Friday, October 25, 2013

The Frontstretch Newsletter: Martinsville Racing Preview

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
October 25th, 2013
Volume VII, Edition CC

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FRONTSTRETCH AT THE TRACK! Our Amy Henderson, Mike Neff and Mike Mehedin are at Talladega this weekend, giving you all the latest news, information, and race reports. Be sure to follow Facebook and Twitter (@TheFrontstretch, @Writer_Amy, @MNeffShortTrack and @MikeyMehedin) as an additional resource while following the weekend's events.

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FRONTSTRETCH ON TV! Tom Bowles, our Majority Owner / Editor-In-Chief will once again appear on the FOX Sports 1 show The Crowd Goes Wild! with Regis Philbin. Check out the appearance, Friday at 5 PM ET for a Martinsville preview and be sure to follow the show @CGW on Twitter. Tom can be found @NASCARBowles.

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Racing On TV This Weekend (via Phil Allaway)

Friday, October 25
Time    Telecast    Network
CUP & TRUCKS AT MARTINSVILLE
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM    Camping World Truck Series Practice No. 1    FOX Sports 1
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM    Camping World Truck Series Happy Hour    FOX Sports 1
12:00 - 1:30 PM    Sprint Cup Series Practice No. 1    FOX Sports 1
2:00 - 3:00 PM    K&N Pro Series West Toyota / NAPA Auto Parts 150 (Bakersfield, CA)    FOX Sports 1 */
3:30 - 5:00 PM    Sprint Cup Series Qualifying    FOX Sports 1
5:00 - 6:00 PM    Camping World Truck Series Qualifying    FOX Sports 2

Saturday, October 26
Time    Telecast    Network
4:30 AM - 6:00 AM    Formula One Grand Prix of India Qualifying    NBC Sports Network
10:30 - 11:30 AM    Sprint Cup Series Practice No. 2    FOX Sports 2
12:00 - 1:00 PM    Sprint Cup Series Happy Hour    FOX Sports 1
1:00 - 1:30 PM    NCWTS Setup    FOX Sports 1
1:30 - 3:30 PM    Camping World Truck Series Kroger 200    FOX Sports 1

Sunday, October 27
Time    Telecast    Network
5:00 AM - 5:30 AM    F1 Countdown    NBC Sports Network
5:30 - 7:30 AM    Formula One Grand Prix of India    NBC Sports Network
7:30 - 8:00 AM    F1 Extra    NBC Sports Network
10:00 - 11:00 AM    NASCAR RaceDay Fueled by Sunoco, Part 1    FOX Sports 1
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM    NASCAR RaceDay Fueled by Sunoco, Part 2    FOX Sports 2
1:00 - 1:30 PM    NASCAR Countdown    ESPN
1:30 - 5:00 PM    Sprint Cup Series Goody's Relief Shot 500    ESPN
7:00 - 7:30 PM    NASCAR Victory Lane    FOX Sports 1
11:00 PM - 12:00 AM    NASCAR Now, Post-Race    ESPN 2

* - Tape Delayed
/ - Highlighted Coverage

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Top News
by Justin Tucker

NASCAR Considering Qualifying Shakeup

The days of a standard, single-car qualifying procedure in NASCAR just might be numbered. On Thursday, the sport announced it is considering changing its qualifying procedure for next season to have multiple cars on the track at the same time. The changes were confirmed to be on the table through multiple interviews with NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp.

Already implemented for the road courses this season, the proposed qualifying format would have cars in groups, with each car released from pit road in intervals of a few seconds. The group would have a certain amount of time set by NASCAR to complete its qualifying laps, with the best lap speed set by each driver used to determine the starting grid.

On restrictor plate tracks, such as Daytona and Talladega, NASCAR would implement an open qualifying drafting session likely to last anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes to determine the starting order. The field for the Daytona 500, however, would still be set primarily through qualifying races.

As to whether the new format would determine the Daytona 500 pole? Or the order for the qualifying races? That's yet to be decided, as the adjustment has not been officially been approved by the higher-ups down in Daytona Beach.

"Nothing is set in stone yet," Tharp said. "We haven't determined how all that (throughout the season) would be administered. We're still working through that, but with the goal of providing a more enhanced qualifying experience for the fans that come there and watch it and the fans that watch it on television and, quite frankly, for the competitors."

Tharp said the changes were floated during a meeting with drivers and teams on Thursday afternoon. That conversation also addressed potential chassis changes, with another test scheduled for December 9th at Charlotte to try and improve the Gen-6 car's handling.

What do you think about the potential changes? Be sure to drop us a line and let us know.

Trucks Won't Return To Rockingham In 2014

Rockingham Speedway, one of NASCAR's most historic venues, which began hosting NASCAR-sanctioned races two years ago after an eight-year absence, will not host the Camping World Truck Series in 2014. That's according to track owner Andy Hillenburg, confirming the move in advance of the full schedule release next week.

The one-mile track located just 90 miles Southeast of Charlotte had played host to 142 NASCAR-sanctioned events since 1965, with the last being in April of this year when Kyle Larson held off Joey Logano to win the Camping World Truck Series event. The track will remain open for rentals, which include testing but will close for all NASCAR races, at least temporarily while attempting to make marketing and internal improvements for down the road.

"We've got a number of issues that need to be resolved before we can host races again," Hillenburg said. "These issues have been mounting over the last two to three years."

NASCAR is expected to release the 2014 Truck Series schedule as early as Monday and is the last of the three national touring schedules yet to be released. NASCAR spokesperson David Higdon would not comment specifically about Rockingham's date on the schedule; he would only say that they are finalizing the last remaining pieces of it.

Hillenburg purchased the track from Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI) in 2007. At first, the speedway experienced a renaissance of sorts, holding a 500-mile ARCA race in advance of the two Truck events that returned to the 1.017-mile oval in 2012-13. Unfortunately, though attendance had dwindled, with the Trucks even struggling to draw a "sold out" crowd. Several smaller events for this Fall had been canceled, leading to growing speculation the track would eventually have to be shut down or sold.

"This has been six years of my life," Hillenburg added, claiming there are no plans for him to give up ownership. "I want to see it succeed."

NASCAR Mandates Baseline Concussion Testing

NASCAR announced Thursday morning that, beginning with the 2014 season, the sanctioning body will mandate preseason neurocognitive baseline testing as part of its comprehensive concussion prevention and management program for all drivers in its three national series.

At the start of the 2013 season, NASCAR recommended that drivers who had not already had a baseline test secure one while indicating a preseason mandate for such testing could be implemented as early as 2014. Baseline testing will be performed through the use of an ImPACT test (Immediate Post - Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing).

By implementing this testing prior to the start of the season, doctors are given a snapshot of the athlete's brain function while in a healthy state. Doctors then can use the baseline test, comparing it to post-concussion tests to assist them in evaluating the effects of the injury and assisting them in setting a timetable to return to competition.

"NASCAR made this decision because we think it is important to drivers' health for doctors to have the best information and tools available in evaluating injuries," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR Vice President of Racing Operations. "Before announcing this rule, we provided drivers concussion and baseline testing education and created opportunities for them to ask any questions they may have to a top neurosurgeon that specializes in traumatic brain injuries. Also, remember that ImPACT tests are not new to our sport and have been used for treatment through the years.

"We are extremely confident that our concussion protocol is among the best in sports. We regularly review all of our practices, involving safety and health to see if there is anything that we can do better, or should do differently moving forward. Implementing baseline testing is a primary example of our philosophy to protect our competitors the best that we can."

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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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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In Case You Missed It
by Beth Lunkenheimer

Edwards Stars in New Sara Evans Video

Carl Edwards teamed up with RCA Nashville recording artist Sara Evans in the music video for her new single "Slow Me Down." The video debuted on Yahoo! Music earlier this week and debuted on VEVO today. The music video was Edwards' second. He also appeared in Justin Moore's "Bait a Hook" video last year.

"Carl blew us all away both on and off camera," said Evans.  "He nailed the acting parts and was so fun to have around on set, especially during the fighting scenes in the apartment. We're both from Missouri and share the same sense of humor, so it was easy to joke back and forth. We had the entire crew cracking up, but on camera it looks like we literally hate each other.  I hope the fans love the video for 'Slow Me Down' as much as I do!"

Edwards has been actively in the spotlight off the track this season, appearing on LIVE! With Kelly & Michael, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, The Big Bang Theory and Cartoon Network's The Adventures of the Annoying Orange.

Hendrick to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

Rick Hendrick has been selected to receive the 2014 Keith Crain / Automotive News Lifetime Achievement Award on January 22nd at the Washington Auto Show. The award is given annually to those deemed to have made a significant contribution to the auto industry.

"Rick has become an auto industry icon through his charity, hard work, grit and determination," said Keith Crain, Chairman of Crain Communications and Editor-in-Chief of Automotive News. "He has achieved unimaginable success as an automotive dealer and NASCAR owner. He has persevered through unspeakable grief and continues to give back; that combination makes him unique and the perfect recipient of the lifetime achievement award."

Previous winners of the award include Edsel Ford II, Roger Penske, Carroll Shelby, Ralph Nader and Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI).

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Frontstretch Folio: Camping World RV Sales 500
by Beth Lunkenheimer

This weekend, the Sprint Cup Series rolls into Martinsville Speedway for the seventh race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. The Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 will be broadcast live on ESPN at 1:00 PM ET; it can also be heard on your local MRN affiliate or SiriusXM Channel 90. Drivers will compete for 500 laps (263 miles) en route to the checkered flag.

Records and Facts

Jimmie Johnson holds the track qualifying record at Martinsville Speedway with a lap of 98.400 mph for April's STP Gas Booster 500. He went on to lead 346 of 500 laps en route to his eighth win at the paperclip. Clint Bowyer finished second, followed by Jeff Gordon. Kasey Kahne and Kyle Busch rounded out the top 5.

Johnson is also the defending winner of this race. After starting on the pole, the driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet led a race-high 193 laps en route to his fifth of six victories in the 2012 season. Kyle Busch ran second, while Kasey Kahne, Aric Almirola and Clint Bowyer rounded out the top 5.

Track Facts

Track/Race Length: 0.526-mile Paper Clip shaped oval, 500 laps (263 miles)
Pit Road Speed: 30 mph
Degree of Banking: 12 degrees
Frontstretch: 800 ft., 0 degrees of banking
Backstretch: 800 ft., 0 degrees of banking
Grandstand Seating: 61,000
Website: http://www.martinsvillespeedway.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MartinsvilleSpeedway
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MartinsvilleSwy

Pre-race Schedule

Practices: Friday, October 25, 12:00 - 1:30 PM ET on Fox Sports 1
Saturday, October 26, 10:30 - 11:25 AM ET on Fox Sports 2
Happy Hour: Saturday, October 26, 12:00 - 12:50 PM ET on Fox Sports 1
Qualifying: Friday, October 25 at 3:40 PM ET on Fox Sports 1

VIPs

Grand Marshal / Command: NASCAR Legend Junior Johnson
Honorary Starter / Wave Green Flag: Lizard Lick's Amy Shirley
National Anthem: N.C. State Band
Flyover: The Warbirds

Race Day Forecast

Sunday: Mostly Sunny
High: 63
Low: 37

They Said It:

"I really didn't like going [to Martinsville] in the beginning. I actually hated the place. We definitely have figured it out as a team and it's now turned into one of my favorite short tracks. This NAPA team has figured out what we need to run well in practice does not apply to the race. It takes time to figure out how the track changes over the course of the weekend and then determining what the car needs to perform well. The way we've gone, from running 15th to now running consistently in the top 5 and contending for race wins is by making good decisions throughout the weekend and having a good game plan." Martin Truex, Jr.

"I love Martinsville. You have to be patiently aggressive there. You have to always keep pushing, but you have to pick your spots. It's so easy to wear out the brakes, push the engine too hard or make a lot of enemies there. It takes a lot of give and take to survive 500 laps at Martinsville. But in the final 100 laps, there's a lot more taking than giving. We have two races to go and we're looking at them as a preview of our strong potential in 2014. We want to go to Martinsville, run all 500 laps and take home a good finish. That will give us the adrenaline that will take us through the offseason." Reed Sorenson

"To me, Martinsville is more physical from the fender and bumper standpoint. There's a lot of physicality to Martinsville because of its close quarters. You can get up against somebody in the corners really easily, either with the bumper or side to side. If it's hot out there, it can be brutal, physically. But if it's not hot out, it's not really bad. Back in the day, we used to get a lot of carbon monoxide in the cars, and on hot days it really took its toll on us. But the way the cars are today and the filters we have, it's not quite as bad. From a physical standpoint, the field is made up of mostly young guys, at least in comparison to me. The biggest advantage I have from a physical fitness standpoint is that it's kept me in the game for a lot longer than most guys. Most guys these days have a physical fitness regimen. The biggest payoff for my commitment to physical fitness is my longevity in the sport." Mark Martin
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Keepin' It Short: Handicapping A Young Late Model Talent
by Mike Neff

After the Nationwide race at Charlotte a couple of weeks ago, Kyle Busch was commenting on Kyle Larson's venturing to the top groove, especially in Turns 1 and 2, where no one had been in years. Busch observed that sometimes it is good to be young and dumb. This past week, the same adage could have applied at the Dirt Track World Championship. 20-year-old Brandon Sheppard put his car on the high side, during a lap 40 restart and went from fifth to first. From there, he held on to become the youngest winner in the history of the event, by a longshot.

Sheppard has had quite the two-year stretch with the folks at Rocket Chassis. Last year, when Josh Richards decided to chase his NASCAR dream and not try and reclaim his World of Outlaw Late Model title, one that had escaped him at the World Finals thanks to a last-lap flat tire, Sheppard was put in the famous No. 1 Rocket House car. While there were some growing pains, in the end he was a very good substitute for 2013.

This year, Sheppard has claimed the toughest title in all of racing, the UMP Summer Nationals Hell Tour Championship. Winning four races during a month-long, arduous trek, Sheppard won by 15 points. He also claimed a UMP weekly title before this past weekend's victory at Portsmouth Raceway Park. Sheppard set a new standard in youth victories by winning the DTWC at 20 years, eight months and 22 days. That is almost three-and-a-half years younger than Marshall Green was when he won the event in 1997.

Sheppard is a very promising talent in dirt Late Model racing who has finally drawn the attention of all of the racing community and not just the World of Outlaws. He is going to be a star to be reckoned with for a long time to come, provided he doesn't try and chase the NASCAR dream like the mentor he replaced.

This Weekend's Racing Schedule

Friday    10/25/13    I-30 Speedway    Little Rock    AR    ASCS Winged Sprints
Friday    10/25/13    I-30 Speedway    Little Rock    AR    Short Track Nationals ASCS Winged Sprints
Friday    10/25/13    Canyon Speedway Park    Peoria    AZ    Challenge Cup Sprint Cars
Friday    10/25/13    Canyon Speedway Park    Peoria    AZ    Mini Sprints
Friday    10/25/13    Canyon Speedway Park    Peoria    AZ    USAC Sprint Cars
Friday    10/25/13    Canyon Speedway Park    Peoria    AZ    USAC/CRA Sprint Cars
Friday    10/25/13    Las Vegas Motor Speedway    Las Vegas    NV    USAC Western Pavement Ignite Midgets
Saturday    10/26/13    I-30 Speedway    Little Rock    AR    ASCS Winged Sprints
Saturday    10/26/13    I-30 Speedway    Little Rock    AR    Short Track Nationals ASCS Winged Sprints
Saturday    10/26/13    Canyon Speedway Park    Peoria    AZ    Challenge Cup Sprint Cars
Saturday    10/26/13    Canyon Speedway Park    Peoria    AZ    Mini Sprints
Saturday    10/26/13    Canyon Speedway Park    Peoria    AZ    USAC Sprint Cars
Saturday    10/26/13    Canyon Speedway Park    Peoria    AZ    USAC/CRA Sprint Cars
Saturday    10/26/13    Cocopah Speedway    Yuma    AZ    Factory Stocks
Saturday    10/26/13    Cocopah Speedway    Yuma    AZ    IMCA Modifieds
Saturday    10/26/13    Cocopah Speedway    Yuma    AZ    IMCA Sport Mods
Saturday    10/26/13    Cocopah Speedway    Yuma    AZ    Pro Stocks
Saturday    10/26/13    Cocopah Speedway    Yuma    AZ    Street Stocks
Saturday    10/26/13    Kern County Raceway Park    Bakersfield    CA    K&N Pro Series West
Saturday    10/26/13    Toccoa Speedway    Toccoa    GA    Southern All Stars Late Models
Saturday    10/26/13    Florence Speedway    Florence     KY    American Modified Series
Saturday    10/26/13    County Line Raceway    Elm City     NC    Modifieds
Saturday    10/26/13    County Line Raceway    Elm City     NC    Pure Stock 4 Cylinder
Saturday    10/26/13    County Line Raceway    Elm City     NC    Pure Stock V-8
Saturday    10/26/13    County Line Raceway    Elm City     NC    Super Stock 4 Cylinders
Saturday    10/26/13    County Line Raceway    Elm City     NC    Thunder & Lightning
Saturday    10/26/13    Las Vegas Motor Speedway    Las Vegas    NV    USAC Western Pavement Ignite Midgets
Saturday    10/26/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Half Quarter Midget
Saturday    10/26/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Heavy 160 Quarter Midget
Saturday    10/26/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Heavy Honda Quarter Midget
Saturday    10/26/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Heavy World Formula Quarter Midget
Saturday    10/26/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Jr. Animal Quarter Midget
Saturday    10/26/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Jr. Honda Quarter Midget
Saturday    10/26/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Jr. Novice Quarter Midget
Saturday    10/26/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Light 160 Quarter Midget
Saturday    10/26/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Sr. Honda Quarter Midget
Saturday    10/26/13    West End Raceway    Gilbert     PA    Sr. Novice Quarter Midget
Saturday    10/26/13    Music City Quarter Midget Racing Association    Hermitage    TN     Scott Impellizeri Monster Mash 100 Jr. Honda Quarter Midget
Saturday    10/26/13    Music City Quarter Midget Racing Association    Hermitage    TN     Scott Impellizeri Monster Mash 100 Light 160 Quarter Midget
Saturday    10/26/13    Music City Quarter Midget Racing Association    Hermitage    TN     Scott Impellizeri Monster Mash 100 Sr. Honda Quarter Midget
Thursday    10/31/13    Perris Auto Speedway    Perris    CA    USAC West Coast Sprints
Thursday    10/31/13    TBA    TBA    TBA    USAC Southwest Sprint Cars

Mike Neff is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at mike.neff@frontstretch.com. Follow him on Twitter @MNeffShortTrack.

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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
by Matt Stallknecht
by the Frontstretch Staff

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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:

Q: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. didn't exactly have the best introduction to Martinsville in the Cup Series.  After a 26th-place finish in the Spring of 2000, the NAPA AutoCare 500 was just one mess after another.  What happened?

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

Q: The 1997 Hanes 500 is best known for Jeff Burton winning after Rusty Wallace was black-flagged for jumping the final restart, from the lead.  What set up that controversial call?

A: Oil was laid down all over the racetrack on Lap 467 of 500.  Dale Earnhardt went up the track, as a result and lost a spot to Bobby Hamilton.  Meanwhile, Ernie Irvan wiped out entering Turn 3, collecting Terry Labonte as well to bring the caution out.  The wreck 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! 

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 This Weekend and Monday on the Frontstretch:

Thinkin' Out Loud: Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 by Mike Neff
 Mike will swing by with his overall thoughts from Sunday's race from Martinsville.

Commentary by Summer Bedgood
Summer will take a look at one of the biggest stories to come out of Martinsville.

Bowles-Eye View by Tom Bowles
Tom gives his thoughts on how the sixth race of the Chase unfolded out at Martinsville.
Big Six: Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 by Amy Henderson
Amy has your weekly look at the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How from a weekend of racing at Martinsville.

Pace Laps: Martinsville Weekend and Short Tracks Across The Country 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 racing series around the country.

Tracking the Trucks: Kroger 200 by Mike Mehedin
Mike pops up from at the track to update you with news and analysis following Saturday afternoon's Camping World Truck Series race from Martinsville.

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