THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
August 6th, 2014
Volume VIII, Edition CXXX
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Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
August 6th, 2014
Volume VIII, Edition CXXX
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What To Watch: Wednesday
- Martin Truex, Jr., in the midst of a disappointing season with Furniture Row Racing will hold a teleconference with NASCAR's national media. Truex, just 25th in the Sprint Cup standings has three top-10 finishes through 21 races and has yet to lead a lap all season.
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Today's TV Schedule
Time Telecast NetworkToday's TV Schedule
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IN THE NEWS NOW: Marcelo Claure has been named the new CEO of Sprint, effectively ending the phone company's bid to pursue a merger with competitor T-Mobile. The phone company currently is signed as NASCAR's title sponsor for Cup through the conclusion of the 2016 season.
Top News
by Ashley McCubbin
Editor's Note: With the new website, we'll provide only a PARTIAL read of the news in the Newsletter with a link to the top story on our website. With the "new" Frontstretch, there will be far more times the website is updated 24/7 so be sure to check the website for all the latest news and information on NASCAR!
Ryan Reed to Run NASCAR K&N Pro East Series Race this Weekend at Watkins Glen
Roush Fenway Racing announced Tuesday that Ryan Reed will run both the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and NASCAR Nationwide series events this weekend at Watkins Glen International. Reed will drive the No. 99 Ford for Bill McAnally Racing in the East event, a one-off ride to gain experience before compering in his full-time car, the No. 16 Ford in the Nationwide Series. Read more.
Nelson Piquet, Jr. to make Sprint Cup Series Debut this Weekend
Randy Humphrey Racing announced that they will have Nelson Piquet, Jr. behind the wheel of their No. 77 Ford this weekend at Watkins Glen. It will mark Piquet, Jr.'s inaugural Sprint Cup Series start and his first NASCAR race of 2014. Read more.
NASCAR Penalizes Two CWTS Teams Following Pocono Infractions
NASCAR announced on Tuesday that a pair of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams have been penalized following this past weekend's race at Pocono Raceway. Read more.
Rick Ware Racing Penalized Following Iowa Infraction
NASCAR has announced that Carl Long and the No. 23 of Rick Ware Racing have been penalized for a rules infraction that occurred during practice on August 1st at Iowa Speedway. Crew chief Jonas Bell was fined $10,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until December 31st. Read more.
Carlos Contreras to Run Watkins Glen for Tri-Star Motorsports
After finishing 15th earlier this year at Road America, Tri-Star Motorsports announced Monday that Carlos Contreras is back behind the wheel of the No. 44 38 Special/Ingersoll Rand/Voli Camry at Watkins Glen this weekend and Mid-Ohio Motorsports Park next Saturday. Read more.
Have news for Ashley and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at ashland10@mail.com with a promising lead or tip.
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Editor's Note: Professor of Speed Mark Howell is on summer vacation. He'll be back next week.
Today's Featured Commentary
Sponsor Profile: Inside Dale Jr.'s Winning Sponsorship at Pocono - A New Logo and Helping Teens in Need
by Greg Davis
Many times, the companies that choose to invest their marketing dollars in NASCAR and at the Sprint Cup Series level are looking to convert a consumer to make a buying decision, purchase their product, or remember them the next time they shop. But in the case of the primary sponsor aboard the winning No. 88 Chevrolet SS, now driven by now three-time winner Dale Earnhardt, Jr., their goal was completely different.
To fans of NASCAR's Most Popular Driver, anything endorsed by Dale Jr. is gold - whether that be Diet Mountain Dew, Kelly Blue Book, Valvoline, or a partner like the National Guard, who uses the sport to boost recruitment. However, Junior Nation got a surprise this week when the No. 88 Chevy pulled onto the track with an engineering consulting firm as its primary sponsor.
Engineering? Who's going to "purchase" that? The company backing on Dale Jr.'s Hendrick Motorsports winning Chevy, Michael Baker International, is a Moon Township, PA-based corporation, an engineering firm with over 3,200 employees and a worldwide presence. So why hawk your "product" when growth has already been achieved? Well, the company saw an opportunity to use Dale Jr.'s star power, and their "home track" race, to not only unveil their new logo and brand identity, but also to achieve a much greater goal.
Michael Baker partnered with the National Guard Youth Foundation to raise awareness on the good works that the Foundation does to keep teens in school and give assistance to high school dropouts by getting them the aid they need and back on track to becoming productive members of their communities. According to the National Guard Foundation, it's a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the nation's dropout crisis by giving youth a second chance through their "ChalleNGe" Program, which helps an estimated 9,000 youth each year improve their life skills, educational attainment and employability.
Frontstretch.com was able to catch up with Michael Baker International CEO Kurt Bergman on Monday following the No. 88 victory at Pocono.
"Choosing to have our logo unveiled on No. 88 was directly tied to the National Guard Youth Foundation and our support of making a difference for youth," said Bergman. "By gaining this type of recognition for Michael Baker International in the public's perspective, we can provide more support and more opportunity for the Foundation and the youth it serves. This is an innovative step in the world of brand recognition for a civil engineering, planning, surveying, technology, intelligence and full life cycle support consulting firm. Our competitors rarely pursue advertising to the general public because we are a business to business or business to governmental agency provider of services. However, as infrastructure ages and we need to keep our bridges and roads safe, our water systems reliable, our military bases and embassies in foreign countries strong, our environment clean and without hazard, and our security heightened, Michael Baker International and the type of work we do for public and private entities matters to all people."
The company is not just supporting the goal of helping decrease the dropout rate in America, but actually taking an active role in ensuring it happens.
"We are tied in with the National Guard Youth Foundation in multiple ways," Bergman added. "To support, to provide jobs to those who gain the skills we need, and to protect and improve the surroundings and quality of life of people across the world."
The National Guard Foundation was appreciative of Michael Baker International's efforts, noting that what these two organizations are doing is truly making a difference beyond just a sale or raising brand awareness at the track.
"We congratulate Dale Earnhardt, Jr., the team and Mr. Rick Hendrick on a well-deserved win at the GoBowling.com 400," National Guard Youth Foundation President, Louis A. Cabrera exclaimed Monday. "Working with Michael Baker International, we will be able to assist the cadets and graduates of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program in building technical skills for careers in areas such as engineering, architecture, environmental services, sustainable design, construction, intelligence, full life cycle support and information technology. We are very grateful for this partnership, which will help provide opportunities to thousands of young men and women who are working hard to turn their lives around."
With a strong performance on-track, looks like Michael Baker International was able to not only achieve their goal of launching their new brand ID in a truly innovative way, but also help raise awareness for something far more important than racing.
Greg Davis is a Contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at greg.davis@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.
@Brendan62 (Brendan Gaughan): My boys are getting so big so fast! Love that they are best friends http://instagram.com/p/rLtLwMI8IE/
@ESPNMotorsports: #NASCAR delays Goodyear tire test at Homestead by two weeks http://es.pn/1ljUsc2
@AutoClubSpeedway: The last time @DaleJr had a track sweep in a season was 2002 at Talladega. #NASCAR #GoBowling400
@EmmaBlaney: This is pretty special!!! @BuckeyeBullet10 wins the #LouBlaneyMemorial pic.twitter.com/YechR1FZTg
@SteveByrnes12: 1 yr. ago I was told I had cancer. 365 days later I am working the @NASCAR_Trucks race in Pocono for@FOXSports1. #Gratitude #finishthefight
@tydillon: Football is back just in time to make me feel better about this six-game losing streak the braves are in.
@ClintBowyer: And wouldn't u just know it. First time I've flown commercial in awhile and it's late. That's just a real nice surprise Clark!
@DaleJr: Great car. Great motor. Great team. Great company. Damn things are good. Lucky to be a part of it. Thankful for it. Won't forget it.
@DaleJr: I have had some long nights. But I've never seen the bottom of this cooler. #TeamEffort #Sweep pic.twitter.com/vfZ5la0CRA
@Amy_Reimann: What a day! So proud of these boys!!! #sweep
@kaseykahne: Congrats @DaleJr and @TeamHendrick on the win! We had a great car as well, just didn't get the results we were looking for. Ended up 10th.
@bigdalsky (Brandon Igdalsky): Another #VLSelfie with @DaleJr @SteveLetarte @poconoraceway #gobowling400 #poconosweep pic.twitter.com/28L7yx2ZYU"
@SteveLetarte: Thanks to the twitter world for the congrats and well wishes. Yesterday was a blast. I can't thank my team enough.
@SteveLetarte: Now that was a fun Day. #PoconoSweep http://instagram.com/p/rRulMZgmvB/
@SpotterBrett: driver = quarterback crew chief = head coach pit crew = offensive line road crew = running backs Spotter = waterboy #NASCARvsNFL
@AshleyAllgaier: Good morning! Cheerios anyone??? http://instagram.com/p/rRrcvQxQN-/
@BJewkes (Brett Jewkes): Great 10-yr partnership w/ #IMG for int'l TV distribution announced this a.m. Well positioned for growth with an excellent partner. #NASCAR
@BJewkes: That's 10 years with FOX, NBC and IMG for various TV rights, all completed in the last 14 months. Great lineup for #NASCAR
@SamanthaBusch: Selfies in Canada! http://instagram.com/p/rRwy9ry6sj/
@ClaireBLang: Happy Birthday @JeffGordonWeb ... So much fun covering you racing all these years!
@SergPena: Finally home from the shop. Power nap till 4 a.m. then hitting the road to VIR for some last minute testing tomorrow
@dylankracing: I can't get enough of @jimmyfallon! #hilarious
@ESPNNASCAR: ICYMI: Part 1 of @DaleJr's Sunday Conversation with @MartySmithESPN. Worth your time. #NASCAR http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=11306689&categoryid=2492290 … …
@ESPNNASCAR: ICYMI: And here's Part 2 of @DaleJr's Sunday Conversation with @MartySmithESPN. Really insightful. #NASCAR http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=11306738&categoryid=2492290
@JJYELEY1: JGL Racing has changed up the Texas 28 Barbecue Dodge for this weekend's race in Watkins Glen. It looks super sweet! pic.twitter.com/YRhPsxKzsJ
@dustinlong: #NASCAR … A year ago today, Tony Stewart suffered a broken leg in a sprint car crash. Look at how far he's come since. #AskMRN @MRNRadio
@dustinlong: #NASCAR … Richard Childress Racing begins a 2-day test today at Atlanta. Ty Dillon testing in prep for Cup debut there. #AskMRN @MRNRadio
@nascarcasm: When we go to @WGI, I am reminded that of all sports, our athletes are the most fan accessible. Right, @mattkenseth? pic.twitter.com/9pKEfABpEh
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:
Did You Notice? ... NASCAR Talent: Then And Now
by Tom Bowles
The Frontstretch Five: Memorable Modern-Era Rookie Campaigns
by Amy Henderson
NASCAR Mailbox: Dale, Jr.'s Season Has Been Impressive, But We Still Know Nothing
by Summer Bedgood
Open Wheel Wednesday: Championship Gimmicks: When Is It An Enhancement?
by Toni Montgomery
Beyond the Cockpit: Erik Jones on Success with KBM, Where It All Started, and Super Late Model Racing
by Aaron Creed
NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Pocono
compiled by Mike Mehedin
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA
Q: The 1988 Budweiser at the Glen is best known for the infamous race to the finish between Rusty Wallace and Ricky Rudd. However, had that not happened, the main story of the day would have been substantially different. What would that have been?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: In the 1990 Bud at the Glen, a surprising Hut Stricklin had a near-career day, leading a lap and spending much of the race inside the top 5. However, his day ended against the Armco barrier. What happened?
A: Stricklin was running third when he collided with South African sports car racer Sarel van der Merwe, who was driving the No. 17 Tide Chevrolet in place of the injured Darrell Waltrip. It should be noted that van der Merwe had had a number of problems that day and was running five laps down at the time of the crash. The collision resulted in both cars going into the tires at turn 7. The crash can be seen here (http://youtu.be/nWXg5He4q9M?t=1h41m40s). Both Stricklin and van der Merwe were out on the spot. It was nearly nine months before Stricklin had another top-10 run in Cup.
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!
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Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Phil Allaway
-- Critic's Annex by Phil Allaway
-- Potts' Shots by John Potts
-- 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 week 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, Kevin "Bono" Manion from Tommy Baldwin Racing checks in just in time for the final road course race of the year.
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 Watkins Glen.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth returns with your weekly look at the state of the Camping World Truck Series. This week, Beth reflects on the season at its halfway point.
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