The Frontstretch Newsletter: October 11th, 2012

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
October 11th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CCV
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What to Watch:  Thursday

- Today, the action gets underway at Charlotte Motor Speedway.  Both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series teams are scheduled to take to the track.  The Nationwide Series will have both of their practice sessions today, one from 2:00pm-3:30pm and another from 6:00-7:00pm.  The Sprint Cup Series will run one practice from 3:30-5:00pm and qualify starting at 7:00pm.  All of these sessions will be televised live on ESPN 2.  Unfortunately, the Better Half Dash, scheduled to be held at 5:30pm, will not be televised.  You'll still likely see highlights from it at some point this weekend, though.

Top News
by Phil Allaway

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Out for Two weeks due to Concussion; Regan Smith to Sub

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s chances to win the 2012 Sprint Cup Championship are now officially over.  On Thursday morning, the team announced that Earnhardt Jr. suffered a concussion in the huge 25-car crash on the final lap of Sunday's Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.  As a result, Earnhardt Jr. will sit out this weekend's Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on October 21.

For Earnhardt Jr., he's simply bummed out over the whole situation.

"I'm really going to feel pretty odd not being in the car," said Earnhardt Jr.
Replacing Earnhardt Jr. will be Regan Smith, who was originally scheduled to make his debut in the Phoenix Racing No. 51 this weekend after being released from Furniture Row Racing.  Rick Hendrick called Phoenix Racing owner James Finch at 10pm Wednesday night and got permission to put Smith in the seat.  For Phoenix Racing, it appears that Finch's move to interview other drivers in addition to Smith was a good one.  AJ Allmendinger, who interviewed with Finch last weekend in Talladega, was announced Thursday morning as the driver for the No. 51 this weekend.

For Earnhardt Jr., this is not the first time that he's had a head injury in a race car.  In 2002, he suffered a concussion in a hard crash at then-California Speedway.  Earnhardt Jr. chose to hide said concussion and continue racing, but later admitted his true injuries.  Also, in 2004, Earnhardt Jr. was dazed (at least) when he crashed a factory Chevrolet Corvette at then-Infineon Raceway while practicing for a one-off appearance in the American Le Mans Series.  After suffering second-degree burns in the fire, Earnhardt Jr. suddenly extricated himself from the car, claiming afterwards that someone pulled him out of the car when replays showed otherwise.  However, this will be the first time that Earnhardt Jr. has ever missed a race in his career due to injury.

Timmy Hill to Drive for FAS Lane Racing at Charlotte

FAS Lane Racing announced on Wednesday that Timmy Hill will drive the team's No. 32 Ford in this weekend's Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.  He will replace Terry Labonte, who drove the No. 32 C&J Energy Services Ford to a 16th-place finish on Sunday at Talladega despite damage from the huge crash on the last lap.

Hill appears to be quite happy with this newest opportunity to drive a Sprint Cup car.

"I am excited to be back in a Sprint Cup car this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, a track that I have had some great runs at," Hill said on his own website.  "I have two great race cars this weekend and I am looking forward to driving both the Rick Ware Racing No. 41 Friday night and the FAS Lane Racing No. 32 Saturday night."

As Hill stated, this move will allow him to do double-duty this weekend.  It will also mark the first time that Hill has been locked into a Sprint Cup race on points.  Previously, Hill has had to qualify in on speed.  Including last weekend at Talladega, Hill has qualified for only two of his five previous attempts.  Sponsorship for Hill's exploits in the No. 32 will be provided by U.S. Chrome.

Ali to Drive Three Races for Rick Ware Racing

Nur Ali announced on Wednesday on his website that he has reached an agreement with Rick Ware Racing to drive the team's No. 41 entry in three upcoming races.  The first of these races will be at Kansas Speedway on October 20.  Ali will run additional races at Texas and Phoenix.

Ali has waited patiently for quite a long time, an is very excited to move up to the next level in stock cars.

"Being patient is not something I enjoy, but I understand how important it is both on and off the track," Ali said.  "Rick Ware Racing is a solid team that is very well respected.  They have been in the series for several years and that was important to me.  With limited experience at these tracks, I need a team that can provide a consistent and reliable car.  Knowing that I'm racing for an experienced team gives me a lot of confidence."

Ali hopes that this short trial run will not be all he does in NASCAR.  Instead, this will only be the beginning.

"I don't want my NASCAR career to be limited to three races," Ali said.  "I want to compete full-time in 2013 and hope that this opportunity shows the world that I have what it takes."

Ali, who would be the first Pakistani driver to compete in the Nationwide Series, has six previous starts in the ARCA Racing Series.  His best career finish was a 21st at Rockingham in 2009.  Previous to his time in stock cars, Ali raced in various open wheel series including the Star Mazda Series and the former A1GP, where he represented Pakistan.

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

Sprint Cup Series Bank of America 500: 47 cars entered

Drivers Ineligible to Earn Points:
No. 6- Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. for Roush Fenway Racing
No. 19- Mike Bliss for Humphrey-Smith Racing
No. 21- Trevor Bayne for Wood Brothers Racing
No. 22- Sam Hornish, Jr. for Penske Racing
No. 32- Timmy Hill for FAS Lane Racing
No. 33- Cole Whitt for Circle Point, LLC
No. 87- Joe Nemechek for NEMCO Motorsports
No. 91- Reed Sorenson for Humphrey-Smith Racing

Driver Changes:
No. 23- Scott Riggs returns to the seat, replacing Robert Richardson, Jr.
No. 32- Timmy Hill is in the seat, replacing Terry Labonte.  T.J. Bell was originally entered in the car.
No. 51- AJ Allmendinger is in the seat, replacing Kurt Busch.  Regan Smith was entered in the car, but was signed to replace Dale Earnhardt, Jr. once news of his concussion was made known.
No. 55- Mark Martin returns to the seat, replacing Michael Waltrip.
No. 78- Kurt Busch is in the seat, replacing Regan Smith.  However, this is dependent on what NASCAR decides to do with Busch after Sunday's rule violations.
No. 88- Regan Smith is in the seat, replacing Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Drivers who must qualify on speed:
No. 6- Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. for Roush Fenway Racing
No. 19- Mike Bliss for Humphrey-Smith Racing*
No. 21- Trevor Bayne for Wood Brothers Racing
No. 23- Scott Riggs for R3 Motorsports*
No. 26- Josh Wise for Front Row Motorsports*
No. 30- David Stremme for Inception Motorsports
No. 33- Cole Whitt for Circle Point, LLC
No. 37- J.J. Yeley for Tommy Baldwin Racing/MaxQ Motorsports*
No. 87- Joe Nemechek for NEMCO Motorsports*
No. 91- Reed Sorenson for Humphrey-Smith Racing
No. 95- Scott Speed for Leavine Family Racing*
No. 98- Michael McDowell for Phil Parsons Racing

Not Entered:
No. 97- NEMCO Motorsports

Nationwide Series Dollar General 300: 46 cars entered

Drivers Ineligible to Earn Points:
No. 18- Denny Hamlin for Joe Gibbs Racing
No. 20- Joey Logano for Joe Gibbs Racing
No. 22- Brad Keselowski for Penske Racing
No. 30- James Buescher for Turner Motorsports
No. 33- Kevin Harvick for Richard Childress Racing
No. 36- Ryan Blaney for Tommy Baldwin Racing
No. 42- Josh Wise for Team Motorsports Group, LLC
No. 47- J.J. Yeley 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
No. 99- John Wes Townley for RAB Racing with Brack Maggard

Driver Changes:
No. 00- Angela Cope returns to the seat, replacing Michael McDowell.
No. 08- Kyle Fowler returns to the seat, replacing Danny Efland.
No. 4- Daryl Harr returns to the seat, replacing Brad Teague.
No. 15- Stanton Barrett is in the seat, replacing Kelly Bires.
No. 18- Denny Hamlin returns to the seat, replacing Joey Logano.
No. 20- Joey Logano returns to the seat, replacing Darrell Wallace, Jr.
No. 22- Brad Keselowski returns to the seat, replacing Ryan Blaney.
No. 23- Robert Richardson, Jr. returns to the seat, replacing Jamie Dick.
No. 24- David Starr is in the seat, replacing Blake Koch.
No. 30- James Buescher returns to the seat, replacing Alex Bowman.
No. 33- Kevin Harvick returns to the seat, replacing Paul Menard.
No. 36- Ryan Blaney returns to the seat, replacing Bobby Santos III.
No. 38- Brad Sweet returns to the seat, replacing Kasey Kahne.
No. 39- Jeffrey Earnhardt returns to the seat, replacing Tim Andrews.  The car will likely be run by Rick Ware Racing.
No. 50- T.J. Bell returns to the seat, replacing David Starr.
No. 52- Joey Gase returns to the seat, replacing Justin Jennings.
No. 54- Kyle Busch returns to the seat, replacing his brother Kurt.
No. 71- Matt Carter returns to the seat, replacing Carl Long.
No. 74- David Green is in the seat, replacing Mike Harmon.
No. 99- John Wes Townley returns to the seat, replacing Ryan Truex.

Drivers who must qualify on speed:
No. 00- Angela Cope for SR2 Motorsports
No. 08- Kyle Fowler for Randy Hill Racing/Go Green Racing
No. 10- Charles Lewandoski for TriStar Motorsports*
No. 15- Stanton Barrett for Rick Ware Racing
No. 20- Joey Logano for Joe Gibbs Racing
No. 36- Ryan Blaney for Tommy Baldwin Racing
No. 42- Josh Wise for Team Motorsports Group, LLC*
No. 46- Chase Miller for Team Motorsports Group, LLC*
No. 47- J.J. Yeley for Team Motorsports Group, LLC*
No. 50- T.J. Bell for MAKE Motorsports
No. 52- Joey Gase for Means Motorsports
No. 71- Matt Carter for Rick Ware Racing*
No. 74- David Green for Mike Harmon Racing*
No. 75- Scott Riggs for Rick Ware Racing*
No. 86- Kevin Lepage for Deware Motorsports
No. 98- Reed Sorenson for Biagi-DenBeste Motorsports

Not Entered:
No. 27- GC Motorsports International
No. 89- Morgan Shepherd for Shepherd Racing Ventures
*- Expected to Start-and-Park

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.
 
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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!

Editor's Note: What's Vexing Vito will return next week.
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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.
 
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Editor's Note: The Critic's Annex will return next week

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Frontstretch Line of the Week

Enough of the Petulant Kurt Busch

"That's what Furniture Row Racing is signing up for. A driver that for all his talent has demonstrated a complete inability to improve a mediocre ride. A driver that for all his talent has proven unable to live down the bad habit of overdriving a car to the point of wrecking it. A driver that secured next to no sponsor dollars even over the course of nearly a full season with Phoenix Racing. And a driver that despite ending on bad terms with two of NASCAR's powerhouses still apparently requires the team he races for to act as an apologist."- Bryan Davis Keith, on Kurt Busch's move to the No. 78 that starts this weekend.  Might be quite a bit tougher for the team to produce than most people think.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:

Frontstretch Fan Q & A: Putting NASCAR Villans in Perspective
by Summer Bedgood

Professor Of Speed: It's Not What I Say, It's What I Mean
by Mark Howell

Truckin' Thursdays: Records, Roots and Championships
by Beth Lunkenheimer

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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:

Q:  In 1988, the late Rob Moroso defeated a pack of Winston Cup regulars to win the All Pro 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.  However, for Cup regular Morgan Shepherd, his race barely got started before he was out.  What happened?

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

Q:  In the 1995 All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300, any realistic chance for Chad Little to win the Busch Grand National Championship came to an end early in the race. What happened?

A:  At the end of Lap 15, Greg Sacks, driving a Jackaroo barbeque sauce-sponsored Pontiac, hit the wall exiting Turn 4.  After hitting the wall, he bounced into Little, who then turned into the outside wall as well.  Sacks spun back across the track and was then hit by Mike McLaughlin.  The crash can be seen at the 4:40 mark of this clip.  Ken Squier, Dick Berggren and a slighly less high-strung Darrell Waltrip have the call for TBS.

Sacks, driving for a part-time team, was all but out on the spot.  He did briefly return to the event after receiving repairs, but dropped out after completing 22 laps and was credited with a 44th-place finish.  Little's team spent quite a bit of time behind the wall, but eventually returned to finish 34th, 81 laps down.  Granted, points leader Johnny Benson didn't do all that much better by finishing 26th, but that gave Benson a 244 point lead over Little.  This allowed Benson to clinch the title in Rockingham.

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: Charlotte by Matt Stallknecht
We'll help prepare you for the Bank of America 500, Race No. 5 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 as the teams get ready for tomorrow night's Dollar General 300..

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

Driver Diary: TBA

Formula One Fridays by Andy Hollis
Andy returns with another look at the World Championship as the teams prepare for this weekend's Grand Prix of Korea.
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