The Frontstretch Newsletter: Nationwide Series Races at Daytona Tonight

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER

Presented by Frontstretch.com

The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!

July 4, 2014

Volume VIII, Edition CVII

~~~~~~~~~

This Weekend's TV Schedule

Friday, July 4

Time                               Telecast                                                                                                    Network

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM        Formula One Grand Prix of Great Britain Free Practice No. 2                  NBC Sports Network

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM      Sprint Cup Series Practice No. 1                                                              FOX Sports 1*# (from July 3)

10:30 AM - 1:00 PM        1                                                                                                              NBC Sports Network#

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM        Sprint Cup Series Happy Hour                                                                  FOX Sports 1*# (from July 3)

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM        DTM: Oschersleben                                                                                  CBS Sports Network*# (from May 18)

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM          NASCAR RaceHub                                                                                   FOX Sports 1

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM          K&N Pro Series West Carneros 200                                                          FOX Sports 1*/ (from June 21)

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM          DTM: Norisring                                                                                         CBS Sports Network*# (from June 29)

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM          Nationwide Series Qualifying                                                                   FOX Sports 1

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM          NASCAR Live                                                                                           FOX Sports 1

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM          Sprint Cup Series Qualifying                                                                    FOX Sports 1

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM          Pirelli World Challenge: Road America                                                    NBC Sports Network*/ (from June 20-21)

7:00 PM - 7:30 PM          NASCAR Countdown                                                                                ESPN 2

7:15 PM - 9:15 PM          NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals First Round Qualifying        ESPN3$

7:30 PM - 10:00 PM        Nationwide Series Subway Firecracker 250                                              ESPN 2

Saturday, July 5

Time                               Telecast                                                                                                    Network

2:30 AM - 3:00 AM         The Grid                                                                                                   NBC Sports Network

3:00 AM - 4:30 AM         Sprint Cup Series Qualifying                                                                    FOX Sports 1*# (from July 4)

4:00 AM - 6:00 AM         Nationwide Series Subway Firecracker 250                                               ESPN 2*/# (from July 4)

4:30 AM - 5:30 AM         NASCAR RaceHub                                                                                    FOX Sports 1*# (from July 4)

4:30 AM - 5:30 AM         NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Qualifying                                                  FansChoice.tv^

5:00 AM - 6:00 AM         Formula One Grand Prix of Great Britain Free Practice No. 3                   NBC Sports Live Xtra$

5:30 AM - 6:00 AM         100,000 Cameras                                                                                      FOX Sports 1#

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM         Formula One Grand Prix of Great Britain Qualifying                                 CNBC

8:15 AM - 9:45 AM         NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Elite Race No. 1                                         FansChoice.tv^

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM     K&N Pro Series West Carneros 200                                                            FOX Sports 1*/# (from June 21)

11:00 AM - 12:30 AM     Sprint Cup Series Happy Hour                                                                   FOX Sports 1*# (from July 3)

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM       Sprint Cup Series Qualifying                                                                     FOX Sports 1*# (from July 4)

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM         NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Elite Race No. 2                                         FansChoice.tv^

1:30 PM - ~9:00 PM       Southern National Motorsports Park Livestream                                         FansChoice.tv^

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM         NASCAR RaceHub                                                                                     FOX Sports 1*# (from July 4)

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM         Formula One Grand Prix of Great Britain Qualifying                                  NBC Sports Network*#

2:00 PM - ~10:00 PM     Langley Speedway Livestream                                                                  FansChoice.tv^

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM         AMA Pro Motocross Championship Series: Redbud                                    NBC

3:00 PM - ~10:00 PM     Lake County Speedway Livestream                                                            FansChoice.tv^

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM         AMA Pro Motocross Championship Series: Redbud 250 Class Moto 2        NBC Sports Network*

4:30 PM - 5:25 PM         AMA Flat Track Open Practice                                                                    FansChoice.tv^

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM         NASCAR RaceDay                                                                                      FOX Sports 2

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM         Countdown to Green Served by Sonic                                                        TNT

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM         Verizon IndyCar Series Qualifying                                                               NBC Sports Network*

7:30 PM - 11:00 PM       Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400                                                                 TNT

8:00 PM - 10:00 PM       AMA Pro Flat Track: Hagerstown                                                                 FansChoice.tv^

11:00 PM - 1:00 AM       NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals Final Qualifying Rounds         ESPN 2*/

11:30 PM - 12:00 AM     NASCAR Victory Lane                                                                                  FOX Sports 1

Sunday, July 6

Time                              Telecast                                                                                                        Network

5:30 AM - 7:00 AM         NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Elite Race No. 3                                            FansChoice.tv^

7:30 AM - 8:00 AM         F1 Countdown                                                                                              CNBC

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM       Formula One Grand Prix of Great Britain                                                     CNBC

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM       ARCA Racing Series Akona 250 presented by Federated Car Care               CBS Sports Network*/# (from June 21)

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM     F1 Extra                                                                                                        CNBC

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM     IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Continental Tire 150               FOX Sports 1*/ (from June 28)

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM     Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race                                                                             CBS Sports Network*# (from April 12)

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM     NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Elite Race No. 4                                             FansChoice.tv^

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM     Blancpain Endurance Series: Paul Ricard                                                     CBS Sports Network*/# (from June 29)

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM       K&N Pro Series West Carneros 200                                                                FOX Sports 1*/# (from June 21)

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM       Blancpain Sprint Series: Zandvoort                                                               CBS Sports Network*

12:00 PM - 4:00 PM       Verizon IndyCar Series Pocono 500                                                              NBC Sports Network

12:00 PM - 6:00 PM       NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals Final Eliminations                    ESPN3$

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM         ARCA Racing Series Herr's Chase the Taste 200                                            CBS Sports Network

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM         Red Bull Mint 400                                                                                          NBC*/ (from March 15)

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM         Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires Pocono 100                                        NBC Sports Network*

5:00 PM - 5:30 PM         F1 Countdown                                                                                                NBC Sports Network*#

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM         Formula One Grand Prix of Great Britain                                                        NBC Sports Network*#

7:30 PM - 8:00 PM         F1 Extra                                                                                                           NBC Sports Network*#

9:00 PM - 12:00 AM       NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals Final Eliminations                     ESPN 2*/

11:00 PM - 12:00 AM     GP2 Series: Silverstone                                                                                   NBC Sports Network*/

11:00 PM - 1:00 AM       Blancpain Sprint Series: Zandvoort                                                                 CBS Sports Network*#

*- Tape Delayed

/- Highlighted Coverage

# - Repeat Coverage

^- Available via free online streaming

$- Available via password-protected online streaming.  Check with your internet and/or programming provider for availability.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Top News

by Justin Tucker and Phil Allaway

McMurray Quickest in Sprint Cup Practice, Happy Hour Rained Out

As midday gradually moved toward late afternoon at Daytona International Speedway, somewhat traditional storm clouds gathered to the west over the Pine Barrens of Central and Western Volusia County.  Those storms just strafed the track right as teams were about to pull out onto pit road for the start of practice.  About 8-10 cars made it out to pit road before NASCAR announced the suspension of the session.  Those drivers had to hang a U-turn and drive back to their garage stalls.  A couple of more cars were on the way to pit road and simply stopped and backed up. Read more.

Scott Fastest in Nationwide Series Practice

In the heat of the day on Thursday afternoon, 45 Nationwide Series teams took to the 2.5-mile tri-oval that is Daytona International Speedway for their only practice session, two hours of grinding and searching to see who was best in the draft.  Ultimately, the speeds may not matter all that much on the surface, but they could be important should qualifying Friday be rained out. Read more.

Indy Car Future at Pocono in Doubt

Just as quickly as Pocono Raceway made its return last year after a 24-year absence to the IndyCar Series schedule, it appears Pocono is on the verge of finding itself once again off the IndyCar schedule due to attendance woes. Read more.

Bristol Putting More Focus on Fan Experiences

Bristol Motor Speedway has long been known as one of the most popular tracks among the fans in NASCAR due to fierce door-to-door battles and great fan experiences. It looks like race weekend in August will be no exception. Read more.

Have news for Justin and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com.

~~~~~~~~~~

Frontstretch Folio: Coke Zero 400

by Brad Morgan

The Sprint Cup Series travels back to Daytona International Speedway for the 18th race of the 2014 season on Saturday, July 5.  Television coverage of the Coke Zero 400 begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT; your local Motor Racing Network (MRN) affiliate or SiriusXM Channel 90 will provide the radio broadcast.  Drivers will compete for at least 160 laps (400 miles) before the checkered flag waves.

Records and Facts

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. returns to site of his second Great American Race victory in search of another win.  Junior is the hottest driver at Daytona recently, with top 10s in four of the last five races.

Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet was untouchable in last season's Coke Zero 400, leading 94 laps and holding off Tony Stewart for a trip to victory lane under the lights.

Jeff Gordon is the active wins leader at Daytona with six, two more than Stewart.

A driver who started outside the top 20 has won only four of the 55 July NSCS events.

Track Facts

Track Length: 2.5-mile tri-oval superspeedway

Pit Road Speed: 55 mph

Degree of Banking: 31 degrees in turns, 18 degrees in tri-oval

Frontstretch: 3,800 ft., 6 degrees of banking

Backstretch: 3,400 ft., 3 degrees of banking

Grandstand Seating: 147,000

Website: http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/DaytonaInternationalSpeedway

Twitter: http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com

Pre-race Schedule

Qualifying: Friday, July 4, 5:10 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1

VIPs

Grand Marshal: TBA
Command to start engines: TBA
Honorary Starter/Wave Green Flag: TBA
Invocation: TBA
National Anthem: TBA
Flyover: Three P-51 Mustangs

Race Day Forecast

Sunday: Scattered thunderstorms

High: 90

Low: 70

Precipitation: 40 percent

They Said It:

"[During Talladega qualifying] I learned to screw our game plan — we all tried to go out there and help each other.  Nine times out of 10 when you over analyze that and try to over think it you don't get a good result. One of those single car teams or something like that can go out and capitalize on another team trying to do that is always going to prevail. For me, I'm just going to go out there and put a lap down and hang my helmet up and go to the beach and get ready for Saturday night." – Clint Bowyer

"We have obviously had a lot of success in the restrictor plate races this year. It's important that you have a fast car that can work out front and come from the back. Our FedEx team has had great superspeedway cars this year. It has worked well in the draft and we have been in great position to win those races. Secondly, I think I have learned a lot about that style of racing over the years. I was always the guy that tried to start a new line and make something happen, and it didn't always work out for me. I think this year I have been a little more patient and let the race come to me a bit more. In the Daytona 500, we were just a little too far back on the last lap and made it up to second. I knew at Talladega that I wanted to be the one out front holding people off. I think that has been the preferred position in the last few plate races." – Denny Hamlin

"The track becomes a little bit slicker, especially with the increased temperatures. Plus, the asphalt ages just a bit from all of the other racing that takes place at this particular track. Usually it's about 95 degrees with 90 percent humidity in July, so the slick track condition is the biggest change we deal with when racing at Daytona International Speedway in July compared to February." – Kevin Harvick

"[Winning the Coke Zero 400] would mean a lot.  I could win anywhere in the Cup Series and it would mean a lot.  I think I have a good chance of winning as well as everybody else because the field seems to be really close when we go to superspeedways.  Everybody's confidence will be up, the racing will be intense, and just got to stay out of trouble." – Kyle Larson

"[Qualifying at Daytona and Talladega is] like a little race out there honestly. I mean, you try to get in a pack and make all of the right moves. There is a lot of strategy that goes into it though. You try to find the right people to help you, normally teammates or other drivers from your same manufacturer.  And you don't want to be the first group to go, because everyone will get a draft off of you.  And you need to trust the car that is running in the front of the pack, because they are leading you through everything and through the other cars as they break up. It's definitely different. You just go out there and do your best." – Joey Logano

"Daytona is just so much different than it used to be, which is how I liked it when you could slip and slide around. But you have to have a fast race car and you have to put yourself in position for that last little section. And you have to have a good enough car to not get shuffled out of line. It all depends. It could end up being a fuel mileage race. It could end up being a multiple green-white-checkered race. You just never know there." – Ryan Newman

Brad Morgan is a senior writer for Frontstretch. He can be reached via email at brad.morgan@frontstretch.com. 

~~~~~~~~~~

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!

~~~~~~~~~~

Keepin' It Short: You Can Only Give So Much

by Mike Neff

Jon Raney loves racing at the local short track level. He is so passionate about it that, when the opportunity came up for him to take over Baer Field Speedway from Tom Isch in 2013, he decided to take the leap and become the promoter. Raney had raced at the track during his racing career and had come back to the track when his son started racing go-karts. While he was at the track working with his son he spoke to Isch and discovered that the promoter was planning to retire. In a short period of time Raney took over the reins and set his three year plan in motion to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the track in 2013 and ultimately make the track more fan friendly.

Raney sunk his heart and soul into the track. He upgraded the facility, cleaning up the track and modernizing the restrooms. He eliminated requiring tickets for children under 13 years of age. He also increased the prize money to entice more drivers to come out and race. The three -year plan also had plans for upgrades to the grandstands, a new lighting system, and a modern scoreboard. Unfortunately for Raney, it seemed as though he was banging his head against a wall and eventually the headache became too much. As a result, he has canceled the remainder of the 2014 season.

In a quote in the News-Sentinel of Fort Wayne, Ind., Raney said, "I don't want to go through this any more. The main problem is the decline of attendance for the grandstands and a lot of that is due to the racers tearing down the place on social media. I build up the facilities, and the racers don't reciprocate it to me. It's just a negative weight for me.''

The track had several events canceled due to weather this season and actually canceled a race in 2013 due to excessive heat. Raney stopped holding open practice on Wednesdays due to the lack of participation from the racers. The racers also undermined Raney due to their displeasure with some new rules that he implemented. The rules were in response to requirements from the insurance provider for the race track. After a racer was injured in 2013 the insurance company required collapsible steering wheels. The racers fought Raney tooth and nail over the safety requirement even though it only cost $120.

The bellyaching over the rules didn't stop with the steering wheels. The insurance carrier also required shirts and closed toed shoes in the pits. Raney was told by a competitor that he would kill the promoter before they'd make him put on a shirt in the pits. When asking a woman to put on closed toed shoes or leave the pits she told Raney to "F--- off".

Raney not only had the battles at the track, he received threatening phone calls at this primary business, a trucking company in the area. Raney said he will not put his livelihood at risk to run a race track. For anyone interested in running a local race track, Raney is willing to listen to offers because he still has three years left on the contract.

After a successful 50th anniversary season, Raney was feeling very positive about starting the next half century of racing excitement at Baer Field. Unfortunately, while he was trying to do the best for the racers and the fans, the people who would benefit most refused to help him move the facility forward. Track promoters have a very difficult job facing them to try and make money at the local level. The number of race tracks closing continues to be greater than the number of tracks opening. When a promoter comes in who wants to try and make things better, the competitors need to get on board to make it a success for everyone involved. If they don't, just like Baer Field, the tracks will close and the drivers won't have anywhere to go.

Whelen All-American National Championship

Anthony Anders tried hard to add to his point total last week, running three different races. Unfortunately for Anders, his two Top 5 finishes did not better any of his previous runs, so he is still sitting at 684 points. Lee Pulliam on the other hand ran four races. While he didn't score any additional wins, he did notch three more Top 5s that increased his point total by 92 and moved him back into the second spot in the standings, 27 behind Anders. Keith Rocco ran two races last week and added a win that increased his total to 633 points. It wasn't enough for him to hang on to the second spot but it did keep him ahead of Peyton Sellers whose four race run last week earned Sellers three Top 5s and four Top 10s. His point total increased by 76 but that wasn't enough to increase his standing position. Rounding out the Top 5 in the standings this week is Dillon Bassett. The youngster who has run races at more tracks than anyone else in the Top 10 logged three more races with two of them resulting in victories. His point total is up to 579 and is good enough for fifth place, two higher than where he was last week.

The second half of the Top 10 starts with Matt Bowling. The Short Track Showdown winner ran four races and added two Top 5s to his total for the year. He held on to the sixth spot in the point standings, leaping over Ryan Preece who only ran one race, notching a Top 5. Tommy Lemons Jr. notched a win in one of this two races last week, increasing his point total by 23 points and keeping him in eighth place. Randy Porter raced twice last week but only managed one Top 5. It increased his point total by 50 since he had not reached the maximum number of races until last week. Rounding out the Top 10 is Kres Vandyke who is the only driver in the Top 10 who has not reached the maximum 18 races. He has 506 points after his 17 races.

1 Anthony Anders Myrtle, Greenville, Anderson, Hickory 30 17 26 28 684
2 Lee Pulliam South Boston, Southern National, Motor Mile 22 11 18 18 657
3 Keith Rocco Waterford, Stafford, Thompson 20 7 17 20 633
4 Peyton Sellers Caraway, S Boston, Motor Mile 20 5 18 20 619
5 Dillon Bassett Southern Natl, Hickory, Greenville, East Carolina, Caraway, Anderson 20 7 16 19 579
6 Matt Bowling Motor Mile, S Boston, Caraway, Southern Natl 23 2 16 19 560
7 Ryan Preece Waterford, Riverhead, Stafford 20 6 15 19 558
8 Tommy Lemons Jr. Southern Natl, Caraway, S. Boston, Motor Mile 25 4 13 18 530
9 Randy Porter Greenville, Anderson 18 5 13 15 517
10 Kres Vandyke Kingsport, Lonesome Pine 17 6 15 16 506

This Weekend's Race Schedule

Mike Neff is a senior writer for Frontstretch.com. Feedback can be sent to mike.neff@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 tony.lumbis@frontstretch.com for details.

~~~~~~~~~~

TODAY ON FRONTSTRETCH:

Holding A Pretty Wheel: Daytona Optimism is What NASCAR Needs
by Amy Henderson

Happiness Is... Vacation, Luck & Making Friends
by Huston Ladner

Nuts for Nationwide: Here Comes Richard Childress Racing
by Kelly Crandall

Mirror Driving: Repaving Kentucky, Shopping Center, and Bubba Moving Up?
by the Frontstretch Staff

Frontstretch Foto Funnies: He Might Be Missing the Point...
by the Frontstretch Staff

IndyCar Preview: Pocono INDYCAR 500 Fueled by Sunoco
by Huston Ladner

~~~~~~~~~~~

FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA
 
Q: In 2000, Terry Labonte was Winston Cup's resident Ironman, having started over 650 consecutive races.  However, the Pepsi 400 at Daytona was the beginning of the end of that streak.  What happened?

Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!

Thursday's Answer:

Q: The 1991 Pepsi 400 is probably best known for the crash where Darrell Waltrip vaulted over the Bus Stop chicane on the backstretch and barrel rolled.  However, earlier in the race, four different drivers were eliminated in another incident.  What happened?

A: Three cars tried to fit through a hole for only two exiting Turn 2.  That simply does not work.  The resulting crash involved the cars driven by Dale Jarrett (No. 21), Mickey Gibbs (No. 24), Greg Sacks (No. 47), Stanley Smith (No. 49), Ted Musgrave (No. 55), Lake Speed (No. 66) and Wally Dallenbach, Jr. (No. 90).  The crash can be seen here.

Sacks, Musgrave, Speed and Smith were eliminated on the spot.  Smith almost missed the crash, but clipped the grass and lost control, sending his Interstate Batteries Buick head-on into the wall.

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 Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:

-- Daytona Race Recap by Justin Tucker

-- Never Fear, The Underdogs Are Here by Amy Henderson

-- Sidebar Stories: Daytona by Phil Allaway

~~~~~~~~~~~~

This Weekend on the Frontstretch:

Four Burning Questions: Daytona by Matt Stallknecht

Matt will be here to give readers a few things to look forward to for the second visit to Daytona in 2014.

Nationwide Breakdown: Subway Firecracker 250 by Kelly Crandall

Kelly has all the post-race analysis you need following Friday night's Nationwide Series race from Daytona.

~~~~~~~~~~

Monday on the Frontstretch:

Thinkin' Out Loud: Coke Zero 400 by Mike Neff

Mike has all the post-race analysis you could ever want following Daytona.

Big Six: Coke Zero 400 by Amy Henderson

We tackle the Who, What, When, Where, How and Why from Daytona.

Pace Laps: All Racing Series by the Frontstretch Staff

Our staff keeps you posted on all the racing action that occurred over the weekend.

Commentary by Phil Allaway

Phil gives some detailed analysis on one of the biggest stories to come out of the last week in stock car racing.

Creed's Corner by Aaron Creed

Aaron has in-depth reaction to a storyline resulting from Saturday night's action from Daytona.

IndyCar Breakdown: Pocono INDYCAR 500 by Matt Stallknecht
Matt has all the post-race analysis you need following Sunday afternoon's IndyCar event from Pocono Raceway.

-----------------------------

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.