Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
March 22nd, 2013
Volume VII, Edition XLI
~~~~~~~~~~
Top News
by Beth Lunkenheimer and Justin Tucker
TBR and Accell Construction Team Up For Auto Club
Tommy Baldwin Racing will find a familiar sponsor on the hood of JJ Yeley's No. 36 car this weekend at Auto Club Speedway. Accell Construction will join forces once again with TBR to be the primary sponsor for Yeley's Chevrolet this weekend for the Auto Club 400. The "full service site civil contractor for the petroleum terminal and buld storage industries" adorned the hood of Yeley's No. 36 for the races at Phoenix and Las Vegas and has partnered with the organization part-time for the last two season. The company has seen an increased interest in their services and chose to expand their partnership based on those gains.
"Accell is very happy to sponsor the TBR No. 36 team with JJ Yeley driving at Fontana," Acell Construction owner Steve Todhunter said. "Accell is proud to represent the Pipeline Terminal Construction Industry in the NASCAR world."
Yeley currently sits 27th in Sprint Cup points with a single top-10 finish in the season opener at Daytona.
Sprint All-Star Vote Now Open
Voting for the All Star race opened on Thursday, and fans can now begin casting their ballots for the Sprint Fan Vote for this year's All Star Race. Voting is open until 5:00 PM ET the day of the event (May 18th) at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Fans can vote via the NASCAR '13 mobile app or by going to NASCAR.com/SprintFanVote. Votes cast on the NASCAR '13 mobile app will count twice towards the driver's total number of votes, and there is no limit as to how many times per day you can vote for your driver.
News & Notes
- For the eighth consecutive season, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation will adorn the five-time champion's No. 48 Chevrolet at his home track, Auto Club Speedway. The 37-year-old has won with the special paint scheme three times (2007-2009) and has finished no worse than tenth every time he's run it.
- On Thursday, Jimmie Johnson visited Le Mars, Iowa to announce the 2013 Wells Blue Bunny "Helmet of Hope Campaign" at the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor. Joined by Mike Wells, President and CEO of Wells Enterprises, Johnson announced the first charity selected in this year's campaign, Make-A-Wish Iowa.
Have news for Justin and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com with a promising lead or tip.
~~~~~~~~~~
ADVERTISEMENT
Race fans, do you love Frontstretch.com's coverage of NASCAR's top 3 series, IndyCar, Formula One and Short Track Racing? Do you want to read even more about your favorite sport? Then check out the industry's newest racing publication, Motorsport Illustrated News!, which is available both in print and in digital format! As one of our loyal readers, you'll receive 15% off any subscription when you use the coupon code fs2013.
~~~~~~~~~~
In Case You Missed It
by Beth Lunkenheimer
NOS Energy Drink to Sponsor Stenhouse, Jr.
Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. has picked up NOS Energy Drink as his primary sponsor for his No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford. The energy drink, who backed the 25-year-old in a handful of races last year in the Nationwide Series, will feature six winners from the #ImNOSome Twitter contest on the rear deck lid of the car.
"We are bringing the same car that we tested with at Las Vegas. We had a lot of speed during the test so I feel confident going into this weekend," Stenhouse, Jr. said. "We've been strong at other mile-and-a-half tracks so I feel we should have a strong showing in our #17 NOS Energy Drink Ford this weekend."
In four races this year, Stenhouse, Jr. boasts a best finish of 12th at Daytona and a single lap led, two weeks ago at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He currently sits 10th in the standings.
Stewart to Debut New Sponsor at Auto Club Speedway
Tony Stewart's No. 14 Chevrolet will have a new look this weekend for the Auto Club 400 when Rush Truck Centers makes its sponsorship debut. The premeir solutions provider to the commercial vehicle industry will serve as primary sponsor this weekend in the first three events where the No. 14 will carry the Rush Truck Centers colors.
"We've been doing business with Rush Truck Centers for years. It's an established relationship that will now have a much higher profile thanks to their decision to become a primary sponsor with our team," Stewart said. "Rush Truck Centers keeps out trucks and transporters in great condition, and you could argue those are the most important parts of our race team. Without them, our cars never get to the race track. The employees of Rush Truck Centers are as detail-oriented as we are, and they play a critical role in the success of our race team."
In four starts this season, Stewart has just one top-10 result, an eighth a Phoenix, along with a pair of sub top-30 results.
Sponsorship Woes Strike Morgan Shepherd
According to a post on Morgan Shepherd's Facebook page, a lack of sponsorship has hit the team hard. At this point, the 71-year-old is not expected to race for the remainder of the 2013 season.
"Just going to let everyone know that I do not know if or when we will be attending another race event in 2013 due to non-funding. We have given all the efforts every way we could just can not go any longer. Sorry to disappoint. We have and are always looking for sponsors."
Shepherd, who has fielded entries in the Nationwide Series for himself for several years, has 343 series starts and 15 victories. His most recent trip to victory lane actually came in the Cup Series in 1993 while driving for the Wood Brothers at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
~~~~~~~~~~
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!
~~~~~~~~~~
Keepin' It Short: Racing In History
by Mike Neff
There are many historic race tracks around the country and most every short track fan will have their own favorite. In the Southeast there are quite a few small race tracks that are well known just by their affiliation with the early days of NASCAR. This weekend, there will be two big races taking place at two of the most well known tracks in the Carolinas. The K&N East series will be paying their first visit of the season to Greenville-Pickens Speedway while the UARA Stars will be turning laps in anger at Hickory Motor Speedway.
Hickory goes by the name of "The Birthplace of NASCAR Stars"--and for good reason. Drivers like the Jarretts, Harry Gant, Dennis Setzer, Ralph Earnhardt, Jack Ingram and Dexter Canipe are all on the wall of the track entrance where the names of all of the champions reside. The stars of the UARA have raced at Hickory many times over the years, and some members of their ranks have used the springboard of that competition to move on to greater careers in racing. Matt McCall has won the track championship, the UARA championship and is now active in racing at the national level with Richard Childress Racing. Brennan Poole and Kyle Grissom are two more graduates of the UARA that are working their way up the ranks of professional race drivers.
This weekend, the series makes its second start of the season after opening at Southern National Motorsports Park on March 9th. Ronnie Bassett, Jr. will be going for two wins in a row after grabbing the first trophy of the season in the opener. Bassett is trying to score the elusive title that he's chased for a couple of seasons now. He had some technical difficulties last season but has returned with a new focus in hopes of scoring the season championship in the UARA-STARS series this year. He'll have a tough row to hoe holding off Travis Swaim, Ben Rhodes and his own brother Dillon as he tries to take the season long points battle. The UARA-STARS is a great developmental series and they fit very nicely into the Birthplace of NASCAR Stars.
Just to the southwest of Hickory lies Greenville, SC sits the legendary Greenville-Pickens Speedway. Speaking of tracks that simply ooze history, GPS is one of those tracks. The walls are red and white with the white sections reserved for the track champions. Some of the most famous names in stock car racing appear on the wall at Greenville and some of the most famous names of the future will be racing around the track in Greenville on Saturday. The K&N East series is the latest development ground for NASCAR national touring drivers. Names like Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Travis Pastrana and Dylan Kwasniewski have come through the series in the last few years.
Going into Greenville, the series knows that they are ready for a wide open affair. There have been nine K&N East races at the track that hosted the first live televised NASCAR race and they have produced eight different winners. Darrell Wallace, Jr. is the only driver in the history of the series to score more than one win at the track. Brett Moffitt is the only driver who has scored more than one pole at the track and is the only previous winner scheduled to run in Saturday's race.
If you are in the Carolinas, or anywhere close this Saturday, you'd be hard pressed to find more exciting racing than you'll see at Hickory Motor Speedway and Greenville-Pickens Speedway. Unquestionably some of the future stars of stock car racing will be on the track at one of those venues. Take advantage of the reasonable ticket prices and see tomorrow's stars today this weekend.
This weekend's Short Track Schedule
Friday 03/22/13 I-30 Speedway Little Rock AR World of Outlaw Late Models
Friday 03/22/13 Stockton 99 Dirt Track at San Joaquin Fairgrounds Tulare CA World of Outlaw Sprint Cars
Friday 03/22/13 Humboldt Speedway Humboldt KS USMTS Modifieds
Friday 03/22/13 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite TX ASCS Winged Sprints
Saturday 03/23/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL 4-Cylinders
Saturday 03/23/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Bombers
Saturday 03/23/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Limited Late Models
Saturday 03/23/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Open Wheel Modifieds
Saturday 03/23/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Stockers
Saturday 03/23/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Vintage
Saturday 03/23/13 Montgomery Motor Speedway Montgomery AL Buzz
Saturday 03/23/13 Montgomery Motor Speedway Montgomery AL Mini Modifieds
Saturday 03/23/13 Montgomery Motor Speedway Montgomery AL Street Stock
Saturday 03/23/13 Montgomery Motor Speedway Montgomery AL Super Stock/Truck
Saturday 03/23/13 Riverside International Speedway West Memphis AR 305 Winged Sprints
Saturday 03/23/13 Riverside International Speedway West Memphis AR 360 Winged Sprints
Saturday 03/23/13 Riverside International Speedway West Memphis AR Late Models
Saturday 03/23/13 Riverside International Speedway West Memphis AR Modifieds
Saturday 03/23/13 Riverside International Speedway West Memphis AR Stock Cars
Saturday 03/23/13 Central Arizona Raceway Casa Grande AZ Dwarf Cars
Saturday 03/23/13 Central Arizona Raceway Casa Grande AZ Pure Stocks
Saturday 03/23/13 Central Arizona Raceway Casa Grande AZ Southwest Mod Lites
Saturday 03/23/13 Central Arizona Raceway Casa Grande AZ USAC Non-Wing Sprint Cars
Saturday 03/23/13 Central Arizona Raceway Casa Grande AZ USAC Southwest Sprint Cars
Saturday 03/23/13 Mohave Valley Raceway Mohave Valley AZ USAC Western Dirt Ignite Midgets
Saturday 03/23/13 Tucson International Raceway Tucson AZ Factory Stocks
Saturday 03/23/13 Tucson International Raceway Tucson AZ Hornets
Saturday 03/23/13 Tucson International Raceway Tucson AZ Late Models
Saturday 03/23/13 Tucson International Raceway Tucson AZ USRA Modifieds
Saturday 03/23/13 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA American Stocks
Saturday 03/23/13 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA Hobby Stocks
Saturday 03/23/13 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA Sprint Cars
Saturday 03/23/13 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA USAC West Coast Sprints
Saturday 03/23/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA 4-Cylinders
Saturday 03/23/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA Hobby Stocks
Saturday 03/23/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA Mini Cup
Saturday 03/23/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA MST
Saturday 03/23/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA Super Modifieds
Saturday 03/23/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA Toyota Sedans
Saturday 03/23/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA USAC Western States Midgets
Saturday 03/23/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA USAC/BCRA Midgets
Saturday 03/23/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA Valley Sportsman
Saturday 03/23/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA Vintage Super Modifieds
Saturday 03/23/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA Winged Sprints
Saturday 03/23/13 Silver Dollar Speedway Chico CA World of Outlaw Sprint Cars
Saturday 03/23/13 Belle-Clair Speedway Belleville IL POWRi Lucas Oil National Midgets
Saturday 03/23/13 Belle-Clair Speedway Belleville IL POWRi Speedway Motors 600 Outlaw Micro Sprints
Saturday 03/23/13 Highland Speedway Highland IL Late Models
Saturday 03/23/13 Highland Speedway Highland IL Modifieds
Saturday 03/23/13 Highland Speedway Highland IL Sport Mods
Saturday 03/23/13 Highland Speedway Highland IL Street Stocks
Saturday 03/23/13 Brownstown Speedway Brownstown IN Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models
Saturday 03/23/13 Humboldt Speedway Humboldt KS USMTS Modifieds
Saturday 03/23/13 Whynot Motorsports Park Whynot MS World of Outlaw Late Models
Saturday 03/23/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Late Model Super Trucks
Saturday 03/23/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Mini Stocks
Saturday 03/23/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Street Stocks
Saturday 03/23/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Legends
Saturday 03/23/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Hornets
Saturday 03/23/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC U-Cars
Saturday 03/23/13 County Line Raceway Elm City NC Modifieds
Saturday 03/23/13 County Line Raceway Elm City NC Thunder & Lightning
Saturday 03/23/13 County Line Raceway Elm City NC Topless Late Models
Saturday 03/23/13 Hickory Motor Speedway Newton NC UARA-Stars Late Models
Saturday 03/23/13 Southern National Motorsports Park Kenly NC Whelen Southern Modifieds
Saturday 03/23/13 Greenville-Pickens Speedway Greenville SC K&N Pro Series East
Saturday 03/23/13 Smoky Mountain Speedway Maryville TN Southern All Stars Late Models
Saturday 03/23/13 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite TX ASCS Winged Sprints
Saturday 03/23/13 South Boston Speedway South Boston VA Late Models
Saturday 03/23/13 South Boston Speedway South Boston VA Limited Late Models
Saturday 03/23/13 South Boston Speedway South Boston VA Pure Stock
Sunday 03/24/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN World of Outlaw Late Models
Sunday 03/24/13 Smoky Mountain Speedway Maryville TN Crate Late Models
Monday 03/25/13 Smoky Mountain Speedway Maryville TN Street Stocks
Wednesday 03/27/13 Millbridge Speedway Salisbury NC 125 Mini Outlaw
Wednesday 03/27/13 Millbridge Speedway Salisbury NC Beginner Box Stock Mini Outlaw
Wednesday 03/27/13 Millbridge Speedway Salisbury NC Box Stock Mini Outlaw
Wednesday 03/27/13 Millbridge Speedway Salisbury NC NBA Clone Go-Karts
Wednesday 03/27/13 Millbridge Speedway Salisbury NC Open Mini Outlaw
Mike Neff is a Senior Writer and the Short Track Reporter for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at mike.neff@frontstretch.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MNeffShortTrack.
~~~~~~~~~~
Frontstretch Folio: Auto Club 400
by Beth Lunkenheimer
This weekend, the Sprint Cup Series heads out west to Auto Club Speedway in California. The Auto Club 400 will be broadcast live Sunday, March 24th on FOX at 2:30 PM ET. The race can also be heard on PRN or SiriusXM Channel 90. Drivers will compete for 200 laps (400 miles) en route to the checkered flag.
Records and Facts
Kyle Busch holds the track qualifying record at Auto Club Speedway with a lap of 188.245 mph (38.248 sec.) set on February 25, 2005 for the Auto Club 500. He led just two laps before settling for a 23rd-place finish, one lap down. Greg Biffle went on to win by 0.231 seconds over Jimmie Johnson. Kurt Busch, Jamie McMurray and Carl Edwards rounded out the top 5.
Tony Stewart is the defending race winner of the Auto Club 400. The driver of the No. 14 Chevrolet led twice for 42 laps en route to a rain-shortened victory. Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards rounded out the top 5.
Most Wins: 5 –Jimmie Johnson
Most Lead Changes: 33 – 2/25/08
Fewest Lead Changes: 9 – 3/25/12
Most Leaders: 16 – 9/2/07
Fewest Leaders: 5 – 3/25/12
Most Cautions: 12 – 2/25/08
Fewest Cautions: 1 – 3/25/12
Track Facts
Track / Race Length: 2.0-mile D-shaped oval; 200 laps (400 miles)
Pit Road Speed: 55 mph
Frontstretch: 3100 ft., banked 11 degrees
Backstretch: 2500 ft., banked 3 degrees
Grandstand Seating: 92,000
Pre-race Schedule
Practices: Friday, March 22, 2:30 - 3:30 PM ET on SPEED
Saturday, March 23, 12:30 - 1:25 PM ET on SPEED
Happy Hour: Saturday, March 23, 3:30 - 4:20 PM ET on SPEED
Qualifying: Friday, March 22 at 7:10 PM ET on SPEED
VIPs
Grand Marshal / Command: G.I. Joe actors D.J. Cotrona and Adrianne Palicki
Honorary Starter / Wave Green Flag: Mexican Actress Kate del Castillo
National Anthem: Verve Recording Artists "The Tenors"
Race Day Forecast
Sunday: Sunny
High: 73 degrees
Low: 48 degrees
They Said It
"I think California is going to be a place where we can run well based on how we raced at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. I think we are going to see a very competitive race. This new car is going to change some things up. It's got more downforce and more speed. Auto Club Speedway is already really fast. I expect to see really fast speeds, and I think the really good thing about this track is the groove. It is all over the track. It's going to allow us to put on a great race for the fans. It's going to allow us to pass a lot. My plan is to keep it simple and just be faster than everyone else. That's it. How hard can that be?" -Martin Truex, Jr.
"Auto Club Speedway is one of the most fun race tracks that we go to on the circuit. The speeds are extremely high and the surface has a lot of character. The cars move around a lot, they slide around the corners and you can race three or four wide. It's just a race track with a lot of characteristics and that makes it fun to drive on. We have had a lot of success there, and I am really excited to see how the new Subway Ford Fusion races there at such high speeds. It will be a little bit different than Las Vegas, because the banking is lower and the speeds are slightly higher." -Carl Edwards
"I'm looking forward to going to Fontana with the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Chevrolet SS. It is a really good race track. It's easy to say that about a low of venues, but Fontana is a track where the drivers can really go and explore different lanes. The crew chiefs and teams can explore different ways to make the race cars go fast because you can work with horsepower. You can work with aerodynamics. You can work with mechanical grip. If you are fortunate enough to get all three of them right, you run really, really fast. It's honestly a really good race track and a lot of fun." -Jimmie Johnson
Beth Lunkenheimer is a Managing Editor for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via email at beth.lunkenheimer@frontstretch.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Beth_Frntstrtch.
~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Four Burning Questions in Fontana: Feuds, Cautions, and Single File Parades
by Matt Stallknecht
IndyCar In-Depth: Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
by Toni Montgomery
Voices From the Cheap Seats: BSNews? No, Unfortunately It's Real
by Jeff Meyer
Five NASCAR Truths We Already Know for 2013
by Amy Henderson
Nuts for Nationwide: Mike Harmon's (Comparably) Hot Start
by Kevin Rutherford
Frontstretch Foto Funnies: That Isn't Technically Illegal...
by the Fronstretch Staff
Formula 1 Fridays: The Iceman Cometh and Other Reflections…
by Andy Hollis
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In 2001, NASCAR was forced to boot Kyle Busch from the seat of the No. 99 Eldon Ford at then-California Speedway. West Series regular Tim Woods, III ended up subbing. Why was Busch removed from the seat?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Thursday's Answer:
Q: For Bill Elliott, the 1998 California 500 Presented by NAPA was a very painful event after his crash with Dale Earnhardt at Talladega. However, fate did not lend him any favors. What happened to put him out of the race?
The crash can be seen at the 5:30 mark of this clip. Elliott, Jarrett and Petty were out on the spot. Earnhardt continued and ended up finishing ninth.
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 in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Auto Club 400 Race Recap by Justin Tucker
-- Weekend News by Phil Allaway
-- Quotes To Remember, Letter Of The Week, Underdog Central by the Frontstretch Staff
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, trivia, and more!
~~~~~~~~~~
Monday on the Frontstretch:
Thinkin' Out Loud: Auto Club 400 by Mike Neff
Mike is back with his overall thoughts from Sunday afternoon's race from California.
Commentary by Summer Bedgood
Summer takes a look at one of the biggest stories to come out of Auto Club Speedway.
Commentary by TBA
One of the Frontstretch Staff members will stop by with their thoughts on Sunday afternoon's Auto Club 400.
Big Six: Auto Club 400 by Amy Henderson
Amy has your weekly look at the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How from a weekend of racing in California.
Pace Laps: Auto Club Weekend by the Frontstretch Staff
It's back again this season! The staff gets together to help you catch up on the latest and greatest going on in each series coming out of a weekend in California.
Nationwide Series Breakdown: Royal Purple 300 by Kevin Rutherford
Kevin has all the post-race analysis you need following Saturday's main event for the sport's second-tier division.
-----------------------------
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
--
Feel free to forward this newsletter if you have any friends who loves
NASCAR and great NASCAR commentary. They can subscribe to the Frontstetch by visiting http://www.frontstretch.com/notice/9557/.
If you want to stop your Frontstretch Newsletter subscription, we're sorry
to see you go. Just send an email to
TheFrontstretch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com from the address that you
recieve the Frontstretch Newsletter.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Frontstretch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to thefrontstretch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
No comments:
Post a Comment