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. 22, 2016
Volume X, Edition XIII
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The position will be a direct report to our Business and Financial Manager, a position that also will work closely with the Majority Owner and Social Media team. A fast-growing website whose writers have won multiple NMPA Awards, the Frontstretch is well-positioned for success in 2016 and has a healthy audience of over seven figures per year. The role, while initially commission-based offers a generous percentage and perks down the road for this startup company. Frontstretch management has, in many cases been in place for nearly a decade before becoming a for-profit website and we're excited to welcome the right person into this family atmosphere.
What to Watch: MondayNEW POSTING: SALES & BRANDING MANAGER
Frontstretch is seeking a dynamic, creative individual to head our sales team. The individual would be responsible for the following:
- Engaging new partners and taking the lead in brokering agreements for sales & advertising across all Frontstretch outlets: Website, Newsletter, Podcast, and video content
- Responding to exposure inquiries from potential advertisers
- Working with our social media team to enhance the marketing and branding experience for our advertising clients
The position will be a direct report to our Business and Financial Manager, a position that also will work closely with the Majority Owner and Social Media team. A fast-growing website whose writers have won multiple NMPA Awards, the Frontstretch is well-positioned for success in 2016 and has a healthy audience of over seven figures per year. The role, while initially commission-based offers a generous percentage and perks down the road for this startup company. Frontstretch management has, in many cases been in place for nearly a decade before becoming a for-profit website and we're excited to welcome the right person into this family atmosphere.
Interested parties should email tbowles81@yahoo.com with a short note on why they're interested and their current resume.
- Speedweeks is now over, for everyone except Denny Hamlin. Hamlin's FedEx Express Toyota will be officially handed over today and will be placed on display inside of the former Daytona USA building, where it will be on display for tour groups and (once it opens) visitors to the relocated National Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. Hamlin will also be on NASCAR RaceHub today to talk about his win.
Top News
by the Frontstretch Staff
Denny Hamlin Wins in Closest Finish in Daytona 500 History
Denny Hamlin Wins in Closest Finish in Daytona 500 History
Denny Hamlin spent most of the last 20 laps riding around at the back of the Joe Gibbs Racing train. However, with a couple of laps to go, he made his move to the outside. On the final lap, Hamlin moved outside to take the lead, nearly wrecking Matt Kenseth in the progress. He then engaged in a bumping match with Martin Truex, Jr. to the line, beating the Furniture Row Racing driver by .011 of a second to take his first Daytona 500 victory. Kyle Busch was third, followed by Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards. Read more
Chase Elliott Edges Joey Logano for XFINITY Win at Daytona
Chase Elliott passed Joey Logano to take the lead with 13 laps to go and held off a massive charge to the line by the 2015 Daytona 500 winner to claim his first career restrictor plate victory in a bumping match to the line. Kasey Kahne was third, followed by Elliott Sadler and Austin Dillon. Read more
Johnny Sauter Takes Win, Christopher Bell Takes Flight in Daytona
Friday night's season opener for the Camping World Truck Series came down to a two-lap sprint. Just after the white flag, Johnny Sauter was able to get past Ryan Truex for the lead. Shortly afterwards, a stack-up occurred that resulted in a spectacular crash which sent Christopher Bell into a series of barrel rolls. Bell was checked out and released from a local hospital late Friday night. The crash gave Sauter the win in his debut for GMS Racing. Truex was second, followed by Parker Kligerman, Brandon Brown and Tyler Young. 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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Chasing the Chase: Denny Hamlin Gets Off to a Great Start
by Phil Allaway
By virtue of winning the Daytona 500 and leading the most laps, Denny Hamlin claimed the maximum possible points in one race for 2016, 45. That gives Hamlin a five point lead over runner-up Martin Truex, Jr. Kyle Busch is third, right behind Truex, while Kevin Harvick is two points behind the younger of the Busch brothers.
Carl Edwards is one point out of the top 4 in fifth despite his early contact with the wall while Joey Logano and Kyle Larson are close in tow. Tommy Baldwin Racing's Regan Smith and Richard Childress Racing's Austin Dillon are currently tied for eighth.
Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman are currently tied for tenth. Aric Almirola rounds out the top 12. Behind Almirola, Kasey Kahne and Matt Kenseth are tied for 13th. Neither driver is pleased with their points position, but for different reasons. Michael McDowell and Jimmie Johnson are tied for 15th, two points further back.
Point Standings (1-16): 1) Denny Hamlin 45, 2) Martin Truex, Jr. -5, 3) Kyle Busch -6, 4) Kevin Harvick -8, 5) Carl Edwards -9, 6) Joey Logano -10, 7) Kyle Larson -11, t-8) Regan Smith -12, t-8) Austin Dillon -12, t-10) Kurt Busch -14, t-10) Ryan Newman -14, 12) Aric Almirola -16, t-13) Kasey Kahne -17, t-13) Matt Kenseth -17, t-15) Michael McDowell -19, t-15) Jimmie Johnson -19.
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Letter of the Race: Sunday's Daytona 500 was brought to you by the letter "S," for Squirreliness. The Sprint Unlimited was marked by tire issues. The Daytona 500 was marked by the increased importance of handling. Drivers dealt with either cars that were extremely loose in the draft, or cars that had trouble turning. - Phil Allaway
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Quotes to Remember: Daytona 500
compiled by Phil Allaway
"This is the best. I mean, it's just the best. It's the biggest race of my life. The Daytona 500 is – as a kid what you – this is the pinnacle of our sport and I'm just proud to be here.
(In regards to his pit issue on the final stop) "I got cocky. I mean, sitting over the radio, beating everyone off pit road every time we've ever had a green flag pit stop or caution, I beat everyone off pit road, I'm sitting here like, I'm the pit road master. Then I come in there and blow it and screw my tires up on the last stop that actually counts.
"I'm glad, quick thinking, telling Wheels, I slid them, I don't know which one. He made a quick audible.
"The preparation was great. My team was ready for anything. We didn't lose that lead draft, even taking four tires, when everyone in front of us essentially took two.
"So my team was ready. The pit crew nailed a great stop to get us out there quick.
"You know, I knew whoever came out with the lead on this green flag sequence had a great shot because he had five teammates, or four teammates, right behind him. We had just talked about, Let's get a team victory. I know we all want to win this thing, but if we all stick together, we greatly increase our chances of winning this race.
"I'm with Joe [Gibbs], you know, this is a great moment for me, but I feel awful for Matt because he's such a great friend, such a great teammate. But I'm just so proud of all my other teammates for us being so committed to each other for 500 miles today. That was very rare that you see the selflessness that you saw, even with two laps to go. All of us were committed to pushing that 20 car to a victory.
"I saw the 4 coming. I said, If I didn't make a run, he was going to make a run just like I did. I went up there to block, he hit me so hard it shot me three cars forward. I had to do something with that run.
"It's crazy, it happened so fast. I literally had to watch it back to figure out what in the world happened." - Denny Hamlin, race winner
"I did all I thought I could do. I had the lead 'til like the start of the Daytona over there on the wall and it could have been 20 feet from the line, so just really proud of that effort, really proud of that for Bass Pro Shops and our first race with Toyota. He (Denny Hamlin) just side drafted and I just should have – I probably should have run him up a little bit more, but I thought we were close enough that I could keep that foot or so, but I couldn't so I lost it the last second. All in all, it's been a rough week – we tore up some cars, we made it to the last lap on every race and this one we finally made it to the end. Really proud of everybody. Really proud of the teamwork today with the JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) and guys and for me that was a big step in getting this relationship kicked off. Cole (Pearn, crew chief) and I – we worked hard all week to make sure we did the right things and we're going to continue to work hard and makes sure those guys understand that we're team players and we're in for the long haul, so really proud of that and congrats to Denny (Hamlin). Just got me by a couple feet." - Martin Truex, Jr., finished second
"I was hoping that they would start pushing and shoving like they did to get that outside lane going. You just want to be the first one to be in that outside line. Denny pulled up in front of us and he got honor of being the first car in that line with all that momentum, but congrats to them. Just have to thank everyone – Jimmy Johns, Busch, Mobil1, Chevrolet, Outback, Ditech, Bad Boys Buggies and Morton Buildings for everything they do for this Stewart-Haas team. These guys did a great job. I am ready to go race on a week-to-week basis. It feels like we've been down here for a long time." - Kevin Harvick, finished fourth
"You have to try. This is the Daytona 500 and you try to win this thing no matter what. I was the only Ford up there though. I was the lone ranger. It was tough. I felt we started making decent progress up there but once we went three wide then that just kind of dragged the whole top lane back and the front kind of got going. Then the 4 got in front of me and we started moving and then the 11 saw that and jumped up there and got the push from both of us and then it was a heck of a finish. I don't like being behind watching it. I want to be involved with it. Overall it is a great start for our Shell Pennzoil team and we kicked off the season with a bunch of great finishes down here in Daytona and we are looking forward to getting to Atlanta." - Joey Logano, finished sixth
"The whole time, all the hairy moments we were in, it was just like 'oh I have to get out of here so I can get to the checkered flag'. The last lap there it got really hectic. I was pushing the guy in front of me. I was getting pushed from behind. I was just trying to hold a steady wheel. Happy to get a finish. I would like to have a top-five here at the 500 or possibly a win, but I will have plenty of opportunities, hopefully in my career. Just happy to finally start hopefully a trend of finishing every race this year." - Kyle Larson, finished seventh
"Actually, that's the position I wanted to be in. I wouldn't trade that position for anybody in the whole field. I didn't really think the outside was going to muster up enough run to get it to be honest with you. Somehow the 11 (Denny Hamlin) just got a massive run. Like I said, hindsight I probably should have stayed in front of Martin (Truex Jr.) and tried to race him back to the line, but it looked like he was going so fast I could get in front of him and get a little boost and I just couldn't." - Matt Kenseth, finished 14th
"You can't go anywhere. No one could go on the top line all day. There was a while where people could go but then it became nonexistent. We just got behind and we couldn't get back up there. We also had a loose wheel again so that is something to work on but it wasn't too bad of a run and I am definitely looking forward to Atlanta next weekend." - Ryan Blaney, finished 19th
"It was a pretty rough day for us. We got a flat trying to make the outside groove push to the front and couldn't get our lap back and then later the 10 came across our nose there. It was unfortunate but it happens. I don't know if she was trying to block me or didn't know I was there but it happens. Tough day for sure. I am proud of my guys for all their work this week. We had a pretty good week minus these issues today." - Greg Biffle, finished 34th
"I got loose and just busted my tail. It was time to go. We were making some moves on the outside and moving forward and passing some guys. Just got loose trying to do too much at once." - Dale Earnhardt, Jr., finished 36th (Crashed out)
"No, just got in middle there a couple of laps before and got loose off of (turn) four and just lost. I hate it-it had been such a fun week and you hate to end the race before it even got started. Just disappointed for everybody. We will just have to look past it and get on for Atlanta. That is the most important thing now. Can't get caught up in what happened today, it is irrelevant now. We'll try and get it fixed and make some laps. Then it's on to Atlanta and if we can make some laps we will and move forward from here." - Chase Elliott, finished 37th
"I really saw nothing. Matt was in there with us and he apologized, and I appreciate that. I just hate it for Love's Travel Stops coming on board for our first Daytona 500, and to leave it like this is not ideal by any means. We had a fast race car. I was having a blast out there. The handling was tough. We were fighting loose-in, loose-off, got tight on that last run, but it was a blast. I was having so much fun I hate that we're standing here right now." - Chris Buescher, finished 39th (Crashed out)
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just knocked the wind out of me there, but no we're fine. I just hate it for my guys. They worked so hard to get here and I'm glad I made the Daytona 500, but once the fuel runs started getting going farther and farther we were getting loose. Everybody was sliding around a lot. Handling came into play and I have no excuse – went in there with a head of steam and got sideways, crashed, so my fault. Nobody to blame but myself, but got to thank Dustless Blasting for being on the car, Toyota, Cosmo Motors, Dr. Pepper – everybody on our wonderful team that supports me and we're going to have a good year. We'll go get them at Atlanta." - Matt DiBenedetto, finished 40th (Crashed out)
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TODAY AT FRONTSTRETCH:
Thinkin' Out Loud – Denny Hamlin Sweeps to Victory in the Daytona 500
by Mike Neff
The Big Six: Questions Answered After the 2016 Daytona 500
by Amy Henderson
The Successor, Amelia and More Lost to Difficult Daytona Handling
Thinkin' Out Loud – Denny Hamlin Sweeps to Victory in the Daytona 500
by Mike Neff
The Big Six: Questions Answered After the 2016 Daytona 500
by Amy Henderson
The Successor, Amelia and More Lost to Difficult Daytona Handling
by Aaron Bearden
Up To Speed: Denny Hamlin Credits Teammates for Daytona 500 Win
by Summer Bedgood
Pace Laps: Hamlin's Big Step, GMS Steps Up And "Off" Weekends
by the Frontstretch Staff
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:Q: Here's a relatively easy one. The 2010 Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta is most recognized for the crash that sent Brad Keselowski into the wall, upside-down. What led to Carl Edwards enacting vigilante justice on Keselowski?
Check back Tuesday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Friday's Answer:
Friday's Answer:
Q: The 2000 Daytona 250, the very first Truck race at Daytona International Speedway, had a number of things in its favor, including a snowstorm socking in part of the Northeast, freeing those viewers up to watch the Friday afternoon race on ESPN. The rule package was a lot different back then compared to today. What did NASCAR do to control speeds?
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COMING TOMORROW
-----------------------------COMING TOMORROW
In The Frontstretch Newsletter:
We'll have breaking news from Monday and S.D. Grady returns with Sitting In The Stands: A Fan's View.
On Frontstretch.com:
Danny Peters returns with Five Points to Ponder after the close of Speedweeks.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
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