THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
June 12th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition CIII
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Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
June 12th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition CIII
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What to Watch: Wednesday
- Several Camping World Truck Series drivers will descend on Kentucky Speedway for a test, leading up to the June 27th event. Drivers expected to attend include Kyle Busch, Joey Coulter, Chad Hackenbracht, Darrell Wallace, Jr., Erik Jones, Matt Crafton, Johnny Sauter, Jeb Burton and Bryan Silas, representing Kyle Busch Motorsports, ThorSport Racing, Turner Scott Motorsports and T3R2.
- Carl Edwards will appear on "Big Brain Theory," airing tonight on the Discovery Channel at 7:00 PM ET. The Roush Fenway Racing driver will join host Kal Pen and regular judges Dr. Christine Gulbranson and Mark Fuller as the trio judges the final four competitors on simplicity and innovation in their quest to bring a speeding car to a safe stop.
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Top News
by Tom Bowles
by Tom Bowles
Bobby Labonte, replaced in the No. 47 by AJ Allmendinger for this Sunday's race at Michigan, has found a new ride. Labonte was officially announced by Phoenix Racing Tuesday as the driver of the No. 51 car, a one-race deal that marks his first event run outside the JTG-Daugherty organization since Homestead in November, 2010.
"Racing for another team this weekend will be another process in helping me understand the development of the new car and how it compares to my current ride," continued Labonte, who will still run the No. 47 for 17 of the remaining 22 races on the schedule. "I'm not happy with our current performance level as a team and absolutely want to work hard to help our race team improve. My commitment continues to give the best efforts possible each weekend. That has never changed and this opportunity will hopefully make everyone, including myself, get a better understanding of where improvements will be made."
Phoenix Racing owner James Finch, seeing Labonte available, wasted no time snapping up the 2000 Cup Series champ. The 49-year-old Texan has been struggling this year, without a top-10 finish, but feels confident he can excel with this team, whose drivers have been competitive on intermediates and even picked up two top-10 results on restrictor plate tracks.
"James has always been one of the first to reach out to offer help in a situation like this," explained Labonte. "I enjoy racing with Nick Harrison, Steve Barkdoll and the entire group of guys. I'm looking forward to this weekend."
The upcoming start allows Labonte to keep his consecutive race streak intact. He's started 713 straight events, since the Daytona 500 in 1993 which is the second-longest active streak on the circuit (one behind Jeff Gordon). The Texas native may also be fighting for his future; he's without a contract for next season and JTG has been noncommittal about his long-term status.
TNT Starts NASCAR Coverage With Major Decline In Viewership
A tepid Pocono race did little to help NASCAR's sagging television ratings as of late. TNT, in their first race covering the sport in 2013 struggled to gain traction, posting a 2.8 in the Nielsens, which ranked it as the second-least watched Sprint Cup event of the season. Only the All-Star Race, covered on SPEED Channel, had less of an audience.
The year-to-year comparison between Pocono races, though is what's got to be troubling for NASCAR executives. A 13 percent decline in viewership, from last year's 3.2 is one of the biggest drop-offs of the season to date; it's also the least-watched Pocono event since 2000. An event where Jimmie Johnson dominated, leading 128 of 160 laps, may have hindered viewership.
The estimated number of viewers was 4.4 million.
News 'N' Notes
- Modified driver Ryan Preece will drive a Tommy Baldwin Racing Nationwide Series car at New Hampshire next month. The 22-year-old Connecticut native, who was runner-up in the standings last season, is second again this year, with two top-5 finishes through two events. The current point leader at Stafford Speedway will carry sponsorship from East West Marine and drive the team's No. 8 Chevrolet.
- Eric McClure will have a new crew chief this week. John Monsam was relieved of his duties, replaced by Todd Myers for the race at Michigan and beyond. McClure, who collected a top-10 finish at Daytona, has struggled over the past few months, scoring just one other top-20 result.
- Road racer Owen Kelly was announced to drive the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 54 in the Nationwide Series at standalone events Road America and Mid-Ohio. The Australian has raced just once in the division, finishing fifth for Baker Curb Motorsports in 2010 but has also qualified for Kyle Busch at Montreal. The 35-year-old driver has scored one pole in NASCAR's Grand-Am Division, back in 2011.
Have news for Tom 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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Today's Featured Commentary
What Can Fans Expect At - Michigan International Speedway? Mind-Blowing Or Mundane?
WTF Wednesdays
by Ellen Richardson
Following a less-than-dramatic Party In The Poconos 400, the Sprint Cup Series will make their way to Michigan International Speedway on this Father's Day Sunday. As I think back to trying to keep my eyes open through last Sunday's not-so-mind-blowing race, several questions come to mind as to what fans might be able to expect for this weekend's Quicken Loans 400.Like many fans who have voiced concern over TNT's initial start to their six-week coverage of the Sprint Cup Series, the first question that comes to mind is…
Will TNT continue to keep us bored to death or will they head back to the drawing board before Sunday?
I have to admit that I was actually intrigued and willing to give TNT a shot at giving fans a more exciting viewing experience this NASCAR season, but after what I saw last Sunday I have to admit to flipping the channel to the Nationwide race very often to avoid being bored to death. I was also about to lose my mind trying to actually watch racing among the Walmart ads. I have to agree with my fellow writer Phil Allaway in his TNT Drops Ball On Debut column, "the commercials were so pervasive on Sunday that there was no flow to the telecast at all. TNT was taking breaks for three to four laps, then coming back for five-ish laps, then four more and back to commercial."
WTF? I realize that sponsorships like these assist in paying for the hefty price tag that NASCAR has continued to tag onto the Sprint Cup Series, but seriously? This is why I am praying that TNT realizes its mistake and takes their race coverage plan back to the drawing board before this Sunday's race.
Now, onto the actual on-track racing. Let's just hope that this Sunday's Sprint Cup race will be much less mundane and not result in another complete domination.
Will the Toyota Racing teams continue to struggle at Michigan International Speedway?
As many fans are well aware, Toyota scaled back its horsepower at Pocono to ensure their engines would last until the finish, however, the move resulted in a not-so-great showing for these teams last Sunday. And while Denny Hamlin said that this is something that Toyota Racing Development is going to work through, it will definitely be something to keep an eye out for in Michigan. In fact, I have to wonder if slowing these cars down is something that fans are going to watch considering this is the sport of racing.
Can Brad Keselowski show Jimmie Johnson how it's done at his home track or will Junior Nation see a wish come true?
Both Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports fans, please don't get upset because I am not bashing on Five-Time here. I just love a great battle and I believe that there will certainly be one at Michigan.
I just happened to spend a little time on Brad Keselowski's Reddit AMA forum earlier this week and he mentioned that his home track was, of course, one of his favorite tracks. It has been my experience that most drivers who return to their home track are often competitive and will do whatever it takes to have the best finish in front of their home town crowd. Just remember, many of these drivers were once your Saturday night short trackers, and once that excitement is in your blood it never leaves you.
Of course, we can't forget last year's winner, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Although he hasn't been off to the greatest start this season, Junior brought his worshipping crowd home a third-place finish last week at Pocono and seems to be fueling his fire for a serious hot streak that could explode at Michigan. I imagine that this would be an ideal Father's Day gift for you Earnhardt legacy following Dads out there!!
Speaking of Father's Day, this brings me to my final question…
Will Michigan International Speedway or NASCAR pep up this event with a tribute to those Dad's out there?
Throughout my years watching NASCAR, I have always seen the mothers saluted through special opportunities both on and off track, but I have rarely seen any true salute to those hard working fathers out there. Don't get me wrong; a few drivers were interviewed last year, prior to the start of the race, about what their dads meant to them, etc., but what about special opportunities like calling the start of the race the way that the mothers of the drivers do?
Instead, two Michigan area athletes (who have nothing to do with racing) will be serving as the grand marshal and honorary starter for Sunday's Quicken Loans 400. Wow! Way to pay homage to not only NASCAR Sprint Cup Dads but those Dads in the audience who are spending their special day cheering on their favorite driver.
While I have yet to hear of any other exciting Father's Day celebrations at this two-mile speedway, I am hoping that something exciting can be quickly assembled to pay tribute to those wonderful Dads out there who continue to do everything possible to make their children's dreams come true.
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GOT A NASCAR QUESTION OR COMMENT? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
That's right; our Fan Q & A column is back once again in 2013. Send your question Summer Bedgood's way at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com and if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print on Thursday when she does her weekly column. It's all part of our daily mission to give back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat!
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Tweet 'N' Greet
by Kevin Rutherford
Editor's Note: With the NASCAR Twitter community expanding by leaps and bounds, it remains a place for instantaneous news, reactions, and a whole lot of inside jokes. We understand if you don't want to join the Twitter community - but as a fan, it's important to know the news and info you're missing out on! That's why, every week, Kevin Rutherford will sort through the thousands of messages and give us a little taste of what's going on each Wednesday.
So, without further ado, here's a look at what those in NASCAR were thinking over the past seven days...
@JimmieJohnson: Grabbing that flag is what it's all about. #6Pack #jjpix #lowes48 http://instagram.com/p/aW-mC4kpd7/
@Tbayne21 (Trevor Bayne): 2 W's this week! Wedding & Win! #burnemdown http://instagram.com/p/aW3G80wut3/
@JebBurtonRacing: The man that Taught me everything I know! pic.twitter.com/09S50Dh5cr
@austindillon3: Hey @tydillon second is like kissing your mom. #DillonBrother we need to exchange 2nd for first next week
@BubbaWallace (Darrell Wallace, Jr.): Don't let @Drew_Herring fool you guys. He just makes badass hood pins for the jgr rides...at least that's what he told me..@NASCAR_NNS
@chaseelliott: Wow! Awesome day at Pocono, can't thank @Aarons_Inc as well as all the fans enough for their support, means a lot to myself and my family!
@erik_jones: Stars just didn't align for us today. Had one fast @toyotaracing Camry though! Thanks to @VenturiniMotor and @KevinReed2013 + the whole crew
@Keselowski (Brad Keselowski): BCool seeing these in the @TeamBKR shop. Can't wait to Eldora! pic.twitter.com/b1XIjn3A9x
@AJDinger (AJ Allmendinger): Good day at the @NASCAR47 shop getting fitted into the Charter Toyota Camry for this weekend @MISpeedway looking forward to it.
@KevinHarvick: Fire in the hole! https://vine.co/v/bLjTVdvqh1i
@StenhouseJr: Beef it's what's for dinner and what @DanicaPatrick decided on @Cargill @6CargillBeef pic.twitter.com/FT2FaJifgE
@ClintBowyer: Red red red red red red red red redneck... pic.twitter.com/khw9kuOssv
@Mc_driver (Michael McDowell): My little princess has no idea what is coming for her 9month check up. I am not going to tell her. pic.twitter.com/GaFDw5ceW7
@KyleBusch: I know right?! RT @ClintBowyer: #smh pic.twitter.com/Bl535HZscC
@J_R_Fitzpatrick: honeyyyyyy hammmmmm is the besssssttt
@RyanNewman39: And she just thinks we're fishing pic.twitter.com/hNmUqIiyTR
@Kenny_Wallace: I read Bobby Labonte and AJ Dinger are Swapping rides this week in #NASCAR to see if its "The Driver OR the car?" #Seriously?
@J_Allgaier: So,morning tv,We have a magician, an outlaw country band,sword fighters,NASCAR driver,and a penguin...Yes a penguin pic.twitter.com/xKwZHVURi1
@Team_Onion (Todd Bodine): Busted. @RickAllenracing catching some shut eye. pic.twitter.com/1mdnc2AgkT
@KeselowskiBrian: Management at lone star wouldn't let us finish ... :((( pic.twitter.com/YhRmbmwvJl
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!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tweet 'N' Greet
by Kevin Rutherford
Editor's Note: With the NASCAR Twitter community expanding by leaps and bounds, it remains a place for instantaneous news, reactions, and a whole lot of inside jokes. We understand if you don't want to join the Twitter community - but as a fan, it's important to know the news and info you're missing out on! That's why, every week, Kevin Rutherford will sort through the thousands of messages and give us a little taste of what's going on each Wednesday.
So, without further ado, here's a look at what those in NASCAR were thinking over the past seven days...
@JimmieJohnson: Grabbing that flag is what it's all about. #6Pack #jjpix #lowes48 http://instagram.com/p/aW-mC4kpd7/
@Tbayne21 (Trevor Bayne): 2 W's this week! Wedding & Win! #burnemdown http://instagram.com/p/aW3G80wut3/
@JebBurtonRacing: The man that Taught me everything I know! pic.twitter.com/09S50Dh5cr
@austindillon3: Hey @tydillon second is like kissing your mom. #DillonBrother we need to exchange 2nd for first next week
@BubbaWallace (Darrell Wallace, Jr.): Don't let @Drew_Herring fool you guys. He just makes badass hood pins for the jgr rides...at least that's what he told me..@NASCAR_NNS
@chaseelliott: Wow! Awesome day at Pocono, can't thank @Aarons_Inc as well as all the fans enough for their support, means a lot to myself and my family!
@erik_jones: Stars just didn't align for us today. Had one fast @toyotaracing Camry though! Thanks to @VenturiniMotor and @KevinReed2013 + the whole crew
@Keselowski (Brad Keselowski): BCool seeing these in the @TeamBKR shop. Can't wait to Eldora! pic.twitter.com/b1XIjn3A9x
@AJDinger (AJ Allmendinger): Good day at the @NASCAR47 shop getting fitted into the Charter Toyota Camry for this weekend @MISpeedway looking forward to it.
@KevinHarvick: Fire in the hole! https://vine.co/v/bLjTVdvqh1i
@StenhouseJr: Beef it's what's for dinner and what @DanicaPatrick decided on @Cargill @6CargillBeef pic.twitter.com/FT2FaJifgE
@ClintBowyer: Red red red red red red red red redneck... pic.twitter.com/khw9kuOssv
@Mc_driver (Michael McDowell): My little princess has no idea what is coming for her 9month check up. I am not going to tell her. pic.twitter.com/GaFDw5ceW7
@KyleBusch: I know right?! RT @ClintBowyer: #smh pic.twitter.com/Bl535HZscC
@J_R_Fitzpatrick: honeyyyyyy hammmmmm is the besssssttt
@RyanNewman39: And she just thinks we're fishing pic.twitter.com/hNmUqIiyTR
@Kenny_Wallace: I read Bobby Labonte and AJ Dinger are Swapping rides this week in #NASCAR to see if its "The Driver OR the car?" #Seriously?
@J_Allgaier: So,morning tv,We have a magician, an outlaw country band,sword fighters,NASCAR driver,and a penguin...Yes a penguin pic.twitter.com/xKwZHVURi1
@Team_Onion (Todd Bodine): Busted. @RickAllenracing catching some shut eye. pic.twitter.com/1mdnc2AgkT
@KeselowskiBrian: Management at lone star wouldn't let us finish ... :((( pic.twitter.com/YhRmbmwvJl
Kevin Rutherford is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at kevin.rutherford@frontstretch.com. Follow him on Twitter at@Surfwax83.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
compiled by Michael Mehedin
by P. Huston Ladner
by the Frontstretch Staff
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: Probably the most notable thing that Jimmy Horton did in 1993 was flip out of the track at Talladega. However, Horton had a spectacular exit from the Miller Genuine Draft 400 at Michigan as well. What happened?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: The 1989 Miller High Life 400 saw ARCA veteran Bill Venturini make his Winston Cup debut. Unfortunately, it was a very painful one for the Midwestern racer. What happened?
A: Venturini lost control of his No. 35 Rain-X Chevrolet in Turn 2 and crashed his Monte Carlo head-on into the outside wall. Venturini suffered broken vertebrae in the crash that effectively ended his 1989 season.
Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee: If we mess up, you get the shirt off our backs! If we've provided an incorrect answer to the Frontstretch Trivia question, be the first to email the corrected trivia answer to trivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!
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Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Phil Allaway
-- What's Vexing Vito by Vito Pugliese
-- Critic's Annex by Phil Allaway
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, the Line of the Week and more!
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Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Mirror Driving by the Frontstretch Staff
Your favorite Frontstretch writers are back to discuss a variety of different subjects. Topics this week include running the Nationwide Series at the same time the Sprint Cup Series runs, AJ Allmendinger replacing Bobby Labonte and so much more.
Frontstretch Fan Q&A by Summer Bedgood
Summer takes on your NASCAR questions and answers them to the best of her ability. Be sure to send your questions in if there's something that's been nagging at you and you might see your name in print.
Tech Talk by Mike Neff
Mike has a Sprint Cup Series crew chief stop by to talk about the technical side of NASCAR. This week, Bono Manion stops by as the series heads off to Michigan.
Fantasy Racing by Jeff Wolfe
Jeff brings fantasy racing back to Frontstretch this season. The week, he has your best bets as you fill out your roster for Michigan.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
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©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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