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!
October 9th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition CLXXXVIII
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Top News
by Tom Bowles
Franchitti, Stewart Have Additional Surgeries
Two of racing's most well-known drivers continue to mend from their on-track injuries. Dario Franchitti, injured during a scary crash at the Grand Prix of Houston Sunday is doing well after surgery to stabilize his fractured right ankle. Franchitti, who also suffered a concussion and two fractured vertebrae in the incident will need a second surgery next week on that ankle as part of the recovery process.
"Thank you to everyone for all the well wishes," Franchitti said as part of a statement released by his team, Chip Ganassi Racing. "They mean a lot to me."
"Thank you to everyone for all the well wishes," Franchitti said as part of a statement released by his team, Chip Ganassi Racing. "They mean a lot to me."
It appears all others involved in that Houston horror, including 13 fans and an IndyCar official are going to make a full recovery. Pieces of the catchfence, as a result of Franchitti's crash were scattered into the grandstands and viewing area directly behind the racetrack.
On the NASCAR end of things, Tony Stewart had a third surgery this week associated with his broken tibia and fibula on his right leg. It was a normal procedure, done to investigate and close a wound located around Stewart's shin.
The driver, according to sources is doing fine following the surgery although he was kept overnight for observation. The timing should not impact his expected recovery and return to the Sprint Cup circuit for February's Daytona 500.
NASCAR Crew Member Released For Substance Abuse Violation
A crewman from one of the sport's top teams has been released for a substance abuse violation. John Smeltzer, a Hendrick Motorsports engine tuner working in the Nationwide Series has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR for failing a drug test. While he'll enter the sport's Road To Recovery program, HMS has chosen to relieve Smeltzer of his duties with the JR Motorsports arm of its organization effective immediately.
"Our organization respects and fully supports NASCAR's policies with regard to banned substances," they said in a statement. "The individual in question is no longer employed by the company."
"Our organization respects and fully supports NASCAR's policies with regard to banned substances," they said in a statement. "The individual in question is no longer employed by the company."
Smeltzer had also been employed with Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jeff Gordon's teams throughout during his career.
News 'N' Notes
- Sprint Cup teams will continue testing today, at Martinsville Speedway in preparation for the October 27th Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500. 11 drivers tested Tuesday, including Kyle Larson of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing who will be making just his second Cup Series start in the event. Others included RCR's three-car tandem of Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, and Paul Menard; Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., and Greg Biffle; Penske Racing's Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano; Furniture Row Racing's Kurt Busch and David Ragan of Front Row Motorsports. No speeds were released, although the session was open to the public.
Camping World Truck Series drivers, including Brian France's grandson Ben Kennedy were also in attendance, practicing for a race of their own. The Truck Series will run their 250-lap event on Saturday, October 26th.
- TV Ratings for Kansas increased, year-to-year as Chase viewership continues to show marked improvement over 2012. The race pulled a 2.6 U.S. Rating, up slightly from last year's 2.5 and had an audience of slightly over 4.1 million. It's the third straight event of the postseason where there's been an increase in television ratings. Saturday night, the Chase will transition to ABC for the only primetime, network coverage race of NASCAR's playoffs.
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
A Brighter Future For NASCAR
WTF Wednesdays
by Ellen Richardson
As I have watched the last few years of NASCAR speed into a rapid decline, through North America I have continued to ask myself – can this sport survive, thrive and even find a way back to its heyday of less than a decade ago? If I am to be honest here, I have found myself answering this question with a resounding "no" on many occasions. The races in this year's Chase, which many fans have criticized, along with the recent "Spingate" scandal only add to that pessimistic outlook.
Fortunately, a recent meeting with a legend in motorsports has renewed my faith in a sport that I have deeply cherished. Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to sit down with one of the top promoters in the field of motorsports, who was instrumental in giving NASCAR some of its most talked about and historic moments: Mr. Howard "Humpy" Wheeler. This former President and Chief Operating Officer of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. has continued to find success, in life after leaving one of the major racetrack organizations in North America. Now, he keeps fans entertained with his informative and downright comical The Humpy Show YouTube videos, among other personal projects being pursued. It's there where he shares some thoughts on the biggest questions in NASCAR, including where this sport is heading.
So what's the problem with the current state of the sport? According to Wheeler, the answer is simple: "It's gotten too fancy!"
"Long ago are the days when NASCAR catered to the everyday working man, which seemed to end the day that Dale Earnhardt, Sr. passed," Wheeler said. "Then, we got into another phase... the 'too fancy' phase where those that have control of this sport were ashamed of the working class fans that were filling the grandstands."
As NASCAR has continued to veer away from its "working man roots" into its new "wave of sophistication" the sport has continued to suffer, with declining ratings and attendance. According to Wheeler, that decrease will continue if this new school of thought keeps prevailing.
"We have moved away from our roots," he explained, "And when you move away from your roots, it's going to blow back on you."
This season, NASCAR also introduced the Gen-6 car into the mix, which both fans and drivers have continued to find fault with. So what is really wrong with NASCAR's latest and greatest?
"It's a little thing called an aero push problem," Wheeler said. "When a car gets in the lead, except at Daytona and Talladega, it takes off and it's very difficult for others to catch the leader unless this car experiences a bad pit stop, a flat tire or some kind of bad luck on the track. When these Gen-6 cars get out there in clean air, they are gone and it is more challenging than ever for any driver in the top 5 to catch the leader at any of the big tracks like Charlotte, Atlanta, and Michigan. If another driver is able to catch this leader, it is very difficult to pass due to the physics of these new cars. Fortunately, NASCAR is very aware of this problem and is working hard to eliminate it before next season."
Fans and drivers have also witnessed another issue that has continued to snowball not only this season, but throughout the last few years in NASCAR – tires! In fact, it was one of the leading problems that plagued drivers and teams in Kansas, which seems to be the biggest reason there were a record-setting 15 cautions. As someone who got his start in motorsports, through his time with Firestone Rubber & Tire Company, I was intrigued to find out what the Humpy Wheeler solution to this ongoing issue would be.
"The tire problem is simple," said Wheeler. "Goodyear has told NASCAR repeatedly throughout the last five years that they will make a wider and bigger 16" or 17" tire for these cars versus the current, 15" tires that are being used. Looks seem to be much of the reasoning behind NASCAR's wanting to keep the current tire, which teams will continue to have problems with, and it will eliminate some of the more exciting racing that fans could be seeing these days unless NASCAR finally decides it's time to listen."
Along with his top-notch and outlandish promotional skills, Wheeler is also known for picking the winner of the All-Star race every year; so, I tried to test his skills of picking the winner of this year's Chase. While not happy with the current playoff format -- "the winner of this championship should be based on the driver with the most wins versus the most points," -- he said -- the decision was made to keep it a secret until the 2013 finale. However, if my senses serve me correctly, I believe Mr. Wheeler and I will be on the same page on this one.
Speaking of predictions, if Mr. Wheeler is correct, will we see a brighter future for NASCAR? Yes. In fact, if NASCAR decides to find its way back to its roots while embracing a chance at going worldwide (following the lead of someone like Humpy, of course) we could see a resurgence in fan interest. In this case, I am going to look for a brighter day that won't leave me saying – 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!
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...
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...
@KevinHarvick: Man what a weekend! Great job by everyone @RCRracing & our whole @Budweiser team.
@BrianLVickers: I'm okay. Might be a bit sore tomorrow. Thanks for checking in. Had a good car today. @aaronssports
@RyanBlaney22: Wow. Just wow. Nice one 54.
@landoncassill: Not a great race but highlight of my day was changing the shifter under caution. That's a first
@dariofranchitti: I would also like to send my best to all the fans involved in the accident and hope that everyone is alright.
@JimmieJohnson: I can't imagine racing at 79, #JamesHylton is the man. #TheOriginal48
@Kenny_Wallace: Sometimes we forget HOW BIG #NASCAR is, People already in town for Saturday race, Stands will LOOK Empty BUT still have 100K FANS
@StenhouseJr: Sun is heading down while we finish up testing for the day at martinsville http://instagram.com/p/fOOhqkr1mX/
@AndyLally: The caps lock button always seems to stick just when i STOP LOOKING AT THE SCREEN FOR A WHILE AND i DON'T NOTICE TILL JUST BEFORE i HIT SEND
@erik_jones: Just saw Rush, great movie that I thought really shows the passion for our sport! Great to see a mainstream racing movie out there.
@TimmyHillRacer: I don't care how much conditioning you do, there is nothing like sprinting from one end of the airport to the other to catch your connection
@markmartin: Start them young. RT @jaimeblackburn: @markmartin is this how they start their careers? Lol pic.twitter.com/sQQVrApZ6c
@mw55 (Michael Waltrip): Did you know that old McDonald was a really bad speller?
@CEFalk40: Well thanks Dutch Inn for stepping your game up. Actual shampoo bottles to use instead of the hand pump on the wall #martinsville
@keselowski (Brad Keselowski): If you ever get bored, look up @kaseykahne followers profile pics. More questions than answers... I finally get those Allstate commercials
@BubbaWallace (Darrell Wallace, Jr.): Lmao, sister posted this pic. Damn, what happened to me now? Thanks for all the bday wishes... means a lot! http://instagram.com/p/fOMXwGCc0s/
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:
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:
by Tom Bowles
by Matt Stallknecht
NASCAR Writer Power Rankings: Top 15 After Kansas II
compiled by Michael Mehedin
Happiness Is...Red, 5th, Words, People, and Foreign Things
compiled by Michael Mehedin
Happiness Is...Red, 5th, Words, People, and Foreign Things
by Huston Ladner
Top Ten Ways To Tell When Another Driver Is Angry With You
by the Frontstretch Staff
Beyond the Cockpit: Johanna Long on Diversity, Dollars, and Driving
Top Ten Ways To Tell When Another Driver Is Angry With You
by the Frontstretch Staff
Beyond the Cockpit: Johanna Long on Diversity, Dollars, and Driving
by Summer Bedgood
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The 1998 UAW-GM Quality 500 was dominated by Mark Martin. However, a number of potential contenders were wiped out in a crash just before the two-thirds' mark. What happened?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: In the same 1994 Mello Yello 500, Ward Burton claimed his first career pole in the Cup Series. Unfortunately, he wasn't around very long to enjoy it. What happened?
A: Burton led from the pole for the first 29 laps. Unfortunately, the combination of brand new pavement and the ongoing tire war between Goodyear and Hoosier came into play here. While trying to hold off John Andretti, Burton blew his right front tire and went hard into the Turn 1 wall. Burton then rode the wall to Turn 2, crossed the track and hit the inside wall. The crash can be seen here. Burton was OK, but done for the day. He finished 41st.
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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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.
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 Charlotte.
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, he'll talk to a crew member, DJ Copp about the evolving role of pit crews within the sport.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back with all of the latest and greatest storylines to come out of the Truck Series.
-----------------------------Mirror Driving by the Frontstretch Staff
Your favorite Frontstretch writers are back to discuss a variety of weekly storylines.
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 Charlotte.
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, he'll talk to a crew member, DJ Copp about the evolving role of pit crews within the sport.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back with all of the latest and greatest storylines to come out of the Truck Series.
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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