THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
June 28th, 2013
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
June 28th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition CXV
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Friday, June 28
Time Telecast Network
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Sprint Cup Series Practice No. 1 SPEED
1:30 - 3:00 PM Sprint Cup Series Happy Hour SPEED
3:30 - 5:00 PM Nationwide Series Qualifying SPEED
5:00 - 6:30 PM Sprint Cup Series Qualifying SPEED
6:30 - 7:00 PM Trackside SPEED
7:30 - 10:00 PM Nationwide Series Feed the Children 300 ESPN
Saturday, June 29
Time Telecast Network
12:00 - 2:00 PM V8 Supercar Championship Series Skycity Triple Crown SPEED
7:30 - 11:00 PM Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 TNT
Sunday, June 30
Time Telecast Network
7:30 - 10:30 AM Formula One Grand Prix of Great Britain CNBC
11:00 AM - 5:30 PM Rolex Sports Car Series Sahlen's Six Hours at the Glen SPEED
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Time Telecast Network
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Sprint Cup Series Practice No. 1 SPEED
1:30 - 3:00 PM Sprint Cup Series Happy Hour SPEED
3:30 - 5:00 PM Nationwide Series Qualifying SPEED
5:00 - 6:30 PM Sprint Cup Series Qualifying SPEED
6:30 - 7:00 PM Trackside SPEED
7:30 - 10:00 PM Nationwide Series Feed the Children 300 ESPN
Saturday, June 29
Time Telecast Network
12:00 - 2:00 PM V8 Supercar Championship Series Skycity Triple Crown SPEED
7:30 - 11:00 PM Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 TNT
Sunday, June 30
Time Telecast Network
7:30 - 10:30 AM Formula One Grand Prix of Great Britain CNBC
11:00 AM - 5:30 PM Rolex Sports Car Series Sahlen's Six Hours at the Glen SPEED
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Ty Dillon Wins UNOH 225 at Kentucky
Kyle Busch Motorsports may have been the class of much of the UNOH 225 Thursday night, but Ty Dillon took the point when it counted, leading the race's final 26 laps en route to his first win of the 2013 season and second of his career.
Dillon held off a charge from the two Cup regulars in the show, Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch, who finished second and third, respectively. Defending champion James Buescher managed his first top five of the season with fourth, and pole sitter Ryan Blaney, who faded after contact with Busch, wound up fifth.
For a complete rundown on Thursday night's race, be sure to check out Tracking the Trucks on Saturday morning.
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Top News
by Justin Tucker
by Justin Tucker
Marine Honored as Namesake for Indy Sprint Cup Race
Gunnery Sgt. Samuel Deeds, a lifelong NASCAR fan, always had dreams of working in NASCAR upon the completion of his service in the United States Marine Corps.
In 2005, Deeds's dreams and aspirations were put on hold as he placed himself in harm's way to protect the lives of his fellow Marines. But on July 28, Deeds will be going to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway not as a fan or employee, but as the namesake of the Brickyard 400.
On Thursday afternoon, Deeds was named the winner of Crown Royal's Your Hero's Name Here program, which awards one individual naming rights for the 2013 Sprint Cup Series race at the Brickyard.
While deployed in Iraq, Deeds came across an improvised explosive device (IED) while setting up a vehicle checkpoint. Upon seeing fellow Marines approaching, he exposed himself to the device, risking his life to save others. He was severely injured and underwent more than 30 surgeries and procedures following the blast. Three years later, while still recovering, Deeds's heroic instincts took charge once again when he saved the lives of three individuals caught in a riptide off the coast of North Carolina.
Deeds's family, friends and fellow Marines attended a ceremony in Erlanger, Ky., where Deeds cemented his place in NASCAR history by laying the final brick engraved with the race logo in a ceremonial yard of bricks in Erlanger's Flagship Park. Representatives from Crown Royal, Big Machine Records and Indianapolis Motor Speedway attended the ceremony, as did NASCAR driver Kurt Busch, surprising Deeds during the ceremony on behalf of the Armed Forces Foundation.
"I've been a NASCAR fan for as long as I can remember, so the reality of having my name on a track with such rich history and meaning is beyond words," Deeds said. "I am so grateful to all of those who took the time to hear my story and vote for me. I can't wait to attend the race and dedicate that special weekend to all fellow servicemen and women who put their lives on the line every day."
As the winner of the program, Deeds will participate in a dream VIP weekend experience riding in the pre race pace car,delivering the trophy to the race winner in victory lane, and kissing the bricks following the race.
Rick Crawford Racing in France Next Weekend
Rick Crawford may not be a mainstay in the Camping World Truck Series anymore, instead spending his days operating Mobile International Speedway in his home state of Alabama, but the 54-year-old will return to the driver's seat next weekend when he travels to France for the inaugural NASCAR Racecar Euro Series events at the new Tours Speedway.
Crawford, along with 15-year-old K&N Pro Series West driver Giles Thornton, will race in the July 6 and 7 events for America's Team, becoming the first Americans to drive in a NASCAR-sanctioned event in the country.
The track, located in Tours, France, is about two hours outside Paris, where Crawford and Thornton will be staying. It's the first track in the European series to be designed with input from NASCAR officials, which makes the inaugural event all the more special.
According to Crawford, the cars he and Thornton will be racing, which are already in Europe, are Nationwide Series-style cars with a wing reminiscent of the Sprint Cup Series' former Car of Tomorrow.
Crawford last raced in a NASCAR event at Talladega in the Camping World Truck Series last October, finishing 23rd. He failed to qualify for this year's season-opening Daytona race with Make Motorsports.
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
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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.
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In Case You Missed It
by Beth Lunkenheimer
Papis Joins NTS Motorsports for Mosport
NTS Motorsports announced earlier this week that they've added Max Papis to their driver lineup for the Camping World Truck Series' visit to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on September 1st. The Italian will pilot the No. 14 Sports Clips Chevrolet in the series' first visit to the Canadian track better known as Mosport.
"I am extremely excited to be a part of NTS Motorsports, especially for the heritage of the place in Kernersville that gave me one of my best finishes ever with KHI (Kevin Harvick, Inc.). I love to be in that building and now with the input of Mr. Newberry, it looks like we are going to aim for many other successes," Papis said. "I want to thank Sports Clips and everyone at NTS for the opportunity of putting together such a competitive package and especially Chevrolet, for the support they are giving us for the program.
"I know MoSport is a very unique, historic race track and I would have never missed the first Truck race on a road course, it's just too tempting," he continued. "I feel we have a really good chance of showing up and running in the top five and obviously the win is what everyone wants. I can promise we will give everything we can to get our Sport Clips Chevrolet in the winner's circle. It will be a dream come true for myself and for the people at Sport Clips, and everyone at Chevrolet and the NTS family."
Papis has 44 career Truck Series starts, including the full 2011 season with Germain Racing. He's finished in the top 10 just four times, with his career-best finish coming in the form of an eighth-place run at Martinsville in 2010.
Jared Landers Joins ESR For Eldora
Eddie Sharp Racing announced earlier this week that they've tapped dirt late model driver Jared Landers to join the team when the Truck Series heads off to Eldora Speedway next month. In the first series visit to a dirt track, Landers will join a team that's no stranger to dirt, having competed on it in the ARCA Racing Series.
"I'm really excited to get to race in the Truck Series," Landers said. "We've been talking about this race for a long time and now that it's a reality, I'm excited and ready to go to Eldora."
Landers is a full-time driver for Clint Bowyer Racing on the Lucas Oil Late Model Series circuit. He also holds the current track record for late models at Eldora Speedway. Most recently, he ran the Dream 100 at the facility earlier this month.
NTS Motorsports announced earlier this week that they've added Max Papis to their driver lineup for the Camping World Truck Series' visit to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on September 1st. The Italian will pilot the No. 14 Sports Clips Chevrolet in the series' first visit to the Canadian track better known as Mosport.
"I am extremely excited to be a part of NTS Motorsports, especially for the heritage of the place in Kernersville that gave me one of my best finishes ever with KHI (Kevin Harvick, Inc.). I love to be in that building and now with the input of Mr. Newberry, it looks like we are going to aim for many other successes," Papis said. "I want to thank Sports Clips and everyone at NTS for the opportunity of putting together such a competitive package and especially Chevrolet, for the support they are giving us for the program.
"I know MoSport is a very unique, historic race track and I would have never missed the first Truck race on a road course, it's just too tempting," he continued. "I feel we have a really good chance of showing up and running in the top five and obviously the win is what everyone wants. I can promise we will give everything we can to get our Sport Clips Chevrolet in the winner's circle. It will be a dream come true for myself and for the people at Sport Clips, and everyone at Chevrolet and the NTS family."
Papis has 44 career Truck Series starts, including the full 2011 season with Germain Racing. He's finished in the top 10 just four times, with his career-best finish coming in the form of an eighth-place run at Martinsville in 2010.
Jared Landers Joins ESR For Eldora
Eddie Sharp Racing announced earlier this week that they've tapped dirt late model driver Jared Landers to join the team when the Truck Series heads off to Eldora Speedway next month. In the first series visit to a dirt track, Landers will join a team that's no stranger to dirt, having competed on it in the ARCA Racing Series.
"I'm really excited to get to race in the Truck Series," Landers said. "We've been talking about this race for a long time and now that it's a reality, I'm excited and ready to go to Eldora."
Landers is a full-time driver for Clint Bowyer Racing on the Lucas Oil Late Model Series circuit. He also holds the current track record for late models at Eldora Speedway. Most recently, he ran the Dream 100 at the facility earlier this month.
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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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Frontstretch Folio: Quaker State 400
by Beth Lunkenheimer
The Sprint Cup Series heads out to Kentucky Speedway this weekend for a Saturday night showdown. The Quaker State 400 is the 17th race of the 2013 season and will be broadcast live on TNT at 7:30 PM ET. The race can also be heard on your local MRN affiliate or SiriusXM Radio Channel 90. Drivers will compete for 267 laps (400 miles) en route to the checkered flag.
Records and Facts:
Jimmie Johnson holds the track qualifying record at Kentucky with a lap of 181.818 mph for last year's event. He led just 21 laps en route to a sixth-place finish behind winner Brad Keselowski.
Brad Keselowski is the defending winner of the Quaker State 400. After starting eighth, the driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge (now Ford) led 68 laps en route to a nearly five second victory over Kasey Kahne. Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jeff Gordon rounded out the top 5.
Track Facts:
Track / Race Length: 1.5-mile oval; 267 laps (400 miles)
Degree of Banking: Turns: 14 degrees; Tri-Oval: 10 degrees; Backstretch: 4 degrees
Seating: 107,000
Opened: 2000
Website: http://http://www.kentuckyspeedway.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kentuckyspeedway
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KySpeedway
VIPs
Grand Marshal / Command: TBA
Honorary Starter / Wave Green Flag: TBA
Honorary Pace Car Driver: University of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari
National Anthem: Billy Currington
Skydivers: Team Fastrax
Pre-Race Schedule
Practice: Friday, June 28, 11:30 am - 12:30 PM ET on SPEED
Happy Hour: Friday, June 28, 1:30 - 3:00 PM ET on SPEED
Qualifying: Friday, June 28 at 5:10 PM ET on SPEED
Race Day Forecast
Sunday: Scattered Thunderstorms; Chance of Rain 50%
High: 75
Low: 62
They Said It:
"I probably have the least amount of experience at Kentucky almost as anybody. We didn't test a lot there before it became a Cup track and I never ran any of the Truck or Nationwide races there. It's a different track; it's kind of tricky and really different, but I've enjoyed it the few races I've run there so far. I think anytime you go to a track that's either a home track or near your sponsor's headquarters where the sponsors bring a lot of people out with the employees, I think it's always more exciting if you win because you get to hang out with so many people. There are maybe more people there at those tracks pulling for you. They're all big races, but certainly if you can win close to where some of your sponsors are, like we are this weekend with the Toyota facility here in Kentucky, then it's always a little more special." Matt Kenseth
"Kentucky is probably the furthest from the other mile-and-a-half's, in terms of how it drives. It's just so darn bumpy. It's lost a lot of grip over the years. So, as we head back there, I think the key to getting around there good is getting a car that can go over the bumps and still turn. So that's what we're going to focus on. Kentucky obviously still holds special memories for me. It's where I got my first NASCAR win in the Nationwide Series in 2006. When you see certain things at the track, like Victory Lane, it just sparks the memories and instantly takes you back like it was yesterday. That was really a great moment and one that I'm really proud of." David Gilliland
"It's the newest, oldest track we go to. Kentucky Speedway is a place where our team felt like we needed to try some things, so we decided to test there a few weeks ago. We feel as though we made our car better from the information that we collected during the two days we spent there. We'll have to see what the weather is like when we go back, but hopefully we'll have a good baseline of where we need to be for the race." Kevin Harvick
The Sprint Cup Series heads out to Kentucky Speedway this weekend for a Saturday night showdown. The Quaker State 400 is the 17th race of the 2013 season and will be broadcast live on TNT at 7:30 PM ET. The race can also be heard on your local MRN affiliate or SiriusXM Radio Channel 90. Drivers will compete for 267 laps (400 miles) en route to the checkered flag.
Records and Facts:
Jimmie Johnson holds the track qualifying record at Kentucky with a lap of 181.818 mph for last year's event. He led just 21 laps en route to a sixth-place finish behind winner Brad Keselowski.
Brad Keselowski is the defending winner of the Quaker State 400. After starting eighth, the driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge (now Ford) led 68 laps en route to a nearly five second victory over Kasey Kahne. Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jeff Gordon rounded out the top 5.
Track Facts:
Track / Race Length: 1.5-mile oval; 267 laps (400 miles)
Degree of Banking: Turns: 14 degrees; Tri-Oval: 10 degrees; Backstretch: 4 degrees
Seating: 107,000
Opened: 2000
Website: http://http://www.kentuckyspeedway.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kentuckyspeedway
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KySpeedway
VIPs
Grand Marshal / Command: TBA
Honorary Starter / Wave Green Flag: TBA
Honorary Pace Car Driver: University of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari
National Anthem: Billy Currington
Skydivers: Team Fastrax
Pre-Race Schedule
Practice: Friday, June 28, 11:30 am - 12:30 PM ET on SPEED
Happy Hour: Friday, June 28, 1:30 - 3:00 PM ET on SPEED
Qualifying: Friday, June 28 at 5:10 PM ET on SPEED
Race Day Forecast
Sunday: Scattered Thunderstorms; Chance of Rain 50%
High: 75
Low: 62
They Said It:
"I probably have the least amount of experience at Kentucky almost as anybody. We didn't test a lot there before it became a Cup track and I never ran any of the Truck or Nationwide races there. It's a different track; it's kind of tricky and really different, but I've enjoyed it the few races I've run there so far. I think anytime you go to a track that's either a home track or near your sponsor's headquarters where the sponsors bring a lot of people out with the employees, I think it's always more exciting if you win because you get to hang out with so many people. There are maybe more people there at those tracks pulling for you. They're all big races, but certainly if you can win close to where some of your sponsors are, like we are this weekend with the Toyota facility here in Kentucky, then it's always a little more special." Matt Kenseth
"Kentucky is probably the furthest from the other mile-and-a-half's, in terms of how it drives. It's just so darn bumpy. It's lost a lot of grip over the years. So, as we head back there, I think the key to getting around there good is getting a car that can go over the bumps and still turn. So that's what we're going to focus on. Kentucky obviously still holds special memories for me. It's where I got my first NASCAR win in the Nationwide Series in 2006. When you see certain things at the track, like Victory Lane, it just sparks the memories and instantly takes you back like it was yesterday. That was really a great moment and one that I'm really proud of." David Gilliland
"It's the newest, oldest track we go to. Kentucky Speedway is a place where our team felt like we needed to try some things, so we decided to test there a few weeks ago. We feel as though we made our car better from the information that we collected during the two days we spent there. We'll have to see what the weather is like when we go back, but hopefully we'll have a good baseline of where we need to be for the race." Kevin Harvick
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.
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Keepin' It Short
by Mike Neff
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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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
by Andy Hollis
as told to Amy Henderson
Nuts For Nationwide: Matt Crafton, At Long Last, Making Nationwide Debut
by Kevin Rutherford
So Close and Yet So Far: Simple TV Solutions NASCAR Coverage Keeps Ignoring
by Amy Henderson
by the Frontstretch Staff
by Jeff Meyer
by Kevin Rutherford
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: From 2001 until last year, the Rolex Series held a "200-mile" race at Watkins Glen on the undercard of the Sprint Cup Series. The 2004 Sahlen's 200 is rather infamous for a huge crash. What happened?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Thursday's Answer:
Q: The 2006 Meijer 300 at Kentucky Speedway is best known for two things. One was David Gilliland's surprise victory for Clay Andrews's team, and the other was Jeff Fuller's nasty crash on the backstretch. Cup Series regular Carl Edwards was considered to be a favorite to win the race, but his chances were gone before Fuller's Lap 29 crash. What happened?
A: Edwards qualified second. However, Edwards managed to rip the transmission out of his car on the initial start. Edwards's failure can be seen here. Edwards did come back and finish the race, but he was well back in the standings.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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This Weekend on the Frontstretch:
Tracking the Trucks: UNOH 225 by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth has all the post-race analysis you need following Thursday night's Camping World Truck Series race from Kentucky.
Beth has all the post-race analysis you need following Thursday night's Camping World Truck Series race from Kentucky.
Nationwide Series Breakdown: Feed the Children 300 by Kevin Rutherford
Kevin has all the post-race analysis you need following Friday night's Nationwide Series race from Kentucky.
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Monday on the Frontstretch:
Thinkin' Out Loud: Quaker State 400 by Mike Neff
Mike is back with his overall thoughts from Saturday night's race from Kentucky.
Commentary by Summer Bedgood
Summer takes a look at one of the biggest stories to come out of Kentucky.
Commentary by Kevin Rutherford
Kevin will stop by with his thoughts on Saturday night's action from Kentucky.
Big Six: Quaker State 400 by Amy Henderson
Amy has your weekly look at the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How from a weekend of racing at Kentucky.
Pace Laps: Kentucky 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 of racing in Kentucky.
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©2013 Frontstretch.com
Got something to say about an article you've seen in the newsletter? It's as easy as replying directly to this message or sending an email to editors@frontstretch.com. We'll take the best comments and publish them here!
©2013 Frontstretch.com
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