Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
October 24th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CCXIV
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Top News
by Brad Morgan
Earnhardt, Jr. Officially Cleared to Resume Racing Activities
It looks like NASCAR's Most Popular Driver is safe to return to racing after all. Car owner Rick Hendrick's remarks earlier this week concerning the health of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. were confirmed Tuesday after the driver was officially cleared to resume his racing activities following a series of concussion-related symptoms.
After suffering an initial head injury during a tire test at Kansas Speedway in August, one which was subsequently reaggravated in a crash at Talladega Superspeedway earlier this month, Earnhardt was forced to follow doctor's orders and sit out Sprint Cup races at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway. In the weeks after the incident, Earnhardt worked with Charlotte neurosurgeon Dr. Jerry Petty and Dr. Micky Collins, director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program, through several evaluations to assure that he was capable of returning to Sprint Cup action.
Graduation Day came Tuesday afternoon. Following a successful, 123-lap test session administered by Petty at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Ga. Monday followed by a final, neuropsychological examination, Earnhardt will now be back behind the wheel of his familiar National Guard / Diet Mountain Dew-sponsored Chevrolet for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway this Sunday.
"Dale Jr. has done everything asked of him," Petty said. "He hasn't had a headache since Oct. 12, and we have not been able to provoke any symptoms since that time. I have informed NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports that he is medically cleared for all NASCAR-related activity."
According to an article by SpeedwayMedia.com's Ashley McCubbin, Earnhardt, Jr. arrived at Hendrick Motorsports' Charlotte, N.C. headquarters happy and eager to travel to Martinsville. Despite now being a non-factor from a championship perspective, his presence alone will most likely assist teammates Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon in their searches for another title. Regan Smith had been driving the No. 88, failing to finish at Charlotte after an engine failure and then surging to seventh at Kansas last Sunday; however, his presence is no substitution for the man who'd been part of the HMS family since 2008.
"Junior and I have worked very hard, now that we're in the same shop, the way we describe things, how, why, all that stuff," Johnson said during NASCAR's Weekly Teleconference Tuesday. "With two weeks working with Regan (Smith), it was tough to know what his sensations were in the car. He gave great feedback. We're building trust in what he was saying, how to apply that to our cars. It was so brief; it's hard to say we could take a lot from that. It is helpful to have Junior back in the car. He's excited and we're very happy to have him back."
Earnhardt sits firmly outside of the championship picture upon his return. He is currently 12th in the standings and 122 points behind Chase leader Brad Keselowski after his two-race hiatus.
PIR Hosts Goodyear Tire Test
Several NASCAR drivers were on hand Tuesday at Phoenix International Raceway as Goodyear conducted Day One of its official tire test at the track. Each manufacturer was represented as Denny Hamlin (Toyota), Tony Stewart (Chevrolet), Paul Menard (Chevrolet), Kurt Busch (Chevrolet), Carl Edwards (Ford), Brad Keselowski (Dodge) and Jamie McMurray (Chevrolet) tallied laps around the one-mile circuit. No speeds were released and no incidents reported in a test that will run through Wednesday afternoon.
When this session concludes, Goodyear's current testing schedule for the 2012 season will be complete. The Sprint Cup Series will return to PIR in November for the ninth race in the Chase as the historic track hosts the AdvoCare 500.
No. 49 Team Up For Auction
Gavel Auction has scheduled to auction off the complete assets of the No. 49 Robinson-Blakeney / American Israel race team on Oct. 30. The auction will be held at 3901 Sardis Church Rd, Monroe, NC 28110 at approximately 10 AM Eastern Standard time.
A complete list of items including race cars, engines, hauler, EFI systems, shop equipment, pit road boxes among other things can be found by visiting www.gavelauction.com.
After failing in an attempt to qualify for the 2012 Daytona 500, the No. 49 team ultimately competed in 17 other Sprint Cup Series races with drivers J.J. Yeley and Jason Leffler. The duo's best finish came in the form of a 26th-place result at Phoenix in early March with Yeley behind the wheel. Unfortunately, a lack of sponsorship funding forced the operation to first start-and-park, then close its doors before completing a full season at the Cup level.
There's no word on the future of Robinson's Nationwide Series program, which has continued to run in conjunction with ML Motorsports' No. 70 in addition to a limited schedule of events with its No. 28.
News Bites
- The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series continued its precipitous ratings decline for the Chase Sunday at Kansas. The 400-mile Cup event scored just a 3.0hh in the Nielsens, equivalent to a 2.5 U.S. network rating that was roughly a three percent decline from 2011. Overall, an audience of just 3.897 million watched the event, the fifth straight week viewership has declined in Chase year-to-year comparisons. Overall, the sport is averaging just a 2.6 U.S. Rating for this year's playoffs, one that pales in comparison to, say 5.9's overnight for Monday night's NLCS Game 7 between the Cardinals and the Giants.
- As expected, with Phoenix Racing committing to AJ Allmendinger for Martinsville Regan Smith will be on the sidelines for Sunday's Sprint Cup race. Although the driver plans a trip to the track, unless a last-minute deal materializes this Cup event will be the first since Fontana in February, 2009 without Smith in the field.
Have news for Brad and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com with a promising lead or tip.
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Today's Featured Commentary
Beth's Brief
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Is Back, But Should He Be?
by Beth Lunkenheimer
The news everyone has waited the last couple of days for has finally come out -- Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has been cleared to race beginning at Martinsville Speedway this weekend. Having been forced to sit out two events following a concussion that he originally suffered after a crash at a Kansas test in late August, then aggravated in a last-lap pileup at Talladega, Earnhardt, Jr. found himself in need of a neurosurgeon's clearance before he could return to the car.
While he was on the sidelines, Earnhardt visited the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program at the University of Pittsburgh, where he met Dr. Michael "Micky" Collins, Executive Director of the concussion program that assisted in the development of the ImPACT baseline test currently used in the IndyCar Series, National Hockey League, Major League Baseball and so many more sports. As outlined above, Collins' rehab program, combined with a 123-lap test at Gresham Motorsports Park on Monday and a reevaluation by Dr. Jerry Petty on Tuesday all paved the way for a return.
The question now is, does Junior really have anything to gain by returning to the car with only four races remaining?
Simply put -- not really. After all, while Earnhardt is still mathematically in the championship hunt, it's all but impossible for him to mount a serious challenge at 122 points behind leader Brad Keselowski. With so few events left, the driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet would have to gain nearly 31 points per race to find himself within striking distance, something that's about as likely to happen as NASCAR admitting they've made a mistake.
But what about race wins? Those never get old, right? Well, that's true, but at what cost? It's not like Junior hasn't won in the Cup Series before. Honestly, ESPN analyst Ricky Craven said it best not long after the announcement that Earnhardt, Jr. had been sidelined.
"My gut tells me Dale Jr. is probably done for the rest of the season," Craven told Sporting News' Matt Crossman a couple weeks ago. "If he's having symptoms, there's no logic in getting back behind the wheel this year, with just a few races until the offseason."
To understand Craven's statement, you need a little background, though. Back in 1997, the then-driver had suffered a hard crash in a practice session at Texas Motor Speedway and sat out just two weeks before returning to the car despite headaches that would leave him in tears at home. It was at least eight months after the concussion where Craven first experienced what he felt was an inverted plane flight, despite being assured by the pilot that the plane was right side up.
Three months later, the problems continued. During a race in Atlanta, Craven began feeling like he would fly out of the driver's seat heading into the corner at the 1.54-mile quad-oval. The next day, Craven headed to the doctor where he was diagnosed with a vestibular weakness, a balance problem that has an unknown cause.
And the result? He ended up sitting out for four months. That's right ... rather than sitting out when the concussion initially happened, Craven was forced to put his career on hold for a little more than a third of the season, a decision that proved critical and an injury that inevitably contributed to his departure from Hendrick Motorsports. So when you look at it that way, is another four races really all that much? In a word, no. After all, that decision would have given Earnhardt, Jr. not only the remaining six weeks of the year but also nearly three months of the offseason before putting himself in a position to possibly aggravate that concussion even more.
Now I'm not saying that Craven's situation is related to Earnhardt, Jr.'s except for the concussion part. However, I'm also not so sure four races are really worth the risk of Earnhardt's injury being reaggravated yet again -- a choice which could leave him with a type of post-concussion syndrome that lingers, like Craven's rough diagnosis. Ultimately, it was a decision put in the hands of the driver and team owner following the medical clearance to race, but I question whether a rapid return is worth the possibility of a bigger problem in Earnhardt, Jr.'s future. It's short-term risk for long-term... what, exactly?
Sure, there are plenty of fans that want to see that familiar Earnhardt name running and I can't blame them. But in the interest of safety and prevention for future problems, the smarter decision would be to sit on the sidelines for the remainder of the year, something that's difficult -- if not impossible -- for a driver to decide on his own. The HMS organization, filled with intelligent people should have ensured someone made the right mental breakthrough to Earnhardt: convincing him to stay on the bench until February, 2013 so he doesn't pay a more difficult price in 2012.
Beth Lunkenheimer is a Managing Editor for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via email at beth.lunkenheimer@frontstretch.com. Follow her on Twitter @Beth_Frntstrtch.
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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. It will run on Thursday with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!
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Tweet 'N' Greet
by Summer Bedgood
Editor's Note: With the NASCAR Twitter community expanding by leaps and bounds, it remains a place for instantaneous news, reactions, and a whole lot of inside jokes. We understand if you don't want to join the Twitter community - but as a fan, it's important to know the news and info you're missing out on! That's why, every week, Summer Bedgood will sort through the thousands of messages and give us a little taste of what's going on each Wednesday.
So, without further ado, here's a look at what those in NASCAR were thinking over the past seven days...
@RickAllenRacing: I've always "worked" at sports venues. I appreciate every opportunity because I know it's very rare! #thankful pic.twitter.com/VbU7x4rq
@SamanthaBusch: Morning all!! Made it to Kansas! Had to share this picture, Lucy gets in the car n I guess thinks this is her seat! http://twitpic.com/b4zt91
@bobpockrass: Kelley Earnhardt Miller post for Junior fan club says Dale still on pace for Martinsville return: http://bit.ly/T13SxK #nascar
@ericmcclure: I really hated to miss my appearance in Kansas, but unfortunately I have shingles. That's why trip delayed, but I will race this week :)
@RutledgeWood: My wife asked our 2yr old what she wanted to be for Halloween. She said "Daddy!" I think she nailed it #adorable pic.twitter.com/y2bdq3YP
@DeLanaHarvick: I love the fact that I can make Keelan laugh!!! ❤❤❤ http://img.ly/oBWb
@bobpockrass: Taylor Swift scheme on Montoya car. #nascar pic.twitter.com/S9nH4k9L
@CJMearsGang: Little buddys.... instagr.am/p/Q_WchRhKlp/
@DNewtonESPN (David Newton): Bottom paragraph of Eldora press release says "Prelude to the Dream'' won't run in 2013. Sad. #nascar
@bobpockrass: Confirmed: No Prelude event in 2013 planned at any track. #NASCAR
@dennyhamlin: Dear @kansasspeedway... your security guards at the motorhome lot are jackasses
@dcaraviello (David Caraviello): Why did No. 88 overheat at Charlotte? Crew chief Steve Letarte said one reason was debris on grille they couldn't see: a clear Ziploc bag.
@CrewChief6NNS (Mike Kelley): Yes part of today I needed luck, but if you think the will not to give up in my team or @StenhouseJr is luck, then luck's about 2 kick ur ass!
@AllenBestwickESPN: Even after all these years, still weird to hear my own voice coming back out of TV as part of network promo for upcoming race.
@CJMearsGang (Casey Mears): Hard hit today! No real good answers yet on why the tire went down. Rough week....
@NASCAR_Realtime: I'm a bit shocked that Danica would try to wreck the 83 considering her relationship with Landon & the MUCH smaller budget the 83 has #Nascar
@ESPNMcGee (Ryan McGee): I believe I would have used that bumper vs Villeneuve when it mattered instead of Cassill when it didn't. #NASCAR
@Writer_Amy (Amy Henderson): Since a casino apparently made Kansas worthy of a second race, quick! Someone build one at Darlington! #NASCAR
@mattkenseth: Just got to Rockingham for a little short track testing, walked in trailer and spilled my whole coffee on engineer's computer system... oops
@bobpockrass: Deja vu. Anticipating Dale Jr getting the OK today, writing nuts-and-bolts of story. Why do I feel like I just did that 2 days ago? #nascar
@DNewtonESPN (David Newton): Wouldn't read too much into #DaleJr PepsiCo sponsor story. Junior said in June they have more demand than supply. #nascar
@MikeDavis88: National crisis over. #DaleJr has been cleared to race. Everyone exit your bunkers & return home.
@jeff_gluck: Dale Jr officially cleared to return at MVille. Why? Because he's been symptom-free and doctors haven't been able to provoke new symptoms.
@jeff_gluck: Dale Jr ran 123 laps in the test session yesterday (the doctor was there) and was fine. So he's coming back.
@AndyHallESPN: #NASCAR #ESPN gets its highest rating and viewership ever for Kansas @NASCAR_NNS race; up 36 pct @NASCARESPN
@mattkenseth: Talked to #dalejr yesterday, told him I was glad he was coming back... being the Most Popular Driver was really hard work. #imkidding
@Regan_Smith_: Thanks to all for the comments the past two weeks. #JrNation is a great group of fans and driving Dale's car was an amazing experience.
@JimmieJohnson: Better there then in my seat. "@schreck46: @JimmieJohnson jimmy I got this one of you at Chicagoland pic.twitter.com/ISoZlW7i"
@CitizenKBa: If anything does happen to Junior, I'd just give Chad Knaus and his crew a few hammers and a bunch of tape and let 'em work their magic.
@MonteDutton: #NASCAR This weekend I plan to write about my 40th consecutive Cup race at Martinsville. Also true of Talladega, Charlotte, Richmond.
@nateryan: Best nugget from Jimmie Johnson Q&A: Says his 2-year-old daughter took a spill recently and said, "Daddy, I crashed." #nascar
Summer Bedgood is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via email at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com. Follow her on Twitter @SummerBedgood.
~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Did You Notice?... Earnhardt's Financial Flaw, NASCAR Tire Testing For Two And Quick Hits
by Tom Bowles
IndyCar Round Table: Drama Behind The Scenes And 2013
by Toni Montgomery, Huston Ladner and Matt Stallknecht
Top Ten Tests Dale Jr. Had To Pass To Be Cleared To Drive Again
by Jeff Meyer
NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Kansas
compiled by Summer Bedgood
Mirror Driving: Progress Or Problems? Make-Or-Break Moments And Eldora, 2013
by the Frontstretch Staff
Next in Line: Six ARCA Drivers Who Deserve A NASCAR Debut
by Kevin Rutherford
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The 2001 Old Dominion 500 (run on a Monday due to rain) is probably best known for Ricky Craven earning his first career win by just edging Dale Jarrett in a duel complete with casual contact. How did Craven get the lead with less than 30 laps to go?
~~~~~~~~~~
Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Phil Allaway
-- What's Vexing Vito by Vito Pugliese
-- Critic's Annex by Phil Allaway
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, the Line of the Week and more!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Professor Of Speed by Mark Howell
Our professor of racing history "has at it" with another column pertinent to the sport at large. This week, Mark takes a look at the slow economic recovery the nation is facing and what it might mean for the immediate future of NASCAR.
Frontstretch Fan Q&A by Summer Bedgood
Summer takes on your questions and answers them to the best of her ability. Be sure to send your questions in if there's something that's been nagging at you and you might see your name in print.
Beyond the Cockpit: Ricky Taylor by Phil Allaway
Grand-Am driver Ricky Taylor, who co-pilots the No. 10 SunTrust Racing Corvette in the DP class with Max Angelelli sat down with Phil at Lime Rock Park during the season finale weekend to dish on his season, 2013 plans and more.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back this year on a new night, but it's the same great commentary you've come to enjoy on NASCAR's Truck Series! This week, Beth has another collection of off-week thoughts and observations with the series in its final extended break before the season ends.
-----------------------------
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
-- @SamanthaBusch: Morning all!! Made it to Kansas! Had to share this picture, Lucy gets in the car n I guess thinks this is her seat! http://twitpic.com/b4zt91
@bobpockrass: Kelley Earnhardt Miller post for Junior fan club says Dale still on pace for Martinsville return: http://bit.ly/T13SxK #nascar
@ericmcclure: I really hated to miss my appearance in Kansas, but unfortunately I have shingles. That's why trip delayed, but I will race this week :)
@RutledgeWood: My wife asked our 2yr old what she wanted to be for Halloween. She said "Daddy!" I think she nailed it #adorable pic.twitter.com/y2bdq3YP
@DeLanaHarvick: I love the fact that I can make Keelan laugh!!! ❤❤❤ http://img.ly/oBWb
@bobpockrass: Taylor Swift scheme on Montoya car. #nascar pic.twitter.com/S9nH4k9L
@CJMearsGang: Little buddys.... instagr.am/p/Q_WchRhKlp/
@DNewtonESPN (David Newton): Bottom paragraph of Eldora press release says "Prelude to the Dream'' won't run in 2013. Sad. #nascar
@bobpockrass: Confirmed: No Prelude event in 2013 planned at any track. #NASCAR
@dennyhamlin: Dear @kansasspeedway... your security guards at the motorhome lot are jackasses
@dcaraviello (David Caraviello): Why did No. 88 overheat at Charlotte? Crew chief Steve Letarte said one reason was debris on grille they couldn't see: a clear Ziploc bag.
@CrewChief6NNS (Mike Kelley): Yes part of today I needed luck, but if you think the will not to give up in my team or @StenhouseJr is luck, then luck's about 2 kick ur ass!
@AllenBestwickESPN: Even after all these years, still weird to hear my own voice coming back out of TV as part of network promo for upcoming race.
@CJMearsGang (Casey Mears): Hard hit today! No real good answers yet on why the tire went down. Rough week....
@NASCAR_Realtime: I'm a bit shocked that Danica would try to wreck the 83 considering her relationship with Landon & the MUCH smaller budget the 83 has #Nascar
@ESPNMcGee (Ryan McGee): I believe I would have used that bumper vs Villeneuve when it mattered instead of Cassill when it didn't. #NASCAR
@Writer_Amy (Amy Henderson): Since a casino apparently made Kansas worthy of a second race, quick! Someone build one at Darlington! #NASCAR
@mattkenseth: Just got to Rockingham for a little short track testing, walked in trailer and spilled my whole coffee on engineer's computer system... oops
@bobpockrass: Deja vu. Anticipating Dale Jr getting the OK today, writing nuts-and-bolts of story. Why do I feel like I just did that 2 days ago? #nascar
@DNewtonESPN (David Newton): Wouldn't read too much into #DaleJr PepsiCo sponsor story. Junior said in June they have more demand than supply. #nascar
@MikeDavis88: National crisis over. #DaleJr has been cleared to race. Everyone exit your bunkers & return home.
@jeff_gluck: Dale Jr officially cleared to return at MVille. Why? Because he's been symptom-free and doctors haven't been able to provoke new symptoms.
@jeff_gluck: Dale Jr ran 123 laps in the test session yesterday (the doctor was there) and was fine. So he's coming back.
@AndyHallESPN: #NASCAR #ESPN gets its highest rating and viewership ever for Kansas @NASCAR_NNS race; up 36 pct @NASCARESPN
@mattkenseth: Talked to #dalejr yesterday, told him I was glad he was coming back... being the Most Popular Driver was really hard work. #imkidding
@Regan_Smith_: Thanks to all for the comments the past two weeks. #JrNation is a great group of fans and driving Dale's car was an amazing experience.
@JimmieJohnson: Better there then in my seat. "@schreck46: @JimmieJohnson jimmy I got this one of you at Chicagoland pic.twitter.com/ISoZlW7i"
@CitizenKBa: If anything does happen to Junior, I'd just give Chad Knaus and his crew a few hammers and a bunch of tape and let 'em work their magic.
@MonteDutton: #NASCAR This weekend I plan to write about my 40th consecutive Cup race at Martinsville. Also true of Talladega, Charlotte, Richmond.
@nateryan: Best nugget from Jimmie Johnson Q&A: Says his 2-year-old daughter took a spill recently and said, "Daddy, I crashed." #nascar
Summer Bedgood is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via email at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com. Follow her on Twitter @SummerBedgood.
~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Did You Notice?... Earnhardt's Financial Flaw, NASCAR Tire Testing For Two And Quick Hits
by Tom Bowles
IndyCar Round Table: Drama Behind The Scenes And 2013
by Toni Montgomery, Huston Ladner and Matt Stallknecht
Top Ten Tests Dale Jr. Had To Pass To Be Cleared To Drive Again
by Jeff Meyer
NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Kansas
compiled by Summer Bedgood
Mirror Driving: Progress Or Problems? Make-Or-Break Moments And Eldora, 2013
by the Frontstretch Staff
Next in Line: Six ARCA Drivers Who Deserve A NASCAR Debut
by Kevin Rutherford
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The 2001 Old Dominion 500 (run on a Monday due to rain) is probably best known for Ricky Craven earning his first career win by just edging Dale Jarrett in a duel complete with casual contact. How did Craven get the lead with less than 30 laps to go?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: In 1996, Turn One Racing team owner Stacy Compton made his Winston Cup Series debut at Martinsville by qualifying a stunning ninth for the Spring race. As Compton was mainly a Late Model racer at the time, how did the team he was racing for at the time acquire Cup Series equipment?
A: The equipment that Compton drove in 1996 was acquired when the former A.G. Dillard Racing team shut down and auctioned off their equipment. That team had raced the No. 31 Hardee's Chevrolet in Cup for the previous two years with Ward Burton, Greg Sacks and Jimmy Hensley driving. Interestingly enough, the Dillard organization never qualified better than 18th at Martinsville during the short stint they raced full-time in the series.
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!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: In 1996, Turn One Racing team owner Stacy Compton made his Winston Cup Series debut at Martinsville by qualifying a stunning ninth for the Spring race. As Compton was mainly a Late Model racer at the time, how did the team he was racing for at the time acquire Cup Series equipment?
A: The equipment that Compton drove in 1996 was acquired when the former A.G. Dillard Racing team shut down and auctioned off their equipment. That team had raced the No. 31 Hardee's Chevrolet in Cup for the previous two years with Ward Burton, Greg Sacks and Jimmy Hensley driving. Interestingly enough, the Dillard organization never qualified better than 18th at Martinsville during the short stint they raced full-time in the series.
Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee: If we mess up, you get the shirt off our backs! If we've provided an incorrect answer to the Frontstretch Trivia question, be the first to email the corrected trivia answer to trivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!
~~~~~~~~~~
Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Phil Allaway
-- What's Vexing Vito by Vito Pugliese
-- Critic's Annex by Phil Allaway
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, the Line of the Week and more!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Professor Of Speed by Mark Howell
Our professor of racing history "has at it" with another column pertinent to the sport at large. This week, Mark takes a look at the slow economic recovery the nation is facing and what it might mean for the immediate future of NASCAR.
Frontstretch Fan Q&A by Summer Bedgood
Summer takes on your questions and answers them to the best of her ability. Be sure to send your questions in if there's something that's been nagging at you and you might see your name in print.
Beyond the Cockpit: Ricky Taylor by Phil Allaway
Grand-Am driver Ricky Taylor, who co-pilots the No. 10 SunTrust Racing Corvette in the DP class with Max Angelelli sat down with Phil at Lime Rock Park during the season finale weekend to dish on his season, 2013 plans and more.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back this year on a new night, but it's the same great commentary you've come to enjoy on NASCAR's Truck Series! This week, Beth has another collection of off-week thoughts and observations with the series in its final extended break before the season ends.
-----------------------------
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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