THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
March 7th, 2014
Volume VIII, Edition XXII
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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.
This Weekend's TV Schedule
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
March 7th, 2014
Volume VIII, Edition XXII
----------------
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!
This Weekend's TV Schedule
Friday, March 7
Time Telecast Network
1:00pm-2:00pm K&N Pro Series West Talking Stick Resort 75 FOX Sports 1*/
2:00-3:30pm Sprint Cup Series Practice No. 1 FOX Sports 1
3:30-4:30pm Nationwide Series Practice No. 1 FOX Sports 1
4:30-5:00pm NASCAR Live FOX Sports 1
4:30-5:00pm NASCAR America NBC Sports Network
5:00-6:30pm Nationwide Series Happy Hour FOX Sports 1
6:30-8:00pm Sprint Cup Series Qualifying FOX Sports 1
Saturday, March 8
Time Telecast Network
11:30am-12:30pm Sprint Cup Series Practice No. 2 FOX Sports 2
12:30-2:00pm Nationwide Series Qualifying FOX Sports 2
2:00-2:30pm NASCAR Live FOX Sports 2
2:30-3:30pm Sprint Cup Series Happy Hour FOX Sports 2
4:00-4:15pm NASCAR Countdown ESPN 2
4:15-7:00pm Nationwide Series Boyd Gaming 300 ESPN 2
7:30-11:00pm AMA Monster Energy Supercross: Daytona FOX Sports 1
Sunday, March 9
Time Telecast Network
1:30pm-2:30pm NASCAR RaceDay FOX Sports 1
2:30-3:00pm FOX Pre-Race FOX
3:00-6:00pm Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 400 FOX
8:00-8:30pm NASCAR Victory Lane FOX Sports 1
*- Tape Delayed
/- Highlighted Coverage
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Top News
by Justin Tucker
Harvick Paces Las Vegas Test
Kevin Harvick picked right up where he left off in Phoenix, pacing Thursday's Sprint Cup Series test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Harvick set a fast lap of 190.148 mph to lead all drivers. Austin Dillon had the second fastest lap on the day, Trevor Bayne, Ryan Newman and Danica Patrick rounded out the top 5.
The open test was held on Thursday due to Las Vegas being the first intermediate track to hold a race with the new intermediate rules. These rules include setting ride height statically, side skirt adjustments, a squared-off splitter, an eight-inch tall spoiler and a radiator pan that measures 43 inches by 13 inches.
It was a mixed bag of strategies as some team worked on qualifying setups while others focused on race runs ahead of Sunday's Kobalt Tools 400.
The Cup cars return to the track tomorrow for the official start of on-track activities for this weekend at Las Vegas. Sprint Cup Series practice gets underway at 2 p.m. ET and Sprint Cup Series qualifying gets underway at 6:35 p.m. ET. Both sessions can be seen on FOX Sports 1.
ThorSport Tabs Burton for Martinsville
On Thursday, ThorSport Racing announced that Jeb Burton will be behind the wheel of the organization's No. 13 Toyota Tundra when the Camping World Truck Series returns to Martinsville Speedway for the Kroger 250 on March 29.
Martinsville Speedway takes on a special significance for Burton; it's his home track and also the site of his first career Camping World Truck Series pole, which he won last year. Burton won seven poles in 2013 -- a series high.
ThorSport hired Burton a week before the season opening race at the Daytona International Speedway. The son of former Daytona 500 winner Ward Burton finished seventh in his debut for the team, but ThorSport is currently seeking sponsorship to run Burton for the remainder of the season in 2014 -- so Burton's future with the team is unknown beyond Martinsville.
"We were really impressed with Jeb, his ability to mesh with the team and the way he worked his way through that first race and had a respectable finish, which isn't easy at Daytona," ThorSport team manager David Pepper said. "We hope we can continue to build on the excitement Jeb and our team created at Daytona because we really need to get more support to continue racing this Tundra.
"At this point, we know Jeb will be driving our No. 13 Toyota and crew chief Dennis Connor will be leading his team. We're working extra-hard to get something to put on the side of that truck."
Burton hasn't forgotten where he comes from; he's ready to get back to his home track.
"Martinsville is a special place to me, whether it was racing a Late Model Stock Car, making my first start in the Truck Series and for sure, winning that first pole last year," he said. "That racetrack has meant a lot to my career and the fan support my entire family has gotten there has been really special to not only myself, but also my dad and my uncle (Jeff Burton), too."
Since the No. 13 ran only a part-time schedule last season in the Camping World Truck Series, Burton will have to qualify on speed at Martinsville. However, Burton won the pole for the Kroger 250 at Martinsville last year, so he has shown in the past that he can qualify at Martinsville under pressure.
Ellis Re-signs With SR² Motorsports
Ryan Ellis, who drove a limited Nationwide Series schedule last year for SR² Motorsports, has re-signed with the organization for another partial schedule in the Nationwide Series in 2014, the team announced Thursday.
Ellis, who recorded a best finish of 31st in the fall race at Richmond last year, will make his season debut in this weekend's Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
At Las Vegas, Ellis will be behind the wheel of the No. 24 Toyota Camry and will be sponsored by Superlite Cars, a Michigan-based manufacturer of exotic street and race cars.
Ellis said he is excited to return to SR² and ready to get the weekend started in Vegas.
"I'm happy to be back racing with SR2 and Toyota this year," he said.. "It's really what I had hoped for all last off-season. Jason (Sciavicco, team owner) is a great guy and I am truly honored that he has brought me back and into this expanded role on his team."
Ellis is also currently scheduled to make three more appearances in the Camping World Truck Series this season driving the No. 28 FDNY Chevrolet Silverado for Jim Rosenblum. He finished 18th in the season-opening NextEra Energy Resources 250.
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: Time to Mine for Some Copper in the Dirt
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: Kobalt Tools 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
Ashley McCubbin is a newsletter contributor and one of The Frontstretch's new writers for the 2014 season. She can be reached via email at ashley.mccubbin@frontstretch.com.
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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 attony.lumbis@frontstretch.com for details.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
The Long and Short of the Intermediate Track Problem in NASCAR
by Amy Henderson
Happiness Is...Viewership Numbers, NBCSN, and Mirroring
by Huston Ladner
Frontstretch Foto Funnies: Does This Suit Make Me Look Fat?
by Frontstretch Staff
Mirror Driving: On a Roll, Qualifying Questions, and Hot Young Talent
by Frontstretch Staff
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In 2000, Chilean racer Eliseo Salazar was a early contender at the 2000 Vegas Indy 300 in the Indy Racing Northern Lights Series, leading 27 laps in his Rio Casino-sponsored No. 11 for AJ Foyt Enterprises. However, he was eliminated from the proceedings early on. What happened?
Check back Monday for the answer here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: The 1999 Vegas.com 500 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Indy Racing League was a bit of a wreckfest. There were 11 cautions for 70 laps, and all of those cautions were due to incidents. Current ESPN analyst Scott Goodyear was eliminated in one of the incidents. What happened?
A: Goodyear was running fairly well early in the race when his Pennzoil No. 4 swapped ends exiting Turn 4. From here, Goodyear was simply a passenger as he went hard into the outside before sliding into the tri-oval grass. The crash can be seen here. Goodyear walked away, but was definitely sore afterward.
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 in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Kobalt Tools 400 Recap by Justin Tucker
-- Never Fear, the Underdogs Are Here by Amy Henderson
-- Sidebar Stories: Las Vegas by Phil Allaway
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, trivia, and more!
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This Weekend on the Frontstretch:
Four Burning Questions: Las Vegas by Matt Stallknecht
Matt will be here to give readers a few things to look forward to in Sunday's Kobalt Tools 400.~~~~~~~~~~
Keepin' It Short: Time to Mine for Some Copper in the Dirt
by Mike Neff
The World of Outlaws Sprint Cars crisscross the country for over 90 race nights this season. With the ground still frozen for much of the dirt tracks that comprise the schedule, the series is taking a prolonged trip to the West Coast to pick up where things left off in Florida.
Brad Sweet, Donny Schatz and Steve Kinser took victories in the Sunshine State to start off the season before the teams packed up for over a month of competition in Nevada, California and Arizona. While it isn't the only trip by the winged warriors to the Pacific time zone, it is their longest by far.
The Outlaws start off at the Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as part of NASCAR's week in Sin City. Saturday they'll be in Tucson for the NAPA Wildcat Shootout, and after Tucson the circuit will hit seven different tracks from Tulare to Perris from March 14 through April 12.
Paul McMahan scored the win on the first night in Vegas on Wednesday. That victory put McMahan on top of the points with four races in the books. Brad Sweet is second, 12 points behind. Last season's champion Daryn Pittman is the only driver in the top 5 without a win, but is only 15 points behind McMahan. Donny Schatz, the five-time series champ, is six points behind Pittman and only 21 out of the top spot. Rounding out the top 5 is Steve Kinser. The 20-time series champion is in his final season and is looking to go out with a bang. If his win in Florida was any indication, the King will be a formidable foe this year.
For fans on the West Coast, this month is your chance to see the fastest cars on dirt. It is also your last chance to see the greatest 410 Sprint Car driver of our time as Steve Kinser says goodbye.
This Weekend's Race Schedule
Friday 03/07/14 Sunny South Raceway Grand Bay AL Bandoleros
Friday 03/07/14 Sunny South Raceway Grand Bay AL Legends
Friday 03/07/14 Sunny South Raceway Grand Bay AL Mighty Mites
Friday 03/07/14 Sunny South Raceway Grand Bay AL Modifieds
Friday 03/07/14 Sunny South Raceway Grand Bay AL Stingers
Friday 03/07/14 Silver Dollar Speedway Chico CA 360 Sprints
Friday 03/07/14 Silver Dollar Speedway Chico CA Modifieds
Friday 03/07/14 Silver Dollar Speedway Chico CA Wingless Sprints
Friday 03/07/14 Modoc Raceway Modoc SC Dirt Super Late Models
Friday 03/07/14 Smoky Mountain Speedway Maryville TN NDRL Kings of Dirt Super Late Models
Friday 03/07/14 Boyd Speedway Boyd TX Factory Stocks
Friday 03/07/14 Boyd Speedway Boyd TX IMCA Hobby Stocks
Friday 03/07/14 Boyd Speedway Boyd TX IMCA Modifieds
Friday 03/07/14 Boyd Speedway Boyd TX IMCA Southern Sport Mods
Friday 03/07/14 Boyd Speedway Boyd TX IMCA Sport Compacts
Friday 03/07/14 Boyd Speedway Boyd TX IMCA Stock Cars
Friday 03/07/14 Heart O' Texas Speedway Elm Mott TX Bombers
Friday 03/07/14 Heart O' Texas Speedway Elm Mott TX IMCA Hobby Stocks
Friday 03/07/14 Heart O' Texas Speedway Elm Mott TX IMCA Modifieds
Friday 03/07/14 Heart O' Texas Speedway Elm Mott TX IMCA Sport Mods
Friday 03/07/14 Heart O' Texas Speedway Elm Mott TX IMCA Stock Cars
Friday 03/07/14 Heart O' Texas Speedway Elm Mott TX Jr. Mini Stocks
Friday 03/07/14 Heart O' Texas Speedway Elm Mott TX Outlaw Twisters
Friday 03/07/14 Heart O' Texas Speedway Elm Mott TX Street Stocks
Friday 03/07/14 Heart O' Texas Speedway Elm Mott TX Twisters
Saturday 03/08/14 Crawford County Speedway Van Buren AR 360 Economy Modifieds
Saturday 03/08/14 Crawford County Speedway Van Buren AR Front Wheel Drives
Saturday 03/08/14 Crawford County Speedway Van Buren AR Grand Nationals
Saturday 03/08/14 Crawford County Speedway Van Buren AR Mini Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Crawford County Speedway Van Buren AR Modifieds
Saturday 03/08/14 Crawford County Speedway Van Buren AR Street Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Crawford County Speedway Van Buren AR Vintage Race Cars
Saturday 03/08/14 Arizona Speedway Queen Creek AZ Bombers
Saturday 03/08/14 Arizona Speedway Queen Creek AZ IMCA Modifieds
Saturday 03/08/14 Arizona Speedway Queen Creek AZ Pure Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Arizona Speedway Queen Creek AZ Super Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Mohave Valley Raceway Mohave Valley AZ Go-Karts
Saturday 03/08/14 Mohave Valley Raceway Mohave Valley AZ IMCA Modifieds
Saturday 03/08/14 Mohave Valley Raceway Mohave Valley AZ Mini Sports
Saturday 03/08/14 Mohave Valley Raceway Mohave Valley AZ Mini Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Mohave Valley Raceway Mohave Valley AZ Northern Arizona Dwarf Cars
Saturday 03/08/14 Mohave Valley Raceway Mohave Valley AZ Street Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Tucson International Raceway Tucson AZ World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
Saturday 03/08/14 Tucson Speedway Tucson AZ Hornets
Saturday 03/08/14 Tucson Speedway Tucson AZ Pro Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Tucson Speedway Tucson AZ Super Late Models
Saturday 03/08/14 Tucson Speedway Tucson AZ X-Mods
Saturday 03/08/14 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA American Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA Hobby Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA Mini Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Bakersfield Speedway Bakersfield CA West Coast Late Models
Saturday 03/08/14 Imperial Valley Raceway El Centro CA California Lightning Sprints
Saturday 03/08/14 Silver Dollar Speedway Chico CA 360 Sprints
Saturday 03/08/14 Silver Dollar Speedway Chico CA Hunt Magneto Wingless Sprints
Saturday 03/08/14 Silver Dollar Speedway Chico CA NorCal IMCA Modifieds
Saturday 03/08/14 Ventura Raceway Ventura CA Dwarf Cars
Saturday 03/08/14 Ventura Raceway Ventura CA Hobby Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Ventura Raceway Ventura CA IMCA Modifieds
Saturday 03/08/14 Ventura Raceway Ventura CA Mod Lites
Saturday 03/08/14 Ventura Raceway Ventura CA Senior Sprints
Saturday 03/08/14 Ventura Raceway Ventura CA Sport Compacts
Saturday 03/08/14 Ventura Raceway Ventura CA VRA Sprint Cars
Saturday 03/08/14 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala FL Florida Mini Sprints
Saturday 03/08/14 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala FL Hobby Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala FL Top Gun Sprints
Saturday 03/08/14 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala FL TQ Late Models
Saturday 03/08/14 Bubba Raceway Park Ocala FL V-8 Thunder Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 East Bay Raceway Park Tampa FL 4-Cylinder Bombers
Saturday 03/08/14 East Bay Raceway Park Tampa FL Late Models
Saturday 03/08/14 East Bay Raceway Park Tampa FL Open Wheel Modifieds
Saturday 03/08/14 East Bay Raceway Park Tampa FL Outlaw Fours
Saturday 03/08/14 East Bay Raceway Park Tampa FL Street Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 North Florida Speedway Lake City FL Box Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 North Florida Speedway Lake City FL E-Mods
Saturday 03/08/14 North Florida Speedway Lake City FL Late Models
Saturday 03/08/14 North Florida Speedway Lake City FL Pure Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 North Florida Speedway Lake City FL Street Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Showtime Speedway Pinellas Park FL Enduro
Saturday 03/08/14 Showtime Speedway Pinellas Park FL Mini Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Showtime Speedway Pinellas Park FL Modified Minis
Saturday 03/08/14 Showtime Speedway Pinellas Park FL Open Wheel Modifieds
Saturday 03/08/14 Showtime Speedway Pinellas Park FL Pro Figure-8
Saturday 03/08/14 Showtime Speedway Pinellas Park FL Street Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Lincoln Speedway Abbottstown PA 410 Winged Sprints
Saturday 03/08/14 Shippensburg Speedway Shippensburg PA 125 Sprints
Saturday 03/08/14 Shippensburg Speedway Shippensburg PA 270 Sprints
Saturday 03/08/14 Shippensburg Speedway Shippensburg PA 600 Sprints
Saturday 03/08/14 Shippensburg Speedway Shippensburg PA Go-Karts
Saturday 03/08/14 Shippensburg Speedway Shippensburg PA Mini Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Shippensburg Speedway Shippensburg PA Strictly Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Shippensburg Speedway Shippensburg PA Thunder Cars
Saturday 03/08/14 Shippensburg Speedway Shippensburg PA Truck Enduros
Saturday 03/08/14 Dillon Motor Speedway Dillon SC Mini Stock Mayhem Warriors
Saturday 03/08/14 Dillon Motor Speedway Dillon SC PASS Pro Late Models
Saturday 03/08/14 Dillon Motor Speedway Dillon SC PASS Super Late Model
Saturday 03/08/14 Modoc Raceway Modoc SC Dirt Super Late Models
Saturday 03/08/14 Smoky Mountain Speedway Maryville TN NDRL Kings of Dirt Super Late Models
Saturday 03/08/14 Battleground Speedway Highlands TX Dwarf Cars
Saturday 03/08/14 Battleground Speedway Highlands TX ECO Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Battleground Speedway Highlands TX Hobby Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Battleground Speedway Highlands TX Limited Modifieds
Saturday 03/08/14 Battleground Speedway Highlands TX Mod Lites
Saturday 03/08/14 Battleground Speedway Highlands TX Pure Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Bronco Raceway Park Cleveland TX 360 Sprint Cars
Saturday 03/08/14 Bronco Raceway Park Cleveland TX Limited Modifieds
Saturday 03/08/14 Bronco Raceway Park Cleveland TX OEM Pro Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Cotton Bowl Speedway Paige TX IMCA Hobby Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Cotton Bowl Speedway Paige TX IMCA Modifieds
Saturday 03/08/14 Cotton Bowl Speedway Paige TX IMCA Sport Mods
Saturday 03/08/14 Cotton Bowl Speedway Paige TX IMCA Stock Cars
Saturday 03/08/14 Cotton Bowl Speedway Paige TX Stock Cars
Saturday 03/08/14 Cotton Bowl Speedway Paige TX Street Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Gator Motorplex Willis TX Hobby Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Gator Motorplex Willis TX Limited Modifieds
Saturday 03/08/14 Gator Motorplex Willis TX Pure Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Gator Motorplex Willis TX Racesaver 305 Sprints
Saturday 03/08/14 Gator Motorplex Willis TX Street Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Kennedale Speedway Park Kennedale TX Factory Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Kennedale Speedway Park Kennedale TX IMCA Modifieds
Saturday 03/08/14 Kennedale Speedway Park Kennedale TX IMCA Southern Sport Mods
Saturday 03/08/14 Kennedale Speedway Park Kennedale TX IMCA Stock Cars
Saturday 03/08/14 Kennedale Speedway Park Kennedale TX Jr. Mini Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Kennedale Speedway Park Kennedale TX Racesaver 305 Sprints
Saturday 03/08/14 Kennedale Speedway Park Kennedale TX Street Stocks
Saturday 03/08/14 Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track Ft. Worth TX Limited Modifieds
Saturday 03/08/14 Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track Ft. Worth TX Modifieds
Saturday 03/08/14 Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track Ft. Worth TX Southern United Professional Racing Dirt Late Models
Sunday 03/09/14 Avalon Raceway Geelong AU Sprintcars
Sunday 03/09/14 Avalon Raceway Geelong AU V8 Dirt Modifieds
Sunday 03/09/14 Indianapolis Speedrome Indianapolis IN Hornets
Sunday 03/09/14 Indianapolis Speedrome Indianapolis IN Jr. Faskarts
Sunday 03/09/14 Indianapolis Speedrome Indianapolis IN Jr. Hornets
Sunday 03/09/14 Indianapolis Speedrome Indianapolis IN Roadrunners
Sunday 03/09/14 Hagerstown Speedway Hagerstown MD 410 Winged Sprints
Sunday 03/09/14 Hagerstown Speedway Hagerstown MD Dirt Late Models
Sunday 03/09/14 Caraway Speedway Asheboro NC Whelen Southern Modified Tour
Wednesday 03/12/14 Millbridge Speedway Millbridge NC Beginner Box Stock Mini Outlaw Sprint Karts
Wednesday 03/12/14 Millbridge Speedway Millbridge NC Box Stock Mini Outlaw Sprint Karts
Wednesday 03/12/14 Millbridge Speedway Millbridge NC Intermediate Mini Outlaw Sprint Karts
Wednesday 03/12/14 Millbridge Speedway Millbridge NC Open Mini Outlaw Sprint Karts
Wednesday 03/12/14 Millbridge Speedway Millbridge NC Sportsman Mini Outlaw Sprint Karts
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: Kobalt Tools 400
by Brad Morgan
The Sprint Cup Series travels to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the third race of the 2014 season on Sunday (March 9). Television coverage of the Kobalt Tools 400 begins at 3 p.m. ET on FOX, or tune into your local Performance Racing Network (PRN) affiliate or SiriusXM Channel 90 for the radio broadcast. Drivers will compete for at least 267 laps before the checkered flag waves.
Records and Facts
Matt Kenseth won this event last season, his first of seven trips to the winner’s circle in 2013. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver waited until 40 laps to go to take over, and from there, he stayed ahead of Kasey Kahne for the victory. In doing so, Kenseth became the third driver to win on his birthday -- joining Kyle Busch and Cale Yarborough.
Kahne holds the qualifying record at LVMS. He ran a 28.353-second (190.456 mph) lap in preparation for the 2012 Kobalt Tools 400.
Jimmie Johnson has won four times at LVMS, making him the all-time leader in that category in just 12 starts. He also leads active drivers in average finish (9.5), and ranks fourth in laps led.
Track Facts
Track Length: 1.5-mile tri-oval superspeedway
Pit Road Speed: 45 mph
Degree of Banking: 20 degrees
Frontstretch: 2,275 ft., 9 degrees of banking
Backstretch: 1,572 ft., 9 degrees of banking
Grandstand Seating: 142,000
Website: http://www.lvms.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LVMotorSpeedway
Pre-race Schedule
Practices: Friday, March 7, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1
Saturday, March 8, 11:30 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 2
Happy Hour: Saturday, March 8, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 2
Qualifying: Friday, March 7, 6:35 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1
VIPs
Grand Marshal: Jonathan Goldsmith ("The Most Interesting Man in the World")
Command: Jonathan Goldsmith
Honorary Starter/Wave Green Flag: TBA
Invocation: TBA
National Anthem: TBA
Flyover: US Air Force Thunderbirds
Race Day Forecast
Sunday: Mostly Cloudy
High: 77
Low: 52
They Said It:
“One of the things that Richard Petty Motorsports has committed to me and the entire organization is to take the new sponsorship funds our partners have given us and dedicate it to the cars. We expect to run more chassis that are new this year, especially at the tracks like Las Vegas where downforce matters so much. We’re really putting an emphasis on this.” – Marcos Ambrose
“We have a hard schedule – Vegas being very hard and there are other ones we feel pretty sure about that we’re going to run, but we haven’t really talked about it yet so we might change our mind. We are going to run where it makes sense. It’s got to be part of a plan and if it’s not, we’re making a mistake.” – Jeff Burton
“Even though I grew up out west, I’ve never seen the Grand Canyon and I’ve always wanted to. I have done three smaller hikes before but nothing like this. I am going to have a yellow [rookie] stripe on my backpack for sure. We are going down the hardest trail. It is about eight and a half miles in, and then we have a 13-and-a-half-mile hike out. I’m going to be wishing that Love’s Travel Stops had a store on the bottom of the Grand Canyon.” – David Gilliland
“Las Vegas is fast, bumpy and has a lot of character. With 48 cars on the entry list this weekend, it will be ‘elbows up’ on Friday for qualifying. It’s great because it has been several years since the field has been this competitive.” – Michael McDowell
“I’m not a gambler, so the casinos don’t matter to me that much. But, there are some great restaurants we take advantage of while we’re in town.” – Paul Menard
“I had absolutely no idea that my 300th start is coming up. I have been blessed to be with some great race teams and have enjoyed plenty of fond memories. Looking back it seems like a long time ago that I made my first start but it really was not. They say when you’re having fun time flies, and in my case that is so true because I have had an incredible amount of fun over the years.” – 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
Smoke Is The Bandit
Mobil 1 released a video early this week entitled "Smoke is the Bandit" to kick off a new promotion with Tony Stewart. The video featured Stewart behind the wheel of a Pontiac Firebird heading to Charlotte Motor Speedway and parking in the garage.
Mobil 1 and Stewart have partnered together to release a video series based on one of the most memorable car chase films, "Smokey and the Bandit." Stewart, driver of the No. 14 Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, will play ‘The Bandit’ in a series of videos, which will feature Darrell Waltrip, Ricky Craven, Hermie Sadler, Jeff Hammond and Nicole Briscoe playing different roles.
The first video of the series was released today titled “The Challenge,” with each new episode being released bi-weekly. Fans can follow along at here to take in the entertainment.
"'Smokey and the Bandit' is still my all-time favorite movie," Stewart said in a press release. "Bringing this legendary movie back to the screen -- with the Bandit's black Trans Am and all -- has been an absolute blast and I hope the fans have just as much fun watching the videos."
Jeff Burton Makes First Start of 2014
While everyone is talking about Jeb Burton running for ThorSport Racing at Martinsville later this month, his uncle Jeff will be back behind the wheel this weekend in the Sprint Cup Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Burton will be driving the No. 66 Let’s Go Places Toyota Camry for Michael Waltrip Racing. He's expected to possibly run more races this year, though they have not yet been confirmed.
"There are other ones we feel pretty sure about that we're going to run, but we haven't really talked about it yet so we might change our mind," Burton told the Associated Press. "We got to run where it make sense to run and not just run because we want to run. It's got to be part of a plan and if it's not, we're making a mistake."
The No. 66 is being fielded in 2014 as part of a joint partnership between MWR and Identity Ventures Racing.
Kurt Busch Foundation Merges With Armed Forces Foundation
Kurt Busch announced earlier this week that he has merged his Kurt Busch Foundation with the Armed Forces Foundation to help it raise funds. His girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll, is the executive director of AFF.
Busch will focus on raising awareness and funds to treat PTSD, which is a disease that many soldiers deal with after coming home, and will be using his Memorial Day double to help with the cause. Busch announced earlier this week that he will attempt to the Indianapolis 500-Coca Cola 600 double this May.
One of the foundation's initiatives includes bringing a soldier to the track each weekend and giving them the VIP treatment while carrying their name on Busch’s No. 41 Haas Automation Chevrolet.
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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:
The Long and Short of the Intermediate Track Problem in NASCAR
by Amy Henderson
Happiness Is...Viewership Numbers, NBCSN, and Mirroring
by Huston Ladner
Frontstretch Foto Funnies: Does This Suit Make Me Look Fat?
by Frontstretch Staff
Mirror Driving: On a Roll, Qualifying Questions, and Hot Young Talent
by Frontstretch Staff
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In 2000, Chilean racer Eliseo Salazar was a early contender at the 2000 Vegas Indy 300 in the Indy Racing Northern Lights Series, leading 27 laps in his Rio Casino-sponsored No. 11 for AJ Foyt Enterprises. However, he was eliminated from the proceedings early on. What happened?
Check back Monday for the answer here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q: The 1999 Vegas.com 500 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Indy Racing League was a bit of a wreckfest. There were 11 cautions for 70 laps, and all of those cautions were due to incidents. Current ESPN analyst Scott Goodyear was eliminated in one of the incidents. What happened?
A: Goodyear was running fairly well early in the race when his Pennzoil No. 4 swapped ends exiting Turn 4. From here, Goodyear was simply a passenger as he went hard into the outside before sliding into the tri-oval grass. The crash can be seen here. Goodyear walked away, but was definitely sore afterward.
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 in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Kobalt Tools 400 Recap by Justin Tucker
-- Never Fear, the Underdogs Are Here by Amy Henderson
-- Sidebar Stories: Las Vegas by Phil Allaway
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, trivia, and more!
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This Weekend on the Frontstretch:
Four Burning Questions: Las Vegas by Matt Stallknecht
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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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