THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Top News
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
June 10th, 2014
Volume VIII, Edition LXXXIX
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
June 10th, 2014
Volume VIII, Edition LXXXIX
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IT'S COMING! ... A BRAND NEW, "NEXT LEVEL" DESIGN FOR FRONTSTRETCH.COM THAT PREMIERES TOMORROW. BE SURE TO SPREAD THE WORD, CHECK OUT THE NEW SITE AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What To Watch: Tuesday- Tuesday is NASCAR teleconference day and this week, we have an interesting personality. 2012 Sprint Cup Series Champion Brad Keselowski will be taking questions from media today at 1:30 PM.
Today's TV Schedule
Time Telecast Network
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM NASCAR America NBC Sports Network
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM NASCAR RaceHub FOX Sports 1
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM NASCAR RaceHub FOX Sports 2*#
DVR Theater (Late Tuesday Night/Early Wednesday Morning)
2:30 AM - 3:00 AM NASCAR Now ESPN2
Top News
by the Frontstretch Staff
Donlavey Passes AwayNBC affiliate WWBT (Richmond, VA) is reporting that former Sprint Cup Series car owner Wesley Christian Donlavey, better known as "Junie" Donlavey, passed away Monday night at the age of 90, according to family members. Donlavey had been suffering from the effects of Alzheimer's Disease in recent years.
Donlavey was the principal owner of Donlavey Racing, a team that competed in what is now the Sprint Cup Series for over 50 years. Over 863 starts, Donlavey's team had only one victory, the 1981 Mason-Dixon 500 at then-Dover Downs International Speedway with Jody Ridley at the wheel. There, Ridley made up seven laps due to the misfortune of others to take the victory. 1981 also happened to be Donlavey's best year as an owner, as Ridley was able to finish fifth in the standings while driving all but one race in the No. 90. The team first competed in NASCAR's second season, 1950, and ran mostly full seasons starting in the mid-1970s.
Donlavey was the principal owner of Donlavey Racing, a team that competed in what is now the Sprint Cup Series for over 50 years. Over 863 starts, Donlavey's team had only one victory, the 1981 Mason-Dixon 500 at then-Dover Downs International Speedway with Jody Ridley at the wheel. There, Ridley made up seven laps due to the misfortune of others to take the victory. 1981 also happened to be Donlavey's best year as an owner, as Ridley was able to finish fifth in the standings while driving all but one race in the No. 90. The team first competed in NASCAR's second season, 1950, and ran mostly full seasons starting in the mid-1970s.
Donlavey's organization was never a top team in the Cup Series. Instead, it became a stepping stone for up-and-coming racers. Ken Schrader drove that point home in his book, Gotta Race! There, Schrader described Donlavey as a good evaluator of talent and someone that would give a solid recommendation to a driver furthering their career. Also, Donlavey loved collecting the extra money that came with being fastest in second round qualifying.
Other notable drivers who spent time in Donlavey's No. 90 included Ricky Rudd (1979), Bobby Hillin, Jr. (1993-94), Dick Trickle (1996-98), Benny Parsons (1988), Ken Schrader (1985-87), and Dick Brooks (1972-73, 1975-79, 1983-84). The owner last made a Cup race in 2002, with Jason Hedlesky at Charlotte before gradually disappearing from the grid over the next few seasons.
We at Frontstretch send our condolences to the Donlavey family.
Biffle To Stay At Roush
The Charlotte Observer's Jim Utter is reporting that both Greg Biffle and 3M will re-sign with Roush Fenway Racing for at least the 2015 season. The move came as a small surprise, for many as multiple reports in recent weeks (including our own Amy Henderson) had Biffle's contract negotiations suddenly turning cold, leading the veteran to look elsewhere. Michael Waltrip Racing was considered to be a popular landing spot for the veteran, with Darrell Waltrip even announcing the likelihood of that occurring during NASCAR on FOX's pre-race show at Dover.
The announcement of Biffle's new contract could come as soon as this week. Roush Fenway Racing traditionally does not publicly comment on contractual matters in these situations, and upheld that policy when the Observer attempted to seek comment.
Justin Marks to Drive for Turner Scott Motorsports for Two Races
Turner Scott Motorsports announced Monday that former Camping World Truck Series racer Justin Marks will drive their No. 31 Chevrolet in the road races at Road America and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. As both races are standalone events, regular driver Dylan Kwasniewski will move over to the No. 42 in order to replace regular driver Kyle Larson, who will not make the trip. Sponsorship will be provided by SOL Republic, a company that manufactures headphones, along with Casamigos Tequila.
Marks is happy to be back in NASCAR.
"Returning to the Nationwide Series with Turner Scott Motorsports is kind of like returning home," Marks said in a press release. "Nearly all of my starts in the series were with Braun Racing and many of those guys are now at Turner Scott. Harry Scott, Jr. and Steve Turner have done a great job proving their organization can contend for wins every week. They have great people, great equipment and display great effort every time they're on the track. I'm looking forward to being a part of that."
Marks is happy to be back in NASCAR.
"Returning to the Nationwide Series with Turner Scott Motorsports is kind of like returning home," Marks said in a press release. "Nearly all of my starts in the series were with Braun Racing and many of those guys are now at Turner Scott. Harry Scott, Jr. and Steve Turner have done a great job proving their organization can contend for wins every week. They have great people, great equipment and display great effort every time they're on the track. I'm looking forward to being a part of that."
Marks has eight previous starts in the Nationwide Series, and six of those came with what is now Turner Scott Motorsports. Marks' best career finish is a 24th at Memphis Motorsports Park in 2009.
Have news for Phil and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at ashland10@mail.com with a promising lead or tip.
~~~~~~~~~~
GOT A NASCAR QUESTION OR COMMENT? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
That's right; our Fan Q & A column is back once again in 2014. Send your question Summer Bedgood's way at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com and if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print on Thursday when she does her weekly column. It's all part of our daily mission to give back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat!
~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Featured Commentary
On the Long and Not-So-Lonely Highway -- #NASCAR Twitterdom Rules!
~~~~~~~~~~
GOT A NASCAR QUESTION OR COMMENT? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
That's right; our Fan Q & A column is back once again in 2014. Send your question Summer Bedgood's way at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com and if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print on Thursday when she does her weekly column. It's all part of our daily mission to give back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat!
~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Featured Commentary
On the Long and Not-So-Lonely Highway -- #NASCAR Twitterdom Rules!
Sitting In The Stands: A Fan's View
by S.D. Grady
And they said, "Go West, young man!"
Despite not being young, nor a man, I decided that is what my husband and I ought to do this year. Sunday, we departed from our daily grind in search of the next NASCAR track we had yet to visit. In this case, Michigan International Speedway is our destination. (We are following the JHE Productions Run Smart Hauler Challenge rig as I type, somewhere in the Wilds of Pennsylvania.)
However, yesterday was not the Michigan race, but the Tricky Triangle, also known as Pocono. Unfortunately, the Sprint Cup crowd was turning left while we were rolling up and down the hills in Connecticut. MRN dropped out periodically, leaving us in a NASCAR vacuum. What to do? Ah, but we don't live in the 20th century any longer, and nowadays there are the technological wonders called 4G cellphones loaded with the Twitter app.
So, I turned into a reporter for my husband. Following my Twitter feed, I read tweets from TNT, FOX, our own Tom Bowles, Jenna Fryer, Dustin Long, MRN, and a wide array of fans from the #NFB crowd. And let's not forget the comedy relief provided by @nascarcasm and @TheOrangeCone. Who needs television? The events of the race unfolded before us with all the color and excitement to be found on our typical TV broadcasts, without the annoying chirping of overly plastic commentators or endless commercial breaks. In fact, it wasn't all that different from sitting in the stands with a headset on and rubbing elbows with more than a few passionate Junior fans.
Harvick's struggles with his tires first appeared as a dry fact from Jim Utter, only to be followed by groans of dismay from DeLana Harvick and other SHR fanatics. Next came the calming PR announcement on Harvick's own account that the failed track bar was actually just buildup on the tires.
Fuel mileage strategy, more debris, worries from Logano's cockpit and the ungentlemanly swearing of an irate Smoke brought life to our afternoon on the road. And when Earnhardt took the lead? Well, I could only read so many, "Go, Junior, go!" tweets before I sounded much like the stands at Pocono must have. Sitting in the cab of our Silverado, we were not alone. Oh no.
Since the inception of social media, I've been a huge advocate of adding Twitter to my raceday experience. The sense of NASCAR as a giant family has only improved with every driver, official, crew chief and fan adding their unique voice to the worldwide web. While NASCAR and its Official Partners crafted a more polished image to America, in some ways the raw and rugged feel that identifies our sport sprouted anew amongst the 140-character world. While sharing a race in your living room has always been part of a NASCAR fan's Sunday afternoon, Twitter has allowed our living room to expand. Maybe there weren't 100,000 fans wiggling for butt space on aluminum benches in my truck, but their voices were heard, nonetheless.
I harkened the challenge of presenting the race "live," as I can only imagine radio stations in the distant past might call a baseball game when all the station had to work with was the AP wire in the form of a lengthy ticker tape. The pacing and excitement of the game would be left entirely to the announcer, as a small band of sound effects people in the background.
But the tape and sound effects came from you, my friends. NASCAR fans. It's your voices that let me bring the passion of Junior's second win of the season to life, along with the crushing disappointment of Smoke's speeding penalty and surprise of Kyle Larson's arrival in the Top 5. Was there a moose involved in Danica's wreck? Well, no. And @nascarcasm was greatly relieved on that aspect.
I am not the only one who has become disenchanted with the product NASCAR hands out these days. But when I am treated to an afternoon of wit and shared passion in this sport, I remember all the reasons why I am still a NASCAR fan... because I am not alone.
So, here's a shoutout to the cars packed with cheering Pocono fans who passed us last night on I-80 West. Yes, those are NASCAR bumper stickers on the back of my RV. Yes, we're heading to Michigan to join more friends for another great race weekend. And yes, in this day and age, finding a NASCAR fan is only as hard as typing a Tweet and hitting send.
What do you have to say about NASCAR? Join in the conversation. Send me a Tweet! You can find me @laregna.
2014 Sonya Strictly by the Stats
Top Three Rookies for 2014 Pocono 400
1.) No. 42 Kyle Larson - Started 14th, Finished fifth
2.) No. 3 Austin Dillon - Started 11th, Finished 17th
3.) No. 7 Michael Annett - Started 30th, Finished 20th
S.D. Grady is a Senior Editor for Frontstretch and runs a NASCAR blog called the S-Curves. She can be reached via e-mail at sonya.grady@frontstretch.com. Follow her on Twitter at @laregna and on her Facebook page (she's an author, too!) at https://www.facebook.com/Author.SDGrady.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ADVERTISEMENT
Numbers Game: Pocono 400
by Tom Bowles
0
And they said, "Go West, young man!"
Despite not being young, nor a man, I decided that is what my husband and I ought to do this year. Sunday, we departed from our daily grind in search of the next NASCAR track we had yet to visit. In this case, Michigan International Speedway is our destination. (We are following the JHE Productions Run Smart Hauler Challenge rig as I type, somewhere in the Wilds of Pennsylvania.)
However, yesterday was not the Michigan race, but the Tricky Triangle, also known as Pocono. Unfortunately, the Sprint Cup crowd was turning left while we were rolling up and down the hills in Connecticut. MRN dropped out periodically, leaving us in a NASCAR vacuum. What to do? Ah, but we don't live in the 20th century any longer, and nowadays there are the technological wonders called 4G cellphones loaded with the Twitter app.
So, I turned into a reporter for my husband. Following my Twitter feed, I read tweets from TNT, FOX, our own Tom Bowles, Jenna Fryer, Dustin Long, MRN, and a wide array of fans from the #NFB crowd. And let's not forget the comedy relief provided by @nascarcasm and @TheOrangeCone. Who needs television? The events of the race unfolded before us with all the color and excitement to be found on our typical TV broadcasts, without the annoying chirping of overly plastic commentators or endless commercial breaks. In fact, it wasn't all that different from sitting in the stands with a headset on and rubbing elbows with more than a few passionate Junior fans.
Harvick's struggles with his tires first appeared as a dry fact from Jim Utter, only to be followed by groans of dismay from DeLana Harvick and other SHR fanatics. Next came the calming PR announcement on Harvick's own account that the failed track bar was actually just buildup on the tires.
Fuel mileage strategy, more debris, worries from Logano's cockpit and the ungentlemanly swearing of an irate Smoke brought life to our afternoon on the road. And when Earnhardt took the lead? Well, I could only read so many, "Go, Junior, go!" tweets before I sounded much like the stands at Pocono must have. Sitting in the cab of our Silverado, we were not alone. Oh no.
Since the inception of social media, I've been a huge advocate of adding Twitter to my raceday experience. The sense of NASCAR as a giant family has only improved with every driver, official, crew chief and fan adding their unique voice to the worldwide web. While NASCAR and its Official Partners crafted a more polished image to America, in some ways the raw and rugged feel that identifies our sport sprouted anew amongst the 140-character world. While sharing a race in your living room has always been part of a NASCAR fan's Sunday afternoon, Twitter has allowed our living room to expand. Maybe there weren't 100,000 fans wiggling for butt space on aluminum benches in my truck, but their voices were heard, nonetheless.
I harkened the challenge of presenting the race "live," as I can only imagine radio stations in the distant past might call a baseball game when all the station had to work with was the AP wire in the form of a lengthy ticker tape. The pacing and excitement of the game would be left entirely to the announcer, as a small band of sound effects people in the background.
But the tape and sound effects came from you, my friends. NASCAR fans. It's your voices that let me bring the passion of Junior's second win of the season to life, along with the crushing disappointment of Smoke's speeding penalty and surprise of Kyle Larson's arrival in the Top 5. Was there a moose involved in Danica's wreck? Well, no. And @nascarcasm was greatly relieved on that aspect.
I am not the only one who has become disenchanted with the product NASCAR hands out these days. But when I am treated to an afternoon of wit and shared passion in this sport, I remember all the reasons why I am still a NASCAR fan... because I am not alone.
So, here's a shoutout to the cars packed with cheering Pocono fans who passed us last night on I-80 West. Yes, those are NASCAR bumper stickers on the back of my RV. Yes, we're heading to Michigan to join more friends for another great race weekend. And yes, in this day and age, finding a NASCAR fan is only as hard as typing a Tweet and hitting send.
What do you have to say about NASCAR? Join in the conversation. Send me a Tweet! You can find me @laregna.
2014 Sonya Strictly by the Stats
Top Three Rookies for 2014 Pocono 400
1.) No. 42 Kyle Larson - Started 14th, Finished fifth
2.) No. 3 Austin Dillon - Started 11th, Finished 17th
3.) No. 7 Michael Annett - Started 30th, Finished 20th
S.D. Grady is a Senior Editor for Frontstretch and runs a NASCAR blog called the S-Curves. She can be reached via e-mail at sonya.grady@frontstretch.com. Follow her on Twitter at @laregna and on her Facebook page (she's an author, too!) at https://www.facebook.com/Author.SDGrady.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ADVERTISEMENT
Download the all-new Dover International Speedway Mobile App!
Control your race weekend right in the palm of your hand with the brand new mobile app from Dover International Speedway, available on all iPhone, iPad and Android devices. This new app gives you the ability to purchase race tickets, helps you find your grandstand seats, features a comprehensive listing of race weekend activities and allows you to build your own, customized race weekend calendar, plus much more. Get it now at iTunes or the Google Play Store, and your race weekend will never be the same!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Numbers Game: Pocono 400
by Tom Bowles
0
Laps led by Martin Truex, Jr. this season. Truex, who scored his second consecutive top 10 on Sunday (ninth) is now the "biggest name" driver with a zero in that column after rookie Kyle Larson led seven laps at Pocono.
0
0
Laps led by Kevin Harvick at Pocono, just the third time this season he's been shut out in that category and the first time since Fontana in March.
1
Ford in the top 10 at Pocono Sunday. Brad Keselowski, who dominated the race was head and shoulders above the rest once Joey Logano exited the event with engine failure. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., second in class among the Blue Oval crowd was a distant 15th.
2
2
Victories for Dale Earnhardt, Jr., his highest total since winning six times and challenging for the championship in 2004. That was also the only other year Earnhardt has won NASCAR's Daytona 500.
3
Drivers who failed to finish the race, the fewest for any Pocono event since 2007, when Dave Blaney was the only driver to post a DNF. Ironically, Blaney finished dead last on Sunday, 18 laps behind but was running at the finish after an early spin.
4
4
Cautions out of seven at Pocono for something other than a wreck. Two were for debris, a third was for oil and the initial caution of the day was for a fire in the infield near Turn 3.
4
4
Finishes of 31st or worse for Kasey Kahne this season. No other Hendrick team has more than one.
5
Laps led by Kurt Busch at Pocono. It's the first time the third-place finisher has led in a NASCAR race since winning Martinsville in March.
6
6
Top-11 finishes for Ryan Newman after a seventh at Pocono Sunday. That's the most for any driver on the circuit without a top-5 result.
6
6
Drivers who would make the Chase on points if the season ended today: Matt Kenseth (2nd), Kyle Larson (10th), Ryan Newman (11th), Brian Vickers (13th), Greg Biffle (T-14th) and Austin Dillon (T-14th).
10
10
Top-10 finishes for both Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon this season, the most of any driver on the circuit.
95
95
Laps led by Brad Keselowski Sunday, the most of any driver.
100
Points Kurt Busch, 27th in the standings is behind Austin Dillon for a spot to make the Chase on points. However, his lone victory at Martinsville keeps him in solid position to make the postseason.
$198,965
Money won by Pocono winner Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
$213,783
$213,783
Money won by Pocono second-place finisher Brad Keselowski. ???
Tom Bowles is the Editor-in-Chief of Frontstretch. He can be reached via e-mail at tom.bowles@frontstretch.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 frontstretcheditors@googlegroups.com for details.
~~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
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 frontstretcheditors@googlegroups.com for details.
~~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
by Brett Poirier
by Danny Peters
Who's Hot / Who's Not in NASCAR Sprint Cup: Pocono-Michigan Edition
by Brad Morgan
Voices From The Cheap Seats: BSNews! Chad Knaus Fumes After Pocono Defeat
by Jeff Meyer
Partner Links from Athlon Sports:
by Tom Bowles
by Matt Taliaferro
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: Michigan International Speedway is a traditional home race for Jack Roush. However, back in 2001, rookie Kurt Busch was unable to give his boss a good run the first time out at Michigan due to an early incident. What happened?
Check back Wednesday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Monday's Answer:
Q: Bobby Labonte won a quite competitive Miller Genuine Draft 400 at Michigan International Speedway back in 1995. However, things got interesting after the checkers flew. What happened?
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: Michigan International Speedway is a traditional home race for Jack Roush. However, back in 2001, rookie Kurt Busch was unable to give his boss a good run the first time out at Michigan due to an early incident. What happened?
Check back Wednesday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Monday's Answer:
Q: Bobby Labonte won a quite competitive Miller Genuine Draft 400 at Michigan International Speedway back in 1995. However, things got interesting after the checkers flew. What happened?
A: After the race finished, Michael Waltrip took exception to how Lake Speed raced him on the run to the finish. Waltrip parked his Pontiac in front of Speed's SPAM Ford, walked to Speed's window and punched him. The conflict can be seen here. Note that Speed was still wearing his helmet at the time. Speed and Waltrip finished 11th and 12th, respectively, but NASCAR did not suspend either driver for the incident.
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 triviaanswers@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!
Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Ashley McCubbin
Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Ashley McCubbin
-- Professor of Speed by Dr. Mark Howell
-- Tweet 'N' Greet by Allen Bedgood
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Open-Wheel Wednesday by Toni Montgomery
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Open-Wheel Wednesday by Toni Montgomery
Toni returns this week to give you more insight into the Verizon IndyCar Series as the teams begin a short break before the summer grind.
Tony sits down with the Sprint Cup Series rookie who had an excellent weekend in Pocono to discuss his season thus far.
Did You Notice?... by Tom Bowles
Did You Notice... the "surrender" attitude towards aerodynamics and the downside of finishing races? Tom explains in this list of small but important weekly observations about the NASCAR circuit.
The Frontstretch Five by Amy Henderson
Amy steps up with 1,2,3,4,5 reasons you should be concerned about something going on in NASCAR this week.
NASCAR Mailbox by Summer Bedgood
Summer returns for her weekly session of answering questions from you, our loyal fans. Do you have a question or comment for Summer? Don't be shy. Just send her an email (summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com) and you might just see your name in print!
NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After Pocono compiled by Michael Mehedin
Although he didn't win on Sunday, Jimmie Johnson is on a roll once again. How did Sunday's action affect the rankings? Find out how your favorite national experts voted, laughing along with their one-liners in the latest update of our weekly NASCAR poll.
-----------------------------
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
--
Feel free to forward this newsletter if you have any friends who loves
NASCAR and great NASCAR commentary. They can subscribe to the Frontstetch by visiting http://www.frontstretch.com/notice/9557/.
If you want to stop your Frontstretch Newsletter subscription, we're sorry
to see you go. Just send an email to
TheFrontstretch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com from the address that you
recieve the Frontstretch Newsletter.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Frontstretch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to thefrontstretch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
No comments:
Post a Comment