The Frontstretch Newsletter: March 13th, 2014

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
March 13th, 2014
Volume VIII, Edition XXVI
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FRONTSTRETCH FANTASY: GET IN THE GAME

Frontstretch's own Jeff Wolfe is once again running a private NASCAR Fantasy league this season on Yahoo!  We'll have more of our writers onboard to compete against you.  If you're interested, go here and create a Yahoo! account (if you don't already have one).  Once that's completed, create your team and click on Join a Group.  Then, click on Join a Private Group once there.  Here, you'll have to enter our League ID and password.  The League ID is 10532, and the password is "stenica."  We hope to see you there!

Come back every Thursday to the website to get Jeff's advice on who to pick for your team, all season long and see if you can beat your favorite staff members! More special announcements about this league to come.

Frontstretch seeking NASCAR Nationwide Series Writer

Do you have strong writing, communication skills and a passion for racing?  If so, The Frontstretch is looking for YOU!  We have an opening on our staff for a writer to focus on the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2014, including post-race coverage and a weekly column covering current storylines in the series.  If you have extensive knowledge of the Nationwide Series, the ability to work on a deadline, and want to join a staff of passionate writers, please click HERE for application instructions.  Show us what you've got!

What to Watch: Thursday

- Today, Sebring Interntional Raceway opens for practice ahead of Saturday's Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring.  The first practice session, which started at 9:55 this morning, was supposed to be aired on the new FansChoice.tv website, but they have decided against it for an unknown reason.

Today's TV Schedule

Time                              Telecast                                                                                       Network

11:00am-12:00pm          NASCAR RaceHub                                                                       FOX Sports 1

5:00-5:30pm                   NASCAR America                                                                        NBC Sports Network

9:00-9:30pm                   Countdown to F1                                                                        NBC Sports Network

9:30-11:00pm                 Formula One Grand Prix of Australia Free Practice No. 1           NBC Sports Network

DVR Theater (Late Thursday Night/Early Friday Morning)

1:30am-3:00am              Formula One Grand Prix of Australia Free Practice No. 2           NBC Sports Network

2:00-2:30am                   NASCAR Now                                                                              ESPN 2

^- Available via free internet streaming

Top News
by Phil Allaway

Three Nationwide Teams Penalized for Las Vegas Infractions

On Wednesday afternoon, NASCAR issued three penalties for Nationwide Series teams stemming from Las Vegas.  They are the first examples of penalties under NASCAR's new Deterrence System.

Firstly, the No. 11 of Elliott Sadler was discovered to have weight improperly placed in the car during opening inspection.  Under the new system, this is considered to be a P3-level violation.  As a result, crew chief Chris Gayle has been issued a $10,000 fine and placed on probation until December 31.  Car chief Todd Brewer was also placed on probation until December 31.  NASCAR cited Sections 12-4.3 (a P3-level violation) and 20A-2.3A (Weight attached in an unapproved location) in the 2014 Nationwide Series Rule Book in their release.

The No. 9 of Chase Elliott flunked post-race inspection following Saturday's Boyd Gaming 300 due to the car failing to satisfy the height sticks in the front end.  The violation was determined to be a P2-level penalty, but no point or monetary fines were levied.  Instead, crew chief Greg Ives has been placed on probation until December 31.  NASCAR cited Sections 12-4.2 (a P2-level violation) and 20A-12.8.1B (Car exceeded minimum front height) of the 2014 Nationwide Series Rule Book in their release.

Finally, the race winning No. 22 of Brad Keselowski had its right rear shock absorber confiscated following the Boyd Gaming 300.  NASCAR officials absconded with the shock absorber to the NASCAR R&D Center in Concord, North Carolina for further tests.  Once there, officials determined that the shock absorber had too much pressure.  The violation was termed a P2-level penalty.  As a result, crew chief Jeremy Bullins has been fined $5,000 and placed on probation until December 31.  NASCAR cited Sections 12-4.2 (a P2-level violation) and 20A-12.3S (Shock absorber exceeded maximum gas pressure) of the 2014 Nationwide Series Rule Book in their release.

At press time, neither of the three teams penalized indicated any desire to appeal the penalties.

Sub Drivers Announced for Expectant Fathers

Last week, we reported on Paul Menard having defending Camping World Truck Series Champion Matt Crafton standing by just in case Menard's wife, Jennifer, gave birth to the couple's first child sometime during the Las Vegas race weekend.  As of Wednesday, the birth had still not occurred.  As a result, Crafton has been pressed back into substitute duties just in case this weekend in Bristol.

Menard now has company in the realm of nervous wrecks.

According to MRN, Matt Kenseth's wife, Katie, is due to give birth to a baby girl sometime in the next two weeks.  In order to facilitate Kenseth being at the birth, arrangements have been made for substitute drivers.  Kenseth is entered in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series this weekend in Bristol.  If Katie goes into labor and forces Kenseth out of the Nationwide race, Sam Hornish, Jr. will be standing by to replace Kenseth.  Hornish is already under contract with Joe Gibbs Racing to drive the No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota in seven races later this season.  If Kenseth is forced out of the No. 20 on Sunday, the team will have Jeff Burton ready to replace Kenseth.

Johnson Embroiled in Controversy for Speaking Out in favor of Girls Becoming Leaders

Recently, six-time Sprint Cup Series Champion lent his support to Ban Bossy, a campaign created by the Girl Scouts of the USA and Lean In to encourage young girls to not limit themselves and become leaders.  Essentially, the campaign is designed to ban the word "bossy" because the fear of being considered bossy keeps girls from reaching their potential.

A PSA features Johnson along with Anna Maria Chávez (CEO of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America) Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Jennifer Garner, Beyoncé Knowles, Jane Lynch, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Sheryl Sandberg (COO of Facebook and founder of Lean In) and Diane von Fürstenberg extolling the virtues of little girls not holding back and preventing themselves from reaching the top.

On paper, a campaign like Ban Bossy sounds like a relatively harmless cause to get behind.  Johnson is a father of two girls and would naturally want his daughters to achieve as much as possible.  However, Johnson's participation here has drawn the ire of a certain group of race fans.

For example, the Twitter user "JalaalSaddat" (also known as The Propaganda Wing) tweeted "Way to cut your own testicles off and serve them to feminists on a platter, dude. You're not a man, obviously" to Johnson.  Jim M from KS (Kansas) tweeted, "YOU just lost this FAN! TOO MUCH [Wussification] of American Men! Stop the word police BS! Good God, a NASCAR Champion???"  Others disagreed with the idea of banning words, claiming that it would eventually expand to other words such as freedom.

For his part, Johnson believes that the responses that he has received is an indication that this is a real problem that needs to be addressed.

Entry List Update:
Note: These entries are accurate as of Wednesday night.  However, they are still subject to change.

Sprint Cup Series Food City 500: 46 cars entered

Drivers Ineligible to Earn Points:
No. 40- Landon Cassill for Hillman Racing
No. 66- Joe Nemechek for Michael Waltrip Racing/Identity Ventures Racing

Driver Changes:
No. 35- David Reutimann is in the seat, replacing Blake Koch.
No. 66- Joe Nemechek returns to the seat, replacing Jeff Burton.

Drivers who must qualify on speed:
No. 35- David Reutimann for Front Row Motorsports (46th in points, 3 attempts)
No. 44- JJ Yeley for Xxxtreme Motorsports (48th in points, 1 attempt)
No. 77- Dave Blaney for Randy Humphrey Racing (49th in points, 3 attempts)

Drivers who have provisionals, but could still fail to qualify:
No. 7- Michael Annett for Tommy Baldwin Racing (39th in points, 3 attempts)
No. 10- Danica Patrick for Stewart-Haas Racing (35th in points, 3 attempts)
No. 23- Alex Bowman for BK Racing (40th in points, 3 attempts)
No. 30- Parker Kligerman for Swan Racing (43rd in points, 3 attempts)
No. 32- Travis Kvapil for Go FAS Racing (37th in points, 3 attempts)
No. 40- Landon Cassill for Hillman Racing (38th in points, 3 attempts)
No. 66- Joe Nemechek for Michael Waltrip Racing/Identity Ventures Racing (36th in points, 3 attempts)
No. 83- Ryan Truex for BK Racing (44th in points, 3 attempts)
No. 95- Michael McDowell for Leavine Family Racing (45th in points, 3 attempts)
No. 98- Josh Wise for Phil Parsons Racing (42nd in points, 3 attempts)

Not Entered:
No. 21- Trevor Bayne for Wood Brothers Racing
No. 87- Identity Ventures Racing

Nationwide Series Drive to Stop Diabetes 300: 41 cars entered

Drivers Ineligible to Earn Points:
No. 5- Kevin Harvick for JR Motorsports
No. 20- Matt Kenseth for Joe Gibbs Racing
No. 22- Ryan Blaney for Team Penske
No. 23- Timmy Hill for R3 Motorsports/Rick Ware Racing
No. 33- Cale Conley for Richard Childress Racing
No. 39- Ryan Sieg for RSS Racing
No. 40- Josh Wise for The Motorsports Group
No. 42- Kyle Larson for Turner Scott Motorsports
No. 54- Kyle Busch for Joe Gibbs Racing
No. 87- Joe Nemechek for Identity Ventures Racing

Driver Changes:
No. 10- Blake Koch returns to the seat, replacing Jeff Green.
No. 22- Ryan Blaney returns to the seat, replacing Brad Keselowski.
No. 23- Timmy Hill returns to the seat, replacing Robert Richardson, Jr.  Josh Reaume was originally entered.
No. 24- Ruben Garcia, Jr. returns to the seat, replacing Ryan Ellis.  Jason White was originally entered.
No. 29- Kelly Admiraal is in the seat, replacing Scott Lagasse, Jr.
No. 33- Cale Conley is in the seat, replacing Matt Crafton.  If Conley qualifies on speed, he will make his Nationwide Series debut.
No. 44- Will Kimmel returns to the seat, replacing Blake Koch.
No. 74- Mike Harmon returns to the seat, replacing Kevin Lepage.
No. 76- Willie Allen returns to the seat, replacing Tommy Joe Martins.
No. 87- Joe Nemechek returns to the seat, replacing Daryl Harr.
No. 93- An unknown driver will be in the seat, replacing JJ Yeley.

Drivers who must qualify on speed:
No. 5- Kevin Harvick for JR Motorsports
No. 23- Timmy Hill for R3 Motorsports/Rick Ware Racing
No. 29- Kelly Admiraal for RAB Racing with Brack Maggard
No. 33- Cale Conley for Richard Childress Racing
No. 40- Josh Wise for The Motorsports Group
No. 46- Matt DiBenedetto for The Motorsports Group*
No. 67- Tommy Joe Martins for Martins Motorsports*
No. 70- Derrike Cope for Creation-Cope Racing
No. 74- Mike Harmon for Mike Harmon Racing
No. 76- Willie Allen for Martins Motorsports
No. 93- Unknown driver for JGL Racing

*- Expected to Start-and-Park

Not Entered:
No. 88- Dale Earnhardt, Jr. for JR Motorsports
No. 98- David Ragan for Biagi-DenBeste Racing

Tudor United SportsCar Championship Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring: 64 cars entered in 4 classes

Prototype (P) Entries: 17
No. 01- Marino Franchitti/Scott Pruett/Memo Rojas for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (Ford EcoBoost Riley DPG3)
No. 02- Scott Dixon/Tony Kanaan/Sage Karam for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (Ford EcoBoost Riley DPG3)
No. 07- Joel Miller/Tristan Nuñez/Tristan Vautier for SpeedSource (Lola B12/80-Mazda SKYACTIV-D)
No. 0- Gabby Chaves/Katherine Legge/Andy Meyrick for DeltaWing Racing Cars (DeltaWing DWC13)
No. 1- David Brabham/Ryan Dalziel/Scott Sharp for Extreme Speed Motorsports (HPD ARX-03b-Honda)
No. 2- Ed Brown/Simon Pagenaud/Johannes van Overbeek for Extreme Speed Motorsports (HPD ARX-03b-Honda)
No. 5- Joao Barbosa/Sebastien Bourdais/Christian Fittipaldi for Action Express Racing (Chevrolet Corvette DP Evo)
No. 6- Klaus Graf/Lucas Luhr/Jann Mardenborough for Muscle Milk Pickett Racing (ORECA 03-Nissan)
No. 9- Jon Fogarty/Brian Frisselle/Burt Frisselle/ for Action Express Racing/ADR-Delta (Chevrolet Corvette DP Evo)
No. 10- Max Angelelli/Jordan Taylor/Ricky Taylor for Wayne Taylor Racing (Chevrolet Corvette DP Evo)
No. 31- Eric Curran/Boris Said/Unknown driver for Marsh Racing (Chevrolet Corvette DP Evo)
No. 42- Alex Brundle/Olivier Pla/Gustavo Yacaman for OAK Racing (Morgan-Nissan)
No. 50- Byron DeFoor/David Hinton/Jim Pace for Alegra Motorsports ("Highway to Help," Dinan Riley DPG3)
No. 60- Ozz Negri/John Pew/Justin Wilson for Michael Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian (Ford EcoBoost Riley DPG3)
No. 70- Ben Devlin/Tom Long/Sylvain Tremblay for SpeedSource (Lola B12/80-Mazda SKYACTIV-D)
No. 78- Scott Mayer/Sebastian Saavedra/EJ Viso/ for Starworks Motorsport (Honda Riley DPG3)
No. 90- Mike Rockenfeller/Michael Valiente/Richard Westbrook for Spirit of Daytona Racing (Chevrolet Corvette DP Evo)

Prototype Challenge (PC) Entries: 11
No. 08- Chris Cumming/Rusty Mitchell/Alex Tagliani for RSR Racing (ORECA FLM09-Chevrolet)
No. 09- Duncan Ende/David Heinemeier Hansson/Bruno Junqueira for RSR Racing (ORECA FLM09-Chevrolet)
No. 7- Pierre Kaffer/Alex Popow/Unknown driver for Starworks Motorsport (ORECA FLM09-Chevrolet)
No. 8- Sam Bird/Martin Fuentes/Mirco Schultis/Renger van der Zande for Starworks Motorsport (ORECA FLM09-Chevrolet)
No. 25- Tom Kimber-Smith/Eric Lux/Michael Marsal/Unknown driver for 8Star Motorsports (ORECA FLM09-Chevrolet)
No. 38- Raphael Matos/David Ostella/Charlie Shears for Performance Tech Motorsports (ORECA FLM09-Chevrolet)
No. 52- Mike Guasch/Gunnar Jeannette/Frankie Montecalvo for PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports (ORECA FLM09-Chevrolet)
No. 54- Jon Bennett/Colin Braun/James Gue for core Autosport (ORECA FLM09-Chevrolet)
No. 85- Gerry Kraut/Chris Miller/Stephen Simpson for JDC/Miller Motorsports (ORECA FLM09-Chevrolet)
No. 87- Bruce Hamilton/Tonis Kasemets/Gaston Kearby for BAR1 Motorsports (ORECA FLM09-Chevrolet)
No. 88- Doug Bielefeld/Tomy Drissi/Chapman Ducote/Martin Plowman for BAR1 Motorsports (ORECA FLM09-Chevrolet)

Grand Touring-Le Mans (GT-LM) Entries: 11
No. 3- Ryan Briscoe/Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen for Corvette Racing (Chevrolet Corvette C7.R)
No. 4- Oliver Gavin/Robin Liddell/Tommy Milner for Corvette Racing (Chevrolet Corvette C7.R)
No. 17- Wolf Henzler/Marco Holzer/Bryan Sellers for Team Falken Tire (Porsche 911 RSR)
No. 55- Bill Auberlen/Joey Hand/Andy Priaulx for BMW Team RLL (BMW Z4 GTE)
No. 56- John Edwards/Dirk Müller/Dirk Werner for BMW Team RLL (BMW Z4 GTE)
No. 57- Andrea Bertolini/Nic Jonsson/Tracy Krohn for Krohn Racing (Ferrari F458 Italia)
No. 62- Gianmaria Bruni/Giancarlo Fisichella/Matteo Malucelli for Risi Competizione (Ferrari F458 Italia)
No. 91- Dominik Farnbacher/Marc Goossens/Ryan Hunter-Reay for SRT Motorsports (SRT Viper GTS-R)
No. 93- Rob Bell/Jonathan Bomarito/Kuno Wittmer for SRT Motorsports (SRT Viper GTS-R)
No. 911- Richard Lietz/Patrick Pilet/Nick Tandy for Porsche North America (Porsche 911 RSR)
No. 912- Jörg Bergmeister/Michael Christensen/Patrick Long for Porsche North America (Porsche 911 RSR)

Grand Touring-Daytona (GT-D) Entries: 25
No. 007- David Block/Al Carter/James Davison for TRG-AMR (Aston Martin V12 Vantage)
No. 009- Brandon Davis/Max Riddle/Kris Wilson for TRG-AMR (Aston Martin V12 Vantage)
No. 13- Jan Heylen/Hugh Plumb/Matt Plumb/Madison Snow for Rum Bum/Snow Racing (Porsche 911 GT America)
No. 18- Earl Bamber/Unknown drivers for Muehlner Motorsports America (Porsche 911 GT America)
No. 19- Earl Bamber/Unknown drivers for Muehlner Motorsports America (Porsche 911 GT America)
No. 22- Philipp Frommenwiler/Leh Keen/Cooper MacNeil for Alex Job Racing (Porsche 911 GT America)
No. 23- Mario Farnbacher/Ian James/Alex Riberas for Alex Job Racing/Team Seattle (Porsche 911 GT America)
No. 27- Andrew Davis/Patrick Dempsey/Joe Foster for Dempsey Racing (Porsche 911 GT America)
No. 28- Klaus Bachler/Christian Engelhart/Rolf Ineichen/Franz Konrad for Dempsey Racing/Konrad Racing (Porsche 911 GT America)
No. 30- Henrique Cisneros/Jakub Giermaziak/Christina Nielsen for NGT Motorsport (Porsche 911 GT America)
No. 32- Marc Basseng/James Sofronas/Alex Welch for GMG Racing (Audi R8 LMS)
No. 33- Jeroen Bleekemolen/Sebastiaan Bleekemolen/Ben Keating for Riley Motorsports (SRT Viper GT3-R)
No. 35- Filipe Albuquerque/Seth Neiman/Dion von Moltke for Flying Lizard Motorsports (Audi R8 LMS)
No. 44- Andy Lally/John Potter/Marco Seefried for Magnus Racing (Porsche 911 GT America)
No. 45- Nelson Canache/Alessandro Latif/Spencer Pumpelly/Markus Winkelhock for Flying Lizard Motorsports (Audi R8 LMS)
No. 46- Charles Espenlaub/Christopher Mies/Charles Putman for Fall-Line Motorsports (Audi R8 LMS)
No. 48- Matt Bell/Christopher Haase/Bryce Miller for Paul Miller Racing (Audi R8 LMS)
No. 49- Gialuca Roda/Paolo Ruberti/Unknown driver for "Spirit of Race" (AF Corse, Ferrari 458 Italia)
No. 51- Marco Cioci/Jack Gerber/Matt Griffin/Michele Rugolo for "Spirit of Race" (AF Corse, Ferrari 458 Italia)
No. 63- Alessandro Balzan/Lorenzo Case/Stefan Johansson/Jeff Westphal for Scuderia Corsa (Ferrari 458 Italia)
No. 71- Kevin Estre/Patrick Lindsey/Unknown driver for Park Place Motorsports (Porsche 911 GT America)
No. 73- Dr. Jim Norman/Norbert Siedler/Craig Stanton for Park Place Motorsports (Porsche 911 GT America)
No. 81- Mike Avenatti/Bob Faieta/Damien Faulkner/Patrick Huisman for GB Autosport (Porsche 911 GT America)
No. 94- Dane Cameron/Paul Dalla Lana/Markus Palttala for Turner Motorsport (BMW Z4)
No. 555- Townsend Bell/Maurizio Mediani/Jeff Segal/Bill Sweedler for AIM Autosport (Ferrari 458 Italia)

Entered, but Already Withdrawn:
No. 24- Millennium Racing (ORECA 03-Nissan)
No. 64- Scuderia Corsa (Ferrari 458 Italia)
No. 97- Aston Martin Racing (Aston Martin V8 Vantage)
No. 556- Level 5 Motorsports (Ferrari 458 Italia)

Not Entered:
No. 72- SMP Racing/ESM Racing (Ferrari 458 Italia)
No. 99- GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing (Chevrolet Corvette DP Evo)

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!

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The Critic's Annex: NASCAR America
by Phil Allaway

Hello, race fans.  Welcome back to the Critic's Annex, where we take an additional look at motorsports-related programming.  For the past couple of years, we've had NASCAR Now on ESPN 2 and NASCAR RaceHub on SPEED (now FOX Sports 1) to keep fans updated on the daily goings on in NASCAR. 

While NASCAR RaceHub has been moved around a fair amount on since SPEED was replaced with FOX Sports 1, the show has better ratings than nearly all of the new studio shows that have been created for SPEED's replacement.  Those ratings led the show to be expanded back to an hour after being shortened at FOX Sports 1's launch.

The end of ESPN's tenure covering races in November will undoubtedly mean end the lifespan of NASCAR Now.  With the show being stuck in overnight DVR Theater for the last couple of years (sometimes as late as 3:30am Eastern), I don't think that ESPN is likely to miss the all but forgotten show with a revolving door of hosts.  We'll be taking a look at ESPN's beleaguered show in the next couple of weeks.

However, for 2014, we have a new challenger.  As you all know by now, NBC is returning to the NASCAR fold in 2015.  Unlike from 2001-2006, when NBC shared their portion of the schedule with Turner Sports, NBC is going it alone this time.  They're better equipped for the task with their own cable networks, as well.

Just after Daytona, the NBC Sports Network (formerly Versus, OLN and the Outdoor Life Network) launched NASCAR America, NBC's new daily NASCAR show.  The Stamford, CT-based show will be NBC's equivalent to NASCAR Now and NASCAR RaceHub, airing at a mostly steady 5pm on weekdays.  How did NBC's new effort shape up?  Let's take a look.

NASCAR America is mainly hosted by Rick Allen (although Leigh Diffey is hosting this week since he's already there to call Formula One).  It is a role that Allen has had in the past on SPEED.  He generally does well in the spot.  Allen (or Diffey) is joined by one or more analysts on the set to provide an insiders' view.  For the first week, that analyst was Jeff Burton.  Last week saw Ken Schrader and Kyle Petty on the show, while Diffey is working with Wally Dallenbach, Jr., one of his usual cohorts on IndyCar telecasts.  The show also has permanent reporters in Marty Snider, Kelli Stavast and USA Today's Nate Ryan.  Stavast has been sighted at the first three races this season working for NBC Sports at the track.

If there's major news going in, it will lead the show.  On Tuesday, the major story was the (at the time) potential changes to qualifying.  Ryan appeared via satellite from WKYC in Cleveland to talk about the conference call that took place just before the show went on the air.  Since the actual changes weren't officially announced until about 20 minutes after the show finished up, it was mainly conjecture, but they got the general gist of the entire argument across.

The Tuesday show has "Scan All 43," which is a segment containing radio chatter from selected drivers and crews.  Since the show is on regular cable and not premium cable, the obscenities are censored, but it's similar to what you used to see on Showtime's Inside NASCAR.

There are discussions on major topics going on.  For example, Tuesday's show saw a discussion on Sprint Cup drivers in the Nationwide Series.  Diffey and Dallenbach seem to have the opposite opinion as compared to ESPN on this issue.  As noted in my Couch Potato Tuesday column earlier this week, Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree basically stated that the Cup drivers need to be in the series for multiple reasons, preferably as often as possible.  Jarrett, for his own part, basically blamed "smarks" for it even being an issue in the first place.  In this argument, "smarks" would refer to fans in the know and writers.  Basically, us.

Driver interviews are not necessarily an everyday thing on NASCAR America, but they are welcome additions to the show.  However, being in Stamford saddles the show with the same disadvantage that NASCAR Now has to deal with in Bristol.  Studio guests are neigh on impossible to get.  In fact, it's worse than NASCAR Now because ESPN can convince drivers to come up to Bristol and do the "ESPN Car Wash," where they do a number of appearances in one day (NASCAR Now, SportsCenter, Mike & Mike, etc.).  NBC Sports Network just doesn't have the reach that ESPN currently does and won't for the foreseeable future.

That said, NASCAR America has an advantage by using Charlotte-based reporters on the show.  They can dispatch Ryan, Snider or Stavast to various shops to conduct interviews with drivers and/or crew chiefs.  Examples include interviews with Jamie McMurray and Richard "Slugger" Labbe.  NASCAR RaceHub does something similar either with Danielle Trotta and/or Kaitlyn Vincie, who are regulars in the studio, or with a couple of other reporters.  NASCAR America's other option that they have is to simply have a driver call into the studio, which is fine, but it's just not the same.  This is what they mainly did during the first week.

On the other hand, NASCAR Now really has never done this in the seven-plus years that it has been on TV.  Reporters like Nicole Briscoe or Shannon Spake, who are Charlotte-based and could fill that role are often summoned to Bristol to host the show outright.

When I first watched the show right after Daytona, it seemed to just fly by.  It could be a full hour in length if NBC Sports Network had the gumption to make the move.  Allen and Jeff Burton seem to work together very well.  Admittedly, putting the two of them together is a bit of a dry run for when they're in the booth together next summer.

With Petty and Schrader in week No. 2, the show isn't quite as strong.  Hate to say it, but Schrader is the weak link here.  It's been a number of years since Schrader was sharing the panel with Johnny Benson and Michael Waltrip on the Inside Winston Cup/NEXTEL Cup shows on Speedvision/SPEED with Allen Bestwick at the helm.  He just seemed a little unsure of himself at times.  Then again, Inside Winston Cup was a fairly laid back show.  NASCAR America is a little more hard-hitting.

Having Diffey host the show brings a different kind of energy.  I'm not really sure how often he'll be hosting, but a week a month might not be out of the question.  Diffey is not the most knowledgeable person when it comes to NASCAR.  I think he's only done some practice sessions and a qualifying session at Watkins Glen in the past in a sub role.  However, NBC Sports Network paired Diffey with Dallenbach, a known quantity.  Here, the two of them bounced off of each other like they do on the IndyCar telecasts.  I understand that Diffey has his detractors, but I find him far more enjoyable on a race telecast than in the studio.

As the year continues on, we'll have a couple of more analysts on the show that haven't made their debuts as of yet.  Frank Stoddard, co-owner of Go FAS Racing is one of those analysts.  We'll see how he does.

From what I've seen so far, NASCAR America is off to a good start.  The show is generally enjoyable to watch and quite informative.  NBC Sports Network has given it a steady timeslot at a decent time of day where it can generate an audience.  It's not DVR Theater.  Adding a repeat wouldn't be a bad idea, though.

The only gripe I have so far is the overhyping of the upcoming Chase that is still six months away.  Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I don't really want to hear about that right now.  It shouldn't have most of a segment on a Tuesday show in March.  That could be dedicated to something else.

I hope you enjoyed this look at NASCAR America.  I will continue to keep tabs on NASCAR America and plan on writing again about the show in a few months.  In the coming weeks, I plan to give my thoughts on the new FansChoice.tv website and whether NASCAR is doing this right, or should they have gone the route taken by the WWE with their own subscription internet network.  In addition, ESPN's contribution to DVR Theater, NASCAR Now, will be critiqued once again.  Until we meet again, enjoy this weekend's action in Bristol, Sebring and Melbourne.

Phil Allaway is the Newsletter Manager and a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.  He can be reached via e-mail at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com.  Follow him on Twitter at @Critic84.

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Frontstretch Line of the Week

From Is NASCAR's Audience Getting Wrecked... By No Wrecks?

"No crushed sheet metal, like it or not ,is important because it's that contact which adds an air of unpredictability. I'm not even saying two cars have to spin out in order to get fans on their feet. It's moments like the Bristol bump-and-run, two cars coming together in fighting for the same position that has added excitement to our sport. Maybe passing like the kind we saw at Vegas, in which two cars fight but act like there's a 50-foot restraining order between them while doing so doesn't have the same effect for the racing audience. It gives the impression the racing is not as challenging even if it's more so."- Tom Bowles on the current lack of contact in Sprint Cup
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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:

Voice of Vito: Proving How The New Chase Isn't Chad-Proof
by Vito Pugliese

Fantasy Insider: Betting On The Best At Bristol
by Jeff Wolfe

Going By the Numbers: Earnhardt's Strong Start Likely Just The Beginning

by Kevin Rutherford

Tech Talk: "Bono" Manion Takes Us Through A Bristol Plan of Attack
as told to Mike Neff

Truckin' Thursdays: Young Drivers Set To Take Big Step
by Beth Lunkenheimer

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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:

Q: The 1989 Valleydale Meats 500 was the second Winston Cup race at Bristol to have 20 cautions, mainly due to a combination of new pavement, higher speeds and rain limiting practice time.  It was also the first race in which Ernie Irvan was a contender in the series.  Irvan, driving the No. 2 Pontiac for D.K. Ulrich, led 56 laps after starting 25th.  However, it all went for naught.  What put Irvan out of the race?

Check back Friday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
 
Wednesday's Answer:

Q:  In the 2000 Food City 500, Dale Earnhardt had a great run early on, moving up from the 11th starting spot to take the lead.  However, that led was short-lived.  What knocked him off the point?

A:  Just a couple of laps after Earnhardt took the lead from Jeff Gordon, Kenny Irwin, Jr. spun in Turn 3 after some contact and hit the wall  The car then slid down the hill.  Earnhardt saw this and made a move for the apron, but couldn't get far enough out of the way.  Earnhardt ended up shearing much of the rear sheetmetal off of Irwin's No. 42 and damaging the right side of his Goodwrench Chevrolet.  The crash can be seen here.

Both Earnhardt and Irwin spent a significant amount of time behind the wall for repairs, but both drivers eventually returned to the race.  They would finish 39th and 40th, respectively.

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 tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Justin Tucker
-- In Case You Missed It by Ashley McCubbin
-- Keepin' It Short by Mike Neff
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, trivia, and more!

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Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:

Mirror Driving by the Frontstretch Staff

A collection of your favorite writers are back to discuss a number of pertainent issues in NASCAR.  Topics this week include the new intermediate aero package, the new Chase format causing a more wild Bristol, Stewart-Haas and Michael Waltrip Racing's struggles and more.

Holding A Pretty Wheel by Amy Henderson
Amy returns this week with another intriguing Friday commentary.

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.

Happiness Is... by P. Huston Ladner
Don't let your life sink into the pits. Huston takes a look at the racing stories from the last seven days that should leave you smiling.
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