Friday, July 18, 2014

The Frontstretch Newsletter: Nationwide in Joliet Gets Underway

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
July 18th, 2014
Volume VIII, Edition CXVII

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This Weekend's TV Schedule

Friday, July 18

Time                                    Telecast                                                                                                                                        Network
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM          Whelen Modified Tour Sunoco 100                                                                                         FOX Sports 1*/ (from July 12)
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM             Camping World Truck Series American Ethanol 200                                                         FOX Sports 1*/# (from July 11)
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM             Formula One Grand Prix of Germany Free Practice No. 2                                                 NBC Sports Network*
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM             Empty Cup: Quest for the 1992 NASCAR Championship                                                  FOX Sports 1#
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM             Nationwide Series Practice No. 1                                                                                           FOX Sports 1
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM             Whelen Modified Tour Sunoco 100                                                                                         FOX Sports 1*/# (from July 12)
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM             Nationwide Series Happy Hour                                                                                               FOX Sports 1
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM             The Mudsummer Classic: The 2013 Camping World Truck Series Race at Eldora    FOX Sports 1
9:00 PM - 10:00 PM           Whelen Modified Tour Sunoco 100                                                                                         FOX Sports 2*/# (from July 12)
9:15 PM - 11:45 PM?         NHRA Mopar Mile-High Nationals First Round Qualifying                                                 ESPN3$
10:00 PM - 11:00 PM         Nationwide Series Practice No. 1                                                                                           FOX Sports 2*#
11:00 PM - 12:30 AM         Nationwide Series Happy Hour                                                                                               FOX Sports 2*#

Saturday, July 19

Time                                    Telecast                                                                                                          Network
12:30 AM - 2:30 AM           Camping World Truck Series American Ethanol 200                           FOX Sports 2*/# (from July 11)
2:30 AM - 3:00 AM              The Grid                                                                                                         NBC Sports Network
3:00 AM - 4:00 AM              Nationwide Series Practice No. 1                                                             FOX Sports 1*# (from July 18)
4:00 AM - 5:30 PM              Nationwide Series Happy Hour                                                                FOX Sports 1*# (from July 18)
5:00 AM - 6:00 AM              Formula One Grand Prix of Germany Free Practice No. 3                   NBC Sports Live Xtra$
5:25 AM - 6:25 AM              Whelen Euro Series: Nürburgring Elite Race No. 1                              FansChoice.tv^
6:00 AM - 7:00 AM              Whelen Modified Tour Sunoco 100                                                          FOX Sports 2*/# (from July 12)
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM              Nationwide Series Practice No. 1                                                             FOX Sports 2*# (from July 18)
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM              Nationwide Series Happy Hour                                                                 FOX Sports 2*# (from July 18)
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM              Formula One Grand Prix of Germany Qualifying                                    CNBC
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM             AMA Pro Road Racing at Mid-Ohio                                                            FansChoice.tv^
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM         Whelen Modified Tour Sunoco                                                                   FOX Sports 1*/# (from July 12)
10:05 AM - 11:05 AM         Whelen Euro Series: Nürburgring Elite Race No. 2                               FansChoice.tv^
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM         Nationwide Series Happy Hour                                                                 FOX Sports 1*# (from July 18)
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM           Formula One Grand Prix of Germany Qualifying                                    NBC Sports Network*#
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM             Verizon IndyCar Series Qualifying                                                             NBC Sports Network*
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM             Southern National Motorsports Park Practice                                         FansChoice.tv^
2:00 PM - 9:00 PM?           Langley Speedway Livestream                                                                 FansChoice.tv^
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM             Lake County Speedway Hot Laps                                                             FansChoice.tv^
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM             Verizon IndyCar Series Honda Indy Toronto, Race No. 1                      NBC Sports Network
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM             Nationwide Series Qualifying                                                                     FOX Sports 2
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM             Southern National Motorsports Park Qualifying                                      FansChoice.tv^
5:55 PM - 9:55 PM             Lake County Speedway Mardi Gras Night                                                FansChoice.tv^
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM             Tucson Speedway Practice                                                                         FansChoice.tv^
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM             Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship: Spring Creek                       NBC Sports Network*
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM             ARCA Racing Series Ansell ActivArmr 150                                               FOX Sports 2
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM             AMA Pro Flat Track: Grays Harbor Raceway, Race No. 1                       FansChoice.tv^
6:55 PM - 10:55 PM           Southern National Motorsports Park Summer Slam 265                     FansChoice.tv^
8:00 PM - 8:30 PM             NASCAR Countdown                                                                                   ESPN 2
8:30 PM - 9:30 PM             Tucson Speedway Qualifying                                                                     FansChoice.tv^
8:30 PM - 11:00 PM           Nationwide Series EnjoyIllinois.com 300                                                ESPN 2
9:55 PM - 12:55 AM           Tucson Speedway Mancave 40                                                                 FansChoice.tv^
10:00 PM - 11:00 PM         AMA Pro Flat Track: Grays Harbor Raceway, Race No. 2                      FansChoice.tv^
11:00 PM - 12:00 AM         motoGP World Championship Grand Prix of Germany                         FOX Sports 2*/# (from July 13)
11:00 PM - 1:00 AM           NHRA Mopar Mile-High Nationals Final Qualifications                         ESPN 2*/

Sunday, July 20

Time                                    Telecast                                                                                                                                             Network
3:00 AM - 5:00 AM             ARCA Racing Series Ansell ActivArmr 150                                                                                 FOX Sports 1*# (from July 19)
4:00 AM - 6:00 AM             Nationwide Series EnjoyIllinois.com 300                                                                                   ESPN 2*/# (from July 19)
4:05 AM - 5:05 AM             Whelen Euro Series: Nürburgring Elite Race No. 3                                                                  FansChoice.tv^
5:00 AM - 6:00 AM             Whelen Modified Tour Sunoco 100                                                                                               FOX Sports 1*/# (from July 12)
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM             F1 Countdown                                                                                                                                  CNBC
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM             Whelen Euro Series: Nürburgring Elite Race No. 4                                                                  FansChoice.tv^
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM           Formula One Grand Prix of Germany                                                                                          CNBC
8:40 AM - 11:40 AM           AMA Pro Road Racing: Mid-Ohio, Morning Session                                                                  FansChoice.tv^
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM        F1 Extra                                                                                                                                              CNBC
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM        IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge: Canadian Tire Motorsports Park                  FOX Sports 1*/ (from July 12)
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM        F1 Countdown                                                                                                                                  NBC Sports Network*#
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM          K&N Pro Series East Granite State 100                                                                                      FOX Sports 1*/ (from July 11)
12:15 PM - 3:45 PM          AMA Pro Road Racing: Mid-Ohio, Afternoon Session                                                               FansChoice.tv^
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM          Formula One Grand Prix of Germany                                                                                            NBC Sports Network*#
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM            NHRA Mopar Mile-High Nationals Final Eliminations                                                               ESPN3$
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM            Whelen Modified Tour Sunoco 100                                                                                               FOX Sports 1*//# (from July 12)
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM            F1 Extra                                                                                                                                               NBC Sports Network*#
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM            IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge: Canadian Tire Motorsports Park                   FOX Sports 1*/# (from July 12)
2:30 PM - 6:00 PM            NHRA Mopar Mile-High Nationals Final Eliminations                                                               ESPN 2>
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM            Verizon IndyCar Series Honda Indy Toronto, Race No. 2                                                          NBC Sports Network
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM            Empty Cup: Quest for the 1992 NASCAR Championship                                                        FOX Sports 1#
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM            motoGP World Championship Grand Prix of Germany                                                            FOX Sports 2*/# (from July 13)
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM            Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires Toronto 100                                                                 NBC Sports Network*
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM            GP2 Series: Hockenheim                                                                                                               NBC Sports Network*
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM            Whelen Modified Tour Sunoco 100                                                                                               FOX Sports 2*/# (from July 12)
8:30 PM - 9:00 PM            Whelen Modified Tour Sunoco 100                                                                                               FOX Sports 2*//# (from July 12)
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM          ARCA Racing Series Ansell ActivArmr 150                                                                                  FOX Sports 2*# (from July 19)

* - Tape Delayed
/ - Highlighted Coverage
// - Super Highlighted Coverage (Highlighted Coverage that has been cut again)
# - Repeat Coverage
> - Joined in Progress
^ - Available via free online streaming
$ - Available via password-protected online streaming.  Check with your internet and/or programming provider for availability
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Top News
by Justin Tucker

New Crew Chief for Kwasniewski at Chicago

Dylan Kwasniewski will have a new crew chief on top of the pit box for Saturday night's Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway. Turner Scott Motorsports confirmed on Thursday that car chief Shannon Rursch has replaced veteran crew chief Pat Tryson as crew chief for Kwasniewski's No. 31 Rockstar Chevrolet.

Rursch served brief stints as car chief for Phoenix Racing and Robby Gordon Motorsports in the Sprint Cup Series before moving over to Turner Scott Motorsports full time in 2009. 

"I respect (Turner Scott Motorsports') decision," Kwasniewski told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Thursday afternoon. "It's a shame to see Pat go obviously. We had a great relationship, and he's a great crew chief. Now that we've got Shannon, I think he's going to do a fantastic job. He's got all the tools to do so. He knows what he needs to do, and I think he's got the experience to do so." 

Kwasniewski, who is rookie in the Nationwide Series in 2014 currently sits 12th in the standings with only one top 10 finish in 17 starts that coming at the season opening race at Daytona International Speedway where he also claimed the pole.

Annett Ready to Sling Some Dirt at Eldora

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rookie Michael Annett will drive the No. 14 TMC Transportation Chevrolet for NTS Motorsports in the Second Annual Mudsummer Classic at the legendary Eldora Speedway on July 23rd.

"After watching last year's race at Eldora, I knew I wanted to be a part of the next one". Annett said. "TMC and NTS Motorsports are providing me with a great opportunity to go race at a place that means a lot to my family and me."

"When NASCAR decided to add Eldora to the Camping World Truck Series schedule, it gave a lot of drivers a chance to go back to their roots and compete on dirt." said team owner Bob Newberry. "Having Michael in the No. 14 truck, at a track that means a lot to his family, will be exciting."

Last year's Mudsummer Classic won by Austin Dillon drew a sellout crowd and record television ratings. Dillon is back to defend last year's race win as the Mudsummer Classic will air live on FOX Sports 1 live on Wednesday night July 23rd at 9:00 P.M. ET.


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

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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!

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Keepin' It Short: The Battle is On For the National Championship
by Mike Neff

This past weekend set up to be a very cool opportunity in the Whelen All-American National Championship battle. Anthony Anders, the current point leader in the National points races primarily at Greenville-Pickens Speedway. Lee Pulliam, the defending National Champion and second currently in the points, had never been to Greenville. Through some sort of gentleman's agreement the two drivers agreed that Pulliam would come to Greenville and race this past weekend and Anders would come to South Boston, Pulliam's home track, later this year to run. It seemed like a great idea at the time.

Pulliam qualified well and ran very competitively in both of the twin features on Saturday night, but Anders came out on top with two victories. Pulliam finished runner-up in both races. After the second checkered flag flew is when things took an ugly turn. Pulliam's car owner Travis Kiker filed a protest against Anders for a lack of droop. The droop is the amount of drop the front of the car should experience during the race as it goes into the corners under braking. The rules for the All-American series require a minimum of two inches of droop. Pulliam's camp claimed there was zero droop in Anders' front end.

Ander's camp countered with a maneuver of their own. Anders owns another car that competed in the race that finished behind Pulliam. Greenville has a claim rule that allows a driver to claim the engine of a competitor who finishes ahead of them, provided they run the same make of car. While Anders runs a Ford the car he owns is a Chevrolet, the same as Pulliam. Kiker countered by trying to claim Anders' engine, but was denied the claim because the cars are different makes. That is when things took an ugly turn.

There are two different stories depending on which camp you listen to, but the bottom line was fingers were pointed, curse words were exchanged, the protest was not allowed, Kiker was escorted to his hauler and the wins for Anders stood. At that point allegations of start and park cars being added to fields in an effort to secure maximum points toward the national championship flew and most everyone involved besmirched the other camp.

National Championships are big deals, not only for the drivers who win them but for their home tracks. Anders has won the South Carolina state championship for the last four years but has come up short in the National chase. Pulliam has won it the last two years in a row and is going for an unprecedented third straight. That prestige and potential sponsor exposure associated with that feat would be greater than has been seen in some time. That is certainly part of what drove the harsh words and accusations this past weekend.

With that said, start and parking has been part of the National Championship for years. Drivers pay other drivers tow money and tire money to come to the track and start and park so they score maximum points. Is it unsavory? Sure it is. Is it illegal? Not at all. Is it unethical? You be the judge. Whether people are start and parking for money from the contenders, the race tracks or just because they want to see someone they run with win the title, there's no doubt it is happening. For now, unless there is some sort of rule implemented that will curtail it, it will keep happening. In all honesty, it would be a very hard rule to enforce.

Whatever the case may be, the intensity for the National title hunt has ramped up to a new level. Anders still says he will come to South Boston later this year to race. Whether Pulliam is going to tow back to Easley South Carolina again will be seen later this Summer. One thing is for sure, the top two contenders for the National Championship have taken this race to a more personal level.

Whelen All-American National Championship

As was stated above, Anders took two wins from Pulliam at Greenville which increased his point lead from three to thirteen. He is still 44 points away from a perfect score so there is plenty of time to go before this one is settled. Keith Rocco stayed in third place after his one race this week didn't yield a Top 10. Peyton Sellers remained in fourth with similar results, his one race did give him a Top 10 but didn't increase his point total. Dillon Bassett did not race this week and hangs onto fifth.

Ryan Preece had a strong week, scoring wins in both of the races he contested and increasing his point total from 558 to 586 and is now eight points out of the Top 5. Kres Vandyke also had a good week, winning twice out of the three races he contended and jacking his point total up to 580 from 506. He is now over the maximum number of races and his leaps will be more limited going forward. Matt Bowling dropped to eighth in the standings with two races scoring one Top 5 and two Top 10s. He only added 10 points to his total. Tommy Lemons Jr. slipped back to ninth with two Top 5s in two of the three races he ran and three Top 10s total. It only increased his points by 32. Chad Finchum clawed back into the Top 10, displacing Randy Porter.

1 Anthony Anders Myrtle, Greenville, Anderson, Hickory 35 19 30 33 694
2 Lee Pulliam South Boston, Southern National, Motor Mile, Caraway, Greenville 28 13 24 24 681
3 Keith Rocco Waterford, Stafford, Thompson 22 8 18 21 646
4 Peyton Sellers Caraway, S Boston, Motor Mile 22 5 19 22 621
5 Dillon Bassett Southern Natl, Hickory, Greenville, East Carolina, Caraway, Anderson 21 7 17 20 594
6 Ryan Preece Waterford, Riverhead, Stafford 22 8 17 21 586
7 Kres Vandyke Kingsport, Lonesome Pine 20 8 18 19 580
8 Matt Bowling Langley, Southern National, Motor Mile, South Boston 25 2 17 21 570
9 Tommy Lemons Jr. Southern National, Caraway, Motor Mile, South Boston 28 4 15 21 562
10 Chad Finchum Kingsport, Lonesome Pine 20 9 17 17 533

The Whelen All-American Series features an "inverted" point format. Car count determines the points competitors can receive. Points are awarded in ascending order from last place at a rate of two points per position. Last place receives two points, next-to-last scores four and on up through the field to the winner. The maximum number of cars awarded points in a single event is 18. The winner of the event receives three bonus points if they start the race in position one through nine. If they start in tenth or further back they will receive five bonus points. Drivers can collect points for their 18 best finishes recorded before September 22, 2014. The maximum number of points a driver can receive is 738.

This Week's Race Schedule

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

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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA
 
Q:  In 1994, current Verizon IndyCar Series team owner Bryan Herta was a rookie, driving the No. 14 Copenhagen-sponsored Lola for A.J. Foyt.  However, the end of Herta's decent rookie campaign came at Toronto.  What happened?

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

Thursday's Answer:

Q: As noted in Monday's question, Dario Franchitti went flag-to-flag to win at Toronto in 1999.  The year before, he could have nearly pulled that off.  Racing-reference lists the reason out of the race as "Brakes," but what actually happened?

A: Franchitti held a 12 second lead over Michael Andretti when he wiped out by himself exiting Turn 1 on Lap 80.  The Scot tried to whip the car back around and continue, but he managed to stall the car in the middle of the track.  The incident can be seen here.  Unfortunately, Franchitti was unable to continue.

With Franchitti stalled, other drivers had to take evasive action.  Andretti just avoided Franchitti by knifing through the small gap between the No. 27 and the wall on the left.  Others used the slightly wider hole on the right side.  Team Kool Green teammate Paul Tracy poked Franchitti in the left sidepod and also stalled.  He resumed after help from the CART Safety Team and eventually finished a lap down in 14th.

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!

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Coming Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News by TBA
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch Columns and More!

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This Weekend on the Frontstretch:

Nationwide Breakdown: EnjoyIllinois.com 300 by Kelly Crandall
Kelly has all the post-race analysis you need following Saturday's Nationwide Series race from Chicagoland.

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Monday on the Frontstretch:

Pace Laps: All Racing Series by the Frontstretch Staff
Our staff keeps you posted on all the racing action that occurred over the weekend.

Creed's Corner by Aaron Creed
Aaron is back with an off-week commentary to keep you busy Monday morning.

IndyCar Breakdown: Honda Indy Toronto - 2 in TO by
We have all the post-race analysis you need following this weekend's dual IndyCar event from Toronto.

Other Columns TBD
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