THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
May 14th, 2014
Volume VIII, Edition LXX
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
May 14th, 2014
Volume VIII, Edition LXX
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Today's TV Schedule
Time Telecast Network
7:00 - 10:00 AM Sprint Cup Series 5-Hour Energy 400 FOX Sports 2*/# (from May 10)
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Camping World Truck Series SFP 250 FOX Sports 1*/# (from May 9)
12:00 - 1:00 PM NASCAR RaceHub FOX Sports 1*# (from May 13)
1:00 - 2:00 PM K&N Pro Series West Stockton 150 FOX Sports 1*/# (from May 3)
5:00 - 6:00 PM NASCAR RaceHub FOX Sports 1
6:30 - 7:30 PM NASCAR RaceHub FOX Sports 2*#
* - Tape Delayed
# - Repeat Coverage
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Top News
by Greg Davis
Jeb Burton Gets Nationwide Ride With Biagi-DenBeste For Charlotte
It was announced Tuesday that one of the rising stars of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Jeb Burton will jump up a level, at least for one race. The Virginia native will be behind the wheel of the No. 98 Ford Mustang for Biagi-DenBeste Racing in the Nationwide Series, running the History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway next weekend (May 24th).
The No. 98 car will also carry a new sponsor to the sport, California-based Kendall-Jackson AVANT® Wines in a one-race deal.
It was announced Tuesday that one of the rising stars of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Jeb Burton will jump up a level, at least for one race. The Virginia native will be behind the wheel of the No. 98 Ford Mustang for Biagi-DenBeste Racing in the Nationwide Series, running the History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway next weekend (May 24th).
The No. 98 car will also carry a new sponsor to the sport, California-based Kendall-Jackson AVANT® Wines in a one-race deal.
"I'm thankful to Fred, Bill, Lori and everybody for the opportunity to come drive the No. 98 car," said Burton. "I think the racing in the Nationwide Series is really good right now, and I'm excited to be a part of it. I'm also looking forward to working with Kendall-Jackson, bringing a new sponsor into the sport and having a good run for them."
Burton, 21, has only one career start in the NNS, coming last season at Kentucky for Biagi-DenBeste Racing where he recorded an eighth-place finish. He has been competing in the NCWTS since 2012 with teams like Turner-Scott Motorsports; most recently, he's run with ThorSport Racing and the No. 13 Toyota Tundra.
Jeb Burton currently sits seventh in Truck Series points, with two top-10 finishes this season for ThorSport.
Burton, 21, has only one career start in the NNS, coming last season at Kentucky for Biagi-DenBeste Racing where he recorded an eighth-place finish. He has been competing in the NCWTS since 2012 with teams like Turner-Scott Motorsports; most recently, he's run with ThorSport Racing and the No. 13 Toyota Tundra.
Jeb Burton currently sits seventh in Truck Series points, with two top-10 finishes this season for ThorSport.
Blake Koch to Run Limited Schedule in the No. 32
Full-time NASCAR Nationwide Series driver, Blake Koch has announced that he will be back in the Sprint Cup Series in the Go FAS Racing No. 32 Ford Fusion for this upcoming weekend's Sprint Showdown race, as well as next weekend's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Funding has allowed him to earn the seat.
Full-time NASCAR Nationwide Series driver, Blake Koch has announced that he will be back in the Sprint Cup Series in the Go FAS Racing No. 32 Ford Fusion for this upcoming weekend's Sprint Showdown race, as well as next weekend's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Funding has allowed him to earn the seat.
Koch, 28, has two career starts in the Sprint Cup Series, including last year's Bank of America 500 at Charlotte with Tyler, TX-based Leavine Family Racing. This year, he ran The Profit on CNBC 500 at Phoenix where he finished 37th in the No. 35 Ford for Front Row Motorsports. The West Palm Beach, FL native currently drives for TriStar Motorsports in the Nationwide Series, where he has yet to earn a top-10 finish. He has 95 career starts in that division.
Koch will also drive for Go FAS Racing at Dover for the FedEx 400 in June. There was no word on sponsorship for the No. 32 car at the time of the announcement. Team owner, Archie St. Hilaire made reference to a driver search for 2015, seeking a full-time replacement in the car with part-timer Terry Labonte retiring at the end of the season. Current driver Travis Kvapil, who races most events Labonte fails to run is also in contention to earn the seat for all 36 races.
Fans Will Be Screaming "All Aboard" for Sonoma This Year
Sonoma Raceway has announced that they will again be running their "NASCAR Express" train service, which runs from the Sacramento, CA area to the race track on Sprint Cup race day, Sunday, June 22nd for the Toyota/Save Mart 350.
The train, which seats 700 passengers, was a huge success in its first season running, selling out prior to the race weekend. The track is promoting use of the train as a convenient means to get to the track without dealing with the hassle of highway traffic and race-day parking. Key Holidays, an Amtrak Regional train tour operator, is again partnering with the Raceway on the NASCAR Express project.
Fan packages include a reserved seat in the Main Grandstand at Sonoma, round-trip train travel from Sacramento (or its two suburban stops) to the Raceway; VIP main-gate entry to the race; on-track pre-race access for both driver intros and pre-race ceremonies, and a special commemorative T-shirt.
For more info on the NASCAR Express Train for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma, fans should visit http://www.racesonoma.com or call 800-870-RACE.
News 'N' Notes
- Ricky Benton Racing has announced that NASCAR veteran driver, Scott Riggs will be driving the No. 92 BTS Tire and Wheel Distributors/Goodyear FleetHQ/Wynn's Ford F-150 in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200, May 16th at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Ross Chastain drove the 92 truck for RBR at both Daytona and Martinsville this season.
Koch will also drive for Go FAS Racing at Dover for the FedEx 400 in June. There was no word on sponsorship for the No. 32 car at the time of the announcement. Team owner, Archie St. Hilaire made reference to a driver search for 2015, seeking a full-time replacement in the car with part-timer Terry Labonte retiring at the end of the season. Current driver Travis Kvapil, who races most events Labonte fails to run is also in contention to earn the seat for all 36 races.
Fans Will Be Screaming "All Aboard" for Sonoma This Year
Sonoma Raceway has announced that they will again be running their "NASCAR Express" train service, which runs from the Sacramento, CA area to the race track on Sprint Cup race day, Sunday, June 22nd for the Toyota/Save Mart 350.
The train, which seats 700 passengers, was a huge success in its first season running, selling out prior to the race weekend. The track is promoting use of the train as a convenient means to get to the track without dealing with the hassle of highway traffic and race-day parking. Key Holidays, an Amtrak Regional train tour operator, is again partnering with the Raceway on the NASCAR Express project.
Fan packages include a reserved seat in the Main Grandstand at Sonoma, round-trip train travel from Sacramento (or its two suburban stops) to the Raceway; VIP main-gate entry to the race; on-track pre-race access for both driver intros and pre-race ceremonies, and a special commemorative T-shirt.
For more info on the NASCAR Express Train for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma, fans should visit http://www.racesonoma.com or call 800-870-RACE.
News 'N' Notes
- Ricky Benton Racing has announced that NASCAR veteran driver, Scott Riggs will be driving the No. 92 BTS Tire and Wheel Distributors/Goodyear FleetHQ/Wynn's Ford F-150 in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200, May 16th at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Ross Chastain drove the 92 truck for RBR at both Daytona and Martinsville this season.
- David Gilliland has been cleared to race following a hard hit at Kansas on Saturday night. The Front Row Motorsports full-timer took one of the hardest hits of his career in an incident off Turn 4, the front of his No. 38 Ford shredding in an incident that was not much unlike Kyle Larson's wreck at Daytona back in February of 2013.
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Today's Featured Commentary
Making History
by Mark Howell
Not to sound morbid, but I am a regular reader of obituaries.
Every morning, when I sit down with our region's daily newspaper, I skim over the typical reports about school board meetings, coming events, sports updates and head straight to the "obit" page instead. It's not that I relish reading about the recent demise of neighbors and strangers – far from it – because such passing is both natural and sad. The end of a person's life is monumental in that it marks the point when someone shakes off their mortal coil, as they say, and transitions into history.
Every morning, when I sit down with our region's daily newspaper, I skim over the typical reports about school board meetings, coming events, sports updates and head straight to the "obit" page instead. It's not that I relish reading about the recent demise of neighbors and strangers – far from it – because such passing is both natural and sad. The end of a person's life is monumental in that it marks the point when someone shakes off their mortal coil, as they say, and transitions into history.
What fascinates me about obituaries is that they are just that…. histories. An obituary establishes a statement about how people want to be remembered.
Maybe it's because I recently celebrated a birthday. Or maybe it's because I'm always curious, as a folklorist, historian, and writer, about the way people envision their lives from the perspective of growing old. Whatever the reason, I spend a few minutes each morning reading about the accomplishments – both great and small – of people I never (in most cases) ever knew. Reading their obituaries provides me with the briefest of introductions….
The most interesting obituaries come from folks who craft their own. This fascination always seems to come from such a tragic exercise: the writing of your own personal – yet designed for public consumption – narrative.
I guess the good thing about penning your own obituary is that you can tell the story you want to be told, and as you want to tell it. You can always tell when someone knocks off a relative's obituary after the fact; the details are usually more about the survivors than they are about the deceased ("Grandma was dearly loved by her three children, especially her oldest son who was truly the apple of her eye."). An obituary is the last chance to make a public impression, and writing acumen so often comes into play at this darkest time in a person's life experience.
Recently, I have seen a pattern of sorts in obituaries. Over the past few months (it was a wicked, record-breaking winter here in Northern Michigan) our newspaper has printed notices specifying the deceased's love of NASCAR. Living here in the Midwest, it is not unusual to see mention of someone's love of auto racing, or their annual pilgrimages to the Indianapolis 500, but it strikes me as strangely stunning to read particular references to NASCAR and even favorite drivers.
The recently-deceased ranged in age from 40 to their mid-70s, and both genders were represented. Perhaps this trend hinges on the fact that many in NASCAR Nation were "baby boomers" who came of age during the sport's more rough-and-tumble era. As time marches steadily on, so does the line of souls shedding their earthly vessels. However one decides to phrase it, NASCAR's aging fan base seems to be shrinking with each passing (pardon the pun) week. Maybe seeing NASCAR in obituaries in 2014 stems back to the long-gone era of the 1980s and 1990s – the time when big-time stock car racing was sweeping across our cultural landscape?
One obituary I read within the last month included the late woman's dedication to NASCAR and to Jeff Gordon, who was her favorite driver. Another obituary made reference to the deceased's love of Michigan International Speedway, NASCAR racing, and cheering for their beloved Tony Stewart. Occasionally, an obituary will refer to how the deceased loved building and/or racing cars at local speedways (there are still a few dirt tracks nearby that attract teams) but, more often than not, the stories focus on said person's habit of watching NASCAR races on television each week, or their attending particular events at particular tracks. It used to be that you'd see obituaries mentioning fishing and hunting, and you still do – it's just that now there seem to be more referring to the departed's devotion to NASCAR racing and commemorating their lives as loyal fans.
In the grand scheme of things, such comments should not seem all that odd; obituaries often speak of the recently-departed's lifelong dedication to a particular baseball, football, or ice hockey team (lots of Tigers and Red Wing fans around here get in their final declarations of competitive love). But lately, I've been focused on the notion that NASCAR's future looks bleak because so few young people are showing obvious interest in the sport. Whenever I read an obituary about someone who was 70 and a loyal, lifelong fan of NASCAR, I feel sadness; I'm sad about the person passing away, but I'm also sad about what that death means to the already-frail stability of NASCAR Nation. It's a grim reality of life, but it's also a grim reality of stock car racing in the 21st Century.
Hopefully, the sport will openly acknowledge its need for greater improvements and refuse to rest in peace.
In the grand scheme of things, such comments should not seem all that odd; obituaries often speak of the recently-departed's lifelong dedication to a particular baseball, football, or ice hockey team (lots of Tigers and Red Wing fans around here get in their final declarations of competitive love). But lately, I've been focused on the notion that NASCAR's future looks bleak because so few young people are showing obvious interest in the sport. Whenever I read an obituary about someone who was 70 and a loyal, lifelong fan of NASCAR, I feel sadness; I'm sad about the person passing away, but I'm also sad about what that death means to the already-frail stability of NASCAR Nation. It's a grim reality of life, but it's also a grim reality of stock car racing in the 21st Century.
Hopefully, the sport will openly acknowledge its need for greater improvements and refuse to rest in peace.
Dr. Mark Howell is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via email at mark.howell@frontstretch.com.
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Tweet 'N' Greet
by Allen Bedgood
Editor's Note: With the NASCAR Twitter community expanding by leaps and bounds, it remains a place for instantaneous news, reactions, and a whole lot of inside jokes. We understand if you don't want to join the Twitter community - but as a fan, it's important to know the news and info you're missing out on! That's why, every week, Allen Bedgood will sort through the thousands of messages and give us a little taste of what's going on each Wednesday.
So, without further ado, here's a look at what those in NASCAR were thinking over the past seven days...
Editor's Note: With the NASCAR Twitter community expanding by leaps and bounds, it remains a place for instantaneous news, reactions, and a whole lot of inside jokes. We understand if you don't want to join the Twitter community - but as a fan, it's important to know the news and info you're missing out on! That's why, every week, Allen Bedgood will sort through the thousands of messages and give us a little taste of what's going on each Wednesday.
So, without further ado, here's a look at what those in NASCAR were thinking over the past seven days...
@Beth_Frntstrtch (Beth Lunkenheimer) - Going to the track? @getfanvision is a must have. You won't want to do another race without. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/qMNuef9Knf
@jeff_gluck - This email is so amazing, I just had to share it with all of you. Enjoy! LOL... Hello Jeff, I enjoyed (cont) http://tl.gd/n_1s1mmp1
@joeycoulter -- Much like @vertx gear, Joey's #wearVERTX Chevy provides fit and comfort for high performance during races pic.twitter.com/8QUQU8E82l
@nateryan - Observation: Maybe tonight's race is another example why having 1 race in a nearly 3-month span might be a less-than-stellar idea. #nascar
@GEICOracing -- We will be running a military tribute paint scheme at both Charlotte races! Looks great, @CJMearsGang! #nascar pic.twitter.com/jcylNFSG3Y
@SummerBedgood - "I'm mad at _____ because he raced me really hard." .....just... WHY??? #NASCAR
@ChaseElliott -- Cool to see the two four got the W tonight in Kansas! Those boys have been close, well deserved!
@jjyeley -- Well it was looking like we were going to get a pretty good finish with our Phoenix Warehouse Chevy. The engine started to lose a bearing.
@JimmieJohnson -- A decent finish after a challenging night. #se7en
@KevinHamlin -- S/O to @kansasspeedway for having a packed house and the best post race traffic patterns out of any track we go to.
@TonyOldMan10 -- So proud of @DanicaPatrick and the @GoDaddy team tonight. P-7 ran top 10 all night. Headed home for two weeks of racing at Charlotte.
@TravisKvapil --- Great @zakproducts @KeenParts @SKHandTool car tonight! Too bad we had fuel pump issues and we couldn't show it.
@KevinHarvick -- Really good car tonight! I made too many mistakes at the end... Proud of our entire @StewartHaasRcng & @jimmyjohns team!
@kansasspeedway -- Shot from earlier today, @ClintBowyer's @5hourenergy transporter arrives in the infield. #KansasNights pic.twitter.com/fIwQkCwOhG
@kansasspeedway -- The No. 15 @5hourenergy car of @ClintBowyer making its way through pre-race tech! #KansasNights
@Beth_Frntstrtch - Flyover from #KansasNights #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/yl3RuXKaAQ
@SummerBedgood - Allmendinger: "I got scared for a minute. They covered the car and didn't leave me a little window to look out of." #NASCAR
@Beth_Frntstrtch - Jeff Gordon's car goes through post-race inspection, confetti and all. #NASCAR #KansasNights pic.twitter.com/zPoPNlhqsj
@TeamHSM51 - Fans, Harry Scott, Jr. and Steve Addington have decided to focus on the Coca Cola 600 which is a points race for @j_allgaier.
@FedEx -- $11 donation to @autismspeaks,get your name on #11 car at #FedEx400! http://at.fedex.com/wpVPh
@BrianLVickers -- Just filmed a great video for the iPhone / iPad app. Uploading now. Can't wait to run the @Sprint All Star Race!
@RedHorseRacing -- And we are off to the next stop! See you in a month @GatewayMSP! pic.twitter.com/qJ4o1S4DNG
@JimmieJohnson -- Multi-tasking: Conducting an http://SI.com phone interview while signing the looong row of #lowes48 items! pic.twitter.com/4lM8IYrt7d
@bobpockrass -- This is only injury Justin Allgaier has from accident Saturday. He isn't sure what cut him. #nascar pic.twitter.com/hXnMeJd0gr
@CLTMotorspeedway -- "It's crazy how much heat conditioning is a part of our sport and getting ready for 600 miles" @J_Allgaier #RedCarpetRookies
@JennaFryer -- "Yeah, I've been working my bladder out. Trying to increase the size," Larson says of preparing for 600.
@DeLanaHarvick -- Even Keelan doesn't understand why dada would put stripes and plaid together... #fashionnightmare pic.twitter.com/Ii9IF97Kqo
@GEICOracing -- Happy 13th, Mears fans! Ready for the Sprint Showdown so we can see that GEICO military tribute car! #nascar pic.twitter.com/cBUC2eSxFF
@angieskinner5 -- Was on a mission to move @RyanJNewman RIR 2003 trophy...but it's a bit too large! #notbudging! pic.twitter.com/UCjUibtEat
@bobpockrass -- Jeb Burton to drive No. 98 NNS car at Charlotte for Biagi-DenBeste Racing. Kendall-Jackson Avant wines to sponsor. #nascar
Allen Bedgood is a Newsletter Contributor for Frontstretch. He can be reached via email at allen.bedgood@frontstretch.com. Follow him on Twitter @AllenBedgood.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Did You Notice?... You Can't Teach New Dogs Old Tricks?, NASCAR's Consolation Prize And Quick Hits
by Tom Bowles
Beyond the Cockpit: Justin Allgaier on Making Improvements While Being a Rookie and a Father
by Beth Lunkenheimer
The Frontstretch Five: Ways To Improve the All-Star Race
by Amy Henderson
NASCAR Writer Power Rankings: Top 15 After Kansas I
compiled by Mike Mehedin
by Summer Bedgood
by Phil Allaway
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA
Q: The 2001 Winston is notable for a very unusual ruling in NASCAR history. What was it?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: The Winston from 1989 is undoubtedly best known for Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip's contact, Waltrip's spin, the crew fight and the infamous quote, "I hope he chokes on that 200 Grand" from Waltrip. However, for Kyle Petty, The Winston was more of a test session for the part-time SabCo Racing team. However, the test didn't last all that long. What happened?
A: Kyle Petty was running mid-pack when he suddenly got loose in Turn 3. Kyle tried to correct the car, but this turned him head-on into the wall. Father Richard spun as well, but managed to continue without incident. The crash can be seen here. Kyle was removed from the car on a stretcher, but was not seriously injured.
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!
Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Phil Allaway
-- Critic's Annex by Phil Allaway
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA
Q: The 2001 Winston is notable for a very unusual ruling in NASCAR history. What was it?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: The Winston from 1989 is undoubtedly best known for Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip's contact, Waltrip's spin, the crew fight and the infamous quote, "I hope he chokes on that 200 Grand" from Waltrip. However, for Kyle Petty, The Winston was more of a test session for the part-time SabCo Racing team. However, the test didn't last all that long. What happened?
A: Kyle Petty was running mid-pack when he suddenly got loose in Turn 3. Kyle tried to correct the car, but this turned him head-on into the wall. Father Richard spun as well, but managed to continue without incident. The crash can be seen here. Kyle was removed from the car on a stretcher, but was not seriously injured.
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!
Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Phil Allaway
-- Critic's Annex by Phil Allaway
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Voice of Vito by Vito Pugliese
Vito returns to the website this year with his unique views on everything racing.
Going by the Numbers by Kevin Rutherford
Kevin returns with a look at the statistical side of NASCAR.
Tech Talk by Mike Neff
Mike is back with your look at the technical side of NASCAR. This week, Jason Ratcliff checks in just in time for the All-Star race, the first of two events at NASCAR's "home" in Charlotte.
Fantasy Insider by Jeff Wolfe
Jeff is back with your look at the best bets to fill your fantasy roster. This week, we head to Charlotte for the All-Star Race, and Jeff Wolfe preps you for heading to the Coca-Cola 600 next weekend.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back with your weekly look at the state of the Camping World Truck Series.
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