THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
March 21st, 2014
Volume VIII, Edition XXXII
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Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
March 21st, 2014
Volume VIII, Edition XXXII
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What to Watch: Friday
- Today is the start of the race weekend in Fontana, California. With the time difference, it will be mid-afternoon before the cars hit the track, but
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This Weekend's TV Schedule
Friday, March 21
Time Telecast Network
3:00pm-4:30pm Sprint Cup Series Practice No. 1 FOX Sports 1
4:30-5:30pm Nationwide Series Practice No. 1 FOX Sports 1
5:30-6:00pm NASCAR Live FOX Sports 1
6:00-7:30pm Nationwide Series Happy Hour FOX Sports 1
7:30-9:00pm Sprint Cup Series Qualifying FOX Sports 1
Saturday, March 22
Time Telecast Network
11:30am-12:30pm K&N Pro Series East PittLife 125 FOX Sports 1*/
12:30-1:30pm Sprint Cup Series Practice No. 2 FOX Sports 1
1:30-3:00pm Nationwide Series Qualifying FOX Sports 1
3:00-3:30pm NASCAR Live FOX Sports 1
3:00-6:30pm Whelen All-American Series: New Smyrna Beach FansChoice.tv^
3:30-4:30pm Sprint Cup Series Happy Hour FOX Sports 1
4:30-5:00pm NASCAR Countdown ESPN
5:00-7:30pm Nationwide Series TreatMyClot.com 300 ESPN
7:30-10:30pm AMA Monster Energy Supercross: Toronto FOX Sports 1
Sunday, March 23
Time Telecast Network
1:30pm-2:30pm NASCAR RaceDay FOX Sports 1
2:30-3:00pm FOX Pre-Race FOX
2:30-4:00pm motoGP World Championship: Qatar FOX Sports 1
3:00-6:00pm Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 FOX
PROGRAMMING KEY:
*- Tape Delayed
/- Highlighted Coverage
PROGRAMMING KEY:
*- Tape Delayed
/- Highlighted Coverage
^- Available via free online streaming
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Top News
by Justin Tucker
Top News
by Justin Tucker
Hamilton, Jr.'s Return Short Lived
Bobby Hamilton, Jr. was supposed to make his return to competitive stock car racing in just two days. Instead, it looks like he could be sidelined for the foreseeable future.
It was announced Thursday (March 20) that Carter 2 Motorsports had parted ways with Hamilton, Jr., who was set to make his season debut for the team at Mobile International Speedway on Saturday in the Mobile ARCA 200.
Carter 2 Motorsports made the move to terminate its partnership with the former NASCAR driver, effective immediately. A statement from team officials noted that Hamilton, Jr., acting on behalf of Precision MotorSports Limited, had signed a contract to drive for the ARCA team in February 2014, but was unable to uphold the financial terms of the agreement.
Hamilton and his sponsor Cherokee Charcoal, a St. Louis, Mo.-based company, were partners in Precision MotorSports Limited. Carter 2 had been in negotiations with Cherokee Charcoal in hopes of modifying the original sponsorship agreement, but those negotiations had been terminated.
"I really looked forward to working with Bobby and Precision MotorSports this season,” team co-owner Dana Carter said in a statement. “I put a lot of money into our team for Mobile and now all I have is a lot of unpaid bills along with a worthless contract.”
Added Hamilton: "I hate the way things have transpired with C2M and really don’t know where things went wrong. The only agreement I made with them was to drive a car for them, which would be sponsored by someone I have been working with for a few years now trying to put something together."
He explained that there was a misunderstanding with the sponsor that it believed Hamilton would pay for the expenses of the weekend, rather than the sponsor's usual duties of covering the expenses of racing.
Trussville, Ala.'s Dustin Knowles will make his ARCA debut on Saturday in place of Hamilton, Jr. in Carter 2 Motorsports' No. 40 Dodge.
Hildebrand to Run 2014 Indy 500
JR Hildebrand has competed against Ed Carpenter across every circuit in the Verizon IndyCar Series -- and now, Hildebrand will be a part of Ed Carpenter Racing for the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 this May.
Hildebrand, the 2011 Indianapolis 500 rookie of the year when he finished second to the late Dan Wheldon after crashing off turn 4 in the final lap, will drive the No. 21 Chevrolet-powered second entry for ECR.
Carpenter, the lone owner/driver in IndyCar, will be competing for a starting spot to make his 11th Indy 500. He won the pole for last year's Indianapolis 500 with a four-lap average of 228.762 mph.
The team owner both is excited and optimistic about Hildebrand joining his team for Indy. "JR has been the Indy 500 rookie of the year and an Indy Lights champion, so his credentials are very impressive," Carpenter said. "It is great to have another American driver in the 500 and competing with ECR."
Hildebrand shares Carpenter's excitement "I'm extremely excited to join Ed Carpenter Racing for this year's Indianapolis 500," he added. "Ed's team has been very strong on the ovals the past two years, including winning at Fontana and taking the pole position at last year's 500. Working with Ed and his staff at Indy gives me a lot of confidence going into the world's biggest race. I can't wait to jump in the No. 21 Chevy and get back to the speedway."
Sponsorship for Hildebrand's entry will be announced at a later date.
Menard to Race, But Not Qualify, at Fontana
Richard Childress Racing announced on Thursday that Paul Menard will not travel to Auto Club Speedway until Saturday morning after witnessing the birth of his daughter Remi on Tuesday night.
In turn, Matt Crafton will both practice and qualify the No. 27 Menard's Chevrolet SS on Friday. Menard will be in the car for both practices on Saturday and the Auto Club 400 on Sunday, though he will have to start in the rear for Sunday's race due to a post-qualifying driver change.
NASCAR Director of Communications Kristi King said Menard's failure to attempt qualifying will not impact his eligibility for the 2014 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
"The minimum requirement to qualify for the Chase is a legitimate attempt to qualify for the event," King said. "He will exceed that by participating in final practice and competing in the race on Sunday.
Crafton previously filled in for Menard during Daytona testing this winter.
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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Keepin' It Short: Racing Version Of "March Madness" Up Ahead
by Mike Neff
Mike Neff is a senior writer for The Frontstretch. He can be reached via email at mike.neff@frontstretch.com
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Frontstretch Folio: Auto Club 400
by Brad Morgan
Brad Morgan is a staff writer for The Frontstretch. He can be reached via email at brad.morgan@frontstretch.com.
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In Case You Missed It
by Ashley McCubbin
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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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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 tony.lumbis@frontstretch.com for details.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
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Keepin' It Short: Racing Version Of "March Madness" Up Ahead
by Mike Neff
The 18th annual Mid America Modified Championship was scheduled to take place March 6-8, but the weather was so miserable in Batesville, Ark., two weeks ago that the track decided to postpone the race for two weeks. With the amount of moisture that was in the track, and frozen solid, it was a wise maneuver by the track prep crew to delay for two full weeks to make sure they could have the track as optimal as possible for the event. The competitors want the track to be at its best because they will not only be racing for the prestige of winning the championship, but they will also be running for $1,500 each of the three nights.
The entry list will be filled with the most accomplished IMCA modified drivers in the Midwest thanks to not only the $1,500 winner's check but also a $200 check just for starting the main event. Ken Schrader made an appearance on Thursday night, but results weren't available at the time of publication of this newsletter.
Brandon Smith won the first and third nights of action in 2013 while Jeff Taylor took home the cash on night two. Taylor won both features held on Saturday night in 2012 when the Friday night race was delayed. He'll be looking to pocket even more purse money this weekend when they race around the 3/8-mile track in Batesville.
Pit gates will open at 4 p.m. each day. There will be a pill draw at the pit gate as the teams file in. Hot laps begin at 6 p.m. with races starting at 7. The grandstands will open at 5:30 and it will only cost $10 to get in the gate. Kids under 12 get in for free. Batesville Motor Speedway is located at the corner of highways 14 and 25 at Locust Grove, seven miles west of Batesville.
If you have the chance to spend some time in Batesville this weekend, you can see some fantastic modified racing in the heartland of America. The IMCA modifieds are some of the most popular cars in the country and the amount of cars through the gate should be impressive.
This Weekend's Racing Schedule
Friday 03/21/14 Sunny South Raceway Grand Bay AL Bandoleros
Friday 03/21/14 Sunny South Raceway Grand Bay AL Legends
Friday 03/21/14 Sunny South Raceway Grand Bay AL Mighty Mites
Friday 03/21/14 Sunny South Raceway Grand Bay AL Modifieds
Friday 03/21/14 Sunny South Raceway Grand Bay AL Stingers
Friday 03/21/14 Batesville Motor Speedway Batesville AR Mid-America Modified Championships IMCA Modifieds
Friday 03/21/14 Stockton 99 Dirt Track Stockton CA 360 Winged Sprint Cars
Friday 03/21/14 Stockton 99 Dirt Track Stockton CA BCRA Midgets
Friday 03/21/14 County Line Raceway Elm City NC FASTRAK Late Models
Friday 03/21/14 County Line Raceway Elm City NC Renegades of Dirt Modifieds
Friday 03/21/14 East Carolina Motor Speedway Robersonville NC Late Models
Friday 03/21/14 East Carolina Motor Speedway Robersonville NC Limited Late Models
Friday 03/21/14 East Carolina Motor Speedway Robersonville NC Mini Stocks
Friday 03/21/14 East Carolina Motor Speedway Robersonville NC Street Stocks
Friday 03/21/14 East Carolina Motor Speedway Robersonville NC U-Cars
Friday 03/21/14 Skyline Speedway Stewart OH King of the Dirt AMRA Race of Champions
Friday 03/21/14 I44 Riverside Speedway Oklahoma City OK POWRi Midgets
Friday 03/21/14 I44 Riverside Speedway Oklahoma City OK POWRi West Midgets
Friday 03/21/14 Boyd Speedway Boyd TX Factory Stocks
Friday 03/21/14 Boyd Speedway Boyd TX IMCA Hobby Stocks
Friday 03/21/14 Boyd Speedway Boyd TX IMCA Modifieds
Friday 03/21/14 Boyd Speedway Boyd TX IMCA Southern Sport Mods
Friday 03/21/14 Boyd Speedway Boyd TX IMCA Sport Compacts
Friday 03/21/14 Boyd Speedway Boyd TX IMCA Stock Cars
Friday 03/21/14 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite TX ASCS Lone Star Sprints
Friday 03/21/14 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite TX ASCS Touring Winged Sprint Cars
Friday 03/21/14 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite TX Limited Modifieds
Friday 03/21/14 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite TX Modifieds
Friday 03/21/14 Heart O' Texas Speedway Elm Mott TX Bombers
Friday 03/21/14 Heart O' Texas Speedway Elm Mott TX IMCA Hobby Stocks
Friday 03/21/14 Heart O' Texas Speedway Elm Mott TX IMCA Modifieds
Friday 03/21/14 Heart O' Texas Speedway Elm Mott TX IMCA Sport Mods
Friday 03/21/14 Heart O' Texas Speedway Elm Mott TX IMCA Stock Cars
Friday 03/21/14 Heart O' Texas Speedway Elm Mott TX Jr. Mini Stocks
Friday 03/21/14 Heart O' Texas Speedway Elm Mott TX Outlaw Twisters
Friday 03/21/14 Heart O' Texas Speedway Elm Mott TX Street Stocks
Friday 03/21/14 Heart O' Texas Speedway Elm Mott TX Twisters
Friday 03/21/14 Timberline Speedway Corley TX Factory Stocks
Friday 03/21/14 Timberline Speedway Corley TX Limited Modifieds
Friday 03/21/14 Timberline Speedway Corley TX USMTS Modifieds – Casey's Cup Series
Saturday 03/22/14 Mobile International Speedway Irvington AL ARCA
Saturday 03/22/14 Montgomery Motor Speedway Montgomery AL X-1R Pro Cup Series
Saturday 03/22/14 Batesville Motor Speedway Batesville AR Mid-America Modified Championships IMCA Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Crawford County Speedway Van Buren AR 360 Economy Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Crawford County Speedway Van Buren AR Front Wheel Drives
Saturday 03/22/14 Crawford County Speedway Van Buren AR Grand Nationals
Saturday 03/22/14 Crawford County Speedway Van Buren AR Mini Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Crawford County Speedway Van Buren AR Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Crawford County Speedway Van Buren AR Powder Puffs
Saturday 03/22/14 Crawford County Speedway Van Buren AR Street Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Arizona Speedway Queen Creek AZ Bombers
Saturday 03/22/14 Arizona Speedway Queen Creek AZ Dwarf Cars
Saturday 03/22/14 Arizona Speedway Queen Creek AZ IMCA Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Arizona Speedway Queen Creek AZ Pure Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Canyon Speedway Park Peoria AZ Arizona Figure-8 Championships
Saturday 03/22/14 Central Arizona Raceway Casa Grande AZ USAC Southwest Sprint Cars
Saturday 03/22/14 Mohave Valley Raceway Mohave Valley AZ Go-Karts
Saturday 03/22/14 Mohave Valley Raceway Mohave Valley AZ IMCA Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Mohave Valley Raceway Mohave Valley AZ Mini Sports
Saturday 03/22/14 Mohave Valley Raceway Mohave Valley AZ Mini Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Mohave Valley Raceway Mohave Valley AZ Northern Arizona Dwarf Cars
Saturday 03/22/14 Mohave Valley Raceway Mohave Valley AZ Street Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Tucson Speedway Tucson AZ Hornets
Saturday 03/22/14 Tucson Speedway Tucson AZ Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 Tucson Speedway Tucson AZ Lucas Oil Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Tucson Speedway Tucson AZ Pro Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA American Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA Mini Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA Sport Mods
Saturday 03/22/14 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA USAC West Coast Sprint Cars
Saturday 03/22/14 Dixon Speedway Dixon CA 250 Micro Sprints
Saturday 03/22/14 Dixon Speedway Dixon CA 600 ¾ Restrictor Sprints
Saturday 03/22/14 Dixon Speedway Dixon CA 600 ¾ Sprints
Saturday 03/22/14 Dixon Speedway Dixon CA 600 Micro Sprints
Saturday 03/22/14 Dixon Speedway Dixon CA Jr. Sprints
Saturday 03/22/14 Dixon Speedway Dixon CA Mini Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Irwindale Event Center Irwindale CA Irwindale Race Trucks
Saturday 03/22/14 Irwindale Event Center Irwindale CA K&N West Series
Saturday 03/22/14 Irwindale Event Center Irwindale CA Super Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway Blythe CA Factory Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway Blythe CA Pony Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway Blythe CA Street Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Madera Speedway Madera CA 4 Bangers
Saturday 03/22/14 Madera Speedway Madera CA Hobby Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Madera Speedway Madera CA Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 Madera Speedway Madera CA Mini Cups
Saturday 03/22/14 Madera Speedway Madera CA MSTs
Saturday 03/22/14 Madera Speedway Madera CA Toyota Sedans
Saturday 03/22/14 Stockton 99 Dirt Track Stockton CA World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Saturday 03/22/14 Ventura Raceway Ventura CA Focus Midgets
Saturday 03/22/14 Ventura Raceway Ventura CA IMCA Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Ventura Raceway Ventura CA Junior Midgets
Saturday 03/22/14 Ventura Raceway Ventura CA Mini Dwarfs
Saturday 03/22/14 Ventura Raceway Ventura CA Mod Lites
Saturday 03/22/14 Ventura Raceway Ventura CA Senior Sprints
Saturday 03/22/14 Ventura Raceway Ventura CA Sport Compacts
Saturday 03/22/14 Ventura Raceway Ventura CA VRA Sprint Cars
Saturday 03/22/14 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala FL Florida Mini Sprints
Saturday 03/22/14 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala FL Gladiators
Saturday 03/22/14 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala FL Hobby Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala FL Mini Sprints
Saturday 03/22/14 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala FL TQ Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala FL V-8 Thunder Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 East Bay Raceway Park Tampa FL 4-Cylinder Bombers
Saturday 03/22/14 East Bay Raceway Park Tampa FL Florida Old Time Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 East Bay Raceway Park Tampa FL Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 East Bay Raceway Park Tampa FL Open Wheel Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 East Bay Raceway Park Tampa FL Street Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 North Florida Speedway Lake City FL Box Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 North Florida Speedway Lake City FL E-Mods
Saturday 03/22/14 North Florida Speedway Lake City FL Pure Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 North Florida Speedway Lake City FL Sportsman
Saturday 03/22/14 North Florida Speedway Lake City FL Street Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Showtime Speedway Pinellas Park FL Enduro
Saturday 03/22/14 Showtime Speedway Pinellas Park FL Mini Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Showtime Speedway Pinellas Park FL Mini Stocks Figure-8
Saturday 03/22/14 Showtime Speedway Pinellas Park FL Open Wheel Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Showtime Speedway Pinellas Park FL Powder Puffs
Saturday 03/22/14 Showtime Speedway Pinellas Park FL Racecars of Yesteryear
Saturday 03/22/14 Showtime Speedway Pinellas Park FL Street Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville FL Gladiators
Saturday 03/22/14 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville FL Hobby Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville FL Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville FL Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Volusia Speedway Park Barberville FL V8 Thunder Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 441 Speedway Dublin GA Dirt Crate Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 Brownstown Speedway Brownstown IN Lucas Oil Dirt Super Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 Humboldt Speedway Humboldt KS B-Mods
Saturday 03/22/14 Humboldt Speedway Humboldt KS Factory Stock
Saturday 03/22/14 Humboldt Speedway Humboldt KS Pure Stock
Saturday 03/22/14 Humboldt Speedway Humboldt KS USRA Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Hagerstown Speedway Hagerstown MD 4-Cylinders
Saturday 03/22/14 Hagerstown Speedway Hagerstown MD Dirt Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 Hagerstown Speedway Hagerstown MD Hobby Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Hagerstown Speedway Hagerstown MD Late Model Sportsman
Saturday 03/22/14 Hagerstown Speedway Hagerstown MD Pure Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Poplar Bluff Speedway Poplar Bluff MO USCS Outlaw Thunder Sprint Cars
Saturday 03/22/14 Springfield Raceway Springfield MO MARS (Mid America Racing Series) DIRTCar Super Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 Ace Kart Komplex Altamahaw NC Go-Karts
Saturday 03/22/14 County Line Raceway Elm City NC FASTRAK Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 County Line Raceway Elm City NC Renegades of Dirt Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Hickory Motor Speedway Newton NC KOMA Unwind Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 New Egypt Speedway New Egypt NJ Race of Champions Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 New Egypt Speedway New Egypt NJ Race of Champions Sportsman
Saturday 03/22/14 Atomic Speedway Chillicothe OH AMRA Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 Atomic Speedway Chillicothe OH AMRA Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Atomic Speedway Chillicothe OH Sport Mods
Saturday 03/22/14 Atomic Speedway Chillicothe OH Winged Sprint Cars
Saturday 03/22/14 I44 Riverside Speedway Oklahoma City OK POWRi Midgets
Saturday 03/22/14 I44 Riverside Speedway Oklahoma City OK POWRi West Midgets
Saturday 03/22/14 Southern Oklahoma Speedway Ardmore OK Hobby Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Southern Oklahoma Speedway Ardmore OK Limited Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 Southern Oklahoma Speedway Ardmore OK Limited Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Southern Oklahoma Speedway Ardmore OK Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Southern Oklahoma Speedway Ardmore OK Stock Cars
Saturday 03/22/14 Lincoln Speedway Abbottstown PA 358 Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 Lincoln Speedway Abbottstown PA 358 Sprints
Saturday 03/22/14 Lincoln Speedway Abbottstown PA 410 Winged Sprints
Saturday 03/22/14 Port Royal Speedway Port Royal PA 410 Winged Sprints
Saturday 03/22/14 Port Royal Speedway Port Royal PA Dirt Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 Port Royal Speedway Port Royal PA Xtreme Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Shippensburg Speedway Shippensburg PA 125 Sprints
Saturday 03/22/14 Shippensburg Speedway Shippensburg PA 270 Sprints
Saturday 03/22/14 Shippensburg Speedway Shippensburg PA 600 Sprints
Saturday 03/22/14 Shippensburg Speedway Shippensburg PA Go-Karts
Saturday 03/22/14 Shippensburg Speedway Shippensburg PA Mini Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Shippensburg Speedway Shippensburg PA Strictly Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Shippensburg Speedway Shippensburg PA Thunder Cars
Saturday 03/22/14 Shippensburg Speedway Shippensburg PA Truck Enduros
Saturday 03/22/14 Trail Way Speedway Hanover PA Mason Dixon Series 270 Sprint Cars
Saturday 03/22/14 Greenville-Pickens Speedway Easley SC K&N East Series
Saturday 03/22/14 Cleveland Speedway Cleveland TN Southern All Star Super Dirt Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 Tazewell Speedway Tazewell TN 4-Cylinders
Saturday 03/22/14 Tazewell Speedway Tazewell TN Classic Cars
Saturday 03/22/14 Tazewell Speedway Tazewell TN Dirt Limited Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 Tazewell Speedway Tazewell TN Late Model Sportsman
Saturday 03/22/14 Tazewell Speedway Tazewell TN Modified Streets
Saturday 03/22/14 Tazewell Speedway Tazewell TN Pure Streets
Saturday 03/22/14 Battleground Speedway Highlands TX ECO Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Battleground Speedway Highlands TX Hobby Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Battleground Speedway Highlands TX Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 Battleground Speedway Highlands TX Limited Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Battleground Speedway Highlands TX Pure Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Bronco Raceway Park Cleveland TX 360 Sprint Cars
Saturday 03/22/14 Bronco Raceway Park Cleveland TX Limited Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Bronco Raceway Park Cleveland TX OEM Pro Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Cotton Bowl Speedway Paige TX IMCA Hobby Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Cotton Bowl Speedway Paige TX IMCA Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Cotton Bowl Speedway Paige TX IMCA Sport Mods
Saturday 03/22/14 Cotton Bowl Speedway Paige TX IMCA Stock Cars
Saturday 03/22/14 Cotton Bowl Speedway Paige TX Stock Cars
Saturday 03/22/14 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite TX ASCS Lone Star Sprints
Saturday 03/22/14 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite TX ASCS Touring Winged Sprint Cars
Saturday 03/22/14 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite TX Limited Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Devil's Bowl Speedway Mesquite TX Racesaver Winged Sprints
Saturday 03/22/14 Gator Motorplex Willis TX Hobby Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Gator Motorplex Willis TX Limited Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Gator Motorplex Willis TX Pure Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Gator Motorplex Willis TX Street Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Kennedale Speedway Park Kennedale TX Factory Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Kennedale Speedway Park Kennedale TX IMCA Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Kennedale Speedway Park Kennedale TX IMCA Southern Sport Mods
Saturday 03/22/14 Kennedale Speedway Park Kennedale TX IMCA Stock Cars
Saturday 03/22/14 Kennedale Speedway Park Kennedale TX Jr. Mini Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Kennedale Speedway Park Kennedale TX Racesaver 305 Sprints
Saturday 03/22/14 Kennedale Speedway Park Kennedale TX Street Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Royal Purple Raceway Baytown TX Dwarf Cars
Saturday 03/22/14 Royal Purple Raceway Baytown TX Hobby Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Royal Purple Raceway Baytown TX Limited Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Royal Purple Raceway Baytown TX Mod Lites
Saturday 03/22/14 Royal Purple Raceway Baytown TX Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Royal Purple Raceway Baytown TX Pure Stocks
Saturday 03/22/14 Shady Oaks Speedway Goliad TX Southern Texas Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 Slaton Speedway Slaton TX Go-Karts
Saturday 03/22/14 Rolling Thunder Speedway Ararat VA Extreme Stock 4s
Saturday 03/22/14 Rolling Thunder Speedway Ararat VA Mini Sprints
Saturday 03/22/14 Rolling Thunder Speedway Ararat VA Open Wheel Modifieds
Saturday 03/22/14 Rolling Thunder Speedway Ararat VA Renegades
Saturday 03/22/14 Rolling Thunder Speedway Ararat VA SECA Pro Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 Rolling Thunder Speedway Ararat VA Super Stock 4s
Saturday 03/22/14 Rolling Thunder Speedway Ararat VA U-Cars
Saturday 03/22/14 South Boston Speedway South Boston VA Hornets
Saturday 03/22/14 South Boston Speedway South Boston VA Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 South Boston Speedway South Boston VA Limited Late Models
Saturday 03/22/14 South Boston Speedway South Boston VA Pure Stocks
Sunday 03/23/14 Indianapolis Speedrome Indianapolis IN Hornets
Sunday 03/23/14 Indianapolis Speedrome Indianapolis IN Jr. Faskarts
Sunday 03/23/14 Indianapolis Speedrome Indianapolis IN Jr. Hornets
Sunday 03/23/14 Indianapolis Speedrome Indianapolis IN Roadrunners
Sunday 03/23/14 Orange County Fairgrounds Speedway Middletown NY GRIT Series Sportsman
Sunday 03/23/14 Orange County Fairgrounds Speedway Middletown NY Short Track Super Series Modifieds
Sunday 03/23/14 Port City Speedway Tulsa OK Non-Wing Sprints
Sunday 03/23/14 Port City Speedway Tulsa OK POWRi Midgets
Sunday 03/23/14 Port City Speedway Tulsa OK POWRi West Midgets
Sunday 03/23/14 Selinsgrove Speedway Selinsgrove PA 410 Winged Sprints
Tuesday 03/25/14 Havasu 95 Speedway Lake Havasu City AZ ASA Street Stocks
Tuesday 03/25/14 Havasu 95 Speedway Lake Havasu City AZ Bandoleros
Tuesday 03/25/14 Havasu 95 Speedway Lake Havasu City AZ Factory Stocks
Tuesday 03/25/14 Havasu 95 Speedway Lake Havasu City AZ Gene Price Late Models
Tuesday 03/25/14 Havasu 95 Speedway Lake Havasu City AZ Legends
Wednesday 03/26/14 Millbridge Speedway Millbridge NC Beginner Box Stock Mini Outlaw Sprint Karts
Wednesday 03/26/14 Millbridge Speedway Millbridge NC Box Stock Mini Outlaw Sprint Karts
Wednesday 03/26/14 Millbridge Speedway Millbridge NC Intermediate Mini Outlaw Sprint Karts
Wednesday 03/26/14 Millbridge Speedway Millbridge NC Open Mini Outlaw Sprint Karts
Wednesday 03/26/14 Millbridge Speedway Millbridge NC Sportsman Mini Outlaw Sprint Karts
Thursday 03/27/14 Humboldt Speedway Humboldt KS B-Mods
Thursday 03/27/14 Humboldt Speedway Humboldt KS USMTS Modifieds – King of America IV
Thursday 03/27/14 Humboldt Speedway Humboldt KS USRA B-Mods – Iron Man Challenge
Mike Neff is a senior writer for The Frontstretch. He can be reached via email at mike.neff@frontstretch.com
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Frontstretch Folio: Auto Club 400
by Brad Morgan
The Sprint Cup Series travels to Auto Club Speedway for the fifth race of the 2014 season (March 23). Television coverage of the Auto Club 400 begins at 3 p.m. ET on FOX; your local Motor Racing Network (MRN) affiliate or SiriusXM Channel 90 will have the radio broadcast. Drivers will compete for at least 200 laps (400 miles) before the checkered flag waves.
Records and Facts
Kyle Busch sneaked past a battling Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano on the white flag lap to win this race last season. Hamlin and Logano wrecked as Busch drove out of turn 4, and Hamlin missed four races due to a spinal injury that he suffered after the No. 11 Toyota plowed into the inside retaining wall.
Auto Club Speedway added 1,000 ft. of extra SAFER barrier along the area at which Hamlin crashed in preparation for this event.
Busch also holds the track qualifying record -- a 188.425 mph pole run before the 2005 Auto Club 500.
Jimmie Johnson leads all drivers with five career wins in Fontana.
Track Facts
Track Length: 2-mile D-shaped oval
Pit Road Speed: 55 mph
Degree of Banking: 14 degrees
Frontstretch: 3,100 ft., 11 degrees of banking
Backstretch: 2,500 ft., 3 degrees of banking
Grandstand Seating: 84,000
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ACSupdates
Pre-race Schedule
Practices: Friday, March 21, 3 - 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1
Saturday, March 22, 12:30 - 1:20 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1
Happy Hour: Saturday, March 22, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1
Qualifying: Friday, March 21, 7:35 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1
VIPs
Grand Marshal: The Great Gonzo
Command: The Great Gonzo
Honorary Starter/Green Flag Wave: TBA
Invocation: TBA
National Anthem: Pia Toscano
Flyover: F/A-18 Hornets, Blue Angels
Race Day Forecast
Sunday: Partly Cloudy
High: 75
Low: 54
They Said It:
“For the most part, the weather [in California] is really nice. It is beautiful scenery whether you are from Northern California like I am or if you go down to Southern California where we are going to race. It’s just a beautiful state.” – AJ Allmendinger
"It seems like the track is getting rougher each year we come, and that makes it a challenge for the crew chiefs and the engineers to figure out how to get the car as low to the ground as they can but without bottoming out on those bumps.” – Aric Almirola
“To be fast [at Fontana] you have to be able to roll into the corner and drive through the corner on the throttle right up against the wall.” – Clint Bowyer
“Obviously, Fontana is a place where I have been looking forward to returning to. We were leading the race on the last lap last year, and never made it to the finish. The accident happened and I missed a few races, but I think I am a better driver because of it and a better person because of it. Being forced out of the car with the injury really gave me some perspective. Every driver obviously wants to win every race they are in, but this one means a little bit more to me. I would love another chance to be out front on the last lap, and this time, finish it off.” – Denny Hamlin
“There’s a lot going on — the seams are a big deal there. The track is really worn out so there is a lot of fall off on the tires.” – Matt Kenseth
“Usually for qualifying, you want to be right down on the bottom. That is where the grip is. Throughout the course of the weekend, that groove widens out. So, by the time Happy Hour rolls around you can definitely move around to the middle and the top. Many times, you can get your car to run faster on the bottom, but it is harder on the tires.” – David Ragan
“Auto Club Speedway has developed into a great racetrack over the years. It is no longer a single lane venue. Even though you can run all over the wide track, it is still very difficult there because it eats the tires off the car so fast. A tough track to get the car dialed in for.” – Martin Truex, Jr.
Brad Morgan is a staff writer for The Frontstretch. He can be reached via email at brad.morgan@frontstretch.com.
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In Case You Missed It
by Ashley McCubbin
Brooke Werner Steps Down as Miss Sprint Cup
NASCAR has announced that Brooke Werner has resigned from her position as Miss Sprint Cup, citing personal reasons.
Werner posted the following message on Facebook Wednesday:
"Hey fans, difficult decisions are always tough to communicate to people you love so much...like you guys," she wrote. "I recently made the hard decision to resign as Miss Sprint Cup for personal reasons (all good!) and hang up my firesuit. It's been one of the greatest times of my life and I have you all to thank for that. I'll miss you all very much but I know that you'll all be excited to meet the new Miss Sprint Cup soon!"
Werner was entering her second year on the tour. Kim Coon is in her fourth year, while this year marks Madison Martin’s first year. Over the years, there have been many different females who have played the role of Miss Sprint Cup, including Monica Palumbo.
Miss Sprint Cup serves as a representative for series sponsor Sprint throughout the weekend at the track. The ladies post content to Sprint’s Facebook page while appearing in victory lane with the driver post-race. Sprint has announced it will announce Werner’s replacement in the coming weeks.
Wurth Debuts on Keselowski’s Car at Auto Club Speedway:
Brad Keselowski’s No. 2 Ford Fusion will carry Wurth’s colors for the first time this year this weekend at Auto Club Speedway. Wurth is entering its third year as a partner with Team Penske and will serve as primary sponsor for four races this year.
Wurth is leading supplier of top-quality automotive chemicals, fasteners, hand tools and electrical supplies.
Keselowski will be looking for a good run as he enters the weekend leading the standings by 10 points over Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Auto Club Speedway Adds SAFER Barrier
Auto Club Speedway announced that it has added 1,000 feet of SAFER barrier, including the area where Denny Hamlin crashed last season. Last year, Hamlin crashed into the section just before a driver comes onto pit road, resulting in a broken back vertebra and being out of competition for multiple weeks.
When the accident happened, NASCAR said at the time it would work with the track to reevaluate the location of SAFER barriers. The recommendation was made afterward for the barrier to be added. A track spokesman said that the change was made in September to the track.
This isn’t the first time that NASCAR has made a change following an incident, as seen after Jeff Gordon’s wreck at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2008 and Elliott Sadler’s crash at Pocono Raceway in 2010.
The SAFER barrier is a steel and foam energy reduction barrier, which absorbs the impact and makes the hit with the wall not as severe had it been concrete.
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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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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Hiring a Driver Isn't Just About Talent Anymore
by Amy Henderson
by P. Huston Ladner
by the Frontstretch Staff
by the Frontstretch Staff
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The 2001 Marlboro 500 was the most competitive race in CART history with 73 lead changes. However, the race only ran to 88 percent of its scheduled distance. Why?
Check back Monday for the answer here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: In the 2000 Auto Club 300, Ward Burton was a contender for the victory, fighting for the lead with his brother, Jeff. However, it all came to an end with less than ten laps to go. What happened?
A: Ward was holding off his brother Jeff for the lead in his Bill Davis Racing-entered Polaris Pontiac when he simply wiped out and hit the outside wall exiting turn 4 while coming to seven laps to go. Jeff was forced to hit the brakes, and that was enough for Matt Kenseth to squeeze by the inside to take the lead and ultimately win the race. 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 totrivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!
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Coming Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Auto Club 400 Recap by Justin Tucker
-- Never Fear, the Underdogs Are Here by Amy Henderson
-- Sidebar Stories: Fontana by Phil Allaway
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, trivia, and more!
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This Weekend on the Frontstretch:
Four Burning Questions: Fontana by Matt Stallknecht
Matt will be here to give readers a few things to look forward to in Sunday's Auto Club 400.FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The 2001 Marlboro 500 was the most competitive race in CART history with 73 lead changes. However, the race only ran to 88 percent of its scheduled distance. Why?
Check back Monday for the answer here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: In the 2000 Auto Club 300, Ward Burton was a contender for the victory, fighting for the lead with his brother, Jeff. However, it all came to an end with less than ten laps to go. What happened?
A: Ward was holding off his brother Jeff for the lead in his Bill Davis Racing-entered Polaris Pontiac when he simply wiped out and hit the outside wall exiting turn 4 while coming to seven laps to go. Jeff was forced to hit the brakes, and that was enough for Matt Kenseth to squeeze by the inside to take the lead and ultimately win the race. 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 totrivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!
~~~~~~~~~~
Coming Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Auto Club 400 Recap by Justin Tucker
-- Never Fear, the Underdogs Are Here by Amy Henderson
-- Sidebar Stories: Fontana by Phil Allaway
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, trivia, and more!
~~~~~~~~~~
This Weekend on the Frontstretch:
Four Burning Questions: Fontana by Matt Stallknecht
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Monday on the Frontstretch:
Thinkin' Out Loud: Auto Club by Mike Neff
After a weekend in California, Mike has all your post-race analysis and a full report on the action in Fontana.
Big Six: Auto Club 400 by Amy Henderson
Amy tackles the Who, What, When, Where, How and Why from what's expected to be a few days of drama, action, and excitement out in California.
Pace Laps: All Racing Series by the Frontstretch Staff
Our staff keeps you posted on all the racing action that occurred over the weekend.
Bowles-Eye View by Tom Bowles
Creed's Commentary by Aaron Creed
Aaron has in-depth reaction to a storyline resulting from the Cup race at Auto Club.
-----------------------------
Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Got something to say about an article you've seen in the newsletter? It's as easy as replying directly to this message or sending an email to editors@frontstretch.com. We'll take the best comments and publish them here!
©2014 Frontstretch.com
Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Got something to say about an article you've seen in the newsletter? It's as easy as replying directly to this message or sending an email to editors@frontstretch.com. We'll take the best comments and publish them here!
©2014 Frontstretch.com
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