THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
July 10th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition CXXV
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No Penalties Given For Roof Flap Spacers
In a surprising move, NASCAR this afternoon announced there will be no penalties for any roof flap spacer violations found at Daytona. A total of 16 Sprint Cup and 15 Nationwide teams were called out by NASCAR inspectors; however, after careful deliberation the decision was made not to act on the rules and safety infringement.
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.
Fans as well as drivers and teams are bracing for the sanctioning body's elusive hammer to drop following the confiscation of roof flap spacers from 16 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams and 15 Nationwide teams at Daytona International Speedway. For those who aren't familiar with the latest penalty story, NASCAR confiscated roof spacers from these 31 teams on the opening day of the July 4th holiday racing weekend. These spacers are used to support the hinge bar of the roof flaps that are built to deploy and allow air to escape from inside the cockpit of the car should it spin, lessening the chance of it becoming airborne.
According to a recent report from NASCAR.com, NASCAR spokesperson Kerry Tharp said, the spacers confiscated "weren't in compliance with the kits that the manufacturer provides." The best part, NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said that the parts in question had made it past NASCAR's tedious technical inspectors in the past and were most likely used in past races. Knowing that, the sanctioning body now decides it is time to confiscate these parts and issue penalties? WTF?
While I realize that these parts keep drivers and fans safe, and I am all for the safety aspect of this sport, why have these parts just begun to be scrutinized? It's like your boss telling you to continue to complete the work that you have been doing the way that you have because it is working. The next day, you walk in the door and are called to your superior's office to be reprimanded for not doing things his way.
After learning about these confiscated parts, I went to one of the most outspoken drivers this season to obtain his thoughts, and I don't think that I could have said it any better.
"When the parts were fixed on all the cars...problem solved. I'd like to see our processes go that way," said Brad Keselowski. Do we see these type of strange penalties at most of our NASCAR home tracks these days? Speaking of these home based drivers, do we see the type of fan or driver injuries that have occurred in NASCAR with not even half the safety equipment available? Please keep in mind, I am talking stock cars here."
At first thought, I was actually surprised that Keselowski didn't have more to say when his team was once again being tagged for penalties. If you remember, it wasn't so long ago that Penske Racing, along with drivers Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano, were thrown under the bus after NASCAR determined that the suspension parts on their cars were not approved and violated the so called "new" (Ah!! Your key word for this season) rules prohibiting the rear suspension from abnormal rotating, prior to the already controversial NRA 500, in April. Although an appeal led to lesser charges, I feel that this team suffered unnecessarily and that Keselowski's voice has continued to be stifled ever since.
Speaking of voices stifled, does anyone remember Denny Hamlin being a bad boy earlier this season (prior to his back injury – of course) for speaking his mind about the initial performance for the Gen-6 car earlier this season? These comments, of course, broke another "new" NASCAR rule of "inexcusably critical comments about the new Gen-6 car."
Yes, these crazy penalties continue to pile up this season! This brings me back to my original question, has NASCAR gone penalty crazy or are they just making up excuses to raise the funds necessary to fund new track renovations or maybe NASCAR Chairman Brian France's bitter divorce?
Either way, it's time to stop all of this insanity and get back to the real sport of racing. Fans, what were some of your favorite wacky "new" penalties this season? Shout these out to me on Twitter @EllenNRich. I welcome all of your feedback! Until then, have a great rest of the week and let's gear up for what is hopefully going to be a less-penalized weekend in Loudon, NH.
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.
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:
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In the 2001 New England 300, Elliott Sadler and Joe Nemechek barely even got underway before their races went right in the toilet. What happened?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: In the 1998 Jiffy Lube 300, Jeremy Mayfield got involved in a late incident and was credited with a 30th-place finish. However, there was no yellow. What happened?
-- Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
July 10th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition CXXV
~~~~~~~~~~
Top News
by Tom Bowles"We examined this from every aspect we possibly could and determined that there would be no penalties involved," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR Vice President of Competition in a press release. "Based upon our inspection and subsequent review, it was our determination that the functionality and safety aspects of the roof flaps were not compromised and the on track competition would not be impacted. Moving forward, we will work with the roof flap manufacturer and the race teams to evaluate and optimize the associated installation hardware, review the process in its totality and communicate in a timely manner to the garage area any revisions that we determine need to be made."
The decision also means Paul Wolfe, on probation for Brad Keselowski's team, is not in violation of any rule. The crew chief will be available for this Sunday at New Hampshire and beyond.
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.
~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Featured Commentary
Has NASCAR Gone Penalty Crazy?
WTF Wednesdays
by Ellen Richardson
As the drama of the 2013 race season progresses what has this writer starting to lose her marbles? Nothing short of the continuing and ever-changing rules and penalties that have been never ending this season.
Fans as well as drivers and teams are bracing for the sanctioning body's elusive hammer to drop following the confiscation of roof flap spacers from 16 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams and 15 Nationwide teams at Daytona International Speedway. For those who aren't familiar with the latest penalty story, NASCAR confiscated roof spacers from these 31 teams on the opening day of the July 4th holiday racing weekend. These spacers are used to support the hinge bar of the roof flaps that are built to deploy and allow air to escape from inside the cockpit of the car should it spin, lessening the chance of it becoming airborne.
According to a recent report from NASCAR.com, NASCAR spokesperson Kerry Tharp said, the spacers confiscated "weren't in compliance with the kits that the manufacturer provides." The best part, NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said that the parts in question had made it past NASCAR's tedious technical inspectors in the past and were most likely used in past races. Knowing that, the sanctioning body now decides it is time to confiscate these parts and issue penalties? WTF?
While I realize that these parts keep drivers and fans safe, and I am all for the safety aspect of this sport, why have these parts just begun to be scrutinized? It's like your boss telling you to continue to complete the work that you have been doing the way that you have because it is working. The next day, you walk in the door and are called to your superior's office to be reprimanded for not doing things his way.
After learning about these confiscated parts, I went to one of the most outspoken drivers this season to obtain his thoughts, and I don't think that I could have said it any better.
"When the parts were fixed on all the cars...problem solved. I'd like to see our processes go that way," said Brad Keselowski. Do we see these type of strange penalties at most of our NASCAR home tracks these days? Speaking of these home based drivers, do we see the type of fan or driver injuries that have occurred in NASCAR with not even half the safety equipment available? Please keep in mind, I am talking stock cars here."
At first thought, I was actually surprised that Keselowski didn't have more to say when his team was once again being tagged for penalties. If you remember, it wasn't so long ago that Penske Racing, along with drivers Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano, were thrown under the bus after NASCAR determined that the suspension parts on their cars were not approved and violated the so called "new" (Ah!! Your key word for this season) rules prohibiting the rear suspension from abnormal rotating, prior to the already controversial NRA 500, in April. Although an appeal led to lesser charges, I feel that this team suffered unnecessarily and that Keselowski's voice has continued to be stifled ever since.
Speaking of voices stifled, does anyone remember Denny Hamlin being a bad boy earlier this season (prior to his back injury – of course) for speaking his mind about the initial performance for the Gen-6 car earlier this season? These comments, of course, broke another "new" NASCAR rule of "inexcusably critical comments about the new Gen-6 car."
Yes, these crazy penalties continue to pile up this season! This brings me back to my original question, has NASCAR gone penalty crazy or are they just making up excuses to raise the funds necessary to fund new track renovations or maybe NASCAR Chairman Brian France's bitter divorce?
Either way, it's time to stop all of this insanity and get back to the real sport of racing. Fans, what were some of your favorite wacky "new" penalties this season? Shout these out to me on Twitter @EllenNRich. I welcome all of your feedback! Until then, have a great rest of the week and let's gear up for what is hopefully going to be a less-penalized weekend in Loudon, NH.
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...
@shirleenriffe (Shirleen Riffe): I dare @NASCAR_TNT to respond to the outrage here on Twitter about the obnoxious amount of commercials. I know they will not answer.
@jeff_gluck: Not sure I've ever seen you all this upset about commercials. And I've said that before, I know. But this is nuts. Angry, angry people.
@StewartHaasRcng: And there's a unicorn on the track! But race was in commercial and you missed it. Oh well.
@Jordan_Bianchi: TNT's absentminded coverage is setting sports broadcasting back about 30 years. It's not even embarrassing any more, it's insulting. #NASCAR
@LewisFranck: @ajdinger said his bell wasn't wrung, but did hurt the "man parts." What a humor?
@JimmieJohnson: The Daytona Sweep #6pack #JJPix http://instagram.com/p/bc7oHYEpQe/
@mw55 (Michael Waltrip): Anyone can pull into their pit. Lets see them back her in! Good work @rchilders55 @MWRteam pic.twitter.com/FPzhoDYj0V
@austindillon3: How can you hate JJ he's just Mr.Cool #Wheelman
@ericmcclure: explained to girls what getting "shuffled out" is. Mabreigh:"daddy, the other cars are trying to win, too. That's why you got shuffled out."
@KevinHarvick: I thought we were in the right spot at the end but our line could never form. A little disappointed but we did finally finish one!
@pkligerman (Parker Kligerman): Can't believe it... Top 4 in the last restart at all the SS tracks this year. 0 wins.
@CJMearsGang (Casey Mears): It wasn't pretty but we got inside the top ten....thanks to all the guys on the @GermainRacing @GEICORacing #13 team!
@keselowski (Brad Keselowski): I kinda like tandem style nationwide races on plate tracks. Nice variety from cup pack racing.
@KyleBusch: Well... I'm ok. Not good to finish like that, but I've come to expect it. Hoped for a top 10 today if not for a win. On to Loudon next wknd!
@J_Allgaier: All I can say is the 99 crew member is a BOSS for getting his foot caught under the car and ran over and still digging. #gladheisok
@RyanBlaney22: EXCITED FOR IOWA
@KurtBusch: This is Houston. I took Kurts phone made pictures mwa hahaha pic.twitter.com/01jaGoibCe
@MaxGresham: Where can I get a dozen and a half minions? #despicableme2
@KeselowskiBrian: Good god I'm busy. At the track all day and work all night on the cup car. Could be worse things than being busy....
@scottspeed: No really I am not tired lol RT @AJDinger: @scottspeed looking styling at our gas station stop on our drive home. pic.twitter.com/5dIpIMJNkI
@Ryan_Truex: Progressing way ahead of schedule with my shoulder.. Did push ups today! #feelsgood
@Kenny_Wallace: Whoever is in charge of this #Mt.Vernon Illinois hwy construction needs their ASS KICKED, 4 lanes into 1 on 4th of July weekend?
@landoncassill: Did Ja Rule and JLo ever end up being friends? #aintitfunny
@bscottracing (Brian Scott): I wouldn't last a day in prison... I just dropped the soap 5 times in the shower.
@BubbaWallace (Darrell Wallace Jr.): If you are doing a little over the speed limit and I can't catch you. Kudos to you, you are put on my badass list!
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...
@shirleenriffe (Shirleen Riffe): I dare @NASCAR_TNT to respond to the outrage here on Twitter about the obnoxious amount of commercials. I know they will not answer.
@jeff_gluck: Not sure I've ever seen you all this upset about commercials. And I've said that before, I know. But this is nuts. Angry, angry people.
@StewartHaasRcng: And there's a unicorn on the track! But race was in commercial and you missed it. Oh well.
@Jordan_Bianchi: TNT's absentminded coverage is setting sports broadcasting back about 30 years. It's not even embarrassing any more, it's insulting. #NASCAR
@LewisFranck: @ajdinger said his bell wasn't wrung, but did hurt the "man parts." What a humor?
@JimmieJohnson: The Daytona Sweep #6pack #JJPix http://instagram.com/p/bc7oHYEpQe/
@mw55 (Michael Waltrip): Anyone can pull into their pit. Lets see them back her in! Good work @rchilders55 @MWRteam pic.twitter.com/FPzhoDYj0V
@austindillon3: How can you hate JJ he's just Mr.Cool #Wheelman
@ericmcclure: explained to girls what getting "shuffled out" is. Mabreigh:"daddy, the other cars are trying to win, too. That's why you got shuffled out."
@KevinHarvick: I thought we were in the right spot at the end but our line could never form. A little disappointed but we did finally finish one!
@pkligerman (Parker Kligerman): Can't believe it... Top 4 in the last restart at all the SS tracks this year. 0 wins.
@CJMearsGang (Casey Mears): It wasn't pretty but we got inside the top ten....thanks to all the guys on the @GermainRacing @GEICORacing #13 team!
@keselowski (Brad Keselowski): I kinda like tandem style nationwide races on plate tracks. Nice variety from cup pack racing.
@KyleBusch: Well... I'm ok. Not good to finish like that, but I've come to expect it. Hoped for a top 10 today if not for a win. On to Loudon next wknd!
@J_Allgaier: All I can say is the 99 crew member is a BOSS for getting his foot caught under the car and ran over and still digging. #gladheisok
@RyanBlaney22: EXCITED FOR IOWA
@KurtBusch: This is Houston. I took Kurts phone made pictures mwa hahaha pic.twitter.com/01jaGoibCe
@MaxGresham: Where can I get a dozen and a half minions? #despicableme2
@KeselowskiBrian: Good god I'm busy. At the track all day and work all night on the cup car. Could be worse things than being busy....
@scottspeed: No really I am not tired lol RT @AJDinger: @scottspeed looking styling at our gas station stop on our drive home. pic.twitter.com/5dIpIMJNkI
@Ryan_Truex: Progressing way ahead of schedule with my shoulder.. Did push ups today! #feelsgood
@Kenny_Wallace: Whoever is in charge of this #Mt.Vernon Illinois hwy construction needs their ASS KICKED, 4 lanes into 1 on 4th of July weekend?
@landoncassill: Did Ja Rule and JLo ever end up being friends? #aintitfunny
@bscottracing (Brian Scott): I wouldn't last a day in prison... I just dropped the soap 5 times in the shower.
@BubbaWallace (Darrell Wallace Jr.): If you are doing a little over the speed limit and I can't catch you. Kudos to you, you are put on my badass list!
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:
by Beth Lunkenheimer and Jeff Wolfe
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In the 2001 New England 300, Elliott Sadler and Joe Nemechek barely even got underway before their races went right in the toilet. What happened?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: In the 1998 Jiffy Lube 300, Jeremy Mayfield got involved in a late incident and was credited with a 30th-place finish. However, there was no yellow. What happened?
A: With six laps to go, Mayfield appeared to have a right front tire fail on his Mobil 1 Ford. As a result, Mayfield went into the wall from tenth. No footage of the actual crash made air, but the aftermath can be viewed here.
Mayfield drove the stricken Taurus back to pit road, but the team was unable to fix it. Mayfield was credited with a 30th-place finish, which ultimately began a slide down the standings (entering Loudon, he was second in points).
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 Jimmie Johnson's points dominance 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, Tony Gibson stops by as the series heads off to New Hampshire.
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 Loudon.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back with all of the latest and greatest to come out of the Truck Series. This week, driver Brennan Newberry joins the diary rotation with insight into the CWTS and his budding career.
Mayfield drove the stricken Taurus back to pit road, but the team was unable to fix it. Mayfield was credited with a 30th-place finish, which ultimately began a slide down the standings (entering Loudon, he was second in points).
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 Jimmie Johnson's points dominance 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, Tony Gibson stops by as the series heads off to New Hampshire.
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 Loudon.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back with all of the latest and greatest to come out of the Truck Series. This week, driver Brennan Newberry joins the diary rotation with insight into the CWTS and his budding career.
-----------------------------
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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