THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
August 7th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition CXLV
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Papis To Sub For Stewart At Watkins Glen
Where there's supposed to be Smoke, there's Papis… at least for now. Stewart-Haas Racing announced Tuesday that while their co-owner, Tony Stewart, recovers from a broken fibula and tibia in his right leg, Max Papis has been hired to drive at Watkins Glen in a one-race deal. The Italian driver, a former regular on the Sprint Cup circuit has extensive road racing experience and recently tested for SHR's No. 14 at Road Atlanta July 30th.
"Hey Tony Stewart," Papis tweeted, "I hope you get well soon. In [the] meantime, I will keep your baby nice and warm."
Papis, who has 35 career Cup starts under his belt, has not raced in NASCAR's top division since 2010. However, his career-best result, an eighth place was accomplished back at the Glen in 2009, driving for the GEICO team and Germain Racing. The Italian has three top-5 results in the Nationwide Series, all on road courses and has been hired to help Cup regulars improve on these types of tracks in recent years.
As for Stewart, he posted a Facebook message on Tuesday afternoon where he thanked everyone for their prayers and well-wishes, assuring everyone "I will be back." No official timetable for his return has been set, although a second surgery will be needed to stabilize his injury within the next week.
McDowell Gets Opportunity To Race At Watkins Glen
One of Sprint Cup's few remaining start-and-park drivers will get an opportunity to race this Sunday. Michael McDowell, who normally drives full-time for Phil Parsons' No. 98 Ford will instead slide behind the wheel for Front Row Motorsports in a one-race deal. Sponsored by Dockside Logistics, he'll race the distance in a third car, replacing Josh Wise while hoping experience making right turns will translate into a solid finish.
"Road course races are an opportunity for me to shine a little bit," he said in a Tuesday release. "Even though in the Sprint Cup Series, everybody is very good at it and very competitive. You used to have sort of an uphill battle if you weren't a road course regular, but it definitely feels like less of a disadvantage when you get to the road courses now."
Back when McDowell ran full-time for Michael Waltrip Racing in 2008, he had a reasonable average finish at Sonoma and Watkins Glen of 23.0. This season, he's run just 3 of 19 starts to completion as Parsons' No. 98 car has struggled for funding; the team won't be attending Watkins Glen to save money as McDowell has taken advantage of this other opportunity.
News 'N' Notes
- After several years on the market, International Speedway Corporation (ISC) has finally sold the parcel of land on Staten Island they hoped to turn into a New York City racetrack. The deal, with Staten Island Marine Development, LLC, is for $80.0 million and will give the company up to $117.5 million in immediate cash flow. The new purchaser is planning to use the property for commercial development, along with wetlands preservation in keeping certain portions of the island uninhabited for the foreseeable future.
- Once again, ESPN had a ratings increase for their NASCAR coverage. Pocono's Sunday event was up 10 percent from 2012, pulling in a 3.2 household rating along with slightly over 5.0 million viewers. Last year's event, held opposite the Olympics, pulled a 2.9 -- the second-worst Nielsen rating for it since NASCAR's initial national television contract in 2001.
- Don't tell Juan Pablo Montoya his chances for the Chase have died this season. On the contrary, the Colombian feels like his chances for the postseason are very much alive.
"There are a lot of really good races coming up that we've been very close to winning this year," he said during a Tuesday teleconference. "Going there, we know we have a chance, and you know, we know we're throwing a lot of points away. We ran out of gas with one lap to go at Sonoma, for example, running second, and we converted a second-place finish into a 36th-place finish. We can't do that."
Montoya sits just 21 points outside the top 20, but would likely need to win twice in order to make the postseason considering the number of drivers ahead of him with at least one win.
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Top News
by Tom BowlesPapis To Sub For Stewart At Watkins Glen
Where there's supposed to be Smoke, there's Papis… at least for now. Stewart-Haas Racing announced Tuesday that while their co-owner, Tony Stewart, recovers from a broken fibula and tibia in his right leg, Max Papis has been hired to drive at Watkins Glen in a one-race deal. The Italian driver, a former regular on the Sprint Cup circuit has extensive road racing experience and recently tested for SHR's No. 14 at Road Atlanta July 30th.
"Hey Tony Stewart," Papis tweeted, "I hope you get well soon. In [the] meantime, I will keep your baby nice and warm."
Papis, who has 35 career Cup starts under his belt, has not raced in NASCAR's top division since 2010. However, his career-best result, an eighth place was accomplished back at the Glen in 2009, driving for the GEICO team and Germain Racing. The Italian has three top-5 results in the Nationwide Series, all on road courses and has been hired to help Cup regulars improve on these types of tracks in recent years.
As for Stewart, he posted a Facebook message on Tuesday afternoon where he thanked everyone for their prayers and well-wishes, assuring everyone "I will be back." No official timetable for his return has been set, although a second surgery will be needed to stabilize his injury within the next week.
McDowell Gets Opportunity To Race At Watkins Glen
One of Sprint Cup's few remaining start-and-park drivers will get an opportunity to race this Sunday. Michael McDowell, who normally drives full-time for Phil Parsons' No. 98 Ford will instead slide behind the wheel for Front Row Motorsports in a one-race deal. Sponsored by Dockside Logistics, he'll race the distance in a third car, replacing Josh Wise while hoping experience making right turns will translate into a solid finish.
"Road course races are an opportunity for me to shine a little bit," he said in a Tuesday release. "Even though in the Sprint Cup Series, everybody is very good at it and very competitive. You used to have sort of an uphill battle if you weren't a road course regular, but it definitely feels like less of a disadvantage when you get to the road courses now."
Back when McDowell ran full-time for Michael Waltrip Racing in 2008, he had a reasonable average finish at Sonoma and Watkins Glen of 23.0. This season, he's run just 3 of 19 starts to completion as Parsons' No. 98 car has struggled for funding; the team won't be attending Watkins Glen to save money as McDowell has taken advantage of this other opportunity.
News 'N' Notes
- After several years on the market, International Speedway Corporation (ISC) has finally sold the parcel of land on Staten Island they hoped to turn into a New York City racetrack. The deal, with Staten Island Marine Development, LLC, is for $80.0 million and will give the company up to $117.5 million in immediate cash flow. The new purchaser is planning to use the property for commercial development, along with wetlands preservation in keeping certain portions of the island uninhabited for the foreseeable future.
- Once again, ESPN had a ratings increase for their NASCAR coverage. Pocono's Sunday event was up 10 percent from 2012, pulling in a 3.2 household rating along with slightly over 5.0 million viewers. Last year's event, held opposite the Olympics, pulled a 2.9 -- the second-worst Nielsen rating for it since NASCAR's initial national television contract in 2001.
- Don't tell Juan Pablo Montoya his chances for the Chase have died this season. On the contrary, the Colombian feels like his chances for the postseason are very much alive.
"There are a lot of really good races coming up that we've been very close to winning this year," he said during a Tuesday teleconference. "Going there, we know we have a chance, and you know, we know we're throwing a lot of points away. We ran out of gas with one lap to go at Sonoma, for example, running second, and we converted a second-place finish into a 36th-place finish. We can't do that."
Montoya sits just 21 points outside the top 20, but would likely need to win twice in order to make the postseason considering the number of drivers ahead of him with at least one win.
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
Time to Rethink Outside Competition
WTF Wednesdays
by Ellen Richardson
As NASCAR fans and fellow drivers continue to mourn the loss of Nationwide driver Jason Leffler following a sprint car crash at New Jersey's Bridgeport Speedway earlier this summer, we are now learning of another serious injury suffered by a beloved NASCAR Sprint Cup driver in a non-NASCAR event. While competing in Monday night's 30-lap American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) feature at Southern Iowa Speedway, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, Tony Stewart was involved in a frightening accident, which resulted in a broken tibia and fibula in his right leg. Due to these injuries, Stewart had to undergo surgery on his leg early Tuesday morning to stabilize and clean the fragments in his leg, and now, we are learning that Stewart will remain hospitalized for observation and require a second surgery.
Due to this injury, Stewart will now be forced to sit out Sunday's Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen and who knows how many more races while on the mend. Although breathing a sigh of relief that another one of NASCAR's talented drivers wasn't lost in a few short months, I can't help but begin to wonder if it is time that drivers in NASCAR's three top series should begin to rethink competing in events like the type of sprint car racing that not only resulted in Stewart's injury but has continued to result in an increasing number of injuries and deaths this season.
In fact, another tragic Sprint Car driver death occurred over the weekend when Kramer Williamson died Sunday after injuries sustained in a crash at Lincoln Speedway, in Abottstown, PA.
It's not that I am trying to bring readers down with all of this news, but as someone who watches all kinds of racing, it is hard to admit that I can't stop thinking that drivers of Stewart's caliber need to begin realizing the risk that they are taking when stepping out of their Nationwide or Sprint Cup rides and into the type of ride that has very little safety in mind.
Of course, it's what some might call "a double edged sword" because where would this sport be if these drivers wouldn't have given it there all in some of these exciting lower level racing series throughout the years? I also have to admit that the drivers that I tend to enjoy following are those who are what I would usually call "true drivers" who not only have a desire and passion to race their way to the top, but aren't too proud or full of themselves to return to the small tracks across the country and do what they love best. Case in point: Clint Bowyer who is still a good ol' boy who enjoys jumping in a dirt car; Ryan Newman, who still jumps in a modified every now and then; and Kyle Larson, who has continued to rack up Sprint Car race wins on dirt tracks throughout the U.S. and was actually competing against Stewart Monday night and crossed the finish in second.
Larson, who expressed his concern for Stewart following his injury, had his own breath taking Sprint Car accident last year in the Four Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway. Fortunately, Larson only received minimal injuries, but this could have resulted in his career ending before it began.
I realize that we often see drivers in some pretty wild crashes in all three of NASCAR's top level series, these drivers often walk away with less injury or fewer lives lost especially with the increased safety measures. So, as NASCAR race weekend at Watkins Glen approaches and Max Papis climbs into the No. 14 for Stewart-Haas racing and an injured Tony Stewart, I will be left wondering what could have been for a driver who I feel had a good shot at improving his standings in the Sprint Cup Chase this season.
Prayers go out to Smoke as he continues to recover and I hope that he will back behind the wheel very soon. I also welcome all fan input on this matter. Tell me...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.
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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...
@maxpapis: Hey @tonystewart I hope u get well soon in meantime I will keep your baby nice and warm #getwellsoon pic.twitter.com/VyvLyp6UVK
@Kenny_Wallace: We CANNOT go through life saying "If I do this OR that I might get hurt" GET WELL #TonyStewart
@ericmcclure: Someone asked advice for young aspiring drivers. Get in a gocart or car at local track. But get your education. Most important!!#RaceTime
@AndyLally: If I ever tuck my ears into my hat you have my permission to take my hat and open palm smack me.
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...
@kaseykahne: Awesome day! Couldn't have pulled it off without the @FarmersRacing team. Thanks guys
@keselowski (Brad Keselowski): Wow what a day! Thank you everyone @penskeracing & @TeamBKR for sweeping the day
@CoreyLaJoie: Sometimes I'd rather be lucky than good. WINNAAAWINNAAA🐓🐓🐓DINNAAAA
@TravisKvapil: Well, once again...We had a great car today! Solid run all day and in position for a great finish...But then we got wrecked...AGAIN! #FIBS
@austindillon3: I think they should put some dirt in the tunnel turn at Pocono that would make it exciting
@ryangifford2: Wow.. when you dig deep, sometimes you even suprise yourself! Thanks so much everyone! #p9 #blessed #fb
@travissauter: Glad to be home. That may be the toughest racing weekend I've ever experienced. Thanks for the well wishes and @LesterBuildings support.
@rickmast22: Okay folks, its called "racer mentality". If you do not have it you cannot explain it or experience it. It defines Tony .@StewartHaasRcng
@KevinHarvick: Yesterday was strange, hopefully today is a much better day. Thinking about my buddy Smoke. #notasprintcarfan
@Elliott_Sadler: Wishing Tony a quick recovery...I hope people don't 2nd guess him.That dude is a racer. Period.His support of Sprint car racing is unmatched
@ClintBowyer: Hate it for Tony, he does what he loves and has single handedly sold out crowds at short tracks all across country for years. That's impact
@FrontRowJoe87 (Joe Nemechek): One of the reasons I've been so busy lately! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/SckpA7GFTP
@JimmieJohnson: Who in the world thought this would be a good idea for a kids book? This takes spotting to a new level by the waypic.twitter.com/DpjTeL2t5U
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.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Newcomers Might Win the Battles, But Veterans Look to Win the War
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In the 1993 Fay's 150 at Watkins Glen, Phil Parsons was having a great weekend. He qualified his No. 29 Matchbox Oldsmobile in the top 10 and was running there throughout the first half of the race. However, just after halfway, everything came crashing down. What happened?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: The 1999 Lysol 200 is best known as the race in which Dale Earnhardt, Jr. successfully out-dueled Ron Fellows to claim his one and only career victory on a road course. Retired racer Curtis Markham was having a great run for Parker Racing, but it came to an end with just under ten laps to go. What happened?
by Toni Montgomery
by Kevin Rutherford and Mark Howell
by Tom Bowles
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In the 1993 Fay's 150 at Watkins Glen, Phil Parsons was having a great weekend. He qualified his No. 29 Matchbox Oldsmobile in the top 10 and was running there throughout the first half of the race. However, just after halfway, everything came crashing down. What happened?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: The 1999 Lysol 200 is best known as the race in which Dale Earnhardt, Jr. successfully out-dueled Ron Fellows to claim his one and only career victory on a road course. Retired racer Curtis Markham was having a great run for Parker Racing, but it came to an end with just under ten laps to go. What happened?
A: This wreck started at the previous corner. Matt Kenseth, who was running second, went wide exiting Turn 11. This allowed Mike McLaughlin to get a run on the inside for second going into Turn 1. Both McLaughlin and Earnhardt, Jr. were able to get by cleanly. However, fifth place Mike Bliss (driving for Amick Racing) got into Kenseth, spinning him out. Markham was in sixth and had nowhere to go except right into Kenseth. In addition, Shane Hall spun out of a top 10 spot into the trap and got stuck. The incident can be seen here.
Markham was out on the spot, but Kenseth was able to continue and eventually finished 16th. Bliss continued, but broke a transmission in the final laps and dropped out. Hall got pulled out of the trap and continued, but lost a lap in the process and finished 24th.
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 the ages of NASCAR's current stars, Denny Hamlin vs. Kyle Petty, reflections on last years visit to the Glen 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 Watkins Glen.
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, Alan Gustafson drops in with his thoughts as the series heads off to Watkins Glen.
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. returns with some of the latest and greatest to come out of the organization lately.
Markham was out on the spot, but Kenseth was able to continue and eventually finished 16th. Bliss continued, but broke a transmission in the final laps and dropped out. Hall got pulled out of the trap and continued, but lost a lap in the process and finished 24th.
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 the ages of NASCAR's current stars, Denny Hamlin vs. Kyle Petty, reflections on last years visit to the Glen 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 Watkins Glen.
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, Alan Gustafson drops in with his thoughts as the series heads off to Watkins Glen.
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. returns with some of the latest and greatest to come out of the organization lately.
-----------------------------
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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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