THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
May 7th, 2014
Volume VIII, Edition LXV
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
May 7th, 2014
Volume VIII, Edition LXV
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Today's TV Schedule
Time Telecast Network
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM AMA Monster Energy Supercross: Las Vegas FOX Sports 1*# (from May 3)
3:00 - 4:00 PM motoGP World Championship Grand Prix of Spain FOX Sports 2*/# (from May 4)
4:00 - 5:00 PM NASCAR RaceHub FOX Sports 1
6:00 - 6:30 PM NASCAR America NBC Sports Network
6:30 - 7:30 PM NASCAR RaceHub FOX Sports 2*#
7:30 - 10:30 PM Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 FOX Sports 2*/# (from May 4)
*- Tape Delayed
#- Repeat Coverage
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Time Telecast Network
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM AMA Monster Energy Supercross: Las Vegas FOX Sports 1*# (from May 3)
3:00 - 4:00 PM motoGP World Championship Grand Prix of Spain FOX Sports 2*/# (from May 4)
4:00 - 5:00 PM NASCAR RaceHub FOX Sports 1
6:00 - 6:30 PM NASCAR America NBC Sports Network
6:30 - 7:30 PM NASCAR RaceHub FOX Sports 2*#
7:30 - 10:30 PM Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 FOX Sports 2*/# (from May 4)
*- Tape Delayed
#- Repeat Coverage
~~~~~~~~~~
Top News
by Ashley McCubbin
Kasey Kahne's Crew Chief Fined For Post-Qualifying Infraction
NASCAR announced that Kenny Francis, crew chief for the No. 5 of Kasey Kahne, has been fined $25,000 for violating the NASCAR rulebook this past weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. Francis violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-4.3(A)1-c (unapproved added weight and/or weight affixed improperly) of the 2014 rule book. Per NASCAR's new penalty system, it's listed as a P3 violation.
Kahne had posted a top 10 time in qualifying, but it was disallowed due to failing post-qualifying technical inspection. Reports pointed to a weight issue as the cause, confirmed by the team shortly after being sent to the back through a provisional starting spot.
"Basically, we had a malfunction with a ballast container," Francis commented post-qualifying on Saturday. "The cap that holds the ballast in came out. It could be mechanical or human error -- we are not really sure what happened. At the end of the day, 25 pounds of ballast came out and we were 25 pounds light at the scales. The time was disallowed and we will have to start at the back."
Tuesday marks the first penalty in the Sprint Cup Series that has been weight related. However, other teams have been penalized on the Nationwide Series side this year.
James Buescher's crew chief Chris Rice was fined $10,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until December 31st, while Buescher's car chief John Guerra was placed on probation until the same date for violating section 20A-2.3A (weight loss during an event) at Bristol Motor Speedway. Elliott Sadler's crew chief Chris Gayle and Sadler's car chief Todd Brewer received the same penalties for that violation occurring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March.
Kahne, with no points deducted sits 20th in the season standings, 95 back of leader Jeff Gordon and on the outside of the Chase looking in.
Team Penske announced Tuesday morning that Alex Tagliani will compete in a pair of NASCAR Nationwide Series races this coming season. Tagliani will run the No. 22 Discount Tire Ford at Road America on June 21st, followed by Mid-Ohio on August 16th.
"This is a great opportunity to get back in a NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) car and to do it for one of the best teams in the series and one of the greatest owners the sport has ever seen – Roger Penske," the Quebec native commented in a release announcing the move. "I've been able to run for 'The Captain' one other time in my career in a stock car and we were so close to winning the race. This gives me two great chances to get my first Nationwide Series win. And with the team winning both of these races last year, I guess you could say the pressure is on me to get the job done this season."
The pairing will result in Tagliani's fifth and sixth starts in the Nationwide Series. The driver made four starts between 2009 and 2012, including a second-place finish at Montreal in 2011 also driving a Penske Racing machine.
Over the course of his career, Tagliani has run multiple disciplines of racing and that won't change in 2014. With 70 Verizon IndyCar starts in the bank, Tagliani will be running the Indianapolis 500 this month for Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing. Tagliani, who won the pole for the event in 2011 while driving for Sam Schmidt is still seeking his first victory in that event. He will also be running the full NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season this year – with the exception of the season opener. Taglani has made 16 starts previously in the series, with a win in Edmonton in 2008.
"I have known Alex for a long time and he has driven for our team before, so he was the ideal choice to race the Discount Tire Ford for these upcoming road course events," Roger Penske said. "Alex is a proven winner in both open-wheel and stock car competition. He has competed for wins each of the last two times he has raced in the Nationwide Series, including with Team Penske back in 2011. I think he, (crew chief) Jeremy Bullins and the No. 22 Discount Tire Ford team will be tough to beat at both Road America and Mid-Ohio this season."
Last year, the combination of AJ Allmendinger, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney proved to be successful in the No. 22 Ford as the four drivers won a combined twelve races last season to win the Nationwide Series owner's championship. Logano, Keselowski and Blaney have each taken turns behind the wheel of the No. 22 this year, with Keselowski scoring a victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. They're third in owner points, 38 behind the No. 54 car of Joe Gibbs Racing driven by Kyle Busch and Sam Hornish, Jr.
TV Ratings Down For Talladega
The racing may have been hot and heavy at NASCAR's largest track but the viewership trailed behind, a trend that shows no signs of stopping in NASCAR this season. Sunday's FOX coverage of the Aaron's 499 scored a 4.0 overnight rating in the Nielsens, down nine percent from the previous year and is a new low for the network's coverage at the 2.66-mile superspeedway. In fact, it's the smallest audience to watch a Spring event at the track since the late 1990s; even the 1999 and 2000 editions, covered on ESPN fared better before NASCAR went national with its TV contracts in 2001.
While Talladega fared well against its stick-and-ball competition, several NBA games did outrate the race, leaving it unlikely NASCAR will be the most-watched sporting event of the past weekend. Overall this season, FOX has seen viewership declines for nine of its ten races with Nielsen numbers going down in all ten.
Have news for Ashley and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com.
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Today's Featured Commentary
Father Knows Best
by Mark Howell
The reason for my rather melancholy tone here stems from the fact that my oldest daughter is about to graduate from high school in North Carolina on June 14th. Like all parents, I always assumed this time of life would come, but little did I imagine it would arrive so soon. I know it sounds clichéd, but nothing makes the years fly by like being a parent. My daughter will be attending university this fall and embarking on an entirely new chapter in her life, which makes this summer even more important.
Since the graduation will be in North Carolina (just north of Charlotte), I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for me to take my three children back to visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame once again. We visited the Hall a few years ago and had a great time touring the exhibits. I did my best (though I'm known as "The Professor of Speed" to many folks) to not over-lecture or hyper-pontificate about the various cars and memorabilia on display. My children enjoyed spending several hours at the Hall, developing an even greater appreciation for the sport of stock car racing by actually seeing (and even touching) artifacts rooted in the history of NASCAR, something no amount of blathering by their dad could have accomplished.
Making a return trip to the Hall of Fame seems especially important this summer, given that my own father will be in North Carolina with us. As regular readers of my writing likely know, it was my father (along with my dearly-departed mother) who fostered my intense, life-long fascination with automobile racing…. and, most notably, my enthusiasm for NASCAR. My dad will be 84 years old by the time of his granddaughter's high school graduation, and it will be one of the rare occasions when he can spend several days of quality time with all three of my children.
Even more rare will be the fact that all of us will be together in such close proximity to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Just the thought of us touring the Hall together – three generations of NASCAR fans sharing old stories and making new memories – fills me with both nervous excitement and impending sorrow. My dad is in his eighties and my oldest child is going away to college, so I realize that trips like this one may likely never happen again. Whenever I consider the challenges of taking such an adventure – the cost, the travel demands, the time required, the energy needed, and the overall logistics of making such a visit – I think about how guilty I'd feel if we opted for "the easy way out" and never enjoyed the history found (and made) during a visit to the Hall.
It might sound selfish, but I want my children to see NASCAR through the eyes of the man who introduced their father to the sport. I want my three kids to hear him tell of the legendary competitors, discover what they accomplished, see what they raced, and recognize just how much stock car racing has changed over almost seventy years. Sure, that means a walk through France family history, too, but without the efforts of "Big Bill" and Annie, there would likely be no NASCAR for any of us to experience.
When I mentioned my idea to my wife, she wrinkled her brow and said, "Do you really want to waste our short time together doing something like that…?"
"Of course I do…." I thought to myself, "That is precisely what our family wants to do. Any NASCAR family would anticipate and appreciate nothing more."
Besides…. what better way for a NASCAR family to celebrate Father's Day?
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...
@DaleJr: Would like to welcome @nationwide as a primary sponsor of the No. 88 Sprint Cup team beginning in 2015. #Nationwide88 pic.twitter.com/Z6AW0ho5EX
@Kenny_Wallace: We dedicated our WIN tonight to my dear friend and crew chief @smith_racing14 on their newborn baby (ZANE) pic.twitter.com/sKhhskNJss
@NASCAR_Wonka: Having difficulty staying awake? Read this new book. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/UBgpWX1U97
@elliott_sadler: Nothing in the world feels better than coming home to this!!! pic.twitter.com/3cHkFcvyR1
@tomjensen100: One of many good things about @TalladegaSuperS pic.twitter.com/rrUzrcfNdc
@nascarcasm: EXCLUSIVE: #NASCAR already experimenting with horsepower reduction. Had no idea. #talladega pic.twitter.com/9ipA49uYds
@bobdillner: Mighty Modifieds @BGSRacing #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/PKRa09Bht4
@dennyhamlin: Thanks for the tweets! Feels good...
@jeff_gluck: Quiet Track, Talladega. #NASCAR http://instagram.com/p/nmBGCnNXhS/
@DeLanaHarvick: And his victory lap https://vine.co/v/M6WBzIEndpj
@The_ChrisMyers: Just passed 88 car hauler on I-20 to Atlanta,was parked on side of road w/ hazard lights on & person on phone.Tough day for Earnhardt Jr. team
@Josh_Wise: Big thanks to all of our @reddit @dogecoin supporters for making this a special weekend.
@BJewkes: So ...just got chastised by some fans because it was "too hot" at the race today. Too hot!!! #cantwin
@aric_almirola: Survived, got a decent finish, onto Kansas City where we typically run really good. So looking forward to KC under the lights
@SamanthaBusch: On the way outta the track Kyle decided to show me what "outside 3 wide" looked like in a rental car! Crazy, dunno how they do it for hrs!
@SluggerLabbe: Battered and bruised but the No. 27 Richmond/Menards team brought it home P6 #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/KdDqkCX4Jv".
@DeLanaHarvick: One of my favorite pics from today... pic.twitter.com/cipHztmkmt
@MartySmithESPN: The reason I picked @DennyHamlin to win this morning was because he almost won the Daytona 500 with no spotter. Strong piece.
@SpotterBrett: The number 11 should be played frequently tonight in Vegas! @dennyhamlin @Elliott_Sadler #holla
@DavidRagan: Had a fast @kfc Ford today. Sometimes you get caught up in wrecks for just being in the wrong place. All is good and ready for Kansas!
@JoeyLogano: Had a great car that could lead laps. Just lost track position and got in a wreck. That's Talladega for you. Looking forward to Kansas.
@BJewkes: In October, the event here @TalladegaSuperS is a transfer race. That should be mildly intense at the end. #NASCAR
@ClintBowyer: So the Mrs @LorraBowyer and I went in to get one of those picture thingies...WHEW, good news! It's got a dingy!!!
@MikeJoy500: Did once. First and last time per Nascar. RT "@StevenNewton18: @MichaelKaluknak MRN does green flag interviews with drivers racing?"
@Josh_Wise: My reddit AMA is live now! ttp://redd.it/24tq3t
@PhilParsons98: The support of #dogecoin @reddit community is one of the most exciting things I've been a part of in all my years in racing! @Josh_Wise
@DaleJr: Killer turned 10 today. He's been a good dog. #pupcake pic.twitter.com/Xx4EQ6djiS
@mikejoy500: Don't forget: Sprint All-Star Race and Showdown are now on different nights. Showdown is live on @FOXSports1 Fri May 16, 7 PM ET.
@NASCAR_Wonka: Kyle Busch was able to snap a pic of the cop who pulled him over. pic.twitter.com/CaFgDTaoXl
@PPistone: Hope Kyle Busch doesn't do something else horrible tonight to warrant stories be written: like littering or not using a pooper scooper
@RandyPR99: The 99 Team will be sporting the @Aflac paint scheme @kansasspeedway this weekend. #NASCAR #rfrdriven @99_RFRracing
@kansasspeedway: Here's your first look at the #KansasNights @toyotaracing #Highlander Pace Car! pic.twitter.com/sxIoGJ4YWI
@BJewkes: #NASCAR works for business because of our great, loyal fans. That's why sponsors extend partnerships. Keep supporting them, it feels good.
@DaleJr: Met with the NCARNG 145th Airlift Wing today. They came for a tour of @TeamHendrick @NationalGuard #SupportOurTroops pic.twitter.com/smyDdkIXDo
@MonsterMile: Gotta love the sound of #racecars around the track during tire testing! #NASCAR #GoodyearRacing https://vine.co/v/M6rMAA7TrUQ
@JoeGibbsRacing: Did you know that the number 11 is the winningest car number in #NASCAR history? Hamlin increased the win count to 204 after Talladega.
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? ... Teams In Trouble, Drivers Moving On, And Talladega's Fear Factor
by Tom Bowles
Beyond the Cockpit: Doug Yates on Horsepower Reduction
by Mike Neff
The Frontstretch Five: Things to Think About During a Race
by Amy Henderson
compiled by Mike Mehedin
by Summer Bedgood
by P. Huston Ladner
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA
Q: In 2001, Ryan Newman's "ABC" development schedule brought him to Kansas Speedway to compete in the first ARCA race at the track. As was the norm, Newman was a tough out. However, Newman was knocked out of the race while competing for the win. What happened?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: Kansas Speedway was a last-minute addition to this year's TUDOR United SportsCar Championship (TUSC) schedule, along with the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge. However, the teams that have to haul out to Kansas are not pleased with the race. Why is that?
A: Even though the event (scheduled for just a month from now) is part of the TUSC schedule, it will only involve teams in the Prototype Challenge class, along with IMSA Prototype Lites (normally a support series) in two 45-minute combination races. The PC teams have derided the event as basically a club weekend. In addition, IMSA has decided not to televise the race (it was announced after the TV schedule had already been released) nor provide any radio coverage.
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!
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Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA
Q: In 2001, Ryan Newman's "ABC" development schedule brought him to Kansas Speedway to compete in the first ARCA race at the track. As was the norm, Newman was a tough out. However, Newman was knocked out of the race while competing for the win. What happened?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: Kansas Speedway was a last-minute addition to this year's TUDOR United SportsCar Championship (TUSC) schedule, along with the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge. However, the teams that have to haul out to Kansas are not pleased with the race. Why is that?
A: Even though the event (scheduled for just a month from now) is part of the TUSC schedule, it will only involve teams in the Prototype Challenge class, along with IMSA Prototype Lites (normally a support series) in two 45-minute combination races. The PC teams have derided the event as basically a club weekend. In addition, IMSA has decided not to televise the race (it was announced after the TV schedule had already been released) nor provide any radio coverage.
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, Bono Manion comes back with his thoughts on preparing for the unknown of night racing at Kansas.
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 Kansas, as he sets you up for the first night race at the mile-and-a-half track.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back with your weekly look at the state of the Camping World Truck Series. This week, she previews race three on the schedule as the Trucks get ready to rev up their engines at Kansas once again.
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