THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
October 31st, 2013
Volume VII, Edition CCIV
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What to Watch: ThursdayPresented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
October 31st, 2013
Volume VII, Edition CCIV
~~~~~~~~~~
- Thursday is the start of the race weekend in Texas. Camping World Truck Series teams will be out on track for two practice sessions today. The first session will be held from 6:00 - 7:00 PM EDT, while "Happy Hour" will be held from 7:30 - 9:00 PM EDT. There will be no TV coverage of either session.
- In addition, today is the final day of a three-day test at Homestead-Miami Speedway for Sprint Cup teams ahead of Ford Championship Weekend. Some squads (like Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 team) have already packed up and left for North Carolina, while others will keep a small squad in Homestead for the final day.
Top News
by Phil Allaway
Penalties Issued Following Sledgehammer Throw
Last Saturday's Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway will likely be best known for Darrell Wallace, Jr.'s historic victory. However, late in the race, a crash involving Ty Dillon and Kevin Harvick, along with the pit road actions afterward, also made headlines.
Dillon got in the back of Harvick in Turn 2, spinning the Sprint Cup regular out, who then ran into the driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet. Dillon then responded with a number of unsuccessful attempts to spin out Harvick. When both drivers got to pit road, Harvick blocked Dillon's stall and threw down his window net, prompting a scrum where a sledgehammer was thrown by a member of Dillon's team at Harvick's truck.
On Friday morning, NASCAR responded with penalties stemming from the pit road altercation. Marcus Richmond, crew chief of the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, has been fined $10,000 for failing to maintain control of his crew. Meanwhile, crew member Adam Brown was judged by NASCAR to be the person who three the sledgehammer at Harvick and was suspended indefinitely.
In their press release, NASCAR cited violations of multiple sections of the 2013 Camping World Truck Series Rule Book. The sections cited were 12-1 (Actions Detrimental to Stock Car Racing) and 9-4A (Crew chief resumes responsibility for the actions of his driver, team owner, and team members in addition to himself).
There is no word as of yet from Richard Childress Racing as to whether they plan to appeal the penalties.
Drivers Ineligible to Earn Points:
No. 21- Trevor Bayne for Wood Brothers Racing
No. 30- Parker Kligerman for Swan Racing
No. 33- Austin Dillon for Circle Sport, LLC/Richard Childress Racing
No. 35- Josh Wise for Front Row Motorsports
No. 40- Landon Cassill for Hillman Racing/Circle Sport, LLC
No. 51- Kyle Larson for Phoenix Racing
No. 55- Elliott Sadler for Michael Waltrip Racing
No. 87- Joe Nemechek for NEMCO Motorsports/JRR
Driver Changes:
No. 30- Parker Kligerman is in the seat, replacing Cole Whitt. This will be Kligerman's Sprint Cup Series debut.
No. 32- Timmy Hill returns to the seat, replacing Ken Schrader.
No. 33- Austin Dillon returns to the seat, replacing Tony Raines.
Since there are only 43 entries, no one will fail to qualify.
Nationwide Series O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge: 40 cars entered
Drivers Ineligible to Earn Points:
No. 16- Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. for Roush Fenway Racing
No. 18- Matt Kenseth for Joe Gibbs Racing
No. 20- Denny Hamlin for Joe Gibbs Racing
No. 22- Brad Keselowski for Penske Racing
No. 33- Ty Dillon for Richard Childress Racing
No. 54- Kyle Busch for Kyle Busch Motorsports/Joe Gibbs Racing
No. 55- David Starr for Viva Motorsports
No. 79- Bryan Silas for Go Green Racing
Driver Changes:
No. 16- Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. is in the seat, replacing Ryan Reed.
No. 20- Denny Hamlin returns to the seat, replacing Brian Vickers.
No. 22- Brad Keselowski returns to the seat, replacing Joey Logano.
No. 24- Ryan Ellis returns to the seat, replacing Ken Butler, III.
No. 33- Ty Dillon returns to the seat, replacing Kevin Harvick.
No. 44- Cole Whitt returns to the seat, replacing Chad Hackenbracht.
No. 55- David Starr returns to the seat, replacing Jamie Dick.
No. 74- Carl Long returns to the seat, replacing Kevin Lepage.
No. 79- Bryan Silas returns to the seat, replacing Jeffrey Earnhardt.
Since there are only 40 drivers entered, no one will fail to qualify. However, these teams must still qualify on speed:
No. 00- Blake Koch for SR2 Motorsports*
No. 10- Jeff Green for TriStar Motorsports*
No. 16- Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. for Roush Fenway Racing
No. 18- Matt Kenseth for Joe Gibbs Racing
No. 42- Josh Wise for The Motorsports Group, LLC*
No. 52- Joey Gase for Jimmy Means Racing
No. 55- David Starr for Viva Motorsports
No. 74- Carl Long for Mike Harmon Racing
No. 89- Morgan Shepherd for Shepherd Motor Ventures
No. 98- Kevin Swindell for Biagi-DenBeste Racing
Not Entered:
No. 17- Tanner Berryhill for Vision Racing
No. 34- James Buescher for Turner Scott Motorsports
No. 46- JJ Yeley for The Motorsports Group, LLC
No. 50- Danny Efland for MAKE Motorsports
No. 73- Derrike Cope for Creation-Cope Racing
No. 92- Dexter Stacey for KH Motorsports
No. 95- Reed Sorenson for Leavine Family Racing
Camping World Truck Series WinStar World Casino 350k: 34 trucks entered
Drivers Ineligible to Earn Points:
No. 51- Kyle Busch for Kyle Busch Motorsports
No. 84- Mike Harmon for Chris Fontaine, Inc./Mike Harmon Racing
Driver Changes:
No. 07- Chris Cockrum returns to the seat, replacing Jimmy Weller.
No. 6- Justin Lofton returns to the seat, replacing Daniel Hemric.
No. 39- Ryan Lynch is in the seat, replacing Ryan Sieg.
No. 51- Kyle Busch returns to the seat, replacing Denny Hamlin.
No. 63- Justin Jennings returns to the seat, replacing Scott Stenzel.
No. 81- David Starr returns to the seat, replacing Timmy Hill.
No. 84- Mike Harmon returns to the seat, replacing Brad Riethmeyer.
No. 93- Ryan Sieg returns to the seat, replacing Chris Jones.
Since there are only 34 trucks entered, no one will fail to qualify. However, these teams still need to qualify on speed:
No. 02- Tyler Young for Young's Motorsports
No. 0- Chris Lafferty for JJC Racing*
No. 6- Justin Lofton for Sharp Gallaher Racing
No. 10- Jennifer Jo Cobb for JJC Racing
No. 21- Spencer Gallagher for Gallagher Motorsports
No. 27- Jeff Agnew for Hillman Racing/Team 7 Motorsports
No. 63- Justin Jennings for MB Motorsports
No. 92- Scott Riggs for RBR Enterprises
No. 93- Ryan Sieg for RSS Racing
Not Entered:
No. 14- Kevin Harvick for NTS Motorsports
No. 22- John Hunter Nemechek for SWM/NEMCO Racing
No. 30- Ben Kennedy for Turner Scott Motorsports
No. 33- Brandon Jones for Turner Scott Motorsports
No. 68- Clay Greenfield for Clay Greenfield Motorsports
No. 75- Caleb Holman for Henderson Motorsports
No. 94- Chase Elliott for Hendrick Motorsports
*- Expected to Start-and-Park
News and Notes:
- A number of teams will be running new colors this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. For example, Austin Dillon will be running the colors of Boot Barn on the No. 33 Chevrolet Sunday. Boot Barn is a chain of stores that sell western wear (clothing, belt buckles, hats, etc.) in addition to boots. In Texas, the company operates as Baskins Western & Work Wear.
- Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will race a special paint scheme for AMP Energy Gold, a new apple flavored variety of AMP Energy that will be available in stores, starting next week through January. The car is similar to the regular AMP Energy scheme that Earnhardt, Jr. ran earlier this season, but with gold substituted for green.
- Regan Smith will be sponsored this week by Lionel Racing Collectibles, the company that manufactures most of the NASCAR diecast collectibles. Lionel is launching a new contest called the Lionel Golden Ticket. 700 golden tickets have been placed in 2014 1:24 scale diecasts. If a purchaser finds one of those tickets, they could win one of a number of prizes, including a ride-along with Dale Earnhardt, Jr., tours at various Sprint Cup team shops, driver meet-and-greets and more. Naturally, a golden paint scheme to advertise the promotion will be raced by Smith.
- Finally, Kellogg's Pringles brand will be featured on the side of Michael Annett's No. 43 Pilot Travel Centers Ford in Saturday's O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge.
Have news for Phil 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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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!
~~~~~~~~~~
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!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Featured Commentary
The New DW, Gen-6.1, and RCR: LOL, OMG, WTF
The New DW, Gen-6.1, and RCR: LOL, OMG, WTF
What's Vexing Vito
by Vito Pugliese
There are some that are celebrating Darrell Wallace, Jr.'s win at Martinsville in the Camping World Truck Series – and others who are poo-pooing it. The first win by an African-American driver in nearly 50 years – that's half a century – was a watershed moment for the 20-year-old driver, who has a bright future head of him in NASCAR's upper divisions. Some have tried to temper the importance of the race angle; no, I don't mean the championship implications from points leader Matt Crafton being caught up in the Ty Dillion / Kevin Harvick awkwardness, but the significance of a black driver winning in what has been predominantly a white sport -- at any level.
Those who have read of the life, times, and struggles of Wendell Scott will recall that the race he won in 1963 was not declared his until after the track had emptied – fearing a riot from the remaining crowd. Considering the backwoods nature of many tracks, fans, and some competitors in the South during a volatile time in American race relations, Scott's accomplishments were every bit as important and groundbreaking as Jackie Robinson. Considering NASCAR has been seen as "mainstream" for about 15 years now, the fact that the only African-American NASCAR driver who has had any modicum of success has been Bill Lester, speaks to the significance of Darrell Wallace, Jr.'s accomplishment.
It is important not just for the burgeoning career of a 20-year old driver, but what it means to the sport as a whole. Danica Patrick has helped attract new fans and media attention to the sport when it desperately needed it with her Daytona 500 pole win, and as sponsorship dollars are still hard to come by, a fresh new face with marketability on par with Patrick, it serves as a boon for the entire sport, in addition to the exposure to a demographic that might not have paid attention before.
Let's face it: Despite how long it has had a network TV deal, NASCAR still has to overcome the inaccurate and absurd stereotype that it is the sport of rednecks and hillbillies, and the generalization that is unfairly attributed to those who like to watch cars go around in circles (i.e., you and I).
Bonehead comments like those from Jeremy Clements earlier this year in Daytona, or actions by a former Penske Racing crew member several years ago showing up in a Ku Klux Klan outfit as a prank, set the sport back years with people who are unaware of how inclusive and welcoming it truly is. When Lewis Hamilton wins a Formula 1 race – or championship – there's really not much made of his ethnicity. When it happens in NASCAR, there will be a different reaction due to the perception based on a period of time in our country – and one area of the country in particular.
Don't get things twisted – this was also not the result of some sponsor gimmick or experiment. It happened because he is a talented race car driver, who isn't even old enough to buy a beer yet to spray in Victory Lane. Congratulate the young man as well for a job well done, representing himself, the sport, his sponsors, and Kyle Busch Motorsports as well as any driver, in any series. He led nearly half the race, took his time, was patient, and did not have resort to the cliché and cheesy "bump and run" to execute a pass or earn his first career win, that just happened to have some historical significance behind it as well.
He stands in stark contrast to the millionaire back-biting and name calling that was taking place behind him as he was celebrating with his first grandfather clock trophy.
********************
While the headlines from Martinsville heralded the win of Darrell Wallace, Jr., it was the actions and comments by Kevin Harvick, Ty Dillon, and Richard Childress that many fans were celebrating. If there is any question why we need more short tracks and road courses in NASCAR, look no further than the 2013 Camping World Trucks season. Does anything cool happen at Las Vegas or Kansas? No. Well, that was pretty sweet when Johnny Sauter and Ron Hornaday slid sideways in tandem a couple of years ago, but other than that, it's close confines and short tempers that make for the type of stock car soap opera we saw this weekend.
A few things struck me (not unlike the orange sledgehammer that was hurled at Harvick's truck) with regards to that fracas. First of which was Kevin Harvick's assertion that the Dillon brothers have been spoon-fed success and don't respect other established people within the sport. You mean like say, being plopped in the seat of the sport's biggest name a week after he was killed, and being afforded a life of riches and wealth to the tune of over $100 million in career winnings – and then slandering the name and reputation of the man and his family who provided you with it?
Also, unless I'm missing something, what has Austin Dillon ever done to anybody? I know he didn't stomp on the Wood Brothers car after Richmond in 2003, or cuss out his crew regularly to the point where crew chiefs just say, "no thanks" after a while. Kind of surprised RC didn't take his watch off the last time somebody got a little rough with one of his trucks, as he did in Kansas in 2011.
********************
A number of changes appear to be on the horizon for NASCAR in 2014. New rules for aero, qualifying, and a report that horsepower will be cut by about 100 ponies, to help slow cars down and make for better racing. With the aero package, NASCAR is toying with the idea of removing minimum front end clearance for pre- and post-race inspection. Teams today spend vast treasures to conjure up special shocks and shims to help get the car through inspection, and then it's slammed to the ground at speed anyway. Qualifying changes look to speed things up on the plate tracks where running by yourself is absolutely useless and irrelevant, while cutting the power looks to keep cars from hitting 210 mph entering the corners at 1.5-mile race tracks.
A few thoughts and suggestions: want to make qualifying fun and important? Pay points for the pole. You get a bonus point for leading a lap – even if it's accidentally during a green flag pit stop cycle, or if you just stay out during a caution. So working for four hours on Friday to get the fastest lap out of your car should be good for something…right? Aero ideas? Put the 2000 - 2001 aero package on the cars with the roof wicker and Lexan spoilers so they can see in front of them through the windshields.
Power is a tricky proposition; if you cut power do you do it with lower compression or a smaller engine? If the engines are smaller, it will just mean they'll spin them faster and by the end of the season we'll have 10,000 rpm screamers making about the same power. Smaller heads, restrictive exhaust, lower compression, or heavier pieces can all be used to help curtail the power levels that are now in excess of 900 hp.
Once you have the power reduced, then what? Will the racing be any better or is it still going to be a battle of aero-push and track position? Perhaps the best suggestion after dialing down the insane power levels we're seeing, is to loosen up the rules a bit so the teams can find speed in other areas of the car, making them drive, handle, and race better, rather than just trying to work a pit cycle so they start on the inside lane within the first two rows. Oh by the way, you know where you don't have to worry about this kind of stuff at?
Road courses and short tracks.
There are some that are celebrating Darrell Wallace, Jr.'s win at Martinsville in the Camping World Truck Series – and others who are poo-pooing it. The first win by an African-American driver in nearly 50 years – that's half a century – was a watershed moment for the 20-year-old driver, who has a bright future head of him in NASCAR's upper divisions. Some have tried to temper the importance of the race angle; no, I don't mean the championship implications from points leader Matt Crafton being caught up in the Ty Dillion / Kevin Harvick awkwardness, but the significance of a black driver winning in what has been predominantly a white sport -- at any level.
Those who have read of the life, times, and struggles of Wendell Scott will recall that the race he won in 1963 was not declared his until after the track had emptied – fearing a riot from the remaining crowd. Considering the backwoods nature of many tracks, fans, and some competitors in the South during a volatile time in American race relations, Scott's accomplishments were every bit as important and groundbreaking as Jackie Robinson. Considering NASCAR has been seen as "mainstream" for about 15 years now, the fact that the only African-American NASCAR driver who has had any modicum of success has been Bill Lester, speaks to the significance of Darrell Wallace, Jr.'s accomplishment.
It is important not just for the burgeoning career of a 20-year old driver, but what it means to the sport as a whole. Danica Patrick has helped attract new fans and media attention to the sport when it desperately needed it with her Daytona 500 pole win, and as sponsorship dollars are still hard to come by, a fresh new face with marketability on par with Patrick, it serves as a boon for the entire sport, in addition to the exposure to a demographic that might not have paid attention before.
Let's face it: Despite how long it has had a network TV deal, NASCAR still has to overcome the inaccurate and absurd stereotype that it is the sport of rednecks and hillbillies, and the generalization that is unfairly attributed to those who like to watch cars go around in circles (i.e., you and I).
Bonehead comments like those from Jeremy Clements earlier this year in Daytona, or actions by a former Penske Racing crew member several years ago showing up in a Ku Klux Klan outfit as a prank, set the sport back years with people who are unaware of how inclusive and welcoming it truly is. When Lewis Hamilton wins a Formula 1 race – or championship – there's really not much made of his ethnicity. When it happens in NASCAR, there will be a different reaction due to the perception based on a period of time in our country – and one area of the country in particular.
Don't get things twisted – this was also not the result of some sponsor gimmick or experiment. It happened because he is a talented race car driver, who isn't even old enough to buy a beer yet to spray in Victory Lane. Congratulate the young man as well for a job well done, representing himself, the sport, his sponsors, and Kyle Busch Motorsports as well as any driver, in any series. He led nearly half the race, took his time, was patient, and did not have resort to the cliché and cheesy "bump and run" to execute a pass or earn his first career win, that just happened to have some historical significance behind it as well.
He stands in stark contrast to the millionaire back-biting and name calling that was taking place behind him as he was celebrating with his first grandfather clock trophy.
********************
While the headlines from Martinsville heralded the win of Darrell Wallace, Jr., it was the actions and comments by Kevin Harvick, Ty Dillon, and Richard Childress that many fans were celebrating. If there is any question why we need more short tracks and road courses in NASCAR, look no further than the 2013 Camping World Trucks season. Does anything cool happen at Las Vegas or Kansas? No. Well, that was pretty sweet when Johnny Sauter and Ron Hornaday slid sideways in tandem a couple of years ago, but other than that, it's close confines and short tempers that make for the type of stock car soap opera we saw this weekend.
A few things struck me (not unlike the orange sledgehammer that was hurled at Harvick's truck) with regards to that fracas. First of which was Kevin Harvick's assertion that the Dillon brothers have been spoon-fed success and don't respect other established people within the sport. You mean like say, being plopped in the seat of the sport's biggest name a week after he was killed, and being afforded a life of riches and wealth to the tune of over $100 million in career winnings – and then slandering the name and reputation of the man and his family who provided you with it?
Also, unless I'm missing something, what has Austin Dillon ever done to anybody? I know he didn't stomp on the Wood Brothers car after Richmond in 2003, or cuss out his crew regularly to the point where crew chiefs just say, "no thanks" after a while. Kind of surprised RC didn't take his watch off the last time somebody got a little rough with one of his trucks, as he did in Kansas in 2011.
********************
A number of changes appear to be on the horizon for NASCAR in 2014. New rules for aero, qualifying, and a report that horsepower will be cut by about 100 ponies, to help slow cars down and make for better racing. With the aero package, NASCAR is toying with the idea of removing minimum front end clearance for pre- and post-race inspection. Teams today spend vast treasures to conjure up special shocks and shims to help get the car through inspection, and then it's slammed to the ground at speed anyway. Qualifying changes look to speed things up on the plate tracks where running by yourself is absolutely useless and irrelevant, while cutting the power looks to keep cars from hitting 210 mph entering the corners at 1.5-mile race tracks.
A few thoughts and suggestions: want to make qualifying fun and important? Pay points for the pole. You get a bonus point for leading a lap – even if it's accidentally during a green flag pit stop cycle, or if you just stay out during a caution. So working for four hours on Friday to get the fastest lap out of your car should be good for something…right? Aero ideas? Put the 2000 - 2001 aero package on the cars with the roof wicker and Lexan spoilers so they can see in front of them through the windshields.
Power is a tricky proposition; if you cut power do you do it with lower compression or a smaller engine? If the engines are smaller, it will just mean they'll spin them faster and by the end of the season we'll have 10,000 rpm screamers making about the same power. Smaller heads, restrictive exhaust, lower compression, or heavier pieces can all be used to help curtail the power levels that are now in excess of 900 hp.
Once you have the power reduced, then what? Will the racing be any better or is it still going to be a battle of aero-push and track position? Perhaps the best suggestion after dialing down the insane power levels we're seeing, is to loosen up the rules a bit so the teams can find speed in other areas of the car, making them drive, handle, and race better, rather than just trying to work a pit cycle so they start on the inside lane within the first two rows. Oh by the way, you know where you don't have to worry about this kind of stuff at?
Road courses and short tracks.
Vito Pugliese is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch. He can be reached via e-mail at vito.pugliese@frontstretch.com. Follow him on Twitter at @VitoPugliese.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Critic's Annex: British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch
by Phil Allaway
by Phil Allaway
Hello, race fans. Welcome back to the Critic's Annex, where we take an additional look at motorsports-related programming for your pleasure. With the season beginning to wind down, the amount of programming available for consumption has begun to decrease.
Over the past decade or so, this timeframe is when SPEED would air foreign series in order to fill time. Even with the switch from SPEED and FUEL to FOX Sports 1 and 2, that appears to still be on for this winter. The alternate programming started Sunday night with the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship) from Monza and FIA GT Series from Nogaro in France, a race that I actually critiqued live via SPEED2.com and wrote about here back in April. Monday night saw FOX Sports 2 air the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) and the BTCC (British Touring Car Championship) season openers. I may cover some DTM in a week or two, but since DTM posts their races on YouTube, I will likely just do it from there.
Over the past decade or so, this timeframe is when SPEED would air foreign series in order to fill time. Even with the switch from SPEED and FUEL to FOX Sports 1 and 2, that appears to still be on for this winter. The alternate programming started Sunday night with the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship) from Monza and FIA GT Series from Nogaro in France, a race that I actually critiqued live via SPEED2.com and wrote about here back in April. Monday night saw FOX Sports 2 air the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) and the BTCC (British Touring Car Championship) season openers. I may cover some DTM in a week or two, but since DTM posts their races on YouTube, I will likely just do it from there.
For the BTCC, Round 1 of their 10 round (30 race) season was held at Brands Hatch on the 1.192-mile Indy circuit. To American race fans, it's the short course that was used when CART raced there as part of a two-race European swing in 2003. USAC did as well in 1978.
Now, it should be noted that this is more of a review broadcast than an actual race broadcast. Combined, the three races held back on March 31st at Brands Hatch took up probably 2.5 hours, yet we've got an hour including commercials here. As a result, there are a lot of cuts in the coverage. We see the first couple of laps of Race No. 1, there's spin that brings out the Safety Car (Full Course Caution). They go to commercial, and all of a sudden, it's Lap 10. That'll give you an idea of where we're going here.
There is essentially no introduction to the races themselves. There is an opening montage, then right to the start of the first race. While there are some viewers that will like that, the BTCC isn't exactly a well-known series here in the United States. As a result, viewers may not know much about the series, or anyone in it. Some pre-race coverage would help viewers get to know somebody on the track.
David Addison and former driver Tim Harvey are in the booth for ITV4, which is basically what you would have if Spike were an over-the-air channel in the U.S. Probably the first thing you notice with Addison is that he's a very fast commentator. As a result, it can be a little hard to follow what he's saying. Harvey serves as both the driving and technical expert in the booth. I think that he does a decent job in there, but really has to wait his turn. Compared to the dynamics that we're used to with NASCAR telecasts (and even to a lesser extent, IndyCar), it's very different. Here, we hear too much from the analysts, who are considered the stars of the show.
After the individual races, we would get a full field rundown, then right to a break before the next race begins. Following the third and final race, we saw the point standings. Post-race interviews from all three races were sacrificed to the editing room as well.
Overall, I thought that the coverage that we got to see was halfway decent. I didn't necessarily agree with all of the camera choices since we didn't always get the best possible shot. The action that we did see was somewhat limited in scope. I'd argue that if we got the full races, it would have been more inclusive.
The Addison-Harvey pair works well together and seem to be quite enthusiastic about the somewhat rough and tumble action out on the track. However, the dynamic is quite different from what we're used to.
I hope you enjoyed this look at the BTCC from the Brands Hatch Indy circuit. Next week, we'll be back with the Road Atlanta 115, the season finale for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. Until then, enjoy this weekend's racing from Texas and Abu Dhabi.
I hope you enjoyed this look at the BTCC from the Brands Hatch Indy circuit. Next week, we'll be back with the Road Atlanta 115, the season finale for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. Until then, enjoy this weekend's racing from Texas and Abu Dhabi.
Phil Allaway is the Newsletter Manager and a Senior Writer at Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Frontstretch Line of the Week
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Frontstretch Line of the Week
"Sasquatch, yeah. I would not mind doing a commercial with him. I'm sure we could come up with something good. Their commercials are second to none. Hopefully, we can pull it off one day." - Daniel Hemric, on whether any comedic commercials are in his future via his sponsorship from Jack Link's.
~~~~~~~~~~
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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 tony.lumbis@frontstretch.com for details.
~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
by Jeff Wolfe
NASCAR Mailbox: Not-So-Sweet Tea And Edging Open Wheel
by Summer Bedgood
Tracking the Trucks: Grading The Schedule And Wallace's Impact
by Beth Lunkenheimer
Tech Talk: Jason Ratcliff Reveals Martinsville Keys For Kenseth, Talks Texas Strategy
by Beth Lunkenheimer
Tech Talk: Jason Ratcliff Reveals Martinsville Keys For Kenseth, Talks Texas Strategy
by Mike Neff
by the Frontstretch Staff
by the Frontstretch Staff
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: Ken Schrader's time with the Wood Brothers was nothing short of miserable. A grand total of two top-10 finishes in a season and change before getting fired. The 2006 Dickies 500 was another miserable day that ended with a DNF. What happeend?
Check back Friday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Wednesday's Answer:
Wednesday's Answer:
Q: Back in 2001, Texas Motor Speedway was mainly a one-groove race track. Venture out of the groove, and bad things were likely to happen. Kenny Wallace was trying to get a good finish for Innovative Motorsports, in the Nationwide Series but he didn't make it to Lap 10 before all heck went down. What happened?
A: With one groove to play with, staying on the bottom to make passes was absolutely paramount. Wallace tried to make a move to the inside of Ashton Lewis, Jr. in Turn 3 and got loose underneath the No. 46. Wallace tried to save it, but bumped into Lewis' left side and spun, backing hard into the outside wall. The crash can be seen here.
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 Justin Tucker
-- In Case You Missed It by Beth Lunkenheimer
-- Keepin' It Short by Mike Neff
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, trivia, and more!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Four Burning Questions: Texas by Matt Stallknecht
How will Sprint Cup's final short track event of the season turn out? Matt gives us a preview while looking at four major storylines the race weekend at Texas Motor Speedway should provide.
Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Justin Tucker
-- In Case You Missed It by Beth Lunkenheimer
-- Keepin' It Short by Mike Neff
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, trivia, and more!
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Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Four Burning Questions: Texas by Matt Stallknecht
How will Sprint Cup's final short track event of the season turn out? Matt gives us a preview while looking at four major storylines the race weekend at Texas Motor Speedway should provide.
Holding A Pretty Wheel by Amy Henderson
Amy returns this week with another intriguing Friday commentary. This week, Amy takes a look at what she thinks was missing from NASCAR's penalty announcement in the Dillon / Harvick incident from Martinsville.
Nuts For Nationwide by Kevin Rutherford
Kevin has another interesting look at the Nationwide Series as they return to action in Texas
Voices From the Heartland by Jeff Meyer
Our Tennessee transplant returns with another interesting take on recent events.
Frontstretch Foto Funnies by the Frontstretch Staff
Pictures can lead to a thousand laughs; join us in our weekly dose of humor that comes from those candid moments at the track.
Formula 1 Fridays by Andy Hollis
Andy returns to give us an excellent look into Formula One ahead of this weekend's Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
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