Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
March 8th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition XXXI
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What To Watch: Friday
- The Sprint Cup Series will be on track with a lone practice session this afternoon in preparation for Sunday's Kobalt Tools 400 from 3:40 - 5:30 PM ET.
- Kobalt Tools 400 qualifying is scheduled to run at 5:40 PM ET.
- The Nationwide Series will also be on track with two practice sessions in preparation for this weekend's Sam's Town 300. The first session will be held from 11:00 AM - 1:50 PM ET followed by the second from 3:40 - 5:30 PM ET.
- Rain could be an issue for Friday's on-track schedule with a 65% chance of precipitation. The forecast calls for the showers to taper off sometime after the first Nationwide Series practice session is scheduled to start, but more rain is expected again in the afternoon. Saturday and Sunday, however, should be good with forecasts of Partly Cloudy and Sunny conditions, respectively.
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Friday Morning Breaking News
by Beth Lunkenehimer
Allmendinger to Drive Team Penske IndyCar
Team Penske announced Friday morning that AJ Allmendinger has joined its IZOD IndyCar Series program later this season. He's currently scheduled to pilot the No. 2 Team Penske car Dallara / Chevrolet at Barber Motorsports Park next month and the Indianapolis 500 in May.
"It is exciting to welcome AJ back to Penske Racing. He obviously went through a tough time last year but he has done everything he needed to in order to get back to acing at the top level of the sport," owner Roger Penske said in a release. "We have always believed in AJ and his ability and he deserves this opportunity. We think he will be a strong competitor this season in the IZOD IndyCar Series for Team Penske, and we look forward to racing with him in the IZOD car at Barber and at the Indianapolis 500."
Allmendinger, who was released from Penske Racing's NASCAR team following his suspension for violating the sanctioning body's substance abuse policy, is no stranger to open wheel racing. He previously raced in the Champ Car series where he won Rookie of the Year honors in 2004. He also competed with Michael Shank Racing in the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway in January and drove the final segment to the victory in the Daytona Prototype division.
Burton Crew Chief Still Awaiting Baby
Jeff Burton's Crew Chief, Luke Lambert, is on baby watch once again this week according to the Associated Press. Last weekend, he flew home from Phoenix International Raceway in anticipation of the birth while Ernie Cope called the shots. Lambert's wife Jamie is on bed rest and while the couple is hoping the baby can wait until after the Kobalt Tools 400 on Sunday, Burton supports his crew chief.
"If something starts, we're going to support Luke being home. He should be home with his wife," Burton said. "If anybody questions that, I don't give a damn. Yeah, racing is important, but being a father is more important."
Burton finished 10th in Phoenix last weekend.
Top News
by Justin Tucker
Hamlin Fined for Post Race Comments at Phoenix
Denny Hamlin was fined $25,000 by NASCAR on Thursday for comments made after the Subway Fresh Fit 500 about the new Gen-6 race car. NASCAR made the fine public early Thursday afternoon, stating Hamlin's comments violated section 12-1 of the NASCAR rule book (actions detrimental to stock car racing). While the sanctioning body didn't specify the exact comment that drew the fine, widespread speculation is that it's centered around his response to lessons learned about the new car.
"We learned a lot. I don't want to be the pessimist, but it did not race as good as our generation five cars. This is more like what the generation five was at the beginning. The teams hadn't figured out how to get the aero balance right. Right now, you just run single-file and you cannot get around the guy in front of you. You would have placed me in 20th with 30 to go, I would have stayed there -- I wouldn't have moved up. It's just one of those things where track position is everything."
NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp stated on Thursday that NASCAR draws the line on criticizing the new car that NASCAR has spent months promoting. Hamlin made it clear that he'll bite his tongue in future when answering questions.
"I'll be honest. I'm not going to say anything for the rest of the year, as long as it relates to competition," Hamlin said Thursday. "You can ask me how my daughter is, talk to me after wins about what-have-you, but as long as it relates to competition, I'm out, from here on out. The bad part is that I feel like I've been a pretty good spokesman for them, and being positive when things aren't always positive. They just lost one small spokesman today — that's all."
The driver of the No. 11 FedEx Toyota does have the ability to appeal the fine and intends to do so, according a statement he issued on Twitter Thursday.
"The short of the long of it is I believe I was severely disrespected by NASCAR by getting fined. I believe that the simple fact of us not even having a conversation about this issue before I was hit with a fine has something to say about our relationship. What I said was 1 sentence taken completely out of context. Most drivers will tell you that we constantly have our AND NASCAR best interest in mind when speaking.
"On the other hand I am a person that worked very hard from the BOTTOM to get where I am today and someone telling me that I can give my 100 percent honest opinion really bothers me. Since being fined in 2010 I have been a lot more careful about what I say to media and I felt this past weekend felt completely in my rights to give a assessment of the question asked. I feel as if today NASCAR lost one of its biggest supporters vocally of where our sport is headed. So in the end there are no winners.
"I said today I would not pay the fine. I stand by that and will go through the process of appealing. Trust me, this is not about the money.. It's much deeper. I will now shift my focus on giving FedEx and my team what they deserve this weekend, a win."
The fine comes just a couple weeks after defending champion Brad Keselowski was called to the NASCAR hauler to discuss an interview with USA Today's Nate Ryan.
Senator Encourages NASCAR to Drop NRA Sponsorship of April Texas Race
When NASCAR rolls into Texas Motor Speedway on the weekend of April 13th, the race is scheduled to be called the NRA 500. But if U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, D - Connecticut has his way, the race will be looking for new sponsorship. Senator Murphy submitted a letter to NASCAR chairman Brian France asking NASCAR to drop the NRA as the title sponsor of the Spring race at Texas in April.
"By giving the NRA sponsorship of a major NASCAR race, NASCAR has crossed a line—you have decided to put yourself in the middle of a political debate, and you have taken a side that stands in opposition to the wishes of so many Newtown families who support common sense gun reform," Murphy wrote.
NASCAR has stated that the sanctioning body has the power to reject sponsorship agreements made by the tracks, and the NRA sponsorship meets the guidelines for approval for that event. Senator Murphy has also called into question why NASCAR and France would align themselves with the NRA when just last month they played a major role in having Michael Waltrip drive a car in the Daytona 500 that encouraged fans to donate to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund.
Murphy was also critical of the NRA in his letter stating that "The NRA increasing relies on funding from the firearms industry and has not played a constructive role in gun control debate and instead pushes an extreme agenda in state capitols across our nation."
Wise to drive the No. 40 for The Motorsports Group
Sprint Cup Series regular Josh Wise will be behind the wheel of the No. 40 Chevrolet Camaro for The Motorsports Group for five Nationwide Series races starting this weekend at Las Vegas. Wise, who drives the No. 35 for Front Row Motorsports in the Cup Series, will be subbing for Reed Sorenson, who will be subbing for Michael Annett in the No. 43 car for Richard Petty Motorsports.
Wise is no stranger to Nationwide Series competition, starting in 104 career races in the series and has a career best finish of fourth place at Iowa in August, 2011.
Wise's five Nationwide Series races scheduled also include Bristol and Auto Club Speedway in March, and Texas and Richmond in April to go along with his full time Sprint Cup Series commitment.
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.
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In Case You Missed It
by Rick Lunkenheimer
RaceView Subscribers Eligible for Refunds
While RaceView Premium subscribers have dealt with intermittent service from the subscription product for the last two races, there seems to be a solution in place. An email sent to subscribers indicates the problems have been identified and corrected. The statement went on to offer a refund for the a portion of the subscription price.
"We also acknowledge that you have now missed two races for the subscription product you have paid for. In an effort to be fair to the affected subscribers, we are refunding your account in the amount of $9.95, which is equivalent to one month of the RaceView Premium service. We are automatically crediting the payment account we have on file for you and you will receive an email confirmation when complete."
Fans looking for further information or to update their payment method to receive the refund are asked to visit the customer support center.
PRN Launches Mobile App
The Performance Racing Network has become the latest NASCAR-related entity to join the mobile app world. The network launched its first mobile app on Thursday that will allow fans to access of their NASCAR coverage on the go.
"NASCAR fans want their race broadcasts, news and information on the go, and now we're able to deliver Performance Racing Network wherever they go," Doug Rice, PRN president and co-anchor stated in a release. "With the new PRN mobile app, they can access all PRN race coverage, PRN's "Fast Talk" show, PRN's "O'Reilly Auto Parts Pit Reporters" and PRN's "Garage Pass," along with the latest photos and videos.
The app is now available free of charge in the Apple App Store and the Android Marketplace by searching "Performance Racing Network."
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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: PASSin' at Dillon Motor Speedway
by Mike Neff
One of the best sanctioning bodies in the country is kicking off their regional series racing schedule this weekend as the Pro All Stars Series rolls off for their first event in their Southern schedule at Dillon Motor Speedway. PASS will be bringing both Super Late Models and Pro Late Models to the .4 mile oval in southeastern South Carolina. Joining the PASS cars on the schedule will be Allison Legacy cars, Legends and Bandoleros.
The PASS South schedule is 16 races long with back-to-back weekends in the low country of South Carolina starting off their season. After the teams compete at Dillon, they'll pack up and head just down the road to Myrtle Beach Speedway for another Saturday race on the 16th. Kyle Grissom, the 2012 rookie who surprised many people by winning the PASS South title will be back for his second year in Super Late Model competition to try and defend his crown. 2012 National Champion Jay Fogleman will also be competing at Dillon even though the race is not a National Points event.
Joining Grissom and Fogleman in the event will be Austin Theriault, Brandon Ward, Spencer Davis, Kevin Powell and Clay Rogers along with at least a dozen more drivers. There will be rotating practice on Friday evening starting at 3:00. Practice resumes Saturday morning at 11:00 for all divisions. The feature event for the Super Late Models will be 150 laps. As with all PASS sanctioned events, only green flag laps will count.
Dillon Speedway was reopened in 2007 following a 25 year closure. The track was originally opened in 1966 as a 4/10 mile dirt track. It operated until 1973 before closing for the first time. It reopened in 1977 for a four year run to 1980 before it was closed again. In 2006, Ron Barfield purchased the track and paved it. It has been growing in popularity ever since thanks to the great racing, pleasant atmosphere and friendly nature of everyone involved with the track.
Admission for this weekend is $20 for the grandstands. Children 11 and under are free. If you are near the Dillon, SC area this weekend, take a ride over to the speedway to see some great PASS racing and enjoy the beautiful low country of South Carolina. You won't be disappointed.
This Weekend's Racing Schedule
Friday 03/08/13 Humboldt Speedway Humboldt KS USMTS Modifieds
Saturday 03/09/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL 4-Cylinders
Saturday 03/09/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Bombers
Saturday 03/09/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Limited Late Models
Saturday 03/09/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Open Wheel Modifieds
Saturday 03/09/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Stockers
Saturday 03/09/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Vintage
Saturday 03/09/13 Mobile International Speedway Mobile AL ARCA
Saturday 03/09/13 Central Arizona Raceway Casa Grande AZ IMCA Modifieds
Saturday 03/09/13 Central Arizona Raceway Casa Grande AZ Pure Stocks
Saturday 03/09/13 Central Arizona Raceway Casa Grande AZ Super Stocks
Saturday 03/09/13 Central Arizona Raceway Casa Grande AZ X-Mods
Saturday 03/09/13 Tucson International Raceway Tucson AZ Mini Sprints
Saturday 03/09/13 Tucson International Raceway Tucson AZ World of Outlaw Sprint Cars
Saturday 03/09/13 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA American Stocks
Saturday 03/09/13 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA Hobby Stocks
Saturday 03/09/13 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA Late Models
Saturday 03/09/13 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA Sport Mods
Saturday 03/09/13 Perris Auto Speedway Perris CA USAC/CRA Sprint Cars
Saturday 03/09/13 Valley Speedway Grain Valley MO USMTS Modifieds
Saturday 03/09/13 County Line Raceway Elm City NC Late Models
Saturday 03/09/13 County Line Raceway Elm City NC Modifieds
Saturday 03/09/13 County Line Raceway Elm City NC Thunder & Lightning
Saturday 03/09/13 Hickory Motor Speedway Newton NC Limited Late Models
Saturday 03/09/13 Hickory Motor Speedway Newton NC Renegades
Saturday 03/09/13 Hickory Motor Speedway Newton NC Street Stocks
Saturday 03/09/13 Hickory Motor Speedway Newton NC Whelen All-American Late Models
Saturday 03/09/13 Southern National Motorsports Park Kenly NC UARA-Stars Late Models
Saturday 03/09/13 Dillon Motor Speedway Dillon SC PASS Pro Late Models
Saturday 03/09/13 Dillon Motor Speedway Dillon SC PASS South Super Late Models
Saturday 03/09/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Modified Street Bomber
Saturday 03/09/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Openwheel
Saturday 03/09/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Outlaw Pony
Saturday 03/09/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Pure Pony
Saturday 03/09/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Rookie Pony
Saturday 03/09/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Street Stock Bomber
Saturday 03/09/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Super Late Models
Saturday 03/09/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Two Barrel Late Models
Saturday 03/09/13 Cleveland Speedway Cleveland TN Southern All Stars Late Models
Saturday 03/09/13 South Boston Speedway South Boston VA Late Models
Saturday 03/09/13 South Boston Speedway South Boston VA Limited Late Models
Saturday 03/09/13 South Boston Speedway South Boston VA Pure Stock
Sunday 03/10/13 Lavonia Speedway Lavonia GA Southern Regional Racing Series Super Late Models
Sunday 03/10/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Cruzer Bruzers
Sunday 03/10/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Econos
Sunday 03/10/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Mini Mods
Sunday 03/10/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Mini Stocks
Sunday 03/10/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Mini Trucks
Sunday 03/10/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Modifieds
Sunday 03/10/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Super Street Stocks
Sunday 03/10/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Winged Sprints
Sunday 03/10/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Hornets
Sunday 03/10/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Late Model Super Trucks
Sunday 03/10/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Late Models
Sunday 03/10/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Legends
Sunday 03/10/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Limited Late Models
Sunday 03/10/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Mini Stocks
Sunday 03/10/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Street Stocks
Sunday 03/10/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC U-Cars
Wednesday 03/13/13 Millbridge Speedway Salisbury NC 125 Mini Outlaw
Wednesday 03/13/13 Millbridge Speedway Salisbury NC Beginner Box Stock Mini Outlaw
Wednesday 03/13/13 Millbridge Spedway Salisbury NC Box Stock Mini Outlaw
Wednesday 03/13/13 Millbridge Speedway Salisbury NC NBA Clone Go-Karts
Wednesday 03/13/13 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.
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Frontstretch Folio: Kobalt Tools 400
by Rick Lunkenheimer
Frontstretch Folio: Kobalt Tools 400
The third race of the season takes the Sprint Cup Series to Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Drivers will compete for 267 laps as they try to build points early in the season. This Sunday's race will be broadcast on Fox at 3:00 PM ET. If you can't watch the race on TV, it will also be broadcast on PRN and SiriusXM radio channel 90.
Records and Facts
Kasey Kahne holds the track qualifying record with a speed of 190.456 mph (28.353 sec.) set on March 9, 2012. Kahne was not able to lead a lap and wound up finishing 19th.
Mark Martin holds the race record with a speed of 146.554 mph (2:43:58) set on Mar. 1, 1998. Martin led for 82 laps en route to a victory in the Las Vegas 400.
The defending winner for this race is Tony Stewart, who held off Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle, Ryan Newman, and Carl Edwards.
Track Facts
Track/Race Length: 1.5 mile oval, 267 laps, 400.5 miles (2010-2011)
Front straight: 2,275 feet
Back straight: 1,572 feet
Banking after reconfiguration in 2007: Corners:20°, Front Straight: 9°, Back Straight: 9°
Grandstand Seating: 142,000
Pace Car Speeds: Pit Road - 45 mph; Track 55 mph
Opened: 1996 (First Cup race held in 1998)
Pre Race Schedule
Practices: Friday, March 8, 3:00 - 4:30 PM ET on SPEED
Saturday, March 9, 12:00 - 12:50 PM ET on SPEED
Happy Hour: Saturday, March 9, 2:35 – 3:30 PM ET on SPEED
Qualifying: Friday, March 8 at 6:40 PM ET on SPEED, re-air scheduled at 10:30 PM/ET and 12:30 AM/ET
VIPs
Grand Marshal / Command: TBA
Honorary Starter / Wave Green Flag: TBA
Invocation: TBA
National Anthem: Marie Osmond
Military Flyover: TBA
Say What?!?
"Obviously, Phoenix was tough all around. It was a bad finish, we took a hit in the points, and our car was destroyed. You always hate to destroy a car, but especially with the new ones, it really hurts the team because everyone is trying to build new cars as quickly as possible. So I really feel bad for all the guys because it's just more work for them. So, hopefully we'll have a better outing at Las Vegas with the GoDaddy.com Chevrolet SS. We've had good results in the Nationwide Series, and I think the test day on Thursday will be beneficial. Any track time at a place we race is helpful for me as the learning process continues. It gives us a chance to learn more about the car and helps Tony Gibson and I build a notebook. The more track time, the better." -Danica Patrick
"Personally, for me, I really like Las Vegas. I always say it's my kind of racetrack because I like the ones that have hills, and this track has some great banking. As far as the track goes, they've made some changes to it over the past few years. The track is higher-banked. It has a rougher surface in that there are more bumps. The track has some character to it. Over the past couple of years, the bumps in the track have typically been pretty tricky, but that's something I like. We have some good notes from what we've done there the past few years, and I really hope we can build on those." -Ryan Newman
Rick Lunkenheimer is a Contributing Writer and Photographer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at rick.lunkenheimer@frontstretch.com. Follow him on Twitter at @FrntstretchRick.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Four Burning Questions In Las Vegas: Fines, Tires, and 'Quality' Concerns
by Matt Stallknecht
Let's Be Realistic: Putting Gen-6 Expectations In Perspective
by Amy Henderson
Voices From the Cheap Seats: NASCAR Told To Kiss Hamlin's Posterior
by Jeff Meyer
Nuts for Nationwide: 2013 Could Be Allgaier's Year
by Kevin Rutherford
Justin Allgaier Diary: All Around The World ... And Then On Top Of NASCAR's
as told to Mike Neff
Frontstretch Foto Funnies: I Know You Can Hear Me, Butthead
by the Fronstretch Staff
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: On Racing-Reference.info's result page for the IRL's 1998 Las Vegas 500k, there is an error. There was not a 29 lap caution period during the race. That was actually two separate yellows. The first came out when Donnie Beechler crashed. What caused the second?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Thursday's Answer:
Q: Up until 2002, Ricky Hendrick was an up-and-coming driver in the then-Busch Series. However, Las Vegas was the beginning of the end of his career as a driver. What happened?
Raines walked away from the crash, but Hendrick broke his shoulder. This caused him to sit out for six races. Ron Hornaday, Jr., subbed in the No. 5 while Hendrick recovered.
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 Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Kobalt Tools 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!
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Monday on the Frontstretch:
Thinkin' Out Loud: Kobalt Tools 400 by Mike Neff
Mike has everything you need to know about the action from Sin City this Sunday.
Commentary by Summer Bedgood
Summer takes a look at one of the biggest stories to come out of the second race of the year at Las Vegas.
Big Six: Kobalt Tools 400 by Amy Henderson
Amy's back for 2013, returning for a weekly look at the Who, Where, What, When, Why, and How from the Vegas weekend that was.
Pace Laps: Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas.
Nationwide Series Breakdown: Sam's Town 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.
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