THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
Feb. 18, 2016
Volume X, Edition VIII
~~~~~~~~~~
What to Watch: Thursday
- Tonight, the field for the Daytona 500 will be decided via the Can-Am Duels. Two 150-mile races will fill the 40-car field.
- Prior to that all-important qualifying action, Sprint Cup teams have a short practice that is currently in progress. Camping World Truck Series teams will also take the track for two practice sessions. All of these sessions will air live on FOX Sports 1.
- Finally, today is the 15th anniversary of the death of Dale Earnhardt. There will be a candlelight tribute tonight in his memory at Dale Earnhardt, Inc. headquarters on NC 3 in Mooresville from 5-7 p.m.
Top News
by the Frontstretch Staff
Michael McDowell, Brian Scott Lead Wednesday Cup Practices
by the Frontstretch Staff
Michael McDowell, Brian Scott Lead Wednesday Cup Practices
Restrictor plate practice sessions tend to lead to jumbled speed charts and Wednesday was no exception. Circle Sport-Leavine Family Racing's Michael McDowell topped the charts in the opening session, while Richard Petty Motorsports' Brian Scott led the second. The second session was marred by Ty Dillon leaking oil, which caused a multi-car crash in turns 1 and 2 which has forced Kyle Larson and Michael Waltrip to backup cars for the Can-Am Duels. Read more
Entry List: PowerShares QQQ 300
Entry List: PowerShares QQQ 300
On Wednesday, NASCAR officially released the entry list for Saturday's PowerShares QQQ 300, the season opener for the XFINITY Series. Originally, 46 teams were entered. However, an addenum boosted the entry to a solid 48 cars. Read more
Entry List: NextEra Energy Resources 250
Entry List: NextEra Energy Resources 250
The Camping World Truck Series has one of the healthiest entry lists in recent memory for Friday night's 250-mile clash. 43 trucks have entered the race, meaning that 11 will fail to qualify. 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.
~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Featured Commentary~~~~~~~~~~
Potts' Thoughts on the Sprint Unlimited and NHRA on FOX Sports 1
Potts' Shots
by John Potts
Okay, we've got the 2016 NASCAR season started off with a bang, haven't we. Actually, several bangs considering all the fireworks in the Sprint Unlimited last Saturday night,
At least one wag on Facebook called it a demolition derby. What do you expect when some of the drivers, when interviewed, say it's one of those deals where you want to make sure you bring the steering wheel back?
I personally enjoyed most of it, except when FOX Sports 1 called for a caution flag by breaking for commercials. I know it wasn't planned that way, but it sure seemed like it at times. I was also keeping track on the live leaderboard, and even with it being one or two laps behind most of the time, it was amazing how often the yellow lit up while they were on break. Then they come back and say, "We're under caution, and here's the reason."Or Mike Joy saying, "Ten laps to go and we'll be right back for the finish." One commercial and sure enough, yellow when they come back
Once they went away while Brad Keselowski was running away with it, and suddenly on the leaderboard I noticed him dropping like a rock. (I know it's somebody else's job to critique the TV coverage, but I can't help chiming in here once in a while.}
I also noticed that Mike Joy called it a "winner take all" race. It wasn't that way, of course, with a purse of almost a million dollars spread through the field. But wouldn't that be something if it was ALL on the nose? We used to call that a Dolly Parton Purse – everything is up front. "Yes, sir. A million to win and our sincere appreciation for running second!"
I'd also like to know how Jimmie Johnson got credited with leading a lap on the leaderboard when Keselowski beat him back to the line on the first trip around. Do you automatically get credit for a lap led if you're on the pole. I added up the laps led a few times and it always came up one more than they had run. Haven't looked at the official finish.
At one point during the race, I thought we were gonna see the old Keselowski-Edwards feud rekindled, but it didn't work out that way. Carl even joked about it.
My favorite comment came when they reported that Denny Hamlin's crew chief, Mike Wheeler, told the driver they were a couple of laps short on fuel, and asked if he wanted to gamble. Denny, they said, told Mike, "If you want to gamble, I'm with you."
I was also interested in their explanation of the "overtime line." Like if they get this far, it's an official start.
What's so new about that? I can recall years ago when I was flagging short tracks, nearly all local races weren't considered having officially started unless all cars cleared the first and second turns.
Funny, I've always wondered why some of those people didn't have a stop watch of their own on the cars that were qualifying, so they could show us a different time. If there was one.
Our gal Toni Montgomery said she wasn't used to having time on her hands when the finals were over. Must have gotten used to those nighttime taped shows.
I do have one criticism of the coverage. They had about half an hour after the last final run, and they used it on interviews of the winners on NHRA's stage at the starting line.
I would rather they showed the final runs in the Sportsman classes. That could have been done in about 15 minutes.
On the plus side, I like NHRA's revamping of the Pro Stock class, going to fuel injection and making other changes. Graham Light was good explaining it on camera, and I think it's bringing the division closer to what people have on the street.
John Potts is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch. He can be reached via e-mail at john.potts@frontstretch.com.
Okay, we've got the 2016 NASCAR season started off with a bang, haven't we. Actually, several bangs considering all the fireworks in the Sprint Unlimited last Saturday night,
At least one wag on Facebook called it a demolition derby. What do you expect when some of the drivers, when interviewed, say it's one of those deals where you want to make sure you bring the steering wheel back?
I personally enjoyed most of it, except when FOX Sports 1 called for a caution flag by breaking for commercials. I know it wasn't planned that way, but it sure seemed like it at times. I was also keeping track on the live leaderboard, and even with it being one or two laps behind most of the time, it was amazing how often the yellow lit up while they were on break. Then they come back and say, "We're under caution, and here's the reason."Or Mike Joy saying, "Ten laps to go and we'll be right back for the finish." One commercial and sure enough, yellow when they come back
Once they went away while Brad Keselowski was running away with it, and suddenly on the leaderboard I noticed him dropping like a rock. (I know it's somebody else's job to critique the TV coverage, but I can't help chiming in here once in a while.}
I also noticed that Mike Joy called it a "winner take all" race. It wasn't that way, of course, with a purse of almost a million dollars spread through the field. But wouldn't that be something if it was ALL on the nose? We used to call that a Dolly Parton Purse – everything is up front. "Yes, sir. A million to win and our sincere appreciation for running second!"
I'd also like to know how Jimmie Johnson got credited with leading a lap on the leaderboard when Keselowski beat him back to the line on the first trip around. Do you automatically get credit for a lap led if you're on the pole. I added up the laps led a few times and it always came up one more than they had run. Haven't looked at the official finish.
At one point during the race, I thought we were gonna see the old Keselowski-Edwards feud rekindled, but it didn't work out that way. Carl even joked about it.
My favorite comment came when they reported that Denny Hamlin's crew chief, Mike Wheeler, told the driver they were a couple of laps short on fuel, and asked if he wanted to gamble. Denny, they said, told Mike, "If you want to gamble, I'm with you."
I was also interested in their explanation of the "overtime line." Like if they get this far, it's an official start.
What's so new about that? I can recall years ago when I was flagging short tracks, nearly all local races weren't considered having officially started unless all cars cleared the first and second turns.
- - - - - - - -
The chartering deal looks like it's good for the teams, but I have to think they should have made an exception for the Wood Brothers. Yes, I know they haven't run a full schedule in the past ten years, but it's just another case of NASCAR saying tradition means nothing unless they want it to.
- - - - - - - -
Chase Elliott putting the 24 car on the pole should bring at least a few conspiracy theorists out of the woodwork, pretty much the way it did when Austin Dillon qualified the 3 for that spot a couple of years back.Funny, I've always wondered why some of those people didn't have a stop watch of their own on the cars that were qualifying, so they could show us a different time. If there was one.
- - - - - - - -
Back on the subject of Fox Sports 1, I thought they did a decent job of televising the finals of the Circle K NHRA Winternationals live on Sunday evening. I did miss Mike Dunn, but I'm supposing he's landed on his feet as the new president of IHRA.Our gal Toni Montgomery said she wasn't used to having time on her hands when the finals were over. Must have gotten used to those nighttime taped shows.
I do have one criticism of the coverage. They had about half an hour after the last final run, and they used it on interviews of the winners on NHRA's stage at the starting line.
I would rather they showed the final runs in the Sportsman classes. That could have been done in about 15 minutes.
On the plus side, I like NHRA's revamping of the Pro Stock class, going to fuel injection and making other changes. Graham Light was good explaining it on camera, and I think it's bringing the division closer to what people have on the street.
John Potts is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch. He can be reached via e-mail at john.potts@frontstretch.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
Editor's Note: The Critic's Annex will return next week.
Q: The races now known as the Can-Am Duels have had more than their share of incidents. Phil Barkdoll had a very spectacular wreck back in 1987. What happened?
~~~~~~~~~~
"I think, in hindsight, he probably read some of my stuff and said, 'Well, here's a kid that's got a workable vocabulary and loves the sport.' So he kind of dragged me in and said, 'Come on, I'm going to teach you how to be a public address announcer,' which was like striking gold. When Ken Squier offers to teach you how to do what he does, yeah." - SiriusXM NASCAR Radio's Dave Moody, on being given the chance to work the PA at Thunder Road Speed Bowl by Ken Squier.
~~~~~~~~~~
"I think, in hindsight, he probably read some of my stuff and said, 'Well, here's a kid that's got a workable vocabulary and loves the sport.' So he kind of dragged me in and said, 'Come on, I'm going to teach you how to be a public address announcer,' which was like striking gold. When Ken Squier offers to teach you how to do what he does, yeah." - SiriusXM NASCAR Radio's Dave Moody, on being given the chance to work the PA at Thunder Road Speed Bowl by Ken Squier.
~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY AT FRONTSTRETCH:
by P. Huston Ladner
by Beth Lunkenheimer
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: The races now known as the Can-Am Duels have had more than their share of incidents. Phil Barkdoll had a very spectacular wreck back in 1987. What happened?
Check back Friday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Wednesday's Answer:
Wednesday's Answer:
Q: In 2007, then 72-year old James Hylton attempted to qualify for the Daytona 500 in a former Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet that had been raced by Jeff Burton in 2005. Things were actually looking good for the 1966 Grand National Rookie of the Year. However, a mechanical issue brought his chances to make the race to an end. What happened?
A: During the race, Hylton had some issues with his clutch. That meant that he couldn't restart as fast as he needed to in order to stay with the pack. He managed to put himself in position to make the race via pit strategy, but got put out to dry on a restart with six laps to go. That put him out of the Daytona 500.
~~~~~~~~~
COMING TOMORROW
In The Frontstretch Newsletter:
We'll have recaps of the Can-Am Duels and preview this weekend's action from Daytona.
On Frontstretch.com:
Zach Catanzareti answers Four Burning Questions heading into this weekend's Daytona 500.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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!
©2016 Frontstretch.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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!
©2016 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