Friday, May 03, 2013

The Frontstretch Newsletter: Talladega Updates And Schedule

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

May 3rd, 2013
Volume VII, Edition LXXIII

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Friday Racing Schedule: Talladega
Sprint Cup, Nationwide, and ARCA teams are back in action at the 2.66-mile superspeedway that's the largest on their current schedules. Here's a TV schedule to get you primed for the upcoming weekend...

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
   Nationwide Series Qualifying    ESPN2
2:00 - 3:00 PM    Sprint Cup Series Practice No. 1    SPEED
3:30 - 4:30 PM    Sprint Cup Series Happy Hour    SPEED
5:00 - 7:00 PM    ARCA Racing Series International Motorsports Hall of Fame 250    SPEED
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Top News
by Justin Tucker

Hamlin Cleared to Return to Action

Late Thursday evening, Joe Gibbs Racing announced that Denny Hamlin has been cleared to return to competition this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. Hamlin, who has been sidelined since a last-lap wreck at Auto Club Speedway in March, need not even make a lap of practice, according to NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp Friday morning. Even if all on-track activity is rained out, leading up to Sunday Hamlin will be able to start the car.

Hamlin has missed the last four races, with an L1 compression fracture in his lower back and now sits 29th in points, 71 behind Kurt Busch in 20th spot. Joe Gibbs Racing says the exact plans for Hamlin this weekend will be determined by the team as things develop; however, Brian Vickers is expected to jump in the car for Hamlin at the first available opportunity during the event.

Time Warner And Kahne To Team Up For Next Three Races

Time Warner Cable will serve as the primary sponsor for Kasey Kahne's No. 5 Chevrolet SS for the next three Sprint Cup Series events. Time Warner will appear on the hood for this weekend's Aaron's 499 at Talladega, along with the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway next weekend and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26th.  The company will also make an appearance during the Chase, as they will back Kahne at Kansas Speedway on October 6th.

Time Warner Cable made their sponsorship debut during last year's Bank of America 500 at Charlotte where Kahne battled to an eighth-place finish.  Kahne comes into Talladega Superspeedway this weekend third in the Sprint Cup Series standings, 46 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson.

Labonte to Make 700th Career Cup Series Start

Bobby Labonte will add another milestone to his resume when he takes the green flag in Sunday's Aaron's 499 at Talladega. He will become just the 14th driver in Sprint Cup Series history to make 700 starts, joining such names as Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon, Rusty Wallace, Ricky Rudd, Dave Marcis, Terry Labonte, Kyle Petty, Michael Waltrip, Ken Schrader, Sterling Marlin, Mark Martin, and Bobby Allison as drivers to reach this milestone career number.

Labonte, the 2000 champion, has had a mixed bag of fortune at Talladega Superspeedway. He has one win (1998), six top 5s, and 13 top-10 finishes in 40 career starts on the 2.66-mile, high-banked oval.

"The Clorox Company has been a partner of JTG Daugherty Racing for over a decade and that's pretty special to Tad and Jodi (Geschickter), Brad (Daugherty) and the entire racing organization," Labonte said. "Today, JTG Daugherty Racing is proud to celebrate Clorox's centennial. It's neat we are celebrating their milestone as I reach a milestone of my own when I make my 700th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career start Talladega weekend."

The Corpus Christi, Texas native has had a stellar career in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series compiling 21 wins, 115 top 5s, and 203 top 10s. In addition, he is only one of two drivers that have won both Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series championships during their career (Brad Keselowski is the other).

Waltrip Returns to the No. 55 This Weekend at Talladega

Michael Waltrip returns to the driver's seat at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend for the Aaron's 499. Waltrip will drive his self-owned No. 55 Toyota Camry, carrying a special paint scheme honoring the 2012 BCS National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide. He will also wear a special Alabama helmet and fire suit for Sunday's race.

Waltrip has enjoyed tremendous success at Talladega, winning the 2003 Fall race and scoring seven top 5s and 15 top 10s in 53 career starts at the track.

This year will be the fourth consecutive, during the Talladega Spring race that Aaron's and Michael Waltrip Racing will have honored a National Championship team from Alabama. Aaron's paid homage to Auburn's 2010 championship team as well as Alabama's 2009 and 2011 editions.

"It's going to be really fun to race the Alabama National Championship car this weekend," Waltrip said. "There are a lot of passionate fans in that part of the world that love Alabama football and NASCAR. It's a special opportunity to mix the two together."

The paint scheme was revealed during Alabama's Spring game on April 20th and features Head Coach Nick Saban's signature on the hood. Expect the car to be a contender; Waltrip almost went to Victory Lane at Talladega last October before being involved in a multi-car wreck coming off the final turn of the race.

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

Budweiser Launches Budweiser 360 App

Budweiser has launched a new, interactive racing app that allows fans to experience racing like they never have before. Kevin Harvick turned several laps at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and with the use of "surround" video, fans can get a 360-degree look around the car.

"This is definitely something that's cutting edge. We ran some pretty fast laps at Charlotte and were able to provide an experience like the fans have never seen before," Harvick said. "You can look at my feet, my hands, the back of the car, the right side and the left side. It's those unique views that you normally don't get to see when we're going around the race track. It's a very cool app that's different from anything that's ever been done before in our sport."

The app is available for free in the Apple App Store, and the videos can also be found at www.budweiser.com.

Pocono Raceway Announces 2013 Celebrity Charity Poker Showdown

Earlier this week, Pocono Raceway announced the Second Annual Pocono Celebrity Charity Poker Showdown. The event, scheduled for Thursday, June 6th, will be held at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs and will benefit The NASCAR Foundation and the Armed Forces Foundation. With a limited number of playing spots available, fans have four different donation options if they're interested in participating. A donation of just $100 secures a spot in the tournament, and the top-finishing fan will have their choice of either a VIP Race Experience at Pocono Raceway or a VIP Stay and Play Experience at Mohegan Sun.

"We had so much fun with the drivers, military personnel, the folks at Mohegan Sun, and, especially the fans, we had to do this event again," Pocono Raceway President and CEO Brandon Igdalsky said. "Like last year, race fans will have the chance to play against some of NASCAR's top drivers and personalities, with all proceeds benefiting the efforts of The NASCAR Foundation and the Armed Forces Foundation. This year, if any fan takes a celebrity out of the poker tournament, they will receive a free $100 chip they can use in the casino. We can't wait and hope to see even more fans there this year to benefit these great causes!"

For more information on the donation options or to register for the Pocono Celebrity Charity Poker Showdown, fans can visit www.nascar.com/foundation.

NASCAR Asks Teams to Be More Vigilant

NASCAR has warned teams to be more aware of their surroundings each weekend in the garage area in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings. According to a report by SIRIUS XM's Dave Moody, the sanctioning body called a special meeting of crew chiefs at Richmond International Raceway last weekend and requested the teams be more attentive to unknown backpacks or other packages in the garage area.

"They asked us to keep our eyes open. They want us to monitor our garage stalls more closely, to make sure there is nothing there that doesn't belong," one NASCAR crewman said, on condition of anonymity. "I didn't get the impression that there was any specific threat. It was just a request to stay diligent."

The move is a part of a nationwide focus to broaden safety at major sporting events.

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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: Where The Rubber Meets The Dirt
by Mike Neff

The technical inspection process in short track racing can be as extensive as a complete autopsy or as casual as a wink and a wave. One thing is for certain: the more the purse money goes up, the more thorough officials look over your car. In the world of dirt racing, most of the tech inspections involve weighing the car unless someone protests the winner. However, once they take home more than $10,000, the tires also become a target as well. Such was the case for Jason Feger at the Illini 100 at Farmer City Raceway. Feger won the $20,000 first prize at the World of Outlaw Late Model event on April 6th. However, samples were taken from the tires he was using in his heat race and, after analysis by an independent lab, Feger was found to have altered those compounds. There is no quicker way to get in trouble in the dirt world than when you alter your tires...

As a result of the failed test, Feger forfeited his win and his associated winnings, plus he was suspended from competition in the World of Outlaws and UMP DIRTCar Late Model Sanctioned events for three months. Additionally, he faced a $3,000 fine and a loss of 1,000 WoO points.  Feger immediately filed an appeal, which was heard this week by a three-member World Racing Group appeals board. After considering all of the evidence presented, the board unanimously voted to uphold the fines and suspension.

Feger has an option to appeal to Rolling Helmling, the Chairman Potestas (think John Middlebrook in NASCAR-land). Should that appeal fail, aside from legal action, Feger will have no choice but to sit out the three months, racing in unsanctioned events or hitting the Lucas Oil Late Model circuit.

Feger maintains that the positive test was the result of a cleaning fluid used on his tires. (Dirt racers frequently clean their tires, ensuring maximum grip when they hit the track.) While it is quicker to use a solution with some sort of soap, it can also cause the tests to register that the compound of the tire has been altered. The debate rages on as to whether cleaning compounds that are purchased over the counter do or do not change the makeup of the tires. Feger claims that they were using Simple Green to clean the tires on his car, a solution that could trigger a false positive in his opinion. The ironic aspect of this discussion is that the tires that Feger is being held accountable for were only used in the heat race and not in the feature. Running well in the heat was hardly going to guarantee him a win during the 100-lap main event.

The role of any sanctioning body is to ensure that the racing that takes place under their watch is as fair and unbiased as it can possibly be. Whether tire sniffers and test labs are able to accurately detect altered tire compounds is a raging argument that has gone on for years in the short track racing world. Cheating of any kind is unacceptable, and while the ability to measure parts on cars is rather easy, checking the alteration of the compound of a tire can be far more difficult. The only thing that sanctioning bodies can do is inform drivers up front that their tires will be tested with a certain method. The racers have the choice on how they prep from that point on. In the end, though a reputation can be ruined over a small piece of rubber removed from a tire and looked at by some guys in lab coats.

This Weekend's Racing Schedule

Friday    05/03/13    Lavonia Speedway    Lavonia    GA    World of Outlaw Late Models
Friday    05/03/13    Jacksonville Speedway    Jacksonville    IL    305 Winged Sprints
Friday    05/03/13    Jacksonville Speedway    Jacksonville    IL    Hornets
Friday    05/03/13    Jacksonville Speedway    Jacksonville    IL    Modifieds
Friday    05/03/13    Jacksonville Speedway    Jacksonville    IL    Stock Cars
Friday    05/03/13    Kankakee County Speedway    Kankakee    IL    I-Mods
Friday    05/03/13    Kankakee County Speedway    Kankakee    IL    Pro Late Models
Friday    05/03/13    Kankakee County Speedway    Kankakee    IL    UMP Modifieds
Friday    05/03/13    Kankakee County Speedway    Kankakee    IL    UMP Sport Compacts
Friday    05/03/13    Kankakee County Speedway    Kankakee    IL    UMP Stock Cars
Friday    05/03/13    Kankakee County Speedway    Kankakee    IL    UMP Super Late Models
Friday    05/03/13    Tri-City Speedway    Pontoon Beach    IL    ASCS Winged Sprints
Friday    05/03/13    Tri-City Speedway    Pontoon Beach    IL    Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models
Friday    05/03/13    Tri-City Speedway    Pontoon Beach    IL    UMP Modifieds
Friday    05/03/13    Tri-City Speedway    Pontoon Beach    IL    UMP Pro-Crate Late Models
Friday    05/03/13    US 36 Raceway    Cameron    MO    USAC Sprint Cars
Friday    05/03/13    Valley Speedway    Grain Valley     MO    POWRi Lucas Oil National Midgets
Friday    05/03/13    Ace Speedway    Altamahaw    NC    USAC Eastern Ignite Midgets
Friday    05/03/13    Eldora Speedway    Rossburg    OH    Stock Cars
Friday    05/03/13    Eldora Speedway    Rossburg    OH    World of Outlaw Sprint Cars
Friday    05/03/13    RPM Speedway    Crandall    TX    Factory Stocks
Friday    05/03/13    RPM Speedway    Crandall    TX    Limited Modifieds
Friday    05/03/13    RPM Speedway    Crandall    TX    Street Stocks
Friday    05/03/13    RPM Speedway    Crandall    TX    USRA Modifieds
Friday    05/03/13    Manitowoc County Fairgrounds    Manitowoc    WI    Grand Nationals
Friday    05/03/13    Manitowoc County Fairgrounds    Manitowoc    WI    MSA 360 Sprints
Friday    05/03/13    Manitowoc County Fairgrounds    Manitowoc    WI    Street Stocks
Friday    05/03/13    Manitowoc County Fairgrounds    Manitowoc    WI    WDLMA Late Models
Friday    05/03/13    Mississippi Thunder Speedway    Fountain City     WI    USMTS Modifieds
Friday    05/03/13    Oshkosh Speedzone    Oshkosh    WI    Dirt Devils
Friday    05/03/13    Oshkosh Speedzone    Oshkosh    WI    Grand Nationals
Friday    05/03/13    Oshkosh Speedzone    Oshkosh    WI    Modifieds
Friday    05/03/13    Oshkosh Speedzone    Oshkosh    WI    Sport Mods
Friday    05/03/13    Oshkosh Speedzone    Oshkosh    WI    Street Stocks
Saturday    05/04/13    Montgomery Motor Speedway    Montgomery    AL    Buzz
Saturday    05/04/13    Montgomery Motor Speedway    Montgomery    AL    Southern Super Series Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    Montgomery Motor Speedway    Montgomery    AL    Street Stock
Saturday    05/04/13    Montgomery Motor Speedway    Montgomery    AL    Super Stock/Truck
Saturday    05/04/13    Talladega Short Track    Talladega     AL    Southern All Stars Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    Riverside International Speedway    West Memphis    AR    305 Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    Riverside International Speedway    West Memphis    AR    600 Mini Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    Riverside International Speedway    West Memphis    AR    Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    Riverside International Speedway    West Memphis    AR    Modifieds
Saturday    05/04/13    Riverside International Speedway    West Memphis    AR    Stock Cars
Saturday    05/04/13    Central Arizona Raceway    Casa Grande    AZ    IMCA Modifieds
Saturday    05/04/13    Central Arizona Raceway    Casa Grande    AZ    Pure Stocks
Saturday    05/04/13    Central Arizona Raceway    Casa Grande    AZ    Super Stocks
Saturday    05/04/13    Central Arizona Raceway    Casa Grande    AZ    X-Mods
Saturday    05/04/13    Cocopah Speedway    Yuma    AZ    Factory Stocks
Saturday    05/04/13    Cocopah Speedway    Yuma    AZ    IMCA Modifieds
Saturday    05/04/13    Cocopah Speedway    Yuma    AZ    IMCA Sport Mods
Saturday    05/04/13    Cocopah Speedway    Yuma    AZ    Pro Stocks
Saturday    05/04/13    Cocopah Speedway    Yuma    AZ    Street Stocks
Saturday    05/04/13    Tucson International Raceway    Tucson    AZ    ASCS Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    Tucson International Raceway    Tucson    AZ    Dwarf Cars
Saturday    05/04/13    Tucson International Raceway    Tucson    AZ    Mini Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    Tucson International Raceway    Tucson    AZ    Mod Lites
Saturday    05/04/13    Tucson International Raceway    Tucson    AZ    X-Mods
Saturday    05/04/13    Bakersfield Speedway    Bakersfield    CA    American Stocks
Saturday    05/04/13    Bakersfield Speedway    Bakersfield    CA    Hobby Stocks
Saturday    05/04/13    Bakersfield Speedway    Bakersfield    CA    Mini Dwarfs
Saturday    05/04/13    Bakersfield Speedway    Bakersfield    CA    Modifieds
Saturday    05/04/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    NCMA Sprint Cars
Saturday    05/04/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    Super Modifieds
Saturday    05/04/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    USAC Western States Midgets
Saturday    05/04/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    USAC/BCRA Midgets
Saturday    05/04/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    Valley Sportsman
Saturday    05/04/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    Vintage BCRA
Saturday    05/04/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    Vintage Super Modifieds
Saturday    05/04/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    Perris Auto Speedway    Perris    CA    USAC/CRA Sprint Cars
Saturday    05/04/13    Placerville Speedway    Placerville    CA    Limited Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    Placerville Speedway    Placerville    CA    Pure Stocks
Saturday    05/04/13    Placerville Speedway    Placerville    CA    USAC Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    Placerville Speedway    Placerville    CA    USAC Western Classic Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    Stockton 99 Speedway    Stockton    CA    K&N Pro Series West
Saturday    05/04/13    Swainsboro Speedway    Swainsboro    GA    World of Outlaw Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    34 Raceway    Burlington    IA    305 Sprint Cars
Saturday    05/04/13    34 Raceway    Burlington    IA    4-Cylinders
Saturday    05/04/13    34 Raceway    Burlington    IA    IMCA Modifieds
Saturday    05/04/13    34 Raceway    Burlington    IA    IMCA Stock Cars
Saturday    05/04/13    34 Raceway    Burlington    IA    Sport Mods
Saturday    05/04/13    34 Raceway    Burlington    IA    UMP Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    Knoxville Raceway    Knoxville    IA    305 Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    Knoxville Raceway    Knoxville    IA    360 Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    Knoxville Raceway    Knoxville    IA    410 Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Legends
Saturday    05/04/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Mini Stocks
Saturday    05/04/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Modifieds x2
Saturday    05/04/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Mountain Dew Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Street Stock
Saturday    05/04/13    Fairbury American Legion Speedway    Fairbury    IL    UMP Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    Fairbury American Legion Speedway    Fairbury    IL    UMP Modifieds
Saturday    05/04/13    Fairbury American Legion Speedway    Fairbury    IL    UMP Sportsman
Saturday    05/04/13    Fairbury American Legion Speedway    Fairbury    IL    UMP Street Stocks
Saturday    05/04/13    Highland Speedway    Highland    IL    Outlaw Micros
Saturday    05/04/13    Highland Speedway    Highland    IL    UMP Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    Highland Speedway    Highland    IL    UMP Modifieds
Saturday    05/04/13    Highland Speedway    Highland    IL    UMP Sport Mods
Saturday    05/04/13    Highland Speedway    Highland    IL    UMP Street Stocks
Saturday    05/04/13    Peoria Speedway    Peoria    IL    Hornets
Saturday    05/04/13    Peoria Speedway    Peoria    IL    Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    Peoria Speedway    Peoria    IL    Lightning Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    Peoria Speedway    Peoria    IL    Limited Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    Peoria Speedway    Peoria    IL    Modifieds
Saturday    05/04/13    Peoria Speedway    Peoria    IL    Street Stocks
Saturday    05/04/13    Spoon River Speedway    Canton    IL    MOWA Sprint Cars
Saturday    05/04/13    Spoon River Speedway    Canton    IL    Spoon 6-Shooters
Saturday    05/04/13    Spoon River Speedway    Canton    IL    UMP Hornets
Saturday    05/04/13    Spoon River Speedway    Canton    IL    UMP Limited Modifieds
Saturday    05/04/13    Spoon River Speedway    Canton    IL    UMP Modifieds
Saturday    05/04/13    Spoon River Speedway    Canton    IL    UMP Pro-Crate Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    Plymouth Speedway    Plymouth    IN     USAC 600 Mini Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    Paducah International Raceway    Paducah    KY    ASCS Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    Paducah International Raceway    Paducah    KY    Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    Beech Ridge Motor Speedway    Scarborough    ME    PASS North Super Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    Lucas Oil Speedway    Wheatland    MO    ASCS Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    Lucas Oil Speedway    Wheatland    MO    B-Mods
Saturday    05/04/13    Lucas Oil Speedway    Wheatland    MO    POWRi Lucas Oil National Midgets
Saturday    05/04/13    Caraway Speedway    Asheboro    NC    Carolina Street Stock Big 10 Series
Saturday    05/04/13    Caraway Speedway    Asheboro    NC    Hornets
Saturday    05/04/13    Caraway Speedway    Asheboro    NC    Late Model Super Trucks
Saturday    05/04/13    Caraway Speedway    Asheboro    NC    Legends
Saturday    05/04/13    Caraway Speedway    Asheboro    NC    U-Cars
Saturday    05/04/13    County Line Raceway    Elm City     NC    Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    County Line Raceway    Elm City     NC    Pure Stock 4 Cylinder
Saturday    05/04/13    County Line Raceway    Elm City     NC    Pure Stock V-8
Saturday    05/04/13    County Line Raceway    Elm City     NC    Super Stock 4 Cylinders
Saturday    05/04/13    County Line Raceway    Elm City     NC    Thunder & Lightning
Saturday    05/04/13    East Lincoln Speedway    Stanley    NC    Limited Sportsman
Saturday    05/04/13    East Lincoln Speedway    Stanley    NC    Micro Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    East Lincoln Speedway    Stanley    NC    Renegades
Saturday    05/04/13    East Lincoln Speedway    Stanley    NC    Stock 4
Saturday    05/04/13    East Lincoln Speedway    Stanley    NC    Super Stock 4 Cylinders
Saturday    05/04/13    Hickory Motor Speedway    Newton     NC    Limited Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    Hickory Motor Speedway    Newton     NC    Renegades
Saturday    05/04/13    Hickory Motor Speedway    Newton     NC    Street Stocks
Saturday    05/04/13    Hickory Motor Speedway    Newton     NC    Super Trucks
Saturday    05/04/13    Hickory Motor Speedway    Newton     NC    Vintage Sportsman Racing Classics
Saturday    05/04/13    Hickory Motor Speedway    Newton     NC    Whelen All-American Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    Eagle Raceway    Eagle    NE    USAC Sprint Cars
Saturday    05/04/13    Southern New Mexico Speedway    Las Cruces    NM    Hornets
Saturday    05/04/13    Southern New Mexico Speedway    Las Cruces    NM    UMP Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    Southern New Mexico Speedway    Las Cruces    NM    USRA Modifieds
Saturday    05/04/13    Southern New Mexico Speedway    Las Cruces    NM    USRA Street Stocks
Saturday    05/04/13    The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway    Las Vegas    NV    ASA Trucks
Saturday    05/04/13    Eldora Speedway    Rossburg    OH    UMP Modifieds
Saturday    05/04/13    Eldora Speedway    Rossburg    OH    World of Outlaw Sprint Cars
Saturday    05/04/13    Lawton Speedway    Lawton    OK    ASCS Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    Hermiston Super Oval     Hermison     OR    Columbia River Legends
Saturday    05/04/13    Hermiston Super Oval     Hermison     OR    Mini Stocks
Saturday    05/04/13    Hermiston Super Oval     Hermison     OR    Super Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Half Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/04/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Heavy 160 Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/04/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Heavy Honda Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/04/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Heavy World Formula Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/04/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Jr. Animal Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/04/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Jr. Honda Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/04/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Jr. Novice Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/04/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Light 160 Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/04/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Sr. Honda Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/04/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Sr. Novice Quarter Midget
Saturday    05/04/13    Duck River Raceway Park    Wheel    TN    Modified Street Bomber
Saturday    05/04/13    Duck River Raceway Park    Wheel    TN    Openwheel
Saturday    05/04/13    Duck River Raceway Park    Wheel    TN    Outlaw Pony
Saturday    05/04/13    Duck River Raceway Park    Wheel    TN    Pure Pony
Saturday    05/04/13    Duck River Raceway Park    Wheel    TN    Rookie Pony
Saturday    05/04/13    Duck River Raceway Park    Wheel    TN    Street Stock Bomber
Saturday    05/04/13    Duck River Raceway Park    Wheel    TN    Super Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    Duck River Raceway Park    Wheel    TN    Two Barrel Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    Smoky Mountain Speedway    Maryville    TN    Limited Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    Smoky Mountain Speedway    Maryville    TN    USCS Midgets
Saturday    05/04/13    Smoky Mountain Speedway    Maryville    TN    USCS Sprint Cars
Saturday    05/04/13    Battleground Speedway    Highlands    TX    ASCS Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    Texana Raceway Park    Edna    TX    Dwarf/Mod Lites
Saturday    05/04/13    Texana Raceway Park    Edna    TX    Hot Stock Trucks
Saturday    05/04/13    Texana Raceway Park    Edna    TX    Mini Stocks
Saturday    05/04/13    Texana Raceway Park    Edna    TX    Pure Stocks
Saturday    05/04/13    Texana Raceway Park    Edna    TX    Sport Mods
Saturday    05/04/13    Texana Raceway Park    Edna    TX    Street Stocks
Saturday    05/04/13    Franklin County Speedway    Callaway    VA    USAC Eastern Ignite Midgets
Saturday    05/04/13    Lonesome Pine Raceway    Coeburn    VA    Iron Warrior
Saturday    05/04/13    Lonesome Pine Raceway    Coeburn    VA    Late Models 2X
Saturday    05/04/13    Lonesome Pine Raceway    Coeburn    VA    Mod 4
Saturday    05/04/13    Lonesome Pine Raceway    Coeburn    VA    Pure 4
Saturday    05/04/13    Lonesome Pine Raceway    Coeburn    VA    Pure Streets
Saturday    05/04/13    Lonesome Pine Raceway    Coeburn    VA    Super Streets
Saturday    05/04/13    South Boston Speedway    South Boston    VA    Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    South Boston Speedway    South Boston    VA    Limited Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    South Boston Speedway    South Boston    VA    Pure Stock
Saturday    05/04/13    Virginia Motor Speedway    Jamaica    VA    Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    Virginia Motor Speedway    Jamaica    VA    Limited Stock Car
Saturday    05/04/13    Virginia Motor Speedway    Jamaica    VA    Modifieds
Saturday    05/04/13    Virginia Motor Speedway    Jamaica    VA    Sportsman
Saturday    05/04/13    Bear Ridge Speedway    Bradford     VT    USAC DMA Midgets
Saturday    05/04/13    Skagit Speedway    Alger    WA    360 Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    Skagit Speedway    Alger    WA    410 Winged Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    Skagit Speedway    Alger    WA    Outlaw Hornets
Saturday    05/04/13    Skagit Speedway    Alger    WA    Sportsman Sprints
Saturday    05/04/13    LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway    LaCrosse    WI    Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway    LaCrosse    WI    Sportsman
Saturday    05/04/13    LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway    LaCrosse    WI    Thunderstox
Saturday    05/04/13    I-77 Raceway Park    Ripley    WV    Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    I-77 Raceway Park    Ripley    WV    Mini-Wedges
Saturday    05/04/13    I-77 Raceway Park    Ripley    WV    Mod Lites
Saturday    05/04/13    I-77 Raceway Park    Ripley    WV    Modifieds
Saturday    05/04/13    I-77 Raceway Park    Ripley    WV    Semi-Late Models
Saturday    05/04/13    I-77 Raceway Park    Ripley    WV    Semi-Mods
Sunday    05/05/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Intermountain Outlaw Modified Series
Sunday    05/05/13    Quincy Raceways    Quincy    IL    IMCA Northern Sport Mods
Sunday    05/05/13    Quincy Raceways    Quincy    IL    IMCA Sport Compacts
Sunday    05/05/13    Quincy Raceways    Quincy    IL    IMCA Stock Cars
Sunday    05/05/13    Quincy Raceways    Quincy    IL    UMP Late Models
Sunday    05/05/13    Quincy Raceways    Quincy    IL    UMP Modifieds
Sunday    05/05/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Figure 8
Sunday    05/05/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Mini Modifieds
Sunday    05/05/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Mini Stocks
Sunday    05/05/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Pure Stocks
Sunday    05/05/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Sportsman
Sunday    05/05/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Street Stocks
Sunday    05/05/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Thunder Stocks
Sunday    05/05/13    Oxford Plains Speedway    Oxford    ME    Mini Stocks
Sunday    05/05/13    Oxford Plains Speedway    Oxford    ME    Outlaw Sportsman
Sunday    05/05/13    Oxford Plains Speedway    Oxford    ME    Pro Late Models
Sunday    05/05/13    Oxford Plains Speedway    Oxford    ME    Street Stocks
Sunday    05/05/13    Fremont Speedway    Fremont    OH    Sunoco American Late Models
Sunday    05/05/13    Smoky Mountain Speedway    Maryville    TN    Southern Mod Lites
Thursday    05/09/13    Duck River Raceway Park    Wheel    TN    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.

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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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Frontstretch Folio: Aaron's 499
by Beth Lunkenheimer


This weekend, the Sprint Cup Series heads to Talladega Superspeedway for the first of two visits to the 2.66-mile oval. The Aaron's 499 will be broadcast live on Sunday, May 5th at 1:00 PM ET on Fox. The race can also be heard on your local MRN affiliate or SiriusXM Channel 90. Drivers will compete for 188 laps (500.08 miles) en route to the checkered flag.

Records and Facts

Bill Elliott set the qualifying record on April 30, 1987 with a speed of 212.809 mph (44.998 sec.). Elliott led for 48 laps in his No. 9 Coors Ford that day before an engine failure forced him to settle for a 22nd-place finish.

Brad Keselowski is the defending winner of this race. After starting 13th, the driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge led just ten laps en route to his second of five victories in 2012. Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne and Greg Biffle rounded out the top-5 finishers.

Track Facts

Track / Race Length:
2.66-mile quad oval, 188 laps, 500.08 miles
Turns: Banking: 33° Length: 3,750 feet Radius: 1,100 feet
Tri-Oval: Banking: 18°
Pit Road Speed: 55 mph
Pace Car Speed: 70 mph
Grandstand Seating: 143,231
Track last paved: Summer 2006
Opened: 1969

VIPs

Grand Marshal / Command:
Chipper Jones
National Anthem: Robin Meade

Pre-race Schedule

Practice:
Friday, May 3, 2:00 - 2:45 PM ET on SPEED
Happy Hour: Friday, May 3, 3:30 - 4:30 PM ET on SPEED
Qualifying: Saturday, May 4 at 12:10 PM ET on SPEED
Note: This race is the first of three events that cars will be impounded following qualifying. The July visit to Daytona and the Chase race at Talladega are the other two.

Say What?!?

"We're really ready to go speedway racing again. We kind of got cheated in Daytona when all three of our Front Row Motorsports cars were wiped out in the same accident. That was a tough one to swallow. With the restrictor plates, the style of racing, the box that NASCAR has all the teams in as far as shock and spring rules. It definitely levels out the playing field for us and gets us a little bit closer. We finished third in the Daytona 500 a couple years ago, so there's no reason why we couldn't be in Victory Lane this weekend." David Gilliland

"Every time I go to Talladega, I just have a lot of confidence because of all the success I have had there before. I have been able to win there and I came pretty close to winning there last year. It's awesome going to a track that you know you have a chance to win. For me, this weekend, it's all about putting that No. 55 Aaron's / Alabama National Championship Toyota into Victory Lane. I really look forward to representing all the Alabama fans this weekend." Michael Waltrip

"We will run with restricted engines at the Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, but I can promise you nobody on this race team will hold anything back. Our race team has deep roots in Texas. Our car will be West, Texas strong. Winning in Brazil was a lot of fun. Winning at Talladega would be even better." Scott Speed

"I honestly love going to Talladega. It's a great race track and one I remember from my childhood. I used to come here with Stanley Smith years and years and years ago. And we would focus so much effort into this race track. Superspeedway racing is probably what got me my start in motorsports, so I really do look forward to coming back to Talladega." Chad Knaus

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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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.

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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:


by Amy Henderson
by Toni Montgomery
by Tom Bowles

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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:

Q: The 1993 FRAM Filters 500k for the Busch Grand National Series is known mainly for a number of wrecks.  Richard Lasater infamously rolled his Chevrolet in the event and Ernie Irvan got airborne on the final lap.  Todd Bodine also had a wild ride early in the race.  What happened?

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

Q: With David Green at the wheel, Buz McCall's American Equipment Racing had an excellent year in 1996, winning races and competing for the championship.  However, the team's debut Busch season in 1995 was marked by a revolving door in the driver's seat and constant issues.  Talladega was no different.  What befell the No. 95 Caterpillar Chevrolet on the high banks?

A: For Talladega, Ward Burton got the call to drive the No. 95.  He was running well early in the race when Johnny Benson gave him a tap in the left rear in the tri-oval.  Burton spun and the car blew over onto its roof.  From there, it was on.  Tommy Houston, Jim Bown and others scattered all over the track.  Phil Parsons actually hit Burton's car.  Burton was OK, but the Caterpillar Chevrolet was done for the day.  The crash can be seen here.

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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Monday on the Frontstretch:

Thinkin' Out Loud: Aaron's 499 by Mike Neff
Mike is back with his overall thoughts from Sunday afternoon's race from Talladega.

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

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

Big Six: Aaron's 499 by Amy Henderson
Amy has your weekly look at the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How from a weekend of racing at Talladega.

Pace Laps: Talladega 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 Talladega.

Nationwide Series Breakdown: Aaron's 312 by Kevin Rutherford
Kevin has all the post-race analysis you need following Saturday afternoon's Nationwide Series race from Talladega.

IndyCar Series Race Recap: Sao Paulo Indy 300 by Huston Ladner
Huston has all the post-race analysis you need following Sunday's IndyCar Series race from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
-----------------------------
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©2013 Frontstretch.com

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