State Fairgrounds ; DuQuoin : IL – ARCA Racing Series
Mon : Sept 3rd – Winchester Speedway ; Winchester : IN – CRA Super Series
Mon : Sept 3rd – Winchester Speedway ; Winchester : IN – Top Speed Modifieds
Mon : Sept 3rd – Boone Speedway ; Boone : IA – Deery Brothers Summer Series IMCA Late  Models
Mon : Sept 3rd – Cottage Grove Speedway ; Cottage Grove : OR – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Mon : Sept 3rd – Greenville-Pickens Speedway ; Greenville : SC – NASCAR K&N Pro East Series
Wed : Sept 5th – Silver Dollar Speedway ; Chico : CA – Civil War California Civil War Series Sprint Cars
Wed : Sept 5th – Silver Dollar Speedway ; Chico : CA – USAC/CRA Sprint Cars
Wed : Sept 5th – Iredell County Fairgrounds ; Troutman : NC – East Coast Nationals Mini Outlaws
Thu : Sept 6th – Silver Dollar Speedway ; Chico : CA – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Thu : Sept 6th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornets
Thu : Sept 6th – Iredell County Fairgrounds ; Troutman : NC – Wingless Thursday Mini Outlaws

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

~~~~~~~~~~

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.

~~~~~~~~~~

Fantasy Friday: AdvoCare 500
by Jeff Wolfe

The Sprint Cup Series heads to Atlanta for a 7:30 Sunday night race on ESPN. It's the next-to-last race in NASCAR's regular season with the top 10 in points and the two drivers with the most wins 11th through 20th in points making the Chase for the Championship, NASCAR's version of the playoffs and the final 10 races of the season.

With the wild cards still yet to be determined, that is somewhat of a factor when going through this week's top 5 picks because there will be some desperate guys out there, some of them really needing a win.

Top 5 Picks

Kasey Kahne - If I had one pick this week, this would be the guy. He's got two wins at Atlanta and in 15 starts, he has six top-5 finishes; his average finish of 18.3 is skewed by three DNFs. He's also started on the pole twice, and I expect him to be a factor for the lead late in the race.

Jimmie Johnson - He's also got three wins in Atlanta and is a threat to win anywhere. Plus, he's really looking like the eventual champion.

Carl Edwards - He's in big-time win mode as he has none this season and sits 12th in points. He also has three career wins at Atlanta so this may be the best shot for last year's runner-up to make the Chase.

Tony Stewart - He's got three wins here but also, just when you think he's in trouble--and he is a bit being 10th in points with just a 16-point lead on Kasey Kahne--he comes through in a big way. He's all but a lock to make the Chase with three wins this season and could be the first to get four.

Kyle Busch - He has one win at Atlanta and three top 5s. But that's not the only reason I'm picking him this week. This weekend is the first time this season that Busch is driving in the Truck, Nationwide and Cup races. He seems most happy when he's driving a race car (or truck) and the driver sometimes known as Rowdy may be really happy late Sunday night.

Shoulda, woulda, coulda - Greg Biffle. This is the non-pick I may regret. He's been near the front a lot lately and may just have the best chance to challenge Johnson for the title. He doesn't have any wins at Atlanta, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if that changed this weekend.

ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP
Here's a look at how last week's picks fared at Bristol.

Kyle Busch - 6th. He was good all night, but could never make his way to the front as he didn't lead a lap.

Jeff Gordon - 3rd. Another strong run put him back in the wild-card picture to have a shot at the Chase.

Brad Keselowski - 30th. Two-race winning streak at  Bristol comes to an end after he was hit from behind and spun in his retro Miller Lite paint scheme.

Carl Edwards - 22nd.  Though he led laps late in the race, fuel strategy forced him to pit with just four laps remaining and took him well out of contention where he finished four laps down.

Kevin Harvick - 15th. Hung around to have an OK night, but never a factor up front.

Season Stats
120 Predictions
14  Wins
41 Top 5s
56 Top 10s

Grade for the week: C. Edwards was the only driver I had that even led any laps at Bristol. Not good considering there were a season-high 13 cautions. You think maybe Gordon or Busch could've snuck into the lead some how. But not to be.

One last thing: The two drivers in the top 10 in points without a win this season are Martin Truex, Jr. and Kevin Harvick. The statistics tell us it won't likely happen at Atlanta for them either. Among drivers in the top 10, Truex is ninth in driver rating at Atlanta at 88.9 and Harvick is 10th at 83.5.

Jeff Wolfe is a Contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at jeff.wolfe@frontstretch.com.

~~~~~~~~~~

ADVERTISEMENT
Are you looking to advertise your website, product or brand?  A good way to get your name out there is via direct advertising here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!  Interested parties can contact us at tony.lumbis@frontstretch.com for details.

~~~~~~~~~~

Frontstretch Folio: AdvoCare 500
by Rick Lunkenheimer

This weekend the Sprint Cup Series heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Labor Day weekend trip. The 25th race of the 2012 season will be broadcast live on ESPN at 7:30 PM ET. You can also catch the race broadcast on MRN or SiriusXM Radio channel 90. For those who miss it the race will be rebroadcast on Monday, September 3 at 12:30 AM ET on ESPN2 or Wednesday, September 5 at 12:00 PM ET on SPEED.

Records and Facts

Geoffrey Bodine holds the track qualifying record with a speed of 197.478 mph set for the 1997 NAPA 500 in his No. 7 QVC Ford. He led just four laps before eventually ending up with a 33rd-place finish, four laps down. Bobby Labonte won the race by nearly four seconds over Dale Jarrett. Mark Martin, Jeff Green and Derrike Cope rounded out the top 5.

Jeff Gordon is the defending race winner of this race. He started fifth and led the most laps, 146 of 325. Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Kurt Bush, and Carl Edwards rounded out the top 5.

Track Facts

Track / Race Length: 1.54-mile quad oval, 325 laps, 500.5 miles
Degree of Banking: Turns: 24 degrees; Straightaways: 5 degrees
Straights: Frontstretch: 2,332 feet
Backstretch: 1,800 feet
Pit Road Speed: 45mph
Pace Car Speed: 55mph
Grandstand Seating: 99,000
Opened: 1960

Pre-race Schedule
Practices: Friday, August 31, 2:30 - 4:30 PM ET on SPEED
Saturday, September 1, 2:30 - 3:25 PM ET on SPEED
Happy Hour: Saturday, September 1, 5:30 - 6:20 PM ET on SPEED
Qualifying: Friday, September 1 at 6:10 PM ET on SPEED, re-air scheduled at 1:00 AM ET

Race Day Forecast
Sunday:
Isolated Thunderstorms; 30% chance of rain
High: 87
Low: 71

Say What?!?

"I like racing there. It's definitely a driver's track. That's why we love coming to Atlanta. I hope they never repave it. That will be the one thing that will kill it. If they have to repave it, it will be out of necessity, not because of desire from us. That's what makes this place fun is the fact that you're going to move around from the bottom to the top every segment of the race. You are, at some point, going to have to move around and try to find a spot to make your car better. That's what makes it so much fun being there." -Tony Stewart

"Atlanta is my favorite track. Your car may be good on the bottom early in the race, but as the track changes, the car may work better up top. It's important to move around to make sure you are running the quickest line. A line that didn't work early may be the right line later in the race. The racing is exciting and the speeds you carry there just make it that much more fun. We had a great run last weekend at Bristol, which was my first time working with Trent Owens (crew chief) and his guys. I think the chemistry there is good and I can see a win for Great Clips being right around the corner." -Kasey Kahne
 
"We've been decent in the points, so we've kind of tried to step out of the box and do some things to try and learn for the Chase,(We can) really be more aggressive with the setup and go for the win and say, 'hey, if it doesn't work, then we're not going to cry over spilled milk.'That's really all you can do.You can't flip a switch, and we're already running as hard as we can.The only thing we can do is take some more chances on the setup, whether it might work for the race or not, that's basically what we've been doing." -Greg Biffle

Rick Lunkenheimer is a contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at rick.lunkenheimer@frontstretch.com.

~~~~~~~~~~

TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:

IndyCar In-Depth: Grand Prix of Baltimore Preview
by Toni Montgomery

Formula 1 Friday: Back on Track ... Finally
by Andy Hollis

In the Middle: Sometimes NASCAR Isn't About Extremes
by Amy Henderson

Landon Cassill Driver Diary: Oily Tracks, Multiple Grooves and Hurricanes
as told to Summer Bedgood

Voices From the Cheapseats: Fans Prove Bruton Smith Wrong
by Jeff Meyer

Four Burning Questions: Wild Cards and Rivalries
by Summer Bedgood

~~~~~~~~~~

This Weekend on the Frontstretch:

Tracking the Trucks: Jeff Foxworthy's Grit Chips 200 by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth has all the post-race analysis you need following Friday night's Camping World Truck Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Nationwide Breakdown: NRA American Warrior 300 by Mike Neff
Mike has all the post-race analysis you need following Saturday's Nationwide Series race from Atlanta.

~~~~~~~~~~

FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
 
Q:
In 1993, Richard Childress Racing entered Neil Bonnett in a No. 31 Chevrolet in the Hooters 500 in an attempt to stack the cards in favor of Dale Earnhardt winning his sixth championship. However, that wasn't Bonnett's only race of the weekend. He drove Earnhardt's No. 3 in the Busch race on Saturday (rescheduled from March due to Superstorm '93), however, it didn't go all that well. What happened?

Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
 
Thursday's Answer:
 
Q: Once Jeff Gordon officially clinched the 1995 Winston Cup Championship at about the one-third mark of the NAPA 500 (Robert Pressley's blown engine made it impossible for Gordon to be caught by Dale Earnhardt), Gordon's team adopted an extremely laid back attitude. This extended to pit road as well. What they did do late in the race that raised eyebrows and cracked up some commentators?

A: With the pressure off, Gordon's team decided to switch things up on a pit road. Crew Chief Ray Evernham even got to go over the wall for the first time in years to work on Gordon's No. 24. It was an interesting sight, to say the least.

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!

~~~~~~~~~~

Coming Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- AdvoCare 500 Race Recap by Jeff Wolfe
--
Secret Star and Stat of the Race by Tom Bowles
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
 
Monday on the Frontstretch:

Thinkin' Out Loud: Pure Michigan 400 by Mike Neff
Mike is here with his overall thoughts about the action from Sunday night's race from Atlanta.

Big Six: AdvoCare 500 by Amy Henderson
Looking for all you need to know leaving Sunday's event in Atlanta? Amy has your who, what, when, where, why and how from a weekend of racing.

Pace Laps: Atlanta 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 the racing Atlanta.

IndyCar Race Recap: Grand Prix of Baltimore by Huston Ladner
Huston has all the post-race analysis you need following Sunday afternoon's IZOD IndyCar race from Baltimore.

Other Columns TBD

-----------------------------
Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Got something to say about an article you've seen in the newsletter? It's as easy as replying directly to this message or sending an email to editors@frontstretch.com. We'll take the best comments and publish them here!
©2012 Frontstretch.com

--
Feel free to forward this newsletter if you have any friends who loves
NASCAR and great NASCAR commentary. They can subscribe to the Frontstetch by visiting http://www.frontstretch.com/notice/9557/.
 
If you want to stop your Frontstretch Newsletter subscription, we're sorry
to see you go. Just send an email to
TheFrontstretch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com from the address that you
recieve the Frontstretch Newsletter.

The Frontstretch Newsletter: August 30th, 2012

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
August 30th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CLXXIII
--
Top News

by Phil Allaway

Goodyear Completes Tire Test at Kansas Speedway; Earnhardt Jr. Crashes

On Wednesday, Goodyear wrapped up their two-day tire test on the recently repaved and revamped Kansas Speedway.  Unfortunately, the final day was not trouble free. 

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. blew a right front tire and crashed hard into the wall.  He was able to walk away uninjured from the crash.  The car Earnhardt Jr. was driving has been described as "heavily damaged," though.  According to USA Today's Nate Ryan on SPEED's NASCAR RaceHub, Earnhardt Jr. was roughly 20 laps into a run on the "control tire" when it was cut by some kind of debris on the track.  It should be noted that the "control tire" was the tire used a couple of weeks ago at Michigan.

Greg Stucker, Goodyear's Director of Race Tires, was generally pleased with what he saw this week.

"After two days of testing...we saw what was expected of a newly-repaved track -- smooth, black asphalt and a considerable amount of grip," said Stucker.  "It took about a half-day of running with the nine cars involved in the test, but the track took rubber nicely and a narrow groove developed.  The [Michigan tire] proved to be the correct choice based upon tire temperatures, wear and driver comments, and I'd say it is currently the leading candidate for our Kansas race tire."

In addition to Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 88, Chevrolet was represented by Richard Childress Racing's No. 27 for Paul Menard, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates' No. 42 for Juan Pablo Montoya and Furniture Row Racing's No. 78 for Regan Smith.  Ford was represented by Richard Petty Motorsports' No. 9 for Marcos Ambrose and Roush Fenway Racing's No. 17 for Matt Kenseth.  Toyota was represented by Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 20 for Joey Logano and Michael Waltrip Racing's No. 55 for Mark Martin.  Finally, Dodge was represented by Penske Racing's No. 2 for Brad Keselowski.

Kenseth to Gibbs to Finally be Announced Next Week

Ever since Matt Kenseth announced that he would be leaving Roush Fenway Racing at the end of the 2012 season, rumors have been flying that Kenseth would be going to Joe Gibbs Racing, either in a brand-new fourth car (that would be guaranteed to start the first five races of 2013 with Kenseth's Past Champions' Provisional), or in the No. 20 in place of Joey Logano.  Kenseth has been silent on the topic for months and no one at Joe Gibbs Racing has talked on the record about Kenseth.

However, that might finally be coming to an end.

SiriusXM NASCAR Radio's Dave Moody is reporting that there will be a big announcement next Tuesday (September 4) in Atlanta.  In that press conference, Kenseth is expected to be announced as the new driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota for 2013.  The location makes sense since Home Depot is an Atlanta-based corporation and the announcement will come on the heels of Sunday night's AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

As for current driver Joey Logano, his plans for 2013 appear to still be up in the air.  Logano's name has surfaced as a potential full-time replacement for the fired AJ Allmendinger in the No. 22 for Penske Racing if the team chooses not to keep Sam Hornish, Jr. in the seat.  If Joe Gibbs Racing can acquire sponsorship, they could run Logano in a fourth full-time Sprint Cup car, or have him a Nationwide car for the organization.  Logano is said to have soured on this potential scenario in recent weeks, but it could still be in play.

Entry List Update:
Note: These entries are accurate as of Wednesday night.  However, they are still subject to change.

Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500: 47 cars entered

Drivers Ineligible to Earn Points:
No. 19-
Mike Bliss for Humphrey-Smith Racing
No. 21-
Trevor Bayne for Wood Brothers Racing
No. 22-
Sam Hornish, Jr. for Penske Racing
No. 49-
Jason Leffler for Robinson-Blakeney Motorsports
No. 87-
Joe Nemechek for NEMCO Motorsports
No. 91-
Reed Sorenson for Humphrey-Smith Racing

Driver Changes:
No. 32-
T.J. Bell returns to the seat, replacing Ken Schrader.
No. 55-
Mark Martin returns to the seat, replacing Brian Vickers.

Drivers who must qualify on speed:
No. 19-
Mike Bliss for Humphrey-Smith Racing*
No. 21-
Trevor Bayne for Wood Brothers Racing
No. 23-
Scott Riggs for R3 Motorsports*
No. 26-
Josh Wise for Front Row Motorsports*
No. 30-
David Stremme for Inception Motorsports
No. 33-
Stephen Leicht for Circle Point Racing
No. 37-
J.J. Yeley for Tommy Baldwin Racing/MaxQ Motorsports*
No. 49-
Jason Leffler for Robinson-Blakeney Motorsports
No. 87-
Joe Nemechek for NEMCO Motorsports*
No. 91-
Reed Sorenson for Humphrey-Smith Racing*
No. 95-
Scott Speed for Leavine Family Racing
No. 98-
Michael McDowell for Phil Parsons Racing*

Not Entered:
No. 79-
Kelly Bires for Go Green Racing

Nationwide Series NRA American Warrior 300: 44 cars entered

Drivers Ineligible to Earn Points:
No. 18-
Denny Hamlin for Joe Gibbs Racing
No. 22-
Brad Keselowski for Penske Racing
No. 30-
James Buescher for Turner Motorsports
No. 33-
Kevin Harvick for Richard Childress Racing
No. 38-
Kasey Kahne for Turner Motorsports
No. 42-
Josh Wise for Team Motorsports Group, LLC
No. 47-
Stephen Leicht for Team Motorsports Group, LLC
No. 54-
Kyle Busch for Kyle Busch Motorsports
No. 70-
Tony Raines for ML Motorsports/Robinson-Blakeney Motorsports
No. 71-
Scott Riggs for Rick Ware Racing

Driver Changes:
No. 08-
Kyle Fowler returns to the seat, replacing Tim Andrews.
No. 4-
Danny Efland returns to the seat, replacing Brad Teague.
No. 18-
Denny Hamlin returns to the seat, replacing Joey Logano.
No. 30-
James Buescher returns to the seat, replacing Nelson Piquet, Jr.
No. 39-
Matt Carter is in the seat, replacing Josh Richards.
No. 50-
T.J. Bell returns to the seat, replacing David Starr.
No. 70-
Tony Raines returns to the seat, replacing Johanna Long.
No. 71-
Scott Riggs is in the seat, replacing Carl Long.
No. 74-
Mike Harmon returns to the seat, replacing Rick Crawford.
No. 99-
Travis Pastrana returns to the seat, replacing John Wes Townley.

Drivers who must qualify on speed:
No. 00-
Blake Koch for SR2 Motorsports*
No. 08-
Kyle Fowler for Randy Hill Racing
No. 10-
Jeff Green for TriStar Motorsports (Guaranteed to start via the Past Champions' Provisional)*
No. 15-
Timmy Hill for Rick Ware Racing
No. 42-
Matt DiBenedetto for Team Motorsports Group, LLC*
No. 46-
Chase Miller for Team Motorsports Group, LLC*
No. 47-
Stephen Leicht for Team Motorsports Group, LLC*
No. 50-
T.J. Bell for MAKE Motorsports
No. 52-
Joey Gase for Means Motorsports
No. 71-
Scott Riggs for Rick Ware Racing*
No. 72-
John Jackson for Carter Racing*
No. 74-
Mike Harmon for Mike Harmon Racing*
No. 89-
Morgan Shepherd for Shepherd Racing Ventures
No. 98-
Reed Sorenson for Biagi-DenBeste Racing

Not Entered:
No. 36-
Ryan Blaney for Tommy Baldwin Racing
No. 60-
Trevor Bayne for Roush Fenway Racing
No. 75-
Rick Ware Racing
No. 86-
Kevin Lepage for Deware Motorsports

Camping World Truck Series Jeff Foxworthy's Grit Chips 200: 38 trucks entered

Drivers Ineligible to Earn Points:
No. 0-
Blake Koch for JJC Racing
No. 5-
Aric Almirola for Wauters Motorsports
No. 18-
Kyle Busch for Kyle Busch Motorsports
No. 29-
Ryan Blaney for Brad Keselowski Racing
No. 51-
Kurt Busch for Billy Ballew Motorsports/Phoenix Racing
No. 74-
Mike Harmon for Mike Harmon Racing

Driver Changes:
No. 0-
Blake Koch is in the seat, replacing Brandon Knupp.
No. 07-
Johnny Chapman returns to the seat, replacing Jeff Agnew.
No. 2-
Tim George, Jr. returns to the seat, replacing Brendan Gaughan.
No. 5-
Aric Almirola is in the seat, replacing Johnny Chapman.  Paulie Harraka has officially split from Wauters Motorsports.
No. 8-
Max Gresham is in the seat, replacing Mike Skinner.
No. 18-
Kyle Busch returns to the seat, replacing Brian Scott.
No. 27-
An unknown driver will be in the seat, replacing BJ McLeod.
No. 29-
Ryan Blaney is in the seat, replacing Brad Keselowski.
No. 38-
Chris Jones returns to the seat, replacing Dennis Setzer.
No. 84-
Chris Fontaine returns to the seat, replacing Russ Dugger.
No. 93-
Dennis Setzer returns to the seat, replacing Chris Jones.

Drivers who must qualify on speed:
No. 0-
Blake Koch for JJC Racing*
No. 07-
Johnny Chapman for SS-Green Light Racing*
No. 4-
Kyle Larson for Turner Motorsports
No. 8-
Max Gresham for Eddie Sharp Racing
No. 10-
Jennifer Jo Cobb for JJC Racing
No. 38-
Chris Jones for RSS Racing*
No. 51-
Kurt Busch for Billy Ballew Motorsports/Phoenix Racing
No. 57-
Norm Benning for Norm Benning Racing
No. 74-
Mike Harmon for Mike Harmon Racing*
No. 75-
Caleb Holman for Henderson Motorsports
No. 81-
David Starr for Joey Arrington Racing
No. 92-
Chad McCumbee for RBR Motorsports

Not Entered:
No. 36-
Grant Enfinger for Allgaier Motorsports
No. 68-
Clay Greenfield for Clay Greenfield Motorsports
No. 86-
Clay Greenfield Motorsports

Izod IndyCar Series Baltimore Grand Prix presented by SRT: 25 cars entered

Driver Changes:
No. 67-
Bruno Junqueira is in the seat, replacing Josef Newgarden.  Newgarden suffered a finger injury in a late race crash at Sonoma.

Entries:
No. 2-
Ryan Briscoe for Team Penske
No. 3-
Helio Castroneves for Team Penske
No. 4-
J.R. Hildebrand for Panther Racing
No. 5-
E.J. Viso for KV Racing Technologies
No. 7-
Sebastien Bourdais for Dragon Racing
No. 8-
Rubens Barrichello for KV Racing Technologies
No. 9-
Scott Dixon for Chip Ganassi Racing
No. 10-
Dario Franchitti for Chip Ganassi Racing
No. 11-
Tony Kanaan for KV Racing Technologies with SH Racing
No. 12-
Will Power for Team Penske
No. 14-
Mike Conway for AJ Foyt Enterprises
No. 15-
Takuma Sato for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
No. 18-
Justin Wilson for Dale Coyne Racing
No. 19-
James Jakes for Dale Coyne Racing
No. 20-
Ed Carpenter for Ed Carpenter Racing
No. 22-
Oriol Servia for Panther/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
No. 26-
Marco Andretti for Andretti Autosport
No. 27-
James Hinchcliffe for Andretti Autosport
No. 28-
Ryan Hunter-Reay for Andretti Autosport
No. 38-
Graham Rahal for Chip Ganassi Racing
No. 67-
Bruno Junqueira for Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing
No. 77-
Simon Pagenaud for Schmidt-Hamilton Motorsports
No. 78-
Simona de Silvestro for Lotus-HVM Racing
No. 83-
Charlie Kimball for Chip Ganassi Racing
No. 98-
Alex Tagliani for Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb-Agajanian

Not Entered:
No. 6-
Katherine Legge for Dragon Racing
No. 17-
Sebastian Saavedra for AFS Racing/Andretti Autosport

Harraka Out at Wauters Motorsports

During Wednesday's edition of NASCAR RaceHub, it was announced that Paulie Harraka and Wauters Motorsports have parted ways, effective immediately.  Aric Almirola has been tapped to drive the No. 5 Ford in Friday night's Jeff Foxworthy's Grit Chips 200.

Harraka has missed the last two races as Wauters Motorsports decided to regroup instead of traveling to Michigan and Bristol.  Despite skipping those races, the team is still locked in due to a brief partnership that allowed RSS Racing to use the No. 5 for one of their trucks.  Scott Riggs and Johnny Chapman start-and-parked the No. 5 Chevrolet the past couple of weeks.

Harraka's rookie year has been a struggle up to this point.  In 11 starts, Harraka's best finishes have been a pair of 17ths at Dover and Kentucky.  Crashes have plagued Harraka's season as well, with all four of his DNF's due to wrecks.  In addition, Harraka was involved in wrecks in two additional races.  These incidents, like the one at Pocono, have spoiled good runs.  As a result, Harraka is currently 22nd in drivers points, while the No. 5 is 24th in owners' points.

Have news for Phil and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com with a promising lead or tip.
 
~~~~~~~~~~

Got NASCAR-related questions or comments?
Send them John Potts' way at john.potts@frontstretch.com; and, if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print when he does his weekly column answering back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat. Potts' Shots will run on Thursday with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!

Today's Featured Commentary
Knee Jerk Wigouts, Smoke Spinouts, Potential Rainouts
What's Vexing Vito
by Vito Pugliese

So we're five days following Bristol, and everybody is still atwitter about Tony Stewart going hammer-throw with his helmet at Matt Kenseth.  While it was a throwback to the old days when things made sense in Thunder Valley, it was actually one of those watershed moments that helped attract and interest new fans to the sport.

One of my cop buddies played Big Ten baseball, and is involved in every single fantasy league for stick and ball sports you could think of, but has no clue whatsoever about auto racing.  I talked to him Monday and he was still cracking up about Tony Stewart, two-hand firing his brain bucket at Matt K.  Jay Mohr, who was guest hosting The Jungle with Jim Rome on Monday was laughing and referencing the incident, and despite hosting the NASCAR Banquet a couple of years, is not a big racing guy either.  Whatever your take on the Stewart/Kenseth saga, it's good for the sport.

That being said, it was also pretty silly.  My favorite part anytime this happens are the knee-jerk nail bitters who instantly belt out "he could've hurt or KILLED someone!"  Yeah, the helmet could have ricocheted back and hit him in the face (which would have been The Three Stooges-caliber funny), or the official (collateral damage), but the wild scenarios of what if Kenseth swerved and hit somebody, or those who think that a 30mph fiberglass orb is going to penetrate freaking bullet-proof glass were peppering call-in shows and message boards alike.

Just like Kurt Busch could've "killed somebody" when he stopped alongside Tony Stewart on pit road at Dover a few years ago, taking issue with being pushed the length of the front straight, and for being wrecked at Daytona following Bud Shootout practice, where Busch was then popped by Stewart in the NASCAR hauler.  Or when Tony Stewart turned Jeff Gordon on pit road at Bristol back in '01.

Or when Tony Stewart swerved across four lanes of traffic to put Matt Kenseth in the grass at Daytona in 2006.

Oh wait.  That literally could have killed him as he spun back into on-coming 200mph traffic.  This just days after Tony Stewart declared following the Bud Shootout, "We're going to kill somebody racing like this."

Hmmm.  Seems to be a common thread in said scenarios…

-----------------

With all of the hoopla surrounding Saturday night's race, was it really all it was cracked up to be?

I mean toss out the Stewart helmet chuck and Danica pointing at a guy…was it really different than the Spring race?  You had the big wreck early with Kahne, Edwards, Harvick, and Kyle Busch, then the two teammates tangling between Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jeff Gordon.  The margin of victory was .714 in March, on Saturday night it was 1.103 seconds back to runner up Jimmie Johnson.

Five years ago at Bristol it was all about who could get around the bottom the quickest.  Following the repave a couple of years back, it was like a mini-Michigan, with multiple grooves working well equally.  Now it's the second coming of Winchester Speedway or Darlington, Jr. with everybody hunting the high line to keep up speed and maintain momentum on the high-banked half-mile.

Better?  Worse?  Eh, not really either – just different.  Yes everybody is mad that Danica didn't throw her hat at the No. 78 of Regan Smith.  Its probably for the best that she didn't, as then she would have to endure a bunch of "she throws like a girl" smack. Besides, the last time she showed some emotion after falling out of a race, she was roundly criticized for it at MIS in 2006.

----------------

With Hurricane Isaac having made landfall Wednesday morning, over 18" of rain had fallen in New Orleans in less than 24 hours.  As more moisture is being sucked up from the Gulf of Mexico with the storm, there is a 40-60-percent chance of scattered thunderstorms from Sunday through Saturday this week in the Atlanta, GA area.  Yeah, great – a 50-percent average. Either it might rain…or it might not.  Why not just make that the forecast every day, and be right, 100-percent of the time?

Let's say it did get rained out for a few days in a row, and the race had to be postponed.  When would it be run?  There are no off-dates from now until the end of the season.  I'm sure the purists and old-schoolers would just be absolutely heart-broken if we had to wrap up The Chase and crown the champion the final race of the year in Atlanta.

----------------

Okay so Carl Edwards has categorically denied he will be driving the No. 22 or be sponsored by Shell next year, even if Penske is switching to Ford (which I still think is about the worst decision, ever…), and Matt Kenseth is taking over the No. 20 from Joey Logano at JGR.  Logano has something in the works, but can't say what it is yet.  So why all the secrecy and long, drawn out discourse?

I know, the marketing materials have to be made, and they have to get the new guy a fire suit and resticker the car with next year's manufacturer and paint scheme, and take a few smiling-with-hands-on-hips/stern-look-with-arms-folded promo photos.  If everybody already knows the outcome, then why not make it official so the guys on the outside can let it be made known, so they can start looking for a place elsewhere to drive?

And how in the world does the 2011 Daytona 500 winner still not have a sponsor or a ride for 2012 or all of 2013 yet, save for a tentative full-time Nationwide season?  Hopefully the election year uncertainty will come to close here after the first Tuesday in November, and the sponsorship outlook will improve for those teams and drivers who desperately need it to.

Vito Pugliese is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.  He can be reached via e-mail at vito.pugliese@frontstretch.com.  Follow him on Twitter at @VitoPugliese.
~~~~~~~~~~

COME JOIN THE FRONTSTRETCH FAMILY!

Hey Frontstretch Readers,
 
We are looking for someone who shares our enthusiasm for NASCAR and has an experienced background in web design. Specifically, we are looking for someone who can help maintain and enhance our website, increase our SEO, and upgrade our publishing platform while producing a limited amount of content throughout the season. This job presents a perfect opportunity for someone with a technical background, a person who wants their work to gain national exposure.
 
If you are interested, contact frontstretcheditors@googlegroups.com. Please include references to your past work in your e-mail.

--
The Critic's Annex: GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma
by Phil Allaway

Hello, race fans.  Welcome back to the Critic's Annex, where we take an additional look at motorsports-related programming.  On Sunday afternoon, once the craziness at Bristol Motor Speedway had wrapped up for the weekend (but apparently, not the traffic jams), the Izod IndyCar Series came back out to play at Sonoma Raceway in California.

As is the norm with NBC Sports Network's telecasts, IndyCar Central led off the show.  However, this edition of the show was a little different than normal.  Some of the typical features, like "ProfessorB" and Robin Miller's Grid Run were not included this week.  Perhaps they'll return in Baltimore.

What did make the show was the normal recap of the previous race (Mid-Ohio) and four pre-race interviews.  The primary feature of the show had cameras go to meet up with Helio Castroneves at his house.  Viewers were treated to shots of Castroneves interacting with his daughter, Mikaella and talking about his goals.  Of course, this came after he showed off a couple of his take-home Borg Warner Trophies (nowhere near the size of the ginormous thing presented to the winner at the Indianapolis 500) and the crystal ball that he won on Dancing With The Stars (which he then promoted since he's doing the All-Star season of the show after the season ends).

Since Sonoma Raceway had a somewhat revised layout for this season, NBC Sports Network went about showing this in two different ways.  One was with the help of the new simulator, Simraceway.  Wally Dallenbach, Jr. got into a sweet-looking pod and drove a simulated Dallara DW12 around the circuit.  He was 13 seconds off the pace of the real cars, but seemed to really have fun with it.  Simraceway appears to be a new competitor to iRacing and has an endorser in recent Izod IndyCar Series driver (and current contributor to Jalopnik) Alex Lloyd.

The other way the new configuration was shown off was via an in-car lap done in practice by J.R. Hildebrand.  However, unbeknownst to some of NBC Sports Network's viewers (but definitely knownst to me), race sponsor GoPro put this two minute clip on YouTube and it was being used as a commercial prior to videos all weekend.  I suppose that's a nice way to promote the race, the series and Hildebrand.  However, I don't recall it showing fans when the race was going to be on and where they could view it, which is a bit of an ongoing issue with the series.  Being the complete YouTube addict that I am, I probably saw it 12-15 times before the race (mind you, the stuff I was watching had nothing to do with racing).  It would play before almost every video I watched.  Crazy.

With the first 64 (of 85) laps being run under green, NBC Sports Network's race coverage was quite varied.  Their coverage shifted between different parts of the field in order to be as complete as possible.  Since Will Power managed to run away and hide from the rest of the field, this would have been one of the only ways that fans would have seen much passing.

One of the more interesting battles that was highlighted Sunday was a sweet fight for what I think was 18th between Sebastian Saavedra and Oriol Servia.  The two drivers managed to go side-by-side all the way from Turn 11 to Turn 3a on the next lap.  Since Sonoma's on the Sprint Cup schedule, you likely know that it would mean they were side-by-side the entire run up the hill before Saavedra finally took the spot.  That was a very nice battle, shown via the blimp view.  If this race were on ABC with ESPN's normal production crew for Izod IndyCar Series races, I'm pretty sure we wouldn't have seen this.

While I am most definitely praising NBC Sports Network's inclusiveness, I do need to draw attention to a couple of things.  During the race, a fair amount of time was given to the fact that the series had gone 2.5 races without a full-course yellow (Jenkins pointed this out).  A couple of the commentators, especially Robin Miller in the pits, were all but praying for a caution on-air.  I find that a little unprofessional.

Speaking of Miller, he really doesn't have all that much to do on these broadcasts outside of pre-race.  I feel like the network made a mistake and removed the wrong person from the telecast.  Unless he's doing something silly, Miller doesn't add anything to the race telecasts, despite his wealth of knowledge.  They probably should have kept Lindy Thackston on as a pit reporter (last I heard, she's working with Ed Carpenter Racing and their sponsor, Fuzzy's Vodka, as some kind of Social Media Director). 

Post-race coverage was actually a little frugal by NBC Sports Network standards.  There were four driver interviews, plus an interview with the winning car owner (Roger Penske) prior to the telecast ending.  The unofficial results were restricted to only the scroll, while Jenkins notified viewers of the points.  No points graphic was shown post-race.  Honestly, that was a bit of a letdown. 

However, they did air footage of Ryan Hunter-Reay confronting Alex Tagliani and essentially asking him "What the Deuce?" after Tagliani dumped Hunter-Reay while battling for third.  Getting Hunter-Reay on for an interview (he finished a lap down in 20th, so he was under no obligation to stick around longer than it took for him to swap his firesuit for trousers) was quite interesting, though.  You could see the disappointment and frustration in Hunter-Reay during that short interview.

Overall, this was a pretty good race to watch, despite the fact that there really wasn't all that much action up front.  There was good action to be had all over the field, and the NBC Sports Network did a great job bringing that action to viewers.  We're better off for that.

I hope you liked this look at NBC Sports Network's broadcast of the GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma.  Tune in next week for a look at the special, Catching Speed.  This one-hour show, scheduled to air Sunday afternoon on ABC (here in the Eastern Time Zone, its scheduled to air at 2pm EDT, but check your local listings just to make sure), will follow around Clint Bowyer's team during their race preparations.  Until then, enjoy this weekend's action from Spa, Atlanta and Baltimore.

Phil Allaway is the Newsletter Manager and a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.  He can be reached via e-mail at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com.  Follow him on Twitter at @Critic84.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Frontstretch Line of the Week


From NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Bristol-2

"
Keselowski's paint scheme must have been so confusing to the drunks in Bristol. The only thing that would have made it more perfect would have been a bump and run from Jeff Gordon. We all know now that that didn't happen but just imagine ... a bunch of wasted, shirtless rednecks sitting in the stands squinting at that No. 2, wondering when the clock went back 10 years. Priceless."- Summer Bedgood, on Brad Keselowski last weekend in Bristol.
~~~~~~~~~~

ADVERTISEMENT
Are you looking to advertise your website, product or brand?  A good way to get your name out there is via direct advertising here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!  Interested parties can contact us at tony.lumbis@frontstretch.com for details.

~~~~~~~~~~

TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:

Potts' Shots: Agreeing To Disagree - To A Degree
by John Potts

Professor Of Speed: The Importance of Being Ambrose
by Mark Howell

Truckin' Thursdays: Miguel Paludo on Bristol, Birthdays and More
by Beth Lunkenheimer

~~~~~~~~~~

FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:

Q:  Once Jeff Gordon officially clinched the 1995 Winston Cup Championship at about the one-third mark of the NAPA 500 (Robert Pressley's blown engine made it impossible for Gordon to be caught by Dale Earnhardt), Gordon's team adopted an extremely laid back attitude.  This extended to pit road as well.  What they did do late in the race that raised eyebrows and cracked up some commentators?

Check back Friday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
 
Wednesday's Answer:

Q:  Most of us remember the infamous 1992 Hooters 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway for its title chase with six drivers eligible at the start of the race.  By the three-quarters mark, it was legitimately down to three (Davey Allison, Alan Kulwicki and Bill Elliott).  However, Allison was eliminated from contention after a crash.  What happened?

A: Allison was racing behind Ernie Irvan when Irvan suddenly lost control of his Kodak Chevrolet exiting Turn 4.  Irvan swerved to avoid Terry Labonte, then spun back up the track and into the wall.  Allison had nowhere to go and hit Irvan before spinning into the inside wall.  The Texaco/Havoline Ford was able to continue after repairs, but Allison's championship hopes were over.  He would eventually finish 27th, 43 laps down.  The crash can be seen at the 1:45 mark of this clip.

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

~~~~~~~~~~

Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Jeff Wolfe
-- In Case You Missed It by Nick Schwartz
-- Keepin' It Short by Mike Neff
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, trivia, and more!


~~~~~~~~~~

Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:


Four Burning Questions: Atlanta by Summer Bedgood
Summer returns to help prepare you for Atlanta's trio of night races.


Holding A Pretty Wheel
by Amy Henderson
Amy returns this week with another interesting Friday commentary.
 
Friday Fast Forward Into NASCAR's Future by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan returns with another interesting commentary piece on the Nationwide Series to prepare you for Saturday night's NRA American Warrior 300 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Voices From the Heartland by Jeff Meyer
Our Tennessee transplant returns with another interesting take on recent events.


Driver Diary: Landon Cassill as told to Summer Bedgood
Landon returns to talk about his past month on and off the track.
-----------------------------
Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Got something to say about an article you've seen in the newsletter? It's as easy as replying directly to this message or sending an email to editors@frontstretch.com. We'll take the best comments and publish them here!

©2012 Frontstretch.com

--
Feel free to forward this newsletter if you have any friends who loves
NASCAR and great NASCAR commentary. They can subscribe to the Frontstetch by visiting http://www.frontstretch.com/notice/9557/.
 
If you want to stop your Frontstretch Newsletter subscription, we're sorry
to see you go. Just send an email to
TheFrontstretch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com from the address that you
recieve the Frontstretch Newsletter.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

The Frontstretch Newsletter: August 29th, 2012

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com

The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
August 29th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CLXXII

~~~~~~~~~~

Top News
by Brad Morgan

Hillenburg Receives Second Quarter Spirit Award

Rockingham Speedway President Andy Hillenburg has been named the recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association's second quarter Spirit Award.

Hillenburg has been a major factor in the rebirth of Rockingham Speedway's efforts to return to prominence in NASCAR's top three series.  The legendary track hosted the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 200 Truck Series race earlier this season, its first NASCAR-sanctioned event since 2004.

The award is given to the individual whom members of the NMPA believes has made the biggest positive impact on racing for the given quarter.  The track owner beat out other vote getters including: Jimmie Johnson, Ricky Benton Racing, Ellen Siska, and Tony Stewart.

Fans Get Insider's View of MWR

Fans who want to see what happens behind the closed doors of a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series organization will soon get their chance without ever having to leave the living room. 

When Catching Speed, a television series produced by NASCAR Productions, visits Michael Waltrip Racing and the No. 15 team, viewers will have the opportunity to witness how Clint Bowyer and others prepare for a busy race weekend.

The show, which airs Sunday, Sept. 2, at 2 PM ET on ABC, will explore how crew chiefs and engineers interact with one another when finding the appropriate setups, pit crew members train for quick stops, and mechanics work on the cars.

Catching Speed will re-air on Sunday, Sept. 9, at 2:30 PM on ESPN2.

AdvoCare Sponsoring Almirola at Atlanta

AdvoCare, a premier health and wellness company, will serve as the primary sponsor for Aric Almirola as he pilots the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford Fusion when the Sprint Cup series travels to Atlanta this weekend.

The Texas-based company's presence is a common sight on Austin Dillon's No. 3 Nationwide Series car, but this is the first time that AdvoCare has sponsored Almirola.

"I've used AdvoCare products for a while, and now it will be cool to have the company on my No. 43 Ford, too," Almirola said.

"We're excited to be back on the No. 43 Ford this season in Atlanta," said AdvoCare Director of Sponsorships Mike Vaught. "The way the Petty family has done business over the years shows a lot of the same principles that we abide by in our own company - maintaining a standard of excellence, committing to honor and integrity, and putting a focus on family. We're proud to partner with the team and with Aric for the AdvoCare 500."

In 24 races this year, Almirola has a pair of top-10 results including a best finish of sixth at Dover in June.

Have news for Brad and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com with a promising lead or tip.

~~~~~~~~~~

WRITE FOR US!
Hey Frontstretch Readers! Are you looking for a fast-growing website that can give you an opportunity to not only share your thoughts on racing, but have FUN doing it with a group of laid-back, dedicated personnel?  Well, we have the place for you. Frontstretch is actively seeking 1-3 additional writers for both our newsletter and website to add to our dedicated staff. Follow this link for more information on how you can become a weekly columnist for the site and / or newsletter!

~~~~~~~~~~

Today's Featured Commentary
Beth's Brief
Bristol Headed In The Right Direction
by Beth Lunkenheimer

Editor's Note:
Hello, race fans! We asked you for help picking out a name for Beth Lunkenheimer's new newsletter commentary and you sure didn't disappoint! Unfortunately only one name could be chosen out of all of the submissions. Congratulations to Chas Teague, a loyal reader from Western Australia who came up with Beth's Brief! 

Beating, banging, tempers flaring. These are all words that have described Bristol in the past and in fact contributed to the extensive waiting list for tickets. However, things changed at the 0.533-mile short track nestled in the heart of Tennessee following a repave back in 2007, and following dismal attendance back in March, Bruton Smith moved forward with fan feedback asking for something to be done. Ultimately what happened came down to just a couple degrees of banking being shaved off of the top groove, and boy what a difference it made. Last Saturday's Irwin Tools Night Race left me with a grin on my face as the checkered flag flew.

Before I begin, I should make it very clear that the "old" Bristol is not back by any means, and frankly I wish people would quit comparing it to today's track surface. It's something that's forever changed and regardless of what everyone wants, it'll never quite be the same. But that's not necessarily a bad thing because what I did see Saturday night was the typical hot tempers that accompany not only short-track racing, but Bristol in particular. Of course the incident getting the most play is the one between Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth, a tale a beating and banging that ended with a competitor upset and perhaps one of the better helmet throws we've seen in a long time.

And that's just what Bristol needs--a reason for people to keep watching and attending. Now I'm not advocating intentional wrecking by any means. In fact, I'm not one of those that enjoys Bristol because there are so many wrecks. What I do enjoy, though, is the close-quarters racing that usually results in contact allowing a competitor to make a pass on another while both continue running.

As for whether there will be any further issues between Kenseth and Stewart, don't count on it. During a Mobil 1 promotion on Tuesday, the driver and owner of the No. 14 Chevrolet made it clear he "can't guarantee anything is not going to happen, but it's not our intention to go seek him out." And honestly, that's just how "rivalries" at Bristol should be. Sure it's entertaining to see the results and anger coming out in the heat of the moment, but it's short-track racing and something to be expected. It's alright to be upset and it's comforting to know the drivers are smart enough to understand there's no need to carry it on to a larger track.

But that one incident doesn't make the entire race. Something that really stood out for me was the number of drivers that appeared to have a shot at the victory. Normally, we see just one or two competitors that stand head and shoulders above the rest during any given weekend, but that wasn't the case this time around. Sure, pit strategy and a tire that just refused to wear out played into that quite a bit, allowing those who found themselves in a poor starting spot to gain the track position necessary thanks to the difficulty in passing.

Of course there were some negatives to go along with the positive steps as there were a couple of drivers playing" human wrecking ball" throughout the day, but the good news is that it didn't derail from the rest enough to really worry about it. After all, Bristol has been known to bring out the best and the worst in everyone.

With all of that said, there's definitely still room for improvement in the on-track product, but it's headed in the right direction. A little wear and tear on the new surface through winter will likely bring even better competition next March when the series once again descends on Bristol, and I hope you're looking forward to it as much as I am.

Beth Lunkenheimer is a Co-Managing Editor for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via email at beth.lunkenheimer@frontstretch.com. Follow her on Twitter @Beth_Frntstrtch.

~~~~~~~~~~

Got NASCAR-related questions or comments?
Send them John Potts' way at john.potts@frontstretch.com; and, if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print when he does his weekly column answering back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat. Potts' Shots will run on Thursday with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!

~~~~~~~~~~

Tweet 'N' Greet
by Summer Bedgood

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

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

@aric_almirola: Saw the replay of @55MarkMartin hit with pit wall. Damn I'm glad your ok. You deserve to sleep in, maybe hit the gym at 9 after that one.

@jeff_gluck: Two hours until Bristol drive begins. Planning to cover 11 of the final 13 races. Big push to the finish. #NASCAR #CrunchTime

@NASCAR_Realtime: Few fans wanted to blame the hard tires on the COT abusing the RF. Unacceptable by Goodyear! Takes the millions u earn & FIX IT! #Nascar

@NASCAR_Realtime: Instead of routine mystery cautions I'd prefer the tires be so soft that #Nascar has to throw cautions to blow the marbles off the track!

@Beth_Frntstrtch (Beth Lunkenheimer): Restart with a truck stalled on track? Dumb move. Green flag racing around same truck stopped at s/f line? Even dumber #NASCAR

@SaraPeters17: Thanks for the congratulatory messages everyone! It was a great night for sure, we are so blessed! Victory lane pictures coming soon...

@31n2Spotter (Brett Griffin): Bristol is badass. The facility, event and the racing. Unreal the track is under scrutiny given its character vs many of our other tracks

@TheOrangeCone: Hearing Ryan Hess, the recently suspended crew member busted for substance abuse, is hiring Tara Ragan to be his spokesperson.

@ClaireBLang: Dale Jr says Brad K is a really great race car driver and he wishes he'd just concentrate on that

@bobpockrass: Junior says on Keselowski: "He likes to talk a lot. His true skills (are) on the racetrack." ..indicated he should concentrate on racing.

@MartySmithESPN: Above all, #DaleJr said he "respects the hell" out of Gordon and understands why he was pissed, "because I've been" in his position.

@AllWaltrip (Darrell Waltrip): crew chiefs use to go to work somewhere else, no chance to get him back, now just relocated in the company just in case you need him back!

@PPistone (Pete Pistone): So Jimmie talked a week after his Michigan issues - Kyle Busch two after his Glen problems for those keeping score at home #nascar

@AllWaltrip: it's really quite simple, soft tires you run low, hard tires you run high, tires really dictate were you run on the track!

@jim_utter: Photo from helicopter crash scene => http://yfrog.com/o0n0hfrj

@jim_utter: From VA state police: The pilot was the only person on board the Food City owned helicopter. So far, the pilot has not been located.

@bobdillner: Thoughts and prayers from the Dillners to the family of the pilot in the tragic helicopter accident and everyone at Food City.

@StenhouseJr (Ricky Stenhouse Jr.): Finished 2nd for 2nd time w/ @NosEnergyDrink @bmsupdates need to get them a win in TX. Hated getting into the 2 car; would never do it on purpose

@CJMearsGang (Casey Mears): Good morning Bristol! Going to be nice looking out the windshield of the @GEICORacing #13 today.

@KeselowskiBrian (Brian Keselowski): I'm wondering if people really are believing all this hype about brad vs hendrick motorsports? If you do, you don't know brad very well

@MattClarkMC: No matter your opinion about the racing, resurfacing or whatever.. @BMSupdates is a great place to catch a race #nascar http://lockerz.com/s/238316606

@JennaFryer: Matt Kenseth says his new team be announced "in the next 2 weeks" I'll announce it for him ... JGR

@DNewtonESPN (David Newton): Penske also said he may have a few rabbit in the hat for the 22, but from what I hear Logano is the frontrunner. #nascar

@nateryan: Roger Penske says after driver meeting no decision yet on 22 ride for 2013. Logano, Hornish and "couple of rabbits" are candidates. #nascar

@Riceman61 (Doug Rice): Here is our view from the @prnlive booth @bmsupdates #nascar https://twitter.com/Riceman61/status/239491843488899072/photo/1

@nateryan: Tony Stewart: "Hey, I'm Dale Earnhardt Jr. Have a good time tonight." #nascar

@jeff_gluck: Denny Hamlin just did a FULL dance. Crowd went nuts.

@MikeDavis88: I truly believe if Michael Buffer did his "rumble" bit each morning at the NYSE, our economy would be doing just fine. #NASCAR

@pkligerman (Parker Kligerman): You want the old Bristol? Simple: Build it again. The bottom here is nothing like the old ones bottom lane #NASCAR #NSCS

@jim_utter: Once again, the best drivers in motorsports have adapted ... as they always do.

@NewmanKrissie: Well I won't be shopping at Target this week!!! Wtf Juan

@shanamayfield: How can someone like that keep a job? Ridiculous... Zero professionalism...Weapon on the racetrack....driving erratically every week

@KimBurton31: Why Chip allows this every week I do not know!! Ruins innocent people's hard work every time. #overit

@StewartHaasRcng: That accident made no sense. The No. 39 car in no way resembles a Jet Dryer.

@Beth_Frntstrtch: After sitting here wondering, I finally figured out the #lap236 thing. Gotta love a sarcastic driver! #NASCR

@JennaFryer: Get ready, it's almost #Lap236. It's on during that very lap.

@PPistone: Those not on the lead lap of the joke - Tony Stewart said he'd be able to tell by lap 236 about the changes at Bristol #sarcasm

@KimBurton31: At #bristol usually the people who start the wreck don't get the worst of it. Its the people behind who do. Sorry but I'm #overit

@jeff_gluck: #LAP236!!!! THE MOMENT OF TRUTH!!! Everyone tweet it!

@DGodfatherMoody: Lap 236 was like Y2K. Nothin'...

@nateryan: That was Lap 236. Smoke = Ninth. #nascar

@StewartHaasRcng: That. Was. Awesome.

@jeff_gluck: Gahhhhhhh....Tony was right! We can tell if the changes worked or not. It's so obvious, I don't even have to tell you whether they did....

@ESPNMcGee (Ryan McGee): Crushing for Ryan Newman. They had this weekend circled as when they could make a big wild card move. #NASCAR

@NASCAR_Wonka: A DM from Rusty: I am flat-pissed off that Keselowski wrecked in my paint scheme. #NASCAR #ItsBristolBaby

@JennaFryer: It's so loud outside @keselowski came inside to do media https://twitter.com/JennaFryer/status/239538408144392193/photo/1

@JennaFryer: Whoops. Smoke and Kenseth just wrecked while racing for the lead

@MartySmithESPN: Bristol just happened.

@StenhouseJr: Hey @jeff_gluck sittin in ur desk in the @bmsupdates media center u takin the night off? https://twitter.com/StenhouseJr/status/239542176458100736/photo/1

@jeff_gluck: Tony Stewart just threw his helmet at Kenseth!!!!

@Kenny_Wallace: Yesssss! That's Bristol Baby :)

@JennaFryer: Smoke just threw his helmet at Kenseth,. And then waved to the crowd. And it wasn't lap 236.

@scottspeed: We are throwing helmets again!! Awesome! Ha ha

@chaseelliott: The helmet throw was epic.

@NASCAR_Realtime: That would have sucked if the helmet had bounced back in Stewarts face... Like... Really sucked! #Nascar

@FrntstretchRick (Rick Lunkenheimer): Coming to @TXMotorSpeedway in Nov. Tony stewart VS. Josh Hamilton for who can throw the fastest with a helmet.

@TheOrangeCone: Hint to @mattkenseth - walk from garage to coach lot with your helmet on.

@jeff_gluck: Are we having fun yet?

@DNewtonESPN: Maybe Smoke was just mad because he realized @DanicaPatrick (19th) is going to finish ahead of him. #nascar

@MartySmithESPN: Incidentally, I put Smoke in the care center wall while exiting the building. I apologized profusely. "It's okay, man. You're good!"

@SamanthaBusch: Watching this race like I do horror movies, with my hands over my eyes peeking thru my fingers #NASCAR

@MikeDavis88: Tony is back on the track. Didn't think I'd have to do this, but just a reminder that he is NOT Dale Earnhardt Jr.

@StewartHaasRcng: Hey Montreal shoe thrower, that's how you do it. #NASCAR

@nateryan: In case you missed, Smoke on Kenseth: "I'm going to run over him every chance I've got from now 'til the end of the year." #nascar

@tomjense100: Instead of five 1.5-mile tracks in the Chase, there should be five short tracks.

@bobpockrass: For all those asking, I don't believe Tony will get a penalty for helmet toss. Bodine did same thing 3 weeks ago and no penalty. #nascar

@NewmanKrissie: Not the greatest night for SHR-dang! Home watching the end of the race feeling bummed for the guys. #thatsracin

@tomjensen100: Caution for Danica Patrick crash. "It's done."

@jeff_gluck: Regan Smith apologizes: "Tell her spotter sorry. I know it's no consolation. That's all I can say right now." #NASCAR

@MartySmithESPN: Danica gets out and shakes a finger at Regan Smith.

@ESPNMcGee: Paging the Stewart Haas Racing fabrication department... #NASCAR

@nateryan: Danica Patrick takes her helmet off but leaves it in her hand unlike team owner. Just wags finger at Regan Smith as he passes. #nascar

@Writer_Amy (Amy Henderson): I think David Ragan and Regan Smith are having a contest to see who can wreck the most cars ...#NASCAR

@SamanthaBusch: Raise ur hand if u wish she woulda thrown the helmet?! Bristol brings out the emotions!

@KristineC48 (Kristine Curley): And we apparently clinch.

@11mommalou (Mary Lou Hamlin): Did I tell you...that's my Boy!! https://twitter.com/11mommalou/status/239559888316010496/photo/1

@Riceman61: Kenseth says he is confused why Tony is mad, said Tony ran him off the track #nascar

@tomjensen100: Denny Hamlin is the 11th different winner in the last 11 #nascar sprint cup races. @speed @bmsupdates

@nateryan: Statistics presented w/o comment: Estimated Bristol attendance in #nascar box score: 145,000. Last year: 156,000. Grandstand cap.: 160,000.

@nateryan: Interesting observation from Jeff Gordon: Says high line being preferred meant bump and run is gone, replaced by slide jobs to pass. #nascar

@MartySmithESPN: Talked to Kyle Busch. Said the 18 has lost something, maybe his feedback to team. Was super slow in corners. Happy 2b in Chase w 2 to go

@MissJFish (Jordan Fish): Ahhh!!!! Victory lane!!!!!!!!! https://twitter.com/MissJFish/status/239562714018639873/photo/1

@MartySmithESPN: Bristol. http://instagram.com/p/Oxq0ZPgo1X/

@bobpockrass: Kenseth: "I told him after Indy I was going to race him the way he raced me. I did the exact same thing down there that he did down there."

@JennaFryer: Looks like Newman wreck hurts him in wild card. He slips, Kahne and KyBu currently holding down 2 spots with 2 to go

@mattkenseth: Man, tough weekend. Sitting here thinking about kaylin singing the national anthem tonight with a big smile on my face.... #prouddad

@31n2Spotter (Brett Griffin): Tony and Matt are badasses. Not sure why Tony wrecked himself though. Perfect 10 on the helmet toss. #goldmedal

@StewartHaasRcng: ...Stewart was headed to talk to Coach tonight, but quickly realized he doesn't have to do that anymore.

@JennaFryer: 3 things I just learned from JD Gibbs. On Logano, "we had a plan and the 22 screwed it all up." Announcement coming in 2 weeks and ....

@MikeCalinoff: Everyone is going for the same prize. We race everyone the way they race us. #NASCAR

@StewartHaasRcng: Our results may have been the equivalent of lumps of coal, but on Twitter, tonight was #TwitterGold.

@dennyhamlin: Finally home.. What a great night. Thanks to all for the congrats

@dariangrubb: Congrats and thanks to the entire JGR team and especially the FedEx crew. Awesome win at an awesome track!

@dariangrubb: Not to mention the awesome wheel man @dennyhamlin who could not be denied tonight! #trophydelivered

@DavidRagan: And by the way a great tire GoodYear had plus the "new groove" made for some great racing. Please don't change anything now!! @HawkSMI

@KimBurton31: Good am! New day. Lesson learned last nite. Watched @RCR31JeffBurton interview & @55MarkMartin from last week. Will choose my words carefully

@conniemontoya: #isaac has arrived! Its blowing VERY hard!!! pic.twitter.com/ibPEpgjF

@dennyhamlin: Still smiling from last night

@RB_Mrs: Bristol to Sonoma completed just in time for the green flag! RB has no idea I'm here

@RB_Mrs: Victory Lane!!!!!! https://twitter.com/RB_Mrs/status/239859437559508992/photo/1

@Amanda_Speed: Just looked at the weather for the race n Atlanta this weekend and it looks like it might rain again. I think I may cry! :(

@3widemiddle (Chris Lambert): A final"Thnx" for all the"Congrats" messages! Saturday was the most"fun" I've ever had spotting! What a car & DH drove his ass off! Thanks!

@MissJFish: Had an amazing time last night @RR_Birkdale! Thank u to all our friends/family that came to share with us! #itsagirl https://twitter.com/MissJFish/status/240158030963027969/photo/1

@SamanthaBusch: Oh ya baby!!! Kyle's running all 3 races this weekend!! Woop woop I'm pumped!! How about all of u??

@SamHornish: Daddy daughter fun night. The kids will play while moms away, and by kids I mean me! https://twitter.com/SamHornish/status/240227019357556736/photo/1

@DeLanaHarvick: We didn't start this morning by peeing on the wall, pooping on mommy and needing a bath unlike yesterday... #success

@Andy__Rock (Andy Hillenburg): Just got word of NMPA 2nd quarter award. WOW. I am very humbled. Thank you race fans. I got the credit but it is for The Rock and our fans!!

@Andy__Rock: I LOVE @RockinghamSpeed and I am so happy that you love it to. #NASCAR Thank You :)

@CJMearsGang (Casey Mears): So we had a good time at Bristol. We were sitting 12th with not to many Laps to go and got a flat LR. Strong run for @GEICORacing.

@Regan_Smith_: I dont think we're in Kansas anymore… this track is completely different. Tire testing for the next two days.

@JennaFryer: Look out @mattkenseth!! https://twitter.com/JennaFryer/status/240490869470425088/photo/1

@DNewtonESPN (David Newton): #NASCAR http://mypict.me/nkWAA Stewart checking out the treads on WWII Tank.

@NASCAR_Wonka: A DM from JWT: No matter what Tony does in that tank, he'll never be able to create as much carnage as I do in a truck. #NASCAR #CWTS

@StewartHaasRcng: Your chosen ride for #TonyStewart in the Mobil 1 #ChooseTonysRide: The @FormulaDrift Chevy Camaro. http://yfrog.com/kjourwcj

@ClaireBLang: Holy crap now Tony is going to drift. Media is all behind bunker

@ClaireBLang: Here is where we are safely watching. This should b fun @SiriusXMNACAR http://via.me/-4j20a4w

@heymartysnyder (Marty Snyder): Now successfully drifting. https://twitter.com/heymartysnider/status/240500588671037441/photo/1

@dcaraviello (David Caraviello): Drift pro just screeched arnd course w/ Stewart as passenger. Now it's Tony's turn. Needless to say, we're huddling behind concrete barrier.

@jeff_gluck: Here's Tony trying to drift. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wcdK-S4PDw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

@dcaraviello: Now Stewart is climbing up into the tank, which is an M-36 Jackson. Surely he is hoping to avoid a Michael Dukakis moment.

@bobpockrass: Tony on top of tank. #nascar https://twitter.com/bobpockrass/status/240503352541204480/photo/1

@ClaireBLang: Tony heads out in tank @SiriusXMNASCAR http://via.me/-4j2dryg

@Ryan_Truex: Very excited for the future! @GrimeBoss #nascar

@CandiceSpencer: #TonyStewart on @mattkenseth: Its not our intention to seek him out #nascar

@JennaFryer: Tony says no drama between him and Kenseth, notes helmet throw "wasn't too bad for a 41 year old who doesn't work out."

@ClaireBLang: I asked Tony Stewart if he knew helmet toss was not going to get him penalty. He said no and he wishes nascar provided a list

@JennaFryer: All your helmet questions answered here: Smoke does not have the helmet back yet, and it can't be used again for safety reasons.

@jeff_gluck: Side note on Tony Stewart: He joked he was "disappointed" he got #Lap236 wrong. "I can't believe I missed it by that much," he said

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

~~~~~~~~~~

ADVERTISEMENT
Are you looking to advertise your website, product or brand?  A good way to get your name out there is via direct advertising here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!  Interested parties can contact us at tony.lumbis@frontstretch.com for details.

~~~~~~~~~~

TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:

It's a Real Shame When Drama Overshadows the Racing
by Toni Montgomery

Top Ten Things Tony Stewart Really Wanted to Throw at Matt Kenseth
by Jeff Meyer

NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Bristol-2
compiled by Summer Bedgood

Mirror Driving: The Bristol Verdict, Temper Temper And Silly Season Summary
by the Frontstretch Staff

The Best (and Worst) NASCAR Helmet Throws
by Kevin Rutherford

~~~~~~~~~~

FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:

Q: Most of us remember the infamous 1992 Hooters 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway for its title chase with six drivers eligible at the start of the race. By the three-quarters mark, it was legitimately down to three (Davey Allison, Alan Kulwicki and Bill Elliott). However, Allison was eliminated from contention after a crash. What happened?

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

Q:
Jeff Gordon entered the 1995 NAPA 500 needing to finish only 41st or better to claim his first Winston Cup Championship. However, just to make it that much more of a sure thing, Hendrick Motorsports entered a fourth car, the No. 58, in the field. Jimmy Horton, who had subbed in the No. 17 for Darrell Waltrip after Waltrip broke his leg in 1990 at Daytona in a practice crash, was tapped to drive. However, when the race came around, Jeff Purvis was in the driver's seat. Why was this switch made?

A:
Horton had qualified the No. 58 in 34th, however, early on in the supporting General Tire/Hoosier 500k, Curt Dickey spun and hit the wall in Turn 2. A scramble started, resulting in Loy Allen, Jr. spinning and Horton getting pushed into Dickey by Kenny Allen. This impact flipped Horton's No. 52 over and once it began rolling, it was hit on the underside by Ed Dixon. Horton suffered injuries and was forced to miss the Cup race, requiring Purvis' services on Sunday. The crash can be seen at the 1:20 mark of this clip. The crash effectively ended Horton's career in the upper levels of stock car racing, however he continues to race in Northeast Dirt Modifieds to this day in his native New Jersey.

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

~~~~~~~~~~

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

~~~~~~~~~~

Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:

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

Professor Of Speed by Mark Howell
Our professor of racing history "has at it" with another column pertinent to the sport at large. This week, Mark takes a look at Marcos Ambrose's recent good fortune and what it could mean for the No. 9 team in 2013.

Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back this year on a new night, but it's the same great commentary you've come to enjoy on NASCAR's Truck Series! This week, Miguel Paludo is back to dish on Bristol, Atlanta, Oliver's 1st birthday and so much more!

Other Columns TBD

-----------------------------
Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Got something to say about an article you've seen in the newsletter? It's as easy as replying directly to this message or sending an email to editors@frontstretch.com. We'll take the best comments and publish them here! 
©2012 Frontstretch.com

--
Feel free to forward this newsletter if you have any friends who loves
NASCAR and great NASCAR commentary. They can subscribe to the Frontstetch by visiting http://www.frontstretch.com/notice/9557/.
 
If you want to stop your Frontstretch Newsletter subscription, we're sorry
to see you go. Just send an email to
TheFrontstretch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com from the address that you
recieve the Frontstretch Newsletter.