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The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
June 3, 2015
Volume IX, Edition LXXXIX
Wednesday's TV Schedule can be found in Couch Potato Tuesday here.
by the Frontstretch Staff
Helio Castroneves, Shell Kick Off 3,000-Mile Cross-Country Relay
In Manhattan Tuesday Helio Castroneves, along with NBC's Carson Daly and representatives of Shell announced a 3,000-mile, cross-country relay to promote Shell's new V-Power Nitro+ Premium Gasoline. According to a Shell press release, the V-Power Nitro+ Premium Gasoline was developed through their partnership with Scuderia Ferrari in Formula One. The fuel has 99 percent commonality with the fuel that Ferrari uses in their current Formula One entry, the SF15-T. Read more
Kyle Benjamin Joins Venturini Motorsports at Pocono
Crosley Brands and Kentucky Speedway Partner for September ARCA Race
Today's Featured Commentary
For most of my years in NASCAR, I have been labeled as somewhat of an apologist. Give me a rules change, a new setup package, or a revision in the points system, and most often I will smile, nod, and say, "Well done!" A number of my outspoken critics have accused me, from time to time, of sucking up to the France family under the condition that if "Big Bill" / Bill Jr. / Brian ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. There is also the assumption that somebody isn't going to score any race or media credentials, either.
Oddly enough, during my career, much of the opposite has been true. I have written and lectured for years about the inconsistencies, flawed thinking, and politicized behavior within America's second (third? fourth?) most popular sport. The editor who worked on the first book I wrote about NASCAR even had me remove half a chapter that took NASCAR to task for welcoming the Hooters restaurant chain as a team sponsor.
My editor felt I was too critical and in danger of offending the sanctioning body.
Who knew I would wind up one day working with a Sprint Cup team financed by the "Delightfully Tacky, Yet Unrefined" company. My duties even went so far as to help with our driver's appearances at nearby outlets after Friday afternoon qualifying.
I guess criticism doesn't mean so much when the company in question is footing your race team's expenses and helping keep the shop open. You simply smile, address any snarky comments that head your way, and act grateful for the opportunity you've been given. When you consider the alternative, maybe controversy trumps bankruptcy.
The wolf at the door is sometimes the wolf that saves your life.
This philosophy is how my critical attitude toward Jimmie Johnson has changed.
I bristled when Johnson came into the Cup Series full-time back in 2002. To me, back in those days, he was just another California hotshoe looking to make the big time. He had logged some time in ASA competition and already had an XFINITY Series win.
I remember Jimmie's first NASCAR touring series victory in July of 2001. My dad was visiting and we were all getting ready to go out for supper. The XFINITY race was on television and here was this Johnson guy smiling from the winner's circle. I looked at my father and said, "Anybody can get lucky once…."
For Jimmie Johnson, Lady Luck showed up about 15 years ago with her suitcase.
I remember the years when a Sprint Cup Series rookie was lucky to win one race in their first full season, let alone two like the late Davey Allison did back in 1987. Not to be outdone, Jimmie Johnson won three in 2002 with an average finish of 13.5 for the year. Despite his success, Jimmie saw Rookie of the Year honors passed on to Ryan Newman.
While it is unethical for someone who writes about NASCAR to have a favorite driver or team, it is not out of line to admire someone who does their job well. I'd file Johnson and the No. 48 bunch under that category. Not only does the team run consistently well and win consistently often, but they tend to do so with a disregard for the NASCAR rule book.
Call it "old school" racing, but I find little fault with someone who reads the rules closely and finds a loophole that enables them to massage the guidelines and take advantage of their discovery. That's been part of NASCAR since 1949 and the first "Strictly Stock" event at the Charlotte Fairgrounds.
So when I see words like "Johnson," "Knaus," "sideskirt," and "Lowe's Chevrolet" mentioned within the same sentence, I immediately think "real racing." It's a nod to tradition and teams striving for excellence.
Of course, Johnson has been criticized for being too "new school" as well. He falls into the categories of "corporate spokesman" and "media friendly" – terms that reek of Modern Era NASCAR. Johnson is a young family man who spends his limited free time training like an Olympic athlete. He charms reporters and sponsors with a grin and a humble comment, which all makes him too "vanilla" to be much good for the sport.
Then again, if NASCAR hopes to attract a family demographic, maybe having Johnson as its poster boy makes sense. Those much-desired families can grow right alongside his accomplishments.
Every now and again, there comes a driver who rewrites the record books. Richard Petty did it, Dale Earnhardt did it, Jeff Gordon did it, and now it's Jimmie Johnson. As Johnson creeps close to Earnhardt's career win record, he's doing so by making his mark in NASCAR history, dominating Dover for the tenth time. A record-tying seventh Sprint Cup title also seems to be within Jimmie's reach.
Some records in NASCAR, however, seem safe, like Petty's 200 career victories and his string of ten consecutive wins back in 1967. That mark resembles Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak in baseball: one that may never be broken. Might such a tally be redefined during our lives? Jimmie Johnson just might have a reasonable chance to do so. Only time, good health, and consistency can say.
All three of those variables seem to be in Johnson's wheelhouse right now. That's why this critic is a tad less critical about the driver with each passing week and each new victory.
Maybe I am an apologist. For when I consider what Jimmie Johnson has accomplished over the past 15 years, I say, "Well done!"
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TODAY AT FRONTSTRETCH:
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: Pocono races have been known to feature quirky instances in the past. The 1991 Champion Spark Plug 500 was no different. What happened to bring out the first yellow of the day?
COMING TOMORROW
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!
Today's Feedback from Jay Scenga
"Just wanted to say thank you for today's articles, much like the boring racing, even the articles are pushing me away from the sport. However, today's Five Points, Couch Potato and Beside the Rising Tide were spot on perfect. I have been commenting for three years now that the only real save in NASCAR is cutting six inches off the front spoilers and getting the noses off the ground. They need to make it where full suspension compression leaves the chin spoiler off the ground by several inches, period. I have been a diehard fan since the mid 80's and watch less and less now, DVR'ing more and more and just FF thru most the race. The parade is horrid, no passing, ever... I never want to hear the words "aero push" again... like ever... I am so glad you and your commenters brought this to light again today... really, for NASCAR to hear it, it would have to be published and or screamed out loud daily for it to make a difference I fear, I really felt/hoped this new package for the All-Star Race would be a massive chop in the right direction but as usual, Brian fumbled inside the 5-yard line and clipped it and now we're hearing it may not happen next year either. I NEVER missed a practice, qualifying session or race, Cup or otherwise, from 1990 thru last fall.... however lately, I don't record more and more, I peruse Jayski for an update here or there but I am slowly pulling further and further away from a sport that a few years ago, I would have chosen first over a date with a girl. PLEASE keep swinging and punching at them, scream, yell, embarrass them until finally, Mr. France has no choice but to fix this nightmare..... I fear it is the only hope left...Again, awesome articles today...keep up the good work....
Thank you."
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