Presented by Frontstretch.com
Best seat at the track, best view on the net!
Nov. 19, 2014
Volume VIII, Edition CCV
~~~~~~~~~~
What to Watch: Wednesday
Harvick's next live appearance on ESPN
-- 3:20 p.m. ET: Live on SportsCenter
~~~~~~~~~~
Today's TV Schedule
~~~~~~~~~~
Top News
by Ashley McCubbin and Beth Lunkenheimer
On Monday, Nov. 17, 2014, the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck series celebrated and honored their series champions with their year-end banquet held in Florida. Read more.
Sonoma Raceway announced Tuesday that tickets for their 2015 events are on sale.Read more.
Motorsport.com is reporting that Brian Scott has re-signed with Richard Childress Racing for the 2015 season. Read more.
Have news for Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at ashland10@mail.com with a promising lead or tip. Please email TomBowlesFS@gmail.com for any press releases, general releases, or special events involving NASCAR. And be sure to visit the website for more news, delivered 24/7!
~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Featured Commentary
A Storybook Ending
Professor of Speed
by Mark Howell
Seeing Kevin Harvick win his first NASCAR Sprint Cup championship, happening in the inaugural year of Brian France's "winner-take-all" format, reminded me that good decisions mixed with hard work result in success.
Five wins during a season when the No. 4 Budweiser Chevrolet pretty much dominated the series (Harvick led 20% of all Sprint Cup laps run during 2014!) speaks volumes about putting yourself in a position to take home the big hardware. Toss in smart strategy – Rodney Childers' call for four tires late in the event gave Harvick the fresh rubber needed to march through the field and into the lead – and you get a strong conclusion: Sunday was Kevin Harvick's finest hour in the Sprint Cup Series.
Harvick's storybook victory at Homestead to secure the 2014 Cup title provides a neat parallel to his first Sprint Cup win back in 2001. The successful performance came in his then-third Winston Cup start with Richard Childress Racing, under the pressure of tragic circumstances. Harvick had been given the ride vacated by Dale Earnhardt, paired with those lofty expectations after Earnhardt died on the final lap of that year's Daytona 500. Following a 14th-place finish at Rockingham, then an 8th at Las Vegas, the newly-numbered No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet unloaded at Atlanta Motor Speedway for the running of the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500.
I happened to be in Atlanta for the race that weekend in March, traveling with Brett Bodine Racing as part of my research for a book I was working on at the time. Little did I ever imagine that I would witness such a historical and emotional moment.
Sort of. Allow me to explain….
It had been a few hectic weeks for me on the heels of Dale Earnhardt's death. I did numerous radio interviews with programs from across the country during the week immediately following the Daytona 500. On the Monday of the Rockingham event, which had been run on Monday after rain Sunday postponed the event, I was a guest on ABC News' Nightline along with ESPN's Dr. Jerry Punch and Liz Clarke of the Washington Post.
How Ted Koppel convinced Nightline to do an entire program about the death of Dale Earnhardt with my help is fodder for another column entirely. Let's just say that I'm a FOT (Friend of Ted) who taught him the importance of NASCAR. After my television appearance, I drove to Detroit to speak about motorsports at an SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) International conference. From there, I was on an airplane and flying to Atlanta for my first weekend with Brett Bodine Racing.
Many teams stayed that weekend at the Airport Hilton, and the mood there was anything but upbeat. The shock of losing Dale Earnhardt just three weeks earlier was still raw, leading to an atmosphere throughout the hotel was a blend of quiet mixed with sadness. I vividly remember sitting down to dinner on Wednesday evening in the pub-like tavern at the Hilton and finding myself a table away from the "Flying Aces," the nickname of Dale Earnhardt's pit crew at the time. The crew members talked in hushed tones, with sullen faces and their mealtime seemed more business than pleasure.
Another evening I sat at the bar and found myself seated next to Ty Norris, who was then an executive with Dale Earnhardt, Incorporated. We chatted quietly about nothing in particular, given that Norris' 2001 season thus far had been a blend of feast and famine – how do you reconcile having your drivers finish one-two in the Daytona 500 while your team's guiding light is being extinguished just a half-mile away? Such was the mood of the weekend heading into the Atlanta race.
But that somber tone lifted once a young driver from California named Kevin Harvick outran a fellow Californian named Jeff Gordon off the final turn of the final lap in that Sunday's Cup race. The event started out in the usual way for 2001, with a moment of silence during the third lap, fans raising their hands with three fingers stretched toward the sky. It was touching, but short-lived as the event unspooled before packed grandstands. The race that afternoon made me anxious, but not in the usual way.
I was afraid that I would miss my flight back to Detroit, and I was not in a position to miss the plane. Once I arrived, I still had a five-hour drive back home and an entire Monday of teaching. My reality trumped racing, so I said good-bye to the team around lap 280 of the scheduled 325 (the No. 11 Ford was already a few laps down), got to my rental car, and headed to the airport.
Part of my fear was that I might get lost or stuck in post-race traffic, so my early departure from the track felt justified. I caught the race on the radio until I made it to the airport, at which time I dumped my rental car, checked in, and headed to my gate. As I approached, I noticed a large group of people standing outside a bar not far away; the crowd was obviously watching with great interest and things seemed to be getting tense. I peeked over the heads of the folks gathered there and realized they were immersed in the closing laps of the Atlanta race – the race where I had just been!
They were watching the final laps; there were five to go. Harvick had the No. 29 Chevy in the lead. Gordon was in hot pursuit, but it looked like history in the making, and there I was at the airport, my NASCAR credential still swinging from a belt loop. My mood sunk even lower as Harvick and Gordon scrambled toward the checkered flag; as Gordon tried to drive his No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet beneath Harvick's car at the finish, his path was blocked…. by the No. 11 Ford! Talk about a way for a car four laps down to gain some national television airtime….
I wound up talking with a crewman for Tony Stewart before our flight home. He, too, was headed to Detroit, yet he made it from the track with time to spare after the race ended. His driver apparently knew a shortcut, while I got to experience Harvick's first win (in his third start for RCR) from an airport concourse.
So I see Kevin Harvick's victory at Homestead on Sunday as being a bookend of sorts – a parallel to his first thrilling win back in March of 2001. Given this mode of thought, I can say with great pride that I was there when his Sprint Cup success began….
Sort of.
Dr. Mark Howell is a contributor for Frontstretch. He can be reached via e-mail at mark.howell@frontstretch.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
ADVERTISEMENT
Have a keen eye for racing news and want to show off your chops in front of an international audience? Frontstretch is looking for news writers to join our staff! We're looking for writers who can help us break and report on news from inside the racing community, from fielding press releases to going out and getting the story yourself. Interested applicants should email frontstretcheditors@googlegroups.com with your name, contact info and three audition pieces -- two news stories taken from the day's breaking stories and one column/commentary piece. Please email Frontstretch with any questions.
~~~~~~~~~~
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.
@KrisJohnson_NI: Caught up with Sterling Marlin at a local eatery. One of a kind was that guy. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/DSd0nwUrUa
@WendyVenturini: This DJ in the garage makes me feel like celebrating....oh wait it's our last NASCAR Live of 2014. pic.twitter.com/TSSwycbKyw
@JRMotorsports: The championship trophy!@chaseelliott @NAPAKnowHow pic.twitter.com/IufHDrXYri
@NASCARNNS: Congrats @chaseelliott & @JRMotorsports for winning the 2014 #NNS Championship. pic.twitter.com/sAtAVd48QD
@DelanaHarvick: #justchillin pic.twitter.com/5Hvl1M5w3h
@Kenny_Wallace: THANK YOU to @NASCAR_NNS and NATIONWIDE for being SO good to me, I appreciate the nice trophy recognizing me as the "ALL TIME" starts leader
@NAPAKnowHow: Atta boy, @chaseelliott. Congratulations on winning the 2014 #NNS Championship. #ConquerTheJob pic.twitter.com/ETxhXzgCvG
@DaleJr: pic.twitter.com/C9UZJn17A8
@RCRacing: The @RCR27PMenard crew setting up their war wagon for today's race. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/mW1DzhAjQb
@jeff_gluck: Ride with me into the track! It's#NASCAR championship day. @ Homestead-Miami Speedway instagram.com/p/vduOH8NXr6/
@MikeDavis88: Here, snapshots of a championship celebration. instagram.com/p/vdvFP2l4x8/
@BigEarl48: The Champ and Me @chaseelliott @HomesteadMiami @NAPAKnowHow thanks for a great year pic.twitter.com/4KGZFt3Tzg
@LowesRacing: Chad Knaus and Team 48 are ready to take home that elusive Miami trophy tonight! @ Homestead-Miami… instagram.com/p/vdwoMBPHL4/
@AndyHallESPN: Rehearsal underway in #ESPN truck for 2-hour #NASCAR Countdown 1pm ET #NASCARMiami pic.twitter.com/WMQCyghM8G
@LowesRacing: Race Day tire prep. #lowes48 pic.twitter.com/DcdCreM2V9
@DaleJr: @JRMotorsports group photo from last night. 3 teams. 1 family. pic.twitter.com/TE1BnXDObQ
@Kenny_Wallace: You ask about Jeff Gordon cuss word at Texas? The FCC has recently lessened penalties for cussing, You will hear more cussing on TV.
@jeff_gluck: The goodbye tour. Last race for Trevor Bayne in the No. 21 car, which he used to win the Daytona 500. pic.twitter.com/QuFXUy7arM
@jeff_gluck: The goodbye tour. Last race for Marcos Ambrose before he returns home to Australia. pic.twitter.com/phCKAII2X8
@jeff_gluck: The goodbye tour. The last race car prepared by crew chief Steve Letarte. pic.twitter.com/DdY42Ij9Di
@jeff_gluck: The goodbye tour. Last race for Carl Edwards and the No. 99 car. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/f34tBKE03z
@GoodyearRacing: The#NASCAR Sprint Cup isn't the only prize up for grabs @HomesteadMiami. Winner also earns the #Goodyear Gold Car pic.twitter.com/vronvZ2zNU
@MissSprintCup: If you're going to leave @HomesteadMiami with a souvenir...this one takes the cake! Congrats @KevinHarvick! -KC pic.twitter.com/9Du4aZmLyO
@DaleJr: Working with @SteveLetarte was better than I could have ever imagined. The friendship that came with it has changed my life forever. #Cheers
@MartySmithESPN: Boom. Confetti. pic.twitter.com/UqFegNhNB0
@jdcassidy: Boss in a sea of happy fans. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/YZsweegH6y
@joshahamilton: Championship burnout! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/OIceG1u1kU
@TeamChevy: 2,137 laps led. 5 wins. 20 top 10s. 8 poles. Champ @KevinHarvick - that's what we call a #NASCAR season to remember! pic.twitter.com/htZDhIndLf
@jeff_gluck: From after the race: Denny Hamlin, seconds after he climbed from his car. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/3e3WwvgJsV
@joshahamilton: Championship stage #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/J3i26d3eBJ
@MatthewDillner: Some ol Late Model guy we know & love just became a Cup Champ. Posed for old school style photo too. @RodneyChilders4 pic.twitter.com/XTYZP6tBGl
@elliotmabe9: The 2014 @NASCAR champions: @KevinHarvick @chaseelliott @Matt_Crafton pic.twitter.com/BuZkoKciXK
@jeff_gluck: Quiet Track, Homestead. The 2014 #NASCAR season is over. instagram.com/p/vfL-h2NXvR/
@DanicaPatrick: Thank you fans for all ur supportive words all season! They don't go unnoticed! Looking forward to some family time, hope yall do the same!
@nascar: Yes, @KevinHarvick won it all, but Keelan is the real champ - it's waaaay past his bedtime. pic.twitter.com/dE35JOdMp8
@ThorSportRacing: The moment we've all been waiting for - the 2014 @NASCAR_Trucks Awards Banquet! pic.twitter.com/9tQ38hhJR7
@JRMotorsports: Championship Team Photo @chaseelliott @NAPAKnowHow pic.twitter.com/bqcpiagrn3
Allen Bedgood is a newsletter contributor and photographer for Frontstretch. He can be reached via email at editors@frontstretch.com.~~~~~~~~~~
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 Wednesday 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 ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
~~~~~~~~~~
ADVERTISEMENT
Frontstretch.com is pleased to announce that American Muscle, our longest running marketing partner, has renewed for another year! Help us celebrate our partnership by checking out the highlights from their 2014 American Muscle Car show by clicking here.
This show featured over 2,600 Mustangs, 10,000 spectators and raised $35,000 for the Special Olympics. This clip is a "must see" for Mustang and sports car enthusiasts! After checking out the video, be sure to sign up for the American Muscle YouTube channel and of course, check out the American Muscle link on the Frontstretch homepage any time you need quality parts for your Mustang!
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA
Q: In Monday's question, we asked about the infamous Michael Schumacher - Damon Hill incident at Adelaide in 1994. Nigel Mansell earned his final Grand Prix victory as a result. During that season, Mansell raced full-time in CART. How did his ride with Williams come about?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: In 1997, the World Championship was settled at the Jerez Circuit in Southern Spain. The race is best known for Michael Schumacher attempting to take out Jacques Villeneuve at the Dry Sack Curve, failing to do so, and being stripped of his points for the entire 1997 season as a result. However, an incident occurred after the race that led to the track being banned from hosting Formula One races. What happened?
A: Formula One is a very regimented place. Breaking protocol means you get the smackdown, and that is essentially what happened. According to Spanish newspaper El Pais, Jerez Mayor Pablo Pacheco and Manuel Chaves, President of the Junta do Andalusia, broke protocol and attempted to storm the podium to present trophies to maiden winner Mika Hakkinen and new World Champion Villeneuve. After an apparent struggle, the men eventually got on stage for the ceremony. Afterwards, the Circuito de Jerez was banned from hosting a Grand Prix at least temporarily. The World Championship has not returned to Jerez for a race since then, but the track is a popular testing destination in the offseason.
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 by Phil Allaway
-- Critic's Annex by Phil Allaway
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Happiness Is... by P. Huston Ladner
Huston's weekly column pops up on a new day as he runs through what's good in the world of racing.
Going by the Numbers by Kevin Rutherford
Kevin takes a look at the statistical side of NASCAR before everyone heads into a little holiday hibernation.
Tech Talk by Mike Neff
Mike is back with your look at the technical side of NASCAR. This week, "Bono" Manion wraps up 2014 while setting up Tommy Baldwin Racing for a busy offseason.
Fantasy Insider by Jeff Wolfe
Jeff is back with your look at the best bets to fill your fantasy roster. This week, he reviews the year for fantasy racing.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth returns with your weekly look at the state of the Camping World Truck Series. This week, she takes a look at the 2014 season as a whole.
~~~~~~~~~~
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