Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
March 13th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition XXXIV
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What To Watch: Wednesday
- Camping World Truck Series drivers (a full list is below) will finish up a two-day test at Martinsville Speedway. The division is in the midst of a six-week break until that event comes around April 6th.
- This week in NASCAR was penalty free; nothing major was announced from the sanctioning body nor is anything expected until the series hits Bristol.
Top News
by Tom Bowles
NASCAR Drivers To Appear On The Cleveland Show
Several of your favorite Sprint Cup stars are making cameo appearances this month – as cartoons. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kasey Kahne, and Tony Stewart have lent their voices to an episode of The Cleveland Show, Seth MacFarlane's animated FOX comedy that will air this Sunday night. The plotline surrounds two of the main characters, Cleveland and Donna, getting drunk during a campaign event and winding up at a NASCAR track – where they interact with this trio that helps them get home.
None of these drivers are strangers to the spotlight – even the animated one. Earnhardt was one of several drivers to lend his voice to the Disney movie Cars while Stewart appeared on Herbie: Fully Loaded. For Kahne, his "on-camera" experience is more tilted towards commercials, including the famous "Allstate Girls" plotline from 2005-08.
Click here to see a sneak preview of the show, which is scheduled to air at 7:30 PM ET on St. Patrick's Day.
Elliott, Burton Look To Gain Experience In Martinsville Test
Famous last names, that until recently were associated with Sprint Cup veterans spent Tuesday blazing a new trail at Martinsville. 17-year-old Chase Elliott, son of 1988 Cup champion Bill, put some on-track time in as he prepares to make his debut in a major NASCAR series April 6th. Right alongside him in prepping for the race was Jeb Burton, son of 2002 Daytona 500 winner Ward, who started his 2013 season off on the right foot with a career-best, fifth-place finish at Daytona.
Both have the equipment and the excellent upbringing to be successful next month. But on this day, the letter "E" that both were focused on, while testing with three other drivers, was building their own levels of experience.
"Chase and I are trying to make a name for ourselves," said Burton Tuesday. "It's good to have our fathers in the sport and helps us as much as they can. But once we get into the race car, it's our own destiny.
"My dad has raised me the best he can, to be respectful of people. He tries to help me on the race track as much as he can and sometimes, that is a battle between us. I'm sure Chase has been through the same thing. He wants the best for me, though, and I know Chase's dad does for him."
Both men went incident-free on their first day, tackling the half-mile paperclip along with Miguel Paludo, James Buescher, and Caleb Holman. Bryan Silas and Scott Riggs will join them for testing on Wednesday.
The session was open to the public but official speeds from the teams were not released.
News 'N' Notes
- The final Nielsen numbers weren't what NASCAR was looking for from Las Vegas. Despite a small bump from smaller markets, the final rating of 4.7 was ten percent less than the number FOX pulled for the Cup event last season. Overall, the 7.5 million in total viewership did make the race the highest-watched sporting event of the weekend, a strong consolation prize although the total audience was a total of one million less than a year ago.
- Was it staged or was it real? Jeff Gordon's newest Pepsi commercial involves what he calls a live prank on an unsuspecting car dealership. In the clip, Gordon, under cover, convinces the salesman he's there to shop for a new muscle car. But the second he hops behind the wheel, to take a test drive hijinx and high speed maneuvers ensue. Answer: According to the Hickory Record / Independent Tribune, the prank was staged; Gordon handed over the keys to stunt driver Brad Noffsinger, a former NASCAR Cup wheelman himself for much of the actual driving. The commercial was filmed in Concord, North Carolina on private property. (Another clue there's something amiss? There is no 2009 Camaro.)
- Michael McDowell, in an interview that runs today with our Tom Bowles, claimed as of now the No. 98 Phil Parsons Racing Ford has sponsorship to run for just two more full races. McDowell said the funding will come from Curb Records (one event) as well as one more race for K-LOVE, the Christian Radio movement which sponsored the car in this year's Daytona 500. The team is actively searching for more backing to keep them on the track for the full distance each week.
- In other sponsorship news: Clint Bowyer will have NAPA on his car for the first time, running the No. 15 Toyota with a special yellow and blue scheme promoting the company's $20.99 oil change special. It's the first time the automotive shop has been associated with that number since Michael Waltrip left Dale Earnhardt, Inc. to form his own team following the 2005 season. This one-race deal was important for Bowyer, still searching for funding in a few events after 5-Hour Energy chose to not sponsor the full slate of 36 races in 2013.
Also, Dockside Logistics will debut as a NASCAR sponsor this weekend, backing the No. 34 Ford driven by David Ragan. The company, which provides distribution, warehouse services, port operation and transportation for a variety of clients in the Southeast region is based in Charleston, South Carolina.
Have news for Tom and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at ashland10@mail.com with a promising lead or tip.
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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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Today's Featured Commentary
The Business of NASCAR
Why "Protecting The Product" Could Hurt The Sport
by Ellen Richardson
Why "Protecting The Product" Could Hurt The Sport
by Ellen Richardson
What stuck with me, after a weekend of festivities surrounding the Kobalt Tools 400 was not who got the win or even the last-lap battle between Matt Kenseth and Kasey Kahne. Instead, what I remembered after the checkered flag was something that FOX Sports announcer, Darrell Waltrip, said during the pre-race show regarding Denny Hamlin's $25,000 fine for comments made about the Gen-6 car's performance at Phoenix International Raceway. After stating that he was in support of NASCAR in the matter, Waltrip mentioned that the sanctioning body has to "Protect The Product."
Wow! So, the cars are now the product and the drivers who are out there competing are just for show, then? Is it me, or doesn't it take a group of talented wheelmen to make these cars competitive and ultimately attract their supporters to the stands each Sunday? Letting this statement fester in my mind for the last couple of days, along with reading how upset NASCAR seemed to be with Hamlin following his criticism, made me realize that the Sport of NASCAR has become the Business of NASCAR.
That's unfortunate. For while the Gen-6 car continues to be one of the hot topics this season, the drivers out on the track, competing each week, should be "The Product." Yes, I realize that chassis is more "marketing friendly" for sponsors as well as Ford, Chevy, and Toyota. Without it, at least one of those three manufacturers might not be involved in the sport today. The drivers need a good car to compete in... but isn't it these drivers and their crews making sure that NASCAR's Product performs, leaving fans wanting to see more? Aren't the fans who the sponsors and manufacturers are marketing to? Those Fusions, SS models and Camrys can't drive themselves, talk to the cameras or impress a Fortune 500 company in the boardroom.
As it is, the drivers are still getting used to this new car, leaving the jury still out on its continued on-track performance. While the competition seemed to improve in this weekend's race, I am not entirely convinced the equipment will provide the excitement that many fans would like to see over the long-term. In fact, the one whom many drivers like to refer to as "The Mayor" of this sport seemed to agree. In a recent interview with SBNation, Jeff Burton referred to the Gen-6 car as "mostly hype."
According to Burton, "You're never going to get these cars to pass as long as we're running 200 mph on speedways where it's easy to get spread out. People just have to understand that it's not meant to be easy to pass. I think increasing the downforce and adding grip will improve the racing, but only marginally."
And that also raises an interesting question to fans. Is this marginal improvement in racing, along with seeing and hearing drivers do and say what NASCAR requires, going to make you want to tune in or attend an event? Is political correctness, combined with a more beautiful "look" what you're really after?
If not, what can be done to assure that the business of NASCAR doesn't hurt the sport?
The answer, to me is as simple as what we'll witness on Sunday: racing at places like Bristol. As someone who spends most of her time at Saturday night short track races, I can attest to the fact that the excitement is always in the air and the fans continue to pack the stands.
Although I agree that NASCAR has to continue to reach out to a new demographic, leaving everything behind that made this sport great isn't the answer. As a result, it's time to get back to an increased number of smaller ovals on the schedule. As even Burton also says, "I believe that having more short tracks would mean an increase in more entertaining races. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that short tracks represent a better quality of racing. You see that every Saturday night at your local speedway."
This week, the Sprint Cup Series will naturally follow that advice, heading to Thunder Valley for the annual Food City 500. So as a fan of short track racing, and the challenges that come with it, I am looking forward to this race and hope that both "NASCAR's Product" and what I am going to call "The Real Product" can merge together, bringing back the on-track spice that has been missing thus far this season.
That, I think we can all agree is sorely needed.
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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...
@JeffGordonWeb: I went 4 a test drive. Car salesman may never be the same. U gotta watch -> http://PepsiMAX.com/TestDrive . #GordonTestDrive pic.twitter.com/5PlxIACkCO
@MartinTruexJr56: Shared a 1hr30 plane ride with Bobby Allison and his wife, awesome. I think he has raced in every county in america #badass #legend
@dennyhamlin: Just to clear what you may see on Espn bottom line.. I did NOT say I didn't believe in new car.. I said I didn't believe in the fine..
@23SpeedRacer (Spencer Gallagher): Yeah @dennyhamlin officially owns now FYI #teamdenny
@ReganSmith: Tons of passing today, drivers working extremely hard in the cars, and crew chiefs having to think about every move; I'm loving this!
@bscottracing (Brian Scott): U might b a driver if you go all the way around a traffic roundabout just to make a right turn cause u wanna c how ur rental handles. Yep.
@AlexBRacing (Alex Bowman): What @RobbyBenton and I do while @RAB_Racing is in a team meeting. They're not impressed just like @McKaylaMaroney http://telly.com/5Z3HHK
@JimmieJohnson: It took you a long time to sort out the new team @mattkenseth. #Congrats
@AndyLally: Haircut time... Trying a new place, I always forget how strangely stressful that is. #No #Wait #NotLikeThat #Nevermind #DoYouSellHats
@J_Allgaier (Justin Allgaier): Officer: "Any reason you were going so fast this evening?" Me: "EH,UH.........no :(".... Moral of the story, Don't Speed Kids!! #badluck
@Brendan21 (Brendan Gaughan): Oh yeah, and how about the #RachtmanCurse now... @RikiRachtman interviews me and I don't even get a chance to qualify!! Thanks Riki
@dylankracing (Dylan Kwasniewski): That awkward moment when the man next to me on the plane is wearing yoga pants. Common bro.
@landoncassill: I hate going out early but always cracks me up to watch a race I was just in on TV somewhere at a restaurant pic.twitter.com/LmEY077Riw
@pkligerman (Parker Kligerman): Sitting here listening to a group talk about "the NASCAR race"... How they liked the Indy cars more. General consensus "lots of left turns"
@JamesBuescher: Well that was fun, my neighbor's dogs broke the fence and were in my pool... Worst part was they couldn't get out. #igotwet #itscold
@RCR31JeffBurton: Hornish is proof of what can happen when u don't give up and just work hard. Congrats
@brennannewberry: Ya know there ARE advantages to being sick like.... Uh.... Well... Hmm... Ya see..... Ehh... Nevermind #Sorry #NyQuil #Makes #Me #Loopy
@mw55 (Michael Waltrip): Getting my diaper changed on a tool box... @MWRGirls: first weekend at the track! What are some memories you have from your first #NASCAR
@DannyEfland: Jet lag doesn't bother me but this one hour time change in the middle of the night has me spun out!
@RossChastain: Drew the short straw today... I'm that guy sitting next to the baby that is just LOVING this airplane.
Kevin Rutherford is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at kevin.rutherford@frontstretch.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Surfwax83.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Did You Notice? ... NASCAR's Safe Zone, Small Market Blues And Quick Hits
by Tom Bowles
NASCAR Writer Power Rankings: Top 15 After Las Vegas
compiled by Michael Mehedin
Side By Side: Was Last Fall's Bristol Repave The Right Move?
by S.D. Grady and Mike Neff
Beyond The Cockpit: A NASCAR Underdog Celebrates A Career-Best Start
by Tom Bowles
Top Ten Alternative Punishments For Drivers Who Say Things NASCAR Doesn't Like
by the Frontstretch Staff
The Winds Of Change
by Matt Stallknecht
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The 1990 Valleydale Meats 500 is best known for the photo finish between Davey Allison and Mark Martin. However, there was a near fight in the garage after the race. Why?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: The 1994 Goody's 250 at Bristol is best known for Mark Martin's premature pull-in that cost him the victory. What put the race under yellow to set up Martin's error?
A: With five laps to go, Hermie Sadler hit the wall hard exiting Turn 2. Sadler then tried to drive his Virginia Is For Lovers Chevrolet back to pit road. While doing that, Robert Pressley nearly ran up the back of Sadler and spun head-on into the wall. Pressley's Budget Gourmet Chevrolet was disabled as a result of the crash, causing the yellow. The crash can be seen 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!
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Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Phil Allaway
-- What's Vexing Vito by Vito Pugliese
-- Critic's Annex by Phil Allaway
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, the Line of the Week and more!
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Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Mirror Driving by the Frontstretch Staff
Your favorite Frontstretch writers are back to discuss a variety of different subjects. This week's topics include censoring drivers, the best short track racers 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.
Tech Talk: Jason Ratcliff by Mike Neff
This week, the most recent winning crew chief, Jason Ratcliff, stops by to share a look at the technical side of racing in the Sprint Cup Series ahead of a visit to the half-mile oval at Bristol. Can he get Matt Kenseth a second straight trip to Victory Lane?
Fantasy Racing by Jeff Wolfe
Jeff brings fantasy racing back to Frontstretch this season. This week, he takes a look at your best bets for picking your roster out at Bristol.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back with all of the latest and greatest to come out of the Truck Series. This week, Beth will finish off looking at this year's rookie class.
And perhaps, health permitting a visit by our resident Matt McLaughlin... you'll have to "tune in" to the Frontstretch and find out!
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