Sunday, September 30, 2012

The Frontstretch Newsletter SPECIAL EDITION: September 30th, 2012

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
September 30th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CXCVI

Hey Race Fans!  Do you think you can predict the finishing order of this year's Chase?  If you can, we'll give you our shirt!  If you want a chance to win a Frontstretch T-Shirt and a free FanVision rental for a race weekend in 2013, now is your chance.  Simply submit a list of the 12 Chase drivers in the order you think they will finish.  You have until the end of today's race to make your picks - but after the checkered flag flies on that race, we will not accept any more submissions.  Then, we'll hang on to all of your predictions until after the final race in Homestead and tally them up.  If you can correctly place all 12, you win the T-Shirt and the FanVision rental!  If nobody places all 12 correctly, we'll give the prize to whomever can get the most drivers in their correct points positions at the end of the year.  Please submit your entries to FrontstretchEditors@googlegroups.com by the moment of the checkered flag this afternoon!  We will accept only one entry per person (if you submit more than one list, we will only take the FIRST one you submitted!) Good luck!

What to Watch Today: 
Today, the Sprint Cup Series is back in action at Dover International Speedway for the AAA 400, Race No. 29 of the season and No. 3 of the Chase for the Sprint Cup.  Coverage starts this afternoon at 1pm EDT with NASCAR Countdown on ESPN.  Race coverage is scheduled to start at 2:00, with the Green Flag flying a little before 2:20pm.
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Rolex Sports Car Series Recap: SunTrust Racing Just Squeaks Out Victory; Pruett and Rojas Win DP Title
by Phil Allaway

At Lime Rock Park this weekend, the headlining Rolex Sports Car Series didn't have anywhere near the amount of championship excitement as the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge's two classes did.  The Grand Touring (GT) class championship had already been clinched three weeks ago at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca by AIM Autosport Team FXDD's Emil Assentato and Jeff Segal.  However, behind the AIM Autosport duo, there was a substantial race for position.  Meanwhile, the Daytona Prototype (DP) championship was all but a foregone conclusion.  Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas had to finish ninth or better to win the title.

Also of note, Saturday was the final race in the Rolex Sports Car Series for the Mazda RX-8.  The RX-8 with its rotary engine has retired, mainly because the street model has been discontinued.  Mazda will continue in the Rolex Sports Car Series in 2013 in the new GX class.  The model they will be using is TBA.  An announcement is scheduled for November 30th at the LA Auto Show, though.

The action started very early on Saturday.  Sylvain Tremblay spun his Mazda RX-8 out on the pace lap and hit the tires, resulting in the race spending the first seven laps under yellow.  The crash may have been traceable back to a similar incident in qualifying which put the No. 70 at the rear of the field for the start.  When the green finally came out, pole sitter Richard Westbrook in the Spirit of Daytona No. 90 was able to successfully pull out to a decent advantage over Pruett.

Another spin brought out another yellow after 20 minutes, resulting in pit stops.  Max Angelelli in the SunTrust Racing No. 10 took over the lead for the restart.  However, that green flag run was short lived due to the third incident of the race.  GT class champion Emil Assentato was effectively run over from behind by Boris Said and spun entering the chicane.  Said then cut across the grass and shot across the track, narrowing avoiding the No. 41 Dempsey Racing Mazda RX-8 of Charles Putman.  Said was penalized for this incident under Grand-Am's rules of "avoidable contact."

Shortly after the restart, another crash brought out the fourth caution.  Andrew Davis had contact with Dr. Jim Norman in the lone Audi R8, spinning both cars out.  Bill Auberlen in the Turner Motorsport No. 94 BMW M3 had nowhere to go and ran into Norman.  Norman's car lost a side mirror in the crash, but continued.  Norman's APR Motorsport team then pitted for regular service and to put hotshoe Dion von Moltke in the seat.  Auberlen and Davis were out of the race with crash damage.

Once the green came back out, the event finally settled down and turned into a race of strategy.  Drivers would take over the point for a brief amount of time before having to come into the pits for their final stops in both classes.  In this portion of the race, SunTrust Racing with Ricky Taylor at the wheel of their Chevrolet Corvette DP was the class of the field.  The No. 9 Action Express Racing Corvette DP driven by Joao Barbosa was also in the hunt and briefly passed Taylor for the lead.

In GT, it was the Magnus Racing Porsche driven by Andy Lally was on top.  The No. 73 Horton Autosport Porsche was also in the hunt until a radiator hose came loose.  Robin Liddell in the Stevenson Camaro was also up there.

A caution for debris with 35 minutes to go changed the whole complexion of the race.  Teams could cool their tires for one last assault for the win. 

Taylor still appeared to have the fastest car in DP, but he had a significant amount of trouble dealing with slower traffic.  This allowed the Spirit of Daytona No. 90 of Antonio Garcia to pressure Taylor.  In the last few minutes of the race, Taylor's tires went away and it became an all-out duel for the win.  However, Taylor was able to hold on to take his third win of the year and third in a row at Lime Rock.  The margin of victory was just a third of a second over Garcia.

After the race, Taylor was very happy with his team's performance.

"We really transformed the car after qualifying," Taylor said.  "I was sitting their at the beginning of the race, just hoping for a podium, to be honest.  As soon as I saw Max [Angelelli] flying on the start, I knew at that point that I had a car that could possibly win the race.  Towards the end, the strategy worked out absolutely perfect for us.  When the yellow came out, I was nervous, but in hindsight, it was a bit lucky since I could save some fuel and allow us a little less wear on the tires."

The GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Corvette DP of Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty rounded out the podium.  The Action Express Racing Corvette DP's (No. 5 of Terry Borcheller, David Donohue and Brian Frisselle; No. 9 for Barbosa and Darren Law) finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Pruett and Rojas ended up seventh, but that was good enough to earn the pair their third consecutive title.  Afterwards, Pruett talked a little about his non-dominant (for a change) championship charge.

"[This season] brought us to a new level," Pruett said.  "We were all challenged, the engineers, all the guys back at Ganassi at the shop, all the mechanics, for me and Memo.  We really had to dig deep in our experience, and knowing that we didn't have the best car at a lot of the races.  We were taking a fifth or sixth-place car and finishing on the podium, which we did several times this year.  I really liked that challenge."

In GT, Lally seemed to have another win for Magnus Racing on lockdown with the Scuderia Corsa No. 63 of Alessandro Balzan a few seconds behind until the last ten minutes of the race.  However, it was here that Robin Liddell in the Stevenson Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro GT.R went on a tear.  Liddell quickly moved up to second-place and put himself within striking distance of Lally.  Slower traffic cost Lally time and let Liddell catch up.  Liddell then pushed Lally until Lally's Porsche starved for fuel with three minutes to go.  The APR Motorsport No. 51 of von Moltke had pushed up into the top-5 late and moved up to second when Lally was forced to pit for a splash-and-go with two laps to go.  However, von Moltke could do nothing with Liddell as the Stevenson Motorsports team claimed their third win of the year.

After the race, Liddell was quite pleased with the team's performance.

"We had limited dry running [Friday], so to be honest, [I] didn't really feel in good control of the car or the race for most of the race," Liddell said.  "Towards the end, it just turned into a big fight.  We knew that Lally was probably a wee bit short on fuel, but we didn't really know how much that he could do, so we tried to keep the pressure on him and see if we could force him to make a mistake.  Fortunately, that's what happened at the end."

Balzan and Johannes van Overbeek were third for Scuderia Corsa.  The Dempsey Racing No. 41 of Putman and Charles Espenlaub was fourth in GT, while Spencer Pumpelly and Bob Doyle in the No. 66 Porsche for TRG rounded out the top-5.

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

CTSCC Grand Sport Race Recap: Plumb Wins Grand Sport Finale, but Loses Title on Obscure Rule
by Phil Allaway

For the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge's (CTSCC) Grand Sport class, Saturday brought a similar scenario that the Street Tuner race on Friday did.  David Empringham and John Farano for BGB Motorsports entered the race with just a seven point lead over the Rum Bum Racing duo of Nick Longhi and Matt Plumb.  Under normal circumstances, that meant that Empringham and Farano had to finish third or better to win the title.  However, that ultimately didn't matter.

Since the Grand Sport teams had not run in the dry all weekend, Grand-Am quietly announced their decision to cancel qualifying Friday night.  As a result, the field was set on team points, putting the No. 13 Rum Bum Racing Porsche 911 started by Nick Longhi on pole.  This ended up being very important.

There were two early cautions that split up the field.  On Lap 14 (15 minutes into the race), Tim Bell spun his Mitchum Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro in Turn 1, and managed to keep it out of the tire barrier.  However, Friday's rains meant that he could not get any traction in the wet grass and couldn't extricate himself and needed the hook. 

The second caution occurred about 26 minutes in when Roger Miller spun into the tires in his Dempsey Racing Ford Mustang.  In a strategy move, the Rum Bum team chose to pit the No. 13 here and put Plumb into the car despite Longhi not reaching the required 30 minute mark to get points.  If Plumb had gotten out of the car at some point later in the race so that Longhi could have reached 30 minutes of time in the seat, then he would have received the points.  However, Plumb drove the rest of the race from here.  Therefore, Longhi did not earn driver's points.

The stops gave the lead over to Matt Bell in the Stevenson Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro.  Bell was able to hold on until the third full-course caution flew when Lawson Aschenbach appeared to put a wheel onto the very wet grass exiting the Climbing turn.  At that point, the car became light going over the hill and upon landing, hooked left into the wall.

Another round of stops put Joey Atterbury in the Roush Performance No. 51 into the lead, but additional stops under green kept the field in flux.  The sequence finally ended with Plumb in the lead just as the yellow flew once again.  This time, it was for an incident on the No Name Straight when Tim Fox's Aston Martin spun into the wall after contact from Charles Espenlaub (Espenlaub was penalized for this move).  Fox was able to resume, but suffered a mechanical failure half a lap later and stalled on track.

Another team that was eliminated after a great run was the Subaru Impreza of Bret Spaude and Andrew Aquilante.  The No. 35 Subaru had come back to fifth after a pit infraction before being punted into the tires by Auberlen.  Auberlen was given a stop-and-go penalty for this move as well.

With Plumb in front, the battle for the championship behind was hot and heavy.  Empringham was still in position to claim the title outright, but John Edwards caught him late in the race.  A hard battle for third resulted with Edwards' Camaro having contact with Empringham's Porsche multiple times.  With a mere two minutes to go, the two came together again and got in the wet grass. 

Both drivers ultimately lost ground, but Edwards got back onto the asphalt first.  Empringham would drop back like a stone in the last couple of laps, ultimately finishing sixth.  However, even with everything happening on-track, Plumb was able to drive to the victory almost unchallenged and apparently, the class title. 

Afterwards, Plumb was very happy with his race.

"We had a good car through the downhill," Plumb said.  "Once we were clear of traffic, we could keep a pretty good pace.  When we got stuck behind somebody, I just had to be careful. For the first hour [of the race], I was just keeping the car clean and seeing how things were sorting out.  Then once we saw that the No. 83 was really on the pace and charging, I started pushing a little bit harder."

After the way the race ended for him, Empringham was happy to get the championship, but a little confused.

"Championships are always hard to get and certainly John and I and our team worked really hard all year," Empringham said.  "With three laps to go in the race, I knew I only had to be third and I had a bit of a wounded car and thought we could hang on, but we didn't.  Through a technicality, I guess you could say we've been handed it.  I'm sure down the road I'll be happy, but it's kind of a strange situation."

However, there was some controversy.  In addition to being entered in his normal No. 13, Plumb was also entered in the No. 3 (he never actually drove it, but was listed as part of the driver lineup along with Johnson and Segal).  In the Grand-Am Rule Book, Section 5.2 of the General Sporting Regulations (Page 13) talks about qualifying procedures in regards to driver nomination.  The last sentence is key.  It says "A Driver may drive 2 cars in the same class provided he qualifies and starts in 1 of the cars. This is the only car in which the Driver will earn points."  This applies to both the Rolex Sports Car Series and the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.  As a result of this rule, Plumb would have had to start the No. 13 in order to earn any points.  This did not happen.  As a result, Plumb had to forfeit the 35 points he would have earned for winning the race.

As a result, Empringham and Farano, despite falling back to sixth in the last couple of laps, were able to claim the championship.  Their margin of victory was a rather substantial 29 points over Matt Bell.  Plumb and Longhi ended up in a joint third, 32 points behind.

Bryan Sellers and Mark Boden for Fall-Line Motorsports ran a quiet, but very strong race to finish second in their BMW M3.  Meanwhile, Scott Maxwell and Joe Foster in the Multimatic Motorsports Aston Martin benefited from the Edwards/Empringham battle to finish third.  Bell and John Edwards in the Stevenson Camaro dropped to fourth, while the second Rum Bum Racing entry, the No. 3 BMW M3 driven by Billy Johnson and Jeff Segal rounded out the top-5.

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

Logano Sweeps Both Nationwide Races at Dover

Joey Logano led all but 16 laps on Saturday afternoon to win the OneMain Financial 200 at Dover International Speedway.  It is Logano's series-leading seventh win of the season.  Logano won by just under a second over Paul Menard.  Michael Annett was third, followed by points-leader Elliott Sadler and Kyle Busch.  Sadler's fourth-place finish allowed him to expand his points lead to nine over Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., who finished ninth.  Check out Frontstretch Monday for the Nationwide Series Breakdown, where we'll take a closer look at Saturday afternoon's action.

Piquet Wins at Las Vegas on Last-Lap Pass

Nelson Piquet, Jr. executed a sweeping pass on the inside of Matt Crafton on the final lap to win Saturday night's Smith's 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  It is the second win of the season for the sophomore and the seventh win of the year for Turner Motorsports.  Joey Coulter finished third, while Brendan Gaughan finished fourth at his hometown race.  Todd Bodine rounded out the top-5.  After finishing in tenth Saturday night, Ty Dillon's points lead is down to just one point over James Buescher, who finished sixth, with five races.  Check out Frontstretch Monday for Beth Lunkenheimer's Tracking the Trucks article, which will fully breakdown Saturday night's action.

News Bite:

NASCAR announced on Saturday that organizations will be allowed four free tests at tracks currently on the Sprint Cup Series calendar, in addition to Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway in January.  The number of cars and drivers that can be used at these four sessions are still to be determined.  This officially ends the "Testing Ban" that has been in place since the beginning of the 2009 season.  However, with the ban in place, teams could still test at short tracks not a part of NASCAR's "National" Series.  Also, simulation software usage has increased substantially since the ban was in place.

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

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Coming Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- AAA 400 Race Recap by Jeff Wolfe
--
 Secret Star and Stat of the Race by TBA
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
 
Monday on the Frontstretch:

Thinkin' Out Loud: AAA 400 by Bryan Davis Keith
We'll have an excellent recap of Sunday's AAA 400 from Dover International Speedway

Commentary by TBA
A commentary about the hottest topic leaving Dover.

Bowles-Eye View by Tom Bowles
Tom brings back his weekly post-race commentary with all of the insight you need from Chase race No. 3 at Dover.

Big Six: AAA 400 by Amy Henderson
Looking for all you need to know leaving Sunday's event at Dover? Amy has your who, what, when, where, why and how from a weekend of racing.

Pace Laps: Dover by the Frontstretch Staff
In our newest column this season, we'll take a look at the biggest stories to keep an eye on in each series after a weekend at Dover, Delaware.

Nationwide Breakdown: OneMain Financial 200 by Bryan Davis Keith
All the post-race analysis you need following Saturday afternoon's Nationwide Series race from Dover.

Tracking the Trucks: Smith's 350 by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth has all the post-race analysis you need following Saturday night's Camping World Truck Series race from Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
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©2012 Frontstretch.com

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Saturday, September 29, 2012

The Frontstretch Newsletter SPECIAL EDITION: September 29th, 2012

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
September 29th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CXCV

Hey Race Fans!  Do you think you can predict the finishing order of this year's Chase?  If you can, we'll give you our shirt!  If you want a chance to win a Frontstretch T-Shirt and a free FanVision rental for a race weekend in 2013, now is your chance.  Simply submit a list of the 12 Chase drivers in the order you think they will finish.  You have until the end of the race at Dover to make your picks - but after the checkered flag flies on that race, we will not accept any more submissions.  Then, we'll hang on to all of your predictions until after the final race in Homestead and tally them up.  If you can correctly place all 12, you win the T-Shirt and the FanVision rental!  If nobody places all 12 correctly, we'll give the prize to whomever can get the most drivers in their correct points positions at the end of the year.  Please submit your entries to FrontstretchEditors@googlegroups.com by the moment of the checkered flag at Dover!  We will accept only one entry per person (if you submit more than one list, we will only take the FIRST one you submitted!) Good luck!
 

Frontstretch at the Track: Phil Allaway will be live at Lime Rock Park for today's season finale for the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series. Stay tuned to Facebook, Twitter (@Critic84 and @TheFrontstretch) as well as the Breaking News box for all of the latest information coming out of this weekend's events.
 

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CTSCC Street Tuner Race Recap: Kleinubing Holds Off Lally to Win Race, Championship
by Phil Allaway

Entering Friday's final race of the season for the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge's (CTSCC) Street Tuner (ST) class, the Freedom Autosport duo of Tom Long and Derek Whitis had an 11 point lead over Pierre Kleinubing in the standings.  Andy Lally was just one point behind Kleinubing in third, well within striking distance.  In case of a tie in points, Kleinubing would win the title because he earned more second-place finishes than the duo of Long and Whitis.  As a result, the Long/Whitis had to finish sixth or better to win the title regardless of what Kleinubing or Lally could do.

With a 33-car starting field, that's not necessarily all that easy.  The weather then proceeded to make things miserable for everyone.  Due to the conditions, Grand-Am decided qualifying was cancelled and the field set by points.  This put Whitis' No. 25 Mazda MX-5 on the pole with Jayson Clunie, starting Kleinubing's No. 31 Mazdaspeed 3 alongside.

When the green flag flew, Whitis took advantage of the clear vision that comes with the pole in the rain and pulled out to a small advantage as Clunie dropped back.  Meanwhile, Jesse Combs in the Murillo Racing No. 56 BMW 328i was coming to the front from his fourth starting spot.  By Lap 8, he was already putting pressure on Whitis, then took over the lead a couple of laps later.

The slippery conditions resulted in a number of minor incidents on track.  Izzy Sanchez spun his Mazdaspeed 3 on a couple of occasions, while teammate Glenn Bocchino spun and had some trouble extricating himself.  Billy Johnson, who was doing a one-off in the No. 77 Honda Civic Si for Compass360 Racing, had an off as well.  However, despite the weather, there were no serious incidents.

For former World Challenge champion Michael Galati, Friday was a very interesting day.  Galati's Kia Forte Koup spun out multiple times with minimal damage.  In addition, the windshield defogger failed early in the race.  As a result, Galati drove much of the race with something resembling a Swiffer mop in his hand so that he could wipe the fog off his windshield at speed.  He would eventually finish 12th.  

Despite the rain, there was really minimal interruption of green flag racing.    An early yellow flew to tow the Riley Racing Mazda RX-8 off the track was the only interruption in the first hour.  However, by the one hour mark of the race, the rains became very heavy and lap times dropped off by roughly eight seconds.  Combs continued to lead until he collided with the Porsche Boxster driven by Dinah Weisberg in Turn 1.  Both cars spun and Combs became stuck in the mud with a flat tire.  This knocked Combs' No. 56 out of the lead and brought out the caution.

The point leading No. 25 briefly retook the lead as a result, but after a round of pit stops and driver changes, Johnson took over the lead.  However, the car on the move was the No. 31 with Kleinubing now behind the wheel.  Kleinubing quickly moved himself up to second before another full course due to a wreck involving the Ford Focus ST of Bret Seafuse and the BMW 128i of Elivan Goulart.  This closed the pack back together and allowed Kleinubing to begin an assault on Johnson.

Just as the rain began to let up, Kleinubing got by Johnson to take the lead with 37 minutes to go.  Meanwhile, the No. 25 now driven by Long was dropping back through the pack.  Multiple drivers were able to get by the Freedom Autosport MX-5 and the championship was completely out of their grasp.

With a half-hour remaining, the No. 56, now driven by Jeff Mosing, crashed into the tires, bringing out the final full course yellow and closing the pack up again.  On the final restart, last year's Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year Andy Lally barged by Johnson in Turn 1 to take second away.  Contact was made between Lally's Kia and Johnson's Honda in the process.  Once the rain completely stopped, Lally began to reel in Kleinubing as the track dried.  This was literally a championship battle, as whoever won the race would take the title.

Lally appeared to have the faster car, but put a wheel off course with less than two laps to go.  That allowed Kleinubing to open up just enough of a gap over the Kia to hold to claim the victory and with it, the 2012 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge ST Championship.

After the race, Kleinubing was very pleased with his performance and the final showdown with Lally.

"It was a tough battle all day, but you want to race for a championship, there's no one better [to race against] than Andy Lally and Billy Johnson," Kleinubing said.  "We got a little lucky today with the rain.  Without it, we were a fifth to sixth-place car.  But, the rain helped.  Once the track started drying, Lally started to catch up quickly.  Thank god it rained."

Behind Kleinubing and Lally was the pairing of Johnson and Trevor Hopwood in third.  The No. 15 Multimatic Motorsports Ford Focus ST driven by Gunnar Jeannette and James Gue finished fourth, while the No. 76 Honda Civic of Gareth Nixon and David Thilenius rounded out the top-5.

The BimmerWorld No. 80 of team owner James Clay and John Capestro-Dubets was sixth, followed by the CJ Wilson Racing No. 04 Mazda RX-8 of Marc Miller and Kyle Gimple.  The No. 50 Berg Racing Porsche Boxster was eighth, while the i-Moto No. 30 of Bocchino and Ryan Ellis was ninth.  Long and Whitis' No. 25 rounded out the top-10.

Kleinubing claimed the ST title by just three points over the duo of Long and Whitis, and four over Lally in third.  Lally's normal teammate, Nic Jonsson, who was not at Lime Rock Friday, finished in a tie for fourth with the BimmerWorld duo of Clay and Capestro-Dubets, 36 points out of the lead. 

Saturday brings the season finale for the CTSCC's Grand Sport (GS) class and the Rolex Sports Car Series back at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut.  The GS race is scheduled for a 10:30am start, while the Rolex Sports Car Series finale will roll off a little after 3:00pm.

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

Martin Truex, Jr., Gordon Win Sprint Cup Practices at Dover

by Phil Allaway

On Friday, opening practice for the Sprint Cup Series was delayed approximately 30 minutes due to early morning rain showers, and again later on due to water seeping up through the concrete surface.  However, once the cars got out on track, it was the Michael Waltrip Racing stable that quickly showed that they had some speed to spare.  Martin Truex, Jr. in the NAPA Toyota that was fastest, turning in a lap of 22.918 seconds (157.082 mph).  Teammate and fellow Chaser Clint Bowyer was second with a 22.989 second lap, while Denny Hamlin was third.  Mark Martin in the third MWR Toyota was fourth, while Greg Biffle rounded out the top-5.

As far as the rest of the Chasers were concerned, Kasey Kahne was eighth quickest, followed by Kevin Harvick in ninth.  Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was 12th quickest, Tony Stewart 15th, and Jimmie Johnson was 25th.  The stragglers were Brad Keselowski in 29th, Jeff Gordon in 36th and Matt Kenseth in a distant 44th.

In the second practice session, Gordon picked up the pace significantly in order to win the session with a lap of 23.115 seconds (155.743 mph).  Joey Logano was second, followed by Johnson in third.  Kurt Busch was fourth quickest, while go-or-go-homer David Stremme was fifth in his Inception Motorsports Toyota.

As for the Chasers, behind Gordon and Johnson was Keselowski in sixth, Kahne in 13th, Biffle in 14th and Hamlin in 17th.  Truex concentrated on race runs and ended up 22nd quickest, while Bowyer was 32nd, Harvick 35th, Kenseth 38th, Earnhardt Jr. 41st and Stewart 44th.

Sad News: Chris Economaki Dies at 91

Early Friday morning, legendary motorsports journalist Chris Economaki died in his sleep at a nursing home in Wyckoff, New Jersey.  He was 91 years old.

Economaki fell in love with motorsports in the late 1920's in his native Ridgewood, New Jersey.  At the time, there was a race track essentially in the middle of the town. (Today, there is nothing left of the track, but there is a "Race Track Road" in Ridgewood that runs near where the track was).  He would sneak in to watch the action.  By age 14, he was already writing a column for National Auto Racing News, which was the precedessor of National Speed Sport News.

Economaki eventually took over National Speed Sport News and served as the publication's jack of all trades.  This lasted up until last year, when failing health and other factors forced him to shut down the print edition and make the publication online-only.  While there, he helped to launch the careers of many motorsports journalists, including our former colleague, John Potts, whom Economaki hired to write for the paper at the tender age of 12.  It has since been purchased by Ralph Sheheen and now operates a website and publishes a monthly magazine.

To many fans, Economaki will be best remembered for his work on television.  Economaki first worked as a pit reporter on the earliest Grand National race telecasts on ABC's Wide World of Sports starting in 1961.  His skills behind the mike and unparalleled knowledge of the sport took him all over the world, covering NASCAR, Indycars, Formula One, Sports Cars, and even the Bathurst 1000 in Australia.  He worked for ABC, CBS, ESPN, the Seven Network (Australia) and other various outlets before stepping away from television in the late 1990's.

Economaki is survived by two daughters, Corinne and Tina, along with two grandchildren.

Grand-Am Releases 2013 Schedule

On Friday morning, Grand-Am Road Racing officially released the schedules for the Rolex Sports Car Series and the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.  There are some rather substantial changes.

Firstly, the number of races on the calendar drops one from 13 to 12.  Back during the Grand-Am/ALMS merger announcement, this season length was said to be ideal.  Four tracks have been dropped from the calendar.  Those are the roval at Homestead-Miami Speedway, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and the short course at Watkins Glen International. 

In their place are three new tracks.  The first of those is the brand new Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas that will host their first race, the U.S. Grand Prix for Formula One in November.  Road Atlanta will join the schedule with a sprint race in April, while the new infield road course at the renovated Kansas Speedway is on the schedule in August.  Road America will no longer be in June as support to the Nationwide Series.  Instead, Grand-Am will join ALMS as part of a combination weekend the same weekend that Sprint Cup and Nationwide will be in Watkins Glen.

2013 Rolex Sports Car Series Schedule


January 26-27 Rolex 24 at Daytona, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL
March 2 Circuit of the Americas, Austin, TX
April 6 Barber Motorsports Park, Leeds, AL
April 20 Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA
June 1 Belle-Isle Park, Detroit, MI
June 15 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH
June 30 Sahlen's Six Hours at the Glen, Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, NY
July 26 Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway, IN
August 10 Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI
August 17 Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, KS
September 8 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Salinas, CA
September 28 Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, CT

2013 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Schedule

January 25 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL
March 2 Circuit of the Americas, Austin, TX
April 6 Barber Motorsports Park, Leeds, AL
April 20 Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA
June 15 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH
June 29 Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, NY
July 26 Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway, IN
August 10 Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI
August 17 Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, KS
September 8 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Salinas, CA
September 27-28 Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, CT

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

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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!

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Editor's Note: Frontstretch has a brand new, redesigned Facebook page. Click Here to "Like" Us and get a direct connect to all your Frontstretch favorites along with polls, interaction with fans and so much more.

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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.


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Coming Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- AAA 400 Race Recap by Jeff Wolfe
--
 Secret Star and Stat of the Race by TBA
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
 
Monday on the Frontstretch:

Thinkin' Out Loud: AAA 400 by Bryan Davis Keith
We'll have an excellent recap of Sunday's AAA 400 from Dover International Speedway

Commentary by TBA
A commentary about the hottest topic leaving Dover.

Bowles-Eye View by Tom Bowles
Tom brings back his weekly post-race commentary with all of the insight you need from Chase race No. 3 at Dover.

Big Six: AAA 400 by Amy Henderson
Looking for all you need to know leaving Sunday's event at Dover? Amy has your who, what, when, where, why and how from a weekend of racing.

Pace Laps: Dover by the Frontstretch Staff
In our newest column this season, we'll take a look at the biggest stories to keep an eye on in each series after a weekend at Dover, Delaware..

Nationwide Breakdown: OneMain Financial 200 by Bryan Davis Keith
All the post-race analysis you need following Saturday afternoon's Nationwide Series race from Dover.

Tracking the Trucks: Smith's 350 by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth has all the post-race analysis you need following Saturday night's Camping World Truck Series race from Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

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

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Feel free to forward this newsletter if you have any friends who loves
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recieve the Frontstretch Newsletter.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

The Frontstretch Newsletter: September 28th, 2012

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
September 28th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CLXCIV

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Frontstretch at the Track: Tom Bowles will be live at Dover International Speedway to keep you up to date on all of the latest breaking news coming out of the third race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Additionally, Phil Allaway will be live at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, CT for the Grand-Am Rolex Series Championship Weekend. Be sure to follow along on Twitter (@TheFrontstretch, @NASCARBowles, and @Critic84) and Facebook for everything you need to know about both race weekends!

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Top News
by Jeff Wolfe

Simpson Performance Products acquires HANS Performance Products

Simpson Performance Products Inc. announced Thursday that it had acquired HANS Performance Products, expanding its racing safety product line to include the HANS Device that is worn by NASCAR drivers. HANS will be operated in Atlanta as a separate operation from Simpson.

"We are glad to have the HANS Device under the Simpson umbrella of racing safety products," said Chuck Davies, CEO of Simpson. "This acquisition positions Simpson as the clear market leader in innovative racing safety products. Our total restraint system capabilities now include a comprehensive range of car restraints for all types of racing, including seat belts, in-car nets, parachutes and the top models of head and neck restraints in the world today. We are excited about the new team we are forming and the growth possibilities for the future."

HANS Performance Products was founded in 1991 by Dr. Robert Hubbard and five-time IMSA driving champion Jim Downing. The HANS Device worn by drivers today became a requirement after the death of Dale Earnhardt due to a heady injury on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.

"We are thrilled that HANS has joined the Simpson family," Downing said. "Together, we look forward to bringing new and innovative products to the market."

Downing and Hubbard, who invented the HANS Device, will continue to provide experience and engineering support to Simpson and its HANS Division.

Johnson Resigns as General Manager of IndyCar's KV Racing Technology

A disappointing season by the KV Racing Technology IndyCar team has led to the resignation of Mark Johnson as the general manager of the team, according to a report by the Associated Press Johnson had been the general manager of the team since 2006 and led their transition from Champ Car to IndyCar when the two series merged in 2008.

"When he joined the team, we set out on a quest to make KVRT one of the most respected and competitive teams in the series, which I think we achieved," team co-owner Jimmy Vasser said Thursday. "There were a lot of forks in the road, series mergers, driver changes, new equipment and new rules. Throughout it all, Mark was a guiding force. You just don't replace the leadership and experience of Mark Johnson."

One of the team's few highlights this season was Tony Kanaan's third-place finish in the Indianapolis 500. The team's expectations were heightened when former Formula One driver Rubens Barichello was recruited to drive for the team in 2012.
The team is facing an uncertain offseason as only Kanaan is under contract for 2013. There are rumors that Barichello could move to another team and that third driver E.J. Viso could start his own team, meaning that KV Racing could become a one-car team in 2013.

Barichello's best finish this season was a fourth on the road course at Sonoma. He had not raced on ovals until this season and was not granted rookie status this season by IndyCar, costing him extra practice time during race weekends.

Kurt Busch to Furniture Row Racing Following Talladega

Just days after announcing he'd be headed to Furniture Row Racing for the 2013 season, FoxSports.com has reported that Kurt Busch would be out of the No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet followed next weekend's race at Talladega. Hoping to get a head-start on his 2013 campaign, Busch will being his time behind the wheel of the No. 78 Chevrolet in the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

"He's going to be out after Talladega," Phoenix Racing team owner James Finch said.""We're going to go down there and try to win that race. We were up front for most of the spring race, and Brad (Keselowski) dumped us with three or four to go. We'll be fine at Talladega."

Speculation about who will fill the No. 51 Chevrolet has already begun with Finch stating he's talked to representatives in AJ Allmendinger's camp. He's also been approached by representatives for Nationwide drivers James Buescher and Justin Allgaier, according to the report.

In 28 races this season, Busch has just two top-10 finishes.

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

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Hey Race Fans!  Do you think you can predict the finishing order of this year's Chase?  If you can, we'll give you our shirt!  If you want a chance to win a Frontstretch T-Shirt and a free FanVision rental for a race weekend in 2013, now is your chance.  Simply submit a list of the 12 Chase drivers in the order you think they will finish.  You have until the end of the race at Dover to make your picks - but after the checkered flag flies on that race, we will not accept any more submissions.  Then, we'll hang on to all of your predictions until after the final race in Homestead and tally them up.  If you can correctly place all 12, you win the T-Shirt and the FanVision rental!  If nobody places all 12 correctly, we'll give the prize to whomever can get the most drivers in their correct points positions at the end of the year.  Please submit your entries to FrontstretchEditors@googlegroups.com by the moment of the checkered flag at Dover!  We will accept only one entry per person (if you submit more than one list, we will only take the FIRST one you submitted!) Good luck!  

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In Case You Missed It
by Beth Lunkenheimer

Truck Series Returns to The Rock in 2013

Rockingham Speedway President Any Hillenburg announced earlier this week that the Camping World Truck Series will return to "The Rock" next year.

"We got our report card from NASCAR, and it looks like we got an A+," Hillenburg said of the April visit to the track. "Fan, drivers, teams; everyone embraced our 2012 event. I'm happy to announced that with their help, we'll do it again in 2013; bigger and better than every before."

Tickets for the April 12-14 weekend have already gone on sale with prices ranging from $20 to $35 dollars and kids under 12 are half price.

Ryan Reed to Make Truck Series Debut

ARCA driver Ryan Reed is set to make his Camping World Truck Series debut this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The development driver for Venturini Motorsports will pilot the No. 5 Racehard.com / RyansMission.org Ford in Saturday's event.

"It's pretty exciting to be making my first start in the NASCAR series. Since I was a liitle kid I've always thought about what it would be like to drive a (NCWTS) Truck, Nationwide or Cup Car, so finally doing it is really cool," Reed said. "I think it gives us a head start on next year, whatever we end up doing. Hopefully it will be back in one of these three series. I think everyone know that Richie (Wauters) is one of the best in the business so to be driving on of his trucks is an honor. We've been having success racing in a Ford on the ARCA side so the synergy in there and with Richie's truck being a Ford I think it gives us a really big advantage."

Reed has posted one top 5 and five top 10s in 13 races this year, including a career-best fifth at Chicagoland Speedway.

Fordham and Dominion Brewing Co. Announce Craft Brew Pub For Dover

This weekend, Dover International Speedway is teaming up with the Fordham and Dominion Brewing Co. for the first-ever Craft Brew Pub. It will offer fans a chance to taste a variety of local brews while visiting the Monster Mile, including Fordham's Helles Lager and Copperhead Ale, and Dominion's Octoberfest and Oak Barrel Stout.

"We're always looking for new ways to enhance the race weekend experience for our fans, and the partnership with Fordham and Old Dominion is another way for us to do that," executive vice president and COO for Dover Motorsports, Inc. Michael Tatoin said. "Featuring the Craft Brew Pub at the Monster Mile will allow our fans to get a taste of Dover during their stay."

The Craft Brew Pub will be set up in a tented area in Victory Plaza, near the Monster Monument. It will be open from 10 AM to 7 PM throughout the race weekend.

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Got NASCAR-related questions or comments?
Send them Summer Bedgood's way at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com; and, if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print when she does her weekly column answering back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat. Frontstretch Fan Q & A will run on Thursdays with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!

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Keepin' It Short: The Other Knoxville Nationals
by Mike Neff

The Knoxville Nationals have been contested for over 50 years. There is no question that it is the pinnacle of racing for Winged Sprint Cars. While the Winged Sprint Car Nationals is the big event that takes place at Knoxville every year, it isn't the only one. The track also holds Nationals for 360 Sprint Cars, a huge Modified event called the Harris Clash and this weekend, the Late Model Knoxville Nationals. While it is only the ninth year for the Late Models to hold a Nationals at the world renowned track, it is quickly becoming to Late Model racing what the Knoxville Nationals are to Winged Sprint Cars.

The event is sponsored by Lucas Oil and is part of the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model schedule, but it is not open only to Lucas Oil competitors. Unlike prior years, this season the races are open to any competitors. As a result, the entry list boasts more than 70 cars competing during the three nights of competition. The first two nights of racing will culminate in feature races that pay $7,000 to win. The final night will have a $40,000 check sitting in Victory Lane along with the trophy for the victor.

The entrants in the event will include the typical Lucas Oil competitors like Jimmy Owens, Steve Francis, Shannon Babb, Billy Moyer, Jr. and Jason Feger. It will also have former winners Brian Birkhofer, Scott Bloomquist, Brian Shirley, Brady Smith, Tim McCreadie, Billy Moyer and Don O'Neal. Among the additional entrants who are not normal contenders on the Lucas Oil circuit are Jared Landers, Austin Hubbard, Tyler Reddick, Gregg Satterlee and John Blankenship.

While the Sprint Car event has 43 years on the Late Model competition, the notoriety and prestige of the Late Model Nationals is quickly approaching that of the Outlaws. Anyone in the Midwest would be well served to make the trip to Iowa to see the Late Models tear it up for three nights at the Mecca of dirt. There are several reasons Knoxville is one of the two most well known dirt tracks in the world, and the Late Models are doing there best to add to that list.

ASA National Championship Battle

The ASA Racing Season is in the books after last weekend's crowing of two of the final three ASA sanctioned track champions. The folks in the corporate office are now validating all of the racing results and confirming the final standings for both regions and the ultimate National Champ. Mike Slone and Dustin Rumley both clinched their track championships last weekend and completed the first major hurdle in being crowned the National Champion. Kyle Borden leads the point standings at Shasta Speedway with two races to go, but both of them will take place after this Sunday's point deadline, so he is the official representative from Shasta. He also leads the ASA National Modified points.

Rumley is no stranger to this process. In 2010 he was the Ace Speedway champion as well, but when the final tabulations were completed, he fell .0028 points behind Bryan Wordelman. This season it is probably not going to be as close after Stroebel's improbable undefeated run in Idaho. Rumley was able to outlast the onslaught of last season's champion Barry Beggarly, as well as, Rodney Cook.

Slone survived an intensely heated battle with Matt Wallace. When the final checkers flew, Slone's four wins, 11 top 5s and 14 top 10s in 17 races were enough to land him the big fake check on championship night.

The points are still unofficial at this time but the breakdown, by region, is below.

West Region

Position Name Average

1.    Shelby Stroebel 5.0763
2.    Mike Slone 4.0874
3.    Michael Hale 3.8030
4.    Kyle Borden 1.3704

East Region

Position Name Average

1.    Lance Gatlin 4.6725
2.    Dustin Rumley 4.2593
3.    Dennis Queen 3.9873
4.    Mark Eswein 3.7939

Throughout the season, drivers competing in the premiere divisions at eligible ASA Member Tracks are in the running for the 2012 ASA Member Track National Championship.  In order to have a chance for the national title, a driver must first win their 2012 track championship.
 
Speednetdirect.com, for the fifth year in a row, will tabulate the National Championship standings.  Using a proprietary formula that creates an average based on wins, finishing positions, number of cars passed, car counts and events.  The driver who wins their track championship and has the highest average over the other ASA Member Track champions will win the 2012 ASA Member Track National Championship. Full standings are available at www.speednetdirect.com. Click on the ASA Member Track logo at the top of the page.

This Weekend's Race Schedule

Fri : Sept 28th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – Carquest Fall Final Practice
Fri : Sept 28th – Dover International Speedway ; Dover : DE – NASCAR K&N Pro East Series
Fri : Sept 28th – Gas City I-69 Speedway ; Gas City : IN – USAC Midwest Focus Midgets
Fri : Sept 28th – Knoxville Raceway ; Knoxville : IA – 9th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals
Fri : Sept 28th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Super Shoe Nationals Outlaw Super Late Models Practice and Qualifying
Fri : Sept 28th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – 2nd Annual Jesse Hockett/Daniel McMillin Memorial Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Cars
Fri : Sept 28th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – 2nd Annual Jesse Hockett/Daniel McMillin Memorial WAR Sprint Cars
Fri : Sept 28th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Street Stock
Fri : Sept 28th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – USCS 600 Sprint Cars
Fri : Sept 28th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – USCS Outlaw Thunder Sprint Cars
Fri : Sept 28th – Thunderbird Speedway ; Muskogee : OK – MARS Dirtcar Series Late Models
Fri : Sept 28th – Williams Grove Speedway ; Mechanicsburg : PA – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Fri : Sept 28th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Modifieds
Fri : Sept 28th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Sport Modifieds
Fri : Sept 28th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – IMCA Stock
Fri : Sept 28th – Mountain Creek Speedway ; Grand Prairie : TX – Street Stock
Sat : Sept 29th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Grass Roots Nationals 305 Winged Sprints
Sat : Sept 29th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Grass Roots Nationals 600 Mini Sprints
Sat : Sept 29th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Grass Roots Nationals Late Models
Sat : Sept 29th – Riverside International Speedway ; West Memphis : AR – Grass Roots Nationals Modifieds
Sat : Sept 29th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – Championship Night Late Models
Sat : Sept 29th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – Championship Night Sport Modifieds
Sat : Sept 29th – Madera Speedway ; Madera : CA – Championship Night Hobby Stocks
Sat : Sept 29th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – Carquest Fall Final Qualifying Limited Late Models
Sat : Sept 29th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – Carquest Fall Final Qualifying SK Lights
Sat : Sept 29th – Desoto Speedway ; Bradenton : FL – DS Trucks
Sat : Sept 29th – Five Flags Speedway ; Pensacola : FL – Pro Late Models
Sat : Sept 29th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Pro Late Models
Sat : Sept 29th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – E-Modifieds
Sat : Sept 29th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Sportsman
Sat : Sept 29th – Peoria Speedway ; Peoria : IL – Al Archdale Jr. Memorial Mini Sprint Nationals
Sat : Sept 29th – Lawrenceburg Speedway ; Lawrenceburg : IN – AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars
Sat : Sept 29th – Lucas Oil Raceway Park ; Clermont : IN – Jeg's All Stars Pro Late Models
Sat : Sept 29th – Montpelier Speedway ; Montpelier : IN – USAC Midwest Focus Midgets
Sat : Sept 29th – Speedrome ; Indianapolis : IN – Hornet All-Star 200
Sat : Sept 29th – Knoxville Raceway ; Knoxville : IA – 9th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals
Sat : Sept 29th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – PASS North Super Late Models
Sat : Sept 29th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – Super Shoe Nationals Outlaw Super Late Models Heat Races, Last Chance Races and Dash for Cash
Sat : Sept 29th – Lebanon I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – ASA Late Models
Sat : Sept 29th – Lebanon I-44 Speedway ; Lebanon : MO – ASA Midwest Tour Missouri 100
Sat : Sept 29th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – 2nd Annual Jesse Hockett/Daniel McMillin Memorial Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Cars
Sat : Sept 29th – Lucas Oil Speedway ; Wheatland : MO – 2nd Annual Jesse Hockett/Daniel McMillin Memorial WAR Sprint Cars
Sat : Sept 29th – Sandia Motor Speedway ; Albuquerque : NM – NASCAR K&N Pro West Series
Sat : Sept 29th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Mid-Atlantic Shootout Late Models
Sat : Sept 29th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Late Model Trucks
Sat : Sept 29th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – Limited Late Models
Sat : Sept 29th – Caraway Speedway ; Asheboro : NC – NASCAR Whelen Southern Modifieds
Sat : Sept 29th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – USCS 600 Sprint Cars
Sat : Sept 29th – Carolina Speedway ; Gastonia : NC – USCS Outlaw Thunder Sprint Cars
Sat : Sept 29th – Toledo Speedway ; Toledo : OH – Glass City 200 Late Models
Sat : Sept 29th – Thunderbird Speedway ; Muskogee : OK – MARS Dirtcar Series Late Models
Sat : Sept 29th – Williams Grove Speedway ; Mechanicsburg : PA – World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Sat : Sept 29th – Thunder Road Milk Bowl ; Waterbury : VT – ACT Late Models
Sun : Sept 30th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – Carquest Fall Final Late Models
Sun : Sept 30th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – Carquest Fall Final SK Modifieds
Sun : Sept 30th – Stafford Speedway ; Stafford Springs : CT – Carquest Fall Final Whelen Modified Tour
Sun : Sept 30th – Rockford Speedway ; Rockford : IL – 47th Annual Short Track Championships
Sun : Sept 30th – Lucas Oil Raceway Park ; Clermont : IN – CRA Super Series
Sun : Sept 30th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – PASS Mods
Sun : Sept 30th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – PASS Sportsman
Sun : Sept 30th – Oxford Plains Speedway ; Oxford Plains : ME – PASS North Super Late Models
Sun : Sept 30th – Kalamazoo Speedway ; Kalamazoo : MI – 26th Super Shoe Nationals Outlaw Super Late Models
Sun : Sept 30th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Modifieds
Sun : Sept 30th – Mountain Speedway ; St. John's : PA – Street Stocks
Sun : Sept 30th – Thunder Road Milk Bowl ; Waterbury : VT – ACT Late Models
Wed : Oct 3rd – New York State Fairgrounds ; Syracuse : NY – DIRTCar Big-Block Modifieds
Thu : Oct 4th – Tri-City Speedway ; Pontoon Beach : IL – USAC MOPAR National Midgets
Thu : Oct 4th – Greenville Speedway ; Greenville : MS – Nesmith Dirt Late Models
Thu : Oct 4th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Cotton Boll Cup Late Models
Thu : Oct 4th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Cotton Boll Cup Modifieds
Thu : Oct 4th – Malden Speedway ; Malden : MO – Cotton Boll Cup Street Stocks
Thu : Oct 4th – New York State Fairgrounds ; Syracuse : NY – DIRTCar Big-Block Modifieds
Thu : Oct 4th – Rolling Wheels Raceway Park ; Elbridge : NY – World of Outlaws Late Models

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

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COME JOIN THE FRONTSTRETCH FAMILY!

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

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Frontstretch Folio: AAA 400
by Rick Lunkenheimer

This weekend brings the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series to Dover for the third race of the chase. The AAA 400 broadcast is set to begin with the NASCAR countdown pre-race starting at 1 PM ET, with the green flag set to drop around 2:15 PM ET on ESPN, MRN, and SiriusXm radio channel 90. Drivers will compete for 400 laps (400 miles) en route to the checkered flag.

Records and Facts


Jeremy Mayfield holds the track qualifying record with a speed of 161.522 mph (22.288 sec.) set back on June 4, 2004. Mayfield led for 78 laps and brought home an eighth-place finish. Mark Martin went on to win the race.

Mark Martin holds the race record with a speed of 132.719 mph set on Sept. 21, 1997. Martin led for a race-high 194 laps and took the checkered flag more than ten seconds ahead of Dale Earnhardt. Kyle Petty, Bobby Labonte and Dale Jarrett rounded out the top 5.

Jimmie Johnson is the defending race winner. He led a dominating 289 laps in the 2012 FedEx 400 Benefiting Autism Speaks. It was one of Johnson's three wins that year.

Track Facts

Track/Race Length: one-mile concrete oval, 400 laps, 400 miles
Grandstand Seating: 135,000
Pit Road Speed: 35mph
Pace Car Speed: 45mph
Opened: 1969

VIPs:
Grand Marshal / Command:
Philadelphia Eagles legned Brian Dawkins
Honorary Starter / Wave Green Flag: Terry Rubitz, vice president of marketing for AAA Mid-Atlantic
Invocation: Pastor Dan Schafer, Calvary Assembly of God in Heightstown, N.J.
National Anthem: Lonestar
Military Flyover: Three (3) F-16's of the 149th Fighter Wing, Texas Air National Guard

Pre-race Schedule

Practice: Friday, September 28, 11:00am - 12:25 PM ET on SPEED
Happy Hour: Friday, September 28, 2:40 – 4:15PM ET on SPEED
Qualifying: Saturday, September 29 at 1:40 PM ET on SPEED, re-air scheduled at 11:00 PM ET

Say What?!?

"Well, I'm going to be optimistic when I go there. Darian (Grubb) and the team have been working on that race track for quite a long time the last few weeks, working on a setup that would make me comfortable on that race track. The car is going to be good. I just have to have an open mind when I get out there for the first green flag run and have faith that I can do it. I'll be leaning on my teammates quite a bit this weekend. Obviously they are both very good at that track." -Denny Hamlin

"Dover is one of my favorite racetracks, I love racing there,I guess if you look at my Dover record you wouldn't think I would have these likable feelings about the track. But I do, and feel that we had some good runs at Dover recently, but either got caught up in an accident or had mechanical problems." -Regan Smith

"Dover is a race that's going to be one of the tougher (Sprint) Cup races I'm going to do. I'm sure it's going to be a difficult weekend, but the difficult weekends are what will make next year easier. Hopefully, it's one of those tracks where it helps to run both cars (Nationwide and Sprint Cup) – they both help each other. I always like going to Dover. The track is pretty fun and, hopefully, we can make it to the end this time. I remember everyone telling me how unique and challenging Dover was prior to my first race. At the time, I didn't have a whole lot to compare that track to. They said it was like a larger version of Bristol, but I hadn't raced at Bristol yet, either. It's nice to have more of a handle on what to expect heading in there this time. Dover is fun. It's fast and it can make for a really long day of racing. I think that's part of the appeal of it – how demanding it can be. We definitely want to stay out of trouble, which is easier said than done at these types of tracks." -Danica Patrick

Rick Lunkenheimer is a contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at rick.lunkenheimer@frontstrech.com. Follow him on Twitter @FrntstretchRick.

~~~~~~~~~~

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!

~~~~~~~~~~

Fantasy Friday: AAA 400
by Jeff Wolfe

As we enter week three of the Chase, it's usually at about this time when we starting seeing some separation of the contenders from the pretenders. So, here's a look at who should contend at Dover Sunday afternoon.

Top 5 Picks


1. Jimmie Johnson - He's got seven wins on the concrete mile and won the June race here earlier this year, wearing that rainbow-colored wig in Victory Lane. Wig or not, don't be surprised to see him there again late Sunday afternoon. He has led 1,069 of the last 2,000 Sprint Cup laps run at Dover.

2. Matt Kenseth
- He's one of the few drivers who have been able to challenge Johnson at Dover in recent years. He also needs a win if he wants to have any hope of contending for the title as he is in 11th place, 35 points behind Johnson.

3. Greg Biffle - Much like his Roush Fenway teammate Kenseth, he needs a win to get back into the title picture. He's won twice at Dover, so maybe he can give it a shot.

4. Kyle Busch - He's had a frustrating year with several engine woes, then missed the Chase. But he 's still capable of winning at any of these Chase tracks.

5. Jeff Gordon - OK, so no other driver really sticks out here. However, if Gordon, who is 12th and 45 points behind Johnson, gets a win, maybe it would be the beginning of an epic comeback to get him back into the Chase picture, just like the rally he had to make the Chase. He does four have career wins at Dover, though none in the last five races there.

Shoulda, woulda, coulda: Tony Stewart - He used to be good at Dover in his early days in the Sprint Cup cars as he has two wins there. But Stewart has struggled in recent years, including consecutive 25th-place finishes in his last two races there. However, he's also known for doing the improbable, so I wouldn't count him out Sunday.

ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP
Here's a look at how last week's picks fared in Week 2 of the Chase at New Hampshire

Jimmie Johnson - 2nd.
Was pretty good all day, just not as good as the winner who was ...

Denny Hamlin - 1st. A dominating performance that put him right in the title hunt.

Tony Stewart - 7th. He didn't have his best day, but was respectable enough.

Clint Bowyer - 4th. He needed a good run to keep realistic title hopes and he did it.

Ryan Newman - 10th.
Though he's not in the Chase, he fared OK at one of his best tracks.

Season Stats:
140 Predictions
15  Wins
46 Top 5s
65 Top 10s

Grade for the week: A.
I gave you the winner, three of the top four and five of the top 10. Wish I could do that every week.

One last thing:
Among active drivers, Jeff Gordon has led the most laps at Dover at 2,291. Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson has led 2,275, so he could surpass Gordon for that honor Sunday.

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.

~~~~~~~~~~

TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:

Formula 1 Friday: The Prof
by Andy Hollis

Largely Absent From Chase Headlines, Stewart and Kahne Poised to Make Waves
by Amy Henderson

Four Burning Questions: Dover Edition
by Matt Stallknecht

Champions Don't Need to Be Told to "Fall in Love"
by Jeff Meyer

Title Fight Better the Second Time Between Stenhouse, Sadler
by Bryan Davis Keith


~~~~~~~~~~

FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
 
Q:
Ryan Newman won the 2003 MBNA America 400 for his seventh win of the year while leading 106 laps. However, it wasn't easy by any means (then again, Dover never really is easy).  What did Newman have to overcome in order to win?

Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
 
Thursday's Answer:
 
Q: Jeff Gordon dominated the 1995 MBNA 500, leading 400 of the 500 laps on his way to his first career win at Dover. However, there was a rather unusual wreck involving Dale Jarrett and Mike Wallace late in the race. What happened here?

A: With less than 100 laps to go, Dale Jarrett cut a tire in Turn 3. In what appeared (at first) to be somewhat misguided attempt to get onto pit road as fast as possible (it was really a mechanical failure), Jarrett cut across the entire track and hit Mike Wallace on the apron. Wallace ended up in the grass and spun up the track, taking himself and Jarrett into the outside wall hard. Jarrett suffered a broken rib in the crash but walked away. The crash can seen early in this clip.

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:
-- AAA 400 Race Recap by Jeff Wolfe
--
Secret Star and Stat of the Race by Tom Bowles
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
 
Monday on the Frontstretch:

Thinkin' Out Loud: AAA 400 by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan is back with his overall thoughts about the action from Sunday afternoon's race from Dover.

Bowles' Eye View by Tom Bowles
Tom is back with a commentary about one of the biggest stories leaving the third Chase race from Dover.

Full Throttle by Mike Neff
Mike is back with a commentary about the hottest topic leaving Dover.

Big Six: AAA 400 by Amy Henderson
Looking for all you need to know leaving the third Chase race at Dover? Amy has your who, what, when, where, why and how from a weekend of racing.

Pace Laps: Las Vegas / Dover 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 races in Las Vegas and Dover.

Nationwide Series Breakdown: OneMain Financial 200 by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan has all the post-race analysis you need following Saturday afternoon's Nationwide Series race from Dover.

Tracking the Trucks: Smith's 350 by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth has all the post-race analysis you need following Saturday night's Camping World Truck Series race from Las Vegas.

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

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The Frontstretch Newsletter: September 27th, 2012

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
September 27th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CLXCIII
-----------------

Hey Race Fans!  Do you think you can predict the finishing order of this year's Chase?  If you can, we'll give you our shirt!  If you want a chance to win a Frontstretch T-Shirt and a free FanVision rental for a race weekend in 2013, now is your chance.  Simply submit a list of the 12 Chase drivers in the order you think they will finish.  You have until the end of the race at Dover to make your picks - but after the checkered flag flies on that race, we will not accept any more submissions.  Then, we'll hang on to all of your predictions until after the final race in Homestead and tally them up.  If you can correctly place all 12, you win the T-Shirt and the FanVision rental!  If nobody places all 12 correctly, we'll give the prize to whomever can get the most drivers in their correct points positions at the end of the year.  Please submit your entries to FrontstretchEditors@googlegroups.com by the moment of the checkered flag at Dover!  We will accept only one entry per person (if you submit more than one list, we will only take the FIRST one you submitted!) Good luck!  

Editor's Note: This weekend, we will have representatives at both Dover International Speedway for the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races, and at Lime Rock Park for the Grand-Am Championship Weekend.  We will be providing updates from both tracks, so check out our Twitter feed this weekend for inside information direct from the track!

Top News

by Phil Allaway

Kurt Busch to Replace Regan Smith at Furniture Row Early?

On Tuesday, Kurt Busch announced live on SPEED's NASCAR RaceHub that he would be taking over the No. 78 Furniture Row Chevrolet on a full-time basis at the beginning of the 2013 Sprint Cup Series season.  However, it appears that the move could come sooner than later.

Smith, during an appearance on ESPN's NASCAR Now Wednesday, stated that he may not last out the season in the No. 78.

"I know that I am in the car through Talladega," Smith told ESPN's Shannon Spake on NASCAR Now.  "Beyond that, I cannot say because I really don't know."

Meanwhile, NASCAR RaceHub is reporting that the deal is already done to allow for Busch to move over to the No. 78 full-time starting at the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.  This would leave Smith out in the cold, while Phoenix Racing would be left scrambling to find a replacement driver for the remaining six races.  It is currently unclear what Phoenix Racing's would be if such a move were made.

Malsam, TriStar Motorsports Separate; Driver Switches to Compensate

On Wednesday, TriStar Motorsports announced that Tayler Malsam has left the team, effective immediately.  As a result, TriStar Motorsports has moved Mike Bliss and his Bandit Chippers sponsorship over to the No. 19, while Jeff Green will drive the No. 44.  The No. 10, which was originally scheduled to be driven and parked this weekend by Green, currently has no driver listed on the entry list.  The No. 14 team will be unchanged as a result of this move.

Team owner Mark Smith is grateful for Malsam's efforts in the car this season.

"All of us at TriStar Motorsports appreciate what Tayler has done for our race team this year," Smith said.  "Tayler did a great job for us and we wish him nothing but the best of luck as he explores future opportunities in this sport.  I think it is really important for us as a team to set our sights on the future and take appropriate steps in that direction."

Prior to Wednesday's announcement, Malsam was 13th in Nationwide Series point with one top-10 finish.  This was a sixth in the season-opening Drive4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway (he managed to avoid the last-lap melee exiting Turn 4).  Since then, Malsam's best finish was a 12th last month at Bristol.

What is next for TriStar Motorsports?  As noted last week here in the Frontstretch Newsletter, the team has already signed Hal Martin to drive a few races this year and a campaign for Rookie of the Year in 2013 with a hodgepodge of as-of-yet unannounced Southern sponsors.  This move will allow Martin to be able to make his debut at Kansas in a car that is locked into the field at the bare minimum.

Safeway and Rancher's Reserve to Sponsor Stenhouse at Dover

On Wednesday, Roush Fenway Racing announced a two-race sponsorship deal that will see Safeway Supermarkets and Rancher's Reserve, a brand of meat sold at Safeway, serve as primary sponsors on both the No. 6 Ford Mustang in Saturday's OneMain Financial 200 in the Nationwide Series and the No. 6 Ford Fusion in the Sprint Cup Series' AAA 400 on Sunday.  According to Beef Magazine, Rancher's Reserve is supplied to Safeway exclusively by Cargill Meat Solutions, an existing sponsor of Stenhouse in the Nationwide Series.

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

Sprint Cup Series AAA 400: 48 cars entered

Drivers Ineligible to Earn Points:
No. 6-
Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. for Roush Fenway Racing
No. 10-
Danica Patrick for Tommy Baldwin Racing/Stewart-Haas Racing
No. 19-
Mike Bliss for Humphrey-Smith Racing
No. 22-
Sam Hornish, Jr. for Penske Racing
No. 32-
T.J. Bell for FAS Lane Racing
No. 33-
Cole Whitt for Circle Point, LLC
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. 10-
Danica Patrick returns to the seat, replacing David Reutimann.
No. 19-
Mike Bliss returns to the seat, replacing Jeff Green.
No. 32-
T.J. Bell returns to the seat, replacing Mike Olsen.
No. 33-
Cole Whitt returns to the seat, replacing Stephen Leicht.
No. 36-
J.J. Yeley is in the seat, replacing Tony Raines.
No. 37-
Dave Blaney is in the seat, replacing J.J. Yeley.
No. 55-
Mark Martin returns to the seat, replacing Brian Vickers.

Drivers who must qualify on speed:
No. 6-
Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. for Roush Fenway Racing
No. 19-
Mike Bliss for Humphrey-Smith 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-
Cole Whitt for Circle Point, LLC
No. 37-
Dave Blaney for Front Row Motorsports/MaxQ Motorsports*
No. 49-
Jason Leffler for Robinson-Blakeney Motorsports
No. 79-
Kelly Bires for Go Green Racing*
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*

Nationwide Series OneMain Financial 200: 46 cars entered

Drivers Ineligible to Earn Points:
No. 00-
Michael McDowell for SR2 Motorsports/Ruch Motorsports
No. 18-
Joey Logano for Joe Gibbs Racing
No. 22-
Ryan Blaney for Penske Racing
No. 27-
J.J. Yeley for GC Motorsports International
No. 33-
Paul Menard for Richard Childress Racing
No. 38-
Kasey Kahne for Turner Motorsports
No. 42-
Josh Wise for Team Motorsports Group, LLC
No. 54-
Kyle Busch for Kyle Busch Motorsports
No. 70-
Tony Raines for ML Motorsports/Robinson-Blakeney Motorsports
No. 75-
Scott Riggs for Rick Ware Racing

Driver Changes:
No. 00-
Michael McDowell is in the seat, replacing Tanner Berryhill.  Blake Koch was originally entered in this car.
No. 08-
Danny Efland is in the seat, replacing Mike Harmon.
No. 4-
Brad Teague returns to the seat, replacing Danny Efland.
No. 10-
An unknown driver will be in the seat, replacing Charles Lewandoski.  Jeff Green was originally scheduled to drive the car before Tayler Malsam left the team.
No. 18-
Joey Logano returns to the seat, replacing Drew Herring.
No. 19-
Mike Bliss is in the seat, replacing Tayler Malsam.  Malsam left TriStar Motorsports Tuesday.
No. 24-
Blake Koch is in the seat, replacing Benny Gordon.  Both Gordon and Dusty Davis had both been entered in the car before SR2 Motorsports announced Koch as their driver early Thursday morning.
No. 27-
J.J. Yeley returns to the seat, replacing Andrew Ranger.
No. 30-
Alex Bowman returns to the seat, replacing James Buescher.
No. 33-
Paul Menard returns to the seat, replacing Brendan Gaughan.
No. 38-
Kasey Kahne returns to the seat, replacing Brad Sweet.
No. 39-
Tim Andrews returns to the seat, replacing Josh Richards.
No. 42-
Josh Wise returns to the seat, replacing Matt Frahm.
No. 44-
Jeff Green is in the seat, replacing Mike Bliss.
No. 47-
An unknown driver will be in the seat, replacing Matt DiBenedetto.
No. 50-
An unknown driver will be in the seat, replacing David Starr.
No. 52-
An unknown driver will be in the seat, replacing Joey Gase.
No. 54-
Kyle Busch returns to the seat, replacing his brother Kurt.
No. 70-
Tony Raines returns to the seat, replacing Johanna Long.
No. 71-
An unknown driver will be in the seat, replacing Scott Riggs.
No. 75-
Scott Riggs returns to the seat, replacing Matt Carter.
No. 99-
Ryan Truex returns to the seat, replacing Alex Bowman.

Drivers who must qualify on speed:
No. 00-
Michael McDowell for SR2 Motorsports/Ruch Motorsports*
No. 08-
Danny Efland for Randy Hill Racing/Go Green Racing*
No. 10-
Jeff Green for TriStar Motorsports (Guaranteed to start via the Past Champions' Provisional)*
No. 15-
Carl Long for Rick Ware Racing*
No. 20-
Darrell Wallace, Jr. for Joe Gibbs Racing
No. 27-
J.J. Yeley for GC Motorsports International
No. 42-
Josh Wise for Team Motorsports Group, LLC*
No. 46-
Chase Miller for Team Motorsports Group, LLC*
No. 47-
Unknown driver for Team Motorsports Group, LLC*
No. 50-
Unknown driver for MAKE Motorsports*
No. 52-
Unknown driver for Means Motorsports
No. 71-
Unknown driver for Rick Ware Racing*
No. 74-
Mike Harmon for Mike Harmon Racing*
No. 75-
Scott Riggs for Rick Ware Racing*
No. 86-
Kevin Lepage for Deware Motorsports
No. 89-
Morgan Shepherd for Shepherd Motor Ventures

Not Entered:
No. 8-
Scott Lagasse, Jr. for TeamSLR

Camping World Truck Series Smith's 350k: 33 trucks entered

Drivers Ineligible to Earn Points:
No. 2-
Brendan Gaughan for Richard Childress Racing
No. 18-
David Mayhew for Kyle Busch Motorsports
No. 98-
Travis Pastrana for ThorSport Racing

Driver Changes:
No. 07-
Johnny Chapman returns to the seat, replacing Jeff Agnew.
No. 2-
Brendan Gaughan returns to the seat, replacing Tim George, Jr.
No. 5-
Ryan Reed is in the seat, replacing John King.  This will be Reed's Camping World Truck Series debut.
No. 18-
David Mayhew is in the seat, replacing Brian Scott.
No. 29-
Grant Enfinger is in the seat, replacing Ryan Blaney.
No. 65-
Chris Lafferty is in the seat, replacing Justin Jennings.
No. 93-
Dennis Setzer returns to the seat, replacing Johnny Chapman.
No. 98-
Travis Pastrana is in the seat, replacing Dakoda Armstrong.  This will be Pastrana's Camping World Truck Series debut.

Since there are only 33 teams entered, no one will fail to qualify.  However, these drivers must still qualify on speed:
No. 00-
Unknown driver for Lind Motorsports
No. 5-
Ryan Reed for Wauters Motorsports
No. 7-
Parker Kligerman for Red Horse Racing
No. 10-
Jennifer Jo Cobb for JJC Racing
No. 38-
Chris Jones for RSS Racing*
No. 65-
Chris Lafferty for MB Motorsports
No. 98-
Travis Pastrana for ThorSport Racing

Not Entered:
No. 01-
Jake Crum for Crum Motorsports
No. 0-
Blake Koch for JJC Racing
No. 4-
Dakoda Armstrong for Turner Motorsports
No. 8-
Max Gresham for Eddie Sharp Racing
No. 37-
RSS Racing
*- Expected to Start-and-Park

Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Championship Weekend: 27 cars entered (9 DP, 18 GT)

Daytona Prototype Entries:
No. 01-
Memo Rojas/Scott Pruett for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
No. 2-
Alex Popow/Alex Tagliani for Starworks Motorsport
No. 5-
Terry Borcheller/David Donohue/Brian Frisselle for Action Express Racing
No. 8-
Ryan Dalziel/Alex Tagliani for Starworks Motorsport
No. 9-
Joao Barbosa/Darren Law for Action Express Racing
No. 10-
Ricky Taylor/Max Angelelli for SunTrust Racing
No. 60-
John Pew/Ozz Negri for Michael Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian
No. 90-
Antonio Garcia/Richard Westbrook for Spirit of Daytona Racing
No. 99-
Alex Gurney/Jon Fogarty for GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing

Grand Touring Entries:
No. 31-
Boris Said/Eric Curran for Marsh Racing
No. 40-
Joe Foster/Tom Long for Dempsey Racing
No. 41-
Charles Espenlaub/Charles Putman for Dempsey Racing
No. 42-
Joe and Wayne Nonnamaker for Team Sahlen
No. 43-
Wayne Nonnamaker/Dane Cameron for Team Sahlen
No. 44-
John Potter/Andy Lally for Magnus Racing
No. 49-
Joe Sahlen/Will Nonnamaker for Team Sahlen
No. 51-
Dr. Jim Norman/Dion von Moltke for APR Motorsport
No. 57-
John Edwards/Robin Liddell for Stevenson Motorsports
No. 63-
Alessandro Balzan/Johannes van Overbeek for Scuderia Corsa
No. 66-
Spencer Pumpelly/Bob Doyle for TRG
No. 69-
Emil Assentato/Jeff Segal for AIM Autosport Team FXDD with Ferrari
No. 70-
Jonathan Bomarito/Sylvain Tremblay for SpeedSource
No. 73-
Eric Foss/Patrick Lindsey/Jason Hart for Horton Autosport
No. 87-
Jan Heylen/Tony Ave/Doug Peterson for Vehicle Technologies
No. 93-
Will Turner/Michael Marsal for Turner Motorsport
No. 94-
Bill Auberlen/Paul Dalla Lana for Turner Motorsport

Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Season Finales: 63 cars entered (28 GS, 35 ST)
Note: Due to Lime Rock Park's diminutive (by road course standards) size, the Grand Sport and Street Tuner classes are running separate races this weekend.  The ST race is scheduled for Friday afternoon, while the GS race will be Saturday morning.

Grand Sport Entries:
No. 00-
Ashley McCalmont/Brett Sandberg for CKS Autosport
No. 01-
Eric Curran/Lawson Aschenbach for CKS Autosport
No. 08-
Jim Jonsin/Robert Stout for Rebel Rock Racing
No. 3-
Jeff Segal/ for Rum Bum Racing
No. 6-
Tim Bell/Gunter Schaldach for Mitchum Motorsports
No. 9-
Matt Bell/John Edwards for Stevenson Motorsports
No. 13-
Nick Longhi/Matt Plumb for Rum Bum Racing
No. 21-
Dave Mundy/Tony Rivera for Roush Performance
No. 35-
Andrew Aquilante/Bret Spaude for Subaru Road Racing Team
No. 37-
Rich Jones/Mike Lavigne for JOMAC Racing
No. 38-
Ryan Eversley/Craig Stanton/John Tecce for BGB Motorsports
No. 41-
Hector Guerrero/ for APR Motorsport
No. 45-
Hugh Plumb/Al Carter for Fall-Line Motorsports
No. 46-
Mark Boden/Bryan Sellers for Fall-Line Motorsports
No. 48-
Charles Espenlaub/Charles Putman for Fall-Line Motorsports
No. 51-
Joey Atterbury/Shelby Blackstock for Roush Performance
No. 55-
Joe Foster/Scott Maxwell for Multimatic Motorsports
No. 61-
Billy Johnson/Jack Roush, Jr. for Roush Performance (this team may withdraw due to crash damage from Laguna Seca)
No. 62-
Jordan Taylor/George Richardson for Mitchum Motorsports
No. 68-
Alec Udell/Nick Galante for Capaldi Racing
No. 71-
Jade Buford/Tonis Kasemets for Multimatic Motorsports
No. 78-
Justin Piscitell/Roberto Dal Pont for Racers Edge Motorsports
No. 83-
David Empringham/John Farano for BGB Motorsports
No. 96-
Bill Auberlen/Don Salama for Turner Motorsport
No. 97-
Michael Marsal/Boris Said for Turner Motorsport
No. 99-
Rob Ecklin, Jr./Steven Philipps for Automatic Racing
No. 140-
Tim Fox/Kris Wilson for Automatic Racing
No. 158-
Ian James/Roger Miller for Dempsey Racing

Street Tuner Entries:
No. 03-
Chad McCumbee/Jason Saini for CJ Wilson Racing
No. 04-
Kyle Gimple/Marc Miller for CJ Wilson Racing
No. 8-
Tyler Cooke/Dillon Machavern for Freedom Autosport
No. 10-
Nic Jonsson/Andy Lally for Kinetic/Kia Racing
No. 12-
Matt and Mark Pombo for Kinetic/Kia Racing
No. 15-
Gunnar Jeannette/James Gue for Multimatic Motorsports
No. 16-
Nick Mancuso/Bret Seafuse for Multimatic Motorsports
No. 23-
Terry Borcheller/Mike LaMarra for Burton Racing
No. 24-
Cory Friedman/David Baum for Autometrics Motorsports
No. 25-
Tom Long/Derek Whitis for Freedom Autosport
No. 26-
Rhett O'Doski/Andrew Carbonell for Freedom Autosport
No. 30-
Ryan Ellis/Glenn Bocchino for i-Moto Racing
No. 31-
Pierre Kleinubing/Jayson Clunie for i-Moto Racing
No. 32-
Tom Dyer/Izzy Sanchez for i-Moto Racing
No. 40-
Dinah Weisberg/Steven McAleer for Berg Racing
No. 50-
Eric Curran/John Weisberg for Berg Racing
No. 56-
Jesse Combs/Jeff Mosing for RACE EPIC/Murillo Racing
No. 60-
Elivan Goulart/Robert Nimkoff for Mitchum Motorsports
No. 63-
Johnny Kanavas/ for Mitchum Motorsports
No. 66-
AJ and Jameson Riley for Riley Racing
No. 74-
Andrew Novich/Adam Burrows for Compass360 Racing
No. 75-
Ryan Eversley/Ray Mason for Compass360 Racing
No. 76-
David Thilenius/Gareth Nixon for Compass360 Racing
No. 77-
Sarah Cattaneo/ for Compass360 Racing
No. 80-
John Capestro-Dubets/James Clay for BimmerWorld Racing
No. 81-
David Levine/Greg Liefooghe for BimmerWorld Racing
No. 82-
Seth Thomas/Daniel Rogers for BimmerWorld Racing
No. 131-
Juan Alvarez/Juan Sierra Lendle for APR Motorsport
No. 161-
Josh Hurley/Nate Norenberg for APR Motorsport
No. 171-
David Cheng/Aleks Altberg for APR Motorsport
No. 191-
Daniel La Riva/Christian Perez for APR Motorsport
No. 195-
Chris Puskar/Dicky Riegel for RSR Motorsports
No. 196-
Ron Farmer/Jason Hart for RSR Motorsports
No. 197-
Owen Trinkler/Corey Fergus for RSR Motorsports
No. 198-
Chris Knox/Randall Smalley for RSR Motorsports

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 Summer Bedgood's way at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com; and, if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print when she does her weekly column answering back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat. Frontstretch Fan Q & A will run on Thursdays with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!

Today's Featured Commentary
Quick Hits for September 27th
What's Vexing Vito
by Vito Pugliese

Kurt Busch and Furniture Row Racing announced this week that Busch will be replacing Smith in their flat black No. 78 Chevrolets for 2013.  While the move is a step up for Busch from James Finch's largely unsponsored entries that they've campaigned for this season, it seems like it may be a springboard to an even bright future for Busch in 2014.  Furniture Row Racing has a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing, despite Denver, CO being a bit removed from Welcome, NC where RCR is centered.

This week Childress himself expressed support for Busch saying that he hates to see great talent wasted.  With Kevin Harvick being in a contract year for 2013, and rumors that Jeff Burton's lackluster two seasons at RCR may have him up for evaluation, it is a plausible scenario.  Even with Burton's performance woes, I feel he would be a viable candidate to remain in the No. 31, a car he has driven for nearly eight seasons, after joining RCR midway through 2004.

Busch and Burton were once teammates at then-Roush Racing, and it was with Jeff Burton's urging that Kurt Busch was given the Jimmy Fennig team of then driver Mark Martin, who eventually went on to win the inaugural Nextel Cup in 2004.  Paul Menard is signed through 2013 as well, but likely wouldn't go anyway with the funding and sponsorship that he brings.  There has been a rumored fourth RCR entry in the works, but perhaps that will depend on how Kurt's "audition" goes in the No. 78 next season.  If there's one owner who can get through to Busch, it just might be Childress.  After all, look how he got through to his brother…

----------

The 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Schedule was released this week to great fanfare.  Well, not really.  Not at all, actually.  Same races, same dates for the most part, and same scheduling.  Talladega goes back to October 20th, the Chase starts at Chicago for reasons unknown to anybody looking to instill some sort of excitement into what is supposed to be a nail-bitter of a title fight every year.  Again, no road courses in the final ten races, no change of scenery…and they wonder why interest and excitement continues to dwindle and wane.

The bottom line is this: NASCAR needs to do something about the schedule, and quickly.  Time to face the fact – you aren't going to out NFL the NFL, even if they do have scab refs who just make up the rules as they go along.  Heck, you could argue that they're taking a page from NASCAR's book what with the way some of these calls have gone the first few weeks of the season.

The first two races of The Chase should not be at the most mind-numbing tracks on the circuit, and next year make it three of the first four with a repaved Kansas joining the party.  What, Fontana doesn't want any of this either?  You know what, screw it, ditch Talladega, and give Bruton his Las Vegas date he's been pining forever too while you're at it.  Just finish the job, get it over with, and make it as sanitary, sterile, and predictable as possible.  Yeah Texas is sweet too, I loved that 14-second interval between the top-3 cars there in April, that was radical.  Want to make a decent chase and make it interesting for the viewer? Here's your ultimate Chase lineup:


1.  Charlotte – Best to kick it off in the hub of the sport, where people actually care about what's going on and will cover it appropriately.  Why not use the NFL season opener to help promote the Chase instead of trying to compete with America's new national pasttime?

2.  Talladega – BAM – see how I did that?  Smallest action track to the largest action track.  If you blow it and get sucked into the tornado of sheetmetal here, you still have eight weeks to overcome it.

3.  Michigan – Notre Dame isn't coming to Ann Arbor after next year and State usually plays a scrub team that weekend anyway.  It's still low 70's here this time of year too folks.

4.  Dover – Big Bristol.  People seem to show up for this.  And it's more entertaining than New Hampshire.

5.  Phoenix – Bang.  Short Track No. 2.  Sad that this is what constitutes a short track now, but whatever, at least it'll be sunny out.

6.  Watkins Glen – changing seasons, fall foliage, deer running across the track…perfect.

7.  Darlington – Yup.  Night race too.  If you're not going to run it on Labor Day, don't run it on Mother's Day and call it The Southern 500.  That doesn't make any damned sense.

8.  Texas – Yeah, might as well have a mile and a halfer in here somewhere.

9.  Homestead – Nobody ever really tries that hard here.  Not since Kurt Busch almost impaled his car into pit wall after the wheel fell off in 2004.

10.  Atlanta – Yeah, that's right.  Call it the Atlanta Journal 500 again as well.  Can still run all three series here as well.  It worked for 20 years this way, it can work again.

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Get the feeling that Kyle Busch has suddenly become the odd-man out at Joe Gibbs Racing?  Joey Logano was not quite living up to (lofty) expectations after replacing Tony Stewart, and is now off to greener (well, yellower…) pastures at Penske Racing.  Denny Hamlin is calling his shots, winning races, seeing shrinks, and at least maintaining some semblance of positivity.  KB?  Bailing out of the car after missing the Chase, blowing off the owner, snipping at the crew as the engine's going south, and just being generally pissy, constantly.

Now word comes that Elliott Sadler will be in a Gibbs Nationwide car full-time next season, with a potential Sprint Cup entry on a part-time basis if sponsorship is available.  Sadler has said that his goal is to be a full-time driver again and to make it back to the Chase in the Sprint Cup Series.  Kyle's contract is up at the end of 2013, and Sadler did drive the M&M's car a few years ago.  With 2003 champion Matt Kenseth coming aboard next season with his pair of Daytona 500 wins coupled with Hamlin's leadership and demeanor, might Kyle be the odd-man out at JGR?  Time, his attitude, and how the 2013 season starts off - will tell the story.

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.
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COME JOIN THE FRONTSTRETCH FAMILY!

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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.
 
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The Critic's Annex: F.W. Webb 100
by Phil Allaway

Hello, race fans.  Welcome back to the Critic's Annex, where criticism of motorsports-related programming and racing video games is the name of the game.  As many of you are well aware of, New Hampshire Motor Speedway is one of the marquee tracks on the calendar of the Whelen Modified Tour.  In all honesty, it basically replaced the races on the now-defunct three-quarter mile oval at Pocono Raceway as the main show for the series.

In the past, TNN would televise the series at then-New Hampshire International Speedway whenever they raced in support of the Cup Series.  Since the beginning of the series-wide TV deals for NASCAR's top-3 series, coverage has been quite a bit more sporadic.  Generally speaking, SPEED usually covers these races either live or via tape delay.  That wasn't the case back in July.  That race got "custody of my diddly-squat" of actual coverage.  At the time, the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 at Bristol appeared to be the only Modified race all season that would be televised at all.  That's like a kick in the nuts for the series, especially since the last two seasons have seen virtually every race televised in some form, either on SPEED or Versus (now the NBC Sports Network).

In the case of last week at New Hampshire, SPEED quietly made a last-minute announcement that they would televise the race live at Noon in between all of their coverage of the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Las Vegas.  I was pretty pleased with the move, and I'm sure that SPEED's on-air personalities were definitely in favor of that.  However, SPEED's auction coverage did led to some changes. 

Since Mike Joy was in Las Vegas fulfilling his hosting duties, Bob Dillner took his place as the play-by-play man.   Dillner may be knowledgeable in the broadcast booth, but I just don't think that he was all that great up there.  He would need quite a bit of practice.  Dillner was joined by the semi-retired Dick Berggren, who was just fine.

There was a rather strange issue with some of the graphics early in Saturday's telecast.  Whenever SPEED would show a graphic with ten drivers on it (point standings, starting lineup, etc.), the person in seventh would always be listed as Ward Burton, regardless of who it actually was supposed to be.  A quick check of Burton's career results shows that he never set foot in a Modified.  My best guess as to why this happened is that SPEED's production crew uses Ward's name as a placeholder on graphics when showing them off.  Perhaps, there was an issue that prohibited the production crew from replacing Ward's name with the correct one.  That would be the only way that I could understand this happening four or five times.

Pre-race coverage was relatively brief.  There was an interview with pole-sitter (and former Camping World Truck Series race winner) Donny Lia, a check of the point standings, and a look back at the July event for the Modifieds, specifically the finish.  You know, the one that I mentioned earlier that wasn't televised except in highlight packages on SPEED Center.

Dillner and Berggren definitely seemed to like the racing that we got in Saturday's race.  However, the action that we were shown was mainly up front for much of the race.  Ryan Newman came up from the rear of the field (after a tire change that was against the rules) to finish fourth.  There really wasn't all that much coverage of him before he got up front.  Its arguable that the reason for that was the rapid fire amount of lead changes.

The rapid-fire lead changes and constant battles at the very front of the field also resulted in some incidents not being replayed.  On the third lap of the race, Rob Fuller spun out in Turn 2.  This did not bring out a yellow.  There was never any replay shown of this incident.  I think that it would be have been at least somewhat important due to the fact that Fuller pulled out of the race shortly afterwards due to a "crash."  It would be impossible for viewers to tell if it was an S&P, or if Fuller somehow broke something that caused his brief spin and eventual retirement from the race.  SPEED could have at least replayed this incident during the first yellow for Rowan Pennink's spin, but they chose not to.

Its also worth noting that the lap counter didn't show up on SPEED's graphics until Lap 12.  Maybe that's not all that big a deal to many of you, but as part of my prep work for these critiques, I also take notes on the race itself.  As a result, a normal race will see a couple of pages of notes.  I'm not exactly Larry McReynolds with his weekly giant tomes of notes, or even Shannon Spake with her five-subject notebooks back in 2009 (Note: I don't know how many pages of notes that Spake was writing up each weekend back then, but she definitely had a five subject notebook with notes in it when I interviewed her), but I need my notes in order to setup up thoughts.  Not having a lap counter means that I have to guess when things happened, and that bites.

SPEED employed their time-shifting strategy often used on Sprint Cup Qualifying telecasts on Saturday.  As a result, viewers didn't really miss all that much when commercial breaks were taken.  I suggest the fast and furious action at the front of the field required this.  Otherwise, they'd spend a substantial amount of each segment reviewing what happened during the commercials.  Obviously, that would take away from the "live" action (it should be noted that the telecast did start live, but drifted away from live throughout the race).

Post-race coverage was relatively thin.  SPEED provided three post-race interviews (winner Doug Coby, Donny Lia, and Ted Christopher, who crashed at the white flag).  There were also checks of the unofficial results and point standings before SPEED's two-hour timeslot expired.

First off, if you would have told me that a 100 lap Modified race would fill a two hour slot, I probably would have laughed at you.  Especially after how clean the first half of the race was.  The action that we saw in the telecast was very good, although I also believe that it was focused too much on the front.  Regardless, Modified races are exciting to watch, and Saturday's F.W. Webb 100 was no exception to the rule.

I hope you enjoyed this look at the F.W. Webb 100.  Next week, we're going to take a look at Showtime's Inside NASCAR, which has recently returned from a near seven month hiatus for the Chase.  Until then, enjoy this weekend's action from Lime Rock Park, Las Vegas and Dover.

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.

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Frontstretch Line of the Week


From IndyCar Year In Review: Drivers 14th thru 26th

"
Unlike his Dale Coyne Racing teammate Justin Wilson, James Jakes was pretty much an invisible man this year. For us and other media who strive to cover all drivers, we'll make note of this for next year."- From our driver reviews.  James Jakes just could not stand out this year.
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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.

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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:

Fans Have Questions, We Have Answers: NASCAR Thursday Roundup
by Summer Bedgood

Beyond the Cockpit: Parker Kligerman on Transitions And Championship Dreams

as told to Beth Lunkenheimer

Professor Of Speed: The Power of Numbers
by Mark Howell

Truckin' Thursdays: Same Story, Different Year: Will History Repeat?
by Beth Lunkenheimer

Note: These are links from earlier this week that failed to make it into the Newsletter:

Mirror Driving: Championship Consistency, Regan's Release and Turning a Blind Eye
by the Frontstretch Staff

Did You Notice?...Risk vs. Stability, And What the NFL Can Learn From NASCAR
by Tom Bowles

Tracking the Trucks: Kentucky 201
by Beth Lunkenheimer

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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:

Q:  Jeff Gordon dominated the 1995 MBNA 500, leading 400 of the 500 laps on his way to his first career win at Dover.  However, there was a rather unusual wreck involving Dale Jarrett and Mike Wallace late in the race.  What happened here?

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

Q:   In 1994, Jeff Burton was by far the best driver out of a large rookie class ('94 also happened to be the first time that the Cup Series had 40 full-time teams). Burton was leading the Splitfire Spark Plugs 400 at Dover when things suddenly went wrong in a hurry. What happened?

A:   Burton was coming off of Turn 4 on Lap 190 when his right front tire blew.  Burton had nowhere to go but straight into the wall at the beginning of the frontstretch.  The car caught fire and ricoheted across the track to slam into the inside wall.  The crash, which can be seen here, was very scary.  Members of Burton's pit crew along with Jeff Gordon's crew rushed across pit road and pulled Burton out of his destroyed race car unharmed.  Unfortunately (and rather obviously, based on the clip), Burton was done for the day.

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

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Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from 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!


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Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:


Four Burning Questions: Dover by Matt Stallknecht
We'll help prepare you for the AAA 400, Race No. 3 in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.


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's OneMain Financial 200 at Dover International Speedway.

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


Formula One Fridays by Andy Hollis
Andy returns with another look at the World Championship as the teams prepare for next weekend's Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit.
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©2012 Frontstretch.com

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