Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
February 20th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition XVII
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FRONTSTRETCH AT DAYTONA: Remember, our Mike Neff is down at Daytona and has all the latest news on his Twitter feed: @MNeffShortTrack. Tom Bowles replaces Mike, starting tomorrow so don't forget to add him! His Twitter is @NASCARBowles.
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FRONTSTRETCH FANTASY: GET IN THE GAME
Want to compete against some of your favorite Frontstretch writers this season? Our fantasy guru, Jeff Wolfe has created a Yahoo! league and wants you, our faithful readers to join in the fun with us. All you need is a Yahoo! ID and an internet connection... go through the following steps:
1) Sign in to Yahoo!, then go to http://racing.fantasysports.yahoo.com/auto
2) Create Your Team
3) Join our Group!
ID: 11132
Password: rickybobby
Come back every Thursday, to the website to get Jeff's advice on who to pick for your team, all season long and see if you can beat your favorite staff members! More special announcements about this league to come.
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Battle of the Beach
by Mike Neff
Editor's Note: Due to computer issues, the recaps for Battle of the Beach did not make press time for the Newsletter. We can tell you the winners of both races...
Modifieds: Steve Park
K&N Pro Series: Cameron Hayley
Keep your eye on the site, tomorrow morning and check out the Newsletter Thursday for at-the-track reporting of this special event.
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Top News
by Tom Bowles
Hillman Racing Returns, Pairs Up With Agnew
One of last year's start-and-park Truck teams is getting a facelift for 2013. Hillman Racing, who resorted to the "survival practice" when former wheelman Jeb Burton ran out of cash, is partnering up with Team 7 and driver Jeff Agnew for 2013. The 47-year-old, with 14 career Truck starts to his credit and a best result of 14th at Martinsville will bring some financial security, at times to a program some thought might not return this coming season.
Doug Weddle and Mark Hillman will combine to co-crew chief the effort. At the moment, the team is planning to run the full 22-race schedule with sponsorship to be announced. Agnew's first full-time effort, this late in his career comes with plenty of championship experience. He's a two-time Pro Cup Series champion, with 153 career top-10 finishes in 237 starts.
News 'N' Notes
- It was a rough start for NASCAR this season with a Sprint Unlimited that had a markedly limited number of viewers. The All-Star event pulled just a 3.3 in the Nielsen overnights, an 18% drop from last year's 4.0. That number came paired with a paltry 1.3 for the crucial 18-49 adult viewership block, with just 5.16 million total estimated to have tuned into the event. That's a record low since NASCAR's TV contract went fully national through FOX & NBC in 2001.
The at-track attendance at Daytona also took a hit, with several sources saying paid tickets were down significantly. NASCAR will no longer release those figures this year, leaving them up to the individual tracks. We know for certain 82,000 paid last year; in comparison, unofficial estimates by observers placed this year's total as low as 40,000, which if true represents an over 50% drop year-to-year.
NASCAR appeared to be hurt by the NBA's All-Star Weekend, festivities that have been gaining steam in recent years. A 4.3 overnight for TNT's coverage from Houston easily outdistanced the stock car audience.
- Xxxtreme Motorsports, the Cup team that made their debut last November at Phoenix, has resurfaced. In a Tweet this week, the No. 44 team claimed they'll run their first race of the season back out in the Arizona desert in March with No Label Watches as the sponsor. Scott Riggs, running full-time in the Truck Series and as a test driver for Stewart-Haas Racing, has been tabbed to drive the car. There's no word on whether the team will go the distance; however, in their last event they started and parked.
NASCAR had been worried about a full, 43-car field at Phoenix after only 45 attempted the Daytona 500. At least two of those organizations -- RCR's No. 33 and the Wood Brothers No. 21 -- will not make the trip, while Brian Keselowski barely made it to Daytona with last-minute funding for the No. 52 Hamilton-Means car.
- NASCAR this week released a handful of 2013 ads designed to help win back fans and establish new ones. Click below to see the advertisements and let us know what you think!
NASCAR Ad #1: Twist
NASCAR Ad #2: Rivals
Have news for Tom and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com with a promising lead or tip.
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Today's Featured Commentary
How I Started Watching Our Sport
by Marc Lemay
I'm asked often why I like NASCAR. I get questions like "Do they ever take right turns?," and the less simple "How can you call it a sport? They're just driving!" Here in the Northeast, motorsports doesn't quite seem to have the foothold on popularity as it does elsewhere. Maybe it's because our seasons are a bit shorter, with snow starting as early as October and melting (hopefully) by sometime in April. It might also be that we have fewer local racing venues than other parts of the country. Whatever the reason, it was twelve years ago this week that I first watched a NASCAR race from beginning to end. It was also the race that would change my perception of motorsports forever.
To me, NASCAR was one of those "secondary sports" that I would watch when there was nothing else on television. Admittedly, I would tune in for the crashes. I knew some of the bigger names, but never really paid attention to racing. It just wasn't my thing. Twelve years ago, my son (then two years old) and I had the television to ourselves and decided it was a chance for us to have an afternoon of father and son bonding. The event? The 2001 Daytona 500. As the race started, we were getting more and more interested in the competition. I asked him which car he liked the most. Being two, I think he opted for the most obvious on the track. "The orange car," he stated. During a commercial, I did a little research and told him that some guy named Tony Stewart drove it. For the rest of the race, we did our best to keep up on how our driver was doing. (As the years wore on, he would defect to the Jeff Gordon camp for a time but has since ventured back to Stewart-Haas Racing.)
Before we knew it, the race was almost over with only a couple laps to go. Tony was caught up in a huge wreck earlier in the race in dramatic fashion, but we were still glued to the television. After all, one of the bigger names in racing -- no --THE name in racing, was still up front, Dale Earnhardt, Sr. He was pushing his teammates along and blocking another driver from getting past him. And then -- the crash. I didn't know a whole lot about how these cars worked, at the time but the accident sure didn't look bad, at least not as bad as when Stewart went flipping moments earlier. But even I knew, when the car came rolling to a stop on the infield, it wasn't good. I know it seems odd that the death of one of the biggest drivers endeared me to the sport, but from that point forward, I became a fan of NASCAR. It was because of that accident that stock car racing took more seriously the most important portion of their product: their drivers. From SAFER barriers to restraint devices, safety became a dominant factor in the race.
Why do I like NASCAR? Fan loyalty, for starters. There are still those that wear the number 3 like a badge of honor, as if he's running this week. Maybe it was the clerks at my local Home Depot who would yell out things across the store like "Go Smoke" or "Smoke's running sixth this week" when I went to buy a package of light bulbs, wearing my orange hat. Or, maybe it's the weekend road trip my son and I took to the mecca of motorsports last summer -- Bristol Motor Speedway. It was our first race together. All you have to say is "We went to the night race" and fans know what I'm talking about. Thousands of T-Shirts of all colors and teams, all bearing witness to our allegiances surrounded us at the heavenly track known as Thunder Valley. Topping the long weekend was a side trip to Charlotte and the Hall of Fame, a weekend I will never forget; hopefully, neither will he.
Even though there aren't many venues in the Northeast, the local tracks we have are the epitome of the loyal fan base that make racing what it is. Crews, hobbled together with families and friends, all work the extra nights under the lights in a local garage to make sure the car is ready for Friday or Saturday night. They roll out to a track like Lee USA Speedway in New Hampshire, performing in front of local fans looking for a quality, inexpensive evening of entertainment. Hard bleachers are cushioned by foam seats, waiting for the voice of track announcer John Spence to welcome everyone to another evening of racing excitement. Combine that with a cheeseburger, an order of fries, a beverage and the smell of racing fuel – to me, that's a pretty good night.
So, yes, they do take right turns. They're called road courses, you fool. And no, they aren't just driving. They are competing with speeds upwards of 200 miles an hour. Some people will never understand... however, NASCAR fans do. And that's all that matters to me.
Editor's Note: Hey fans! You know how Marc got into watching NASCAR regularly, and we want to know what got you started. Come on over to Facebook and tell us your story!
Marc Lemay is the Webmaster for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at marc.lemay@frontstretch.com.
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GOT A NASCAR QUESTION OR COMMENT? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
That's right; our Fan Q & A column is back once again in 2013. Send your question Summer Bedgood's way at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com and if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print on Thursday when she does her weekly column. It's all part of our daily mission to give back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat!
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Tweet 'N' Greet
by Kevin Rutherford
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, Kevin Rutherford 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...
-- GOT A NASCAR QUESTION OR COMMENT? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
That's right; our Fan Q & A column is back once again in 2013. Send your question Summer Bedgood's way at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com and if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print on Thursday when she does her weekly column. It's all part of our daily mission to give back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat!
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Tweet 'N' Greet
by Kevin Rutherford
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, Kevin Rutherford 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...
@KyleLarsonRacin: I honestly feel bad but I'm here to win. I'm a racer and won't settle for anything less.
@CEFalk40: Great job by the #40 team for an awesome race car. I love the bump and run, not the bump, bump, drive through your LR tire and run.
@StenhouseJr (Ricky Stenhouse Jr.): I've done what @KyleLarsonRacin did last night, haven't done it again. He prolly won't either. It's part of learning and wanting to win.
@23SpeedRacer (Spencer Gallagher): Hey you big ninnies legends are born in NASCAR over exactly what just happened. Quit being such pious babies
@Kenny_Wallace: These @UNOH_edu Kids are Great! You must visit the Motorsports College in Lima Ohio. http://yfrog.com/oecelxgj
@DanicaPatrick: No matter how many times I do @sportscenter, it makes me feel cool. Here we go...
@KeselowskiBrian: Anyone who ever raced has had electrical issues. Ecu says everything is fine, but obviously not. We are changing EVERYTHING.
@JJYeley1: I need your help friends: question of the day... Does a invisible horse have invisible poop? Yes or No? http://via.me/-9uupsoo
@keselowski (Brad Keselowski): Interesting to think the #10 cup team is almost entirely made up of the former #8 dei/dale jr team members from 2007
@claygreenfield: Since everyone is talking about running this morning I ran a half half half marathon
@bscottracing (Brian Scott): Some scenery from yo gabba gabba. I'm guessing her dad is a plumber... http://instagr.am/p/V0IbiDMzEs/
@mw55 (Michael Waltrip): Just a reminder to give please. Text Newtown to 80888. pic.twitter.com/YGzXQiuj
@scottspeed: Too bad no one is takin bets.. Easy $ RT @keselowski: Should be a big day for @DISupdates I don't see anyone out qualifying Danica...
@TravisPastrana: Danica, "I'm sure you know, but that suit is really ugly".. Haha, good times at media day! http://instagr.am/p/Vh4y-Yvh5e/
@CJMearsGang (Casey Mears): No fun watching that race! Much rather be in it, next year! #13
@Elliott_Sadler: Mama bell wanted to go again.. @amanda_a2z was screaming!! pic.twitter.com/0lfxSxdl
@JeffGordonWeb: Yes, this happened yesterday @TeamHendrick shop.... #HarlemShake video -> http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/3ca1c1a01b/harlem-shake-jeff-gordon-edition …. pic.twitter.com/FZZ18Ndi
@55MarkMartin: True, but you need to learn grammar RT @YourLoneStar: @55MarkMartin seen you on the tube Saturday need some bondo or Botox for them wrinkles
@Tbayne21 (Trevor Bayne): Thanks for all the happy birthday tweets! u guys are awesome! #gettinold
@AJDinger (AJ Allmendinger): Very cool and an honor this morning getting to meet AJ Foyt. Finally was able to meet the person I was named after
Kevin Rutherford is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at kevin.rutherford@frontstretch.com.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Did You Notice? ... A Wide Open Race, Ownership Issues And A Newcomer's Impact
by Tom Bowles
Beyond The Cockpit: Gaughan Full Circle At Last
by Amy Henderson
Side By Side: Was Terry Labonte Out Of Line In The Sprint Unlimited?
by Amy Henderson and Tom Bowles
Top Ten Things (Slightly) Less Complicated Than The Daytona 500 Qualifying Procedure
by the Frontstretch Staff
Tech Talk: Slugger Labbe Breaks Down Prepping for the Daytona 500
by Mike Neff
NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Preseason
by the Frontstretch Staff
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The 1988 Daytona 500 is remembered not only for the father and son battle for the win between the Allisons. It's also infamous for Richard Petty's barrel roll on Lap 106. What caused that incident?
~~~~~~~~~~
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:
Mirror Driving by the Frontstretch Staff
Your favorite Frontstretch writers are back to discuss a variety of different subjects. This week's topics include the Gen-6 car, Danica Patrick making history and so much more!
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.
Fantasy Racing by Jeff Wolfe
Jeff brings fantasy racing back to Frontstretch this season. This week, he takes a look at your best bets in the season opening Daytona 500.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back with all of the latest and greatest to come out of the Truck Series. This week, Miguel Paludo comes in for his first driver diary of the season. In it, he talks about a busy offseason, new house and dreams for the season.
5th Column TBD
-----------------------------
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!
©2013 Frontstretch.com
@CEFalk40: Great job by the #40 team for an awesome race car. I love the bump and run, not the bump, bump, drive through your LR tire and run.
@StenhouseJr (Ricky Stenhouse Jr.): I've done what @KyleLarsonRacin did last night, haven't done it again. He prolly won't either. It's part of learning and wanting to win.
@23SpeedRacer (Spencer Gallagher): Hey you big ninnies legends are born in NASCAR over exactly what just happened. Quit being such pious babies
@Kenny_Wallace: These @UNOH_edu Kids are Great! You must visit the Motorsports College in Lima Ohio. http://yfrog.com/oecelxgj
@DanicaPatrick: No matter how many times I do @sportscenter, it makes me feel cool. Here we go...
@KeselowskiBrian: Anyone who ever raced has had electrical issues. Ecu says everything is fine, but obviously not. We are changing EVERYTHING.
@JJYeley1: I need your help friends: question of the day... Does a invisible horse have invisible poop? Yes or No? http://via.me/-9uupsoo
@keselowski (Brad Keselowski): Interesting to think the #10 cup team is almost entirely made up of the former #8 dei/dale jr team members from 2007
@claygreenfield: Since everyone is talking about running this morning I ran a half half half marathon
@bscottracing (Brian Scott): Some scenery from yo gabba gabba. I'm guessing her dad is a plumber... http://instagr.am/p/V0IbiDMzEs/
@mw55 (Michael Waltrip): Just a reminder to give please. Text Newtown to 80888. pic.twitter.com/YGzXQiuj
@scottspeed: Too bad no one is takin bets.. Easy $ RT @keselowski: Should be a big day for @DISupdates I don't see anyone out qualifying Danica...
@TravisPastrana: Danica, "I'm sure you know, but that suit is really ugly".. Haha, good times at media day! http://instagr.am/p/Vh4y-Yvh5e/
@CJMearsGang (Casey Mears): No fun watching that race! Much rather be in it, next year! #13
@Elliott_Sadler: Mama bell wanted to go again.. @amanda_a2z was screaming!! pic.twitter.com/0lfxSxdl
@JeffGordonWeb: Yes, this happened yesterday @TeamHendrick shop.... #HarlemShake video -> http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/3ca1c1a01b/harlem-shake-jeff-gordon-edition …. pic.twitter.com/FZZ18Ndi
@55MarkMartin: True, but you need to learn grammar RT @YourLoneStar: @55MarkMartin seen you on the tube Saturday need some bondo or Botox for them wrinkles
@Tbayne21 (Trevor Bayne): Thanks for all the happy birthday tweets! u guys are awesome! #gettinold
@AJDinger (AJ Allmendinger): Very cool and an honor this morning getting to meet AJ Foyt. Finally was able to meet the person I was named after
Kevin Rutherford is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at kevin.rutherford@frontstretch.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Did You Notice? ... A Wide Open Race, Ownership Issues And A Newcomer's Impact
by Tom Bowles
Beyond The Cockpit: Gaughan Full Circle At Last
by Amy Henderson
Side By Side: Was Terry Labonte Out Of Line In The Sprint Unlimited?
by Amy Henderson and Tom Bowles
Top Ten Things (Slightly) Less Complicated Than The Daytona 500 Qualifying Procedure
by the Frontstretch Staff
Tech Talk: Slugger Labbe Breaks Down Prepping for the Daytona 500
by Mike Neff
NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Preseason
by the Frontstretch Staff
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The 1988 Daytona 500 is remembered not only for the father and son battle for the win between the Allisons. It's also infamous for Richard Petty's barrel roll on Lap 106. What caused that incident?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: Daytona is abuzz this week about Tony Stewart potentially ending his 0-for-14 drought in the Great American Race. However, there are plenty of other Sprint Cup drivers who are suffering far worse. Who has the longest current 500 drought among active drivers?
A: The longest active winless streak in the Daytona 500 belongs to Terry Labonte, who is driving the No. 32 C&J Energy Services Ford for FAS Lane Racing this weekend. Labonte is 0 for 30 in the 500. He has finished second three times. Those finishes occurred in 1986 for Hagan Racing (No. 44 Piedmont Airlines Oldsmobile), 1990 for Precision Products Racing (No. 1 Skoal Classic Oldsmobile) and 1997 for Hendrick Motorsports (No. 5 Kellogg's Corn Flakes Chevrolet). Mark Martin, driving a car that, on paper might be more of a contender this year is second on the list at 0 for 28.
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: Daytona is abuzz this week about Tony Stewart potentially ending his 0-for-14 drought in the Great American Race. However, there are plenty of other Sprint Cup drivers who are suffering far worse. Who has the longest current 500 drought among active drivers?
A: The longest active winless streak in the Daytona 500 belongs to Terry Labonte, who is driving the No. 32 C&J Energy Services Ford for FAS Lane Racing this weekend. Labonte is 0 for 30 in the 500. He has finished second three times. Those finishes occurred in 1986 for Hagan Racing (No. 44 Piedmont Airlines Oldsmobile), 1990 for Precision Products Racing (No. 1 Skoal Classic Oldsmobile) and 1997 for Hendrick Motorsports (No. 5 Kellogg's Corn Flakes Chevrolet). Mark Martin, driving a car that, on paper might be more of a contender this year is second on the list at 0 for 28.
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:
Mirror Driving by the Frontstretch Staff
Your favorite Frontstretch writers are back to discuss a variety of different subjects. This week's topics include the Gen-6 car, Danica Patrick making history and so much more!
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.
Fantasy Racing by Jeff Wolfe
Jeff brings fantasy racing back to Frontstretch this season. This week, he takes a look at your best bets in the season opening Daytona 500.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back with all of the latest and greatest to come out of the Truck Series. This week, Miguel Paludo comes in for his first driver diary of the season. In it, he talks about a busy offseason, new house and dreams for the season.
5th Column TBD
-----------------------------
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!
©2013 Frontstretch.com
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