THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
July 31st, 2013
Volume VII, Edition CXL
~~~~~~~~~~
Duchardt Named GM at Hendrick
Hendrick Motorsports announced on Tuesday that Doug Duchardt will take the reins of the team in the newly-created role of Executive Vice President and General Manager. Duchardt, who has been with the Hendrick operation since 2005, has been with the team for more than 80 race wins and five Sprint Cup Series championships. In his new role with the organization, Duchardt will be in charge of directing all race-related operation at HMS, including overseeing engine leases and chassis built for other teams. He will also oversee all four Hendrick Sprint Cup teams, the engine department, and any other personnel related to racing operations. Ken Howes will remain Vice President of Competition, reporting to Duchardt.
In an HMS press release, team owner Rick Hendrick said of Duchardt, "Doug has led by example from his first day with us. We're in a competitive and ever-changing industry, and he brings a global view that will be critical to our long-term success. Doug shares the organization's values, understands the importance of relationships and has helped promote a culture of teamwork and communication. We know those are things he will lean on and grow in the years to come."
"I'm honored to work with this incredible team of people," added Duchardt Tuesday. "I will continue to focus on giving them the resources and opportunities they need to be successful. We have a winning tradition that all of us want to protect and build on, and I'm lucky to be in a position to contribute to those efforts."
44 Teams Will Attempt the Tricky Triangle
44 teams are on the entry list for this weekend's GoBowling.com 400 at Pocono raceway this weekend. There are a few changes to the usual lineup as well. Alex Kennedy will pilot the No. 19 usually driven by Mike Bliss. Tony Raines will drive the No. 33 for Circle Sport while Landon Cassill remains in the team's second No. 40 Chevrolet. Cassill's team does not have enough owner points to qualify for a provisional start, so he will have to qualify in the top 36 on speed. Other driver-team combinations to note include Mark Martin in the No. 55, Timmy Hill in the No. 32, and Brian Keselowski in the No. 52.
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
July 31st, 2013
Volume VII, Edition CXL
~~~~~~~~~~
Top News
by Amy Henderson and Tom BowlesHendrick Motorsports announced on Tuesday that Doug Duchardt will take the reins of the team in the newly-created role of Executive Vice President and General Manager. Duchardt, who has been with the Hendrick operation since 2005, has been with the team for more than 80 race wins and five Sprint Cup Series championships. In his new role with the organization, Duchardt will be in charge of directing all race-related operation at HMS, including overseeing engine leases and chassis built for other teams. He will also oversee all four Hendrick Sprint Cup teams, the engine department, and any other personnel related to racing operations. Ken Howes will remain Vice President of Competition, reporting to Duchardt.
In an HMS press release, team owner Rick Hendrick said of Duchardt, "Doug has led by example from his first day with us. We're in a competitive and ever-changing industry, and he brings a global view that will be critical to our long-term success. Doug shares the organization's values, understands the importance of relationships and has helped promote a culture of teamwork and communication. We know those are things he will lean on and grow in the years to come."
"I'm honored to work with this incredible team of people," added Duchardt Tuesday. "I will continue to focus on giving them the resources and opportunities they need to be successful. We have a winning tradition that all of us want to protect and build on, and I'm lucky to be in a position to contribute to those efforts."
44 Teams Will Attempt the Tricky Triangle
44 teams are on the entry list for this weekend's GoBowling.com 400 at Pocono raceway this weekend. There are a few changes to the usual lineup as well. Alex Kennedy will pilot the No. 19 usually driven by Mike Bliss. Tony Raines will drive the No. 33 for Circle Sport while Landon Cassill remains in the team's second No. 40 Chevrolet. Cassill's team does not have enough owner points to qualify for a provisional start, so he will have to qualify in the top 36 on speed. Other driver-team combinations to note include Mark Martin in the No. 55, Timmy Hill in the No. 32, and Brian Keselowski in the No. 52.
Kurt Busch Running IndyCar Finale?
Could one of NASCAR's stars be heading over to open-wheel... this season? The answer is yes, at least for a race if Kurt Busch has his way. The full-time driver of Furniture Row's No. 78 Chevrolet, currently in contention to make the Chase is chasing a deal to run the IndyCar season finale at Fontana in October. Contingent on funding, he hopes it's a springboard to bigger and better things in 2014; namely, running the Indianapolis 500 next May.
"I'd like to do an oval before Indy next year," he told Motor Racing Network Tuesday. Busch went on to say he'd feel "blind" if he didn't have at least one start before open-wheel's biggest race.
Andretti Autosport would own the ride the 2004 Cup champion would drive. Should Busch make the move, then run at Indy the following year he'd be the first driver since Robby Gordon in '04 to attempt the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
Busch's contract with FRR is also up after this season; however, the driver says a full-time move to IndyCar isn't being considered.
News 'N' Notes
- NASCAR announced some personnel changes Tuesday. Veteran crew chief Tony Glover, who once won Daytona 500s with Sterling Marlin in the 1990s has been named Technical Director for NASCAR Touring Series. Former crew chief Chris Wright has been named Director Of K&N Pro Series East, while Kip Childress assumes that role for K&N Pro Series West. Childress, who was Director of the East Series will replace Les Westerfield in that position.
- Tony Stewart, who still has a few unsponsored races left this season picked up Danica's sponsor to back him at Pocono. For the first time all year, GoDaddy will back the No. 14 Chevrolet in a paint scheme that will be black as opposed to Patrick's green.
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.
~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Featured Commentary
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.
~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Featured Commentary
WTF Wednesdays
Marijuana Making Waves In Racing?
by Ellen Richardson
I am back and excited to return to my soapbox this week despite a rather disappointing weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. As many fans and motorsports-related media have continued to chat about this week, both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway were more than lackluster. In fact, it was even a topic of debate on NASCAR Race Hub last night.
The funniest thing about race weekend at Indy was what actually made national news. No, not the possibility of Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports kissing the bricks or even Ryan Newman stealing the opportunity from Johnson. Instead, it was Mary Jane's presence outside of this legendary speedway.
According to USA Today, the Marijuana Policy Project, who is the nation's largest pro-marijuana legalization advocacy group, purchased space to air a video promoting this drug as less harmful than alcohol on a portable screen across from the Brickyard.
After first learning of this story, I couldn't help but chuckle and think to myself "is this where the sport is heading now?" Don't forget, fans, NASCAR started with illegal bootlegging before R.J. Reynolds Tobacco took this sport up the ranks. Of course, both NASCAR and and IMS President Doug Boles have both denied having any connection to the advertisement, which appeared on a board in front of the American Legion Speedway 500 Post lodge across from the speedway. The board's operator, Mike Estojak who was hired by Grazie Media in Ontario, Canada, also said that he was unaware of the message that would be running. In fact, after learning of this public service announcement he made the decision to pull this ad, which many NASCAR fans most likely missed due to its limited run.
The best part of the whole ordeal, was both Crown Royal and Miller Lite were major sponsors of this weekend's Brickyard 400, which makes me wonder if the the primary reason for pulling this ad was not due to the worry of offending fans attending this race, but taking away from companies who paid a pretty penny to sponsor it?
Don't get me wrong, I am not condoning the use of this illegal substance or the promotion of it to race fans. In fact, as someone who has purchased ad space for a variety of clientele, I am always quick to research who both the seller and purchaser of this ad space really is. That brings me to my point, which I guess I have danced around a bit. Although denying any hand in this form of advertising near one of its speedways, I have to wonder if the serious decline in both fan attendance and viewership, although up slightly this weekend, had a somewhat small hand in not necessarily the purchase of this ad but the national coverage that ensued?
As some of my fellow Frontstretch.com writers and I were discussing yesterday evening, NASCAR has continued to see a decline in the kind of attention that was once received, which could lead to desperate moves like attracting risky advertisers of this nature.
So, as the debate continues on the value of NASCAR continuing to visit the Brickyard and what improvements should be made to this track in the future to assure continued fan interest, let's just hope that risks of this nature will continue to be shied away from instead of leaving us all wondering...WTF?
Ellen Richardson is a Newsletter Contributor for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via e-mail at frontstretcheditors@googlegroups.com. Follow her on Twitter @EllenNRich.
~~~~~~~~~~
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...
@Tjmajors: Bad part is that there is dirt racing this good every weekend probably within 30 minutes of most peoples houses and they don't know it!
@stevearpin: Well she said yes!! I'm going to marry the most incredible girl I've ever met! @JYoger pic.twitter.com/3qwD90djXD
@KyleBusch: Has @ClintBowyer really been able to sit in the same chair for 2 hrs? This is HUGE people. Forget about the racing.
@23SpeedRacer (Spencer Gallagher): And a high school band is playing the anthem THIS IS THE GREATEST THING EVER #eldora #dirttrackin #TeamNorm
@DeLanaHarvick: This has that back in the day racin' feel! Hum... sold out, high energy, Wednesday night racin'.... might be on to something.
@dustinlong: #NASCAR … So who had lap 116 as first caution for an incident? Anyone? Anyone? Thought so. #AskMRN @MRNRadio
@austindillon3: #eldora http://instagram.com/p/cOoDo9G8bl/
@AndyLally: Weird fact: Ryan Newman may be the first #NASCAR driver to ever grow up, graduate college and win a race all in the same state.
@Kenny_Wallace: I have thought this; "Humans NEVER use twitter to say Nice Things about #NASCAR, They use twitter to say BAD things"
@scottspeed: I guess if ur 89 ur out of luck!!! pic.twitter.com/MPtvLzXWBs
@ColemanPressley: I don't know how the family from 'home alone' missed their flight out of Chicago. All these flights are delayed all the time!
@KevinHarvick: Pretty intense stuff around here tonight! https://vine.co/v/hAlgJnh07i1
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...
@Tjmajors: Bad part is that there is dirt racing this good every weekend probably within 30 minutes of most peoples houses and they don't know it!
@stevearpin: Well she said yes!! I'm going to marry the most incredible girl I've ever met! @JYoger pic.twitter.com/3qwD90djXD
@KyleBusch: Has @ClintBowyer really been able to sit in the same chair for 2 hrs? This is HUGE people. Forget about the racing.
@23SpeedRacer (Spencer Gallagher): And a high school band is playing the anthem THIS IS THE GREATEST THING EVER #eldora #dirttrackin #TeamNorm
@DeLanaHarvick: This has that back in the day racin' feel! Hum... sold out, high energy, Wednesday night racin'.... might be on to something.
@dustinlong: #NASCAR … So who had lap 116 as first caution for an incident? Anyone? Anyone? Thought so. #AskMRN @MRNRadio
@RyanNewman39: Thank you @quickenloans for believing in me and the opportunity to represent your company. Today was a dream come true.
@KyleBusch: Thx 4 all the messages, so awesome 2 win here @IMS. Ready 2 go after it again today with the M&M's Camry.@ClintBowyer: Pretty sure that's the worst we've run in over a year. At least it wasn't one of the big races....Sorry gang! We WILL get It fixed.
@mw55 (Michael Waltrip): There would be more passing at Indy if the apron was paved like it use to be. A little flatter than the groove now and wider.
@MaxGresham: Last night was so much fun! Learned a lot and was amazed by how many great fans showed up! Y'all rocked the house! #letsdoitagain
@KyleLarsonRacin: Disappointed I didn't get the win tonight. Made one mistake and @austindillon3 capitalized. Congratulations on making history.
@Matt_Crafton: I was a little skeptical going in, but ended up having a good time at Eldora. #Eldora #dirtracing http://instagram.com/p/cMi-UbgTvD/
@JimmieJohnson: I loved the close up of Norm's single finger salute. #NormForPresident
@claygreenfield: The video of my battle with Norm has about 20,000 views right now with several postings combined. Glad 1-800-PAVEMENT is getting exposure
@J_Allgaier (Justin Allgaier): Quite possibly one of the coolest races I have ever attended!! #mudsummerclassic http://instagram.com/p/cLfBPBIRdh/
@J_R_Fitzpatrick: Attention @NASCAR_Trucks you wanna get around @CTMPOfficial, you can have my help, #records #mostwins
@MartinTruexJr56: Thoughts and prayers for the Earnhardt family. Got to know uncle Randy well in my DEI days, if you ever shook his hand you would remember it
@JakeSnakeCrum: Why are there no classic @NASCAR programs & races on @netflix? Surely that's a marketable idea. I'd watch the classics on the tube.
Kevin Rutherford is an Assistant Editor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at kevin.rutherford@frontstretch.com. Follow him on Twitter at@Surfwax83.
~~~~~~~~~~
ADVERTISEMENT
Are you looking to advertise your website, product or brand? A good way to get your name out there is via direct advertising here in the Frontstretch Newsletter! Interested parties can contact us at frontstretcheditors@googlegroups.com for details.
~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
IndyCar Round Table: Dixon Domination, ESPY Triumph, and Forward Momentum
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The 2004 Pocono 400 was a rather decisive race that ultimately led to the introduction of Green-White-Checker situations to the then-NEXTEL Cup Series. What happened?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: In 1988, Rick Mears won the pole for CART's Quaker State 500 at Pocono Raceway. However, he didn't last too long before dropping out for the day. What happened?
by Toni Montgomery, Huston Ladner and Matt Stallknecht
by the Frontstretch Staff
Beyond the Cockpit: Mike Wallace on Driving for an Underfunded Team, Plate Racing and Daughter Chrissy
Beyond the Cockpit: Mike Wallace on Driving for an Underfunded Team, Plate Racing and Daughter Chrissy
by Phil Allaway
Did You Notice? ... History Repeats Itself, Prestige Versus Popularity And Quick Hits
Did You Notice? ... History Repeats Itself, Prestige Versus Popularity And Quick Hits
by Tom Bowles
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The 2004 Pocono 400 was a rather decisive race that ultimately led to the introduction of Green-White-Checker situations to the then-NEXTEL Cup Series. What happened?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: In 1988, Rick Mears won the pole for CART's Quaker State 500 at Pocono Raceway. However, he didn't last too long before dropping out for the day. What happened?
A: Admittedly, this was a rather unusual incident. Phil Krueger crashed his No. 77 in the Tunnel Turn to bring out the caution. A number of drivers cut it very close to the safety crews helping Krueger. There were no replays of the incident, but it appears that Mears came up on the scene too fast, lost control and slid into the wall. Mears was already laps down at the time due to suspension issues, so the wreck just ended a horrible day.
Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee: If we mess up, you get the shirt off our backs! If we've provided an incorrect answer to the Frontstretch Trivia question, be the first to email the corrected trivia answer to trivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!
~~~~~~~~~~
Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from 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!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Mirror Driving by the Frontstretch Staff
Your favorite Frontstretch writers are back to discuss a variety of weekly storylines. Topics this week include Ryan Newman, Denny Hamlin, Eldora and 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.
Fantasy Insider 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.
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, Jason Ratcliff checks in as the series heads off to Pocono.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back with all of the latest and greatest to come out of the Truck Series. This week, Beth looks at a variety of talking points as the series heads to Pocono Raceway.
Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee: If we mess up, you get the shirt off our backs! If we've provided an incorrect answer to the Frontstretch Trivia question, be the first to email the corrected trivia answer to trivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!
~~~~~~~~~~
Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from 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!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Mirror Driving by the Frontstretch Staff
Your favorite Frontstretch writers are back to discuss a variety of weekly storylines. Topics this week include Ryan Newman, Denny Hamlin, Eldora and 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.
Fantasy Insider 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.
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, Jason Ratcliff checks in as the series heads off to Pocono.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back with all of the latest and greatest to come out of the Truck Series. This week, Beth looks at a variety of talking points as the series heads to Pocono Raceway.
-----------------------------
Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Got something to say about an article you've seen in the newsletter? It's as easy as replying directly to this message or sending an email to editors@frontstretch.com. We'll take the best comments and publish them here!
©2013 Frontstretch.com
Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Got something to say about an article you've seen in the newsletter? It's as easy as replying directly to this message or sending an email to editors@frontstretch.com. We'll take the best comments and publish them here!
©2013 Frontstretch.com
--
Feel free to forward this newsletter if you have any friends who loves
NASCAR and great NASCAR commentary. They can subscribe to the Frontstetch by visiting http://www.frontstretch.com/notice/9557/.
If you want to stop your Frontstretch Newsletter subscription, we're sorry
to see you go. Just send an email to
TheFrontstretch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com from the address that you
recieve the Frontstretch Newsletter.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Frontstretch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to thefrontstretch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
No comments:
Post a Comment