THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
June 5th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition XCVIII
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Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
June 5th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition XCVIII
~~~~~~~~~~
Top News
by Tom Bowles
by Tom Bowles
Brad Keselowski, Roger Penske, and the No. 2 Ford team caught a break Tuesday when NASCAR chose not to suspend their crew chief, Paul Wolfe, for breaking the rules while on probation. Wolfe, whose current "punishment" lasts through December 31st was in the spotlight after his Miller Lite Ford measured in as too low during post-race inspection at Dover.
As expected, NASCAR responded to the violation by docking Keselowski six driver points, Penske six owner points and fining Wolfe $25,000. Claiming the team broke Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing), 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that race equipment does not conform to NASCAR rules), and 20-12.8.1B (minimum car height) of the current rulebook, the penalty is consistent with what's been handed down in the past. However, since officials insisted the failure was due to a broken part, not "intentionally circumventing the rules," Wolfe escaped a possible one-race suspension from the incident. Penske Racing, in a short statement indicated they would not appeal.
Keselowski's points hit drops him to 10th in the standings, 104 behind leader Jimmie Johnson and just eight in front of Jeff Gordon for the final points-related spot in the Chase. The reigning champion, winless in 2013, is squarely on the bubble midway through the regular season.
TRD's Lee White Announces Retirement, Scales Back Immediately
One of Toyota's top minds behind the scenes is officially wrapping up his career. Lee White, who has been with Toyota Racing Development for 15+ years is stepping back from his role as President and GM, effective immediately, to deal with family health-related issues. White will remain on board as a special advisor to the company, employed through the remainder of 2013, before officially calling it quits.
"I have been planning and working toward retirement at the end of this race season in December," he said in an official release. "I have been offered and accepted an opportunity to perform a reduced amount of duties from my home office. This generous arrangement afforded to us by the company will allow me to attend to personal family priorities."
White's tenure with Toyota, which began in 1997, has seen him play a part in 1,000 race victories and 250 championships across all major racing series. Holding responsibility for all TRD activities in North America, from engine development to sanctioning body relations, he's one of the most respected executives in the industry, widely credited as a main reason the company has had such a successful transition to NASCAR.
"Lee has contributed enormously to Toyota Motorsports in his 15 years with TRD. His leadership has resulted in victories and championships in a broad spectrum of racing series," said Toyota Group Vice President and General Manager Bill Fay. "He's had an impressive career and his day-to-day leadership will be missed. We offer Lee and Lynn our support and best wishes."
White, who holds two U.S. National and World F.I.A. speed records as a driver, worked for Roush Racing and Newman-Haas Racing, among others, in an engineering capacity before moving to Toyota. A replacement for him, in the front offices has not been named.
Fellows Tapped To Run Both Road Course Races
One of NASCAR's road course veterans will be employed at Sonoma and Watkins Glen once more. Canadian Ron Fellows, who hasn't run in Sprint Cup since 2011, has been hired by Circle Sport Racing to drive their No. 33 Chevrolet in those events. Canadian Tire will sponsor the effort, with additional support from AER Manufacturing that should give the 53-year-old enough funding to be competitive.
"I'm really excited about driving the No. 33 Chevy SS," said Fellows. "Joe Falk and his team have a great relationship with Richard Childress Racing, and with the opportunity to test the new generation Sprint Cup car at tracks on the NASCAR schedule, it was a deal I felt I wanted to be a part of and so did Canadian Tire."
With 23 series starts spanning two decades, almost all of them at the two aforementioned tracks Fellows will look to improve upon his best career finish of runner-up. Circle Sport will simply take a top-20 finish; so far this season, their best is 22nd with regular driver Landon Cassill at Talladega.
"To have a driver of Ron's experience and ability behind the wheel of the No. 33 Canadian Tire Chevrolet at the road course events is another milestone in our program," said team owner Joe Falk. "Ron's longtime affiliation with GM Racing and our relationship with RCR (Richard Childress Racing) made this possible, and we're looking forward to giving Ron the opportunity to add to the list of his accomplishments in his racing career."
The organization has an information sharing deal with RCR along with limited engine and chassis support.
News 'N' Notes
- Nationwide Series crew member Robert S. Harrison was suspended by NASCAR indefinitely Tuesday for violating the sport's substance abuse policy. His team affiliation was not announced and was unavailable at press time.
- SR2 Motorsports said Tuesday they'll run a unique, brother-brother combination with Ken Butler, III and Brett Butler for five races apiece in the Nationwide Series, with the possibility of additional starts in 2014. The two, who already have 39 starts to their credit, have yet to score a top-10 finish in either Nationwide or Trucks. The duo has family-owned backing as Ken Butler recently stepped down from his role as COO of Aaron's Rents, a prominent NASCAR sponsor currently affiliated with Michael Waltrip Racing.
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
TNT's Latest Gimmick: Deal or Dud?
WTF Wednesdays
by Ellen Richardson
Fox wrapped up its coverage of the 2013 Sprint Cup Series last Sunday during the FedEx 400 Benefiting Autism Speaks, at Dover International Speedway. As this series rolls into the mountains of Pocono, PA, TNT will take over with what they have promoted as an "All Access" portion of the 2013 season.Despite a drop in ratings following Sunday's race (down three percent from last year and the lowest for the Spring race since a rainout back in 2007) as well as four of the final races on Fox, this network completed their 2013 Sprint Cup Series coverage with a seven percent ratings increase over last year's coverage.
Now it is up to TNT to take the reins to assist NASCAR in its effort to increase fan attention and, based on past experience against Fox, this network will have its work cut out for them.
As a part of its efforts, TNT is reintroducing the world of reality television to NASCAR. This "All Access" segment will give fans an inside look into what it takes for each featured driver and their team to prepare for the upcoming race. TNT is also planning to air an additional feature each week that includes an off the track look into a Sprint Cup driver's life.
Craig Barry, senior vice president and executive director for Turner Sports, said that this network is "hoping that these segments will give fans a deeper, insightful look at the driver, the teams and what goes on week to week."
"I think that this type of television, this all-access, fly-on-the-wall type television is becoming more and more prevalent in what we do."
While this backstage pass has some fans buzzing, I don't feel this effort will give TNT the significant increase in television ratings that it is aiming for. I am also disappointed in the drivers selected for these segments.
According to a recent Turner Sports release, TNT will follow Denny Hamlin and his Joe Gibbs Racing team through their preparations for this Sunday's Party in the Poconos. Hamlin will be followed by Brad Keselowski (Michigan), Juan Pablo Montoya (Sonoma) and Kurt Busch (Kentucky), among others.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will also be the first driver featured off the track. TNT's Ralph Sheehan will visit with Earnhardt, Jr. at his Whisky River restaurant as well as at his Car Graveyard.
Choosing popular drivers, who have continuously been highlighted by the media over the last couple of years, is a more than apparent grasp at trying to increase ratings and pad pockets than giving fans a chance to have a closer look into the lives of these drivers.
If you truly want to give fans a backstage pass into these teams and drivers, why not give them a chance to vote on the drivers and teams that they would like to see featured or go one step further by inviting a special fan to be a guest team member throughout the week with the featured team? While I applaud TNT's efforts to try and increase ratings, unless NASCAR fans are truly involved, this form of NASCAR reality television will fall into the same black hole as all of the other past attempts.
If this sport, along with its fan attendance and television ratings, are truly going to make a comeback it is up to more than the networks. Although I could be risking a fine in saying this, it is time for NASCAR to improve both racing as well as overall fan access.
Bring back the days where competition was true competition and every team had a chance to win versus domination by the teams with the most funding. Bring back the days where drivers would spend hours with fans and these fans would have the "behind the scenes" tour inside the tracks, garages, etc. Keep great analysts like Mike Joy, Jeff Hammond and the less brainwashed Darrell Waltrip calling the show versus jumping from network to network throughout the season.
In other words, stop the gimmicks and let's get back to racing!! WTF?
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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...
@kylebusch: Should b pleased w top 5 but not. We had a bump stop start to fail at lap 200 and it was terrible at the end. Just want to win for my guys!
@jpmontoya: Well made it home. The @Energizer car was fast all day. So close but still too far. If we keep running like this some wins are coming!!
@dennyhamlin: Sorry we couldn't get a win tonight.. Just never had the speed it took to run with those guys. Still a solid day #makethechase
@joeylogano: Whooooooooooooo
@BubbaWallace (Darrell Wallace, Jr.): Damn, what a run today! That close....bad luck struck at the end, LR Spring Rubbers fell out. I was hanging on! We will get us one soon!
@chaseelliott: Just can't make mistakes like that, I've got to put us in better positions at the end. We're gettin there thanks to @Aarons_Inc.
@RossChastain: That was the hardest race of my career. To top it off I about wadded her up coming 2 pit road. Got busted for speeding. Lesson learned.
@hockensomething (Chad Hackenbracht): Two in a row for no.51 @KBMteam truck, looking to make it three next week at @TXMotorSpeedway #ncwtsdebut
@tbayne21 (Trevor Bayne): We may have gotten the golf cart stuck on the way to dinner... #worthit #hungrymen #shortcut http://instagram.com/p/Z9bhVLwuic/
@KevinHarvick: .@KeelanHarvick tipping it on back!! @DierksBentley pic.twitter.com/S6qfghyAax
@Kenny_Wallace: THANK YOU @USCellular for sponsoring me at BOTH @NASCAR_NNS Races in IOWA, I am humbled to have a BIG Sponsor pic.twitter.com/S5dOnMrhAi
@Ryan_Truex: Well, I guess the cats out of the bag. So pumped to be working with Richard Petty. The king! Dream come true #nascar
@claygreenfield: A lot of ppl talking about the front row of today's race. Row 16 could be pretty exciting also #Harmon #Cobb
@pkligerman: When young girls look at u and smile and giggle or turn away laughing. #EgoBoost Or #SomethingsOnMyFace
@DanicaPatrick: My name is danica and I am a Pinterest-holic.....proud to say this tweet wasn't a re-pin. Baby steps.
@JimmieJohnson: Yes it's my fault @Twitter crashed... #BlameJJ
@55MarkMartin: I didn't know you were such a funny guy @BrianLVickers You should come by more often.
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...
@kylebusch: Should b pleased w top 5 but not. We had a bump stop start to fail at lap 200 and it was terrible at the end. Just want to win for my guys!
@jpmontoya: Well made it home. The @Energizer car was fast all day. So close but still too far. If we keep running like this some wins are coming!!
@dennyhamlin: Sorry we couldn't get a win tonight.. Just never had the speed it took to run with those guys. Still a solid day #makethechase
@joeylogano: Whooooooooooooo
@BubbaWallace (Darrell Wallace, Jr.): Damn, what a run today! That close....bad luck struck at the end, LR Spring Rubbers fell out. I was hanging on! We will get us one soon!
@chaseelliott: Just can't make mistakes like that, I've got to put us in better positions at the end. We're gettin there thanks to @Aarons_Inc.
@RossChastain: That was the hardest race of my career. To top it off I about wadded her up coming 2 pit road. Got busted for speeding. Lesson learned.
@hockensomething (Chad Hackenbracht): Two in a row for no.51 @KBMteam truck, looking to make it three next week at @TXMotorSpeedway #ncwtsdebut
@tbayne21 (Trevor Bayne): We may have gotten the golf cart stuck on the way to dinner... #worthit #hungrymen #shortcut http://instagram.com/p/Z9bhVLwuic/
@KevinHarvick: .@KeelanHarvick tipping it on back!! @DierksBentley pic.twitter.com/S6qfghyAax
@Kenny_Wallace: THANK YOU @USCellular for sponsoring me at BOTH @NASCAR_NNS Races in IOWA, I am humbled to have a BIG Sponsor pic.twitter.com/S5dOnMrhAi
@Ryan_Truex: Well, I guess the cats out of the bag. So pumped to be working with Richard Petty. The king! Dream come true #nascar
@claygreenfield: A lot of ppl talking about the front row of today's race. Row 16 could be pretty exciting also #Harmon #Cobb
@pkligerman: When young girls look at u and smile and giggle or turn away laughing. #EgoBoost Or #SomethingsOnMyFace
@DanicaPatrick: My name is danica and I am a Pinterest-holic.....proud to say this tweet wasn't a re-pin. Baby steps.
@JimmieJohnson: Yes it's my fault @Twitter crashed... #BlameJJ
@55MarkMartin: I didn't know you were such a funny guy @BrianLVickers You should come by more often.
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 Kevin Rutherford and Jeff Wolfe
by the Frontstretch Staff
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: After the nasty crash involving Steve Park and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. on the first lap of the 2002 Pennsylvania 500, Pocono Raceway made some changes to make the track safer for competitors. What were they?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: In the 1991 Miller Genuine Draft 500 at Pocono, a rash of early cautions kept the field bunched together. When that happens, something usually has to give. Ernie Irvan didn't really give an inch to anyone in Turn 3. What happened because of this move?
A: Ernie Irvan and Hut Stricklin were battling for the lead on a restart when Irvan ran up to Stricklin's Raybestos Brakes Buick and tapped him. Stricklin spun in front of the field exiting Turn 3. Ultimately, eight cars were involved in the crash. Richard Petty ran over the front ends of his son Kyle and Ricky Rudd's cars, catching some air in the process. The crash can be seen here.
Most drivers ultimately continued after the wreck. Stricklin still managed to finish fourth in the rain-shortened race, one of his best runs of 1991. The crash was just one more strike that his peers held against Irvan, who had infamously caused the Big One at Talladega back in May.
Most drivers ultimately continued after the wreck. Stricklin still managed to finish fourth in the rain-shortened race, one of his best runs of 1991. The crash was just one more strike that his peers held against Irvan, who had infamously caused the Big One at Talladega back in May.
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. On tap this week are Denny Hamlin's Chase chances, championship hopes 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, Steve Letarte stops by with a few thoughts as the series heads off to Pocono.
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 Pocono.
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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