Wednesday, April 24, 2013

The Frontstretch Newsletter: Wednesday NASCAR Penalty Smackdown

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!

April 24th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition LXVI

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Editor's Note: Today's edition of the Newsletter was withheld until penalty information for both Johnny Sauter and Matt Kenseth were complete. We'll have a major summary of any other NASCAR news within the last 24-48 hours in the next edition, to come out early Thursday morning.

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Top / Breaking News
by Tom Bowles

Kenseth, Joe Gibbs Racing Have Engine Fail Kansas Post-Race Inspection

Until the end of time, Matt Kenseth can say he crossed the finish line first at Kansas Sunday. NASCAR Record Books will say the same. But after a harsh series of penalties announced on Wednesday, should they stand that's about the only thing Kenseth can hang his hat on after a successful weekend turned sour.

According to multiple reports, officials at the NASCAR R & D Center in North Carolina discovered a connecting rod on Kenseth's engine, brought in for Kansas post-race inspection weighed three grams less than the minimum weight of 525g. The consequences, announced today are crippling for both driver and team. Kenseth, along with car owner Joe Gibbs have been docked 50 driver and owner points, actually reducing their overall totals heading into Kansas even though the No. 20 car won the race. That lost chunk of points drops Kenseth from eighth to 14th in the standings. More importantly, the win "won't count" for either bonus points in the Chase or determine postseason eligibility; that means the driver, now in "Wild Card" position is considered to have one win so far this season instead of two.

That's just the tip of the iceberg on these consequences. Crew chief Jason Radcliffe, fined $200,000 based on the infraction has also been suspended for the next six Sprint Cup points events, along with the All-Star Race. Toyota, whose TRD engine department ultimately supplies the JGR powerplants has had five points deducted from its total in the manufacturer's championship. And finally, Joe Gibbs himself, already docked 50 owner points has had his license suspended by NASCAR, which means he's ineligible to accrue owner points for the No. 20 until the next six Sprint Cup Series points races are completed.

Gibbs, NASCAR has clarified will still be able to travel to the racetrack despite a suspended license. In a tersely worded statement, the owner says he'll appeal the ruling, which violated three parts of the series rulebook. The one most pertinent is Section 20-5.5.3(E) which states only magnetic steel connecting rods, with a minimum weight of 525.0 grams will be permitted. Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-4J, which gives officials the right to penalize for parts they claim do not conform to NASCAR rules were also cited in the sport's official release.

Kenseth, who has led 482 laps this season, two higher than his total last year has been one of the strongest competitiors on the Sprint Cup track in 2013. His engines have also passed several previous inspections.

Johnny Sauter Penalized For Fuel Cell Infraction At Kansas

Thorsport Racing, along with former Truck Series point leader Johnny Sauter are reeling this Wednesday after a major penalty involving their No. 98 Toyota. On Wednesday, NASCAR announced the team was fined $10,000, crew chief Joel Shear has been suspended for four races and 25 owner points were taken away as a result of a faulty fuel cell, confiscated during pre-race inspection at Kansas. Driver Sauter was also hit was a loss of 25 points, completely reshaping the championship Chase heading into the next race of the season at Charlotte May 17th.

According to NASCAR officials, the team violated multiple sections of the rulebook. The key ones involve Section 20B-16 and 20B-16.1B, regarding the proper size and functioning of fuel cells. "Once a fuel cell or fuel cell components have been certified," the rules say, "Modifications of any kind will not be permitted." The 16.1B portion refers to black safety foam, with a minimum height of eight inches that must be used as a safety mechanism when putting together the fuel cell itself. By violating that rule, NASCAR is insinuating the team modified or enhanced the cell in some way by cutting back / replacing that foam.

Section 12-1, actions detrimental to stock car racing was also listed as a rules violation along with 12-4K, which gives NASCAR Officials the leeway to penalize teams when they feel previously legal equipment was modified, in any manner after being initially inspected.

Thorsport, as of yet has not said whether they plan to appeal. The penalties mean Matt Crafton becomes the new Truck Series point leader, by 13 over Jeb Burton while Sauter gets pushed back into a tie for second place.

Hamlin: At press time, there's no word yet as to whether Denny Hamlin will race on Saturday night at Richmond. As soon as we know something, we'll bring you the info; the driver Tweeted "no update" last night on his feed and has been ignoring injury status throughout the day Wednesday.

Have news for Tom and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at ashland10@mail.com with a promising lead or tip.

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Today's Featured Commentary
Denny Hamlin's Rush To Return To Racing Could Spell Trouble
WTF Wednesdays

by Ellen Richardson

Denny Hamlin has high hopes to make his return to racing at his home track in Richmond this weekend.  According to multiple reports, Hamlin could hop back into the No. 11 FedEx Toyota for the Toyota Owners 400 Sprint Cup Series race this Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway.  This return would follow the L1 compression fracture of a vertebra in Hamlin's lower spine, suffered after a hard hit into the inside wall at Auto Club Speedway only a short month ago. 

While this (maybe) comeback marks as good news for Joe Gibbs Racing, team sponsors, hometown fans and even Hamlin, who seems antsy on the sidelines, it's also a distinct possibility that this driver is taking his passion to a dangerous level.

As was reported in Tuesday's newsletter, Hamlin was expected to meet with doctors to receive X-Rays early this week, which will determine if enough progress has been made in the healing process to return to racing this weekend.  While Hamlin has everyone awaiting the news, something he posted on Twitter Tuesday evening that he doesn't have, I have to admit to praying that doctors think twice before providing him with medical clearance to return to the racing grid. 

I realize that the longer he sits on the sidelines this season, the less likely Hamlin is to make the 2013 Sprint Cup Chase for the Championship.  In fact, he has dropped from 10th to 26th in the Sprint Cup standings after missing three races.  I am also the first one to want to see drivers with talent, like Hamlin, providing us fans with entertaining racing action.  All that being said, though, it is important to remember that they're not superhuman and also have lives outside of the track. 

As many fans may already be aware, this fracture is not the first back injury that Hamlin has experienced and continues to suffer from. Hamlin recently told USA Today that this injury has aggravated three bulging discs in his back that have bothered him for years and that he is even considering disc replacement surgery in the offseason to correct it.

"I go through horrendous pain. I can't do the things I used to be able to anymore," said Hamlin. "I can't even lean over and pick up (my) baby out of the crib. I can't lift anything with any kind of angle. It crushes me. Those are the things that bother me."

If this daily suffering is the case, why would Hamlin risk further injury by returning to the track so quickly?  Prior to writing this column, I wanted to obtain some input from someone who specializes in the spine.  Dr. Gerren Brittian, board certified chiropractor and owner of Brittian Chiropractic Center, was surprised when I mentioned that this athlete would be returning to a sport that could easily lead to hard-hitting accidents after only four weeks of recovery from this type of health problem.

"For a stabilized compression fracture, which is common in accidents of this nature, I would usually recommend at least a three-month recovery time to avoid reinjury or further injury to the spine," said Brittian.

Although this injury isn't as common in stock car racing, maybe Hamlin should take some advice from a few IndyCar drivers who have continued to receive spinal fractures of this nature. It wasn't so long ago that Dario Franchitti required surgery and missed nine months of racing while recuperating from an L1 Compression Fracture.  In May 2009, Vitor Meira sustained fractures of two vertebrae in a crash during the 2009 Indy 500, which forced him to miss the remainder of the season.  Will Power also sustained a compression fracture in his lower back in the crash that killed Dan Wheldon at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, reaggravated a similar injury after a crash at Sonoma Raceway, in August 2009.  Power continues to suffer from these injuries to this day.

Hamlin might even want to take some advice from fellow competitor, Jeff Gordon, who has continued to suffer from back pain over the last few years and has developed arthritis in his back due to the continuous stress received during competition.  Gordon has also mentioned that the G-Forces and braking used at Richmond has been hard on his back in the past. While never missing any races, because of it any injury to that area is doubtless something that the four-time champ would take very seriously.

While I hope that Hamlin makes his return to racing soon, and I wish it could be at his home track, on the same weekend as the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown, making a rapid decision like this one could mean further pain, suffering and a shortened career in the long run.  Is it really worth that risk?

Ellen Richardson is a Newsletter Contributor for Frontstretch.com.  She can be reached via e-mail at frontstretcheditors@googlegroups.com.  

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GOT A NASCAR QUESTION OR COMMENT? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
That's right; our Fan Q & A column is back once again in 2013. Send your question Summer Bedgood's way at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com and if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print on Thursday when she does her weekly column. It's all part of our daily mission to give back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat!

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Tweet 'N' Greet
by Kevin Rutherford

Editor's Note: With the NASCAR Twitter community expanding by leaps and bounds, it remains a place for instantaneous news, reactions, and a whole lot of inside jokes. We understand if you don't want to join the Twitter community - but as a fan, it's important to know the news and info you're missing out on! That's why, every week, Kevin Rutherford will sort through the thousands of messages and give us a little taste of what's going on each Wednesday.

So, without further ado, here's a look at what those in NASCAR were thinking over the past seven days...

@dennyhamlin: I know Joey felt bad but he doesn't have to keep falling in the points on my [ac]count :) #seeyasoon

@Matt_Crafton: I just want to thank all of my guys and all of u that support me! Yesterday's win wouldn't have been possible without all of u!

@mattkenseth: Boom! What a weekend, so thankful to be wheeling that thing... Thanks #team20 #jgr #trd

@SummerBedgood: I just realized something.... picked Matt Kenseth pre-race and I didn't jinx him. I don't even remember the last time that happened. #NASCAR

Editor's Note: Oh, but Summer... you still did...

@scottspeed: Gold!!!!!!

@maxpapis: Congrats @scottspeed gold medal @XGames u spanked them all I hear them still crying

@joeycoulter: Still fired up about the race today @kansasspeedway the 18 guys were awesome on pit road and my tundra handled great #signofthingstocome

@BlakeKochRacing:
I can sub for u in the 95 if you have some conflicting races ;) "@scottspeed: That was AMAZING!!! Most fun I have ever had...."

@keselowski (Brad Keselowski): Media - I'm missing something here, who cares if a team "ratted us out" Clearly we felt like the parts were legal to begin with... #LetItGo

@RossChastain: Today is the beginning of the rest of my career. New outlook on life & more determined than ever.

@AndyLally: Thank you @c360r for tonight's entertainment. The thermal imaging gun is awesome! We saved many pictures on it for you.

@RyanEversley: And here's what a Thermal Imaging gun can pick up... That's @AndyLally or Sasquatch... pic.twitter.com/Ff6wddV8aZ

@AndyLally: Already done.... RT @18_Rowdy_51: @AndyLally hope someone did the thermal imaging side view while they were peeing, makes a great photo.

@AndyLally: A funny thing happened while taking a pic of our buddy relieving himself...The gun helped us find the neighbor's cat hiding in the trees...

@Writer_Amy (Amy Henderson): Cool walking through the #NHRA pits today. Unlike #NASCAR, every ticket gets fans pit access here and many get to meet their heroes.

@CJMearsGang (Casey Mears): Headed home...little hard to swallow that one today. Car wasn't too bad, wrong place wrong time. Big effort by the @GermainRacing guys...

@JamesBuescher: One of the many reasons I don't live here. #Charlotte pic.twitter.com/fgr6KqWhUM

@Mc_Driver (Michael McDowell): My rally co-driver @McDTrace feel asleep on me. pic.twitter.com/ngBugaaudw

@keselowskibrian: Guess it's out on jayski so I can announce it now. We have teamed up with Go Green Racing and brought in crew chief Ben Leslie for Richmond

@Kenny_Wallace: I have waited for a dog like this my whole life! pic.twitter.com/3M5DamT9UT

@colinbraun: They seem to have forgotten to install my arm rest in this plane? pic.twitter.com/oMVz51m19X

@DavidRagan: After dinner @jackstackbbq heard the good news! Good guys-2.... Bad guys-0. Thanks to all first responders all over the country!

@BubbaWallace (Darrell Wallace Jr.): What the.... raining, freezing, crying. Hello kansas:)

@TheKevinConway: Pretty stoked about my new office for the 2013 season! Stay tuned for an announcement... #stoked… http://instagram.com/p/Ydf2EAnLOr/

@TJBell_racing:
Airport people watching is GREAT

@Writer_Amy: Is there a sport that appeals to every single one of our senses more than racing? #NASCAR #IndyCar #NHRA
 
Kevin Rutherford is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at kevin.rutherford@frontstretch.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Surfwax83.

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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:

Did You Notice? ... "Cheating" Equals Credibility Crisis, Who NASCAR's Chasing And Dodging Brands
by Tom Bowles

by Huston Ladner

by Summer Bedgood

compiled by Mike Mehedin

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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
 
Q: The 1998 Pontiac Excitement 400 is best known as the race in which NASCAR intentionally threw a late red flag in order to prevent the event from finishing under caution.  However, it ended under caution anyway.  Why?
 
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
 
Monday's Answer:

Q: In 1994, TNN and TBS had a revolving door of analysts on their race broadcasts after Neil Bonnett was killed during Speedweeks.  Who did TBS tap to help out in the booth for their telecast of the Pontiac Excitement 400 at Richmond?

A: TBS tapped Dave Marcis, who had failed to qualify for the race in his own No. 71 Chevrolet, to serve as an expert analyst in the broadcast booth.  Marcis was joined by Busch Grand National regular Kenny Wallace, who was not one of the 46 drivers who attempted to qualify for the race. Here's Ken Squier introducing Marcis and Wallace as his boothmates for the race.

Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee:  If we mess up, you get the shirt off our backs!  If we've provided an incorrect answer to the Frontstretch Trivia question, be the first to email the corrected trivia answer to trivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!

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Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Phil Allaway
-- 
What's Vexing Vito by Vito Pugliese
-- Critic's Annex by Phil Allaway
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, the Line of the Week and more!

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Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:


Mirror Driving by the Frontstretch Staff
Your favorite Frontstretch writers are back to discuss a variety of different subjects. Things are sure to get entertaining as they debate the latest and greatest in NASCAR!

Frontstretch Fan Q&A by Summer Bedgood
Summer takes on your NASCAR questions and answers them to the best of her ability. Be sure to send your questions in if there's something that's been nagging at you and you might see your name in print.

Tech Talk by Mike Neff
Mike has a Sprint Cup Series crew chief stop by to talk about the technical side of NASCAR. This week, Tony Gibson stops by as the series heads to Richmond, and he has plenty to say about Kansas, tire wear and so much more!

Fantasy Racing by Jeff Wolfe
Jeff brings fantasy racing back to Frontstretch this season. This week, he takes a look at your best bets for picking your roster out for Richmond.

Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back with all of the latest and greatest to come out of the Truck Series. This week, Miguel Paludo stops by to talk racing at Rockingham/Kansas, plans for his down time and more!
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Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Got something to say about an article you've seen in the newsletter? It's as easy as replying directly to this message or sending an email to editors@frontstretch.com. We'll take the best comments and publish them here!
©2013 Frontstretch.com

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