THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
April 12th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition LVI
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Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
April 12th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition LVI
~~~~~~~~~~
Hey Frontstretch Readers! While NASCAR has been hard at work for almost three months now, we've been working hard on our own project, designed especially for you. With the help of webmaster Marc LeMay, We're getting close to debuting our brand new website, so we'd like to share a little taste of what you can expect. Click here to see just a few of the special projects we've been working on!
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Top News
by Justin Tucker
Busch To Make 300th Sprint Cup Start
It is hard to call Joe Gibbs Racing driver Kyle Busch a seasoned veteran. At just 27 years of age, Busch is still widely regarded as one of the young guns in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. But when the green flag flies on the NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday night, it will mark a veteran's milestone for the Las Vegas, NV native: career start No. 300 for Busch in NASCAR's top series.
Busch's numbers back up his early veteran status despite his young age. In 299 career starts, Busch has 25 wins, which ties him for 24th all time with his JGR teammate Matt Kenseth, Jim Paschal, and Hall of Fame nominee Joe Weatherly. Busch also is one of just three drivers in NASCAR history to have 25 wins in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series, sharing that honor with Mark Martin and Matt Kenseth.
Busch also has 97 top 5s and and 144 top 10s. He made his first start in the series in 2004 at Las Vegas in the UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 at the age of 18 with Hendrick Motorsports. He started 18th and completed just 11 laps before crashing and finishing 41st.
McMurray and Bell Helicopters Team Up at Texas
Jamie McMurray will have a new primary sponsor featured on the hood of his No. 1 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet SS this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Bell Helicopters will be the primary sponsor for McMurray's No. 1 for the first team this weekend in the NRA 500. The partnership was first announced during the Sprint Media Tour in January. Founded in 1935, Bell Helicopters is an industry leader in the aviation industry. Bell was the first company to receive certification for building commercial helicopters.
Bell Helicopters is headquartered in Fort Worth,Texas and has additional plants located in Amarillo,TX and Mirabel, Canada. The company also has logistics supply and service centers in Europe, Canada, Singapore, and the United States.
Earnhardt, Jr. says Johnson Did Nothing Wrong at Martinsville
On Thursday, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. addressed the media and discussed his teammate Jimmie Johnson's decision to lap him under caution last weekend at Martinsville Speedway.
"I would have done the same thing Jimmie did," Earnhardt said during his media availability on Thursday at Texas Motor Speedway. "If I'm leading the race, I have to think about my team, my car and what I'm trying to do."
Earnhardt was involved in a late-race incident with 35 laps to go during last Sunday's STP Gas Booster 500 at Martinsville that left him stopped on the track with two flat tires as the field, led by Johnson, went by. Johnson's No. 48 would pass Earnhardt, Jr. as he circled the track, causing controversy among fans, many of whom wondered why he didn't stop to let his teammate stay ahead of him and therefore only one lap down instead of two laps in arrears.
Earnhardt, Jr.'s fans took their rage out on Johnson following the race on social media, questioning his role as a teammate, but Earnhardt pointed out that Johnson did what he had to do to ultimately win the race for Hendrick Motorsports.
"Jimmie couldn't slow down," Earnhardt said to the assembled. "He did, actually, try to slow down, but if he slowed down too much, the guys behind him have the right to take his position. I lost a position to Hamlin under caution at Phoenix, so I know all about it."
By NASCAR rules, drivers must maintain a reasonable pace under caution to maintain their position on the race track. If they fail to do so, other drivers may be allowed to pass them for position.
Earnhardt, Jr. went on to finish 24th at Martinsville, two laps down and go from first to third in Sprint Cup points, losing the top spot to Johnson as his teammate scored his eighth Martinsville win.
It is hard to call Joe Gibbs Racing driver Kyle Busch a seasoned veteran. At just 27 years of age, Busch is still widely regarded as one of the young guns in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. But when the green flag flies on the NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday night, it will mark a veteran's milestone for the Las Vegas, NV native: career start No. 300 for Busch in NASCAR's top series.
Busch's numbers back up his early veteran status despite his young age. In 299 career starts, Busch has 25 wins, which ties him for 24th all time with his JGR teammate Matt Kenseth, Jim Paschal, and Hall of Fame nominee Joe Weatherly. Busch also is one of just three drivers in NASCAR history to have 25 wins in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series, sharing that honor with Mark Martin and Matt Kenseth.
Busch also has 97 top 5s and and 144 top 10s. He made his first start in the series in 2004 at Las Vegas in the UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 at the age of 18 with Hendrick Motorsports. He started 18th and completed just 11 laps before crashing and finishing 41st.
McMurray and Bell Helicopters Team Up at Texas
Jamie McMurray will have a new primary sponsor featured on the hood of his No. 1 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet SS this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Bell Helicopters will be the primary sponsor for McMurray's No. 1 for the first team this weekend in the NRA 500. The partnership was first announced during the Sprint Media Tour in January. Founded in 1935, Bell Helicopters is an industry leader in the aviation industry. Bell was the first company to receive certification for building commercial helicopters.
Bell Helicopters is headquartered in Fort Worth,Texas and has additional plants located in Amarillo,TX and Mirabel, Canada. The company also has logistics supply and service centers in Europe, Canada, Singapore, and the United States.
Earnhardt, Jr. says Johnson Did Nothing Wrong at Martinsville
On Thursday, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. addressed the media and discussed his teammate Jimmie Johnson's decision to lap him under caution last weekend at Martinsville Speedway.
"I would have done the same thing Jimmie did," Earnhardt said during his media availability on Thursday at Texas Motor Speedway. "If I'm leading the race, I have to think about my team, my car and what I'm trying to do."
Earnhardt was involved in a late-race incident with 35 laps to go during last Sunday's STP Gas Booster 500 at Martinsville that left him stopped on the track with two flat tires as the field, led by Johnson, went by. Johnson's No. 48 would pass Earnhardt, Jr. as he circled the track, causing controversy among fans, many of whom wondered why he didn't stop to let his teammate stay ahead of him and therefore only one lap down instead of two laps in arrears.
Earnhardt, Jr.'s fans took their rage out on Johnson following the race on social media, questioning his role as a teammate, but Earnhardt pointed out that Johnson did what he had to do to ultimately win the race for Hendrick Motorsports.
"Jimmie couldn't slow down," Earnhardt said to the assembled. "He did, actually, try to slow down, but if he slowed down too much, the guys behind him have the right to take his position. I lost a position to Hamlin under caution at Phoenix, so I know all about it."
By NASCAR rules, drivers must maintain a reasonable pace under caution to maintain their position on the race track. If they fail to do so, other drivers may be allowed to pass them for position.
Earnhardt, Jr. went on to finish 24th at Martinsville, two laps down and go from first to third in Sprint Cup points, losing the top spot to Johnson as his teammate scored his eighth Martinsville win.
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 Beth Lunkenheimer
Michigan Launches myMISpeedway.com
Michigan International Speedway has launched a new website--myMISpeedway.com--designed to educate its visitors about the facility and NASCAR itself. The site allows potential visitors to ask questions of the Fan Advisory Board, watch helpful videos, check out the track's guest guide, and even find a track packing list.
"We want it to be easy to be a fan," MIS President Roger Curtis said. "The one thing we have heard is how fans want to learn about the track and NASCAR before they even leave the house. This website is a fun way for guests to gain a comfort level with the track and what they can expect at an event larger than the Super Bowl before arriving."
Fans who'd like to connect further with the track can follow them on Facebook or Twitter
Deleware DOT Launches App to Assist Race Fans
Michigan International Speedway has launched a new website--myMISpeedway.com--designed to educate its visitors about the facility and NASCAR itself. The site allows potential visitors to ask questions of the Fan Advisory Board, watch helpful videos, check out the track's guest guide, and even find a track packing list.
"We want it to be easy to be a fan," MIS President Roger Curtis said. "The one thing we have heard is how fans want to learn about the track and NASCAR before they even leave the house. This website is a fun way for guests to gain a comfort level with the track and what they can expect at an event larger than the Super Bowl before arriving."
Fans who'd like to connect further with the track can follow them on Facebook or Twitter
Deleware DOT Launches App to Assist Race Fans
Earlier this week, the Deleware Department of Transportation launched a new smartphone app designed to help fans traveling to and from Dover International Speedway on race weekends. From streaming traffic cameras to lane restrictions and road closeres to weather information and advisories for accidents, the new "DelDOT" app is available for free to Android and iPhone users via the Google Play Store or the iPhone Apple store. The app will be updated in real-time to help provide the most information to travelers who may need to alter their route.
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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: Just Looking For Exposure
by Mike Neff
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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: Just Looking For Exposure
by Mike Neff
Denny Hamlin came from the Late Model Stock Car ranks in North Carolina. He was running races at Southside Speedway and within one year was driving a car in the Sprint Cup series. While Hamlin left the short tracks for the Cup series, he did not forget his roots. Hamlin has put on the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown for the last five years, giving local racers a chance to showcase their talent on a national stage while competing with the likes of Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Joey Logano and other drivers from the Sprint Cup ranks. The race raises money for Hamlin's foundation while giving exposure to the local drivers on a national stage. Unfortunately for the local drivers, the national stage will only be radio in 2013 as it was just announced that the 2013 version of the Shootout will not be televised on SPEED, unlike the last three years since it moved from Southside to Richmond International Raceway.
Hamlin started the race at Southside Speedway in Virginia because it is his home track. It is where he cut his racing teeth and won 25 races during the amazing 2003 season when he was discovered by Joe Gibbs. After running the event at Southside for two years, he decided to move it to Richmond for a couple of reasons. With the drivers already at the track for the Cup race, it was easier to get more to commit to running the race. Second, with the SPEED equipment already at the track to televise all of the NASCAR activities, they agreed to broadcast the race live. The live broadcast attracted advertisers who were willing to pony up some money, which ended up going to the foundation and also gave drivers who never had another chance to be on national television an opportunity to race in front of hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people.
Over the winter, rumors began to start circulating that the Showdown was going to move from Richmond and be held at Langley Speedway. Langley threw everything but the kitchen sink at Hamlin to get him to move the race to the local short track and, before Daytona, it looked like they'd succeeded. However, during media availability at Daytona before the Sprint Unlimited, Hamlin made the announcement that the race would once again be held at Richmond. When questioned by Frontstretch about the decision to come back to Richmond vs. going to Langley, Hamlin noted that the TV exposure was the number one reason. Getting the race on national TV increased the benefit to his foundation which is the number one reason for the race.
While local short track fans would have loved to see the race move to Langley, they had to admit there was logic to the decision. At least until this week, Race22.com is now reporting that the Showdown will not be shown on SPEED and will only be carried live on MRN radio and Race22.com live race coverage. While the folks at MRN do a fantastic job of broadcasting races and Race22 is the best in the business at live race coverage, it isn't the same as seeing it live on television or, better yet, in person. For the fans who can't make it to Richmond on Thursday night before the Cup race, the television was the best option. Now it looks like radio is going to have to suffice.
While it is too late in the game to make a change for 2013, the 2014 venue will hopefully be up for bids and the fine folks at Langley will get a chance to show their Virginia hospitality to the Shootout. As for the folks at SPEED, the lack of television coverage is a very disappointing development that just points to the future direction of the network once the SPEED name goes away. The channel that once was all about racing is going to be nearly unrecognizable for most of the week to racing enthusiasts. It will be great to see the Hamlin Foundation strike a deal with MAVTV or one of the other emerging sports networks to once again put this show on live national TV so that drivers who almost never have a chance to play on a national stage can get the exposure that could make their careers for them.
This Weekend's Racing Schedule
Friday 04/12/13 Kings Speedway Hanford CA World of Outlaw Sprint Cars
Friday 04/12/13 Jacksonville Speedway Jacksonville IL Big 10 Late Models
Friday 04/12/13 Jacksonville Speedway Jacksonville IL Modifieds
Friday 04/12/13 Jacksonville Speedway Jacksonville IL MOWA Sprint Cars
Friday 04/12/13 Jacksonville Speedway Jacksonville IL Stock Cars
Friday 04/12/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Hornets
Friday 04/12/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Late Models
Friday 04/12/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Limited Late Models
Friday 04/12/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Modifieds
Friday 04/12/13 Tri-City Speedway Pontoon Beach IL UMP Factory Stocks
Friday 04/12/13 Tri-City Speedway Pontoon Beach IL UMP Late Models
Friday 04/12/13 Tri-City Speedway Pontoon Beach IL UMP Modifieds
Friday 04/12/13 Tri-City Speedway Pontoon Beach IL UMP Pro-Crate Late Models
Friday 04/12/13 Tri-City Speedway Pontoon Beach IL UMP Sport Compacts
Friday 04/12/13 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo IN POWRi Lucas Oil National Midgets
Friday 04/12/13 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo IN POWRi Speedway Motors 600 Outlaw Micro Sprints
Friday 04/12/13 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo IN USAC Midwest Dirt Ignite Midgets
Friday 04/12/13 Monett Speedway Monett MO MARS DIRTCar Late Models
Friday 04/12/13 Greenville Speedway Greenville MS Nesmith Late Models
Friday 04/12/13 Tri-County Race Track Brasstown NC Southern Spring Nationals – Dirt Late Models
Friday 04/12/13 Wayne County Speedway Orrville OH World of Outlaw Late Models
Friday 04/12/13 RPM Speedway Crandall TX Factory Stocks
Friday 04/12/13 RPM Speedway Crandall TX Limited Modifieds
Friday 04/12/13 RPM Speedway Crandall TX Sprint Cars
Friday 04/12/13 RPM Speedway Crandall TX Street Stocks
Friday 04/12/13 RPM Speedway Crandall TX USRA Modifieds
Friday 04/12/13 Virginia Motor Speedway Saluda VA Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL 4-Cylinders
Saturday 04/13/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Bombers
Saturday 04/13/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Limited Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Stockers
Saturday 04/13/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Vintage
Saturday 04/13/13 South Alabama Speedway Opp AL Viper Super Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 South Alabama Speedway Ozark AL Viper Super Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Riverside International Speedway West Memphis AR 600 Mini Sprints
Saturday 04/13/13 Riverside International Speedway West Memphis AR Modifieds
Saturday 04/13/13 Riverside International Speedway West Memphis AR Stock Cars
Saturday 04/13/13 Riverside International Speedway West Memphis AR Super Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Arizona Speedway Queen Creek AZ USAC Southwest Sprint Cars
Saturday 04/13/13 Central Arizona Raceway Casa Grande AZ Dwarf Cars
Saturday 04/13/13 Central Arizona Raceway Casa Grande AZ IMCA Modifieds
Saturday 04/13/13 Central Arizona Raceway Casa Grande AZ Southwest Dirt Racing Association Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Central Arizona Raceway Casa Grande AZ X-Mods
Saturday 04/13/13 Havasu 95 Speedway Lake Havasu City AZ ASA Trucks
Saturday 04/13/13 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA Lmods
Saturday 04/13/13 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA Mini Dwarfs
Saturday 04/13/13 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA Mini Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA Sport Mods
Saturday 04/13/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA 4-Cylinders
Saturday 04/13/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA Hobby Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA Limited Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA MST
Saturday 04/13/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA Sport Mods
Saturday 04/13/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA Toyota Sedans
Saturday 04/13/13 Orange Show San Bernadino CA USAC National Quarter Midgets
Saturday 04/13/13 Perris Auto Speedway Perris CA World of Outlaw Sprint Cars
Saturday 04/13/13 Placerville Speedway Placerville CA 360 Winged Sprints
Saturday 04/13/13 Placerville Speedway Placerville CA Limited Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Placerville Speedway Placerville CA Pure Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Thunderbowl Raceway Tulare CA USAC West Coast Sprints
Saturday 04/13/13 Five Flags Speedway Pensacola FL K&N Pro Series East
Saturday 04/13/13 34 Raceway Burlington IA 4-Cylinders
Saturday 04/13/13 34 Raceway Burlington IA IMCA Stock Cars
Saturday 04/13/13 34 Raceway Burlington IA Mod Lites
Saturday 04/13/13 34 Raceway Burlington IA MOWA Sprint Cars
Saturday 04/13/13 Meridian Speedway Meridian ID Jr. Stingers
Saturday 04/13/13 Meridian Speedway Meridian ID Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Meridian Speedway Meridian ID Mini Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Meridian Speedway Meridian ID Pro-4s
Saturday 04/13/13 Meridian Speedway Meridian ID Street Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Meridian Speedway Meridian ID Super Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Highland Speedway Highland IL UMP Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Highland Speedway Highland IL UMP Modifieds
Saturday 04/13/13 Highland Speedway Highland IL UMP Pro Crate Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Highland Speedway Highland IL UMP Sport Mods
Saturday 04/13/13 Highland Speedway Highland IL UMP Street Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Hornets
Saturday 04/13/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Lightning Sprints
Saturday 04/13/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Limited Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Modifieds
Saturday 04/13/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Street Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Sunoco American Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo IN POWRi Lucas Oil National Midgets
Saturday 04/13/13 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo IN POWRi Speedway Motors 600 Outlaw Micro Sprints
Saturday 04/13/13 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo IN USAC Midwest Dirt Ignite Midgets
Saturday 04/13/13 Plymouth Speedway Plymouth IN USAC 600 Mini Sprints
Saturday 04/13/13 LA Raceway LaMonte MO ASCS Winged Sprints
Saturday 04/13/13 Lucas Oil Speedway Wheatland MO A-Mods
Saturday 04/13/13 Lucas Oil Speedway Wheatland MO Factory Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Lucas Oil Speedway Wheatland MO MLRA Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Hornets
Saturday 04/13/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Late Model Super Trucks
Saturday 04/13/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Legends
Saturday 04/13/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Mini Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Southern Modified Lights
Saturday 04/13/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Street Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC U-Cars
Saturday 04/13/13 County Line Raceway Elm City NC Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 County Line Raceway Elm City NC Pure Stock 4 Cylinder
Saturday 04/13/13 County Line Raceway Elm City NC Pure Stock V-8
Saturday 04/13/13 County Line Raceway Elm City NC Super Stock 4 Cylinders
Saturday 04/13/13 County Line Raceway Elm City NC Thunder & Lightning
Saturday 04/13/13 East Lincoln Speedway Stanley NC Limited Sportsman
Saturday 04/13/13 East Lincoln Speedway Stanley NC Micro Sprints
Saturday 04/13/13 East Lincoln Speedway Stanley NC Renegades
Saturday 04/13/13 East Lincoln Speedway Stanley NC Stock 4
Saturday 04/13/13 East Lincoln Speedway Stanley NC Super Stock 4 Cylinders
Saturday 04/13/13 Friendship Motor Speedway Elkin NC FASTRAK Pro Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Hickory Motor Speedway Newton NC Limited Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Hickory Motor Speedway Newton NC Renegades
Saturday 04/13/13 Hickory Motor Speedway Newton NC Street Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Hickory Motor Speedway Newton NC Super Trucks
Saturday 04/13/13 Hickory Motor Speedway Newton NC Whelen All-American Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Rockingham Speedway Rockingham NC UARA-Stars Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Southern National Motorsports Park Kenly NC PASS Pro Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Southern National Motorsports Park Kenly NC PASS South Super Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Eldora Speedway Rossburg OH Stock Cars
Saturday 04/13/13 Eldora Speedway Rossburg OH Sunoco American Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Eldora Speedway Rossburg OH UMP Modifieds
Saturday 04/13/13 Wayne County Speedway Orrville OH World of Outlaw Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Modified Street Bomber
Saturday 04/13/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Openwheel
Saturday 04/13/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Outlaw Pony
Saturday 04/13/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Pure Pony
Saturday 04/13/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Rookie Pony
Saturday 04/13/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Street Stock Bomber
Saturday 04/13/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Super Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Two Barrel Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Smoky Mountain Speedway Maryville TN American Modified Series
Saturday 04/13/13 Smoky Mountain Speedway Maryville TN Southern Spring Nationals – Dirt Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Music City Quarter Midget Racing Association Hermitage TN Jr. Honda Quarter Midget
Saturday 04/13/13 Music City Quarter Midget Racing Association Hermitage TN Light 160 Quarter Midget
Saturday 04/13/13 Music City Quarter Midget Racing Association Hermitage TN Sr. Honda Quarter Midget
Saturday 04/13/13 Houston Motorsports Park Houston TX Ecostocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Houston Motorsports Park Houston TX NASCAR BWFS Coke Trucks 2X
Saturday 04/13/13 Houston Motorsports Park Houston TX NASCAR Fiesta Modifieds 2X
Saturday 04/13/13 Houston Motorsports Park Houston TX NASCAR Stock Cars 2X
Saturday 04/13/13 Kennedale Speedway Park Kennedale TX ASCS Winged Sprints
Saturday 04/13/13 Texana Raceway Park Edna TX Dwarf/Mod Lites
Saturday 04/13/13 Texana Raceway Park Edna TX Hot Stock Trucks
Saturday 04/13/13 Texana Raceway Park Edna TX Mini Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Texana Raceway Park Edna TX Pure Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Texana Raceway Park Edna TX Sport Mods
Saturday 04/13/13 Texana Raceway Park Edna TX Street Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Lonesome Pine Raceway Coeburn VA Iron Warrior
Saturday 04/13/13 Lonesome Pine Raceway Coeburn VA Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Lonesome Pine Raceway Coeburn VA Mod 4
Saturday 04/13/13 Lonesome Pine Raceway Coeburn VA Pure 4
Saturday 04/13/13 Lonesome Pine Raceway Coeburn VA Pure Streets
Saturday 04/13/13 Lonesome Pine Raceway Coeburn VA Super Streets
Saturday 04/13/13 South Boston Speedway South Boston VA Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 South Boston Speedway South Boston VA Whelen Southern Modifieds
Saturday 04/13/13 Virginia Motor Speedway Jamaica VA Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Virginia Motor Speedway Jamaica VA Limited Stock Car
Saturday 04/13/13 Virginia Motor Speedway Saluda VA Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Virginia Motor Speedway Jamaica VA Modifieds
Saturday 04/13/13 Virginia Motor Speedway Jamaica VA Sportsman
Saturday 04/13/13 I-77 Raceway Park Ripley WV Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 I-77 Raceway Park Ripley WV Mini-Wedges
Saturday 04/13/13 I-77 Raceway Park Ripley WV Mod Lites
Saturday 04/13/13 I-77 Raceway Park Ripley WV Modifieds
Saturday 04/13/13 I-77 Raceway Park Ripley WV Semi-Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 I-77 Raceway Park Ripley WV Semi-Mods
Sunday 04/14/13 Orange Show San Bernadino CA USAC National Quarter Midgets
Sunday 04/14/13 Thompson International Speedway Thompson CT Whelen Modifieds
Sunday 04/14/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Cruzer Bruzers
Sunday 04/14/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Econos
Sunday 04/14/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Mini Mods
Sunday 04/14/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Mini Stocks
Sunday 04/14/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Mini Trucks
Sunday 04/14/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Modifieds
Sunday 04/14/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Super Street Stocks
Sunday 04/14/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Winged Sprints
Sunday 04/14/13 Quincy Raceways Quincy IL IMCA Northern Sport Mods
Sunday 04/14/13 Quincy Raceways Quincy IL IMCA Sport Compacts
Sunday 04/14/13 Quincy Raceways Quincy IL IMCA Stock Cars
Sunday 04/14/13 Quincy Raceways Quincy IL UMP Late Models
Sunday 04/14/13 Quincy Raceways Quincy IL UMP Modifieds
Sunday 04/14/13 Plymouth Speedway Plymouth IN USAC 600 Mini Sprints
Sunday 04/14/13 Kentucky Motor Speedway Whitesville KY Figure 8
Sunday 04/14/13 Kentucky Motor Speedway Whitesville KY Mini Modifieds
Sunday 04/14/13 Kentucky Motor Speedway Whitesville KY Mini Stocks
Sunday 04/14/13 Kentucky Motor Speedway Whitesville KY Pure Stocks
Sunday 04/14/13 Kentucky Motor Speedway Whitesville KY Sportsman
Sunday 04/14/13 Kentucky Motor Speedway Whitesville KY Street Stocks
Sunday 04/14/13 Kentucky Motor Speedway Whitesville KY Thunder Stocks
Sunday 04/14/13 Albany Saratoga Speedway Malta NY POWRi Lucas Oil Outlaw Midgets
Tuesday 04/16/13 El Paso Speedway Park El Paso TX World of Outlaw Sprint Cars
Thursday 04/18/13 201 Speedway Sitka KY Southern Spring Nationals – Dirt Late Models
Hamlin started the race at Southside Speedway in Virginia because it is his home track. It is where he cut his racing teeth and won 25 races during the amazing 2003 season when he was discovered by Joe Gibbs. After running the event at Southside for two years, he decided to move it to Richmond for a couple of reasons. With the drivers already at the track for the Cup race, it was easier to get more to commit to running the race. Second, with the SPEED equipment already at the track to televise all of the NASCAR activities, they agreed to broadcast the race live. The live broadcast attracted advertisers who were willing to pony up some money, which ended up going to the foundation and also gave drivers who never had another chance to be on national television an opportunity to race in front of hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people.
Over the winter, rumors began to start circulating that the Showdown was going to move from Richmond and be held at Langley Speedway. Langley threw everything but the kitchen sink at Hamlin to get him to move the race to the local short track and, before Daytona, it looked like they'd succeeded. However, during media availability at Daytona before the Sprint Unlimited, Hamlin made the announcement that the race would once again be held at Richmond. When questioned by Frontstretch about the decision to come back to Richmond vs. going to Langley, Hamlin noted that the TV exposure was the number one reason. Getting the race on national TV increased the benefit to his foundation which is the number one reason for the race.
While local short track fans would have loved to see the race move to Langley, they had to admit there was logic to the decision. At least until this week, Race22.com is now reporting that the Showdown will not be shown on SPEED and will only be carried live on MRN radio and Race22.com live race coverage. While the folks at MRN do a fantastic job of broadcasting races and Race22 is the best in the business at live race coverage, it isn't the same as seeing it live on television or, better yet, in person. For the fans who can't make it to Richmond on Thursday night before the Cup race, the television was the best option. Now it looks like radio is going to have to suffice.
While it is too late in the game to make a change for 2013, the 2014 venue will hopefully be up for bids and the fine folks at Langley will get a chance to show their Virginia hospitality to the Shootout. As for the folks at SPEED, the lack of television coverage is a very disappointing development that just points to the future direction of the network once the SPEED name goes away. The channel that once was all about racing is going to be nearly unrecognizable for most of the week to racing enthusiasts. It will be great to see the Hamlin Foundation strike a deal with MAVTV or one of the other emerging sports networks to once again put this show on live national TV so that drivers who almost never have a chance to play on a national stage can get the exposure that could make their careers for them.
This Weekend's Racing Schedule
Friday 04/12/13 Kings Speedway Hanford CA World of Outlaw Sprint Cars
Friday 04/12/13 Jacksonville Speedway Jacksonville IL Big 10 Late Models
Friday 04/12/13 Jacksonville Speedway Jacksonville IL Modifieds
Friday 04/12/13 Jacksonville Speedway Jacksonville IL MOWA Sprint Cars
Friday 04/12/13 Jacksonville Speedway Jacksonville IL Stock Cars
Friday 04/12/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Hornets
Friday 04/12/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Late Models
Friday 04/12/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Limited Late Models
Friday 04/12/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Modifieds
Friday 04/12/13 Tri-City Speedway Pontoon Beach IL UMP Factory Stocks
Friday 04/12/13 Tri-City Speedway Pontoon Beach IL UMP Late Models
Friday 04/12/13 Tri-City Speedway Pontoon Beach IL UMP Modifieds
Friday 04/12/13 Tri-City Speedway Pontoon Beach IL UMP Pro-Crate Late Models
Friday 04/12/13 Tri-City Speedway Pontoon Beach IL UMP Sport Compacts
Friday 04/12/13 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo IN POWRi Lucas Oil National Midgets
Friday 04/12/13 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo IN POWRi Speedway Motors 600 Outlaw Micro Sprints
Friday 04/12/13 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo IN USAC Midwest Dirt Ignite Midgets
Friday 04/12/13 Monett Speedway Monett MO MARS DIRTCar Late Models
Friday 04/12/13 Greenville Speedway Greenville MS Nesmith Late Models
Friday 04/12/13 Tri-County Race Track Brasstown NC Southern Spring Nationals – Dirt Late Models
Friday 04/12/13 Wayne County Speedway Orrville OH World of Outlaw Late Models
Friday 04/12/13 RPM Speedway Crandall TX Factory Stocks
Friday 04/12/13 RPM Speedway Crandall TX Limited Modifieds
Friday 04/12/13 RPM Speedway Crandall TX Sprint Cars
Friday 04/12/13 RPM Speedway Crandall TX Street Stocks
Friday 04/12/13 RPM Speedway Crandall TX USRA Modifieds
Friday 04/12/13 Virginia Motor Speedway Saluda VA Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL 4-Cylinders
Saturday 04/13/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Bombers
Saturday 04/13/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Limited Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Stockers
Saturday 04/13/13 Dixieland Dirt Track Cottonwood AL Vintage
Saturday 04/13/13 South Alabama Speedway Opp AL Viper Super Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 South Alabama Speedway Ozark AL Viper Super Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Riverside International Speedway West Memphis AR 600 Mini Sprints
Saturday 04/13/13 Riverside International Speedway West Memphis AR Modifieds
Saturday 04/13/13 Riverside International Speedway West Memphis AR Stock Cars
Saturday 04/13/13 Riverside International Speedway West Memphis AR Super Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Arizona Speedway Queen Creek AZ USAC Southwest Sprint Cars
Saturday 04/13/13 Central Arizona Raceway Casa Grande AZ Dwarf Cars
Saturday 04/13/13 Central Arizona Raceway Casa Grande AZ IMCA Modifieds
Saturday 04/13/13 Central Arizona Raceway Casa Grande AZ Southwest Dirt Racing Association Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Central Arizona Raceway Casa Grande AZ X-Mods
Saturday 04/13/13 Havasu 95 Speedway Lake Havasu City AZ ASA Trucks
Saturday 04/13/13 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA Lmods
Saturday 04/13/13 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA Mini Dwarfs
Saturday 04/13/13 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA Mini Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA Sport Mods
Saturday 04/13/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA 4-Cylinders
Saturday 04/13/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA Hobby Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA Limited Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA MST
Saturday 04/13/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA Sport Mods
Saturday 04/13/13 Madera Speedway Madera CA Toyota Sedans
Saturday 04/13/13 Orange Show San Bernadino CA USAC National Quarter Midgets
Saturday 04/13/13 Perris Auto Speedway Perris CA World of Outlaw Sprint Cars
Saturday 04/13/13 Placerville Speedway Placerville CA 360 Winged Sprints
Saturday 04/13/13 Placerville Speedway Placerville CA Limited Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Placerville Speedway Placerville CA Pure Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Thunderbowl Raceway Tulare CA USAC West Coast Sprints
Saturday 04/13/13 Five Flags Speedway Pensacola FL K&N Pro Series East
Saturday 04/13/13 34 Raceway Burlington IA 4-Cylinders
Saturday 04/13/13 34 Raceway Burlington IA IMCA Stock Cars
Saturday 04/13/13 34 Raceway Burlington IA Mod Lites
Saturday 04/13/13 34 Raceway Burlington IA MOWA Sprint Cars
Saturday 04/13/13 Meridian Speedway Meridian ID Jr. Stingers
Saturday 04/13/13 Meridian Speedway Meridian ID Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Meridian Speedway Meridian ID Mini Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Meridian Speedway Meridian ID Pro-4s
Saturday 04/13/13 Meridian Speedway Meridian ID Street Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Meridian Speedway Meridian ID Super Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Highland Speedway Highland IL UMP Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Highland Speedway Highland IL UMP Modifieds
Saturday 04/13/13 Highland Speedway Highland IL UMP Pro Crate Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Highland Speedway Highland IL UMP Sport Mods
Saturday 04/13/13 Highland Speedway Highland IL UMP Street Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Hornets
Saturday 04/13/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Lightning Sprints
Saturday 04/13/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Limited Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Modifieds
Saturday 04/13/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Street Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Peoria Speedway Peoria IL Sunoco American Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo IN POWRi Lucas Oil National Midgets
Saturday 04/13/13 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo IN POWRi Speedway Motors 600 Outlaw Micro Sprints
Saturday 04/13/13 Kokomo Speedway Kokomo IN USAC Midwest Dirt Ignite Midgets
Saturday 04/13/13 Plymouth Speedway Plymouth IN USAC 600 Mini Sprints
Saturday 04/13/13 LA Raceway LaMonte MO ASCS Winged Sprints
Saturday 04/13/13 Lucas Oil Speedway Wheatland MO A-Mods
Saturday 04/13/13 Lucas Oil Speedway Wheatland MO Factory Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Lucas Oil Speedway Wheatland MO MLRA Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Hornets
Saturday 04/13/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Late Model Super Trucks
Saturday 04/13/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Legends
Saturday 04/13/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Mini Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Southern Modified Lights
Saturday 04/13/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Street Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC U-Cars
Saturday 04/13/13 County Line Raceway Elm City NC Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 County Line Raceway Elm City NC Pure Stock 4 Cylinder
Saturday 04/13/13 County Line Raceway Elm City NC Pure Stock V-8
Saturday 04/13/13 County Line Raceway Elm City NC Super Stock 4 Cylinders
Saturday 04/13/13 County Line Raceway Elm City NC Thunder & Lightning
Saturday 04/13/13 East Lincoln Speedway Stanley NC Limited Sportsman
Saturday 04/13/13 East Lincoln Speedway Stanley NC Micro Sprints
Saturday 04/13/13 East Lincoln Speedway Stanley NC Renegades
Saturday 04/13/13 East Lincoln Speedway Stanley NC Stock 4
Saturday 04/13/13 East Lincoln Speedway Stanley NC Super Stock 4 Cylinders
Saturday 04/13/13 Friendship Motor Speedway Elkin NC FASTRAK Pro Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Hickory Motor Speedway Newton NC Limited Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Hickory Motor Speedway Newton NC Renegades
Saturday 04/13/13 Hickory Motor Speedway Newton NC Street Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Hickory Motor Speedway Newton NC Super Trucks
Saturday 04/13/13 Hickory Motor Speedway Newton NC Whelen All-American Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Rockingham Speedway Rockingham NC UARA-Stars Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Southern National Motorsports Park Kenly NC PASS Pro Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Southern National Motorsports Park Kenly NC PASS South Super Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Eldora Speedway Rossburg OH Stock Cars
Saturday 04/13/13 Eldora Speedway Rossburg OH Sunoco American Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Eldora Speedway Rossburg OH UMP Modifieds
Saturday 04/13/13 Wayne County Speedway Orrville OH World of Outlaw Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Modified Street Bomber
Saturday 04/13/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Openwheel
Saturday 04/13/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Outlaw Pony
Saturday 04/13/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Pure Pony
Saturday 04/13/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Rookie Pony
Saturday 04/13/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Street Stock Bomber
Saturday 04/13/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Super Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Duck River Raceway Park Wheel TN Two Barrel Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Smoky Mountain Speedway Maryville TN American Modified Series
Saturday 04/13/13 Smoky Mountain Speedway Maryville TN Southern Spring Nationals – Dirt Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Music City Quarter Midget Racing Association Hermitage TN Jr. Honda Quarter Midget
Saturday 04/13/13 Music City Quarter Midget Racing Association Hermitage TN Light 160 Quarter Midget
Saturday 04/13/13 Music City Quarter Midget Racing Association Hermitage TN Sr. Honda Quarter Midget
Saturday 04/13/13 Houston Motorsports Park Houston TX Ecostocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Houston Motorsports Park Houston TX NASCAR BWFS Coke Trucks 2X
Saturday 04/13/13 Houston Motorsports Park Houston TX NASCAR Fiesta Modifieds 2X
Saturday 04/13/13 Houston Motorsports Park Houston TX NASCAR Stock Cars 2X
Saturday 04/13/13 Kennedale Speedway Park Kennedale TX ASCS Winged Sprints
Saturday 04/13/13 Texana Raceway Park Edna TX Dwarf/Mod Lites
Saturday 04/13/13 Texana Raceway Park Edna TX Hot Stock Trucks
Saturday 04/13/13 Texana Raceway Park Edna TX Mini Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Texana Raceway Park Edna TX Pure Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Texana Raceway Park Edna TX Sport Mods
Saturday 04/13/13 Texana Raceway Park Edna TX Street Stocks
Saturday 04/13/13 Lonesome Pine Raceway Coeburn VA Iron Warrior
Saturday 04/13/13 Lonesome Pine Raceway Coeburn VA Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Lonesome Pine Raceway Coeburn VA Mod 4
Saturday 04/13/13 Lonesome Pine Raceway Coeburn VA Pure 4
Saturday 04/13/13 Lonesome Pine Raceway Coeburn VA Pure Streets
Saturday 04/13/13 Lonesome Pine Raceway Coeburn VA Super Streets
Saturday 04/13/13 South Boston Speedway South Boston VA Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 South Boston Speedway South Boston VA Whelen Southern Modifieds
Saturday 04/13/13 Virginia Motor Speedway Jamaica VA Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Virginia Motor Speedway Jamaica VA Limited Stock Car
Saturday 04/13/13 Virginia Motor Speedway Saluda VA Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 Virginia Motor Speedway Jamaica VA Modifieds
Saturday 04/13/13 Virginia Motor Speedway Jamaica VA Sportsman
Saturday 04/13/13 I-77 Raceway Park Ripley WV Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 I-77 Raceway Park Ripley WV Mini-Wedges
Saturday 04/13/13 I-77 Raceway Park Ripley WV Mod Lites
Saturday 04/13/13 I-77 Raceway Park Ripley WV Modifieds
Saturday 04/13/13 I-77 Raceway Park Ripley WV Semi-Late Models
Saturday 04/13/13 I-77 Raceway Park Ripley WV Semi-Mods
Sunday 04/14/13 Orange Show San Bernadino CA USAC National Quarter Midgets
Sunday 04/14/13 Thompson International Speedway Thompson CT Whelen Modifieds
Sunday 04/14/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Cruzer Bruzers
Sunday 04/14/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Econos
Sunday 04/14/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Mini Mods
Sunday 04/14/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Mini Stocks
Sunday 04/14/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Mini Trucks
Sunday 04/14/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Modifieds
Sunday 04/14/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Super Street Stocks
Sunday 04/14/13 Kalaeloa Raceway Park Kapolei HI Winged Sprints
Sunday 04/14/13 Quincy Raceways Quincy IL IMCA Northern Sport Mods
Sunday 04/14/13 Quincy Raceways Quincy IL IMCA Sport Compacts
Sunday 04/14/13 Quincy Raceways Quincy IL IMCA Stock Cars
Sunday 04/14/13 Quincy Raceways Quincy IL UMP Late Models
Sunday 04/14/13 Quincy Raceways Quincy IL UMP Modifieds
Sunday 04/14/13 Plymouth Speedway Plymouth IN USAC 600 Mini Sprints
Sunday 04/14/13 Kentucky Motor Speedway Whitesville KY Figure 8
Sunday 04/14/13 Kentucky Motor Speedway Whitesville KY Mini Modifieds
Sunday 04/14/13 Kentucky Motor Speedway Whitesville KY Mini Stocks
Sunday 04/14/13 Kentucky Motor Speedway Whitesville KY Pure Stocks
Sunday 04/14/13 Kentucky Motor Speedway Whitesville KY Sportsman
Sunday 04/14/13 Kentucky Motor Speedway Whitesville KY Street Stocks
Sunday 04/14/13 Kentucky Motor Speedway Whitesville KY Thunder Stocks
Sunday 04/14/13 Albany Saratoga Speedway Malta NY POWRi Lucas Oil Outlaw Midgets
Tuesday 04/16/13 El Paso Speedway Park El Paso TX World of Outlaw Sprint Cars
Thursday 04/18/13 201 Speedway Sitka KY Southern Spring Nationals – Dirt Late Models
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: NRA 500
by Beth Lunkenheimer
After back-to-back short track races, the Sprint Cup Series descends on Texas Motor Speedway Saturday night for the first of two events at the mile-and-a-half track. The NRA 500 is the seventh race of the 2013 season and will be broadcast live Saturday, April 13th on FOX at 7:30 PM EDT. It can also be heard on your local PRN affiliate or SiriusXM Channel 90.
Records and Facts
Brian Vickers holds the track qualifying record with a lap of 196.235 mph, set on November 3rd, 2006. After starting on the pole for the Dickies 500, Vickers led just five laps before dropping through the field; he finished 27th, one lap behind race winner Tony Stewart. Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer rounded out the top 5.
Greg Biffle is the defending winner of the spring race at Texas Motor Speedway. After starting third, Biffle led seven times for a total of 90 laps before taking the checkered flag more than three seconds ahead of Jimmie Johnson. Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth rounded out the top 5.
Track Facts
Track/Race Length: 1.5-mile quad oval, 334 laps (501 miles)
Pit Road Speed: 45 mph
Degree of Banking: 24 degrees
Frontstretch: 2250 ft., 5 degrees of banking
Backstretch: 1330 ft., 5 degrees of banking
Grandstand Seating: 122,377
Pre-race Schedule
Practice: Friday, April 12, 12:30 - 2:00 PM ET on SPEED
Happy Hour: Friday, April 12, 3:00 - 4:30 PM ET on SPEED
Qualifying: Friday, April 12 at 6:40 PM ET on SPEED
Race Day Forecast
Saturday: Partly Cloudy; 10% chance of rain
High: 75
Low: 54
They Said It
"I think every time it's exciting for me to go back to Texas Motor Speedway. I was there when they started to build that facility and Bruton Smith had a bunch of drivers come down. I have a picture of me with the soil after the dynamite. It was cool to see the track built in the state where I was born and raised. It's a great track to race on as far as the drivers go. There are multiple grooves and tires give up, which makes for good racing and excitement for the fans. I always look forward to going back there." Bobby Labonte
"I'm looking forward to Texas this weekend. We won their last year in the Nationwide Series so hopefully we can get another cowboy hat. After last weekend, I am looking to get a top-10 finish." Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
"Texas has been a good race track for us. We've been working on our 1.5-mile program pretty hard to get it to where it was last year and I feel pretty good about what we've got. Texas is an important track position race. Not only is maintaining track position important but, tires are also important since the track surface is getting worn out. We've got Filtrete featured on our car this weekend and not only is getting a new Filtrete filter important for having clean air, but clean air will be very important for us to race." Matt Puccia, Crew Chief for Greg Biffle
Records and Facts
Brian Vickers holds the track qualifying record with a lap of 196.235 mph, set on November 3rd, 2006. After starting on the pole for the Dickies 500, Vickers led just five laps before dropping through the field; he finished 27th, one lap behind race winner Tony Stewart. Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer rounded out the top 5.
Greg Biffle is the defending winner of the spring race at Texas Motor Speedway. After starting third, Biffle led seven times for a total of 90 laps before taking the checkered flag more than three seconds ahead of Jimmie Johnson. Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth rounded out the top 5.
Track Facts
Track/Race Length: 1.5-mile quad oval, 334 laps (501 miles)
Pit Road Speed: 45 mph
Degree of Banking: 24 degrees
Frontstretch: 2250 ft., 5 degrees of banking
Backstretch: 1330 ft., 5 degrees of banking
Grandstand Seating: 122,377
Pre-race Schedule
Practice: Friday, April 12, 12:30 - 2:00 PM ET on SPEED
Happy Hour: Friday, April 12, 3:00 - 4:30 PM ET on SPEED
Qualifying: Friday, April 12 at 6:40 PM ET on SPEED
Race Day Forecast
Saturday: Partly Cloudy; 10% chance of rain
High: 75
Low: 54
They Said It
"I think every time it's exciting for me to go back to Texas Motor Speedway. I was there when they started to build that facility and Bruton Smith had a bunch of drivers come down. I have a picture of me with the soil after the dynamite. It was cool to see the track built in the state where I was born and raised. It's a great track to race on as far as the drivers go. There are multiple grooves and tires give up, which makes for good racing and excitement for the fans. I always look forward to going back there." Bobby Labonte
"I'm looking forward to Texas this weekend. We won their last year in the Nationwide Series so hopefully we can get another cowboy hat. After last weekend, I am looking to get a top-10 finish." Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
"Texas has been a good race track for us. We've been working on our 1.5-mile program pretty hard to get it to where it was last year and I feel pretty good about what we've got. Texas is an important track position race. Not only is maintaining track position important but, tires are also important since the track surface is getting worn out. We've got Filtrete featured on our car this weekend and not only is getting a new Filtrete filter important for having clean air, but clean air will be very important for us to race." Matt Puccia, Crew Chief for Greg Biffle
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.
~~~~~~~~~~
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Four Burning Questions: The Gen-6's Fontana Follow-Up, Vickers' Texas Debut, More
by Matt Stallknecht
NASCAR A Winner At Shrinking Its 'Carbon Footprint
by Jeff Meyer
by Amy Henderson
Nuts for Nationwide: Texas Brings End Of Break, But Not Cup Dominance
by Kevin Rutherford
Formula 1 Fridays: Return Of The Mac?
by Andy Hollis
Frontstretch Foto Funnies: Get Your Own Freaking Onion
by the Fronstretch Staff
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: For Jeff Gordon, Texas Motor Speedway was just the absolute worst place for him in the 1990's. He managed to wreck the first four times that the Cup Series raced at TMS. Those wrecks ranged from the benign to the painful. The 1999 PRIMESTAR 500 was the most painful of these wrecks. What happened?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Thursday's Answer:
Q: Late in the inaugural Interstate Batteries 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, Todd Bodine was leading the race while driving in relief of Ricky Craven (Craven was injured in a practice crash). Bodine was in position to claim the win, but it wasn't meant to be. What happened?
Bodine's car suffered a broken hub in the crash, resulting in the car spending most of the rest of the race in the garage. Bodine would get back out to finish 50 laps down in 25th. Speed continued and finished three laps down in 16th.
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:
-- NRA 500 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: NRA 500 by Mike Neff
Mike is back with his overall thoughts from Saturday night's race from Texas.
Commentary by Summer Bedgood
Summer takes a look at one of the biggest stories to come out of Texas.
Commentary by TBA
One of the Frontstretch Staff members will stop by with their thoughts on Saturday night's action from Martinsville.
Big Six: NRA 500 by Amy Henderson
Amy has your weekly look at the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How from a weekend of racing at Texas.
Pace Laps: Texas / Rockingham 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 at Texas and Rockingham.
Tracking the Trucks: NC Education Lottery 200 by TBA
All the post-race analysis you need following Sunday afternoon's Camping World Truck Series race from Rockingham.
-----------------------------
-----------------------------
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©2013 Frontstretch.com
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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