Friday, September 13, 2013

The Frontstretch Newsletter: Chicagoland Updates

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
September 13th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition CLXXI

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Chicagoland Updates

- As of 1:30 ET, a final decision had not been made by NASCAR about the Penske/Front Row Motorsports potential collusion at Chicagoland. At stake is whether to allow Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon in the Chase, as a result, potentially take Logano out and fine/suspend those involve in this incident, along with taking championship points away. Gordon, when asked by Jenna Fryer at noontime had the following comment: "I'm not hopeful."

- Brian Vickers has posted an article on USA Today explaining his role in "Spingate" and vehemently defending his team and their actions within NASCAR's rulebook. MWR's sponsorship partners, according to several reports remain actively considering their future roles with the team.

- Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. is leading Sprint Cup Series practice, at Chicagoland as of 1:40 ET. Clint Bowyer, Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. round out the top 5. All 12 Chasers are inside the top 21; Newman, in 21st has the slowest speed while Jeff Gordon sits 22nd.

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Weekend Racing TV Calendar (via Phil Allaway)

Friday, September 13
Time    Telecast    Network
1:00 - 2:30 PM Sprint Cup Series Practice No. 1 FOX Sports 1
2:30 - 4:00 PM Nationwide Series Practice No. 1 FOX Sports 1
4:00 - 5:00 PM Camping World Truck Series Qualifying FOX Sports 1
5:00 - 6:30 PM Sprint Cup Series Qualifying ESPN2
6:30 - 8:00 PM Nationwide Series Happy Hour FOX Sports 2
8:00 - 8:30 PM NCWTS Setup FOX Sports 1
8:30 - 11:00 PM Camping World Truck Series EnjoyIllinois.com 225 FOX Sports 1

Saturday, September 14
Time    Telecast    Network
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Sprint Cup Series Practice No. 2 FOX Sports 2
12:00 - 1:30 PM Nationwide Series Qualifying FOX Sports 2
2:00 - 3:00 PM Sprint Cup Series Happy Hour FOX Sports 2
3:30 - 6:30 PM Nationwide Series Dollar General 300 ESPN2

Sunday, September 15
Time    Telecast    Network
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM NASCAR RaceDay Fueled by Sunoco FOX Sports 1
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM NASCAR Countdown ESPN
2:00 - 5:30 PM Sprint Cup Series GEICO 400 ESPN
4:00 - 6:00 PM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca FOX Sports 1
11:30 PM - 12:30 AM NASCAR Now ESPN2
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Top News
by Justin Tucker

Furniture Row to Continue Alliance With Childress

Furniture Row Racing has come to an agreement with Richard Childress Racing to continue their successful technical alliance in Sprint Cup Series competition for the 2014 season and beyond. The alliance includes technology sharing, engineering, research and development provided to their No. 78 Chevrolet. FRR's partnership with RCR began in 2010 and also includes the utilization of engines from Earnhardt Childress Racing.

FRR is currently enjoying its finest season to date on NASCAR's top level with Kurt Busch, who helped the team qualify for its first ever Chase for the Sprint Cup berth on the heels of seven top 5s and 12 top-10 finishes. Busch also has one pole and eight front row starts in 2013, which is the most he's earned in any year of his career.

Childress spoke of FRR's strong vision, starting at the top and the extension of the partnership on Thursday. 

"Barney Visser (FRR owner) is one of the finest and most committed men I have ever dealt with in this sport. He has brought a lot to this sport and it's great to renew this partnership." he said. "I'm looking forward to working with him and the strong team he has assembled out in Colorado. Seeing them make the Chase for the first time this year shows how successful this partnership has become. I believe we'll have similar success, in 2014 and beyond, and we're going to do our best to make that happen."

FRR General Manger Joe Garone echoed Childress' sentiment about the partnership.

"We are excited to continue our engineering and technical alliance with RCR, which has a storied history as one of the leading racing organizations in NASCAR," said Garone. "The foundation that we've built together over the past three years and the team camaraderie that has been established during this time have resulted in a unique and successful partnership."

Furniture Row Racing, based in Denver, Colorado, started competing in the Sprint Cup Series in 2005. Their driver search for 2014 continues; recently, Juan Pablo Montoya and Jeff Burton have been rumored to take the seat.

No Comment by Toyota on Penalties

Toyota has decided not to release a statement regarding penalties levied against Michael Waltrip Racing stemming from what NASCAR Vice President Robin Pemberton called an attempt "to manipulate the outcome of a race" last Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway. 

Ed Laukes, Vice President for Marketing Communications and Motorsports with Toyota Auto Sales, said on Thursday afternoon that the manufacturer's focus has shifted to its three remaining drivers in contention for the championship in Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, and Clint Bowyer.

"As far as the Waltrip organization goes, absolutely nothing's changed with us. We're not going to really talk about it — we're just going to focus on exactly where we're at with our three guys,"  Laukes said. "I think, at the end of the day, we have to look at how we support our teams, and what happened in this situation is really between Michael Waltrip Racing and NASCAR. It's unfortunate, but it's part of the sport."

Kurt Busch Nixes IndyCar Finale

On Thursday afternoon, Kurt Busch announced that he would not race in the IndyCar finale at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California on October 19th. He said that the deadline had passed for notification to Chevrolet that he and Andretti Autosport would need an engine for the October race. He has not given up his hopes to run Indy for Andretti, though in the future beginning in 2014.

"I was just hoping to have more of my homework done, more experience and more of an education," Busch explained. "Which would have meant to race Fontana this year and to be better prepared for Indianapolis next year."

However, financial circumstances - along with a surprising Chase run with his FRR No. 78 in the Cup Series - derailed that effort. Busch will still need to find a sponsorship package, going forward to fund his Indy 500 effort with Andretti. Work on that isn't expected for months; instead, he will begin his quest for a second Sprint Cup Series championship this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway driving for Furniture Row Racing. Furniture Row, paired with the 2004 Cup champion became the first single-car team in history to make the 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup.

Have news for Justin 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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In Case You Missed It
by Beth Lunkenheimer

Carquest, Riggs Reunited

Earlier this week, Ricky Benton Racing Enterprises announced that Carquest and its parent company World Pac would serve as primary sponsors for the organization at Chicagoland tonight and in November at Texas Motor Speedway. Scott Riggs will pilot the No. 92 RBR Chevrolet.

"We had some great success with Carquest on the truck during my first stint in the series," said Riggs. "I'm looking forward to duplicating that success at Chicago and Texas. This team has made some great strides in our overall program this year and I think we can end 2013 on a high note."

In addition to Chicagoland and Texas, the team also plans to run Martinsville next month in hopes of repeating the fifth-place result Riggs posted last season.

Kenny Wallace to Make 900th NASCAR Start

When the green flag drops over Saturday's Nationwide Series race, Kenny Wallace will make his 900th career NASCAR start, adding two races to his total this weekend. Wallace will pilot the RAB Racing No. 29 ToyotaCare / American Ethanol Camry in Saturday's Nationwide race with a special paint scheme to commemorate the milestone. However, before he does that, he'll run the No. 81 SS Green Light American Ethanol Toyota in Friday night's Truck Series race.

"Wow, 900 NASCAR starts means a lot to me. It means I've been able to stay in the game a long time, it means I mattered to the sport, and it means that people cared enough to keep me in the sport," Wallace said. "I've dreamed about racing since I was a kid and to be able to achieve 900 starts is a dream come true. I'm thankful to have so many great people and corporate partners [be] a part of my life along the way. Toyota and American Ethanol have given something that no one can buy; they care about me getting to my goal of 900 starts."

Wallace joins Richard Petty, Ricky Rudd, Terry Labonte, Mark Martin, Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Labonte, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt and Dale Jarrett in the "900 Club." The 50-year-old will have 344 Sprint Cup Series starts, 543 Nationwide Series starts and 13 in the Camping World Truck Series, all-time by the end of this weekend. The Nationwide Series is where he's had the most success, with nine career wins and a second-place finish in the 1991 season championship.
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Got NASCAR-related questions or comments?
Send them Summer Bedgood's way at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com; and, if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print when she does her weekly column answering back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat. Frontstretch Fan Q & A will run on Thursdays with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!

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Frontstretch Folio: GEICO 400
by Beth Lunkenheimer

The Sprint Cup Series heads to Chicagoland Speedway this weekend for the first race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. The GEICO 400 is the 27th race of the 2013 season and will be broadcast live on ESPN at 2:00 PM ET. The race can also be heard on your local MRN affiliate or SiriusXM Radio Channel 90. Drivers will compete for 267 laps (400.5 miles) en route to the checkered flag.

Records and Facts:

Jimmie Johnson holds the track qualifying record at Chicagoland with a lap of 188.147 mph, set in 2005 for the USG Sheetrock 400. Johnson led just 21 laps en route to a third-place finish. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won that race by a mere 0.291 seconds over Matt Kenseth, who led an impressive 176 laps. Brian Vickers and Tony Stewart rounded out the top-5 finishers.

Defending champion Brad Keselowski is the defending winner of this race. The driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge started 13th and took the victory over Jimmie Johnson, who led a race-high 172 laps, by more than three seconds. Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch and Ryan Newman rounded out the top-5 results.

Track Facts:

Track / Race Length: 1.5-mile tri-oval, 267 laps, 400.5 miles
Frontstretch: 2,400 feet, banked 11 degrees
Backstretch: 1,700 feet, banked 5 degrees
Grandstand Seating: 69,000
Website: http://www.chicagolandspeedway.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ChicagolandSpeedway
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChicagolndSpdwy

Pre-Race Schedule

Practices: Friday, September 13, 1:00 - 2:30 PM ET on FS1
Saturday, September 14, 11:00 - 11:55 AM ET on FS2
Happy Hour: Saturday, September 14, 2:00 - 2:50 PM ET on FS2
Qualifying: Friday, September 13 at 5:10 PM ET on ESPN2

VIPs

Grand Marshal / Command: Cast of "Chicago Fire" and representatives from the Chicago Police Department, Joliet Police Department and Joliet Fire Department
National Anthem: Danielle Bradbery, Winner of "The Voice" Season 4

Race Day Forecast

Sunday: Few Showers; Chance of Rain 30%
High: 70
Low: 52

They Said It:

"Chicagoland is a fun racetrack. I like going there because I spent three years living in northern Indiana, racing my short track car all over Indiana and Wisconsin in my early years. Then, I spent three years up in southern Wisconsin. So, I've traveled those roads around there many, many times and I still have a lot of fans in that area. I look forward to Chicagoland because I feel I continue to get more comfortable in my environment with the No. 14 Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops team and I feel like we're starting to hit a stride where we can start getting some good results. It's starting to feel like home to me. And I like the mile-and-a-halves. They're really my favorite racetracks." Mark Martin

"We tested here a few weeks ago and had two really good days. Todd [Parrott, crew chief] and the guys really learned a lot; hopefully, that will pay off when we get to the track this weekend. We were pretty fast here last year and started on the front row. We should be even better this time back, and hopefully, we can contend for the win. We're going to be aware of the guys in the 'Chase,' but at the same time, we're here to win, too. I think we can play that spoiler role just as much as anyone. We are disappointed that we didn't make the 'Chase' this year, but we still feel confident that we can get a win before the end of the year. We have put a lot of time into this race, so hopefully it will pay off." Aric Almirola

"Chicagoland Speedway is one of the newest facilities we race on. It has really come into its own recently. Chicagoland is a fun and challenging race track. While it might look like a normal 1.5-mile layout, it is different in many ways. Both ends of the track are completely opposite as far as handling goes. Chicagoland also requires really good grip and there are some bumps that you have to factor in with the setup." Jeff Burton
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Keepin' It Short: Rockingham Needed Butts in Seats... And the Fans Failed
by Mike Neff

Rockingham Speedway, one of the best one-mile racetracks anywhere in the country, is in very serious danger of closing its doors again. And if it happens this time, there probably won't be any "white knight" riding in with a plan plus investors to save the day. The Rock originally closed its doors back in the mid-2000s, the casualty of a rope in the middle of tug-of-war between ISC and SMI over race dates and monopolies. In the end, the track closed for a handful of years before Andy Hillenburg and some financial backers came to the rescue before it could fall into disrepair. They immediately brought racing back with an ARCA event, one that saw a packed grandstands watch Joey Logano dominate a race and pass Ken Schrader late for the win. After the doors closed on that competition, a perfect mix of young versus old everyone there had the feeling that racing at the Rock was a no-brainer. Stock cars would be going back there forever.

Then, the second ARCA race was run. When the flags dropped on that one, the stands were about half full. Hillenburg brought in more series, then tried to offer a variety of events to entice fans to come out and support the track that he, and so many others, love with all of their hearts. But no matter what racing the Rock brought to town, the fans stayed away more than they showed up.

Hillenburg and his partners have persevered, even managing to convince NASCAR to bring the Camping World Truck Series back to the track. The excitement around that first race, in 2012 was remarkable, a buzz that hadn't hit the sandhills of North Carolina for decades. Amazingly, however, the stands still had empty seats. When the race fans of the Carolinas had an opportunity to support "their speedway," showing that people want to see racing at short tracks, they proved it by not opening their wallets and buying tickets. It was up to the fans to save the track; in the end, they dropped the ball.

Still, Hillenburg continued to push forward. He put on the Big 3 Championship at the end of the season, even though the Modifieds, which would have put on an unbelievable race at the one-mile track, backed out because they couldn't get a tire that would handle the loads. The fans showed up more than they had in recent years for the November races at Rockingham and it seemed as though things might have turned the corner. Unfortunately, that didn't hold true when the Trucks came back. There were more empty seats than the year before and making money on the event had to be hard.

Now comes the announcement that the Big 3 Championship this year has been canceled. The K&N series, the UARA-STARS and the Pro Cup Series have all called off their season-ending races that were scheduled to take place at the historic track and, while it probably won't close forever, The Rock very well may have had its last competitive race.

When you look at what happened in Rockingham, it is one, very simple answer: the fans dropped the ball. Supporters of racing, in North and South Carolina especially, let down Andy, his team, themselves and short track fans across the country. There is an obligation for short track fans to patronize their local track and help them make money so they can stay open. Well, the Nashville Fairgrounds, North Wilkesboro, and Rockingham are just three examples of racetracks that have needed support from their local communities to survive - and failed. While North Wilkesboro and now Rockingham are likely casualties, over the long-term the folks at Nashville are still fighting the good fight. But it's not been easy.

In the end, Rockingham will probably stay open in some form to offer a testing location for race teams. The fact that there won't be more competitive races there, though falls squarely on the backs of the fans. You didn't buy the tickets, you didn't show up when you were needed most and now the track is going to be off the schedule. NASCAR has the ammunition they were hoping for, and if we never have another short track race added to a national schedule it is because the fans proved they didn't want it. When fans make noise that they want short track races, NASCAR can point directly to the stands and the empty seats at Rockingham to prove that the people making the noise are wrong.

Hopefully, Andy Hillenburg can pull a rabbit out of the hat and somehow find backing to make the Truck race occur again at Rockingham. At this point, though the odds are stacked squarely against them. All there is left to say to Andy is... we're sorry. You did everything you possibly could, you poured your heart and soul into Rockingham and short track racing... and people left you hanging.

Whelen All-American National Title Battle

Perfection doesn't happen very often. This year, we have seen it in the race for the Whelen All-American Championship. Lee Pulliam won the 250-lap feature at Motor Mile Speedway last weekend. The win gave him his 18th victory in a full, 20-car field. As a result, he has scored 810 points, the most a driver can score in chasing the Whelen title. While the method for picking the National Champion has changed, over the years the criteria typically involves something pertinent to winning races against a lot of cars. Pulliam has 26 victories so far this season, but only 18 of them were against fields of 20 or more. The fields of Late Models in Virginia are some of the largest anywhere, giving the state opportunities to produce national champions on a regular basis.

Pulliam has added an additional accomplishment to his mantle this year by winning the title in back-to-back seasons. The national title began in 1982 and since then, in the 32 years that it has been awarded, Pulliam is only the third driver to do it back-to-back. Philip Morris did it, in 2008-'09 while NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee Larry Phillips has done it twice, in 1991-'92 and 1995-'96. It is no small feat holding off multiple national champions, along with some of the hungriest new talent coming up through the local short track ranks. Well, Pulliam has done it two times in two years. It's put him in the record books; now, we'll see if he's going to go for three in a row.

Position Name Races Wins Top 5s Top 10s Total Points

1) Lee Pulliam 46 26 39 43 810
2) Deac McCaskill 38 14 27 34 766
3) Keith Rocco 46 14 29 38 742
4) Ryan Preece 42 12 30 34 730
5) Craig Von Dohren 22 6 17 20 700
6) Duane Howard 22 9 13 17 691
7) C.E. Falk III 29 8 25 26 684
8) Tommy Lemons Jr. 40 5 29 34 682
9) Chad Finchum 28 6 15 22 668
10) Burt Myers 21 6 13 20 642
11) Peyton Sellers 26 2 18 20 642

This Weekend's Racing Schedule

Friday    09/13/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    4-Cylinders
Friday    09/13/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    Hobby Stocks
Friday    09/13/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    Limited Late Models
Friday    09/13/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    MST
Friday    09/13/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    Sport Mods
Friday    09/13/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    Toyota Sedans
Friday    09/13/13    Stafford Motor Speedway    Stafford    CT    Valenti Modifieds
Friday    09/13/13    Lavonia Speedway     Lavonia    GA    FASTRAK Pro Late Models
Friday    09/13/13    Clay County Fair Speedway    Spencer    IA    World of Outlaw Sprint Cars
Friday    09/13/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Jr. Stingers
Friday    09/13/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Mini Stocks
Friday    09/13/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Modifieds
Friday    09/13/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Pro-4s
Friday    09/13/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Super Stocks
Friday    09/13/13    Meridian Speedway    Meridian    ID    Western Winged Sprintcars
Friday    09/13/13    Belle-Clair Speedway    Belleville    IL    World of Outlaw Late Models
Friday    09/13/13    Jacksonville Speedway    Jacksonville    IL    305 Winged Sprints
Friday    09/13/13    Jacksonville Speedway    Jacksonville    IL    POWRi Lucas Oil National Midgets
Friday    09/13/13    Jacksonville Speedway    Jacksonville    IL    POWRi Speedway Motors 600 Outlaw Micro Sprints
Friday    09/13/13    Kankakee County Speedway    Kankakee    IL    I-Mods
Friday    09/13/13    Kankakee County Speedway    Kankakee    IL    Pro Late Models
Friday    09/13/13    Kankakee County Speedway    Kankakee    IL    UMP Modifieds
Friday    09/13/13    Kankakee County Speedway    Kankakee    IL    UMP Sport Compacts
Friday    09/13/13    Kankakee County Speedway    Kankakee    IL    UMP Stock Cars
Friday    09/13/13    Kankakee County Speedway    Kankakee    IL    UMP Super Late Models
Friday    09/13/13    Macon Speedway    Macon    IL    POWRi Speedway Motors 600 Outlaw Micro Sprints
Friday    09/13/13    Thunderbird Speedway    Muskogee    OK    MARS DIRTCar Late Models
Friday    09/13/13    Ohsweken Speedway    Ohsweken    Ontario    Mini Stocks
Friday    09/13/13    Ohsweken Speedway    Ohsweken    Ontario    Sprint Cars
Saturday    09/14/13    South Alabama Speedway    Opp    AL    Viper Super Late Models
Saturday    09/14/13    South Alabama Speedway    Ozark    AL    Viper Super Late Models
Saturday    09/14/13    Riverside International Speedway    West Memphis    AR    305 Winged Sprints
Saturday    09/14/13    Riverside International Speedway    West Memphis    AR    600 Mini Sprints
Saturday    09/14/13    Riverside International Speedway    West Memphis    AR    Late Models
Saturday    09/14/13    Riverside International Speedway    West Memphis    AR    Modifieds
Saturday    09/14/13    Riverside International Speedway    West Memphis    AR    Stock Cars
Saturday    09/14/13    Central Arizona Raceway    Casa Grande    AZ    Dwarf Cars
Saturday    09/14/13    Central Arizona Raceway    Casa Grande    AZ    Pure Stocks
Saturday    09/14/13    Central Arizona Raceway    Casa Grande    AZ    USAC Non-Wing Sprint Cars
Saturday    09/14/13    Central Arizona Raceway    Casa Grande    AZ    USAC Southwest Sprint Cars
Saturday    09/14/13    Central Arizona Raceway    Casa Grande    AZ    X-Mods
Saturday    09/14/13    Tucson International Raceway    Tucson    AZ    Mod Lites
Saturday    09/14/13    Tucson International Raceway    Tucson    AZ    Super Stocks
Saturday    09/14/13    Tucson International Raceway    Tucson    AZ    X-Mods
Saturday    09/14/13    Bakersfield Speedway    Bakersfield    CA    CDCRA Dwarf Cars
Saturday    09/14/13    Bakersfield Speedway    Bakersfield    CA    Mini Dwarfs
Saturday    09/14/13    Bakersfield Speedway    Bakersfield    CA    Modifieds
Saturday    09/14/13    Bakersfield Speedway    Bakersfield    CA    NMRA Midgets
Saturday    09/14/13    Bakersfield Speedway    Bakersfield    CA    Sport Mods
Saturday    09/14/13    Bakersfield Speedway    Bakersfield    CA    Street Stocks
Saturday    09/14/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    NCMA Sprint Cars
Saturday    09/14/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    Super Modifieds
Saturday    09/14/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    USAC Western States Midgets
Saturday    09/14/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    USAC/BCRA Midgets
Saturday    09/14/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    Valley Sportsman
Saturday    09/14/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    Vintage Super Modifieds
Saturday    09/14/13    Madera Speedway    Madera    CA    Winged Sprints
Saturday    09/14/13    Perris Auto Speedway    Perris    CA    USAC/CRA Sprint Cars
Saturday    09/14/13    Lavonia Speedway    Lavonia    GA    Southern Regional Racing Series Super Late Models
Saturday    09/14/13    Lavonia Speedway     Lavonia    GA    FASTRAK Pro Late Models
Saturday    09/14/13    34 Raceway    Burlington     IA    305 Sprint Cars
Saturday    09/14/13    34 Raceway    Burlington     IA    IMCA Stock Cars
Saturday    09/14/13    34 Raceway    Burlington     IA    Mod Lites
Saturday    09/14/13    34 Raceway    Burlington     IA    Sport Mods
Saturday    09/14/13    Spoon River Speedway    Canton    IL    MOWA Sprint Cars
Saturday    09/14/13    Spoon River Speedway    Canton    IL    POWRi Lucas Oil National Midgets
Saturday    09/14/13    Spoon River Speedway    Canton    IL    UMP Modifieds
Saturday    09/14/13    Salem Speedway    Salem     IN    ARCA
Saturday    09/14/13    Tri-State Speedway    Haubstadt    IN    Modifieds
Saturday    09/14/13    Tri-State Speedway    Haubstadt    IN    MSCS Sprint Cars
Saturday    09/14/13    Tri-State Speedway    Haubstadt    IN    USAC Sprint Cars
Saturday    09/14/13    Tri-State Speedway    Haubstadt    IN    USAC Sprints
Saturday    09/14/13    Deer Creek Speedway    Spring Valley     MN    World of Outlaw Sprint Cars
Saturday    09/14/13    Elko Speedway    Elko     MN    Bandoleros
Saturday    09/14/13    Elko Speedway    Elko     MN    Big 8 Cars
Saturday    09/14/13    Elko Speedway    Elko     MN    Legends
Saturday    09/14/13    Elko Speedway    Elko     MN    Power Stocks
Saturday    09/14/13    Elko Speedway    Elko     MN    Super Late Models
Saturday    09/14/13    Elko Speedway    Elko     MN    Thunder Cars
Saturday    09/14/13    Federated Auto Parts Raceway    Pevely    MO    World of Outlaw Late Models
Saturday    09/14/13    Lucas Oil Speedway    Wheatland    MO    A-Mods
Saturday    09/14/13    Lucas Oil Speedway    Wheatland    MO    B-Mods
Saturday    09/14/13    Lucas Oil Speedway    Wheatland    MO    Factory Stocks
Saturday    09/14/13    Lucas Oil Speedway    Wheatland    MO    ULMA Late Models
Saturday    09/14/13    Springfield Raceway    Springfield    MO    MARS DIRTCar Late Models
Saturday    09/14/13    US 36 Raceway    Cameron    MO    ASCS Winged Sprints
Saturday    09/14/13    County Line Raceway    Elm City     NC    Late Models
Saturday    09/14/13    County Line Raceway    Elm City     NC    Pure Stock 4 Cylinder
Saturday    09/14/13    County Line Raceway    Elm City     NC    Pure Stock V-8
Saturday    09/14/13    County Line Raceway    Elm City     NC    Super Stock 4 Cylinders
Saturday    09/14/13    County Line Raceway    Elm City     NC    Thunder & Lightning
Saturday    09/14/13    East Lincoln Speedway    Stanley    NC    Limited Sportsman
Saturday    09/14/13    East Lincoln Speedway    Stanley    NC    Micro Sprints
Saturday    09/14/13    East Lincoln Speedway    Stanley    NC    Renegades
Saturday    09/14/13    East Lincoln Speedway    Stanley    NC    Stock 4
Saturday    09/14/13    East Lincoln Speedway    Stanley    NC    Super Stock 4 Cylinders
Saturday    09/14/13    Hickory Motor Speedway    Newton     NC    Limited Late Models
Saturday    09/14/13    Hickory Motor Speedway    Newton     NC    Renegades
Saturday    09/14/13    Hickory Motor Speedway    Newton     NC    Street Stocks
Saturday    09/14/13    Hickory Motor Speedway    Newton     NC    Super Trucks
Saturday    09/14/13    Hickory Motor Speedway    Newton     NC    Whelen All-American Late Models
Saturday    09/14/13    Southern New Mexico Speedway    Las Cruces    NM    Legends
Saturday    09/14/13    Southern New Mexico Speedway    Las Cruces    NM    Sprint Cars
Saturday    09/14/13    Southern New Mexico Speedway    Las Cruces    NM    USRA Limited X-Modifieds
Saturday    09/14/13    Southern New Mexico Speedway    Las Cruces    NM    USRA Street Stocks
Saturday    09/14/13    Scotia World    Halifax    NS    Parts for Trucks Pro Stocks
Saturday    09/14/13    Las Vegas Motor Speedway    Las Vegas    NV    USAC Western Pavement Ignite Midgets
Saturday    09/14/13    Riverhead Raceway    Riverhead    NY    Whelen Modifieds
Saturday    09/14/13    Ohsweken Speedway    Ohsweken    Ontario    Sprint Cars
Saturday    09/14/13    Ohsweken Speedway    Ohsweken    Ontario    Thunder Stocks
Saturday    09/14/13    Hermiston Super Oval     Hermison     OR    Columbia River Legends
Saturday    09/14/13    Hermiston Super Oval     Hermison     OR    Northwest Early Tocks
Saturday    09/14/13    Hermiston Super Oval     Hermison     OR    WESCO Topless Sprints
Saturday    09/14/13    Hermiston Super Oval     Hermison     OR    West Coast Vintage Racers
Saturday    09/14/13    Duck River Raceway Park    Wheel    TN    Modified Street Bomber
Saturday    09/14/13    Duck River Raceway Park    Wheel    TN    Openwheel
Saturday    09/14/13    Duck River Raceway Park    Wheel    TN    Outlaw Pony
Saturday    09/14/13    Duck River Raceway Park    Wheel    TN    Pure Pony
Saturday    09/14/13    Duck River Raceway Park    Wheel    TN    Rookie Pony
Saturday    09/14/13    Duck River Raceway Park    Wheel    TN    Street Stock Bomber
Saturday    09/14/13    Duck River Raceway Park    Wheel    TN    Super Late Models
Saturday    09/14/13    Duck River Raceway Park    Wheel    TN    Two Barrel Late Models
Saturday    09/14/13    Kingsport Speedway    Kingsport    TN    UARA-Stars Late Models
Saturday    09/14/13    Music City Quarter Midget Racing Association    Hermitage    TN     Jr. Honda Quarter Midget
Saturday    09/14/13    Music City Quarter Midget Racing Association    Hermitage    TN     Light 160 Quarter Midget
Saturday    09/14/13    Music City Quarter Midget Racing Association    Hermitage    TN     Sr. Honda Quarter Midget
Saturday    09/14/13    Kennedale Speedway Park    Kennedale    TX    ASCS Winged Sprints
Saturday    09/14/13    Texana Raceway Park    Edna    TX    Dwarf/Mod Lites
Saturday    09/14/13    Texana Raceway Park    Edna    TX    Hot Stock Trucks
Saturday    09/14/13    Texana Raceway Park    Edna    TX    Mini Stocks
Saturday    09/14/13    Texana Raceway Park    Edna    TX    Pure Stocks
Saturday    09/14/13    Texana Raceway Park    Edna    TX    Sport Mods
Saturday    09/14/13    Texana Raceway Park    Edna    TX    Street Stocks
Saturday    09/14/13    Rocky Mountain Raceway    West Valley City    UT    Western Winged Sprintcars
Saturday    09/14/13    Lonesome Pine Raceway    Coeburn    VA    Iron Warrior
Saturday    09/14/13    Lonesome Pine Raceway    Coeburn    VA    Late Models
Saturday    09/14/13    Lonesome Pine Raceway    Coeburn    VA    Mod 4
Saturday    09/14/13    Lonesome Pine Raceway    Coeburn    VA    Pure 4
Saturday    09/14/13    Lonesome Pine Raceway    Coeburn    VA    Pure Streets
Saturday    09/14/13    Lonesome Pine Raceway    Coeburn    VA    Super Streets
Saturday    09/14/13    South Boston Speedway    South Boston    VA    Late Models
Saturday    09/14/13    South Boston Speedway    South Boston    VA    Limited Late Models
Saturday    09/14/13    South Boston Speedway    South Boston    VA    Pure Stock
Saturday    09/14/13    Virginia Motor Speedway    Jamaica    VA    Late Models
Saturday    09/14/13    Virginia Motor Speedway    Jamaica    VA    Limited Stock Car
Saturday    09/14/13    Virginia Motor Speedway    Jamaica    VA    Modifieds
Saturday    09/14/13    Virginia Motor Speedway    Jamaica    VA    Sportsman
Saturday    09/14/13    Skagit Speedway    Alger    WA    360 Winged Sprints
Saturday    09/14/13    Skagit Speedway    Alger    WA    410 Winged Sprints
Saturday    09/14/13    Skagit Speedway    Alger    WA    Outlaw Hornets
Saturday    09/14/13    Skagit Speedway    Alger    WA    Sportsman Sprints
Sunday    09/15/13    Peoria Speedway    Peoria    IL    Modifieds
Sunday    09/15/13    Peoria Speedway    Peoria    IL    Sunoco American Late Models
Sunday    09/15/13    Peoria Speedway    Peoria    IL    Super Late Models
Sunday    09/15/13    Quincy Raceways    Quincy    IL    IMCA Northern Sport Mods
Sunday    09/15/13    Quincy Raceways    Quincy    IL    IMCA Sport Compacts
Sunday    09/15/13    Quincy Raceways    Quincy    IL    IMCA Stock Cars
Sunday    09/15/13    Quincy Raceways    Quincy    IL    UMP Late Models
Sunday    09/15/13    Quincy Raceways    Quincy    IL    UMP Modifieds
Sunday    09/15/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Figure 8
Sunday    09/15/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Late Models
Sunday    09/15/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Mini Modifieds
Sunday    09/15/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Mini Stocks
Sunday    09/15/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Pure Stocks
Sunday    09/15/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Sportsman
Sunday    09/15/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Street Stocks
Sunday    09/15/13    Kentucky Motor Speedway    Whitesville    KY    Thunder Stocks
Sunday    09/15/13    Beech Ridge Motor Speedway    Scarborough    ME    PASS North Super Late Models
Sunday    09/15/13    Sunset Speedway    Banks    OR    USAC Northwest Ignite Midgets
Thursday    09/19/13    Tri-City Speedway    Pontoon Beach    IL    UMP Late Models
Thursday    09/19/13    Tri-City Speedway    Pontoon Beach    IL    UMP Modifieds
Thursday    09/19/13    Deer Creek Speedway    Spring Valley     MN    USMTS Modifieds
Mike Neff is a Senior Writer and the Short Track Reporter for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at mike.neff@frontstretch.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MNeffShortTrack.

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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:

Four Burning Questions - Chicago: Silver Linings And A Keselowski Comeback
by Matt Stallknecht

Voices From The (Empty?) Seats: What Did You Think Would Happen?
by Jeff Meyer

~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:

Q: During the Inaugural Sam's Club presents the Hills Brothers 300, in 2001, Greg Biffle was having a great run.  Biffle was leading in his Grainger-sponsored No. 60 while holding off RCR teammates Mike Skinner and Kevin Harvick.  However, his day came to a grinding end shortly afterwards.  What happened?

Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
 
Thursday's Answer:

Q: In 2003, Bobby Labonte was having a mediocre day at Chicagoland Speedway, running 19th, one lap down.  However, with a little more than 50 laps to go, his day went straight to the toilet.  What happened?

A: Labonte ended up just being a victim when Johnny Benson and Casey Mears had contact on the backstretch ahead of him, putting Benson onto the apron.  Benson tried to regain control, but overcorrected and came back up the track. That clipped Labonte in the left rear, spinning him into the turn 3 wall.

Since the race had just restarted after another yellow, where everyone had made pit stops, Labonte's Chevrolet had a full tank of fuel at the time.  It ignited, setting off a huge fire.  Labonte was OK afterwards but rather upset after getting out of the car.  The crash can be seen here.

In addition to Labonte and Benson, Mike Wallace, Bill Elliott, Steve Park and Robby Gordon were all involved.  Labonte and Wallace were out on the spot.  The others all continued and finished the race, with the exception of Mears, who was eliminated in a later crash.

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! 

~~~~~~~~~~

 Monday on the Frontstretch:

Thinkin' Out Loud: GEICO 400 by Mike Neff
 Mike is back with his overall thoughts from Sunday afternoon's race from Chicagoland.

Commentary by Summer Bedgood
Summer takes a look at one of the biggest stories to come out of Chicagoland.

Bowles-Eye View by Tom Bowles
Tom gives his thoughts on how the first race of the Chase unfolded out in Chicagoland.
Big Six: GEICO 400 by Amy Henderson
Amy has your weekly look at the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How from a weekend of racing at Chicagoland.

Pace Laps: Chicagoland Weekend by the Frontstretch Staff
It's back again this season! The staff gets together to help you catch up on the latest and greatest going on in each series coming out of a weekend of racing from Chicagoland.
Nationwide Series Breakdown: Dollar General 300 by Kevin Rutherford
Kevin has all the post-race analysis you need following Saturday afternoon's Nationwide Series race from Chicago.

Tracking the Trucks: EnjoyIllinois.com 225 by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth has all the post-race analysis you need following Friday night's Camping World Truck Series race from Chicagoland Speedway.

-----------------------------
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