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Best seat at the track, best view on the net!
Nov. 12, 2014
Volume VIII, Edition CC
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What to Watch: Wednesday
- Championship week continues for NASCAR. This evening, the four title contenders (Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano and Ryan Newman) will participate in a press conference from Homestead-Miami Speedway. The presser can be seen live on FOX Sports 1 beginning at 5 p.m. ET.
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Today's TV Schedule
Time Telecast Network
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Top News
by Ashley McCubbin
Team Penske Makes Nationwide Driver Change for Homestead
Team Penske announced Monday that Brad Keselowski will drive the No. 22 Discount Tire Ford Mustang in Nationwide Series season finale, the Ford 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend. Joey Logano was originally scheduled to run the race, but Team Penske made the decision to allow Logano to focus on the Sprint Cup Series Championship. Read more.
Atlanta Motor Speedway and Pocono Raceway Offer Discount to Military Members
On Veteran's Day, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Pocono Raceway announced that both speedways will offer discounted tickets to military members for their scheduled 2015 events. The savings will range in the 20 to 25 percent range. Read more.
Ben Kennedy Set to Make NASCAR History at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Once the checkered flag falls at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series finale, NASCAR history will be made. Entering this weekend sitting eighth in points, Ben Kennedy will become the first descendant of NASCAR's founding family to complete a season in one of the sport's top three series. 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!
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Today's Featured Commentary
The Year of Living Dangerously
Professor of Speed
by Mark Howell
Call it the year of living dangerously….
As we face the final race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup title, NASCAR Nation is ready to crown a new champion - a driver culled from a foursome that has never, to a man, hoisted the hardware for the biggest prize in stock car racing. If Brian France desires a "Game Seven" moment worthy of the Sprint Cup title, his wish just might come true at Homestead this weekend.
With Kevin Harvick in the mix after his dominating win at Phoenix last Sunday, could this year be when it pays to stay happy in the face of such drama and ill will? Or will Ryan Newman - winless after 35 events this season - rain on Brian's preplanned parade and take the title after doing what NASCAR assumed would be impossible: win the Sprint Cup championship without ever visiting Victory Lane?
I, for one, hope this second scenario plays out, just to prove the point that no one should ever try to put themselves over-and-above the inherently competitive nature of athletes, especially those capable of challenging the rule of those in power. Not that Newman purposely set out to have a winless season, but now that he's within reach of the championship, taking the title with a second-place finish at Homestead might just be an appropriate way to close the books on NASCAR 2014. If the top brass at NASCAR wanted to create an atmosphere of anxiety, one that reflected the inner tensions that boiled deep within the Sprint Cup Series, they hit a home run. This year had all the makings of a reality television show run amok.
Part of the theory behind the revised/restructured Chase for the Championship format was that it would put an emphasis on winning races as a means of proving a team's superiority. The sixteen winningest, most deserving teams would make the Chase after the fall event at Richmond. OK, that's a natural approach to take when it comes to separating your wheat from your chaff.
The problem was: such an approach rarely resulted in what fans considered to be competitive or good races.
About a dozen events this season could have been classified as blowouts, with Kevin Harvick stinking up the show during both visits to Phoenix (the No. 4 Chevrolet led 78% of all NSCS laps run at PIR in 2014!). At Darlington, Harvick led 238 of 374 laps. At Dover's summer race, Jimmie Johnson led 278 of the scheduled 400 circuits, while at Richmond to mark the end of the regular season, Brad Keselowski was in front for 383 of the 400 laps turned.
And the fans yawned….
But that was just as far as on-track events were concerned. The real drama took place during post-race and off-track encounters. These were the news stories that captivated the mainstream media and brought NASCAR Nation the attention it so desperately craved.
Sort of.
Review the laundry list of embarrassing events surrounding the 2014 Sprint Cup season, and it's no wonder so much tabloid journalism was watching the sport with rabid enthusiasm.
After the Charlotte race a few weeks ago, we were able to experience Keselowski versus Kenseth and Hamlin and Stewart. While it was great seeing Smoke back in the thick of things, it was far from cool to watch as he threw his No. 14 Chevy into reverse in an attempt to rear-end the front of Bad Brad's No. 2 Ford.
As Stewart's car backed into Keselowski's grille, all I could think of was Smoke's recent acquittal by a grand jury in the death of Kevin Ward, Jr., who died when he stepped into the path of Stewart's sprint car on a dark dirt track in upstate New York. While Tony made his anger known regarding his run-in with Keselowski, he chose a poor way to demonstrate his feelings.
After the Texas race a couple weeks ago, we were able to experience Keselowski versus Gordon, with a helpful shove from Kevin Harvick. The team brawl in the pit stall may have been a mediation between disagreeing teams and drivers, but to folks outside NASCAR Nation, the skirmish was simply a reaffirmation of long-held stereotypes about the sport.
You could almost hear banjos in the background.
Once the smoke cleared in Fort Worth, it looked like the Chase would gain some traction and all would be exciting as Phoenix resulted in the final cut for the final four.
So what happened? Harvick dominated the race, a winless driver snuck into the championship event, and one of the sport's most popular drivers went home after missing a chance at the title by a single point. Looks like NASCAR can spend the week educating potential fans about who Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Newman, and Joey Logano are.
Oh, and Kurt Busch was accused of domestic violence by his ex-girlfriend based on events that occurred at Dover back in September. If Brian France hopes to see NASCAR challenge the NFL for popularity, this is NOT a comparison fans want to make. The sanctioning body can only hope that Homestead provides the "Game Seven" fireworks predicted by this year's new format.
As for me, I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving. Nothing cleanses the palate like pumpkin pie and the blissful quiet of the offseason.
But that'll have to wait until after this weekend.
Dr. Mark Howell is a contributor for Frontstretch. 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.
@JDMotorsports01: The mystery @HomesteadMiami car is coming along nicely! She just got her engine installed! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/hlsXz3KBps
@AndyHallESPN: #TBT Two weeks left for @ESPNNASCAR - here's beloved #ESPN booth in '97 Benny, Bob & Ned pic.twitter.com/W2J7kZ5uDE
@matthumphrycar: So I showed up a little early #NASCAR #MyChaseNation @HomesteadMiami pic.twitter.com/M6tfm9nh4p
@NASCARonNBC: Attorney for Kurt Busch: Domestic abuse allegations "a complete fabrication" wp.me/p36IVn-2vX
@Jordan_Bianchi: Kurt Busch has hired Rusty Hardin, Adrian Peterson's attorney, to represent him.
@STATS_NASCAR: In @NASCAR_NNS Chase Elliott has 20 consecutive races with a driver rating of 92.7 or greater.
@ChaseElliott: Huge thanks 2 everyone @JRMotorsports 4 the hard work all year long, those guys earned it! Wouldn't have had the chance without @NAPAKnowHow!
@JMorris_NP: Rare company for a youngster. @chaseelliott (Via ESPN) #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/G4PakngeeM
@Spotter_Tab: Garage just opened @PhoenixRaceway, this is the scene from the back of our hauler! #NASCAR #RaceDay pic.twitter.com/F2WD0HAuW9
@Spotter_Tab: SKUNK loose in the garage @PhoenixRaceway pic.twitter.com/6Lt7yrlPGK
@Aric_Almirola: This was on the floor of my hotel room this morning. Glad it wasn't in the bed. Maybe my luck is turning pic.twitter.com/VZxy7FBiv1
@MissSprintCup: @KevinHarvick shares an exciting moment & win with wife @DeLanaHarvick! Time to celebrate! -MM pic.twitter.com/Nv24xXfKf6
@DanicaPatrick: Dallas was running so fast and slipping around so much that she had to cool her paws off in her water… instagram.com/p/vNKNFAQfaa/
@Mother_Function: #4ThumbsUp #4TheCup pic.twitter.com/s1QObmBIdz
@SpotterBrett: Home late but still the best ride pic.twitter.com/V67j92bv3W
@Keselowski: Made the mistake of clicking on a 24 fans page after reading a hate tweet towards me. Glad @RyanJNewman kids aren't on here
@Josh_Wise: This is the last week to get your #dogecar powered by @reddit merch! Go check out thedogecar.com
@AustinKarp: The 2.8 overnight on ESPN for NASCAR race at Phoenix yesterday is best for the penultimate Chase race in at least the last five years.
@NYeoman: Kyle Larson's face when Ryan Newman attempted to pass him yesterday. pic.twitter.com/l2mkk3cYbU
@missjfish: Too much cuteness for me to handle instagram.com/p/vPKEyGrtm-/
@NASCARInformer: Kyle Larson shared his thoughts on the move by Ryan Newman. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/YMfbaD52gF
@SteveRichards57: Cool canyon views on the flight from Phoenix to Charlotte today. @PRNlive pic.twitter.com/ssgFDV0VfM
@crazy_spotter: Enjoying my trip back from Phoenix w/the RCR guys! Helping friends out in a time of need always soothes the soul! pic.twitter.com/Lw1oejY5sV
@joeylogano: Glad to see camera man at Phoenix knows to call before you dig. #811 #TeamJL instagram.com/p/vPd0d_olJD/
@ClaireBLang: The #4 car #diditsjob.....Victory Lane @PhoenixRaceway pic.twitter.com/iQDWsflnV8
@TonyStewart: My pup Piko came to @StewartHaasRcng to hang out today pic.twitter.com/xuoumVY2Qf
@DanielleTrotta: The world is busy, just watched @SteveLetarte sitdown w/ @LarryMac28 Proud to have known u on the journey Stevie... Best of luck. #family
@PKligerman: I'll be doing a Q&A on all things #nascar racing/myself & w/e else on @focusplusshot twitter account! Wednesday 4pm EST!
@Elliott_Sadler: Can't thank our #Veterans enough for what you have sacrificed and done for our country and freedom!!#RealHeroes
@RealtimeRowdy: Sad to take last '14 shop pic 54 team preparing to load Here the @JoeGibbsRacing crew finish @HomesteadMiami Toyota pic.twitter.com/8Db2uVAvvK
@JoeGibbsRacing Even during Championship week, there's time for family. #Gibblettes pic.twitter.com/zyvhEbTpW3
@RCR31RNewman: Brooklyn just caught a fish with dad, @RyanJNewman. @CaterpillarInc #B31ieve pic.twitter.com/SqugfB7hBU
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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 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!
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA
Q: The 1999 Florida Dodge Dealers 400k at Homestead-Miami Speedway was a very competitive race that served as the season opener for the then-Craftsman Truck Series. Late in the race, a mix of the usual suspects and a couple of unheralded drivers (Ron Barfield, Jr., Mike Stefanik) were fighting it out for the win when contact was made. What happened?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: In 2003, the Craftsman Truck Series came down to a great duel at Homestead for the championship, battling among four drivers separated by just 39 points. Brendan Gaughan was looking good to claim the hardware when trouble broke out. What happened?
A: In order to sweeten the odds of Ted Musgrave winning the title, Ultra Motorsports entered five trucks in the race. In addition to regulars Musgrave and Andy Houston, Ultra Motorsports fielded entries for Tyler Walker, Marty Houston and P.J. Jones. One of those extra trucks swung the title.
Marty Houston, who was a lap down at the time, got loose exiting turn 4 and spun into the passenger side door of Gaughan's Dodge. The contact turned Gaughan head-on into the outside on the frontstretch. Gaughan spun around in the middle of the track, then slid down to the apron. Once there, Gaughan was hit hard by Bryan Reffner. The crash can be seen here.
All three drivers involved were out on the spot. Gaughan's crash dropped him to fourth in the final standings. Afterwards, he was angry with Ultra Motorsports owner Jim Smith for attempting to stack the odds in Musgrave's favor, as seen in his infamous interview with SPEED's Barry Dodson. On an unrelated note, Marty Houston has not driven in a NASCAR race since that day in Homestead.
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 by Phil Allaway
-- Critic's Annex by Phil Allaway
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
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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 heading to Homestead.
Tech Talk by Mike Neff
Mike is back with your look at the technical side of NASCAR.
Fantasy Insider by Jeff Wolfe
Jeff is back with your look at the best bets to fill your fantasy roster. This week, he sets you up for success as we head into the final race of the year at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth returns with your weekly look at the state of the Camping World Truck Series.
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Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
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