Friday, September 18, 2015

The Frontstretch Newsletter: Kevin Harvick On MyAfibRisk.com 400 Pole After Qualifying Cancellation

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
Sep. 18, 2015
Volume IX, Edition CLXVI
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What to Watch: Friday

- It's a busy day at Chicagoland Speedway and rain was clearly not desired by anyone.  Depending on when the rain stops and the track drying can begin, we still have the American Ethanol 225 for the Camping World Truck Series.  When that race will start is anyone's guess right now, but the plan is to race tonight.
 
FOLLOW THE FRONTSTRETCH THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGOLAND AND CHARLOTTE FROM OUR COLLEAGUES:

CHICAGOLAND:
Aaron Bearden (@AaronBearden93
 
CHARLOTTE:
Toni Montgomery (@ToniLMontgomery)
 
and our own Twitter page, @Frontstretch as well for updates!
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This weekend's TV Schedule can be found in Couch Potato
Tuesday here.
 
Top News
by The Frontstretch Staff

MyAfibRisk.com 400 Qualifying Cancelled, Kevin Harvick on Pole

Thunderstorms descended upon Chicagoland Speedway in the late afternoon, drenching the 1.5 mile tri-oval and forcing the cancellation of Sprint Cup Qualifying.  As per the Sprint Cup Series Rulebook, the starting grid for Sunday's MyAfibRisk.com 400 will be set by a combination of speeds from opening practice and race attempts.  Kevin Harvick will start from pole.  Ryan Blaney, Travis Kvapil and Michael McDowell failed to qualify because they haven't attempted enough races.  Read more

Kevin Harvick Fastest in Opening Chicagoland Practice
 
With rain in the forecast, Sprint Cup Practice Friday afternoon had added importance in that the grid could be decided based on speeds.  Kevin Harvick came out to play in the opening session, turning in the fastest lap at 28.675 seconds (188.317 mph).  Fellow Chasers Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski and Martin Truex, Jr. followed right behind.  Austin Dillon rounded out the top 5.  Read more
 
Aaron's Will Not Sponsor Car in 2016

When Michael Waltrip Racing announced that they would shut down at the end of the season, full-season sponsor Aaron's was viewed as a free agent sponsor and many wondered where they would settle.  The answer is nowhere.  The rent-to-own chain announced Thursday that they will not sponsor a NASCAR team in 2016.  Read more

Have news for The Frontstretch?  Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com with a promising lead or tip.

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Frontstretch Folio: MyAFibRisk.com 400
by Phil Allaway

The Sprint Cup Series travels to Joliet for their only appearance of the season at Chicagoland Speedway.  The MyAfibRisk.com 400 can be seen at 2:30 p.m. Sunday on NBCSN; the event can also be heard on your local MRN affiliate or SiriusXM Channel 90. Drivers will compete for 267 laps (400.5 miles) en route to the checkered flag.

Records and facts

Last year, Brad Keselowski passed Kevin Harvick with 16 laps to go, then held off a number of Chasers to win the MyAfibStory.com 400 and earn a free ticket to the next round of the Chase.  Jeff Gordon was second, Kyle Larson was third, then Joey Logano and Harvick.

Tony Stewart is the winningest driver at Chicagoland Speedway with three career victories, the last of which coming during his championship run in 2011.  Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski have two wins each.

Track Facts
Track / Race Length: 1.5 mile tri-oval, 267 laps (400.5 miles)
Banking: 18 degrees in turns

Frontstretch: 2,400 ft., banked 11 degrees

Backstretch: 1,700 ft., banked 5 degrees

Grandstand Seating: 55,500
Pit Road Speed: 45 mph
Pace Car Speed: 50 mph
Opened: 2001

Website: http://www.chicagolandspeedway.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChicagolandSpeedway

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChicagolndSpdwy

Pre-Race Schedule:

Practice 1: Friday, September 18, 12:30 p.m. - 1:55 p.m. ET on NBCSN

Practice 2: Saturday, September 19, 1:30 p.m. - 2:55 p.m. on CNBC

Happy Hour: Saturday, September 19, 4:30 p.m. - 5:20 p.m. ET on NBCSN

Qualifying: Friday, September 18 at 6:45 p.m. ET on NBCSN

Say What?!

"Chicago is a great market for us to be able to kick off our Chase. When you look at the racetrack, it has become very racey throughout the years as the asphalt has worn out. The surface has a lot of bumps and it's just a fun place to go race.

"I feel like we've been better all year. I think we are a better team than we were last year. I think just the preparation, the consistency, the speed and everything has been there week-in and week-out throughout last year, throughout this year. Obviously, we want to win every week, but the quality of the product that has been on the racetrack and the execution of everything that has happened throughout the year has been better than what we were last year. We will be better going into the Chase. I think we will have a better plan with the experience and I think, with the confidence of knowing we made it happen last year, we know we can do that at any point going forward throughout the year and especially throughout the Chase. Having to deal with the emotions will be less this year for us because I think we know what to expect. But, I think our preparation and planning is going to be better than it was last year." - Kevin Harvick

"We're disappointed that we missed the Chase, but our season isn't over yet. We're still focused on getting a win and will fight for the best points spot we can get. We've been consistent this year and just need a little more speed to be able to compete for wins. That's our goal in the last 10 races. We want to win and spoil the Chase. Last year, we had a really good car at Chicago but had an engine failure. Hopefully, we can find that same speed this year and compete for a win."- Aric Almirola

"Chicago is a fun track to race on. It's one of those tracks that lets you race on any of the grooves, which is what I like. We ran well there in the XFINITY Series and hopefully some of that can translate over to our AdvoCare Ford in the Cup Series this weekend." - Trevor Bayne

"Chicagoland [Speedway] is special for me for many reasons. It's not only my home track, but it's where I made my Sprint Cup Series debut a couple of years. That's a day that I'll never forget. It's also the home track for my sponsor, BRANDT Professional Agriculture. They'll have a lot of guests at the track on Sunday, and I'm going by the headquarters before I head to the track this weekend. As far as on the track, we've been making gains at HScott Motorsports on our mile-and-a-half program. I really want to build some momentum for the guys these last few races. They've been working really hard at the shop and deserve it." - Justin Allgaier

Phil Allaway is the Newsletter Manager and a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com.  He can be reached via e-mail at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com.

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TODAY ON FRONTSTRETCH:
as told to Becca Gladden

by the Frontstretch Staff

as told to Mike Neff

by Amy Henderson

by Clayton Caldwell

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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:

Q:
In 2004, Tony Stewart claimed the first of his three wins at Chicagoland Speedway.  However, it didn't come without controversy.  What happened in the middle of the race to cause a shoving match to break out?

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

Thursday's Answer:

Q:  Even before the bizarre incident at Darlington that ended his 2001 season, Steve Park was not having the greatest time on track.  Chicagoland was no exception.  What put Park out of the inaugural Tropicana 400 race just past halfway?

A: Park's car suffered a spectacular engine failure entering turn 3.  Park then got into his own fluids and crashed into the wall.  The incident can be seen here.  Park was ok, but the double whammy put him out of the race.

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COMING MONDAY
In The Frontstretch Newsletter:
We'll have recaps of all three races from Chicagoland, plus an update on the points and any other news that breaks this weekend.

On Frontstretch.com:
We'll have a series of post-race commentaries breaking down this weekend's action in Joliet and looking forward to Loudon, the second race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
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