THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
December 3rd, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CCXXXV
Editor's Note: Remember, the Frontstretch Newsletter has scaled back to a weekly edition over the offseason! The next scheduled edition will run on Monday, December 10th.
by Phil Allaway
NASCAR Celebrates Champions' Week; Awards Distributed
This past week, the Sprint Cup Series' best descended on Las Vegas, Nevada for four days of awards, forums and special events to mark the end of the 2012 Sprint Cup season. Champion Brad Keselowski was feted at the banquet and in addition to the Sprint Cup, received a 1/12th scale golden car trophy, a work of art that is considered to be priceless.
However, Keselowski was not the only driver who left Nevada significantly richer than before. On Thursday afternoon, the NMPA's annual Myers Brothers Luncheon was held. Here, additional awards are handed out to drivers. The winners were as follows.
Myers Brothers Award (for outstanding contributions to stock car racing): Jeff Gordon
NASCAR NMPA Most Popular Driver Award: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (tenth consecutive year)
Buddy Shuman Award (for playing a key role in continued growth and success of Sprint Cup): Ken Squier
NASCAR Marketing Achievement Award: Mars, Inc.
3M Lap Leader Award (for leading the most laps for the year): Jimmie Johnson
American Ethanol Green Flag Restart Award: Jimmie Johnson
Coors Light Pole Award (for the most poles): Jimmie Johnson
DirecTV Crew Chief of the Year Award: Matt Puccia, for Greg Biffle's No. 16
Freescale Wide Open Award: Matt Kenseth
Goodyear Tires Award (Champion): Brad Keselowski
MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder of the Year Award: Shane Parsnow for Hendrick Motorsports' No. 48 team
Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award: Michael Waltrip Racing No. 56 pit crew
Mobil 1 Driver of the Year Award: Denny Hamlin
MOOG Steering & Suspension Problem Solver of the Year Award: Steve Addington, Crew Chief for Tony Stewart
Sunoco Diamond Performance Award (Champion): Brad Keselowski
Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award ($50,000): Stephen Leicht
USG Improving the Finish Award: Tony Stewart
Champion Sponsor Award: SABMiller, via Miller Lite
Champion Crew Chief: Paul Wolfe
2013 Camping World Truck Series Schedule Announced; Eligibility Rules Change
On Wednesday, NASCAR officially announced the 2013 Camping World Truck Series schedule on a conference call in Las Vegas. The schedule will remain at 22 races in length, beginning in Daytona and ending in Homestead. Also, all races will be aired live on SPEED/Fox Sports 1 (the name change is likely to occur at some point during the 2013 season after March). However, there are a few changes of note.
The Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (formerly known as Mosport International Raceway) will be on the schedule for the first time on September 1st, as previously announced. However, that race will officially be joined by a Wednesday night race at Eldora Speedway, the very first race on dirt for the series. That race will run with a reduced field of 30 trucks (as opposed to 36). Also, the format for Eldora is still up in the air. NASCAR is said to like the idea of heat races for the event to replace traditional one-truck qualifying.
The Canadian race replaces Atlanta on the schedule. Also, Kentucky loses their September race. The only visit that the series will make to Sparta, Kentucky in 2013 is in late June as the tertiary series for the Sprint Cup race weekend. The ARCA Racing Series is due to take the series' place in September.
Also of note, NASCAR has made a rule change regarding their minimum age rule in the Camping World Truck Series. Effective at the beginning of 2013, the minimum age limit will be lowered to 16, but only for road courses and tracks 1.1 miles in length or less. Such a policy mirrors rules in effect in the ARCA Racing Series. The 18-year minimum came into effect for 2002 after a 16-year old Kyle Busch's presence at then-California Speedway caused issues with promoters and with Philip Morris, who was sponsoring the CART race that weekend via their Marlboro brand. The rules saw Busch spend a year in ASA before returning to NASCAR in 2003.
2013 Camping World Truck Series Schedule
February 22 Daytona International Speedway
April 6 Martinsville Speedway
April 14 Rockingham Speedway
April 20 Kansas Speedway
May 17 Charlotte Motor Speedway
May 31 Dover International Speedway
June 7 Texas Motor Speedway
June 27 Kentucky Speedway
July 13 Iowa Speedway
July 24 Eldora Speedway (Dirt)
August 3 Pocono Raceway
August 17 Michigan International Speedway
August 21 Bristol Motor Speedway
September 1 Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (Mosport, road course)
September 8 Iowa Speedway
September 13 Chicagoland Speedway
September 28 Las Vegas Motor Speedway
October 19 Talladega Superspeedway
October 26 Martinsville Speedway
November 1 Texas Motor Speedway
November 8 Phoenix International Raceway
November 15 Homestead-Miami Speedway
Penske Offers Stewart Indianapolis 500 Ride?
During Friday night's Sprint Cup Series Banquet at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, Champion car owner Roger Penske made an interesting offer to Tony Stewart. Penske laid it out on the table publicly and explicitly during his acceptance speech for the owner's championship.
"Where's [Tony] Stewart?," Penske asked. "How about doing the double at Indy this year? You available?"
At the time, everyone thought that it was a well-timed quip. Laughter filled the ballroom. However, Penske was quite serious.
"If he wants to do the double, I'd put him in it," Penske continued. "We've talked about it before. I guess I made it official tonight."
If Stewart were to take Penske's offer, it would satisfy one of the conditions that most drivers from outside of the Izod IndyCar Series would have before coming in. When former IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard offered a $5 million bounty to any outsider to come in and win the IndyCar World Championships at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last year, most everyone of note that didn't already have a conflict declined because they felt they wouldn't be in a competitive car. With Penske, Stewart would not have that problem.
Another problem that would be averted is a manufacturer conflict. Even though Penske will be racing Fords in NASCAR in 2013, his team runs Chevrolet engines in the Izod IndyCar Series (Penske was instrumental in convincing Chevrolet to return to the series).
If Stewart were to sign on, it would not be the first time that he has raced in the Indianapolis 500, or the first time he would attempt the double (running the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day). Stewart has attempted the feat twice before (1999 and 2001). In 1999, Stewart finished the 500 four laps down in ninth, then flew to Charlotte and finished fourth in the 600. In 2001, Stewart finished sixth in a Ganassi entry at Indianapolis, then flew to Charlotte and finished third (the only time that a driver has managed to finish all 1100 miles). Stewart's best finish in the Indianapolis 500 was a fifth in the twice-delayed 1997 running.
Paludo to Return to Turner Motorsports No. 32 in 2013
On Monday morning, Turner Motorsports officially announced that Miguel Paludo will return to the No. 32 Chevrolet that he drove throughout the 2012 season. Sponsorship will once again be provided by Stemco Duroline. The official press release also announced that Jeff Hensley will continue on in his role as Paludo's crew chief.
Paludo is very pleased to return to Turner Motorsports for his second year in the No. 32.
"I am very happy to announce that I will be returning to Turner Motorsports for 2013," Paludo said. "I joined Turner Motorsports because I believed that it was an organization where I could race competitively, and I am very excited to have the opportunity to continue to compete for what was, without a doubt, the most successful team in our series in 2012."
In 2012, Paludo enjoyed his most successful season in the Camping World Truck Series, finishing tenth in points with one top-5 finish (fifth at Homestead) and five top-10's. Paludo also picked up his first career pole at Daytona in February. In addition, Paludo made his first two career starts in the Nationwide Series at Road America and Watkins Glen, finishing in 29th and 13th, respectively.
Paludo will be joined by Jeb Burton at least in Turner Motorsports' Camping World Truck Series stable for 2013. The team is planning on running three or four trucks full-time in 2013. Look for more announcements later this month as to what will happen with the rest of the squad. The team is also still working on signing additional sponsorship for the No. 32 team to supplement Paludo's existing backing from Stemco Duroline.
Erik Jones wins the Snowball Derby
16-year old part-time ARCA Racing Series contender Erik Jones dominated much of the second half of Sunday's 46th running of the Snowball Derby in his first attempt. However, he was beaten out of the pits by visiting Sprint Cup regular Kyle Busch with 22 laps to go. Once the race restarted, Jones pressured Busch and was able to get by on Lap 283. From there, Jones pulled away to claim his first career Snowball Derby victory.
In Victory Lane, Jones appeared to be in shock.
"We just beat NASCAR star Kyle Busch," Jones told the Pensacola News-Journal's Chuck Corder. "I can' believe it. Guys race for this championship for a lifetime and don't get it. And for me, my first time, to get it? It's amazing."
Part-time Camping World Truck Series driver Jeff Choquette finished second, while Busch was third. Jeff Fultz finished fourth, while defending champion Chase Elliott rounded out the top-5.
For Busch, it was a controversial race. Just after halfway, Busch had contact with TJ Reaid while battling for the lead. Reaid crashed and collected a number of other drivers, including Elliott. Busch was subsequently sent to the rear for causing the wreck. Afterwards, Busch took responsibility.
"I blame myself for giving them the opportunity to make that call," Busch said after the race. "We were [racing hard] and I was on the outside of, I think, the No. 99 [Casey Smith]. I stepped on the gas with the edge to the corner and T.J. didn't go right away. I hit him. I tried to check up and get off him, but he lost it and stacked up a lot of good cars and I hate it for those guys."
Reaid, who is a former driver for Busch's late model team, later confronted members of Busch's pit crew, then gave an expletive-laden interview over the PA system at the track. A later wreck resulted in Steve Wallace giving Busch the finger on pit road, then (according to Speed51.com) throwing a hammer at Busch's No. 51.
Have news for Phil and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at ashland10@mail.com with a promising lead or tip.
TODAY AT THE FRONTSTRETCH:
2012 NASCAR Driver Review: Brad Keselowski
by S.D. Grady
2012 NASCAR Driver Review: Clint Bowyer
by Kevin Rutherford
Pace Laps: Competitive Concerns and Season Wrap-Ups
by the Frontstretch Staff
NASCAR Celebrates Champions' Week; Awards Distributed
This past week, the Sprint Cup Series' best descended on Las Vegas, Nevada for four days of awards, forums and special events to mark the end of the 2012 Sprint Cup season. Champion Brad Keselowski was feted at the banquet and in addition to the Sprint Cup, received a 1/12th scale golden car trophy, a work of art that is considered to be priceless.
However, Keselowski was not the only driver who left Nevada significantly richer than before. On Thursday afternoon, the NMPA's annual Myers Brothers Luncheon was held. Here, additional awards are handed out to drivers. The winners were as follows.
Myers Brothers Award (for outstanding contributions to stock car racing): Jeff Gordon
NASCAR NMPA Most Popular Driver Award: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (tenth consecutive year)
Buddy Shuman Award (for playing a key role in continued growth and success of Sprint Cup): Ken Squier
NASCAR Marketing Achievement Award: Mars, Inc.
3M Lap Leader Award (for leading the most laps for the year): Jimmie Johnson
American Ethanol Green Flag Restart Award: Jimmie Johnson
Coors Light Pole Award (for the most poles): Jimmie Johnson
DirecTV Crew Chief of the Year Award: Matt Puccia, for Greg Biffle's No. 16
Freescale Wide Open Award: Matt Kenseth
Goodyear Tires Award (Champion): Brad Keselowski
MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder of the Year Award: Shane Parsnow for Hendrick Motorsports' No. 48 team
Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award: Michael Waltrip Racing No. 56 pit crew
Mobil 1 Driver of the Year Award: Denny Hamlin
MOOG Steering & Suspension Problem Solver of the Year Award: Steve Addington, Crew Chief for Tony Stewart
Sunoco Diamond Performance Award (Champion): Brad Keselowski
Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award ($50,000): Stephen Leicht
USG Improving the Finish Award: Tony Stewart
Champion Sponsor Award: SABMiller, via Miller Lite
Champion Crew Chief: Paul Wolfe
2013 Camping World Truck Series Schedule Announced; Eligibility Rules Change
On Wednesday, NASCAR officially announced the 2013 Camping World Truck Series schedule on a conference call in Las Vegas. The schedule will remain at 22 races in length, beginning in Daytona and ending in Homestead. Also, all races will be aired live on SPEED/Fox Sports 1 (the name change is likely to occur at some point during the 2013 season after March). However, there are a few changes of note.
The Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (formerly known as Mosport International Raceway) will be on the schedule for the first time on September 1st, as previously announced. However, that race will officially be joined by a Wednesday night race at Eldora Speedway, the very first race on dirt for the series. That race will run with a reduced field of 30 trucks (as opposed to 36). Also, the format for Eldora is still up in the air. NASCAR is said to like the idea of heat races for the event to replace traditional one-truck qualifying.
The Canadian race replaces Atlanta on the schedule. Also, Kentucky loses their September race. The only visit that the series will make to Sparta, Kentucky in 2013 is in late June as the tertiary series for the Sprint Cup race weekend. The ARCA Racing Series is due to take the series' place in September.
Also of note, NASCAR has made a rule change regarding their minimum age rule in the Camping World Truck Series. Effective at the beginning of 2013, the minimum age limit will be lowered to 16, but only for road courses and tracks 1.1 miles in length or less. Such a policy mirrors rules in effect in the ARCA Racing Series. The 18-year minimum came into effect for 2002 after a 16-year old Kyle Busch's presence at then-California Speedway caused issues with promoters and with Philip Morris, who was sponsoring the CART race that weekend via their Marlboro brand. The rules saw Busch spend a year in ASA before returning to NASCAR in 2003.
2013 Camping World Truck Series Schedule
February 22 Daytona International Speedway
April 6 Martinsville Speedway
April 14 Rockingham Speedway
April 20 Kansas Speedway
May 17 Charlotte Motor Speedway
May 31 Dover International Speedway
June 7 Texas Motor Speedway
June 27 Kentucky Speedway
July 13 Iowa Speedway
July 24 Eldora Speedway (Dirt)
August 3 Pocono Raceway
August 17 Michigan International Speedway
August 21 Bristol Motor Speedway
September 1 Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (Mosport, road course)
September 8 Iowa Speedway
September 13 Chicagoland Speedway
September 28 Las Vegas Motor Speedway
October 19 Talladega Superspeedway
October 26 Martinsville Speedway
November 1 Texas Motor Speedway
November 8 Phoenix International Raceway
November 15 Homestead-Miami Speedway
Penske Offers Stewart Indianapolis 500 Ride?
During Friday night's Sprint Cup Series Banquet at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, Champion car owner Roger Penske made an interesting offer to Tony Stewart. Penske laid it out on the table publicly and explicitly during his acceptance speech for the owner's championship.
"Where's [Tony] Stewart?," Penske asked. "How about doing the double at Indy this year? You available?"
At the time, everyone thought that it was a well-timed quip. Laughter filled the ballroom. However, Penske was quite serious.
"If he wants to do the double, I'd put him in it," Penske continued. "We've talked about it before. I guess I made it official tonight."
If Stewart were to take Penske's offer, it would satisfy one of the conditions that most drivers from outside of the Izod IndyCar Series would have before coming in. When former IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard offered a $5 million bounty to any outsider to come in and win the IndyCar World Championships at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last year, most everyone of note that didn't already have a conflict declined because they felt they wouldn't be in a competitive car. With Penske, Stewart would not have that problem.
Another problem that would be averted is a manufacturer conflict. Even though Penske will be racing Fords in NASCAR in 2013, his team runs Chevrolet engines in the Izod IndyCar Series (Penske was instrumental in convincing Chevrolet to return to the series).
If Stewart were to sign on, it would not be the first time that he has raced in the Indianapolis 500, or the first time he would attempt the double (running the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day). Stewart has attempted the feat twice before (1999 and 2001). In 1999, Stewart finished the 500 four laps down in ninth, then flew to Charlotte and finished fourth in the 600. In 2001, Stewart finished sixth in a Ganassi entry at Indianapolis, then flew to Charlotte and finished third (the only time that a driver has managed to finish all 1100 miles). Stewart's best finish in the Indianapolis 500 was a fifth in the twice-delayed 1997 running.
Paludo to Return to Turner Motorsports No. 32 in 2013
On Monday morning, Turner Motorsports officially announced that Miguel Paludo will return to the No. 32 Chevrolet that he drove throughout the 2012 season. Sponsorship will once again be provided by Stemco Duroline. The official press release also announced that Jeff Hensley will continue on in his role as Paludo's crew chief.
Paludo is very pleased to return to Turner Motorsports for his second year in the No. 32.
"I am very happy to announce that I will be returning to Turner Motorsports for 2013," Paludo said. "I joined Turner Motorsports because I believed that it was an organization where I could race competitively, and I am very excited to have the opportunity to continue to compete for what was, without a doubt, the most successful team in our series in 2012."
In 2012, Paludo enjoyed his most successful season in the Camping World Truck Series, finishing tenth in points with one top-5 finish (fifth at Homestead) and five top-10's. Paludo also picked up his first career pole at Daytona in February. In addition, Paludo made his first two career starts in the Nationwide Series at Road America and Watkins Glen, finishing in 29th and 13th, respectively.
Paludo will be joined by Jeb Burton at least in Turner Motorsports' Camping World Truck Series stable for 2013. The team is planning on running three or four trucks full-time in 2013. Look for more announcements later this month as to what will happen with the rest of the squad. The team is also still working on signing additional sponsorship for the No. 32 team to supplement Paludo's existing backing from Stemco Duroline.
Erik Jones wins the Snowball Derby
16-year old part-time ARCA Racing Series contender Erik Jones dominated much of the second half of Sunday's 46th running of the Snowball Derby in his first attempt. However, he was beaten out of the pits by visiting Sprint Cup regular Kyle Busch with 22 laps to go. Once the race restarted, Jones pressured Busch and was able to get by on Lap 283. From there, Jones pulled away to claim his first career Snowball Derby victory.
In Victory Lane, Jones appeared to be in shock.
"We just beat NASCAR star Kyle Busch," Jones told the Pensacola News-Journal's Chuck Corder. "I can' believe it. Guys race for this championship for a lifetime and don't get it. And for me, my first time, to get it? It's amazing."
Part-time Camping World Truck Series driver Jeff Choquette finished second, while Busch was third. Jeff Fultz finished fourth, while defending champion Chase Elliott rounded out the top-5.
For Busch, it was a controversial race. Just after halfway, Busch had contact with TJ Reaid while battling for the lead. Reaid crashed and collected a number of other drivers, including Elliott. Busch was subsequently sent to the rear for causing the wreck. Afterwards, Busch took responsibility.
"I blame myself for giving them the opportunity to make that call," Busch said after the race. "We were [racing hard] and I was on the outside of, I think, the No. 99 [Casey Smith]. I stepped on the gas with the edge to the corner and T.J. didn't go right away. I hit him. I tried to check up and get off him, but he lost it and stacked up a lot of good cars and I hate it for those guys."
Reaid, who is a former driver for Busch's late model team, later confronted members of Busch's pit crew, then gave an expletive-laden interview over the PA system at the track. A later wreck resulted in Steve Wallace giving Busch the finger on pit road, then (according to Speed51.com) throwing a hammer at Busch's No. 51.
Have news for Phil and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at ashland10@mail.com with a promising lead or tip.
TODAY AT THE FRONTSTRETCH:
2012 NASCAR Driver Review: Brad Keselowski
by S.D. Grady
2012 NASCAR Driver Review: Clint Bowyer
by Kevin Rutherford
Pace Laps: Competitive Concerns and Season Wrap-Ups
by the Frontstretch Staff
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The 1992 Nissan Grand Prix of Atlanta was dominated by the No. 2 Jaguar XJR-14 driven by Davy Jones. However, the race is more well-known for a couple of wrecks. Who were in these crashes and what happened?
Check back next Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Wednesday's Answer:
Q. Eddie Irvine didn't exactly make many friends when he first entered Formula One. He was famously punched by Ayrton Senna after racing him inappropriately while a lap down at Suzuka in 1993. After the 1994 Brazilian Grand Prix, Irvine was suspended for three weeks. Why did this happen?
A. Irvine was judged to be solely to blame for a four-car crash involving himself, Jos Verstappen, Eric Bernard and Martin Brundle. Brundle's McLaren was slow on track while Irvine in a Jordan was fighting for position with Verstappen's Benetton. Both drivers then approached Bernard's Ligier and swung to the left to avoid. However, Irvine pushed Verstappen to the grass, triggering a huge wreck that can be viewed here.
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 Monday, December 10th in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Phil Allaway
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more ... including our 2011 Driver Reviews!
Coming this week at Frontstretch:
2012 Driver Reviews by the Frontstretch Staff
Our driver reviews will start off with the Chasers from Sprint Cup. Like last year, we're covering everyone in the Sprint Cup Series, but we're also covering the top-5 in Nationwide Series points and the top-5 in Camping World Truck Series points.
Review Schedule for the rest of this week:
Tuesday: Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne
Wednesday: Greg Biffle and Denny Hamlin
Thursday: Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart
Friday: Jeff Gordon, Martin Truex, Jr. and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
------------------------------
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©2012 Frontstretch.com
-- Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
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©2012 Frontstretch.com
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