THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Want to follow Kyle Larson yourself?
Twitter: @KyleLarsonRacin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KyleLarsonRacing
Website (under construction): http://kylelarsonracing.com/
Looking for a little history? Try... http://kylelarsonracing.net/
S.D. Grady is a Senior Editor for Frontstretch and runs a NASCAR blog called the S-Curves. She can be reached via e-mail at sonya.grady@frontstretch.com. Follow her on Twitter at @laregna and on her Facebook page (she's an author, too!) at https://www.facebook.com/Author.SDGrady.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Numbers Game: Cheez-It 355 At The Glen
by Tom Bowles
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1
3
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11
36
Tom Bowles is the Editor-In-Chief of Frontstretch. He can be reached via e-mail at tom.bowles@frontstretch.com.
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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.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Racing To The Point: Be Careful What You Wish For. You Might Get It.
by Brett Poirier
Who's Hot / Who's Not in Sprint Cup: Watkins Glen-Michigan Edition
by Brad Morgan
Going By the Numbers: Are Cup Start-and-Parks on Decline?
by Kevin Rutherford
Five Points to Ponder: Tweeting Angry, Farewell to SPEED, Missing Smoke
by Danny Peters
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 Tom Bowles
-- WTF Wednesday by Ellen Richardson
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
August 13th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition CL
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
August 13th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition CL
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Editor's Note: Some flash flooding and heavy rain in the Philadelphia area this morning (Frontstretch's home base) knocked out internet service and caused a delay of the Newsletter. We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to resuming normal morning-to-early afternoon delivery beginning tomorrow. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Top News
by Tom Bowles
Brian Vickers Driving For Michael Waltrip Racing In 2014 And Beyond
The much-rumored, long-term partnership between Brian Vickers and Michael Waltrip Racing has been made official. Vickers was announced as the full-time driver of the No. 55 Toyota Tuesday, for MWR starting next year with primary sponsorship support from Aaron's. The company will step up to back all 36 regular season events, plus the All-Star Race as they invest in July's New Hampshire race winner.
"We at Aaron' s are thrilled about this partnership," said Ronald W. Allen, the company's CEO. "We 're building a championship organization and we know that Brian Vickers and the No. 55 team, under Michael Waltrip' s tradition of winning, are focused on building a championship-caliber team. So many of our customers are enthusiastic and loyal NASCAR fans and we are proud to be a part of a sport they are passionate about."
"We at Aaron' s are thrilled about this partnership," said Ronald W. Allen, the company's CEO. "We 're building a championship organization and we know that Brian Vickers and the No. 55 team, under Michael Waltrip' s tradition of winning, are focused on building a championship-caliber team. So many of our customers are enthusiastic and loyal NASCAR fans and we are proud to be a part of a sport they are passionate about."
As for Vickers, he's thrilled about a deal which puts him back at the Cup level, full-time for the first time since 2011. The past two years, he's posted a win, four top 5s, and eight top 10s in 17 Cup starts -- most of which have been behind the wheel of the No. 55.
" I can' t put into words how this makes me feel, " said Vickers about the team's commitment. "I' ve really found my home at MWR over the past few years, and I've enjoyed getting to know the Aaron's associates and customers. I am honored that Aaron' s is welcoming me into their family full-time. Knowing that I have a top-notch team and a dedicated sponsor for a full season is a really great feeling every driver dreams about, and like everyone else, I want to win races and a championship."
" I can' t put into words how this makes me feel, " said Vickers about the team's commitment. "I' ve really found my home at MWR over the past few years, and I've enjoyed getting to know the Aaron's associates and customers. I am honored that Aaron' s is welcoming me into their family full-time. Knowing that I have a top-notch team and a dedicated sponsor for a full season is a really great feeling every driver dreams about, and like everyone else, I want to win races and a championship."
Vickers, 29, will join Martin Truex, Jr. and Clint Bowyer to round out MWR's three-car operation. On Tuesday, Waltrip claimed a fourth car for a limited schedule is a possibility, as he'll try and drive in at least next February's Daytona 500. Mark Martin, should he return in 2014 would also be in said fourth car but their future relationship remains unclear. Meanwhile, sponsorship for all three MWR teams is lined up, with the exception of 10 total races for Clint Bowyer's No. 15.
Vickers' deal runs through the 2015 season; financial terms were not disclosed.
Dillon Initial Sub For Tony Stewart At Michigan
The No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing team is switching from Max Papis to Austin Dillon as a sub for their car owner. Starting at Michigan, the Nationwide Series full-timer will man Stewart's seat in a deal that, for now is only for one event.
"We'd rather have one or two drivers if we can work it out," explained Competition Director Greg Zipadelli. "That'll give us some consistency and build some communication between the crew and driver and give us our best chance. We're working on some of that stuff now. It may be more than two, maybe three or four. If that's the case, we'll look at each individual racetrack and see who's available, who runs best at the track and make the best choice we can."
"We'd rather have one or two drivers if we can work it out," explained Competition Director Greg Zipadelli. "That'll give us some consistency and build some communication between the crew and driver and give us our best chance. We're working on some of that stuff now. It may be more than two, maybe three or four. If that's the case, we'll look at each individual racetrack and see who's available, who runs best at the track and make the best choice we can."
For now, they've settled on Dillon, who was granted permission by grandfather Richard Childress and his sponsors at RCR to make the switch. The schedule will be tricky, as the Nationwide Series runs at Mid-Ohio this weekend - a standalone race in a division where the youngster is competing for a championship. But Dillon, 23, will likely skip Friday's practices to fine-tune the No. 14 Cup car at Michigan, using Thursday's open test session at Mid-Ohio as his opportunity to put together a solid setup for Saturday's race.
The young driver has just nine career Cup starts to his credit. However, this June he scored an 11th at Michigan, his best result while driving a No. 33 RCR-supported Chevrolet.
The young driver has just nine career Cup starts to his credit. However, this June he scored an 11th at Michigan, his best result while driving a No. 33 RCR-supported Chevrolet.
Have news for Tom and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at ashland10@mail.com with a promising lead or tip.
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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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Today's Featured Commentary
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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!
~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Featured Commentary
Austin Dillon in Tony Stewart's Car? Best Decision Possible for SHR
Sitting In The Stands: A Fan's View
by S.D. Grady
Three-time Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart will likely be out of his No. 14 for the remainder of the 2013 season with a broken leg. That is horrible news. It's shocking and depressing and just a little disorienting to realize one of our superstars is out of the scene.
But as with all else in life, the loss of a driver from a ride opens the door of opportunity for another.
Monday afternoon, Greg Zipadelli, Director of Competition for Stewart-Haas Racing, announced that Austin Dillon will be piloting the Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops No. 14 at Michigan this upcoming weekend. Most awesome.
Since I heard about Tony's accident last week, I've been twisting the possible substitute driver options in my mind. Vickers, Allmendinger and Smith were the top runners. Dillon's announcement somewhat stymied me, at first. And then I saw the light. Of course, Austin Dillon! It's perfect!
What? A not-even rookie in a top-notch Chase contending car? Why would Stewart-Haas even consider putting a greenie behind the wheel? After all, Dillon's future is already veritably assured driving for his grandpa over at RCR. He doesn't even need the ride.
NASCAR is a business, besides a sport. Stewart-Haas relies on Smoke's acerbic tongue and stellar driving ability to keep the No. 14 in camera shot week after week. While Brian Vickers would top my list of choices to keep the fans on their feet for SHR, he's busy solidifying his relationship with MWR, looking at a full-time ride for 2014. Now would not be a good time to go dancing with a team that has nothing to offer for Brian's future. So, not Vickers.
Was AJ Allmendinger or Regan Smith sure shots in the "must have killer PR" department? As much as I adore AJ's ready smile and appreciate Regan's driving ability, neither can guarantee Top 10 finishes or enough gossip fodder to keep that No. 14 on every fan's mind for even the next race.
AJ has yet to find that sweet spot behind the wheel of a Cup car to be considered worthy of a seat in something like the No. 14. Smith, on the other hand, is about as exciting in an interview as vanilla pudding. Even if he brought Smoke's ride into Victory Lane, we'd forget about the achievement as soon as Keselowski tweeted his next pic.
Dillon, while as new to a Cup ride as they can get, has an existing solid relationship with one of Tony's sponsors: Bass Pro Shops. That makes the money men happy. He has a polished media image, complete with the silly cowboy hat. He already has one Camping World Truck title, snared third in 2012 for Nationwide and is busy lining up the NNS trophy for 2013. He's exuberant on camera, drives the much disputed black No. 3 and is born of the Childress family racing pedigree.
He may not manage a Top 20 in the Cup car, but he will be interviewed. And after watching his competitive abilities over the past couple years, his learning curve will definitely give the cameras something to lock onto during long green flag runs typical of a Michigan summer afternoon.
It's not about what the No. 14 can do for Dillon. Every driver wants to get into a championship driver's cockpit. Putting Dillon in the signature Stewart-Haas ride has everything to do with maintaining the media presence required to keep sponsors, fans, networks--and thus the checkbook--focused and happy.
There's no doubt we're going to be missing Tony. (I'm hoping he might take the time to join the Twitterdom and share his boredom with the masses.) But until he returns, it is clear that SHR has the future of their team well in hand, making business decisions that include making the best choice of driver possible to represent their brand while the boss man is healing up.
Congrats to Austin Dillon and Get Better, Tony!
And stay tuned for the next episode of "The Magical Musical Chair of the No. 14 Chevrolet."
Kyle Larson Stat
Series: Nationwide
Track: Watkins Glen
Car: No. 32 McDonald's Chevrolet
Qualified: 15th
Finished: 30th (DNF--41 laps down--engine)
Points Standings: 8th
Three-time Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart will likely be out of his No. 14 for the remainder of the 2013 season with a broken leg. That is horrible news. It's shocking and depressing and just a little disorienting to realize one of our superstars is out of the scene.
But as with all else in life, the loss of a driver from a ride opens the door of opportunity for another.
Monday afternoon, Greg Zipadelli, Director of Competition for Stewart-Haas Racing, announced that Austin Dillon will be piloting the Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops No. 14 at Michigan this upcoming weekend. Most awesome.
Since I heard about Tony's accident last week, I've been twisting the possible substitute driver options in my mind. Vickers, Allmendinger and Smith were the top runners. Dillon's announcement somewhat stymied me, at first. And then I saw the light. Of course, Austin Dillon! It's perfect!
What? A not-even rookie in a top-notch Chase contending car? Why would Stewart-Haas even consider putting a greenie behind the wheel? After all, Dillon's future is already veritably assured driving for his grandpa over at RCR. He doesn't even need the ride.
NASCAR is a business, besides a sport. Stewart-Haas relies on Smoke's acerbic tongue and stellar driving ability to keep the No. 14 in camera shot week after week. While Brian Vickers would top my list of choices to keep the fans on their feet for SHR, he's busy solidifying his relationship with MWR, looking at a full-time ride for 2014. Now would not be a good time to go dancing with a team that has nothing to offer for Brian's future. So, not Vickers.
Was AJ Allmendinger or Regan Smith sure shots in the "must have killer PR" department? As much as I adore AJ's ready smile and appreciate Regan's driving ability, neither can guarantee Top 10 finishes or enough gossip fodder to keep that No. 14 on every fan's mind for even the next race.
AJ has yet to find that sweet spot behind the wheel of a Cup car to be considered worthy of a seat in something like the No. 14. Smith, on the other hand, is about as exciting in an interview as vanilla pudding. Even if he brought Smoke's ride into Victory Lane, we'd forget about the achievement as soon as Keselowski tweeted his next pic.
Dillon, while as new to a Cup ride as they can get, has an existing solid relationship with one of Tony's sponsors: Bass Pro Shops. That makes the money men happy. He has a polished media image, complete with the silly cowboy hat. He already has one Camping World Truck title, snared third in 2012 for Nationwide and is busy lining up the NNS trophy for 2013. He's exuberant on camera, drives the much disputed black No. 3 and is born of the Childress family racing pedigree.
He may not manage a Top 20 in the Cup car, but he will be interviewed. And after watching his competitive abilities over the past couple years, his learning curve will definitely give the cameras something to lock onto during long green flag runs typical of a Michigan summer afternoon.
It's not about what the No. 14 can do for Dillon. Every driver wants to get into a championship driver's cockpit. Putting Dillon in the signature Stewart-Haas ride has everything to do with maintaining the media presence required to keep sponsors, fans, networks--and thus the checkbook--focused and happy.
There's no doubt we're going to be missing Tony. (I'm hoping he might take the time to join the Twitterdom and share his boredom with the masses.) But until he returns, it is clear that SHR has the future of their team well in hand, making business decisions that include making the best choice of driver possible to represent their brand while the boss man is healing up.
Congrats to Austin Dillon and Get Better, Tony!
And stay tuned for the next episode of "The Magical Musical Chair of the No. 14 Chevrolet."
Kyle Larson Stat
Series: Nationwide
Track: Watkins Glen
Car: No. 32 McDonald's Chevrolet
Qualified: 15th
Finished: 30th (DNF--41 laps down--engine)
Points Standings: 8th
Want to follow Kyle Larson yourself?
Twitter: @KyleLarsonRacin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KyleLarsonRacing
Website (under construction): http://kylelarsonracing.com/
Looking for a little history? Try... http://kylelarsonracing.net/
S.D. Grady is a Senior Editor for Frontstretch and runs a NASCAR blog called the S-Curves. She can be reached via e-mail at sonya.grady@frontstretch.com. Follow her on Twitter at @laregna and on her Facebook page (she's an author, too!) at https://www.facebook.com/Author.SDGrady.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Numbers Game: Cheez-It 355 At The Glen
by Tom Bowles
0
Career laps led for Martin Truex, Jr. in eight Watkins Glen starts. He was third in the race Sunday.
1
Top-10 finish for JTG-Daugherty Racing this season. AJ Allmendinger brought home a 10th-place result, their first of the year as part of a five-race sub deal for Bobby Labonte.
2
2
Drivers who earned top-5 finishes at both road course events: Martin Truex, Jr. and Carl Edwards.
3
Top-5 finishes for Juan Pablo Montoya this season after Sunday's fifth-place finish. That's more than he's had in the previous two seasons combined.
4
4
Straight top-10 finishes for Kyle Busch. That's the longest current active streak on the Cup circuit.
5
Lead changes at Watkins Glen, the fewest in the Cup Series this season. It's also the lowest total for a Cup race there since 1965.
6
6
Finishes of 34th or worse for Jeff Gordon this season. He already has as many DNFs (five) as he did all of last year; a wreck Sunday left him limping home 36th.
8
Cautions Sunday, the most for a race at the Glen since 2007. The race also included an extended red-flag period for a wreck that included road ringers Ron Fellows, Victor Gonzalez, Jr. and Tomy Drissi.
8
8
DNFs for Travis Kvapil, easily the most for any of the moderately funded teams this season (and above).
11
Career laps led for Jimmie Johnson at Watkins Glen. He failed to lead a lap Sunday; it's one of five active Cup tracks he has yet to win at (Michigan, Kentucky, Homestead, and Chicagoland).
36
Points between eighth-place Brad Keselowski and 17th-place Joey Logano in the current point standings.
97
97
Career laps led for Marcos Ambrose, including 51 on Sunday. He's led just 296 total laps in his Cup career.
134
134
Points Danica Patrick is behind Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. in the Rookie of the Year standings. She hasn't run inside the top 10 since the Daytona 500.
$77,635
$77,635
Money Danica Patrick earned for finishing 20th Sunday.
$116,916
$116,916
Money Jeff Gordon earned for finishing 36th.
Tom Bowles is the Editor-In-Chief of Frontstretch. He can be reached via e-mail at tom.bowles@frontstretch.com.
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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:
Racing To The Point: Be Careful What You Wish For. You Might Get It.
by Brett Poirier
Who's Hot / Who's Not in Sprint Cup: Watkins Glen-Michigan Edition
by Brad Morgan
Going By the Numbers: Are Cup Start-and-Parks on Decline?
by Kevin Rutherford
Five Points to Ponder: Tweeting Angry, Farewell to SPEED, Missing Smoke
by Danny Peters
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The 1984 Champion Spark Plug 400 at Michigan International Speedway marked the second career start for Ken Schrader, who drove Elmo Langley's No. 64 Ford. How much did Schrader have to come up with in order to do his five races in 1984 with Langley?
Check back Wednesday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Monday's Answer:
Q: Johnny Benson's Busch Grand National debut came at Michigan in the 1993 Detroit Gasket 200. It did not last long before he spun, blew over and rolled his Delco Remy Chevrolet. Where did that car end up afterwards?
A: Benson ran the race at Michigan in a year-old Chevrolet Lumina as a teammate to Ernie Irvan. Apparently, that car ended up at the bottom of fishing pond on Irvan's personal property. As for Benson, he scored BACE Motorsports' No. 74 ride towards the end of the season (replacing Jack Sprague), won Rookie of the Year in 1994, then the Championship in 1995.
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The 1984 Champion Spark Plug 400 at Michigan International Speedway marked the second career start for Ken Schrader, who drove Elmo Langley's No. 64 Ford. How much did Schrader have to come up with in order to do his five races in 1984 with Langley?
Check back Wednesday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Monday's Answer:
Q: Johnny Benson's Busch Grand National debut came at Michigan in the 1993 Detroit Gasket 200. It did not last long before he spun, blew over and rolled his Delco Remy Chevrolet. Where did that car end up afterwards?
A: Benson ran the race at Michigan in a year-old Chevrolet Lumina as a teammate to Ernie Irvan. Apparently, that car ended up at the bottom of fishing pond on Irvan's personal property. As for Benson, he scored BACE Motorsports' No. 74 ride towards the end of the season (replacing Jack Sprague), won Rookie of the Year in 1994, then the Championship in 1995.
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 Tom Bowles
-- WTF Wednesday by Ellen Richardson
-- Tweet 'N' Greet by Kevin Rutherford
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
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Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
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Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Did You Notice?... by Tom Bowles
Tom has all the information you need to know about the MWR hiring, Stewart's replacement, and more in his list of small but important observations about the sport.Side-by-Side: FOX Sports 1 by the Frontstretch Staff
This week, we pose a question about the future of NASCAR on cable television. Fox Sports 1 debuts this Saturday, replacing SPEED. Does the move to a more mainstream sports network give NASCAR a boost by attracting new fans, or will hardcore fans tune out with the other programming? We'll have both sides of the issue for you to devour.
Frontstretch Top 10 by the Frontstretch Staff
Your favorite writers are back with their Wednesday dose of NASCAR humor that leaves you laughing. Don't miss out!
Open-Wheel Wednesday by Matt Stallknecht
Matt returns with an article about the Izod IndyCar Series as the series continues their two-week break prior to Sonoma.
NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 after Watkins Glen compiled by Michael Mehedin
Jimmie Johnson continues to hold the points lead with competitive. However, did he maintain number one on our power rankings list? Experts you love from across the web, not just Frontstretch rank the drivers heading into Michigan as our weekly top 15 poll comes up for a vote once again.
Happiness Is... by P. Huston Ladner
Don't let your life sink into the pits. Huston looks at the bright side of racing stories we've seen in the past seven days.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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