THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
December 30th, 2013Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
Volume VII, Edition CCXX
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Editor's Note: This is the final Newsletter of 2013. We'll be back with the first Newsletter of 2014 on Monday, January 6th.
For a full schedule of our upcoming driver reviews, click here.
For a full schedule of our upcoming driver reviews, click here.
- TV Schedule for December 30-January 5, 2014:
Monday, December 30
Time Telecast Network
4:00pm-5:00pm NASCAR RaceHub FOX Sports 1
9:00-10:00pm British Touring Car Championship: Brands Hatch GP FOX Sports 2*/ (from October 12-13)
10:00-11:00pm DTM: Zandvoort FOX Sports 2*/ (from September 29)
Thursday, January 2
Time Telecast Network
4:00-5:00pm NASCAR RaceHub FOX Sports 1
Friday, January 3
Time Telecast Network
Saturday, January 4
Time Telecast Network
Time Telecast Network
10:00pm-1:30am AMA Monster Energy Supercross: Anaheim 1 FOX Sports 1
*- Tape Delayed
/- Highlighted coverage
What to Watch: December 30-January 5
- This weekend is the Roar Before the 24, the annual preseason test ahead of January 25-26's Rolex 24. 67 teams have entered the test session, which will show off a number of new driver pairings, new teams and new equipment packages. We'll have a write-up about the session in next Monday's Newsletter.
Top News
by Phil Allaway
Michael Schumacher In Critical Condition Following Ski Accidentby Phil Allaway
Seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher is in critical condition in a hospital in Grenoble, France after suffering a severe head injury in a crash while skiing in the French Alps on Sunday morning. According to Schumacher's management, the retired champion was skiing when he fell and hit his head on a rock.
At first, the injuries did not appear to be all that serious. Schumacher, who was wearing a ski helmet at the time of the crash was conscious. He was still airlifted off the mountain as a precautionary measure. While on the way to the hospital, Schumacher's condition significantly worsened to the point where he had slipped into a coma by the time he reached the hospital.
Once at the hospital, Schumacher was diagnosed with severe head trauma and a cerebral hemorrhage. These injuries required immediate surgical treatment to relieve pressure and relieve bleeding. The surgery was successful.
A press conference early this morning at the hospital revealed that the situation is still very much touch-and-go.
"[Schumacher] is in a critical state in terms of cerebral resuscitation," one of Schumacher's doctors stated earlier this morning. "We are working hour by hour."
"[Schumacher] is in a critical state in terms of cerebral resuscitation," one of Schumacher's doctors stated earlier this morning. "We are working hour by hour."
Schumacher's body temperature has been lowered so that his brain can recover more easily. In addition, Schumacher also has bilateral lesions on his brain as a result of the hit.
We at Frontstretch wish Schumacher as speedy a recovery as possible under the circumstances.
Andy Granatelli Dead at 90
On Sunday, Andy Granatelli, race promoter, car owner, and CEO of STP Oil Company, passed away as a result of congested heart failure. Granatelli was 90 years old.
Granatelli is best known as the CEO of STP Oil Company (now part of the Armored AutoGroup along with Armor All) and a regular car owner at the Indianapolis 500. Most notably, Granatelli ran turbine powered Lotus chassis in 1967 and 1968. The car came very close in the hands of Parnelli Jones (1967) and Joe Leonard (1968) to winning the 500 before having mechanical issues. Granatelli did finally reach Victory Lane at Indianapolis with Mario Andretti in 1969.
Granatelli also signed the deal to sponsor Richard Petty's No. 43 in NASCAR starting in 1972. A compromise had to be reached in order to keep the "Petty Blue" colors on the No. 43 instead of STP's all red scheme, but the relationship continued all the way to 2000. Eventually, the mix of Petty Blue and STP red even came to Indianapolis. Gordon Johncock won the 1982 Indianapolis 500 driving an STP-sponsored Wildcat chassis.
Granatelli was also a race promoter of weekly events at Solider Field in Chicago prior to the Bears moving in (the Bears played their home games at Wrigley Field at the time) . These races were highly attended affairs that included a small selection of house drivers that would intentionally crash, and an ambulance that would often get caught up in the race and eject a stretcher.
In addition to racing endeavors (and STP), Granatelli also owned Andy Granatelli's Tuneup Masters, a chain of auto repair shops and did significant work with Studebaker in the 1960's.
Granatelli is survived by his wife Dolly and sons Vince and Anthony. Frontstretch sends their condolences to the Granatelli family.
Slight Change to Spoiler Rules For Daytona
Last week, we reported on NASCAR's rule changes for the 2014 season. At the time, they stated that the rules for Daytona and Talladega would remain unchanged for 2014. That is no longer the case.
Last Monday, NASCAR announced via tweet that the spoiler height has been increased from four inches to 4.5 inches. The reason for the move was to provide the cars with more rear downforce, which would make the cars more stable. The change will be applied to all the cars starting with the Preseason Thunder tests in Daytona next week.
Last Monday, NASCAR announced via tweet that the spoiler height has been increased from four inches to 4.5 inches. The reason for the move was to provide the cars with more rear downforce, which would make the cars more stable. The change will be applied to all the cars starting with the Preseason Thunder tests in Daytona next week.
FAS Lane Racing and Go Green Racing Combine Forces for No. 32
On Christmas Eve, FAS Lane Racing and Go Green Racing announced that the small operations have entered into a joint venture for the 2014 Sprint Cup Series season. This joint venture is designed to maximize the competitiveness of the organization.
Go Green Racing owner Archie St. Hilaire is very happy about the move.
"Frank has a great program here at FAS Lane Racing and we believe that by combining our resources, we can take the program to the next level," St. Hilaire said. "It's been my goal to race in the Sprint Cup Series on a weekly basis and this joint venture makes the most sense for both parties."
"Frank has a great program here at FAS Lane Racing and we believe that by combining our resources, we can take the program to the next level," St. Hilaire said. "It's been my goal to race in the Sprint Cup Series on a weekly basis and this joint venture makes the most sense for both parties."
Stoddard appears to be very appreciative of no longer having to go it alone.
"Archie coming on board is great for FAS Lane Racing," Stoddard said. "It's going to allow us to both work at growing and improving the overall operation of our team. The move also allows me to concentrate, along with Archie, more on the business side of the operation. I have spread myself too thin with my multiple roles over the past three seasons. We will both be able to work harder with our existing sponsors as well as the many new ones we look forward to working with."
"Archie coming on board is great for FAS Lane Racing," Stoddard said. "It's going to allow us to both work at growing and improving the overall operation of our team. The move also allows me to concentrate, along with Archie, more on the business side of the operation. I have spread myself too thin with my multiple roles over the past three seasons. We will both be able to work harder with our existing sponsors as well as the many new ones we look forward to working with."
Go Green Racing has previously competed in the Sprint Cup Series with the No. 79 in a start-and-park capacity. In addition, they fielded the No. 52 for Paulie Harraka at Sonoma in June. That was supposed to be the first of a few races for Harraka, but Harraka crashed into the back of Alex Kennedy on pit road prior to the start, then crashed in the race itself.
Dan Stillman has been hired to serve as the team's crew chief, replacing Stoddard. The move frees up Stoddard to focus more on the business side of the operation. Stillman most recently served as the crew chief for Red Horse Racing's No. 77 driven by German Quiroga in the Camping World Truck Series.
In addition, the combined organization announced that Terry Labonte will return to the team to make his third consecutive start in the Daytona 500 in the No. 32 Ford. No sponsorship was announced. Additional drivers to fill in the reminder of the schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.
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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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.
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: Bristol Motor Speedway converted their racing surface from asphalt to concrete in time for the 1992 Bud 500. Why was this move made?
Check back next Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Last Monday's Answer:
Last Monday's Answer:
Q: Eddie Irvine made his Formula One debut in the Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit in 1993. Here, he finished sixth and earned one point and a punch. Why did he receive a knuckle sandwich?
A: Irvine effectively got in Senna's way while trying to keep from being lapped (along with Damon Hill). Senna lost 15 seconds to Alain Prost while dealing with the pair. While Senna was able to recover and win easily, he was still not pleased with the rookie. After the race, an argument began between the two drivers. Part of that argument could be seen here. The punch occurred after the clip ended.
Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee: If we mess up, you get the shirt off our backs! If we've provided an incorrect answer to the Frontstretch Trivia question, be the first to email the corrected trivia answer to trivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!
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Coming Monday, January 6th, 2014 in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Phil Allaway
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles and more!
Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
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