THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
November 16th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CCXXXI
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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 Jeff Wolfe
Keselowski Won't Challenge NASCAR Cell Phone Policy
According to a report from ESPN's David Newton, Brad Keselowski has no plans to go toe to toe with NASCAR about their ban on drivers having their cell phones in the car with them. After his red flag tweets during the jet dryer fire in the season opener at Daytona, Keselowski gained legions of followers.
Again on Sunday, the championship leader pulled out his phone during the red flag and proceeded to tweet to his followers, and on Monday, NASCAR punished him with a $25,000 fine. Speaking at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Keselowski was asked if he'd continue to carry his phone with him in the car.
"I will say probably not," he said during the Chaser news conference at Miami-Homestead Speedway Thursday.
NASCAR said drivers were told they could not carry cellphones or any other computer-like devices in their cars after the Daytona 500. Keselowski, who comes into Sunday's race with a 20-point lead in the championship series, wouldn't comment on whether he thought the fine was hypocritical of NASCAR.
"It doesn't matter whether it is, it exists and I have to work around it," he said. "I'd rather stay out of that line (of questioning)."
But Keselowski did say he had a clear understanding of how to use social media in the future.
"It means you can still be involved in social media," he said. "NASCAR has drawn the line as what you can do in the car."
Dale Earnhardt Foundation Donates $2 Million to Girl Scout Retreat
The Dale Earnhardt Foundation, with Teresa Earnhardt as its executive director, donated $2 million to help develop a 700-acre campus for a Charlotte area Girl Scouts council which will name the new retreat after the late seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion.
The retreat will be called the Dale Earnhardt Environmental Leadership Campus and will serve as an outdoor learning place for the Girls Scouts Hornets Nest Council in an eight-county area, according to report from AOL's Sporting News.
"Dale was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman; whether it was spending time at the Earnhardt Farm or traveling across the country on a hunt, he loved outdoor adventure," said Teresa Earnhardt. "We are proud to put Dale's name on a campus like this with its beautiful wooded environment, wildlife native to the area and such a strong program teaching young people the importance of respecting nature."
The foundation was created in 2002 to help children and to help wildlife and environmental preservation.
According to the foundation, the grant was the largest ever received by the Hornets Nest Council and the largest the foundation has ever given to one organization.
"We cannot imagine a more worthy cause for our largest grant to date," Earnhardt said.
Dale Earnhardt was inducted in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010 with seven championships and 76 career Sprint Cup victories.
Mars, Inc. Says it Gets 4 to 1 Return on Investment With NASCAR Sponsorship
Mars Inc., the company that produces M&M's candy, says it's over 20 years of NASCAR sponsorship has paid off for the company, according to a report on forbes.com.
According to NASCAR data as well as Mars Inc. tracking, M&Ms is the fourth-most recognized brand in NASCAR with 72 percent brand loyalty over competitors. Among avid NASCAR fans, 72 percent say they almost always choose the brand affiliated with the racing series over a brand that is not, 76 percent indicate they feel positive with Mars, Inc.'s sponsorship in NASCAR and 69 percent replied that NASCAR sponsorship influences their decision to buy M&Ms over other candy.
"One of the reasons that Mars has been so successful is that the company is so integrated in the sport," said Norris Scott, NASCAR's vice president of partnership marketing. "A great example of Mars 'going big' is last year when Mars aired a TV spot for first time ever since being involved with NASCAR."
Kyle Busch is the current driver of the M&Ms car, the No. 18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. Busch has won one race this season, even though he has led the most laps in some races, including last Sunday at Phoenix.
"I have been with Mars since June 1991 and directly involved in our NASCAR program since 2001; NASCAR truly understands and leverages the different sponsors within their sport," said William Clements, vice president of sponsorships and sports marketing for Mars, Inc. "When we consider a partner, we focus on four main things: the partner must reinforce the brand message (M&M's are colorful, fun, engaging, family, sharing, which is the same as NASCAR's attributes), must be inclusive amongst a wide group of people (NASCAR has 75 million fans; almost 1/3 of the U.S. population are some level of fans of NASCAR), must truly be reputable with customers and must be consumer and associate engaging."
According to the story, there are some advertisers who think NASCAR may have experienced its best times in the early 2000s. Scott said the data shows that NASCAR fans are as loyal to the sport's brands now as they were in 1990.
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
November 16th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CCXXXI
~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~
Top News
by Jeff Wolfe
Keselowski Won't Challenge NASCAR Cell Phone Policy
According to a report from ESPN's David Newton, Brad Keselowski has no plans to go toe to toe with NASCAR about their ban on drivers having their cell phones in the car with them. After his red flag tweets during the jet dryer fire in the season opener at Daytona, Keselowski gained legions of followers.
Again on Sunday, the championship leader pulled out his phone during the red flag and proceeded to tweet to his followers, and on Monday, NASCAR punished him with a $25,000 fine. Speaking at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Keselowski was asked if he'd continue to carry his phone with him in the car.
"I will say probably not," he said during the Chaser news conference at Miami-Homestead Speedway Thursday.
NASCAR said drivers were told they could not carry cellphones or any other computer-like devices in their cars after the Daytona 500. Keselowski, who comes into Sunday's race with a 20-point lead in the championship series, wouldn't comment on whether he thought the fine was hypocritical of NASCAR.
"It doesn't matter whether it is, it exists and I have to work around it," he said. "I'd rather stay out of that line (of questioning)."
But Keselowski did say he had a clear understanding of how to use social media in the future.
"It means you can still be involved in social media," he said. "NASCAR has drawn the line as what you can do in the car."
Dale Earnhardt Foundation Donates $2 Million to Girl Scout Retreat
The Dale Earnhardt Foundation, with Teresa Earnhardt as its executive director, donated $2 million to help develop a 700-acre campus for a Charlotte area Girl Scouts council which will name the new retreat after the late seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion.
The retreat will be called the Dale Earnhardt Environmental Leadership Campus and will serve as an outdoor learning place for the Girls Scouts Hornets Nest Council in an eight-county area, according to report from AOL's Sporting News.
"Dale was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman; whether it was spending time at the Earnhardt Farm or traveling across the country on a hunt, he loved outdoor adventure," said Teresa Earnhardt. "We are proud to put Dale's name on a campus like this with its beautiful wooded environment, wildlife native to the area and such a strong program teaching young people the importance of respecting nature."
The foundation was created in 2002 to help children and to help wildlife and environmental preservation.
According to the foundation, the grant was the largest ever received by the Hornets Nest Council and the largest the foundation has ever given to one organization.
"We cannot imagine a more worthy cause for our largest grant to date," Earnhardt said.
Dale Earnhardt was inducted in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010 with seven championships and 76 career Sprint Cup victories.
Mars, Inc. Says it Gets 4 to 1 Return on Investment With NASCAR Sponsorship
Mars Inc., the company that produces M&M's candy, says it's over 20 years of NASCAR sponsorship has paid off for the company, according to a report on forbes.com.
According to NASCAR data as well as Mars Inc. tracking, M&Ms is the fourth-most recognized brand in NASCAR with 72 percent brand loyalty over competitors. Among avid NASCAR fans, 72 percent say they almost always choose the brand affiliated with the racing series over a brand that is not, 76 percent indicate they feel positive with Mars, Inc.'s sponsorship in NASCAR and 69 percent replied that NASCAR sponsorship influences their decision to buy M&Ms over other candy.
"One of the reasons that Mars has been so successful is that the company is so integrated in the sport," said Norris Scott, NASCAR's vice president of partnership marketing. "A great example of Mars 'going big' is last year when Mars aired a TV spot for first time ever since being involved with NASCAR."
Kyle Busch is the current driver of the M&Ms car, the No. 18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. Busch has won one race this season, even though he has led the most laps in some races, including last Sunday at Phoenix.
"I have been with Mars since June 1991 and directly involved in our NASCAR program since 2001; NASCAR truly understands and leverages the different sponsors within their sport," said William Clements, vice president of sponsorships and sports marketing for Mars, Inc. "When we consider a partner, we focus on four main things: the partner must reinforce the brand message (M&M's are colorful, fun, engaging, family, sharing, which is the same as NASCAR's attributes), must be inclusive amongst a wide group of people (NASCAR has 75 million fans; almost 1/3 of the U.S. population are some level of fans of NASCAR), must truly be reputable with customers and must be consumer and associate engaging."
According to the story, there are some advertisers who think NASCAR may have experienced its best times in the early 2000s. Scott said the data shows that NASCAR fans are as loyal to the sport's brands now as they were in 1990.
Have news for The Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com with a promising lead or tip.
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In Case You Missed It
by Beth Lunkenheimer
Bodine to Run Endeavour Project Paint Scheme at Homestead
Todd Bodine's No. 11 Red Horse Racing Toyota will sport a special paint scheme this weekend for the at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He'll showcase the Tundra Endeavour Project in the final race of the season.
"Toyota has stood behind me for such a long time, and it's an amazing manufacturer to drive for. I've been fortunate to drive fast Tundras for the past nine years and win two championships with them, and I'm proud to be a Toyota driver," Bodine said. "When I visited the Endeavour in 1995, I was given the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of the shuttle, which is a very special and extremely rare privilege. So when we were approached with the chance to represent this project at Red Horse Racing, we gladly accepted the opportunity. It'll be a great way to have some fun and close out the season."
The Endeavour Project spotlighted the 2012 Toyota Tundra Crewmax when it towed the 292,000-pound Space Shuttle Endeavour across a Los Angeles bridge on the way to its final home at the California Science Center last month.
"It's really amazing that a stock Toyota Tundra was able to tow the Endeavour; it just shows how tough these trucks are," he continued. "As the full-sized pickup truck with the highest North American parts content, I think the Tundra was a clear choice to pull this American icon to its final home."
In 21 races, Bodine has a lone win at Dover in June, five top 5s and seven top-10 finishes. The driver of the No. 11 Toyota has been plagued by a strong of bad luck this season, suffering eight DNFs--including a lap 48 crash last week at Phoenix.
Dakoda Armstrong, Regan Smith to Make Nationwide Debuts
Dakoda Armstrong and Regan Smith will make their Nationwide Series Debuts Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Armstrong, who was released from Truck Series team ThorSport Racing after sponsorship ran out in late August, will pilot the No. 30 Turner Motorsports Chevrolet. He ran the Truck Series race at Michigan for the organization but retired early due to engine woes.
"I'm really excited about the opportunity that Turner Motorsports has given me to run their No. 30 Chevrolet during the series finale in Miami," Armstrong said. "I'm looking forward to making my first NNS start at Homestead-Miami Speedway."
Meanwhile, Regan Smith will pilot the No. 5 HendrickCars Chevrolet in what will be a preview of next season. Late last month, he signed on to drive the No. 5 truck full time next year.
"I'm thrilled about this opportunity. Being a part of JR Motorsports and the direction it's headed means a lot to me. I think running at Homestead will give us a great head start on 2013," Smith said. "Out goal is to be the team that dominates races and contends for a championship. Races like this go a long way in helping the driver and team get acclimated to each other. I know a lot of the guys at JRM already, so this weekend will be a lot of fun too. I'm looking forward to working with both Cole (Whitt) and Danica (Patrick). I think there is a lot we can learn from one another."
Smith was released early from Furniture Row Racing in favor of next year's driver Kurt Busch beginning at Charlotte in late September.
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Got NASCAR-related questions or comments?
Send them Summer Bedgood's way at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com; and, if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print when she does her weekly column answering back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat. Frontstretch Fan Q & A will run on Thursdays with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!
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Keepin' It Short: The Battle of the North and South Continues
by Mike Neff
Last week we talked about the North/South Shootout pitting the best Modified drivers of the North and South against each other for supremacy. This week the war continues, only it will be on the dirt this time. Cherokee Speedway will once again be hosting the Blue-Gray 100. An institution in the Southeast, this year's event will be the 22nd annual version of this classic race. Some of the best Super Late Model dirt drivers in the business have won this race during its 21 year history.
Cherokee Speedway has been the home of quite a few well known dirt drivers in the Southeast over the years. Scott Bloomquist ran here for several years. Mike Duvall of Flintstone Flyer fame is famous around the Gaffney, SC area. Ricky Weeks has been climbing the ranks of the Supers in recent years while Dennis Franklin has been spreading his own Super Late Model success from his roots at the track.
In the 21 years that Blue-Gray has been contested, there have been three drivers who have won the event three times. Scott Bloomquist was the first, Freddy Smith was the second while Chris Madden is the most recent member of the three-peat club. Jack Pennington, Clint Smith, Dale McDowell, Jimmy Owens and Jonathan Davenport have also engraved their name on the Blue-Gray trophy.
Along with the Super Late Models, the Extreme 4s, Young Guns, Renegades, Stock 4s, Crate Late Models, Open Wheel Modifieds and Vintage cars will be competing. Saturday the Renegades and Stock 4s will qualify and run heats with the Extreme 4s and Young Guns running heats and mains. When Sunday dawns at the track, fans will see Crate Late Models qualify and then run their main along with the Renegades, Stock 4s, Open Wheel Modifieds and Vintage cars. The feature division, the Super Late Models, will qualify, run heats, consolation races and the Blue-Gray main event.
Admission for Saturday's activity is $10 with pit passes costing $20. Sunday's tickets will set you back $25 with pits being $35. Both days kids under 11 are free. Two day passes are available for $30 in the grandstands and $40 in the pits. Gates open at 11:00 both days with hot laps starting immediately after the 1:00 drivers' meeting. If you are anywhere near Gaffney, SC this weekend, make the trip to Cherokee Speedway to see another chapter in the rich heritage of the Blue-Gray unfold.
This Weekend's Race Schedule
Fri : Nov 16th – USA Raceway ; Tucson : AZ – 45th Annual Western World Championships Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Fri : Nov 16th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – 47th Annual Florida Governor's Cup Pro Late Models
Fri : Nov 16th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Sportsman
Fri : Nov 16th – Royal Purple Raceway ; Baytown : TX – USMTS 6th Annual Winter Nationals
Sat : Nov 17th – USA Raceway ; Tucson : AZ – 45th Annual Western World Championships Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Sat : Nov 17th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – 47th Annual Florida Governor's Cup Super Late Models
Sat : Nov 17th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Modifieds
Sat : Nov 17th – The Bullring at Las Vegas ; Las Vegas : NV – SRL Southwest Tour Late Models
Sat : Nov 17th – Cleveland Speedway ; Cleveland : TN – Southern All Star Dirt Super Late Models
Sat : Nov 17th – Royal Purple Raceway ; Baytown : TX – USMTS 6th Annual Winter Nationals
Sun : Nov 18th – Cherokee Speedway ; Gaffney : SC – Southern All Star Dirt Super Late Models
Sun : Nov 18th – Myrtle Beach Speedway ; Myrtle Beach : SC – Myrtle Beach 400 Late Models
Sun : Nov 18th – Myrtle Beach Speedway ; Myrtle Beach : SC – Southeast Limited Late Models
Thu : Nov 22nd – Toyota Speedway at Irwindale; Irwindale : CA – USAC MOPAR National Midgets
Mike Neff is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at mike.neff@frontstretch.com. Follow him on Twitter @MNeffShortTrack.
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COME JOIN THE FRONTSTRETCH FAMILY!
If you are interested, contact frontstretcheditors@googlegroups.com. Please include references to your past work in your e-mail.
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Frontstretch Folio: Ford EcoBoost 400
by Rick Lunkenheimer
This weekend, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway for the Ford 400. Sunday's race will be the 36th and final race of the 2012 season and will be broadcast live Sunday, November 18th, at 3 PM ET on ESPN. The race can also be heard on your local MRN affiliate or SiriusXM Channel 90. Drivers will compete for 267 laps (400.5 miles) before taking the checkered flag.
Records and Facts
Jamie McMurray holds the track qualifying record, with a lap of 29.816 sec at 181.111 mph 2003 Ford 400. McMurray finished ninth in the race and failed to lead any laps. Bobby Labonte went on to win the race. The pole was McMurray's only one of the season and he acquired a total of five top 5s, 10 top 10s, and an average finish of 19th to finish 13th in points that season.
Tony Stewart holds the record for the fastest race run at this racetrack, with a speed of 140.335 mph in the 1999 Pennzoil 400 presented by Kmart. Stewart led 44 of the 267 laps to win the race by 5.289 sec over second-place Bobby Labonte. Jeff Burton finished third, followed by Mark Martin in fourth, and Dale Jarrett in fifth. Stewart won a total of three races during the 1999 season and finished fourth in points.
Tony Stewart is the defending race winner of this event, leading 65 of the 267 laps in the 2011 Ford 400. He finished more than a second ahead of Carl Edwards, who had led the most laps, and managed to find himself in a tie-breaker situation for the championship. Martin Truex, Jr., Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon rounded out the top 5.
Track Facts
Track / Race Length: 1.5.-mile oval, 267 laps (400.5 miles)
Pit Road Speed: 45 mph
Banking: 18-20 degrees in the corners
Frontstretch: 1,760 ft., banked 4 degrees
Backstretch: 1,760 ft., banked 4 degrees
Grandstand Seating: 65,000
Pre-race Schedule
Practices: Friday, November 16, 1:30 - 3:00 PM ET on ESPN2
Saturday, November 17, 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET (not televised)
Happy Hour: Saturday, November 17, 3:00 - 3:50 PM ET on SPEED
Qualifying: Friday, November 16 at 6:10 PM ET on SPEED
VIPs
Grand Marshal / Command: Johnathan Hillstrand, of Discovery's "Deadliest Catch"
Honorary Starter / Wave Green Flag: Dave Mondragon, General Marketing Manager for Ford and Lincoln
Honorary Race Chairman: Jamie Jones, Senior Vice President of Consumer Sales; Edsel B. Ford, III, Board of Directors of Ford Motor Company
Honorary Pace Car Driver: Kid Rock, Multi-platinum selling American rock star
Invocation: Pastor Scott Claunch, Calvary Chapel in Kendall, FL
Pledge of Allegiance: Gary Littrell, Medal of Honor Recipient
National Anthem: Chris Mann, 2012 Finalist of NBC's "The Voice"
God Bless America: Chelsea Bain, Rock Ridge Music Recording Artist
Color Guard: Homestead Air Force Base 482nd Fighter Wing Color Guard
Military Flyover: F-16C Fighting Falcons, Homestead Air Force Base 482nd Fighter Wing
They Said It
"The way you drive the racetrack is pretty unique. The corners are very symmetric, but the way that you drive it is a little bit different. It created a lot of opportunities to pass, and it's a track where you can run from the bottom to the top. It's just a matter of where your car works the best. The way the momentum gets built and shifted there, it's kind of unique from all the other tracks as far as you can get through the center of the corner and be three car-lengths ahead of a guy, but he can really get a run off the corner. The next thing you know, on exit, you are back to being side-by-side. It's a little bit different momentum-wise and how you pass there than some of the other tracks we go to." Tony Stewart
"We had a really fast car last year at Homestead and we were able to finish fourth. Homestead is one of my favorite tracks on the circuit and it's a great place to end the season. I think that with the banking they put in a few years ago, Homestead has really become one of the best tracks that we race at. There's enough banking that we can run side-by-side, and the groove ended up being along the top line. I just think it's a place that creates great racing, so I'm looking forward to this weekend and would love to get a win for this No. 17 team." Matt Kenseth
"Homestead is just unique. You can charge turn one a little bit more than you can at most places, because as you get through the corner, the banking seems to get steeper all the way through, and you have options. You can run the top, you can run the bottom, you can run the middle, or you can split the middle-top or middle-bottom and make your car turn. It's just a unique race track, and it seems to fit the guys that like to move around and make their cars work in different spots. It seems like every time we return to the track it loses a little grip, which is a good thing. Since they repaved the track a few years back it has become one of my favorites. For me it has been a lot of fun to race on." Kevin Harvick
Rick Lunkenheimer is a contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at rick.lunkenheimer@frontstrech.com. Follow him on Twitter @FrntstretchRick.
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COME JOIN THE FRONTSTRETCH FAMILY!
Hey Frontstretch Readers! Are you looking for a fast-growing website that can give you an opportunity to not only share your thoughts on racing, but have FUN doing it with a group of laid-back, dedicated personnel? Well, we have the place for you. Frontstretch is actively seeking 1-3 additional writers for both our newsletter and website to add to our dedicated staff. Follow this link for more information on how you can become a weekly columnist for the site and / or newsletter!
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Fantasy Friday: Ford EcoBoost 400
by Jeff Wolfe
We've hit race No. 36 overall, and race No. 10 in the Chase as NASCAR finish up another season at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It will be hard for NASCAR to top the drama it had last year at when Tony Stewart needed a victory to capture the title, then went out and won. It will be next to impossible to match the drama from last week, with then points leader Jimmie Johnson crashing, Jeff Gordon extracting revenge on Clint Bowyer in the form a causing a crash, and a last lap finish that became wild when NASCAR didn't throw the caution while Danica Patrick's car left oil down in turn 4 and all along the frontstretch.
Brad Keselowski heads into Miami with a 20-point lead over Johnson and needs only a 15th-place finish to clinch the title, no matter what Johnson does. Keselowski's first goal, contrary to what his instincts will want it to be, is to stay out of trouble. He'll also be protecting tires, to try and avoid what happened to Johnson last week.
Unless an accident or mechanical issue sidelines Keselowski early, Johnson will be going all out for the win.
Top 5 Picks
1. Jimmie Johnson. His past history at Miami is a bit deceiving because during his run of five straight titles, he often was in control of the points race and was just looking to stay out of trouble, taking few risks. That won't be the case this Sunday as he knows he'll need to win for any shot to catch Keselowski.
2. Brad Keselowski. He'll be in protection mode, but I'm picking him anyway. He's only led 11 laps in eight races at Miami, but he's been breaking those trends the entire Chase and it may well continue here.
3. Carl Edwards. If there's any place that he can break his 68-race losing streak it's at Miami. He has two wins in eight races at Miami and has led 560 laps. Plus he finished runner-up to Tony Stewart last year after leading the most laps.
4. Tony Stewart. He ended last season at Miami with a win, and just like Edwards, Miami has been one of his best tracks. In 13 races there he has three wins and has led 450 laps.
5. Matt Kenseth. This race will be his last with the only organization he has ever known, and Miami has also been a good track for him. He has one win there and has led 303 laps in 12 races. He'd love to finish his Roush Fenway tenure with one more win before moving to Joe Gibbs Racing next season.
Shoulda, woulda, coulda: Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer. Just for fun, wouldn't it be interesting to see Gordon leading this race on the final lap, with Bowyer on his bumper. Do we really need to ask what the outcome might be?
ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP
Here's a look at how last week's picks fared in Week 9 of the Chase at Phoenix.
Jimmie Johnson - 32nd. He was looking at a top-10 finish before his right-front tire blew, causing him to go to the garage for repairs.
Brad Keselowski - 6th. He was a contender to win for a while, but once Johnson went out, it was clear that he was looking for a good finish and to stay out of trouble.
Denny Hamlin - 2nd. He also was in contention much of the day and had a nice rebound after a disappointing finish in Texas the week before.
Tony Stewart - 19th. He was trying to battle for a top-10 finish when a spin put him a lap down.
Kyle Busch - 3rd. He had the dominating car for most of the day, but for some reason chose the inside lane on a late restart when the outside lane had been working well all day for restarts. He led the most laps at 237 and it was the eighth straight time when he has led the most laps in a race and not won.
Season Stats
175 Predictions
17 Wins
56 Top 5s
84 Top 10s
Grade for the week: B-. No winner this time, even though Busch should have won it. Still three of the top 6 isn't too bad.
One last thing: Ryan Newman has not started from the pole this year, putting at risk his streak of 11 straight seasons of winning at least one pole position. Additionally he hasn't managed to grab a pole at Homestead in 10 starts.
Jeff Wolfe is a Contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at jeff.wolfe@frontstretch.com.
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ADVERTISEMENT
Are you looking to advertise your website, product or brand? A good way to get your name out there is via direct advertising here in the Frontstretch Newsletter! Interested parties can contact us at tony.lumbis@frontstretch.com for details.
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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 his or her eyes. Wednesday's mystery driver was Paul Menard.
Congratulations to Jill Vommaro, the first reader to correctly identify Menard in the photo.
Other readers with the correct answer include: Harry Colby, Heidi Bodine, Rhonda Herning, Lucia Bush, and Rogers Andrea. Great job, everyone!
Other guesses included Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Austin Dillon, Ken Schrader, Kurt Busch, Elliott Sadler, Marcos Ambrose 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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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
No Such Thing As a Bad Champion: Thoughts As the Offseason Looms
by Amy Henderson
Four Burning Questions: Will Brad Seal the Deal in Homestead?
by Matt Stallknecht
Voices from the Cheapseats: Finer Points to Bring Back Fans
by Jeff Meyer
Handicapping the 2012 Nationwide Series Finale at Homestead
by Bryan Davis Keith
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In Case You Missed It
by Beth Lunkenheimer
Bodine to Run Endeavour Project Paint Scheme at Homestead
Todd Bodine's No. 11 Red Horse Racing Toyota will sport a special paint scheme this weekend for the at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He'll showcase the Tundra Endeavour Project in the final race of the season.
"Toyota has stood behind me for such a long time, and it's an amazing manufacturer to drive for. I've been fortunate to drive fast Tundras for the past nine years and win two championships with them, and I'm proud to be a Toyota driver," Bodine said. "When I visited the Endeavour in 1995, I was given the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of the shuttle, which is a very special and extremely rare privilege. So when we were approached with the chance to represent this project at Red Horse Racing, we gladly accepted the opportunity. It'll be a great way to have some fun and close out the season."
The Endeavour Project spotlighted the 2012 Toyota Tundra Crewmax when it towed the 292,000-pound Space Shuttle Endeavour across a Los Angeles bridge on the way to its final home at the California Science Center last month.
"It's really amazing that a stock Toyota Tundra was able to tow the Endeavour; it just shows how tough these trucks are," he continued. "As the full-sized pickup truck with the highest North American parts content, I think the Tundra was a clear choice to pull this American icon to its final home."
In 21 races, Bodine has a lone win at Dover in June, five top 5s and seven top-10 finishes. The driver of the No. 11 Toyota has been plagued by a strong of bad luck this season, suffering eight DNFs--including a lap 48 crash last week at Phoenix.
Dakoda Armstrong, Regan Smith to Make Nationwide Debuts
Dakoda Armstrong and Regan Smith will make their Nationwide Series Debuts Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Armstrong, who was released from Truck Series team ThorSport Racing after sponsorship ran out in late August, will pilot the No. 30 Turner Motorsports Chevrolet. He ran the Truck Series race at Michigan for the organization but retired early due to engine woes.
"I'm really excited about the opportunity that Turner Motorsports has given me to run their No. 30 Chevrolet during the series finale in Miami," Armstrong said. "I'm looking forward to making my first NNS start at Homestead-Miami Speedway."
Meanwhile, Regan Smith will pilot the No. 5 HendrickCars Chevrolet in what will be a preview of next season. Late last month, he signed on to drive the No. 5 truck full time next year.
"I'm thrilled about this opportunity. Being a part of JR Motorsports and the direction it's headed means a lot to me. I think running at Homestead will give us a great head start on 2013," Smith said. "Out goal is to be the team that dominates races and contends for a championship. Races like this go a long way in helping the driver and team get acclimated to each other. I know a lot of the guys at JRM already, so this weekend will be a lot of fun too. I'm looking forward to working with both Cole (Whitt) and Danica (Patrick). I think there is a lot we can learn from one another."
Smith was released early from Furniture Row Racing in favor of next year's driver Kurt Busch beginning at Charlotte in late September.
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Got NASCAR-related questions or comments?
Send them Summer Bedgood's way at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com; and, if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print when she does her weekly column answering back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat. Frontstretch Fan Q & A will run on Thursdays with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!
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Keepin' It Short: The Battle of the North and South Continues
by Mike Neff
Last week we talked about the North/South Shootout pitting the best Modified drivers of the North and South against each other for supremacy. This week the war continues, only it will be on the dirt this time. Cherokee Speedway will once again be hosting the Blue-Gray 100. An institution in the Southeast, this year's event will be the 22nd annual version of this classic race. Some of the best Super Late Model dirt drivers in the business have won this race during its 21 year history.
Cherokee Speedway has been the home of quite a few well known dirt drivers in the Southeast over the years. Scott Bloomquist ran here for several years. Mike Duvall of Flintstone Flyer fame is famous around the Gaffney, SC area. Ricky Weeks has been climbing the ranks of the Supers in recent years while Dennis Franklin has been spreading his own Super Late Model success from his roots at the track.
In the 21 years that Blue-Gray has been contested, there have been three drivers who have won the event three times. Scott Bloomquist was the first, Freddy Smith was the second while Chris Madden is the most recent member of the three-peat club. Jack Pennington, Clint Smith, Dale McDowell, Jimmy Owens and Jonathan Davenport have also engraved their name on the Blue-Gray trophy.
Along with the Super Late Models, the Extreme 4s, Young Guns, Renegades, Stock 4s, Crate Late Models, Open Wheel Modifieds and Vintage cars will be competing. Saturday the Renegades and Stock 4s will qualify and run heats with the Extreme 4s and Young Guns running heats and mains. When Sunday dawns at the track, fans will see Crate Late Models qualify and then run their main along with the Renegades, Stock 4s, Open Wheel Modifieds and Vintage cars. The feature division, the Super Late Models, will qualify, run heats, consolation races and the Blue-Gray main event.
Admission for Saturday's activity is $10 with pit passes costing $20. Sunday's tickets will set you back $25 with pits being $35. Both days kids under 11 are free. Two day passes are available for $30 in the grandstands and $40 in the pits. Gates open at 11:00 both days with hot laps starting immediately after the 1:00 drivers' meeting. If you are anywhere near Gaffney, SC this weekend, make the trip to Cherokee Speedway to see another chapter in the rich heritage of the Blue-Gray unfold.
This Weekend's Race Schedule
Fri : Nov 16th – USA Raceway ; Tucson : AZ – 45th Annual Western World Championships Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Fri : Nov 16th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – 47th Annual Florida Governor's Cup Pro Late Models
Fri : Nov 16th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Sportsman
Fri : Nov 16th – Royal Purple Raceway ; Baytown : TX – USMTS 6th Annual Winter Nationals
Sat : Nov 17th – USA Raceway ; Tucson : AZ – 45th Annual Western World Championships Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints
Sat : Nov 17th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – 47th Annual Florida Governor's Cup Super Late Models
Sat : Nov 17th – New Smyrna Speedway ; New Smyrna Beach : FL – Modifieds
Sat : Nov 17th – The Bullring at Las Vegas ; Las Vegas : NV – SRL Southwest Tour Late Models
Sat : Nov 17th – Cleveland Speedway ; Cleveland : TN – Southern All Star Dirt Super Late Models
Sat : Nov 17th – Royal Purple Raceway ; Baytown : TX – USMTS 6th Annual Winter Nationals
Sun : Nov 18th – Cherokee Speedway ; Gaffney : SC – Southern All Star Dirt Super Late Models
Sun : Nov 18th – Myrtle Beach Speedway ; Myrtle Beach : SC – Myrtle Beach 400 Late Models
Sun : Nov 18th – Myrtle Beach Speedway ; Myrtle Beach : SC – Southeast Limited Late Models
Thu : Nov 22nd – Toyota Speedway at Irwindale; Irwindale : CA – USAC MOPAR National Midgets
Mike Neff is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at mike.neff@frontstretch.com. Follow him on Twitter @MNeffShortTrack.
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COME JOIN THE FRONTSTRETCH FAMILY!
Hey Frontstretch Readers,
We are looking for someone who shares our enthusiasm for NASCAR and has an experienced background in web design. Specifically, we are looking for someone who can help maintain and enhance our website, increase our SEO, and upgrade our publishing platform while producing a limited amount of content throughout the season. This job presents a perfect opportunity for someone with a technical background, a person who wants their work to gain national exposure.
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Frontstretch Folio: Ford EcoBoost 400
by Rick Lunkenheimer
This weekend, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway for the Ford 400. Sunday's race will be the 36th and final race of the 2012 season and will be broadcast live Sunday, November 18th, at 3 PM ET on ESPN. The race can also be heard on your local MRN affiliate or SiriusXM Channel 90. Drivers will compete for 267 laps (400.5 miles) before taking the checkered flag.
Records and Facts
Jamie McMurray holds the track qualifying record, with a lap of 29.816 sec at 181.111 mph 2003 Ford 400. McMurray finished ninth in the race and failed to lead any laps. Bobby Labonte went on to win the race. The pole was McMurray's only one of the season and he acquired a total of five top 5s, 10 top 10s, and an average finish of 19th to finish 13th in points that season.
Tony Stewart holds the record for the fastest race run at this racetrack, with a speed of 140.335 mph in the 1999 Pennzoil 400 presented by Kmart. Stewart led 44 of the 267 laps to win the race by 5.289 sec over second-place Bobby Labonte. Jeff Burton finished third, followed by Mark Martin in fourth, and Dale Jarrett in fifth. Stewart won a total of three races during the 1999 season and finished fourth in points.
Tony Stewart is the defending race winner of this event, leading 65 of the 267 laps in the 2011 Ford 400. He finished more than a second ahead of Carl Edwards, who had led the most laps, and managed to find himself in a tie-breaker situation for the championship. Martin Truex, Jr., Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon rounded out the top 5.
Track Facts
Track / Race Length: 1.5.-mile oval, 267 laps (400.5 miles)
Pit Road Speed: 45 mph
Banking: 18-20 degrees in the corners
Frontstretch: 1,760 ft., banked 4 degrees
Backstretch: 1,760 ft., banked 4 degrees
Grandstand Seating: 65,000
Pre-race Schedule
Practices: Friday, November 16, 1:30 - 3:00 PM ET on ESPN2
Saturday, November 17, 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET (not televised)
Happy Hour: Saturday, November 17, 3:00 - 3:50 PM ET on SPEED
Qualifying: Friday, November 16 at 6:10 PM ET on SPEED
VIPs
Grand Marshal / Command: Johnathan Hillstrand, of Discovery's "Deadliest Catch"
Honorary Starter / Wave Green Flag: Dave Mondragon, General Marketing Manager for Ford and Lincoln
Honorary Race Chairman: Jamie Jones, Senior Vice President of Consumer Sales; Edsel B. Ford, III, Board of Directors of Ford Motor Company
Honorary Pace Car Driver: Kid Rock, Multi-platinum selling American rock star
Invocation: Pastor Scott Claunch, Calvary Chapel in Kendall, FL
Pledge of Allegiance: Gary Littrell, Medal of Honor Recipient
National Anthem: Chris Mann, 2012 Finalist of NBC's "The Voice"
God Bless America: Chelsea Bain, Rock Ridge Music Recording Artist
Color Guard: Homestead Air Force Base 482nd Fighter Wing Color Guard
Military Flyover: F-16C Fighting Falcons, Homestead Air Force Base 482nd Fighter Wing
They Said It
"The way you drive the racetrack is pretty unique. The corners are very symmetric, but the way that you drive it is a little bit different. It created a lot of opportunities to pass, and it's a track where you can run from the bottom to the top. It's just a matter of where your car works the best. The way the momentum gets built and shifted there, it's kind of unique from all the other tracks as far as you can get through the center of the corner and be three car-lengths ahead of a guy, but he can really get a run off the corner. The next thing you know, on exit, you are back to being side-by-side. It's a little bit different momentum-wise and how you pass there than some of the other tracks we go to." Tony Stewart
"We had a really fast car last year at Homestead and we were able to finish fourth. Homestead is one of my favorite tracks on the circuit and it's a great place to end the season. I think that with the banking they put in a few years ago, Homestead has really become one of the best tracks that we race at. There's enough banking that we can run side-by-side, and the groove ended up being along the top line. I just think it's a place that creates great racing, so I'm looking forward to this weekend and would love to get a win for this No. 17 team." Matt Kenseth
"Homestead is just unique. You can charge turn one a little bit more than you can at most places, because as you get through the corner, the banking seems to get steeper all the way through, and you have options. You can run the top, you can run the bottom, you can run the middle, or you can split the middle-top or middle-bottom and make your car turn. It's just a unique race track, and it seems to fit the guys that like to move around and make their cars work in different spots. It seems like every time we return to the track it loses a little grip, which is a good thing. Since they repaved the track a few years back it has become one of my favorites. For me it has been a lot of fun to race on." Kevin Harvick
Rick Lunkenheimer is a contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at rick.lunkenheimer@frontstrech.com. Follow him on Twitter @FrntstretchRick.
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COME JOIN THE FRONTSTRETCH FAMILY!
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Fantasy Friday: Ford EcoBoost 400
by Jeff Wolfe
We've hit race No. 36 overall, and race No. 10 in the Chase as NASCAR finish up another season at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It will be hard for NASCAR to top the drama it had last year at when Tony Stewart needed a victory to capture the title, then went out and won. It will be next to impossible to match the drama from last week, with then points leader Jimmie Johnson crashing, Jeff Gordon extracting revenge on Clint Bowyer in the form a causing a crash, and a last lap finish that became wild when NASCAR didn't throw the caution while Danica Patrick's car left oil down in turn 4 and all along the frontstretch.
Brad Keselowski heads into Miami with a 20-point lead over Johnson and needs only a 15th-place finish to clinch the title, no matter what Johnson does. Keselowski's first goal, contrary to what his instincts will want it to be, is to stay out of trouble. He'll also be protecting tires, to try and avoid what happened to Johnson last week.
Unless an accident or mechanical issue sidelines Keselowski early, Johnson will be going all out for the win.
Top 5 Picks
1. Jimmie Johnson. His past history at Miami is a bit deceiving because during his run of five straight titles, he often was in control of the points race and was just looking to stay out of trouble, taking few risks. That won't be the case this Sunday as he knows he'll need to win for any shot to catch Keselowski.
2. Brad Keselowski. He'll be in protection mode, but I'm picking him anyway. He's only led 11 laps in eight races at Miami, but he's been breaking those trends the entire Chase and it may well continue here.
3. Carl Edwards. If there's any place that he can break his 68-race losing streak it's at Miami. He has two wins in eight races at Miami and has led 560 laps. Plus he finished runner-up to Tony Stewart last year after leading the most laps.
4. Tony Stewart. He ended last season at Miami with a win, and just like Edwards, Miami has been one of his best tracks. In 13 races there he has three wins and has led 450 laps.
5. Matt Kenseth. This race will be his last with the only organization he has ever known, and Miami has also been a good track for him. He has one win there and has led 303 laps in 12 races. He'd love to finish his Roush Fenway tenure with one more win before moving to Joe Gibbs Racing next season.
Shoulda, woulda, coulda: Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer. Just for fun, wouldn't it be interesting to see Gordon leading this race on the final lap, with Bowyer on his bumper. Do we really need to ask what the outcome might be?
ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP
Here's a look at how last week's picks fared in Week 9 of the Chase at Phoenix.
Jimmie Johnson - 32nd. He was looking at a top-10 finish before his right-front tire blew, causing him to go to the garage for repairs.
Brad Keselowski - 6th. He was a contender to win for a while, but once Johnson went out, it was clear that he was looking for a good finish and to stay out of trouble.
Denny Hamlin - 2nd. He also was in contention much of the day and had a nice rebound after a disappointing finish in Texas the week before.
Tony Stewart - 19th. He was trying to battle for a top-10 finish when a spin put him a lap down.
Kyle Busch - 3rd. He had the dominating car for most of the day, but for some reason chose the inside lane on a late restart when the outside lane had been working well all day for restarts. He led the most laps at 237 and it was the eighth straight time when he has led the most laps in a race and not won.
Season Stats
175 Predictions
17 Wins
56 Top 5s
84 Top 10s
Grade for the week: B-. No winner this time, even though Busch should have won it. Still three of the top 6 isn't too bad.
One last thing: Ryan Newman has not started from the pole this year, putting at risk his streak of 11 straight seasons of winning at least one pole position. Additionally he hasn't managed to grab a pole at Homestead in 10 starts.
Jeff Wolfe is a Contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at jeff.wolfe@frontstretch.com.
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Are you looking to advertise your website, product or brand? A good way to get your name out there is via direct advertising here in the Frontstretch Newsletter! Interested parties can contact us at tony.lumbis@frontstretch.com for details.
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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 his or her eyes. Wednesday's mystery driver was Paul Menard.
Congratulations to Jill Vommaro, the first reader to correctly identify Menard in the photo.
Other readers with the correct answer include: Harry Colby, Heidi Bodine, Rhonda Herning, Lucia Bush, and Rogers Andrea. Great job, everyone!
Other guesses included Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Austin Dillon, Ken Schrader, Kurt Busch, Elliott Sadler, Marcos Ambrose 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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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
No Such Thing As a Bad Champion: Thoughts As the Offseason Looms
by Amy Henderson
Four Burning Questions: Will Brad Seal the Deal in Homestead?
by Matt Stallknecht
Voices from the Cheapseats: Finer Points to Bring Back Fans
by Jeff Meyer
Handicapping the 2012 Nationwide Series Finale at Homestead
by Bryan Davis Keith
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The 2002 Ford 300 saw the one and only race start in Busch Series competition for one very controversial outfit. Name it.
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: In 1996, defending Busch Grand National Champion Johnny Benson only made one Busch appearance at Homestead. Unfortunately, this one-off did not last very long. What happened?
A: David Hutto, then the defending champion of the Goody's Dash Series, got his No. 97 Chevrolet out of the groove in Turn 1. He then slid into the wall right-rear first. The result of that hit was that Hutto bounced back out into traffic, causing a multi-car crash involving Benson, points leader Randy LaJoie, Rodney Combs, Derrike Cope, Dennis Setzer, Greg Biffle and Michael Ritch. The crash can be seen at the 32:15 mark of this clip.
Benson's Pontiac was not heavily damaged in the crash, but the team chose to park it since they weren't racing for points. In addition to Benson, Cope, Setzer, Hutto and Ritch were out on the spot, while Combs returned after repairs behind the wall. LaJoie's team made multiple pit stops to repair crash damage (Hutto hit him in the passenger side), but eventually recovered to finish tenth and claim the title over David Green.
Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee: Take the shirt off our backs! If we've provided an incorrect answer to the Frontstretch Trivia question, be the first to email the corrected trivia answer to trivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!
~~~~~~~~~~
Coming Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Ford EcoBoost 400 Race Recap by Jeff Wolfe
-- Secret Star and Stat of the Race by Tom Bowles
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
Monday on the Frontstretch:
Thinkin' Out Loud: Ford EcoBoost 400 by Mike Neff
Mike is back with his overall thoughts about the action from Sunday afternoon's race from Homestead.
Bowles' Eye View by Tom Bowles
Tom is back with a commentary about one of the biggest stories leaving the final Chase race from Homestead.
Commentary by TBA
A commentary about the hottest topic leaving Homestead.
Big Six: Ford EcoBoost 400 by Amy Henderson
Looking for all you need to know leaving the final Chase race at Homestead? Amy has your who, what, when, where, why and how from a weekend of racing.
Pace Laps: Homestead-Miami Weekend by the Frontstretch Staff
A look at the biggest stories to keep an eye on in each series after the races from Homestead.
Nationwide Breakdown: Ford EcoBoost 300 by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan has all the post-race analysis you need following Saturday afternoon's Nationwide Series race from Homestead.
Tracking the Trucks: Ford EcoBoost 200 by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth has all the post-race analysis you need following Friday night's Camping World Truck Series final race of the season from Homestead-Miami Speedway.
-----------------------------
Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Got something to say about an article you've seen in the newsletter? It's as easy as replying directly to this message or sending an email to editors@frontstretch.com. We'll take the best comments and publish them here!
©2012 Frontstretch.com
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The 2002 Ford 300 saw the one and only race start in Busch Series competition for one very controversial outfit. Name it.
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: In 1996, defending Busch Grand National Champion Johnny Benson only made one Busch appearance at Homestead. Unfortunately, this one-off did not last very long. What happened?
A: David Hutto, then the defending champion of the Goody's Dash Series, got his No. 97 Chevrolet out of the groove in Turn 1. He then slid into the wall right-rear first. The result of that hit was that Hutto bounced back out into traffic, causing a multi-car crash involving Benson, points leader Randy LaJoie, Rodney Combs, Derrike Cope, Dennis Setzer, Greg Biffle and Michael Ritch. The crash can be seen at the 32:15 mark of this clip.
Benson's Pontiac was not heavily damaged in the crash, but the team chose to park it since they weren't racing for points. In addition to Benson, Cope, Setzer, Hutto and Ritch were out on the spot, while Combs returned after repairs behind the wall. LaJoie's team made multiple pit stops to repair crash damage (Hutto hit him in the passenger side), but eventually recovered to finish tenth and claim the title over David Green.
Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee: Take the shirt off our backs! If we've provided an incorrect answer to the Frontstretch Trivia question, be the first to email the corrected trivia answer to trivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!
~~~~~~~~~~
Coming Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Ford EcoBoost 400 Race Recap by Jeff Wolfe
-- Secret Star and Stat of the Race by Tom Bowles
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
Monday on the Frontstretch:
Thinkin' Out Loud: Ford EcoBoost 400 by Mike Neff
Mike is back with his overall thoughts about the action from Sunday afternoon's race from Homestead.
Bowles' Eye View by Tom Bowles
Tom is back with a commentary about one of the biggest stories leaving the final Chase race from Homestead.
Commentary by TBA
A commentary about the hottest topic leaving Homestead.
Big Six: Ford EcoBoost 400 by Amy Henderson
Looking for all you need to know leaving the final Chase race at Homestead? Amy has your who, what, when, where, why and how from a weekend of racing.
Pace Laps: Homestead-Miami Weekend by the Frontstretch Staff
A look at the biggest stories to keep an eye on in each series after the races from Homestead.
Nationwide Breakdown: Ford EcoBoost 300 by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan has all the post-race analysis you need following Saturday afternoon's Nationwide Series race from Homestead.
Tracking the Trucks: Ford EcoBoost 200 by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth has all the post-race analysis you need following Friday night's Camping World Truck Series final race of the season from Homestead-Miami Speedway.
-----------------------------
Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Got something to say about an article you've seen in the newsletter? It's as easy as replying directly to this message or sending an email to editors@frontstretch.com. We'll take the best comments and publish them here!
©2012 Frontstretch.com
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