Friday, May 24, 2013

The Frontstretch Newsletter: May 24th, 2013

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

May 24th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition LXXXVIII

~~~~~~~~~~

Frontstretch sends its well wishes, prayers, and support to Moore, Oklahoma after the devastating EF5 tornado that swept through the town on Monday. There are multiple avenues already set up for those who want to help the people of Moore in their time of need. From the American Red Cross to the Salvation Army and everything in between, click here to learn more about how you can help.

~~~~~~~~~~

Frontstretch Live: At The Track
Be sure to follow your Frontstretch feed on both Facebook and Twitter as two of your favorite writers are live with coverage all weekend long. Amy Henderson (@Writer_Amy) and Mike Neff (@MNeffShortTrack) will be manning the ship down in Charlotte.

~~~~~~~~~~
At-Track News
by Amy Henderson and Mike Neff

Hamlin Snags Coke 600 Pole With Record Time

Denny Hamlin shattered the track qualifying record at Charlotte Motor Speedway as he rocketed to the pole for Sunday's Coca-Cola 600.  Hamlin had a lap time of 27.604 seconds, or 195.624 miles per hour to coast to the inside of the front row for NASCAR's longest race.  Several drivers drove past the old record, set by Greg Biffle in 2012, but it was Hamlin who came out at the top of the heap and holds the new record.  Kurt Busch will start on the outside of the front row while Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, and Clint Bowyer round out the top 5.  Kasey Kahne, Greg Biffle, Kyle Busch, Jamie McMurray, and Ryan Newman hold down sixth through tenth places.

The pole is Hamlin's second of 2013; he also started in front at Fontana before an injury in that race sidelined him for over a month.  Hamlin says that his back feels "nearly 100%" and that it doesn't cause him pain while driving. However, with the time off he emphasized winning the pole helped solidify for him that he is back at a competitive level -- to a certain extent.

"I think winning would do that. I think ultimately getting the big trophy on Sunday is the validation that you're truly back," said Hamlin about "getting back to normal" after his lap.  "For me, it's going to take some wins and some really good consistency throughout these summer months to put ourselves in position to have a chance at a championship. That's what we're here for. Even these small victories though give me that confidence that I'm still capable, and I'm still able to do the job at 100 percent like I should be. Any kind of confidence booster for me — it's always a plus on Sunday."

44 cars attempted to qualify; only the start-and-park team of Mike Bliss, driving for TriStar Motorsports failed to make the field. Now, the Cup teams are next on track Saturday at 10 AM for the weekend's second practice.  Final practice for Sunday's race is Saturday afternoon at one o'clock.  The Coca-Cola 600 is scheduled to start at 6 PM on Sunday and will air on FOX.

Top News
by Justin Tucker

Speed and Leavine Racing increase schedule

Coming on the heels of a ninth-place finish at the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway, Scott Speed and Leavine Family Racing will add up to more 10 races to their 2013 Sprint Cup Series schedule.

The ex-Formula 1 driver for Toro Rosso plans to combine racing in NASCAR's premier series with a Global Rally Cross championship campaign for the remainder of the 2013 season. Speed's victory at X Games Brazil in the opening GRC event, combined with the ninth-place finish at Talladega have opened the door for Speed and Leavine Family Racing to extend their Sprint Cup outings, including this week's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Speed said his ninth-place finish at Talladega was more of an incredible feat than his X Games gold medal simply because it was achieved with an ounce of both the funding and staffing. "Our team is still growing, but it's so small in comparison - we started from nothing basically,"  Speed added.

"We're eight guys, total. Compare that to the team [Front Row Motorsports] that won Talladega, which is still a small team, but probably has three times the money and the people we do. We try to do things the best we can, but there's underfunded and there's, well, us.

Small teams are so hard to get going over there. The big teams seem to be getting bigger and the small teams are getting smaller. We're clawing our way, and doing a good job. It's all going in the right direction."

Speed does have one NASCAR National Series win and that came at Dover in the Truck Series, back in 2008.

NHRA Champ Brown To Test Stock Car

Antron Brown is certainly no stranger to going fast.  Every weekend, Brown straps into his Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster and hits speeds over 300 MPH in under four seconds. But a question that everyone has always had is: Can the driver of a dragster transfer their skills to stock car racing and turn left?

We should get that answer on Tuesday, as defending NHRA Top Fuel champion Antron Brown will drive a K&N Series car during a test session at the half-mile Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, VA.

"I just want to compete and when I go out there, I just want to learn the right way,'' Brown said Thursday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "I want to take steps to learn everything and actually develop my driving ability to drive ovals."

Brown, who is the first African-American to win a major motorsports championship has never logged a lap in a stock car.  He'll be driving one fielded by Rev Racing, which fields cars to minority drivers through NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program.

Brown says no career change is imminent and nothing is planned beyond Tuesday's test. However, he does say that this could open the door to future opportunities, different options he'd be willing to entertain down the road.

Brown who is currently 37 years old knows an immediate jump to the Sprint Cup Series is all but impossible; however, he doubts age will knock him out of the running long-term. "I don't think racing has an age anymore,'' Brown said. "I think it depends on what type of shape and what kind of level of competition you bring, week in and week out. That's one thing that I pride myself on, staying in shape and condition. I never hold myself back because of an age or a number. It is not a mid-life crisis.'' 

Have news for Justin and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com with a promising lead or tip.
 
~~~~~~~~~~

ADVERTISEMENT
Race fans, do you love Frontstretch.com's coverage of NASCAR's top 3 series, IndyCar, Formula One and Short Track Racing? Do you want to read even more about your favorite sport? Then check out the industry's newest racing publication, Motorsport Illustrated News!, which is available both in print and in digital format! As one of our loyal readers, you'll receive 15% off any subscription when you use the coupon code fs2013.


~~~~~~~~~~

In Case You Missed It
by Beth Lunkenheimer

2012 F1 USGP Named Sports Event of the Year

On Wednesday, the 2013 SportsBusiness Journal / Daily Business Awards were held at the New York Marriott Marquis in Manhattan. As a part of the awards ceremony, the 2012 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, held last November at the brand new Circuit of the Americas road course in Austin, Texas, was named the "Sports Event of the Year." COTA President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Sexton accepted the award on behalf of the facility's owners and staff.

"From the very beginning, there was some doubt whether our project would happen, but we hustled and we had a great team and a great group of owners behind us the whole way," Sexton said. "We embarked on a nine-month journey, pulled the construction together, pulled the race off amidst a lot of complicated logistics — and had a great group of fans. I'm really proud of the team that pulled this off."

Fans interested in attending the 2013 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix this November may purchase tickets on the track's website or by calling 512-301-6600 (x1).

Bicycle Brands Playing Cards Joins Cassill, Circle Sport Racing


Bicycle Brand and Circle Sport Racing announced earlier this week a two-race partnership. The company will serve as primary sponsor for Landon Cassill's No. 33 Chevrolet beginning with this weekend's Coca-Cola 600 and next week's FedEx 400 at Dover International Speedway. The scheme will feature the officially licensed NASCAR playing cards that were recently launched.

"To have the Bicycle Brand on the car at Charlotte, in the backyard of the majority of the NASCAR teams is exciting," Cassill said. "You always want to have a good run in front of the home crowd, and the red-white-and-blue scheme featuring NASCAR Playing Cards looks great. I'm looking forward to helping promote the Bicycle Brand's line of NASCAR Playing Cards at Charlotte and Dover as we continue to prove Circle Sport is a valuable marketing partner to sponsors."

In ten races this season, Cassill boasts a best finish of 22nd at Talladega a couple of weeks ago.

IndyCar Owner Sarah Fisher to Finish Degree at WGU


IndyCar team owner Sarah Fisher will return to school this fall to finish her bachelor's degree at Western Governors University. After graduating seventh in her high school class, with honors Fisher began college years ago until it took a back seat to her racing career.

"Now that I'm a mother, a wife and an IndyCar team owner, I'm constantly juggling my schedule," Fisher said. "I'm ready to finish my degree, but I need a university that's adaptable to my life and offers quality programs that make going back to school a good investment of my time and energy. I'm excited about earning my degree at WGU Indiana."

WGU was established almost three years ago by former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels in an effort to allow Indiana residents to pursue their college degrees at an affordable price. The online university boasts a flat tuition rate of $3,000 per six-month term, something that has not changed since it opened.

~~~~~~~~~~

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!


~~~~~~~~~~

Frontstretch Folio: Coca-Cola 600
by Beth Lunkenheimer

The Sprint Cup Series remains in Charlotte this weekend for the longest race on the schedule. The Coca-Cola 600 is the 12th race of the 2013 season and will be broadcast live on FOX at 5:30 PM ET. The race can also be heard on your local PRN affiliate or SiriusXM Radio Channel 90. Drivers will compete for 400 laps (600 miles) en route to the checkered flag.

Records and Facts:

Greg Biffle held the track qualifying record at Charlotte Motor Speedway with a lap of 193.708 mph, set for the 2012 Bank of America 500 until it was broken Thursday night. Biffle went on to lead 71 laps in that race before settling into a fourth-place finish behind race winner Clint Bowyer, who edged Denny Hamlin by nearly a half-second. Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch finished third and fifth, respectively.

Kasey Kahne is the defending winner of the Coca-Cola 600. After starting seventh, the driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet led six times for 96 laps before taking the checkered flag more than four seconds ahead of Denny Hamlin. Kyle Busch, who led a race-high 204 laps, Greg Biffle and Brad Keselowski rounded out the top 5.

Since 1990, only five drivers who led at the 500-mile mark have gone on to win the Coca-Cola 600:
- Rusty Wallace (1990)
- Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett (1996)
- Jimmie Johnson (2004)
- Kasey Kahne (2008 and 2012)
- Kurt Busch (2010)

Kasey Kahne hopes to join the list of seven other drivers with back-to-back Coca-Cola 600 victories:
- Jimmie Johnson (3 in a row), 2003-05
- Jeff Gordon, 1997-98
- Dale Earnhardt, 1992-93
- Darrell Waltrip, 1988-89
- Neil Bonnett, 1982-83
- Darrell Waltrip, 1978-79
- Buddy Baker, 1972-73

Track Facts:

Track / Race Length:
1.5-mile quad oval, 400 laps, 600 miles
Degree of Banking - Turns: 24 degrees
Frontstretch: 1952.8 feet, banked 5 degrees
Backstretch: 1360 feet, banked 5 degrees
Grandstand Seating: 146,000
Pit Road Speed: 45 mph
Opened: 1960

Pre-Race Schedule

Practice:
Saturday, May 25, 10:00 - 11:00 AM ET on SPEED
Happy Hour: Saturday, May 25, 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET on SPEED

VIPs

Grand Marshal / Command:
USAF Sgt. Aaron Causey
Honorary Starter / Wave Green Flag: U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (SC)
Honorary Race Director: Tennessee's Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey
National Anthem: HLN News Anchor and Country Recording Artist Robin Meade
Military Flyover: Vintage Warbirds

Race Day Forecast

Sunday:
Partly Cloudy, Chance of Rain 20%
High: 75
Low: 55

They Said It:

"We made a lot of adjustments in the All-Star race that I think will give us some direction for this weekend. Qualifying for the All-Star gave me 90 more laps to learn, which is very valuable. The Coca-Cola 600 is the longest race of our season so we will keep dialing in our Ford and hopefully can have our Fastenal Ford in contention for the win. Fastenal is paying tribute to the military service men and women on all three Roush Fenway Fords this weekend. It would be awesome to get them in Victory Lane." Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.

"First and foremost, the Coca-Cola 600 is a weekend the NASCAR community honors and pays tribute to our fallen heroes who have fought for our freedom and paid the ultimate sacrifice in the process. I urge all NASCAR fans to keep these great Americans in their thoughts on this Memorial Day weekend. The Coca-Cola 600 is a marathon and it's a pace that you have to be mentally prepared for. The daytime run is important, but it's not as important as nightfall, when you get into the final 200 miles of the race. It's a long day and that's the mentality you have to have. It's a big celebration to win the Coke 600. It would be a great day for our Furniture Row Racing/Sealy Chevy team to be able to hoist up the trophy in the longest race of the year and also at one of the most prestigious races." Kurt Busch

"Any time you win a race at Charlotte, it's big. It's a speedway with a lot of history and, obviously, the Coke 600 is a huge event. I'm a big fan of shorter races nowadays, but the 600 is truly a special event, with it being on Memorial Day weekend and the history of the Coke 600, when it was known as the World 600. There's just a lot of tradition that surrounds the month of May in Charlotte. So, this is a big race. It's an important race to win." Tony Stewart

Beth Lunkenheimer is a Managing Editor for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via email at beth.lunkenheimer@frontstretch.com. Follow her on Twitter @Beth_Frntstrtch.

~~~~~~~~~~

Keepin' It Short: A Legends All-Star Race Equals More Money In The Bank
by Mike Neff

The Legends All-Star race is another opportunity for US Legends to show off some of the talent of the up-and-coming drivers that are showcased around the country in their classic-styled race cars. Some of the best Legends drivers in the country showed up this week, taking part in the 10 greatest days of racing at Charlotte for one of their biggest paydays. 30 of them lined up, in the end for a shot at part of the $10,000 purse that was put up for the main event. With lightning moving into the area, the race was cut nine laps short of its scheduled distance, but it didn't really matter. Tyler Green won the pole on Tuesday night and he had the dominant car all night long during the All-Star race. Steven Cantrell, Doug Stevens, Joey Pagget and Kaz Grala rounded out the top five.

Green, Stevens, Grala, Ryan Mackintosh, Carson Ferguson and Payton Ryan started the race on the first three rows. It took several efforts to complete more than a couple of laps, but eventually a long green-flag run clicked off more than half of the race. Cantrell started the race in the 21st position, having failed to make the top 20 cutoff in Tuesday night's qualifying and forced to transfer in from the last chance race. By the 15th lap of the main event, though he had charged into the top 5, partly due to taking the outside on restarts and partly due to his driving ability. The race then went green from lap 16 until lap 31, when the red flag flew for a pileup on the exit of turn two. Oil dry was dropped on the track, the cars were left waiting for cleanup, and then the rain moved in. The cars were moved off the track, the fans were moved to safety and the event was called early.

Green felt like he had saved enough to handle a charge from Cantrell over the final nine laps if the race had restarted. "I knew, with him behind me, we'd have a good race if we were equal." Green said. "I felt like, as the night wore on, he had probably worn his stuff out to get there. He did a good job getting there for sure, especially through the consolation. Those restarts are critical and I felt like we got good jumps on all of them to get away from them before they could get to us."

Green won $2,500 for the win, but he was happier to have scored a trophy. "The money helps," he said, "But I like the trophies even more."

In the last chance race, Steven Cantrell dominated the event. He led all 25 laps from the outside pole and withstood all charges on a handful of restarts. Jay Coen crossed the line in second in the Last Chance ahead of Evan Swilling, Kory Abbott, Connor Pyle, Joshua Brimecombe, Stefan Parsons, Doug Barnes Jr., Dillon Faggart and Austin Langenstein. Those 10 drivers transferred into the 40-lap feature race.

Final Results from the Legends All-Star:

1. Tyler Green
2. Steven Cantrell
3. Doug Stevens
4. Joey Pagget
5. Kaz Grala
6. Evan Swilling
7. William Byron
8. Connor Pyle
9. Luke Demis
10. Tyler Lester
11. Steve Johns Jr.
12. Kory Abbot
13. Jay Coen
14. Riley Halverson
15. Dillon Faggart
16. Joe Ryan Osborne
17. Austin Langenstein
18. Madeline Crane
19. Ryan Shattuck
20. Carson Ferguson
21. Eddie Harwell
22. Ryan Mackintosh
23. Dakota Baggette
24. Stefan Parsons
25. Gray Gaulding
26. Joshua Brimecombe
27. Brayton Haws
28. Payton Ryan
29. Jordan Black
30. Greg Lang
31. Hunter Bledsoe
32. Randy Schaaf
33. Bruce Silver

Whelen All-American National Championship

In a week that didn't see the top drivers in the national points run too many races, Lee Pulliam maintained his nearly 100 point lead in the standings. The southern drivers still hold the top four spots in the rankings but Keith Rocco is sitting in fifth and looking to make a charge toward the top. Interestingly, there are three drivers in the top 10 who have not scored a win this season. Brandon Dean, Mike Darne and Myatt Snider are all in the top 10 spots without taking home a trophy yet this season. If that doesn't change soon, they'll most likely be replaced by some other drivers from the North who have logged wins already this season.

1 Lee Pulliam Southern National, S Boston, Caraway 17 10 15 15 586
2 Deac McCaskill Southern National, S Boston 14 5 10 13 487
3 Tommy Lemons Jr. S Boston, Caraway, Southern National 14 3 11 13453
4 Anthony Anders Myrtle, Hickory, Kingsport, Greenville 16 7 12 14 415
5 Keith Rocco Stafford, Waterford, Thompson 10 4 7 8 334
6 C E Falk, III S Boston, Langley 10 3 9 9 331
7 Brandon Dean Southern National 10 0 6 9 294
8 David Rogers New Smyrna, Orlando 11 2 5 11 276
9 Mike Darne Southern National, Caraway 12 0 3 9 276
10 Myatt Snider Caraway, S Boston, Southern National 14 0 0 8 274

This Weekend's Racing Schedule

Friday    05/24/13    Stafford Motor Speedway    Stafford    CT    Whelen Modifieds
Friday    05/24/13    Kankakee County Speedway    Kankakee    IL    I-Mods
Friday    05/24/13    Kankakee County Speedway    Kankakee    IL    Pro Late Models
Friday    05/24/13    Kankakee County Speedway    Kankakee    IL    UMP Modifieds
Friday    05/24/13    Kankakee County Speedway    Kankakee    IL    UMP Sport Compacts
Friday    05/24/13    Kankakee County Speedway    Kankakee    IL    UMP Stock Cars
Friday    05/24/13    Kankakee County Speedway    Kankakee    IL    UMP Super Late Models
Friday    05/24/13    Tri-City Speedway    Pontoon Beach    IL    UMP Factory Stocks
Friday    05/24/13    Tri-City Speedway    Pontoon Beach    IL    UMP Late Models
Friday    05/24/13    Tri-City Speedway    Pontoon Beach    IL    UMP Modifieds
Friday    05/24/13    Tri-City Speedway    Pontoon Beach    IL    UMP Pro-Crate Late Models
Friday    05/24/13    Tri-City Speedway    Pontoon Beach    IL    UMP Sport Compacts
Friday    05/24/13    Oxford Plains Speedway    Oxford    ME    Mini Stocks
Friday    05/24/13    Oxford Plains Speedway    Oxford    ME    Outlaw Sportsman
Friday    05/24/13    Oxford Plains Speedway    Oxford    ME    Pro Late Models
Friday    05/24/13    Oxford Plains Speedway    Oxford    ME    Street Stocks
Friday    05/24/13    Chateau Raceway    Lansing    MI    USMTS Modifieds
Friday    05/24/13    Mt. Pleasant Speedway    Mt. Pleasant    MI    Sunoco American Late Models
Friday    05/24/13    Lucas Oil Speedway    Wheatland    MO    Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models
Friday    05/24/13    Hattiesburg Motorsports Park    Hattiesburg    MS    Nesmith Late Models
Friday    05/24/13    Ace Speedway    Altamahaw    NC    USAC Eastern Ignite Midgets
Friday    05/24/13    The Dirt Track at Charlotte    Concord    NC    World of Outlaw Sprint Cars
Friday    05/24/13    Junction Motor Speedway    McCool Junction    NE    ASCS Winged Sprints
Friday    05/24/13    Albany Saratoga Speedway    Malta     NY    POWRi Lucas Oil Outlaw Midgets
Friday    05/24/13    Ohsweken Speedway    Ohsweken    Ontario    Bombers
Friday    05/24/13    Ohsweken Speedway    Ohsweken    Ontario    Mini Stocks
Friday    05/24/13    Ohsweken Speedway    Ohsweken    Ontario    Sportsman
Friday    05/24/13    Ohsweken Speedway    Ohsweken    Ontario    Sprint Cars
Friday    05/24/13    Ohsweken Speedway    Ohsweken    Ontario    Thunder Stocks
Friday    05/24/13    RPM Speedway    Crandall    TX    Factory Stocks
Friday    05/24/13    RPM Speedway    Crandall    TX    Limited Modifieds
Friday    05/24/13    RPM Speedway    Crandall    TX    Sprint Cars
Friday    05/24/13    RPM Speedway    Crandall    TX    Street Stocks
Friday    05/24/13    RPM Speedway    Crandall    TX    USRA Modifieds
Friday    05/24/13    Rolling Thunder Raceway    Ararat    VA    FASTRAK Pro Late Models
Friday    05/24/13    Manitowoc County Fairgrounds    Manitowoc    WI    Grand Nationals
Friday    05/24/13    Manitowoc County Fairgrounds    Manitowoc    WI    MSA 360 Sprints
Friday    05/24/13    Manitowoc County Fairgrounds    Manitowoc    WI    Street Stocks
Friday    05/24/13    Manitowoc County Fairgrounds    Manitowoc    WI    WDLMA Late Models
Friday    05/24/13    Oshkosh Speedzone    Oshkosh    WI    Dirt Devils
Friday    05/24/13    Oshkosh Speedzone    Oshkosh    WI    Grand Nationals
Friday    05/24/13    Oshkosh Speedzone    Oshkosh    WI    Modifieds
Friday    05/24/13    Oshkosh Speedzone    Oshkosh    WI    Sport Mods
Friday    05/24/13    Oshkosh Speedzone    Oshkosh    WI    Street Stocks
Saturday    05/25/13    Dixieland Dirt Track    Cottonwood    AL    4-Cylinders
Saturday    05/25/13    Dixieland Dirt Track    Cottonwood    AL    Bombers
Saturday    05/25/13    Dixieland Dirt Track    Cottonwood    AL    Limited Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Dixieland Dirt Track    Cottonwood    AL    Open Wheel Modifieds
Saturday    05/25/13    Dixieland Dirt Track    Cottonwood    AL    Stockers
Saturday    05/25/13    Dixieland Dirt Track    Cottonwood    AL    Vintage
Saturday    05/25/13    Riverside International Speedway    West Memphis    AR    305 Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/25/13    Riverside International Speedway    West Memphis    AR    600 Mini Sprints
Saturday    05/25/13    Riverside International Speedway    West Memphis    AR    Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Riverside International Speedway    West Memphis    AR    Modifieds
Saturday    05/25/13    Riverside International Speedway    West Memphis    AR    Stock Cars
Saturday    05/25/13    Canyon Speedway Park    Peoria    AZ    Challenge Cup Sprint Cars
Saturday    05/25/13    Canyon Speedway Park    Peoria    AZ    Mini Sprints
Saturday    05/25/13    Canyon Speedway Park    Peoria    AZ    Southwest Mod Lites
Saturday    05/25/13    Canyon Speedway Park    Peoria    AZ    USAC Southwest Sprint Cars
Saturday    05/25/13    Thunder Raceway    Show Low    AZ    ASCS Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/25/13    Bakersfield Speedway    Bakersfield    CA    Hard Tops
Saturday    05/25/13    Bakersfield Speedway    Bakersfield    CA    Lmods
Saturday    05/25/13    Bakersfield Speedway    Bakersfield    CA    Mini Dwarfs
Saturday    05/25/13    Bakersfield Speedway    Bakersfield    CA    Mini Stocks
Saturday    05/25/13    Bakersfield Speedway    Bakersfield    CA    Sport Mods
Saturday    05/25/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    4-Cylinders
Saturday    05/25/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    Hobby Stocks
Saturday    05/25/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    Mini Cup
Saturday    05/25/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    MST
Saturday    05/25/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    Open Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    Southwest Trucks
Saturday    05/25/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    Sport Mods
Saturday    05/25/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    Toyota Sedans
Saturday    05/25/13    Perris Auto Speedway    Perris    CA    USAC/CRA Sprint Cars
Saturday    05/25/13    Santa Maria Speedway    Santa Maria    CA    Championship Dirt Motorsports Super Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Santa Maria Speedway    Santa Maria    CA    West Coast Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    34 Raceway    Burlington    IA    305 Sprint Cars
Saturday    05/25/13    34 Raceway    Burlington    IA    4-Cylinders
Saturday    05/25/13    34 Raceway    Burlington    IA    IMCA Modifieds
Saturday    05/25/13    34 Raceway    Burlington    IA    IMCA Stock Cars
Saturday    05/25/13    34 Raceway    Burlington    IA    Sport Mods
Saturday    05/25/13    Knoxville Raceway    Knoxville    IA    305 Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/25/13    Knoxville Raceway    Knoxville    IA    360 Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/25/13    Knoxville Raceway    Knoxville    IA    410 Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/25/13    Magic Valley Speedway    Twin Falls     ID    Legends
Saturday    05/25/13    Magic Valley Speedway    Twin Falls     ID    Western Winged Sprintcars
Saturday    05/25/13    Fairbury American Legion Speedway    Fairbury    IL    UMP Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Fairbury American Legion Speedway    Fairbury    IL    UMP Modifieds
Saturday    05/25/13    Fairbury American Legion Speedway    Fairbury    IL    UMP Sportsman
Saturday    05/25/13    Fairbury American Legion Speedway    Fairbury    IL    UMP Street Stocks
Saturday    05/25/13    Highland Speedway    Highland    IL    UMP Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Highland Speedway    Highland    IL    UMP Modifieds
Saturday    05/25/13    Highland Speedway    Highland    IL    UMP Pro Crate Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Highland Speedway    Highland    IL    UMP Sport Mods
Saturday    05/25/13    Highland Speedway    Highland    IL    UMP Street Stocks
Saturday    05/25/13    Peoria Speedway    Peoria    IL    Hornets
Saturday    05/25/13    Peoria Speedway    Peoria    IL    Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Peoria Speedway    Peoria    IL    Lightning Sprints
Saturday    05/25/13    Peoria Speedway    Peoria    IL    Limited Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Peoria Speedway    Peoria    IL    Modifieds
Saturday    05/25/13    Peoria Speedway    Peoria    IL    Street Stocks
Saturday    05/25/13    Spoon River Speedway    Canton    IL    Spoon 6-Shooters
Saturday    05/25/13    Spoon River Speedway    Canton    IL    UMP Hornets
Saturday    05/25/13    Spoon River Speedway    Canton    IL    UMP Limited Modifieds
Saturday    05/25/13    Spoon River Speedway    Canton    IL    UMP Modifieds
Saturday    05/25/13    Spoon River Speedway    Canton    IL    UMP Pro-Crate Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Tri-City Speedway    Pontoon Beach    IL    UMP Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Tri-City Speedway    Pontoon Beach    IL    UMP Modifieds
Saturday    05/25/13    Tri-City Speedway    Pontoon Beach    IL    UMP Pro-Crate Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Plymouth Speedway    Plymouth    IN     USAC 600 Mini Sprints
Saturday    05/25/13    Great American Dirt Track    Jetmore    KS    ASCS Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/25/13    Deer Creek Speedway    Spring Valley     MN    USMTS Modifieds
Saturday    05/25/13    Elko Speedway    Elko     MN    Big 8 Cars 2X
Saturday    05/25/13    Elko Speedway    Elko     MN    Legends 2X
Saturday    05/25/13    Elko Speedway    Elko     MN    Mini Stocks
Saturday    05/25/13    Elko Speedway    Elko     MN    Power Stocks
Saturday    05/25/13    Elko Speedway    Elko     MN    Super Late Models 2X
Saturday    05/25/13    Elko Speedway    Elko     MN    Thunder Cars 2X
Saturday    05/25/13    Federated Auto Parts Raceway 1-55    Pevely    MO    MOWA Sprint Cars
Saturday    05/25/13    LA Raceway    LaMonte    MO    ASCS Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/25/13    Lucas Oil Speedway    Wheatland    MO    Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Whynot Motorsports Park    Meridian    MS    Nesmith Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Whynot Motorsports Park    Meridian    MS    Southern All Stars Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    East Lincoln Speedway    Stanley    NC    Limited Sportsman
Saturday    05/25/13    East Lincoln Speedway    Stanley    NC    Micro Sprints
Saturday    05/25/13    East Lincoln Speedway    Stanley    NC    Renegades
Saturday    05/25/13    East Lincoln Speedway    Stanley    NC    Stock 4
Saturday    05/25/13    East Lincoln Speedway    Stanley    NC    Super Stock 4 Cylinders
Saturday    05/25/13    Hickory Motor Speedway    Newton     NC    Limited Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Hickory Motor Speedway    Newton     NC    Renegades
Saturday    05/25/13    Hickory Motor Speedway    Newton     NC    Street Stocks
Saturday    05/25/13    Hickory Motor Speedway    Newton     NC    Super Trucks
Saturday    05/25/13    Hickory Motor Speedway    Newton     NC    Vintage Sportsman Racing Classics
Saturday    05/25/13    Hickory Motor Speedway    Newton     NC    Whelen All-American Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Orange County Speedway    Durham    NC    USAC Eastern Ignite Midgets
Saturday    05/25/13    White Mountain Motorsports Park    North Woodstock    NH    PASS North Super Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Southern New Mexico Speedway    Las Cruces    NM    Sprint Cars
Saturday    05/25/13    Southern New Mexico Speedway    Las Cruces    NM    Super Trucks
Saturday    05/25/13    Southern New Mexico Speedway    Las Cruces    NM    USRA Limited X-Modifieds
Saturday    05/25/13    Southern New Mexico Speedway    Las Cruces    NM    USRA Street Stocks
Saturday    05/25/13    Oakshade Raceway    Wauseon    OH    Sunoco American Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Hermiston Super Oval     Hermison     OR    Hornets
Saturday    05/25/13    Hermiston Super Oval     Hermison     OR    Street Stocks
Saturday    05/25/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Half Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/25/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Heavy 160 Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/25/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Heavy Honda Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/25/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Heavy World Formula Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/25/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Jr. Animal Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/25/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Jr. Honda Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/25/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Jr. Novice Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/25/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Light 160 Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/25/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Sr. Honda Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/25/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Sr. Novice Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/25/13    Tennessee National Raceway    Hohenwald    TN     Southern Regional Racing Series Super Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Houston Motorsports Park    Houston    TX    Bandoleros
Saturday    05/25/13    Houston Motorsports Park    Houston    TX    Ecostocks
Saturday    05/25/13    Houston Motorsports Park    Houston    TX    Legends
Saturday    05/25/13    Houston Motorsports Park    Houston    TX    NASCAR BWFS Coke Trucks 2X
Saturday    05/25/13    Houston Motorsports Park    Houston    TX    NASCAR Fiesta Modifieds 2X
Saturday    05/25/13    Houston Motorsports Park    Houston    TX    NASCAR Stock Cars 2X
Saturday    05/25/13    Shady Oaks Speedway    Goliad    TX    ASCS Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/25/13    Lonesome Pine Raceway    Coeburn    VA    Iron Warrior
Saturday    05/25/13    Lonesome Pine Raceway    Coeburn    VA    Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Lonesome Pine Raceway    Coeburn    VA    Mod 4
Saturday    05/25/13    Lonesome Pine Raceway    Coeburn    VA    Pure 4
Saturday    05/25/13    Lonesome Pine Raceway    Coeburn    VA    Pure Streets
Saturday    05/25/13    Lonesome Pine Raceway    Coeburn    VA    Super Streets
Saturday    05/25/13    South Boston Speedway    South Boston    VA    Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    South Boston Speedway    South Boston    VA    Limited Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    South Boston Speedway    South Boston    VA    Pure Stock
Saturday    05/25/13    Wythe Raceway    Rural Retreat    VA    FASTRAK Pro Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    Skagit Speedway    Alger    WA    360 Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/25/13    Skagit Speedway    Alger    WA    410 Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/25/13    Skagit Speedway    Alger    WA    Outlaw Hornets
Saturday    05/25/13    Skagit Speedway    Alger    WA    Sportsman Sprints
Saturday    05/25/13    Skagit Speedway    Alger    WA    USAC Midgets
Saturday    05/25/13    Spokane County Raceway    Spokane    WA    WESCO Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/25/13    Angell Park Speedway    Sun Prairie     WI    Badger Micro Sprints
Saturday    05/25/13    Angell Park Speedway    Sun Prairie     WI    Illini Midgets
Saturday    05/25/13    Angell Park Speedway    Sun Prairie     WI    POWRi Lucas Oil National Midgets
Saturday    05/25/13    LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway    LaCrosse    WI    Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway    LaCrosse    WI    Sportsman
Saturday    05/25/13    LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway    LaCrosse    WI    Thunderstox
Saturday    05/25/13    I-77 Raceway Park    Ripley    WV    Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    I-77 Raceway Park    Ripley    WV    Mini-Wedges
Saturday    05/25/13    I-77 Raceway Park    Ripley    WV    Mod Lites
Saturday    05/25/13    I-77 Raceway Park    Ripley    WV    Modifieds
Saturday    05/25/13    I-77 Raceway Park    Ripley    WV    Semi-Late Models
Saturday    05/25/13    I-77 Raceway Park    Ripley    WV    Semi-Mods
Saturday    05/25/13    Tyler County Speedway    Middlebourne    WV    World of Outlaw Late Models
Sunday    05/26/13    Canyon Speedway Park    Peoria    AZ    Challenge Cup Sprint Cars
Sunday    05/26/13    Canyon Speedway Park    Peoria    AZ    Mini Sprints
Sunday    05/26/13    Canyon Speedway Park    Peoria    AZ    Southwest Mod Lites
Sunday    05/26/13    Canyon Speedway Park    Peoria    AZ    USAC Southwest Sprint Cars
Sunday    05/26/13    Santa Maria Speedway    Santa Maria    CA    Championship Dirt Motorsports Super Late Models
Sunday    05/26/13    Santa Maria Speedway    Santa Maria    CA    West Coast Late Models
Sunday    05/26/13    34 Raceway    Burlington    IA    360 Sprint Invaders
Sunday    05/26/13    34 Raceway    Burlington    IA    4-Cylinders
Sunday    05/26/13    34 Raceway    Burlington    IA    Mod Lites
Sunday    05/26/13    Quincy Raceways    Quincy    IL    IMCA Northern Sport Mods
Sunday    05/26/13    Quincy Raceways    Quincy    IL    IMCA Sport Compacts
Sunday    05/26/13    Quincy Raceways    Quincy    IL    IMCA Stock Cars
Sunday    05/26/13    Quincy Raceways    Quincy    IL    MOWA Sprint Cars
Sunday    05/26/13    Quincy Raceways    Quincy    IL    UMP Modifieds
Sunday    05/26/13    Tri-State Speedway    Haubstadt    IN    KISS Sprint Cars
Sunday    05/26/13    Tri-State Speedway    Haubstadt    IN    Modifieds
Sunday    05/26/13    Tri-State Speedway    Haubstadt    IN    MSCS Sprint Cars
Sunday    05/26/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Figure 8
Sunday    05/26/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Late Models
Sunday    05/26/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Mini Modifieds
Sunday    05/26/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Mini Stocks
Sunday    05/26/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Pure Stocks
Sunday    05/26/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Sportsman
Sunday    05/26/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Street Stocks
Sunday    05/26/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Thunder Stocks
Sunday    05/26/13    Dodge County Speedway    Kasson    MN    USMTS Modifieds
Sunday    05/26/13    Double X Speedway    California    MO    ASCS Winged Sprints
Sunday    05/26/13    Monett Speedway    Monett    MO    MARS DIRTCar Late Models
Sunday    05/26/13    Magnolia Motor Speedway    Columbus    MS    Southern All Stars Late Models
Sunday    05/26/13    Eldora Speedway    Rossburg    OH    NRA Sprint Invaders
Sunday    05/26/13    Eldora Speedway    Rossburg    OH    Stock Cars
Sunday    05/26/13    Eldora Speedway    Rossburg    OH    Sunoco American Late Models
Sunday    05/26/13    Eldora Speedway    Rossburg    OH    UMP Modifieds
Sunday    05/26/13    South Texas Speedway    Corpus Christi    TX    ASCS Winged Sprints
Sunday    05/26/13    Skagit Speedway    Alger    WA    USAC Northwest Ignite Midgets
Sunday    05/26/13    Angell Park Speedway    Sun Prairie     WI    Badger Micro Sprints
Sunday    05/26/13    Angell Park Speedway    Sun Prairie     WI    Illini Midgets
Sunday    05/26/13    Angell Park Speedway    Sun Prairie     WI    POWRi Lucas Oil National Midgets
Sunday    05/26/13    Princeton Speedway    Princeton    WV    FASTRAK Pro Late Models
Sunday    05/26/13    Tyler County Speedway    Middlebourne    WV    World of Outlaw Late Models
Monday    05/27/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Jr. Stingers
Monday    05/27/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Late Models
Monday    05/27/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Sprint Cars
Monday    05/27/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Super Stocks
Monday    05/27/13    Macon Speedway    Macon    IL    Sunoco American Late Models
Monday    05/27/13    Lawrenceburg Speedway    Lawrenceburg    IN    World of Outlaw Sprint Cars
Monday    05/27/13    Rocky Mountain Raceway    West Valley City    UT    Western Winged Sprintcars
Wednesday    05/29/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    B-Mods
Wednesday    05/29/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Legends
Wednesday    05/29/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Modifieds
Wednesday    05/29/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Pro-4s
Wednesday    05/29/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Western Winged Sprintcars
Thursday    05/30/13    Delaware International Speedway    Delmar    DE    World of Outlaw 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.

~~~~~~~~~~

ADVERTISEMENT
Are you looking to advertise your website, product or brand?  A good way to get your name out there is via direct advertising here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!  Interested parties can contact us at tony.lumbis@frontstretch.com for details.

~~~~~~~~~~

TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:


by Matt Stallknecht

by Amy Henderson

by Matt Stallknecht

as told to Amy Henderson

by Andy Hollis

by Kevin Rutherford

~~~~~~~~~~

FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:

Q: Aside from the Daytona 500, 1998 was not the best year for Dale Earnhardt.  The Coca-Cola 600 was another race where fate just was not in favor of the seven-time champion.  What happened?

Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
 
Thursday's Answer:

Q: In the 1996 Coca-Cola 600, Kyle Petty finished 23rd, nine laps off the pace.  Kyle lost only two of those laps on the track.  What happened to cost him the other seven?

A: Petty was trying to get back onto the lead lap on the Lap 157 restart when he made a move to the inside of Ted Musgrave just past the start/finish line.  Musgrave and Petty collided, causing Musgrave to spin in front of almost the entire field.  The resulting crash involved 11 cars, and can be seen here.

NASCAR judged Petty to be at fault for the crash and gave him the rare five-lap penalty for rough driving.  Car owner Felix Sabates was incensed and argued vociferously with NASCAR officials.  All that did was get Petty an additional two laps in the box, so he was eight laps down when he returned to the race.  The next weekend in Dover, Petty ran the infamous protest scheme, where his car was painted up like Dale Earnhardt's to show the belief that Earnhardt wouldn't have been penalized for the Charlotte crash.

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! 

~~~~~~~~~~

Monday on the Frontstretch:

Thinkin' Out Loud: Coca-Cola 600 by Mike Neff
Mike is back with his overall thoughts from Sunday night's longest race of the year from Charlotte.

Commentary
by Summer Bedgood
Summer takes a look at one of the biggest stories to come out of Charlotte.

Commentary by TBA
One of the Frontstretch Staff members will stop by with their thoughts on Sunday night's action from Charlotte.

Big Six:
Coca-Cola 600 by Amy Henderson
Amy has your weekly look at the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How from a weekend of racing at Charlotte.

Pace Laps: Charlotte 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 Charlotte.

Nationwide Series Breakdown: History 300 by Amy Henderson/Mike Neff
We have all the post-race analysis you need following Saturday afternoon's Nationwide Series race from Charlotte.


Indy 500 Breakdown by Toni Montgomery
Toni has all the post-race analysis you need from the Brickyard following the IZOD IndyCar Series' crown jewel event.
-----------------------------
Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Got something to say about an article you've seen in the newsletter? It's as easy as replying directly to this message or sending an email to editors@frontstretch.com. We'll take the best comments and publish them here!

©2013 Frontstretch.com

--
--
Feel free to forward this newsletter if you have any friends who loves
NASCAR and great NASCAR commentary. They can subscribe to the Frontstetch by visiting http://www.frontstretch.com/notice/9557/.
 
If you want to stop your Frontstretch Newsletter subscription, we're sorry
to see you go. Just send an email to
TheFrontstretch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com from the address that you
recieve the Frontstretch Newsletter.
 
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Frontstretch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to thefrontstretch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
 
 

No comments:

Post a Comment