THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
July 3rd, 2013
Volume VII, Edition CXIX
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
July 3rd, 2013
Volume VII, Edition CXIX
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Top News
by Tom BowlesTravis Kvapil Gets New Crew Chief
BK Racing, struggling to find consistency this season has made a change at its No. 93 team. Mike Ford, former crew chief for Travis Kvapil has moved back into a Director Of Competition role, replaced by Dale Ferguson. Ferguson, who spent several seasons at Rusty Wallace, Incorporated before that team virtually suspended operations moves up from head engineer to take on the role.
Kvapil has struggled this season, posting a best result of 17th while accumulating six DNFs, most due to engine failures. The BK Racing outfit, along with second car David Reutimann has yet to score a top-10 finish all season.
Kvapil has struggled this season, posting a best result of 17th while accumulating six DNFs, most due to engine failures. The BK Racing outfit, along with second car David Reutimann has yet to score a top-10 finish all season.
TriStar Motorsports Gets Sponsor
Full-time Nationwide Series driver Mike Bliss has finally earned some primary sponsorship to go along with his ride at TriStar Motorsports. Tweaker Energy Shot, a new "drink" on the market similar to 5-Hour Energy has agreed to back the car in a five-race deal that starts at Daytona Friday night. Just five years old, the young company is making its first foray into NASCAR sponsorship.
Bliss, 48, has one top-10 finish with the team this season, a 10th at Iowa. He is 13th in series points while start-and-parking the team's Cup operation for extra money to help fund this car and the No. 44 driven by Cole Whitt.
Bliss, 48, has one top-10 finish with the team this season, a 10th at Iowa. He is 13th in series points while start-and-parking the team's Cup operation for extra money to help fund this car and the No. 44 driven by Cole Whitt.
News 'N' Notes
- Despite the rain delay, viewership for Sprint Cup's Kentucky race actually rose compared to last year. Sunday's event drew a 2.6 in the Nielsens, a three percent uptick from 2012 but the overall audience, of 3.9 million registered as the lowest to watch a points-paying race this year.
Four races into TNT's season, the network continues to show double-digit declines in both ratings and viewership from 2012.
Four races into TNT's season, the network continues to show double-digit declines in both ratings and viewership from 2012.
- Well wishes go out to AJ Foyt, recovering in a Houston hospital this week after full hip replacement surgery. Foyt, 78, a four-time Indy 500 winner is expected to make a full recovery.
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
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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Today's Featured Commentary
NASCAR Returns to Daytona: Fireworks or Fizzle?
WTF Wednesdays
by Ellen Richardson
The 4th of July holiday is upon us and while many may be heading out of town for vacation or planning family barbecues, drivers and teams in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series will be making their way back to the high banks of Daytona International Speedway for the Subway Firecracker 250 and Coke Zero 400 this weekend.
Although this high-speed tri-oval is arguably one of my favorites, which has produced some pretty exciting racing in the past, I have to wonder if fans will spend their holiday weekend in this Speedway's stands or glued to their television sets?
As has been consistently reported this season, both fan attendance and viewership has continued on a sharp decline. In fact, I was rather disappointed to see the number of empty seats last weekend at Kentucky Speedway. I was also not surprised to see many NASCAR fans buzzing about what happened at our local NASCAR home tracks more often this week versus the results from Kentucky.
So, what might keep this weekend's NASCAR racing action from fizzling out? As many who follow this sport are well aware, Danica Patrick has skyrocketed back to the top of media chatter following Kyle Petty's recent comments about her not being a race car driver. The 2013 Daytona 500 pole winner will now make her way back to the track where she made heads turn earlier this season. As sports fans continue to feed off of the latest chatter about their favorite athletes, this ongoing feud between Petty and Patrick is sure to have them tuning in to not only see what might be said at the track, but whether Danica will use this critique to fuel her competitive fire.
Meanwhile, fan safety, just six months after a devastating incident in the Nationwide Series will be on the forefront of many peoples' minds. Although time has helped heal wounds from the frightening Kyle Larson crash on the final laps of that season opener, the risks remain. Following Larson's crash, Speedway officials jumped into action to reinforce the crossover gates in the track safety fencing that failed to stop debris from injuring race fans in attendance at the DriveForCOPD 300 earlier this season. According to Speedway spokesman, Andrew Booth the safety enhancements will be completed prior to this weekend's racing action.
These improvements are somewhat good news, but I can't help but wonder if they are enough. Is it me, or does anyone else remember watching a tire fly over this gate following this crash? How exactly is reinforcing this crossover gate supposed to eliminate the chances of that happening again? Now I am finding out that Daytona International Speedway has been approved for an enormously expensive frontstretch redevelopment project which aims to enhance the overall fan experience? Yes, I'm about to say it – WTF??
Why wasn't this expense earmarked to improve overall driver and fan safety at this historic speedway? As you can tell, this has my blood boiling and will definitely have me tuning in and praying that something awful doesn't happen again that will have both International Speedway Corp. and NASCAR second guessing this decision.
Where am I hanging most of my hopes for fireworks at Daytona? Not only on what might be an interesting flyover and fireworks show, but on those drivers and teams who have turned heads this season. Case in point: rising NASCAR Nationwide star Larson will return for a chance to actually cross the finish line in Friday night's Subway Firecracker 250. Of course, the media is sure to fill our heads with Patrick on Saturday night, but I will also be watching those Sprint Cup drivers who seem to have the most heart and determination this season – namely Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Denny Hamlin. And who could resist also tuning in to find out if Five-Time will throw yet another temper tantrum?
So, as you gather around your friends and family to salute America and our freedom during this holiday weekend be sure to show your NASCAR fan pride by purchasing your Speedway race tickets or tuning in. Until then... Happy 4th of July, Frontstretch.com fans!!
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.
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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...
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...
@mattkenseth: Wow! What an incredible day, thanks #Team20!
@keselowski (Brad Keselowski): Wish we coulda gone the full distance last night, still a Fun race. Hoping for a similar result tonight @KySpeedway #2Crew
@KurtBusch: Congrats to my buddy @mattkenseth - fuel only for the win. Great but ballsy call. You've got that 20 car back to championship status
@AndyLally: road racing fans & drivers.. The Oak Tree has fallen at VIR. A living piece of racing history has left us #OakTreeTurn
@mw55 (Michael Waltrip): Next week is no good for me. The @JonasBrothers are in town. Oh shoot. I did it again.
@claygreenfield: Well that's a first. Bomb squad was called to one of my jobs bc someone reported the weight we hold strings down with as a suspicious box
@Elliott_Sadler: Thoughts and prayers out to the families of the 19 firefighters whose lives were taken too soon in Arizona.. Their bravery is unmeasurable
@MartinTruexJr56: I had a dream at 7am that i was missing practice, nope it was just a ride along waking me up. #HappyBirthday
@JamesBuescher: Racing on a Thursday night has me so screwed up... I have said today is Saturday several times!
@Kenny_Wallace: Have you all noticed how TWITTER is NOW normal? People have QUIT saying "R u on twitter" everyone does it now and it's Normal..
@pkligerman (Parker Kligerman): My hotel room is either 100 degrees or -7... Currently at -7 where my hands are freezing off when I txt. #Firstworldproblems
@BlakeKochRacing: For sure don't want to be any closer to this thing. http://instagram.com/p/bRaShUul_L/
@DakodaArmstrong: Doing a straight line test today, but pretty awesome when you ask your phone to take you to NASA Kennedy Space Center pic.twitter.com/V8horDslWU
@stevearpin: Not really my thing for breakfast!! What happened to scrambled eggs and a piece of ham!!! pic.twitter.com/sQDAbZJveQ
@ericmcclure: The @espn sportscenter feature on soldiers coming home is touching. So incredibly thankful for those serving home & abroad
@kevinharvick: Lemon face at dinner! #birthdayweek https://vine.co/v/haU9qEEFIwZKevin 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.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
by Tom Bowles
by Matt Stallknecht
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: Up until 2010, the Rolex Sports Car Series served as the tertiary series during the Independence Day race weekend in Daytona. When Robin Liddell brought home his No. 57 Chevrolet Camaro home third in GT back in 2010, he did so while completely red in the face and wiped out. What happened to cause this condition?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: Prior to the 1990 Pepsi 400, a huge crash in practice resulted in leg injuries to both Darrell Waltrip and Dave Marcis. Marcis' team did not have a backup car for the race. Where did they get a backup car from?
A: Marcis got a backup car from J.D. McDuffie. In fact, it was the very Pontiac Grand Prix that McDuffie had failed to qualify for the race with. Marcis managed to start the race and hung back. This allowed him to miss the massive wreck at the end of the first lap. After the huge crash, Marcis got out of the car and McDuffie replaced him.
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 weekly storylines. Topics this week include Brad Keselowski's downfall, the impact of a Nationwide or Truck Series win over Sprint Cup regulars 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, Matt Puccia stops by as the series heads off to Daytona.
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 Daytona.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back with all of the latest and greatest to come out of the Truck Series. This week, Turner Scott Motorsports co-owner Harry Scott, Jr. joins the diary rotation with an inside look at the organization and what makes it tick.
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!
~~~~~~~~~~
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 Brad Keselowski's downfall, the impact of a Nationwide or Truck Series win over Sprint Cup regulars 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, Matt Puccia stops by as the series heads off to Daytona.
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 Daytona.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back with all of the latest and greatest to come out of the Truck Series. This week, Turner Scott Motorsports co-owner Harry Scott, Jr. joins the diary rotation with an inside look at the organization and what makes it tick.
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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
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