THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
May 21st, 2013
Volume VII, Edition LXXXV
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
May 21st, 2013
Volume VII, Edition LXXXV
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What To Watch: Tuesday
What To Watch: Tuesday
- Tuesday is normally teleconference day for NASCAR and today is no exception. This week's guests are Roush Fenway Racing teammates Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle, scheduled to meet with media late this morning. If anything notable is said, we'll report on it.
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Top News
by Tom Bowles
Bruton Smith Moving Charlotte Race?
SMI's top dog may be looking to move one of NASCAR's hometown races for 2014. O. Bruton Smith, Chairman of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. told WBTV in Charlotte he's looking to shift the Fall, 500-mile Cup race at Charlotte Motor Speedway out to Las Vegas and make it a postseason event. That 1.5-mile oval, which currently has just one date has done well attendance-wise, has great Fall weather and puts Smith in a position (or so he claims) to do better financially.
"We're discussing a ten-year contract," Smith told the television station. "For a lot of money every year."
Any date change, for 2014 and beyond would have to be approved by NASCAR; Smith is not in control of the schedule. However, the sanctioning body has accommodated the SMI veteran in the past, as long as he maneuvers current dates from his tracks on the schedule. For example, Smith was given an inaugural 400-miler at Kentucky Speedway, in 2011 at the expense of a second race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
The billionaire businessman controls tracks that have roughly a dozen dates on the current Sprint Cup slate. Charlotte was once one of the "crown jewels," along with Bristol on his track ownership list but attendance at its events has declined in recent years. Despite being the "motorsports mecca" of stock car racing, where most race shops and the Hall of Fame is located Las Vegas has eked ahead based on the latest attendance figures reported, in 2012. That year, the March race out West had 50,000 more fans than the Chase event held during the Fall of that year out in Charlotte, a 1.5-mile oval whose asphalt has struggled to produce quality competition over the last decade.
The billionaire businessman controls tracks that have roughly a dozen dates on the current Sprint Cup slate. Charlotte was once one of the "crown jewels," along with Bristol on his track ownership list but attendance at its events has declined in recent years. Despite being the "motorsports mecca" of stock car racing, where most race shops and the Hall of Fame is located Las Vegas has eked ahead based on the latest attendance figures reported, in 2012. That year, the March race out West had 50,000 more fans than the Chase event held during the Fall of that year out in Charlotte, a 1.5-mile oval whose asphalt has struggled to produce quality competition over the last decade.
Smith has also had a rocky relationship with Cabarrus County, where the track has been built. Four years ago, the owner filed a lawsuit claiming government officials never followed through on a deal to help with infrastructure and improvements at the facility. There's also been conflict with town residents over noise at the CMS dragstrip and potential future expansion on the property.
A Nationwide Series regular sidelined since a vicious crash at Daytona is set to return. Michael Annett, out of the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford since the season-opening race at Daytona tweeted Monday doctors have cleared him to slip back behind the wheel. Annett, whose most serious injury was a broken sternum got hurt when he and Austin Dillon made contact with less than four laps left, sparking a multi-car incident that totaled nearly a dozen cars and left the Iowa veteran heading to the hospital.
"Can't wait to get back in the seat!!!" the driver said on his Twitter account. "Thanks for all the excitement for me to get back and thanks for all the support from everyone through these 3 long months."
Good friend Reed Sorenson, a former RPM driver himself has been subbing in Annett's absence, posting a best finish of 10th. He'll return to his full-time employer, Key Motorsports' No. 40 Chevrolet beginning this weekend. Aric Almirola also slipped in the No. 43 car for one race, posting a ninth-place result at Phoenix.
Annett, 26, is in his fifth full season racing the Nationwide Series. However, he remains winless in 139 career starts.
News 'N' Notes
- Don't expect major changes at struggling Stewart-Haas Racing anytime soon. When interviewed by SPEED this week, an anonymous executive at SHR claimed they're not considering firing or reassigning crew chiefs within their three-car organization. The team, which has just one top-5 finish amongst their drivers in 33 starts this season, has no driver better in points than Ryan Newman in 17th.
"Every team goes through this, at one point or another," the executive told SPEED's Tom Jensen. "We'll get through it."
- Roush Fenway Racing will run triple Fastenal-sponsored Fords in this weekend's Coca-Cola 600. Traditionally the sponsor of Carl Edwards in the No. 99, the company will expand its portfolio to back Greg Biffle in the No. 16 and rookie Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. in the No. 17 car. The sponsor has already been to Victory Lane once this year, with Edwards at Phoenix and is looking to continue those winning ways in 2013.
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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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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Today's Featured Commentary
Cheers or Jeers: Both are Good News During Driver Introductions
Sitting In The Stands: A Fan's View
by S.D. Grady
While many segments of the ever-changing All-Star race are clearly contrived, the driver intros have actually become something of an art form over the years. It is always one of the best parts of the night for the TV audience, mostly because the vast majority of NASCAR fans never get to go to the track and see their favorite driver wave to the crowd on the giant rolling stage, or snap a pic as Junior rides by in this week's sponsored truck. Even if they did, it is only on All-Star night that the whole crew gets to take a bow. It really is a special moment of recognition for the teams.
It's a fact that you'd think a few fans missed when we heard their reactions Saturday. It wasn't just Kyle Busch that paused when he rose into the spotlight, braced himself and smiled away the furious noises of apparently angry fans. Just about every driver heard the negative cries; heck, even Danica Patrick endured more boos than cheers.
Still, there was noise. That's something I don't always hear when I'm sitting 40 rows up and waiting for the engines to crank over. The trend towards silence in the stands has continued to grow over the years, and I struggle to understand exactly what it is in the crowd mentality that is missing in our present century. Have we forgotten just how important it is to actively participate, even when we are sitting on the sidelines? Or is it because we've become far too complacent to have the competition fed to us on whatever digital means we have handy?
It has to be a depressing moment to walk out on a stage, with 80,000 fans in the stands and no one notices you. Too often, I watch the bottom half of the field just make the motions of taking their bow. What makes me really angry is that those sitting around me are digging in their coolers, looking at the new T-shirt and trying to figure out the FanVision while the real stars of the show are announced. They'll give me sideways glances as I continue to applaud through the entire field. It worsens as I clap louder, appreciating when a local boy is called up, driving an unsponsored Cup ride for the first time ever. They deserve attention, too.
Do I boo? Oh, you betcha. I'm not touting a cheer for every driver. I'm talking about letting them know you care. It matters that the seats are filled with those who come every year, dads that are taking their kids to a special event, and co-workers out for a fun afternoon. We come from all walks of life, drive top-of-the-line SUV's and the occasional junker. The NASCAR fan comes from as varied a background as the drivers who pilot the brilliantly colored machines parked in pit lane. We love what auto racing is. And if you've ever spoken to a NASCAR driver, it's a bone-deep reality that they love it, too.
So please, when you're sitting in the stands, make some noise! Besides the $75 you paid for entry into the track, cheering is part of your job as a fan. If Logano did something stupid last week, remind him. Maybe Johnson won! And maybe you think that's awesome. When your neighbor is a Junior fan and you wear the No. 24 on your hat, enjoy a good-natured rivalry for the day.
Driver Introductions are always a big deal -- even without the All-Star Night coverage -- but they'll only be so if the fans find their voices to cheer and jeer.
S.D. Grady is a Senior Editor for Frontstretch. She can be reached via e-mail at sonya.grady@frontstretch.com. Follow him on Twitter at @laregna.
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Numbers Game: Sprint All-Star Race
by Tom Bowles
0
0
Laps led by Matt Kenseth Saturday night, just the third time this year he's been in a race and failed to pace the field for at least one circuit.
1
The number of drivers who failed to finish due to a crash (Mark Martin). It's the second time in three years Martin has wrecked out in the All-Star Race.
2
2
The number of laps Brad Keselowski completed before his transmission expired. The reigning Cup champ has just one top-5 finish, a second last year in five career All-Star Race starts.
3
3
The number of consecutive top-5 finishes for Kyle Busch in the All-Star Race. He was third on Saturday night but remains winless for his career in the main event.
4
Career All-Star Race wins for Jimmie Johnson, a new NASCAR Cup Series record. He's also the first to capture the event, back-to-back since Davey Allison in 1991-'92.
5
Leaders in Saturday night's All-Star Race out of 22 participating in the race. The Busch brothers, Clint Bowyer, and Kasey Kahne spent time at the front along with Johnson.
6.0
6.0
Average finish for both Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, the best amongst NASCAR teams. Each one had all of their full-time cars in the All-Star event.
15.7
Average finish of the three Stewart-Haas Racing cars in the All-Star event. None of them led a lap, extending their top-5 finish drought to eleven total races. The best finish for the organization this season is a fifth by Ryan Newman in this year's Daytona 500.
$38,865
$38,865
How much less sixth place paid, in Saturday night's All-Star Race compared to last year's Coca-Cola 600. In this event, where the purse is heavily skewed towards the winner only six drivers took home $100,000 or more in the main event.
$795,000
The difference, in winnings between first-place Jimmie Johnson and second-place Joey Logano.
Tom Bowles is the Editor-In-Chief of Frontstretch. He can be reached via e-mail at tom.bowles@frontstretch.com.
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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 frontstretcheditors@googlegroups.com for details.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Racing To The Point: A Radical Idea For The All-Star Race
by Brett Poirier
Who's Hot / Who's Not In Sprint Cup: All Star-Charlotte Edition
by Brad Morgan
The Art Of Closing The Deal In NASCAR's Longest Race
by Kevin Rutherford
Five Points to Ponder: Jimmie vs. Matt And The Best Day In Motorsports
by Danny Peters
Couch Potato Tuesday: SPEED's Last-Gasp Sprint Cup Hurrah
by Phil Allaway
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: Bobby Hamilton got a big break in 1990, scoring a ride in the Coca-Cola 600 for TriStar Racing in a part-time Pontiac. Gary Bechtel came on board with Diamond Ridge sponsorship after Hamilton qualified a surprising eighth. However, the day ended early for the Busch Grand National regular in Turn 2. What happened?
Check back Wednesday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Monday's Answer:
Q: In 1988, Rick Wilson had an excellent chance in a relatively unusual Coca-Cola 600 to claim his first career victory. However, it was not meant to be. What happened to put him out for the day?
A: Wilson was leading with 47 laps to go when the right-front tire suddenly blew on his Kodak Oldsmobile. Unfortunately, the blowouts were a common sight on this day due to the tire war between Goodyear and Hoosier. Wilson crashed into the Turn 2 wall as a result of the blowout, ending his day and resulting in injury. Had Wilson's car been able to run the full race at Riverside a couple of weeks later, he may have needed relief from Jimmy Insolo, but mechanical issues took away that need.
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 Tom Bowles
-- WTF Wednesday by Ellen Richardson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 frontstretcheditors@googlegroups.com for details.
~~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Racing To The Point: A Radical Idea For The All-Star Race
by Brett Poirier
Who's Hot / Who's Not In Sprint Cup: All Star-Charlotte Edition
by Brad Morgan
The Art Of Closing The Deal In NASCAR's Longest Race
by Kevin Rutherford
Five Points to Ponder: Jimmie vs. Matt And The Best Day In Motorsports
by Danny Peters
Couch Potato Tuesday: SPEED's Last-Gasp Sprint Cup Hurrah
by Phil Allaway
~~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: Bobby Hamilton got a big break in 1990, scoring a ride in the Coca-Cola 600 for TriStar Racing in a part-time Pontiac. Gary Bechtel came on board with Diamond Ridge sponsorship after Hamilton qualified a surprising eighth. However, the day ended early for the Busch Grand National regular in Turn 2. What happened?
Check back Wednesday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Monday's Answer:
Q: In 1988, Rick Wilson had an excellent chance in a relatively unusual Coca-Cola 600 to claim his first career victory. However, it was not meant to be. What happened to put him out for the day?
A: Wilson was leading with 47 laps to go when the right-front tire suddenly blew on his Kodak Oldsmobile. Unfortunately, the blowouts were a common sight on this day due to the tire war between Goodyear and Hoosier. Wilson crashed into the Turn 2 wall as a result of the blowout, ending his day and resulting in injury. Had Wilson's car been able to run the full race at Riverside a couple of weeks later, he may have needed relief from Jimmy Insolo, but mechanical issues took away that need.
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 tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Tom Bowles
-- WTF Wednesday by Ellen Richardson
-- Tweet 'N' Greet by Kevin Rutherford
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Did You Notice? by Tom Bowles
How would NASCAR's home base be affected by losing a second date? Tom Bowles takes a look at the Charlotte crisis, exacerbated by O. Bruton Smith this week, the "wild card" race to the Chase and more in his list of small but important observations about the stock car circuit.
Life At The 55 as told to Tony Lumbis
Tony's recurring series that goes behind the scenes of Michael Waltrip Racing continues with a look at another pit crew member. Team engineer Billy Scott opens up about his job, goals, and life history that brought him to his dream job on the Sprint Cup racing circuit.
Side By Side: Daytona versus Indy by Summer Bedgood and Mark Howell
At this point, which of racing's Super Bowls has the bigger national following: NASCAR's Daytona 500 or Sunday's open-wheel tradition out in Indianapolis? Two of your favorite Frontstretch experts debate; feel free to weigh in with your take on the issue.
Frontstretch Top 10 by the Frontstretch Staff
Your favorite writers are back with their Wednesday dose of NASCAR humor that leaves you laughing. Don't miss out!
Open-Wheel Wednesday: Indianapolis by Toni Montgomery
In advance of open-wheel's biggest race, we look back at the history of its greatest racetrack and how a pile of bricks out in Indianapolis turned into the centerpiece of auto racing's popularity explosion in the 20th Century.
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Did You Notice? by Tom Bowles
How would NASCAR's home base be affected by losing a second date? Tom Bowles takes a look at the Charlotte crisis, exacerbated by O. Bruton Smith this week, the "wild card" race to the Chase and more in his list of small but important observations about the stock car circuit.
Life At The 55 as told to Tony Lumbis
Tony's recurring series that goes behind the scenes of Michael Waltrip Racing continues with a look at another pit crew member. Team engineer Billy Scott opens up about his job, goals, and life history that brought him to his dream job on the Sprint Cup racing circuit.
Side By Side: Daytona versus Indy by Summer Bedgood and Mark Howell
At this point, which of racing's Super Bowls has the bigger national following: NASCAR's Daytona 500 or Sunday's open-wheel tradition out in Indianapolis? Two of your favorite Frontstretch experts debate; feel free to weigh in with your take on the issue.
Frontstretch Top 10 by the Frontstretch Staff
Your favorite writers are back with their Wednesday dose of NASCAR humor that leaves you laughing. Don't miss out!
Open-Wheel Wednesday: Indianapolis by Toni Montgomery
In advance of open-wheel's biggest race, we look back at the history of its greatest racetrack and how a pile of bricks out in Indianapolis turned into the centerpiece of auto racing's popularity explosion in the 20th Century.
Special Column TBA
We'll have one additional column for your pleasure.
-----------------------------
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
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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