THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
June 4th, 2014
Volume VIII, Edition LXXXV
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
June 4th, 2014
Volume VIII, Edition LXXXV
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Today's TV Listings
Time Telecast Network
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Camping World Truck Series Lucas Oil 200 FOX Sports 1*/# (from May 30)
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#
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM World of Outlaws STP Sprint Cars Texas Outlaw Shootout, Night No. 1 CBS Sports Network*/ (from April 18)
7:30 PM - 8:00 PM 100,000 Cameras FOX Sports 2#
10:00 PM - 11:00 PM Isle of Man TT: June 4 Velocity*
*- Tape Delayed
/- Highlighted Coverage
#- Repeat Coverage
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Top News
by Ashley McCubbin
Another Sprint Cup rookie is joining the crowded field of freshmen this season. On Tuesday, owner Joe Falk of Circle Sport Racing announced young Alex Kennedy will drive the car for at least three events throughout the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, with potential additional starts based on sponsorship.
Kennedy, 22, will pilot the No. 33 Chevrolet this weekend at Pocono Raceway carrying funding from Dream Factory, a wish-granting organization for critically and chronically ill children. The financial partnership will continue when Kennedy drives the No. 33 in the road races at Sonoma and Watkins Glen this summer. The New Mexico native, who has 15 career starts in the Nationwide Series tried his hand at Sprint Cup during the 2013 season with Humphrey Smith Racing. His best finish with the team came at Watkins Glen, where he came home in the 29th position.
Additional races for Kennedy, if they come to fruition will be announced at a later date. He'll join a rotating cast of characters driving the car this season as the funding-based seat at Circle Sport has rotated amongst Timmy Hill, David Stremme, and Brian Scott. The team maintains a low-scale partnership with Richard Childress Racing while teaming up with Hillman Racing's No. 40 and full-time driver Landon Cassill.
Aric Almirola Lands New Sponsor: Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs
Aric Almirola has a new backer making their debut at Pocono Raceway. Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs will adorn the hood and quarter panels of Richard Petty Motorsports' No. 43 as the team tries to build on their streak of four consecutive top-15 finishes.
"I'm excited to have Nathan's Famous on the car this weekend," Almirola explained in a press release announcing the deal. "When you think of summer, you think of grilling hot dogs and the hot dog-eating contest, so it's a perfect fit they're making their debut in June."
The annual competition Almirola speaks of, held July 4th in Brooklyn, NY will have a "qualifying event" at the track this weekend. It's expected to add an additional spotlight to both the main event and NASCAR's race at Pocono for a group of fans that might otherwise have not paid attention to both.
In four starts at the 'Tricky Trangle', Almirola has a best finish of 18th.
Angie's List to Sponsor Grand Prix of Indianapolis in 2015
Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced Tuesday that Angie's List will sponsor the 2015 Grand Prix of Indianapolis at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"There's no better time to be in Indianapolis than in the Month of May," company founder Angie Hicks said. "Angie's List has long sponsored race cars in the Indianapolis 500, but getting involved with the Grand Prix brings a new kind of excitement. This is a world-class race, and we'll bring in world-class service companies, not just to reward them, but to work hand-in-hand to change the way local service is delivered. Our 'Festival of Service' will celebrate companies that are working alongside us on this mission."
The Inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis ran last month, with Simon Pagenaud picking up the victory. The race was meant to add more excitement to the month of May at IMS for fans, also adding another race to the schedule for drivers while still staying close to home.
Hulman and IndyCar company CEO Mark Miles noted this year's event surpassed expectations, with the new sponsorship setting the road course up for many successful years to come.
"The lift from that incredibly successful month continues with this announcement," he said. "The idea was to bring a new event, a Verizon IndyCar Series road course race, to jumpstart May and get people excited that we're on our way to the culminating event that is the Indianapolis 500. Looking back on it, it was a remarkable success. Race fans just loved the atmosphere. It started off exactly the way we had in mind for May."
Angie's List is a company that "collects and shares reviews on local service performance with subscribers." The fast-growing online business is based in Indianapolis and has backed a driver during May's Indy 500 every season since 2008.
Miles also noted in the announcement that the race will be telecast on ABC in 2015 for the second consecutive year.
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Today's Featured Commentary
Parental Guidance Suggested
Professor Of Speed
by Mark Howell
The recent baby boom in NASCAR is changing the overall composition of race day. It's not unusual to see Sprint Cup drivers like Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, or Carl Edwards walking about with their children in tow, and a proud new papa like Paul Menard will soon add his progeny to the "Sunday stroll" club. Their children, in their own unique way, have become regular fixtures at races during driver introductions and other pre-race festivities. There's something rather comforting about seeing NASCAR's next generation on Sundays that reaffirms one's faith in the sport's future.
And the future just might be a bright one. Photographs on Twitter recently showed Ella Gordon behind the wheel of a quarter midget race car. Given her age and father's history, we can assume that yet another Gordon will be turning laps and winning trophies before she graduates from grade school. Ella is demonstrating the two central elements that lead to racing success these days: starting off young paired with the proper connections.
Ryan Hunter-Reay's victory in the Indianapolis 500 a couple of weeks ago brought added attention to the family ties that bind children to motorsports. Pictures of 16-month-old Ryden Hunter-Reay practically stole the media spotlight from his lead-footed father. Their matching yellow firesuits were a nice touch, especially on the Monday following the 500 when Hunter-Reay and Michael Andretti posed for the traditional victory pictures at the "yard of bricks" start/finish line. Ryden passed the time while waiting for his famous dad (and Dad's equally-famous car owner) by running up-and-down the frontstretch.
Nothing like a kid hamming it up for the cameras to steal a parent's thunder.
But maybe that's just the idea. It's no mystery that the cycle of life involves the passing of time and the frailty of health and all that – we're animals whose lives have limitations – but there's something quite special about children who grow up before our eyes. I don't mean in that kind-of-creepy Lindsay Lohan or Miley Cyrus way of
"growing up," but that sharing-in-the-family-business way, one which makes the child a familiar face and a reference point within time's relentless march.
Consider the Petty family, the way that Lee's son evolved into Kyle's father and how Kyle followed a similar path. The Petty family made history for becoming the first four-generation progression of professional athletes. Same for fellow Hall-of-Famer Ned Jarrett, whose family resided in "three-generations-behind-the-wheel" territory for several years.
And who can ignore the legendary Earnhardt racing lineage of Ralph, Dale, Kerry, Kelley, and Dale Jr.? That family reflects the evolution of NASCAR Nation over a span of fifty years, matching the influence and attention brought to stock car racing by the aforementioned Petty clan.
We'd be remiss to overlook the generational ties of the France family as well. Without "Big Bill," Bill Jr., Jim, Brian, and sister Lesa, there would not be the NASCAR we know today. Some might debate that would be an improvement, but that's not an argument I'm willing to make within this context.
Simply put: racing is family.
Much of the connection stems from the fact that racing requires a unique set of circumstances. Access to cars, tools, parts, facilities, a community of competitors, and the desire to devote years of money, time, blood, sweat, and tears is best found within your familial foundation. Building from that foundation just might land you in Victory Lane, but there's no guarantee. Many racing-based bloodlines veer from the sport long before success is achieved. It might be a loss of money. It might be a loss of desire. It might simply be a loss of energy. Whatever the cause, families in racing can (and do) simply give up.
So when I watch Ella Gordon driving a quarter midget or see Ryden Hunter-Reay in his miniature yellow firesuit, I try to envision and predict the future of American motorsports and where NASCAR (and IndyCar, for that matter) might be circa 2034. History and tradition seems to reflect names and faces we already recognize, but experience also shows that there's no such thing as a sure thing.
Sterling Marlin once suggested that the next great NASCAR champion is someone who's currently driving a tow truck somewhere, and that came from a second-generation stock car racer. Miracles may still be en vogue, but I'm going to put my money on a few of these youngsters currently riding around with their dads in pre-race parades on Sunday afternoons.
Tradition shows that it's not always what you know, but who you know. Given that, today's NASCAR baby boomers should enjoy solid connections and be well on their way to racing success.
Like father, like son (or daughter), as they say…
Dr. Mark Howell is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail 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...
@AndyHallESPN: VIDEO: @MartinTruex_Jr talks tough #NASCAR competition w/ @MikeMassaroESPN http://es.pn/1lRq3RT @ESPNNASCAR
@DaleJr: Photo shoot today. Meet @micahmuzio from @KelleyBlueBook. They are our sponsor at @RaceSonoma this season. pic.twitter.com/lQ4zweJb70
@NHMS: Smiling before entering a burning building? @kaseykahne poses w/ firefighters pic.twitter.com/h22BBwT6nS
@ArleneMartin: Matt always liked the trophies! #tbt http://instagram.com/p/om0QmABjWd/
@MikeDavis88: Personal foul. Dipping a perfectly good @Krystal burger pic.twitter.com/kIstjg1rQt
@DaleJr: Headed to Dover. @MikeDavis88 had 4 Krystal burgers. I think I saved his life eating the 5th one. Anything for a good friend.
@EddieDHondt: Pretty tired when you fall asleep sitting straight up :) pic.twitter.com/NgsxFD7H6c
@jessielittle97: Heading out to @BGSRacing! So pumped for tonight! Time for some real racing.
@PR31TSM: Happy Birthday @dylankracing!! (Editor's Note: Saturday, May 31st was Dylan's birthday)
@jjyeley1: 9 yrs ago this fantastic morning God blessed my family with the most BEAUTIFUL baby girl in the world. Happy Birthday @Faithanneyeley! Xoxox
@DaleJr: Race day at the Monster Mile. Elbows up.
@DeLanaHarvick: Really hate the 1 wasn't able to work on their car under the red... Not their fault.
@jeff_gluck: Martin Truex Jr. finished sixth today, his best result since joining Furniture Row Racing. #NASCAR
@Elliott_Sadler: My @CocaColaRacing selfie at @RIR prez tourney... pic.twitter.com/Onin4CZKgR
@DeLanaHarvick: Nearly got mowed over by a Bentley. As if that weren't enough to piss me off, discovered it was 2 teenagers... in a BENTLEY! #smh
@KurtBusch: Spending the day @StewartHaasRcng shop today. A lot of work to be done to our @Haas_Automation car
@DaleJr: Rear suspension done. Disk brakes. Tube trailing arms. Custom mount track bar. New exhaust and undercoat coming later pic.twitter.com/bzd56jrCC7
@DaleJr: The 65 impala has been in the family ... I bought from dad around 1995 for $2000. It's a driver. Just fixin and improving it a bit.
@NASCARONFOX: VIDEO: Go behind the scenes of a #NASCAR on FOX television broadcast » http://foxs.pt/Sotwjd pic.twitter.com/e5LhnqOTLo
@KyleLarsonRacin: Got the keys to my first house pic.twitter.com/MAwjmRRnIM
@AndyLally: I'm way more than halfway into securing sponsorship for the Nationwide race at Road America. Lots of room on the car if anyone is interested.
@dustinlong: #NASCAR … Today is Jamie McMurray's 38th birthday. (Editor's Note: It was Tuesday, June 3rd)
@ChrisBuescher: A little seat time this morning pic.twitter.com/3i8NV5TsLF
@MISpeedway: @MISroger meets @Lions Coach Caldwell. Welcome to Detroit! @joeylogano pic.twitter.com/7LBPTTZ8Lt
@dcaraviello: #NASCAR this morning announced a few modifications to the format for the Truck Series race at Eldora Speedway: http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2014/6/3/qualifying-changes-coming-to-eldora-speedway-truck-series-race.html …
@NASCAR_Trucks: The #MudsummerClassic at @EldoraSpeedway is back! And this year's race will be even better: http://nas.cr/vlMQ pic.twitter.com/PeiJmYfoNQ
@CandiceSpencer: Report from Jerry Gappens from testing @NHMS is @JeffGordonWeb "is wicked fast" #nascar
@mikejoy500: We're in discussions now. RT "@Skygdss424: Are you doing Barrett-Jackson next year?"
Allen Bedgood is a Photographer and Newsletter Contributor for Frontstretch. He can be reached via email at allen.bedgood@frontstretch.com. Follow him on Twitter @AllenBedgood.
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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!
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Dover
compiled by Summer Bedgood
by Summer Bedgood
by Toni Montgomery, Huston Ladner and Matt Stallknecht
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA
Q: The 1994 UAW-GM Teamwork 500 at Pocono is best known for the crash that ultimately ended Chuck Bown's tenure with Bobby Allison Motorsports. However, Ward Burton's race only lasted a couple of green-flag laps before it was over, too. What happened?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: For longtime independent racer Buddy Arrington, the 1986 Miller High Life 500 was a typical race. Having endured for much of the distance as others dropped out due to mechanical issues, Arrington was in line for a top-20 result before his day came to an end just short of the finish. What happened?
A: With five laps to go, Arrington spun out his Pannill Sweatshirts Ford in Turn 1 on his own. The spin itself was harmless. The result was not. Arrington tried to rejoin, but came to a halt in the groove. He was then hit in the rear by Morgan Shepherd's Race Hill Farm Buick, spinning the No. 67 again. The car then came down the banking, where he was hit again by Harry Gant. The crash can be seen here.
Arrington was forced to sit out Michigan due to injuries suffered, which created another terrible issue for the team. Arrington's replacement, Rick Baldwin, suffered what would eventually be fatal injuries while trying to qualify the No. 67 a few days later (he slipped into a coma shortly after the crash and never awoke before dying in 1997). Gant suffered a bruised heart in the crash, but came back the next week to finish second.
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 triviaanswer@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: The 1994 UAW-GM Teamwork 500 at Pocono is best known for the crash that ultimately ended Chuck Bown's tenure with Bobby Allison Motorsports. However, Ward Burton's race only lasted a couple of green-flag laps before it was over, too. What happened?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: For longtime independent racer Buddy Arrington, the 1986 Miller High Life 500 was a typical race. Having endured for much of the distance as others dropped out due to mechanical issues, Arrington was in line for a top-20 result before his day came to an end just short of the finish. What happened?
A: With five laps to go, Arrington spun out his Pannill Sweatshirts Ford in Turn 1 on his own. The spin itself was harmless. The result was not. Arrington tried to rejoin, but came to a halt in the groove. He was then hit in the rear by Morgan Shepherd's Race Hill Farm Buick, spinning the No. 67 again. The car then came down the banking, where he was hit again by Harry Gant. The crash can be seen here.
Arrington was forced to sit out Michigan due to injuries suffered, which created another terrible issue for the team. Arrington's replacement, Rick Baldwin, suffered what would eventually be fatal injuries while trying to qualify the No. 67 a few days later (he slipped into a coma shortly after the crash and never awoke before dying in 1997). Gant suffered a bruised heart in the crash, but came back the next week to finish second.
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 triviaanswer@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:
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, Michael Annett's crew chief Kevin "Bono" Manion checks in just in time for a trip to Pocono.
Fantasy Insider by Jeff Wolfe
Jeff is back with your look at the best bets to fill your fantasy roster. This week, he preps you for your best bets as we head into Pocono.
Truckin' Thursdays by TBA
One of our staff members stops by with your weekly look at the state of the Camping World Truck Series.
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