The Frontstretch Newsletter: Newman Sponsor Announced

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
October 2nd, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CLXCVIII

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What To Watch: Tuesday

- Today, Kasey Kahne is NASCAR's guest for their weekly teleconference and is scheduled to speak at 2:55pm EDT.  Kahne is currently in a tie for fifth in points with Tony Stewart, 32 out of the lead after finishing 15th on Sunday.

BREAKING: Ryan Newman Gets More Funding For 2013

Stewart-Haas' third car will likely be fully-funded come 2013. Ryan Newman's No. 39 Chevrolet will be backed by Quicken Loans next season, a deal announced this morning that increases their total races as primary sponsor from nine to eighteen events. Newman, who is losing 12-race backer U.S. Army after this season will combine that with other, patchwork deals to fill out the 36-race schedule and compete for the championship.

In a press conference Tuesday, SHR said they are "real close" on selling the remainder of the inventory on the car. Sponsors this season for Newman have included Tornados, WIX Filters, Haas Automation, Aspen Dental, and Outback Steakhouse, companies they hope will return next season. Newman, despite missing the Chase does have a win this season (Martinsville) and sits 15th in points, with 11 top-10 finishes.

Top News
by Tom Bowles

Pat Tryson To BK Racing

One of NASCAR's most experienced crew chiefs will turn his wrench at a new shop this week. Pat Tryson, who's previously led Mark Martin and Kurt Busch into the Chase has moved over to BK Racing effective for this Sunday's Sprint Cup event at Talladega. Tryson, who was most recently with JTG-Daugherty and the No. 47 car driven by Bobby Labonte will fill an as-yet-unknown role with the two-car program.

"I'm not exactly sure what the plan is yet," said Tryson to SIRIUS XM radio's Dave Moody. "We'll see as we go along. I've been asked to look around, assess the situation and see where I think they can use some help. Once I do that, I'll know more."

Co-owner Ron Devine sought out Tryson initially, thinking a head wrench with multiple years of Chase-winning experience could help his organization evolve. In its first year on the Sprint Cup circuit, the former Red Bull Racing outfit - with drivers Travis Kvapil and Landon Cassill, respectively - has yet to register a top-10 finish. Kvapil was 15th at Michigan in August, the best run yet for either the No. 83 and No. 93 cars as they look to catch up engineering and engine-wise to the multi-car heavyweights of Hendrick, Gibbs, Childress, Penske, and MWR above them.

There's no word yet on whether the hiring will change the roles of current head wrenches Todd Anderson (Kvapil) or Doug Richert (Cassill). There's plenty of patience for the team to grow incrementally; primary backer Burger King, connected to ownership looks set to return in 2013.

NASCAR Closing In On FOX Extension

Multiple sources are reporting this Tuesday FOX is in the final stages of a new TV deal with NASCAR. Negotiating since midsummer, the network is looking to return to a full first half of NASCAR coverage - closer to its initial deal with the sanctioning body, from 2001-06 - in a contract that would still include exclusive rights to the sport's "Super Bowl," February's Daytona 500.

The current partnership FOX has with the sport expires following the 2014 season. Their 13-race schedule, from February through the Dover race in June routinely has the largest audience among the sport's three television partners: FOX/SPEED, TNT, and ABC/ESPN. The other two networks have chosen to wait until mid-2013 to start renewal talks, as their deals, too, expire in November 2014. Both have said they'd like to keep broadcasting the sport, looking for additional races while NBC Sports is expected to jump in on negotiations.

Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but experts place the amount close to the last rights fees FOX paid in its eight-year deal from 2007-14.

News Bite

- Industry sources claim Marcos Ambrose is closing in on a new deal with Richard Petty Motorsports and Ford. The driver of the No. 9 has had a solid year, successfully defending his 2011 victory at Watkins Glen while earning two pole positions and eight top-10 finishes. While falling short of the Chase, he sits 17th in the standings, a career best.

Have news for Tom and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at ashland10@mail.com with a promising lead or tip.

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GOT A NASCAR QUESTION OR COMMENT? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
That's right; our Fan Q & A column has a new sheriff in town. Send your question Summer Bedgood's way at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com and if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print on Thursday when she does her weekly column. It's all part of our daily mission to give back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat!
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Today's Featured Commentary
Who Finished in the Top 12 and Aren't Even in The Chase
Sitting In The Stands: A Fan's View
by S.D. Grady

Brad Keselowski won, while Jeff Gordon appeared late in the running to almost give him some competition.  There is nothing very stunning about the major headline for Sunday's running of the AAA 400.  You won't even be surprised at the finishing order of the rest of the Chasers.  The race was, well, kind of everything we expect at this point in the season.  Those who have been running in the Top 10 still are.  If you've been napping on the couch instead of watching, you haven't been missing anything.

Or have we?

The fact is, all we hear about in NASCAR come October has everything to do with the final push to arrive in Miami and who will sit in what order in Las Vegas.  But hey, aren't there still another fifteen teams or so that have a tale to tell, beyond the anointed few?  Yes, there are.  I thought we'd take a moment and visit some of the stories not everybody is talking about -- but maybe we should.

Let's begin with who came in third on Sunday, Mr. Mark Martin, and not so much about the solid performance of the driver, but the car.  That No. 55 has continued to shock and surprise all year long.  With the ride being split between the ever spry and spunky Martin, the loquacious Michael Waltrip and the returning Brian Vickers, you'd think the car would be mired near the bottom of the standings.  But no.  The third full-time team for MWR sits very nicely at 14th in owner points, right between the Nos. 99 and 18 -- two teams that arguably should have made it into the Chase this year.

Five-plus years ago, Michael Waltrip Racing appeared as a struggling start-up that enjoyed more spotlight than it had earned due to the glib tongue of its owner.  However, in 2012 few can argue that the team hasn't claimed its spot inside the top-tier of the sport.  With both the No. 56 and No. 15 in the Chase, plus the third car easily staying abreast of the competition manned with nothing more than a mish-mash of drivers, something magical appears to be happening over there.  Keep an eye on Mikey and Co. for 2013.

Next on our list is Carl Edwards.  His No. 99 finished a respectable fifth on Sunday, after spending the day fighting to remain on that exclusive lead lap.  Not too bad.  But perhaps the daylong struggle is also indicative of his entire season.  Coming off his this-close run for the Cup in 2011, it seemed like the Fastenal car had missed its fertilizer in the spring.  2012 has been nothing but a string of disasters and outright scrambles all year long. 

Yes, Edwards should have made it into the Chase, if for no other reason than he's got Roush's rock solid support beneath him.  But, as has been so often noted throughout the years, things don't always work perfectly well for Jack's Fords.  Something snaps, after one successful season then it starts to crumble before championship-contending consistency sets in.  And so it goes. 

Still, considering the slump at hand fifth was nice for one day.  I'm afraid that's all Edwards will get this year, and maybe next.  There's a new chosen son arriving in 2013, and the No. 99 may not get all the "great equipment" he's had in the past.

Who's the new guy on the Roush block?  Oh, he ran on Sunday, and didn't do too poorly for a rookie appearance.  Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. completed his day with a solid 12th-place result, second-best of an RFR contingent that includes two Chase participants.  Yes, he was three laps down, but let's not get too picky with only six cars managing all 400.  There's a list of Chasers who didn't do so well on the day, so it's safe to say even after Kenseth's No. 17 crumbling, it isn't all bad news for the Roushketeers.  Stenhouse may very well inherit all he needs to take the Cup Series by storm next year.  Maybe they're already moving the good stuff to his garage.

And finally, we'll take a look at one driver who really ought to have earned a Cup by now, but hasn't.  Kyle Busch missed out on the gas mileage this week.  His No. 18 had it all, riding down on Dover's bottom nice and tight while keeping its tail straight coming out of the turns.  In fact, even if J.J. Yeley's tire hadn't exploded early in the day, it's doubtful there would have been more than ten other cars capable of staying on the same lap with Kyle.  His car was that good.  He's that good.  But, like his entire career, Sunday was just another example of almost.

Whether he can't close the Big Deal due to a lack of machine under his butt or simply because he outdrives the track, the fact remains that the younger Busch still has not managed to pull everything together required to take home the Cup.  2012 has seen far fewer fireworks coming from this Gibbs driver, although his radio was anything but G-Rated after 302 laps led didn't lead to a victory (Busch went on an expletive-laced tirade, blaming TRD and their engines for his late-race misfortune).  Still, has keeping his cool been what steals the fire from his pedal?  It's a change in public persona that makes you go, "Hmmm."

Four drivers.  Four tales.  And all of them from farther down the chart than the Top 12.  See?  It can be done.  And it wasn't even that hard. 

Sonya's Weekly Danica Stat
Dover: NNS in the No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
Qualified: 25th
Finished: 16th (lead lap)
Points Position: 11th

Dover: NSCS in the No. 10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
Qualified: 38th
Finished: 28th (running, seven laps down)
Points Position: Not Eligible for Points in this series

Author's Note:  I've finally made it to Facebook!  Come visit with me at http://facebook.com/Author.SDGrady

S.D. Grady is a Senior Editor for Frontstretch.com.  She can be reached via e-mail at sonya.grady@frontstretch.com.  Follow her on Twitter at @laregna.

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Numbers Game: AAA 400
by Garrett Horton

3
Three of the Chase contenders have yet to post a top-10 finish in the first three races of NASCAR's playoff – Kevin Harvick, Greg Biffle, and Matt Kenseth.

4
Danica Patrick has four consecutive finishes of 29th or better in the Cup Series.  She has yet to finish on the lead lap in any of her seven Sprint Cup races, though.

9
For you Chase bashers out there – If we were still under the traditional format, the top-4 drivers would be separated by just nine points.  With the points reset after Richmond, Jimmie Johnson is currently the only driver within nine points of championship leader Brad Keselowski. 

12
Greg Biffle finished three laps off the pace on Sunday, ending a streak of 12 consecutive lead lap performances.  Biffle's 26 lead lap finishes this season are the most of any driver.

14
It's been 14 races since Dale Earnhardt, Jr. had a podium finish, which was his win at Michigan in June.

18
With his ninth-place finish at Dover, Clint Bowyer has 18 top 10's this season, matching his career high from 2010.

24
Carl Edwards finished fifth on Sunday, the first time in 24 races he has finished in the top 5.  It also matches his best finish of the season; he also finished fifth at Las Vegas and Fontana.

33
How good has Brad Keselowski been the past couple of months?  Over the last ten races, your current championship leader has outscored the competition by almost a full race.  Clint Bowyer, who has scored the second most in that span, has 33 fewer points than Keselowski.

43
Jimmie Johnson led only 43 laps at Dover this past weekend.  While that may seem like a good amount, it was the fewest he has led in a race at the Monster Mile since the spring of 2008, when he led just two circuits.  In addition, his seven-race streak of leading the most laps here was put to an end by Kyle Busch.

58
Brad Keselowski is now tied for 58th on the all-time wins list with nine, joining Paul Goldsmith, Cotton Owens and Bob Welborn.

296
Jeff Gordon now has 296 top-5 finishes, only four away from becoming just the fourth driver to have 300 or more.

302
Kyle Busch led 302 laps on Sunday, only the second time this year a driver has led over 300 laps in a race (Jeff Gordon led 329 at Martinsville).

Garrett Horton is a Contributor to Frontstretch.  He can be reached via e-mail at garrett.horton@frontstretch.com.  Follow him on Twitter at @Garrett_Horton.

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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:

Five Points to Ponder: Game Changers, Rule Changes and Game Over
by Danny Peters

Who's Hot/Who's Not in NASCAR: Dover/Talladega Edition
by Brett Poirier

Shrunken Lead Lap Equals Shrunken Focus for ESPN
by Phil Allaway

The Chase Favorite After Dover...Is Still Jimmie Johnson
by Bryan Davis Keith

Tech Talk: Gil Martin and the No. 29 Team on Clearing 2012's Last Plate (Race)
by Mike Neff
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
 
Q:  The 1996 DieHard 500 at Talladega is best known for the infamous crash that resulted in Dale Earnhardt breaking his collarbone and sternum.  This race was also notable for a different reason.  What was that?
 
Check back Wednesday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
 
Monday's Answer:

Q:  Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the 2002 EA Sports 500 for his third consecutive win at Talladega in a caution-free race.  However, the fact that the race went caution free didn't necessarily stop a very strange incident from occurring during the pace laps.  What happened?

A:  For lack of better words, Mark Martin's car decided to make a left and hit Jimmie Johnson coming to one-to-go before the green flag.  Both cars actually had a significant amount of damage from the hit.  The strange incident can be seen in this clip.  Martin was never a factor and finished 30th, two laps down.  Johnson fell victim to a spate of Hendrick engine failures (all four Hendrick cars, plus the two MB2 Motorsports entries, blew engines) and finished 37th.

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 Brad Morgan
-- Beth's Brief by Beth Lunkenheimer
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!

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Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:

Did You Notice?... by Tom Bowles
Tom returns with a series of "quick hit" discussion points. Among them: how NASCAR can still charge higher rights fees for 2015, and beyond, the top 35 rule disappearing, and more.

Mirror Driving by the Frontstretch Staff
Your favorite Frontstretch writers are back to discuss a variety of different subjects.  This week's topics include who James Finch should hire to drive the No. 51 after Tallladega, who can be written off from championship contention, who benefits the most from the Nationwide Series taking the week off, and more.

Sprint Cup Power Rankings compiled by Summer Bedgood
Did Sunday's action in Dover significantly shake up our Power Rankings?  You'll have to check it out in order to see where the drivers stand going into Sunday's Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.

Kevin's Corner by Kevin Rutherford
Kevin's back with another interesting commentary.

Frontstretch Top Ten by the Frontstretch Staff
We'll have a top ten list that will tickle your funny bone, guaranteed.

Open-Wheel Wednesday: 2012 Driver Reviews Part 2 by the Frontstretch Staff
With the season now complete and Ryan Hunter-Reay crowned as champion, our staff convenes to take a look at individual drivers' seasons. Part II of our driver review series wraps them up.
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