Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
November 14th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CCXXIX
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DONATE TO HELP HURRICANE SANDY VICTIMS
Millions are grappling with the effects from one of the more devastating hurricanes to hit the United States. If you're in an unaffected area, please consider donating to help others who will spend months rebuilding their lives and their homes after Sandy whipped onshore with winds of 80 miles an hour. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS, visit redcross.org or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation today. Every little bit helps.
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Top News
by Brad Morgan
Trucks Possibly Headed To Dirt Track In 2013
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series may be headed for a place that none of the three major touring series have visited in the modern era.
Multiple sources have reported that the trucks will run at Eldora Speedway, a nationally famous, half-mile clay oval next season. The Rossburg, Ohio based circuit is owned by Sprint Cup Series star Tony Stewart, who regularly hosts races at the track he purchased from original owner Earl Baltes in 2004.
"The rumor about the trucks, trust me I would be ecstatic--if we could get any NASCAR race at Eldora that would be great," Stewart said last month. "It has been brought up in conversation but that is about as far as it has come right now."
Since the two-time champion issued that statement, it appears that NASCAR has become more serious in the pursuit to secure a race date for the venue, although no official announcement has been made.
With approximately 20,000 seats, the track could realistically accommodate a Camping World Truck Series event; but with no permanent on-site medical center, there are additional issues that need to be resolved. According to Charlotte Observer writer Jim Utter, NASCAR officials are, however willing to bypass a rule that requires all sanctioned oval tracks to install SAFER barriers, another component that Eldora doesn't include.
Penalties Upheld Against No. 57 Truck Team
The National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel Tuesday upheld penalties against the No. 57 Camping World Truck Series team after considering the team's appeal. Norm Benning owns and drives for the team.
The penalties were issued due to violations of Section 12-1: Actions detrimental to stock car racing; Section 12-4J: (any determination by NASCAR Officials that race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20B of the NASCAR Rule Book, or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the Event); Section 20B-2.3A: (any weight added to the truck must be bolted inside the body shell in an approved weight container and in a position acceptable to NASCAR Officials: Improperly attached weight to the truck bed cover) after the team failed its opening-day inspection on Oct. 4 prior to the Fred's 250 Powered by Coca-Cola at Talladega Superspeedway.
The panel enforced the original $5,000 fine to crew chief Ted Walters and will keep him on probation until Dec. 31. But, the No. 57 team has the right to appeal the decision to the National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer for a final verdict.
Brian France Speaks on Panel about Social Change
NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France joined National Basketball Association (NBA) Commissioner David Stern on a panel Tuesday at Yankee Stadium to speak about how sports can influence social change.
At Beyond Sport United: Sports Teams for Social Change, France and Stern focused on how their leagues can benefit the communities around them by using available resources in a more responsible manner.
"The mission of Beyond Sport is critically important," said France. "I look forward to collaborating with our friends from other sports to find ways that we can work together to galvanize our respective industries in an effort to make a substantive impact on the lives of local communities and fans of sport throughout the world."
France has plenty of experience with Beyond Sport, having spoken at their social summit in London prior to the Summer Olympics this year. NASCAR is a founding member of the coalition that also includes Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, the Women's National Basketball Association, and the National Basketball Association.
"Beyond Sport United is an event born out of the idea that professional sports teams, as heroic brands with historic resonance, have the profound ability to be hubs of positive influence and resource within their communities," said Nick Keller, founder of Beyond Sport. "What impressed me at our London event was how much of what NASCAR was doing to drive social change here in the U.S. resonated with a global audience."
The Chairman was also joined by fellow racing personalities like NASCAR Foundation Board Member Rusty Wallace and Dr. Michael Lynch, NASCAR's managing director of green innovation.
Phoenix Ratings Fall Slightly Over 2011
This weekend's AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix saw rating slip slightly over last year. The race received a 3.3 household share, which is the same as 2011, but the 2.8 rating overall, which translates into 4.423 million viewers, is down by about 343,000 total viewers compared to last year.
The 2012 number was higher than the 2.5 rating the race pulled in 2010. Ratings have been down over 2011 in eight of the nine Chase races; only Chicago pulled in more fans through a year-to-year comparison.
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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WRITE FOR US!
Hey Frontstretch Readers! Are you looking for a fast-growing website that can give you an opportunity to not only share your thoughts on racing, but have FUN doing it with a group of laid-back, dedicated personnel? Well, we have the place for you. Frontstretch is actively seeking 1-3 additional writers for both our newsletter and website to add to our dedicated staff. Follow this link for more information on how you can become a weekly columnist for the site and / or newsletter!
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Today's Featured Commentary
Beth's Brief
Stewart Will Reach Milestone At Homestead, But His Place In History Already Assured
by Beth Lunkenheimer
This weekend, while Brad Keselowski and Jimmie Johnson settle the Sprint Cup Series championship, 2011 champion Tony Stewart will make his 500th career start. In 499 races to date, the driver of the No. 14 Chevrolet has racked up 47 wins, 174 top 5s, 282 top 10s and three championships. And while those numbers are impressive, they only begin to scratch the surface of what has been a pretty spectacular career.
Stewart started his Sprint Cup life behind the wheel of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Pontiac with a bang, qualifying on the outside pole for the 1999 Daytona 500. Though he was relegated to a 28th-place finish, 19 laps behind the leaders, he wasn't one of the 15 cars that failed to finish that race. His rookie season only got better from there. Stewart became the first rookie in history to win three races in a single season, while snagging the Rookie of the Year title and a solid fourth-place result in the final point standings. The 1999 season began the still active 14-year streak of at least one race won in every season.
Stewart's first career win came that year at Richmond International Raceway, where he led 333 of 400 laps en route to victory lane before snapping up back-to-back victories at Phoenix and Homestead in the final few weeks of the year. And if that wasn't enough, 1999 marked the first year Stewart ran the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in the same day. He finished ninth and fourth in the two races, respectively. Though he skipped running both races in 2000, he was right back to the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in 2001 where he finished sixth and third.
After becoming the driver to win the most races during the 2000 season with six trips to victory lane, Stewart once again won three events in 2001. Fast forward to 2002, where Stewart started off the season on the wrong foot. Having started sixth in the Daytona 500, he completed just two laps before his engine let go, forcing him to settle for a dismal last-place finish, but Stewart was undeterred and snagged a fourth-place result at Rockingham the following week, jumping 19 spots in the standings. And from there he continued to climb his way back to the top before eventually grabbing the points lead following a solid runner-up finish to Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in October. Stewart went on to grab his first career championship by 38 markers over Mark Martin in a season that saw him snag three wins, 15 top 5s and 21 top 10s.
With just two victories, the 2003 season marked his worst points finish at the time in his career of seventh, and he following up in 2004 with two more wins and a sixth-place result in the standings. And that brings us to 2005, a year that was likely the best in his career until last season, but more on 2011 later. In the second year using the Chase system implemented by NASCAR in hopes of rewarding wins more than consistency, Stewart found himself as the number one seed for the Chase after the checkered flag flew over Richmond to end the "regular" season.
Having scored five victories in a span of seven races from Sonoma to Watkins Glen in the middle of the year, Stewart saw a 185-point lead over Greg Biffle shrink to just five markers thanks to the points reset. But that didn't deter the then-driver of the No. 2 Home Depot Chevrolet. He went on to post three runner-up finishes, seven top-10 results an an average finish of 8.7 en route to his second championship in four years.
Fast forward again to the 2008 season when Joe Gibbs Racing made the switch to Toyotas after having run Chevrolets for the previous five years. My husband told me not long after the announcement that he expected Stewart to bolt just as quickly as he could to get back behind the wheel of a Chevrolet. And he was right: in mid-2008, it was announced that Stewart had been let out of the final year of his contract with JGR to pursue other opportunities, something that shouldn't have come as a surprise given his loyalty to Chevrolet.
From there, Stewart became a co-owner at Haas CNC Racing and the team was renamed to Stewart-Haas Racing. The minute the announcement that Stewart would become an owner-driver with a team that hadn't exactly posted stellar numbers previously, speculation began about whether how he would perform in his first year as an owner. He headed to victory lane, but it wasn't until the 14th race of the year at Pocono he became the first owner-driver to score a points-paying win since Ricky Rudd had accomplished the feat back in 1998. Stewart went on to grab four wins, 15 top 5s and 23 top 10s, and while he was never a threat to win the championship, it was a season that was more than anyone--except perhaps Stewart and his loyal fans--could have imagined.
But one of the brightest shining moments of Stewart's career came last season. He went winless through 26 races and even stated in late August "it really doesn't matter whether we make the Chase or not because we are going to be occupying a spot in the Chase that somebody else that actually can run for a championship is going to be trying to take because our stuff is so bad right now." Little did he know that would all change for the better. Stewart went on to visit victory lane five times in the last ten races en route to a points tie with Carl Edwards, one that Stewart came out on top of thanks to those wins.
Of course with all of the highlights comes plenty of attention both good and bad, and Stewart's career has not been without incident. But the bottom line is that Tony Stewart has had one heck of a career and still has plenty of time to add to his numbers. And I'm sure he'd love nothing more than to head to victory lane this weekend in his 500th race.
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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Frontstretch Poll Results
We asked you to answer the following question in our Facebook poll on Monday: Who, if anyone, should be penalized for Sunday's late-race melee at Phoenix?
44.4% said Jeff Gordon only
22.2% said the pit crews only
22.2% said everyone involved: Bowyer, Gordon, and the crews
11.1% said nobody
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The Eyes Have It!
In our newest Facebook feature, we posted a photo of a driver inside a helmet, and asked you to identify which driver it was based only on the eyes. Monday's photo was Ryan Newman.
Congratulations to Chad Cole, the first reader to correctly identify Newman in the photo.
Other readers with the correct answer include: Corey Casagrande, Connie Snow, Gayle Lewis, Doug Heveron, Newman Nation, Yvonne Leonard, Cheryl Hryn, Kelly O'Brien, John Dosch, Chad Van Vossen, Jon Haney, Pam Johnson, Lucia Bush, Son Vol, and Wendy Nelson.
Other guesses included Kasey Kahne, AJ Allmendinger, Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch, and Mark Martin.
We will run a new photo each Monday and Wednesday throughout the offseason, and list the readers with the correct answer here in our newsletter (Facebook rules prohibit us giving a prize, but hey—at least you'll get your name in lights!). Go to our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Frontstretch) to join the fun!
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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...
@ivandebosch (Ingrid Vandebosch): 6 years ago today I married the love of my life! The best thing that ever happened to me :)
@NASCAR_Realtime: Appears the exit polls show a correlation w #NASCAR's declining ratings. Vast majority of Obama supporters are young, educated or a minority
@NASCAR_Realtime: Those r the same demographics #NASCAR has seen sharp declines in (young & college grads) or has never been able to engage (minorities).
@JeffGordonWeb: Amazing life amazing wife @ivandebosch! 6 wonderful yrs! 2 beautiful, healthy children and a lot of great memories. Happy Anniversary!
@truckpits (Ray Dunlap): 4 different race team GM's tell me that the election results squash potential sponsorship deals for 2013. That's bad news....
@dcaraviello (David Caraviello): Dates are set for #NASCAR Preseason Thunder testing at Daytona: Jan. 10-12, with cars on track (weather permitting) from 9 am-5 pm each day.
@Amanda_Speed: Totally just caught @scottspeed singing on camera....... Lmao!!!!!!! http://telly.com/44ECH
@stevearpin: Had a big list of sponsors to follow up on if Romney got elected last night, guess I'll slip that book away and keep digging! #fb
@Ryan_Truex: Ill be going in circles competitively "@mechmax: @Ryan_Truex Can you posssibly tell us your 2013 plans yet ? thank you."
@DanicaPatrick: So wonderful and exciting to hear @DrBobParsons say I was going to be in both @GoDaddy Super Bowl spots! How lucky am I?!!!
@MStall41 (Matt Stalknecht): Rumor Alert: #NASCAR may ditch the planned low downforce package for the 2013 cars and is looking at a high downfoce package and 100 less HP
@JamieLittleESPN: Someone is realllly excited to go to his first race! @NASCARESPN pic.twitter.com/cxNDDBZx
@MartySmithESPN: @JimmieJohnson: "I want to be considered the greatest driver ever to sit in a stock car."
@tomjensen100: ESPN reporting @kevinharvick moving to @stewarthaasrcng in 2014.
@Kenny_Wallace: BIG Congrats @bscottracing That was a WIN I was Happy to see :)
@jaywpennell: Same thing ruined @Elliott_Sadler's title hopes last year, sent him to a backup today & ruined his title hopes today. Tough deal. #NASCAR
@ClintBowyer: I'm absolutely sick for my buddy @Elliott_Sadler!!!!!!!!!!
@StacyStenhouse: @StenhouseJr finishes 3rd he will have to finish 16th or better in Miami to clench the championship! #proudsister way to go @CrewChief6NNS
@keselowski: Big thanks to the 22 @DiscountTire nationwide team for a great season. Wishing @RyanBlaney22 the best as he closes out the year next week.
@Elliott_Sadler: No tweet can express my thoughts..but love my team and their hearts..headed to Homestead with open mind..one more battle
@Elliott_Sadler: Also want to thank @Brendan62 on how he raced me today... HE is a good teammate and I wish him all the best next year...
@Team_Onion (Todd Bodine): My nephew Matt is a physician in the Army. Todds Dad was in the Army and my Dad the Marine Cor. Thanks to ALL Military Past and Present
@DeLanaHarvick: Thank you to all the veterans for all the sacrifices you've made for me and our great country!
@jeff_gluck: Funny story: @pops1981 got tackled to the ground by security at Richmond after Clint won...they thought he was a fan trying to get on track.
@jeff_gluck: The other spotters laughed at Bowyer's dad for getting tackled and the only people who vouched for him were Roger Penske and Rob Kauffman.
@mattkenseth: A big thanks to all our veterans! #freedom
@mattkenseth: I just got to the drivers meeting, I wonder what the points would be if the race ended now?
@bobpockrass: Sam Hornish Jr is signed to do full Nationwide season in 2013 for Penske, Roger Penske says. #nascar
@CrewChief6NNS (Mike Kelley): Toughest part of my job, is points racing w a driver as aggressive and fast as @StenhouseJr . Love when we can turn him loose! #hesbadass!
@scottspeed: U stay classy Jeff Gordon!!!! Good lord
@Brett_Griff (Brett Griffin): If you're gonna be an ass in the car stand up and be one outside of it. That's all Ima say about it. Be a man...
@TheOrangeCone: New 5-Hour Energy commercial: "5-Hour Energy, when you need to kick Jeff Gordon's ass."
@AlexBRacing (Alex Bowman): 5 hour energy, when I need to run down Jeff Gordon. -Clint Bowyer
@RutledgeWood: I have a feeling that Jeff Gordon fans love him more than ever, and Clint Bowyer just became a whole lot of people's NEW driver
@jim_Utter: kudos to the camera guy who kept up with Clint Bowyer through the garage
@Mc_Driver (Michael McDowell): All I know @5HourEnergyGuy must work because @ClintBowyer had some steam left in him even after a long race day. At least a 7 min mile pace
@AJDinger (AJ Allmendinger): Might want to get some tv cameras at the airport just in case they arrive there at the same time. Lol
@JamesBuescher: Should had thrown the caution there... Big wreck because of a small one...
@Mother_Function: Bad ass!!! http://twitpic.com/bcgskm
@AJDinger: Can we just take half the money that was spent on that last lap and carry it over to @PhoenixRacing51 for next year and go racing please!
@JennaFryer: "Who won the fight? I mean the race?" Hamlin asks.
@mw55 (Michael Waltrip): Tough day.
@Elliott_Sadler: That's why some people respect @JimmieJohnson .. Gave an honest and great interview after the frustrating day he had.. #greatrespect
@CandiceSpencer: '@Keselowski is furious with the double standard that drivers say he has a death wish and others go out and wreck the field #NASACR
@jeff_gluck: The NASCAR head honchos just walked into the hauler where Bowyer and Gordon are inside. They should high-five them for the publicity.
@jeff_gluck: NASCAR explaining why it didn't call caution: We didn't see any fluid at the time. Easy to look back now.
@kaseykahne: Sounded like I missed a brawl. Congrats @KevinHarvick on the win!
@jelledge81 (Jimmy Elledge): I have seen Jeff Gordon start 3 fights with his helmet and Hans still on. At least @ClintBowyer was ready to brawl!!
@Patricia_AFF (Patricia Driscoll): Spoke w/ #outlaw and he's sore and got the wind knocked out of him but is ok!!! He said he just kept going to the finish line:) #thankGod
@DeLanaHarvick: Keelan finally got to go to victory lane!!! Haha!! He was in his PJs & I was in sweat pants for the long flight home... #keepinitreal
@Brett_Griff: I can confirm @ClintBowyer has been invited to compete in the 4 x 100 men's relay.
@Brett_Griff: And all you jackasses replying Clint deserved it... You don't try and kill somebody because you made contact racing hard. Again, lame.
@joeylogano: When I was young I thought @JeffGordonWeb was the best driver. Now I've lost a lot of respect for him. #verydumb
@dennyhamlin: Great turnaround week for our FedEx team.. 1 more to go! On another note. The 24 should be parked! He took out 5 cars in that BS!
@ivandebosch (Ingrid Vandebosch): @dennyhamlin BTW it was CB that started the BS
@dennyhamlin: "@ivandebosch: "@dennyhamlin BTW it was CB that started the BS" love ya Ingrid but your man was wrong. He wrecked trying to wreck 15 first
@JeffGordonWeb: I'll say the same thing I told @NASCAR & media. Reached my limit, tired of getting run into by 15. Sorry to the other guys involved.
@JimmieJohnson: Well damn... not the day we wanted. On to Homestead and anything can happen down there. #6pack
@JamieLittleESPN: Remember I'm only 13 weeks removed from having a baby! I haven't sprinted like that in a long time! Outta breath...hahaha!!
@Rocky_Ryan (JGR Spotter): I wonder, should we take off before or after @JeffGordonWeb and @ClintBowyer 's planes?
@ivandebosch: I am not saying it is right to wreck someone! That is not OK! It is also NOT ok to push people aside and disrespect them.
@KyleBusch: Tough ending, I had a really fast car today n wanted to win it for my guys. Crazy end of the race. Always better to watch when it's not u.
@HermieSadler: As a parent of a special needs child, I don't like the word retard, but I'm smart enough to know the context in which @ClintBowyer meant it
@KevinHarvick: Yep that just happened!! We win!!
@Brett_Griff: We pour our hearts and souls into our jobs and this sport. We work endless hours and weekends. Emotion sometimes trumps all. Wheels up!
@dennyhamlin: if you guys and gals don't like my OPINION you are more than welcome to unfollow. I only follow ppl I like. You should do the same
@keselowski: Hmm Don't recall that. You might wanna Check transcript. @dennyhamlin: hey 24 fans.. @keselowski said worse things than me... go get em
@joeylogano: To all the 24 fans. I'm not disrespecting a 4 time champ, A 4 time champ disrespected me today
@Elliott_Sadler: Fans always want drivers to speak their mind... So be careful to criticize what we say just because it doesn't support your favorite driver
@Elliott_Sadler: Twitter is so cool for all fans to be able to read the raw emotion of your favorite or least favorite driver... Think it brings fans closer
@AllWaltrip (Darrell Waltrip): folks, don't criticize these guys, this is a very emotional sport, it's been a long season, you're running on adrenaline, things happen
@dennyhamlin: On another note.. I'm on a plane with a 2-time daytona 500 champ, 2 time superbowl winning coach, and a player with a superbowl ring as well
@bobpockrass: Gordon fined $100,000 and penalized 25 pts .. .Pattie fined $25,000 ... Keselowski fined $25,000 for having cell phone in car. #nascar
@Kerry_Tharp: .#NASCAR communicated to drivers and teams after Daytona 500 that they were not to have cell phones in cars while on race track
@dcaraviello: Penalty will drop Jeff Gordon to 11th place in Sprint Cup standings, 115 behind the leader. Martin Truex Jr. will move up to 10th.
@2Spotter: A true SMH moment.......
@Writer_Amy (Amy Henderson): Plenty of drivers have posted photos/video from cell phones in their cars this year with no fine. @keselowski only one fined for it...hmmmmm
@darrenrovell: If NASCAR has arrived, garnering cheap attention w/fights isn't worth much. Having a twitter friendly champion (@keselowski)? worth more.
@AllWaltrip: I really think #JeffGordon was lucky, thought they would park him, don't get all revved up, intentionally wrecked #ClintBowyer, he said so!
@DeLanaHarvick: Man o man there's a lotta drama and controversy in nascarland today...Pretty stoked it has nothing to do with @KevinHarvick at all! #hotdamn
@JennaFryer: Mid-Ohio marks #NASCAR's return to Ohio for first time since Trucks were at Mansfield in 2008. Nationwide sched is 33 races.
@jeff_gluck: Next season will be the first time since 2004 that the Nationwide Series will have all of its races in the United States. #NASCAR
@dcaraviello: Mid-Ohio is new #NASCAR Nationwide venue for 2013. It's a 2.4-mile, 15-turn course with a wicked fast main straight feeding into a hairpin.
@odsteve (Steve O'Donnell): Lots of ? About cell phones-after Daytona we told teams not to carry in car per rule book-We have most liberal social media policy in sports
@odsteve: Fine was not about tweeting-was about device in car. Hope Brad tweets away-just outside car on pit road if we are red flagged
@odsteve: Will send some tweets/photos from Miami this week-Thanks for the follows and all the comments this year. Great to get fans input! #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.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Did You Notice? ... A Quality Champion, Resistance To Change And Quick Hits
by Tom Bowles
Small Move, Big Gain for IndyCar?
by Huston Ladner
Top 10 Alternative Punishments For Jeff Gordon
by Tom Bowles and Amy Henderson
NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Phoenix II
compiled by Summer Bedgood
Mirror Driving: Final Word On The Brawl, Crawling To A Title And Caution Controversy
by the Frontstretch Staff
One More Chance: Who Could Win Among NASCAR's Winless
by Kevin Rutherford
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In 2002, the main story at Homestead was the battle for the championship between Tony Stewart and Mark Martin. However, third-place starter Jimmy Spencer made a rather spectacular exit from the race on Lap 195. What happened?
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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!
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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 turns his attention to the big screen and takes a look at the striking resemblance between one of the characters in "Wreck It Ralph" and Danica Patrick.
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.
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, she takes a look at what's behind the success Red Horse Racing has found this season.
Two Special Columns TBD
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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
-- @NASCAR_Realtime: Appears the exit polls show a correlation w #NASCAR's declining ratings. Vast majority of Obama supporters are young, educated or a minority
@NASCAR_Realtime: Those r the same demographics #NASCAR has seen sharp declines in (young & college grads) or has never been able to engage (minorities).
@JeffGordonWeb: Amazing life amazing wife @ivandebosch! 6 wonderful yrs! 2 beautiful, healthy children and a lot of great memories. Happy Anniversary!
@truckpits (Ray Dunlap): 4 different race team GM's tell me that the election results squash potential sponsorship deals for 2013. That's bad news....
@dcaraviello (David Caraviello): Dates are set for #NASCAR Preseason Thunder testing at Daytona: Jan. 10-12, with cars on track (weather permitting) from 9 am-5 pm each day.
@Amanda_Speed: Totally just caught @scottspeed singing on camera....... Lmao!!!!!!! http://telly.com/44ECH
@stevearpin: Had a big list of sponsors to follow up on if Romney got elected last night, guess I'll slip that book away and keep digging! #fb
@Ryan_Truex: Ill be going in circles competitively "@mechmax: @Ryan_Truex Can you posssibly tell us your 2013 plans yet ? thank you."
@DanicaPatrick: So wonderful and exciting to hear @DrBobParsons say I was going to be in both @GoDaddy Super Bowl spots! How lucky am I?!!!
@MStall41 (Matt Stalknecht): Rumor Alert: #NASCAR may ditch the planned low downforce package for the 2013 cars and is looking at a high downfoce package and 100 less HP
@JamieLittleESPN: Someone is realllly excited to go to his first race! @NASCARESPN pic.twitter.com/cxNDDBZx
@MartySmithESPN: @JimmieJohnson: "I want to be considered the greatest driver ever to sit in a stock car."
@tomjensen100: ESPN reporting @kevinharvick moving to @stewarthaasrcng in 2014.
@Kenny_Wallace: BIG Congrats @bscottracing That was a WIN I was Happy to see :)
@jaywpennell: Same thing ruined @Elliott_Sadler's title hopes last year, sent him to a backup today & ruined his title hopes today. Tough deal. #NASCAR
@ClintBowyer: I'm absolutely sick for my buddy @Elliott_Sadler!!!!!!!!!!
@StacyStenhouse: @StenhouseJr finishes 3rd he will have to finish 16th or better in Miami to clench the championship! #proudsister way to go @CrewChief6NNS
@keselowski: Big thanks to the 22 @DiscountTire nationwide team for a great season. Wishing @RyanBlaney22 the best as he closes out the year next week.
@Elliott_Sadler: No tweet can express my thoughts..but love my team and their hearts..headed to Homestead with open mind..one more battle
@Elliott_Sadler: Also want to thank @Brendan62 on how he raced me today... HE is a good teammate and I wish him all the best next year...
@Team_Onion (Todd Bodine): My nephew Matt is a physician in the Army. Todds Dad was in the Army and my Dad the Marine Cor. Thanks to ALL Military Past and Present
@DeLanaHarvick: Thank you to all the veterans for all the sacrifices you've made for me and our great country!
@jeff_gluck: Funny story: @pops1981 got tackled to the ground by security at Richmond after Clint won...they thought he was a fan trying to get on track.
@jeff_gluck: The other spotters laughed at Bowyer's dad for getting tackled and the only people who vouched for him were Roger Penske and Rob Kauffman.
@mattkenseth: A big thanks to all our veterans! #freedom
@mattkenseth: I just got to the drivers meeting, I wonder what the points would be if the race ended now?
@bobpockrass: Sam Hornish Jr is signed to do full Nationwide season in 2013 for Penske, Roger Penske says. #nascar
@CrewChief6NNS (Mike Kelley): Toughest part of my job, is points racing w a driver as aggressive and fast as @StenhouseJr . Love when we can turn him loose! #hesbadass!
@scottspeed: U stay classy Jeff Gordon!!!! Good lord
@Brett_Griff (Brett Griffin): If you're gonna be an ass in the car stand up and be one outside of it. That's all Ima say about it. Be a man...
@TheOrangeCone: New 5-Hour Energy commercial: "5-Hour Energy, when you need to kick Jeff Gordon's ass."
@AlexBRacing (Alex Bowman): 5 hour energy, when I need to run down Jeff Gordon. -Clint Bowyer
@RutledgeWood: I have a feeling that Jeff Gordon fans love him more than ever, and Clint Bowyer just became a whole lot of people's NEW driver
@jim_Utter: kudos to the camera guy who kept up with Clint Bowyer through the garage
@Mc_Driver (Michael McDowell): All I know @5HourEnergyGuy must work because @ClintBowyer had some steam left in him even after a long race day. At least a 7 min mile pace
@AJDinger (AJ Allmendinger): Might want to get some tv cameras at the airport just in case they arrive there at the same time. Lol
@JamesBuescher: Should had thrown the caution there... Big wreck because of a small one...
@Mother_Function: Bad ass!!! http://twitpic.com/bcgskm
@AJDinger: Can we just take half the money that was spent on that last lap and carry it over to @PhoenixRacing51 for next year and go racing please!
@JennaFryer: "Who won the fight? I mean the race?" Hamlin asks.
@mw55 (Michael Waltrip): Tough day.
@Elliott_Sadler: That's why some people respect @JimmieJohnson .. Gave an honest and great interview after the frustrating day he had.. #greatrespect
@CandiceSpencer: '@Keselowski is furious with the double standard that drivers say he has a death wish and others go out and wreck the field #NASACR
@jeff_gluck: The NASCAR head honchos just walked into the hauler where Bowyer and Gordon are inside. They should high-five them for the publicity.
@jeff_gluck: NASCAR explaining why it didn't call caution: We didn't see any fluid at the time. Easy to look back now.
@kaseykahne: Sounded like I missed a brawl. Congrats @KevinHarvick on the win!
@jelledge81 (Jimmy Elledge): I have seen Jeff Gordon start 3 fights with his helmet and Hans still on. At least @ClintBowyer was ready to brawl!!
@Patricia_AFF (Patricia Driscoll): Spoke w/ #outlaw and he's sore and got the wind knocked out of him but is ok!!! He said he just kept going to the finish line:) #thankGod
@DeLanaHarvick: Keelan finally got to go to victory lane!!! Haha!! He was in his PJs & I was in sweat pants for the long flight home... #keepinitreal
@Brett_Griff: I can confirm @ClintBowyer has been invited to compete in the 4 x 100 men's relay.
@Brett_Griff: And all you jackasses replying Clint deserved it... You don't try and kill somebody because you made contact racing hard. Again, lame.
@joeylogano: When I was young I thought @JeffGordonWeb was the best driver. Now I've lost a lot of respect for him. #verydumb
@dennyhamlin: Great turnaround week for our FedEx team.. 1 more to go! On another note. The 24 should be parked! He took out 5 cars in that BS!
@ivandebosch (Ingrid Vandebosch): @dennyhamlin BTW it was CB that started the BS
@dennyhamlin: "@ivandebosch: "@dennyhamlin BTW it was CB that started the BS" love ya Ingrid but your man was wrong. He wrecked trying to wreck 15 first
@JeffGordonWeb: I'll say the same thing I told @NASCAR & media. Reached my limit, tired of getting run into by 15. Sorry to the other guys involved.
@JimmieJohnson: Well damn... not the day we wanted. On to Homestead and anything can happen down there. #6pack
@JamieLittleESPN: Remember I'm only 13 weeks removed from having a baby! I haven't sprinted like that in a long time! Outta breath...hahaha!!
@Rocky_Ryan (JGR Spotter): I wonder, should we take off before or after @JeffGordonWeb and @ClintBowyer 's planes?
@ivandebosch: I am not saying it is right to wreck someone! That is not OK! It is also NOT ok to push people aside and disrespect them.
@KyleBusch: Tough ending, I had a really fast car today n wanted to win it for my guys. Crazy end of the race. Always better to watch when it's not u.
@HermieSadler: As a parent of a special needs child, I don't like the word retard, but I'm smart enough to know the context in which @ClintBowyer meant it
@KevinHarvick: Yep that just happened!! We win!!
@Brett_Griff: We pour our hearts and souls into our jobs and this sport. We work endless hours and weekends. Emotion sometimes trumps all. Wheels up!
@dennyhamlin: if you guys and gals don't like my OPINION you are more than welcome to unfollow. I only follow ppl I like. You should do the same
@keselowski: Hmm Don't recall that. You might wanna Check transcript. @dennyhamlin: hey 24 fans.. @keselowski said worse things than me... go get em
@joeylogano: To all the 24 fans. I'm not disrespecting a 4 time champ, A 4 time champ disrespected me today
@Elliott_Sadler: Fans always want drivers to speak their mind... So be careful to criticize what we say just because it doesn't support your favorite driver
@Elliott_Sadler: Twitter is so cool for all fans to be able to read the raw emotion of your favorite or least favorite driver... Think it brings fans closer
@AllWaltrip (Darrell Waltrip): folks, don't criticize these guys, this is a very emotional sport, it's been a long season, you're running on adrenaline, things happen
@dennyhamlin: On another note.. I'm on a plane with a 2-time daytona 500 champ, 2 time superbowl winning coach, and a player with a superbowl ring as well
@bobpockrass: Gordon fined $100,000 and penalized 25 pts .. .Pattie fined $25,000 ... Keselowski fined $25,000 for having cell phone in car. #nascar
@Kerry_Tharp: .#NASCAR communicated to drivers and teams after Daytona 500 that they were not to have cell phones in cars while on race track
@dcaraviello: Penalty will drop Jeff Gordon to 11th place in Sprint Cup standings, 115 behind the leader. Martin Truex Jr. will move up to 10th.
@2Spotter: A true SMH moment.......
@Writer_Amy (Amy Henderson): Plenty of drivers have posted photos/video from cell phones in their cars this year with no fine. @keselowski only one fined for it...hmmmmm
@darrenrovell: If NASCAR has arrived, garnering cheap attention w/fights isn't worth much. Having a twitter friendly champion (@keselowski)? worth more.
@AllWaltrip: I really think #JeffGordon was lucky, thought they would park him, don't get all revved up, intentionally wrecked #ClintBowyer, he said so!
@DeLanaHarvick: Man o man there's a lotta drama and controversy in nascarland today...Pretty stoked it has nothing to do with @KevinHarvick at all! #hotdamn
@JennaFryer: Mid-Ohio marks #NASCAR's return to Ohio for first time since Trucks were at Mansfield in 2008. Nationwide sched is 33 races.
@jeff_gluck: Next season will be the first time since 2004 that the Nationwide Series will have all of its races in the United States. #NASCAR
@dcaraviello: Mid-Ohio is new #NASCAR Nationwide venue for 2013. It's a 2.4-mile, 15-turn course with a wicked fast main straight feeding into a hairpin.
@odsteve (Steve O'Donnell): Lots of ? About cell phones-after Daytona we told teams not to carry in car per rule book-We have most liberal social media policy in sports
@odsteve: Fine was not about tweeting-was about device in car. Hope Brad tweets away-just outside car on pit road if we are red flagged
@odsteve: Will send some tweets/photos from Miami this week-Thanks for the follows and all the comments this year. Great to get fans input! #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? ... A Quality Champion, Resistance To Change And Quick Hits
by Tom Bowles
Small Move, Big Gain for IndyCar?
by Huston Ladner
Top 10 Alternative Punishments For Jeff Gordon
by Tom Bowles and Amy Henderson
NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Phoenix II
compiled by Summer Bedgood
Mirror Driving: Final Word On The Brawl, Crawling To A Title And Caution Controversy
by the Frontstretch Staff
One More Chance: Who Could Win Among NASCAR's Winless
by Kevin Rutherford
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In 2002, the main story at Homestead was the battle for the championship between Tony Stewart and Mark Martin. However, third-place starter Jimmy Spencer made a rather spectacular exit from the race on Lap 195. What happened?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: The 2000 Pennzoil 400 is best known as the race where Bobby Labonte clinched his only Winston Cup Championship. However, for PPI Racing, it was an absolute worst-case scenario for them. What happened?
A: Basically, they wrecked each other less than 25 laps into the race. Scott Pruett, driving the No. 32 Tide Ford, had a run on Andy Houston in the No. 96 Ford (a part-time team that was prepping for a full assault on Winston Cup for 2001) entering Turn 3. There appeared to be slight contact between Pruett and Houston and both cars went hard into the wall as a result. The crash can be seen at the 26:00 mark of the telecast. Both drivers were out of the race on the spot. Houston was credited with a 42nd-place finish, while Pruett was classified in last.
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: The 2000 Pennzoil 400 is best known as the race where Bobby Labonte clinched his only Winston Cup Championship. However, for PPI Racing, it was an absolute worst-case scenario for them. What happened?
A: Basically, they wrecked each other less than 25 laps into the race. Scott Pruett, driving the No. 32 Tide Ford, had a run on Andy Houston in the No. 96 Ford (a part-time team that was prepping for a full assault on Winston Cup for 2001) entering Turn 3. There appeared to be slight contact between Pruett and Houston and both cars went hard into the wall as a result. The crash can be seen at the 26:00 mark of the telecast. Both drivers were out of the race on the spot. Houston was credited with a 42nd-place finish, while Pruett was classified in last.
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 turns his attention to the big screen and takes a look at the striking resemblance between one of the characters in "Wreck It Ralph" and Danica Patrick.
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.
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, she takes a look at what's behind the success Red Horse Racing has found this season.
Two Special Columns TBD
-----------------------------
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