THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
- NASCAR is expected to hand down heavy penalties to Penske Racing, along with its No. 22 Nationwide Series team after its winning car failed post-race inspection at Dover for being too low. Joey Logano, as a full-time Cup driver can't be penalized any points but the team is expected to lose a chunk of them in their battle for the owner's championship. They currently own a lead of 35 points over J.D. Gibbs' No. 54 car with five races left on the year.
- Chase drivers Kyle Busch and Kasey Kahne will speak to the media on NASCAR's national teleconference day. Busch is third in the standings, a strong contender for the title while Kahne has struggled during the postseason; he's a distant 13th.
Top News
Longtime ESPN Announcer Ousted
One of motorsport's well-known voices is busy looking for work this Tuesday. Marty Reid, who anchored ESPN's play-by-play coverage of the Nationwide Series has been officially released from his contract. In a statement, the network claimed they were "going in a different direction" while tapping Allen Bestwick, the play-by-play man for their Sprint Cup television coverage to fill in the rest of the season.
Reid, who has been a part of the network since 1982 worked everything from NASCAR's Truck Series to sports car racing during his tenure. Perhaps his best work, though came in the open-wheel ranks, where he's filled the play-by-play role for IndyCar on ABC/ESPN since 2006. His signature moments came in 2011, covering with class the devastating wreck and resulting death of Dan Wheldon in the Las Vegas season finale.
This year, though, the announcer had been known for some on-air mistakes, with a subtle increase in mispronouncing and/or mislabeling several drivers during NASCAR's Nationwide Series coverage. The final straw may have come during a September 21st event in Kentucky; Reid mistakenly called the race won by Ryan Blaney one lap before the actual checkered flag flew. The network would not comment as to whether that mistake, criticized on social media helped hasten Reid's sudden departure.
Reid, whose broadcasting career extends all the way back to 1975 still owns his own company, Marty Reid Enterprises, which specializes in producing racing programming for television nationwide.
Tony Stewart Rehab Progressing
One of NASCAR's injured superstars is making slow but steady steps towards recovery. Tony Stewart told FOX Sports' Lee Spencer Sunday that the rehab on his broken right leg is ahead of schedule. After getting a rod inserted to help fix his broken tibia and fibula, injured in a Sprint Car crash August 5th the driver has been unable to walk without the aid of crutches.
"It's going to take a while," Stewart said of his recovery, which now involves going to physical therapy three days a week. "I'm doing what they tell me to do at the time and not asking too many questions. I want to make sure I do everything right."
Initially, the hope was Stewart would be in a car in time for Daytona Preseason testing. However, it's looking increasing likely that, due to precautionary measures you won't see the veteran turning competitive laps until February Speedweeks prior to the Daytona 500. Until then, 54-year-old Mark Martin is scheduled to continue filling in while the owner/driver continues managing business behind the scenes.
News 'N' Notes
- Michael Waltrip Racing co-owner Rob Kauffman, in interviews with several media members Sunday claims he's "confident" the team will still field three cars in 2014. He's set up shop in Charlotte, from this point on to woo potential sponsors until a deal is done. And as for his own company, RK Motors, stepping up and backing the No. 56 team? It's possible, claimed the financier but labeled the probability as "low."
- Pocono Raceway announced its 2014 Sprint Cup dates Monday with no apparent changes. The track will still host two NASCAR weekends, June 6th-8th and August 1st-3rd while the IndyCar Series will also return next summer.
- Legendary IndyCar mechanic George Bignotti has died. A seven-time Indy 500 winner, Bignotti won a total of 85 recognized IndyCar races during a career spanning multiple decades. A 1993 National Auto Racing Hall of Fame inductee, he was 97 years old.
- NASCAR.com launched a new documentary series Monday, labeled "The Crossing" starring driver Jeff Gordon and Hollywood Director Ron Howard. Spread out over five episodes, this web-only program explores how both sides learn how to be successful in each other's field of work. The initiative is part of a recent push, by NASCAR's Entertainment Division to try and introduce the sport in different ways to potential new audiences.
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: AAA 400
by Tom Bowles
0
Drivers not competing for the championship to finish inside the top 10 at Dover. It's the first time, during NASCAR's playoff era all the top-10 finishers in a race were Chasers.
1
Lap led by a Ford Sunday. Only David Gilliland, who did it under caution held up the banner for the Blue Oval Crowd.
2
Pole positions this season for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. after earning the top spot for the AAA 400. Tying his career high, it's also the first time since 2002 he's earned that many.
2
Drivers to start the Chase with three top-5 finishes: Johnson and third-place point man Kyle Busch.
3
Drivers within 38 points of the lead after three Chase races. For fourth place on down to hold the top spot, after Kansas Matt Kenseth would have to finish at least 36th or worse (combined with several other factors).
3.0
Average finish by Matt Kenseth, the point leader three races into the Chase, and Kyle Busch, who is currently third. That would set a new record for a champion during NASCAR's playoff era.
4
Drivers who combined to lead 389 of Dover's 400 laps. They were: Johnson (243), Earnhardt Jr. (80), Kenseth (36) and Kyle Busch (30).
4
Cautions at Dover Sunday, all for debris. In the last two Fall races at Dover, eight of the nine yellow flags thrown have been for pieces of metal on the racetrack.
5+
Years since Mark Martin had a finish worse than Sunday's 19th-place result at Dover. With 33 career top-10 finishes at the track, you have to go back all the way to the Spring of 2008, when Martin ran a mediocre 23rd driving the No. 8 car for Teresa Earnhardt, to find a run that poor.
8
Career Dover victories, in 24 starts for Jimmie Johnson after winning Sunday. That's the most all-time at the track, breaking a record he shared with NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Bobby Allison.
12
Cars to finish on the lead lap Sunday. That's the fewest for any race in Sprint Cup this season (Previous low: 13, May's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte).
14
Races since Danica Patrick last finished ahead of her boyfriend, fellow rookie competitor Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. At Michigan, back in June Danica was 13th compared to Stenhouse's 16th; it's been a runaway in the Rookie of the Year race ever since. Patrick was 29th Sunday, six laps down while Stenhouse was a respectable 17th.
269
Races since Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won, at the Cup level anywhere other than Michigan International Speedway. He took the checkers at Richmond, in the Spring of 2006 driving for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. And at Dover? Earnhardt last earned a victory in September, 2001 in the first NASCAR Cup race held after 9/11.
986
Laps led by Jimmie Johnson during the last six Chase races at Dover. He's won three of those and never finished lower than fifth.
$126,993
Money won by eighth-place, Chase driver Ryan Newman Sunday at Dover.
$128,991
Money won by 37th-place Brad Keselowski. Kes wound up 45 laps down, spending extensive time behind the wall after breaking a rear end seal. And yet...
Tom Bowles is the Editor-In-Chief of Frontstretch. He can be reached via e-mail at tom.bowles@frontstretch.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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: Hendrick And Gibbs Turning Races Predictable
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
Did You Notice how the non-Chase drivers are a step further behind those competing for the championship? Tom says there's a definitive reason why -- changing the way sponsors approach their deals -- talks about the new television landscape, and so much more in his list of small but important observations about the sport.
Beyond The Cockpit: Sebastien Bourdais by Phil Allaway
The IndyCar veteran dipped his toe into Grand-Am last weekend, running up at Lime Rock in the final race ever for that series. How does the Frenchman see the future of sports car racing? And how does he evaluate the 2013 season over in open-wheel? Sebastien sits down with our Phil Allaway to dish on those racing subjects and more.
Open-Wheel Wednesday by P. Huston Ladner
As the end of the IndyCar season draws ever closer, Huston touches on the surprising late departure of series sponsor IZOD. Can they be replaced in time for 2014; and if so, who's going to step up to the plate?
Side By Side: Debris Cautions by TBA
Is NASCAR deliberately manipulating the outcome of the race through debris cautions? Give us your opinion as two of your favorite Frontstretch experts go toe-to-toe on this week's controversial topic.
Top Ten List by the Frontstretch Staff
Check out this weekly dose of humor, from our staff that'll leave you laughing about the world of racing.
Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Post-Dover compiled by Mike Mehedin
Sure, he's still second in the title Chase. But did Jimmie Johnson's Dover dominance do enough to convince our experts he should rise to #1? See how your favorite writers voted, in our weekly poll from around the web as we rank the best 15 drivers in the Cup Series heading to Kansas.
Happiness Is... by Danny Peters
Don't let your racing life sink straight into the pits. Subbing for Huston, Danny gives us the bright side of stories from around the world of motorsports this week.
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
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
October 1st, 2013
Volume VII, Edition CLXXXII
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
October 1st, 2013
Volume VII, Edition CLXXXII
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What To Watch: Tuesday- NASCAR is expected to hand down heavy penalties to Penske Racing, along with its No. 22 Nationwide Series team after its winning car failed post-race inspection at Dover for being too low. Joey Logano, as a full-time Cup driver can't be penalized any points but the team is expected to lose a chunk of them in their battle for the owner's championship. They currently own a lead of 35 points over J.D. Gibbs' No. 54 car with five races left on the year.
- Chase drivers Kyle Busch and Kasey Kahne will speak to the media on NASCAR's national teleconference day. Busch is third in the standings, a strong contender for the title while Kahne has struggled during the postseason; he's a distant 13th.
- In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Charlotte Motor Speedway will host a special event involving FOX Sports 1 analyst Hermie Sadler and NASCAR drivers Matt Kenseth, Brian Vickers, and Elliott Sadler. They will join with breast cancer survivors to paint the start/finish line, along with the pit road wall pink.
Top News
by Tom Bowles
Longtime ESPN Announcer Ousted
One of motorsport's well-known voices is busy looking for work this Tuesday. Marty Reid, who anchored ESPN's play-by-play coverage of the Nationwide Series has been officially released from his contract. In a statement, the network claimed they were "going in a different direction" while tapping Allen Bestwick, the play-by-play man for their Sprint Cup television coverage to fill in the rest of the season.
Reid, who has been a part of the network since 1982 worked everything from NASCAR's Truck Series to sports car racing during his tenure. Perhaps his best work, though came in the open-wheel ranks, where he's filled the play-by-play role for IndyCar on ABC/ESPN since 2006. His signature moments came in 2011, covering with class the devastating wreck and resulting death of Dan Wheldon in the Las Vegas season finale.
This year, though, the announcer had been known for some on-air mistakes, with a subtle increase in mispronouncing and/or mislabeling several drivers during NASCAR's Nationwide Series coverage. The final straw may have come during a September 21st event in Kentucky; Reid mistakenly called the race won by Ryan Blaney one lap before the actual checkered flag flew. The network would not comment as to whether that mistake, criticized on social media helped hasten Reid's sudden departure.
Reid, whose broadcasting career extends all the way back to 1975 still owns his own company, Marty Reid Enterprises, which specializes in producing racing programming for television nationwide.
Tony Stewart Rehab Progressing
One of NASCAR's injured superstars is making slow but steady steps towards recovery. Tony Stewart told FOX Sports' Lee Spencer Sunday that the rehab on his broken right leg is ahead of schedule. After getting a rod inserted to help fix his broken tibia and fibula, injured in a Sprint Car crash August 5th the driver has been unable to walk without the aid of crutches.
"It's going to take a while," Stewart said of his recovery, which now involves going to physical therapy three days a week. "I'm doing what they tell me to do at the time and not asking too many questions. I want to make sure I do everything right."
Initially, the hope was Stewart would be in a car in time for Daytona Preseason testing. However, it's looking increasing likely that, due to precautionary measures you won't see the veteran turning competitive laps until February Speedweeks prior to the Daytona 500. Until then, 54-year-old Mark Martin is scheduled to continue filling in while the owner/driver continues managing business behind the scenes.
News 'N' Notes
- Michael Waltrip Racing co-owner Rob Kauffman, in interviews with several media members Sunday claims he's "confident" the team will still field three cars in 2014. He's set up shop in Charlotte, from this point on to woo potential sponsors until a deal is done. And as for his own company, RK Motors, stepping up and backing the No. 56 team? It's possible, claimed the financier but labeled the probability as "low."
- Pocono Raceway announced its 2014 Sprint Cup dates Monday with no apparent changes. The track will still host two NASCAR weekends, June 6th-8th and August 1st-3rd while the IndyCar Series will also return next summer.
- Legendary IndyCar mechanic George Bignotti has died. A seven-time Indy 500 winner, Bignotti won a total of 85 recognized IndyCar races during a career spanning multiple decades. A 1993 National Auto Racing Hall of Fame inductee, he was 97 years old.
- NASCAR.com launched a new documentary series Monday, labeled "The Crossing" starring driver Jeff Gordon and Hollywood Director Ron Howard. Spread out over five episodes, this web-only program explores how both sides learn how to be successful in each other's field of work. The initiative is part of a recent push, by NASCAR's Entertainment Division to try and introduce the sport in different ways to potential new audiences.
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.
~~~~~~~~~~
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
Flying The Flag And Patriotism In NASCAR: Not To Be Taken For Granted
~~~~~~~~~~
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
Flying The Flag And Patriotism In NASCAR: Not To Be Taken For Granted
Sitting In The Stands: A Fan's View
by S.D. Grady
We stepped out of the shade of the grandstands and started our stroll down the frontstretch. With blue skies overhead and the rumble of unleashed race engines roaring by during practice, it was a nearly perfect afternoon. The American flag on the hill waved proudly, as did all the ones perched atop the haulers on the infield. Wait a minute... not all the haulers.
During the race weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, I noticed something a bit odd. When I looked at the garage area, only the haulers on the right-hand side of the garage were flying the red, white and blue. By comparison, just a couple of teams on the left had a flag flying. It didn't make any sense, and after a moment, it actually began to irritate me. Why wouldn't a team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series put the Stars & Stripes on their flagpole as soon as they set up shop? To me, it's part of preparation in the campground: level the RV, put down the rug, tables, chairs, fire pit, flag pole... FLAG.
One of the best moments during a race weekend is when the crowd rises to its feet, removes their multi-colored hats and joins together for a short prayer and taking the time to demonstrate the devotion to our nation by singing the Star Spangled Banner. It's a simple action, but is all the more significant because the entire track pauses to show our patriotism. It's the moment when we realize NASCAR is truly an American sport.
Even this past week at Dover, the TV audience and the fans at the track were treated to a fine display as each team displayed a flag in their pit box for the opening ceremonies. While one large flag is symbolic, there's something joyous in the sight of many flags flying -- just as the many fans, drivers, crew chiefs, owners, families, etc. each bring their shining faces to this moment before the daily competition begins.
That's not to say the patriotic minute begins and ends with recognizing our nation's flag. I will always smile when a young talent steps up to the microphone and leads us singing the anthem. It's far more uplifting to hear a voice of innocence and hope, after all compared to the latest recording artist seeking to further their career. Their love for the country may be genuine, too but they're also making a "national appearance" while often putting their own twist on the well-known notes.
And let's not forget our flyovers. Perhaps the nation's economy and the worst kind of politics curtailed the use of our active military's aircraft for the roaring highlight of pre-race festivities. However, it has been cool to see all the restored planes that have graced our tracks this year. No, there isn't a rush of adrenaline as an F-18 streaks across the sky, but instead, we have a little more time to savor the beauty of a Mustang, B-17 or B-25, which were just used at New Hampshire and Dover, respectively. We have a moment to listen to the sturdy rumble of their engines and wonder what it must have been like to see the sky filled with them in a day gone by.
By recalling aircraft that belonged to another era, we begin to extend our horizons of patriotism and understand that the Star Spangled Banner speaks of a nation that will not just stand today and tomorrow... but has been standing for a very long time. Through war and years of peace, during municipal meetings and little league games, our flag flies through it all. We look to it on the Fourth of July, lay it on the tombs of our soldiers and, more often than not, take it for granted.
The latter was just a little too obvious on that slow stroll down the frontstretch in New Hampshire. Many teams took the time to raise their flag the very first day, but quite a few others deemed the action unimportant.
It takes more than a casual interest in our nation to keep it going. Some actions require the ultimate sacrifice, such as serving in the Armed Services, while others ask only an annual trip to the voting booth. But no matter what your level of support may be, there is one thing we all can do every day that helps to keep America vibrant. We can show our love by flying our flag.
I hope the next time I visit the garages, I won't be so disappointed.
Kyle Larson Stat
Series: Nationwide Series
Track: Dover International Speedway
Car: No. 32 LiftMaster Chevrolet
Qualified: 17th
Finished: 2nd
Point Standings: 9th
We stepped out of the shade of the grandstands and started our stroll down the frontstretch. With blue skies overhead and the rumble of unleashed race engines roaring by during practice, it was a nearly perfect afternoon. The American flag on the hill waved proudly, as did all the ones perched atop the haulers on the infield. Wait a minute... not all the haulers.
During the race weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, I noticed something a bit odd. When I looked at the garage area, only the haulers on the right-hand side of the garage were flying the red, white and blue. By comparison, just a couple of teams on the left had a flag flying. It didn't make any sense, and after a moment, it actually began to irritate me. Why wouldn't a team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series put the Stars & Stripes on their flagpole as soon as they set up shop? To me, it's part of preparation in the campground: level the RV, put down the rug, tables, chairs, fire pit, flag pole... FLAG.
One of the best moments during a race weekend is when the crowd rises to its feet, removes their multi-colored hats and joins together for a short prayer and taking the time to demonstrate the devotion to our nation by singing the Star Spangled Banner. It's a simple action, but is all the more significant because the entire track pauses to show our patriotism. It's the moment when we realize NASCAR is truly an American sport.
Even this past week at Dover, the TV audience and the fans at the track were treated to a fine display as each team displayed a flag in their pit box for the opening ceremonies. While one large flag is symbolic, there's something joyous in the sight of many flags flying -- just as the many fans, drivers, crew chiefs, owners, families, etc. each bring their shining faces to this moment before the daily competition begins.
That's not to say the patriotic minute begins and ends with recognizing our nation's flag. I will always smile when a young talent steps up to the microphone and leads us singing the anthem. It's far more uplifting to hear a voice of innocence and hope, after all compared to the latest recording artist seeking to further their career. Their love for the country may be genuine, too but they're also making a "national appearance" while often putting their own twist on the well-known notes.
And let's not forget our flyovers. Perhaps the nation's economy and the worst kind of politics curtailed the use of our active military's aircraft for the roaring highlight of pre-race festivities. However, it has been cool to see all the restored planes that have graced our tracks this year. No, there isn't a rush of adrenaline as an F-18 streaks across the sky, but instead, we have a little more time to savor the beauty of a Mustang, B-17 or B-25, which were just used at New Hampshire and Dover, respectively. We have a moment to listen to the sturdy rumble of their engines and wonder what it must have been like to see the sky filled with them in a day gone by.
By recalling aircraft that belonged to another era, we begin to extend our horizons of patriotism and understand that the Star Spangled Banner speaks of a nation that will not just stand today and tomorrow... but has been standing for a very long time. Through war and years of peace, during municipal meetings and little league games, our flag flies through it all. We look to it on the Fourth of July, lay it on the tombs of our soldiers and, more often than not, take it for granted.
The latter was just a little too obvious on that slow stroll down the frontstretch in New Hampshire. Many teams took the time to raise their flag the very first day, but quite a few others deemed the action unimportant.
It takes more than a casual interest in our nation to keep it going. Some actions require the ultimate sacrifice, such as serving in the Armed Services, while others ask only an annual trip to the voting booth. But no matter what your level of support may be, there is one thing we all can do every day that helps to keep America vibrant. We can show our love by flying our flag.
I hope the next time I visit the garages, I won't be so disappointed.
Kyle Larson Stat
Series: Nationwide Series
Track: Dover International Speedway
Car: No. 32 LiftMaster Chevrolet
Qualified: 17th
Finished: 2nd
Point Standings: 9th
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: AAA 400
by Tom Bowles
0
Drivers not competing for the championship to finish inside the top 10 at Dover. It's the first time, during NASCAR's playoff era all the top-10 finishers in a race were Chasers.
1
Lap led by a Ford Sunday. Only David Gilliland, who did it under caution held up the banner for the Blue Oval Crowd.
2
Pole positions this season for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. after earning the top spot for the AAA 400. Tying his career high, it's also the first time since 2002 he's earned that many.
2
Drivers to start the Chase with three top-5 finishes: Johnson and third-place point man Kyle Busch.
3
Drivers within 38 points of the lead after three Chase races. For fourth place on down to hold the top spot, after Kansas Matt Kenseth would have to finish at least 36th or worse (combined with several other factors).
3.0
Average finish by Matt Kenseth, the point leader three races into the Chase, and Kyle Busch, who is currently third. That would set a new record for a champion during NASCAR's playoff era.
4
Drivers who combined to lead 389 of Dover's 400 laps. They were: Johnson (243), Earnhardt Jr. (80), Kenseth (36) and Kyle Busch (30).
4
Cautions at Dover Sunday, all for debris. In the last two Fall races at Dover, eight of the nine yellow flags thrown have been for pieces of metal on the racetrack.
5+
Years since Mark Martin had a finish worse than Sunday's 19th-place result at Dover. With 33 career top-10 finishes at the track, you have to go back all the way to the Spring of 2008, when Martin ran a mediocre 23rd driving the No. 8 car for Teresa Earnhardt, to find a run that poor.
8
Career Dover victories, in 24 starts for Jimmie Johnson after winning Sunday. That's the most all-time at the track, breaking a record he shared with NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Bobby Allison.
12
Cars to finish on the lead lap Sunday. That's the fewest for any race in Sprint Cup this season (Previous low: 13, May's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte).
14
Races since Danica Patrick last finished ahead of her boyfriend, fellow rookie competitor Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. At Michigan, back in June Danica was 13th compared to Stenhouse's 16th; it's been a runaway in the Rookie of the Year race ever since. Patrick was 29th Sunday, six laps down while Stenhouse was a respectable 17th.
269
Races since Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won, at the Cup level anywhere other than Michigan International Speedway. He took the checkers at Richmond, in the Spring of 2006 driving for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. And at Dover? Earnhardt last earned a victory in September, 2001 in the first NASCAR Cup race held after 9/11.
986
Laps led by Jimmie Johnson during the last six Chase races at Dover. He's won three of those and never finished lower than fifth.
$126,993
Money won by eighth-place, Chase driver Ryan Newman Sunday at Dover.
$128,991
Money won by 37th-place Brad Keselowski. Kes wound up 45 laps down, spending extensive time behind the wall after breaking a rear end seal. And yet...
Tom Bowles is the Editor-In-Chief of Frontstretch. He can be reached via e-mail at tom.bowles@frontstretch.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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: Hendrick And Gibbs Turning Races Predictable
by Brett Poirier
by Brad Morgan
by Phil Allaway
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The Reliant Park circuit (formerly known as Jagflo Speedway) that the Izod IndyCar Series will be racing at this weekend was not the first attempt at a street race in Houston. For four years, CART ran an event in Downtown Houston near then-Enron Field. Unfortunately, the first race was overshadowed by rain and a controversial incident. What happened?
Check back Wednesday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Monday's Answer:
Q: This weekend, the Izod IndyCar Series travels to Reliant Park in Houston for the revival of an older street festival event that Champ Car held. What was notable about the first race in 2006?
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The Reliant Park circuit (formerly known as Jagflo Speedway) that the Izod IndyCar Series will be racing at this weekend was not the first attempt at a street race in Houston. For four years, CART ran an event in Downtown Houston near then-Enron Field. Unfortunately, the first race was overshadowed by rain and a controversial incident. What happened?
Check back Wednesday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Monday's Answer:
Q: This weekend, the Izod IndyCar Series travels to Reliant Park in Houston for the revival of an older street festival event that Champ Car held. What was notable about the first race in 2006?
A: The 2006 Grand Prix of Houston was the first-ever street race held under the lights, preceding Formula One's Grand Prix of Singapore by two years. The race was a rough and tumble affair with only 12 of the 17 starters finishing. Sebastien Bourdais ended up taking the win on the bumpy temporary course.
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:
Did You Notice? by Tom Bowles-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
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Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Did You Notice how the non-Chase drivers are a step further behind those competing for the championship? Tom says there's a definitive reason why -- changing the way sponsors approach their deals -- talks about the new television landscape, and so much more in his list of small but important observations about the sport.
Beyond The Cockpit: Sebastien Bourdais by Phil Allaway
The IndyCar veteran dipped his toe into Grand-Am last weekend, running up at Lime Rock in the final race ever for that series. How does the Frenchman see the future of sports car racing? And how does he evaluate the 2013 season over in open-wheel? Sebastien sits down with our Phil Allaway to dish on those racing subjects and more.
Open-Wheel Wednesday by P. Huston Ladner
As the end of the IndyCar season draws ever closer, Huston touches on the surprising late departure of series sponsor IZOD. Can they be replaced in time for 2014; and if so, who's going to step up to the plate?
Side By Side: Debris Cautions by TBA
Is NASCAR deliberately manipulating the outcome of the race through debris cautions? Give us your opinion as two of your favorite Frontstretch experts go toe-to-toe on this week's controversial topic.
Top Ten List by the Frontstretch Staff
Check out this weekly dose of humor, from our staff that'll leave you laughing about the world of racing.
Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Post-Dover compiled by Mike Mehedin
Sure, he's still second in the title Chase. But did Jimmie Johnson's Dover dominance do enough to convince our experts he should rise to #1? See how your favorite writers voted, in our weekly poll from around the web as we rank the best 15 drivers in the Cup Series heading to Kansas.
Happiness Is... by Danny Peters
Don't let your racing life sink straight into the pits. Subbing for Huston, Danny gives us the bright side of stories from around the world of motorsports this week.
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