THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
May 2nd, 2012
Volume VI, Edition LXV
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
May 2nd, 2012
Volume VI, Edition LXV
~~~~~~~~~~
Editor's Note: Due to a technical glitch, both the draft version of the newsletter and the actual newsletter were delivered to your inbox on Tuesday. We apologize for the inconvenience.
~~~~~~~~~~
Top News
by Brad Morgan
NASCAR Digital Media Introduces Smith
With the news that NASCAR will be expanding its digital platform to be more compatible with tablets and smartphones, NASCAR Digital Media announced Tuesday that Colin Smith has been hired as the Managing Director for all digital platforms. Digital Media is a division of NASCAR that is responsible for producing digital programs that promote stock car racing for a wide audience.
"Getting in on the ground floor of a project like this is very exciting and is a once-in-a-career-like opportunity," Smith said. "NASCAR has one of the most passionate and loyal fan bases in the world and I'm looking forward to being part of the team that ensures they have the ultimate online experience that drives fan engagement and helps grow the sport."
Smith will take charge of various duties including content development, e-commerce, site optimization, and subscription products.
"Adding a media veteran of Colin's caliber will strengthen our digital team," Vice President of NASCAR Communications Marc Jenkins said. "His perspective, leadership and experience will be invaluable as we strive to provide the best digital platform possible to our fans."
The announcement comes after NASCAR and Turner Sports declared that they will split business and editorial responsibilities for digital platforms starting in 2013. NASCAR will retain control of all digital and social media rights with including technical and infrastructure operations. Turner will represent the sponsorships and advertising of NASCAR digital platforms through a contract ending in 2016.
Energy Transfer Partners to Acquire Sunoco
The official fuel provider of NASCAR made news after reports of a merger with Energy Transfer Partners broke Monday. Reports say that the Dallas, Texas based company will acquire Sunoco for an estimated value of roughly $5.3 billion.
"This transaction will enable Sunoco's businesses to realize their full potential by becoming an important part of a diversified leader in the energy industry," said Brian P. MacDonald, Sunoco's president and chief executive officer. "In addition, it delivers an attractive premium to our shareholders, while enabling them to participate in the future growth of the business. The combination with ETP provides substantial future value-creation opportunities for Sunoco shareholders and ETP unit holders alike."
Senior Vice President of Sunoco Marketing Bob Owens assured shareholders that the business would continue to support NASCAR as a part of its partnership with stock car racing.
"This corporate ownership change should be transparent and seamless. The iconic Sunoco brand, and our support of NASCAR, will continue, as we strive to 'keep people moving'," Owens said on Tuesday.
The move, expected to be finalized by the end of 2012, would create one of the most varied and prevalent energy partnerships in the country by expanding the size of Energy Transfer Partners' geographical influence and the company's presence in markets such as the transportation and logistics of crude oil and other refined products.
"This transaction, which will be immediately accretive, represents the next step in Energy Transfer Partners' transformation into a more diversified enterprise with an integrated and expanded footprint," said Kelcy Warren, Energy Transfer Partners' chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors.
Ticket Sales Begin for NASCAR Championship Weekend
Homestead-Miami Speedway began to sell tickets for this year's rendition of the Sprint Cup season finale on Tuesday. Tickets are expected to sell quickly, especially after last season's exciting conclusion at the 1.5 mile track. It will be the 11th consecutive year that a champion will be crowned in South Florida after only 14 years serving as a host for Sprint Cup competition.
"It's already shaping up to be another heated battle for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship and you won't want to miss the finale in Miami," said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer.
Tickets can be found online by visiting www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com or by contacting the Speedway at 866.409.RACE. Base ticket prices begin at $55 for the NASCAR Sprint Cup season-ending race. There are several different ticket bundles available including special three-day packages and special deals on kids' pricing.
"We have something for everyone with our various ticket offers," said Becherer. "This includes great discounts for families, and everyone can take advantage of free parking as well as our 'bring your own' food and beverage policies. We encourage fans to get their tickets now while these great prices and best seat locations are available."
~~~~~~~~~~
Got NASCAR-related questions or comments?
Send them John Potts' way at john.potts@frontstretch.com; and, if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print when he does his weekly column answering back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat. Potts' Shots will run on Thursday with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!
~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Featured Commentary
The Other Rookie In Friday Night's Nationwide Race
Full Throttle
by Mike Neff
If you listened to the hoopla surrounding the Nationwide series Friday night, you'd have thought that the only driver making his debut in the series was the driver of the No. 99. While there is no doubt that Travis Pastrana is a _huge_ media figure and is bringing a myriad of attention to the sport, he wasn't the only first-time competitor in the Virginia 529 College Savings Plan 250. Ryan Blaney, the son of Cup Series driver and former World of Outlaws Sprint Car Champion Dave Blaney, also made his first career Nationwide start. While he isn't a media darling with nearly 360,000 Twitter followers, Ryan Blaney is a racer who has been paying his dues and made the most of this opportunity.
Blaney is only 18 years old, but has been racing for most of his life. He's won over 25 races in Legends cars. In 2007, he was the Young Lions champion at both the Summer Shootout and Winter Heat at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Blaney also has an impressive resume in quarter midgets, compiling over 100 wins in three different classes including the Grand National Championship in 2009 in the Heavy AA series, 2007 World Formula Gasoline Alley National Champion, 2008 Eastern Grand A-Main Qualifier in Light AA and 2009 Eastern Grand A-Main Qualifier in World Formula and Junior Half.
In 2009, at the age of 15, Blaney was voted the Rookie of the Year in the PASS South Series and was the runner-up in the series points championship. He scored 12 top-10 finishes in 14 starts. Not only was he the runner-up in South points but he was also third in the National Point Championship. In 2010, Blaney was once again the runner-up in the PASS South Points, notching three victories and nine top 10s in 13 races. He also won the CRA Southern Six-Pack Championship while winning one of the six races. 2011 saw him finally break through and take the title in the PASS South Series with two wins, six top 5s and nine top 10s.
Blaney was also impressive in his first ARCA race, scoring the pole at Winchester Speedway in Indiana in 2011. He led 154 out of the 200 laps before cutting a tire and coming home in sixth position. At Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Blaney led 67 out of 203 laps in the race and finished second to series champion Ty Dillon. Blaney also moved into the heavier cars of the K&N series in 2011 and scored a victory at Phoenix in November in just his third career start in the developmental series. This season he scored a runner-up finish in the season opener at Bristol in the K&N East series.
Friday night at Richmond, Blaney qualified his car in the eighth starting spot and ran in the top 15 for the entire race. His team approached the event with the attitude that they did not want to shoot themselves in the foot, so they took their time on pit stops to make sure they didn't make mistakes. It cost them some track position but it prevented them from making a bigger mistake. Dave Blaney reminded everyone after the race that this is still a learning process for his son and the team and they would rather give up a little by getting things right. "He's been practicing with his guys but you just have to go through the races and gain the experience, and know how far you can push it," explained the elder Blaney. "We were running good enough tonight that they were just preaching to him, just not mistakes that will cost us. It cost time but not like a lap or a mistake. All went well."
In the end, Ryan Blaney was in the top 10 for good by lap 225 and came home with a solid seventh-place finish. While he didn't garner the attention of the media masses that Pastrana did, fans who paid attention were treated to a very impressive run by a future star of the sport.
After the race, Dave weighed in on his son's performance. "I've been proud of the way he handles himself for a long time. To race around the guys he raced with tonight, he earned a lot of respect," said Dave Blaney. "I watched how he raced everybody and how everybody raced him and that is priceless right there," the elder Blaney said. "It doesn't surprise me that he did very well. That was surely beyond everyone's expectations but it was a great car and he was flawless in it. He ran fast and made good decisions and was just flawless. That's what you get."
The younger Blaney was also understandably happy after his effort Friday night.
"It was a real good night for us," the younger Blaney said after the checkered flag. "Everyone at Tommy Baldwin Racing and Seal Wrap, Heavy Duty, these guys worked so hard at getting me a good car for this weekend. We were real good in practice, it was just a real good day. We were real consistent in practice and then qualified up there and ran with the best guys. It just took our car 35-40 laps to really get going where we could really mow guys down. Before that we were kind of average and weren't the best in dirty air, but I definitely learned a lot on pit road and racing with all of these good guys. It was a really good day for us."
Ultimately, the young driver said, it was his previous experience that helped to prepare him for his Nationwide debut. "There isn't too much of a difference [between a K&N car and a Nationwide car.]," Blaney explained. "The K&N East cars are definitely more similar to these cars with the big springs and all that. We've tested this car before and ran 100 laps in practice today just to get me comfortable with it. With all of the ARCA races and K&N races I ran definitely had me ready for this."
Blaney added that his team has five more Nationwide races scheduled in 2012. His next race will be at Darlington Raceway later this month."I'm really looking forward to that," he said. "I think we can do good and I get a little bit better and we get a little bit better on pit road and I think we'll be up there competing for a win."
There are many different avenues that drivers can follow to get to their ultimate goal of racing at the highest levels. For Ryan Blaney, it's been a matter of putting in in a lot of laps in full-bodied stock cars, and it showed on Friday night at Richmond. Blaney made a case for himself as a future force to be reckoned with in the sport with his impressive, methodical run. Darlington will most certainly be another test for the young driver, but it will be very interesting to see if he can, once again, best his fellow rookie Pastrana, since they'll both be at the Lady in Black in two weeks.
Mike Neff is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at mike.neff@frontstretch.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
COME JOIN THE FRONTSTRETCH FAMILY!
Editor's Note: Due to a technical glitch, both the draft version of the newsletter and the actual newsletter were delivered to your inbox on Tuesday. We apologize for the inconvenience.
~~~~~~~~~~
Top News
by Brad Morgan
NASCAR Digital Media Introduces Smith
With the news that NASCAR will be expanding its digital platform to be more compatible with tablets and smartphones, NASCAR Digital Media announced Tuesday that Colin Smith has been hired as the Managing Director for all digital platforms. Digital Media is a division of NASCAR that is responsible for producing digital programs that promote stock car racing for a wide audience.
"Getting in on the ground floor of a project like this is very exciting and is a once-in-a-career-like opportunity," Smith said. "NASCAR has one of the most passionate and loyal fan bases in the world and I'm looking forward to being part of the team that ensures they have the ultimate online experience that drives fan engagement and helps grow the sport."
Smith will take charge of various duties including content development, e-commerce, site optimization, and subscription products.
"Adding a media veteran of Colin's caliber will strengthen our digital team," Vice President of NASCAR Communications Marc Jenkins said. "His perspective, leadership and experience will be invaluable as we strive to provide the best digital platform possible to our fans."
The announcement comes after NASCAR and Turner Sports declared that they will split business and editorial responsibilities for digital platforms starting in 2013. NASCAR will retain control of all digital and social media rights with including technical and infrastructure operations. Turner will represent the sponsorships and advertising of NASCAR digital platforms through a contract ending in 2016.
Energy Transfer Partners to Acquire Sunoco
The official fuel provider of NASCAR made news after reports of a merger with Energy Transfer Partners broke Monday. Reports say that the Dallas, Texas based company will acquire Sunoco for an estimated value of roughly $5.3 billion.
"This transaction will enable Sunoco's businesses to realize their full potential by becoming an important part of a diversified leader in the energy industry," said Brian P. MacDonald, Sunoco's president and chief executive officer. "In addition, it delivers an attractive premium to our shareholders, while enabling them to participate in the future growth of the business. The combination with ETP provides substantial future value-creation opportunities for Sunoco shareholders and ETP unit holders alike."
Senior Vice President of Sunoco Marketing Bob Owens assured shareholders that the business would continue to support NASCAR as a part of its partnership with stock car racing.
"This corporate ownership change should be transparent and seamless. The iconic Sunoco brand, and our support of NASCAR, will continue, as we strive to 'keep people moving'," Owens said on Tuesday.
The move, expected to be finalized by the end of 2012, would create one of the most varied and prevalent energy partnerships in the country by expanding the size of Energy Transfer Partners' geographical influence and the company's presence in markets such as the transportation and logistics of crude oil and other refined products.
"This transaction, which will be immediately accretive, represents the next step in Energy Transfer Partners' transformation into a more diversified enterprise with an integrated and expanded footprint," said Kelcy Warren, Energy Transfer Partners' chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors.
Ticket Sales Begin for NASCAR Championship Weekend
Homestead-Miami Speedway began to sell tickets for this year's rendition of the Sprint Cup season finale on Tuesday. Tickets are expected to sell quickly, especially after last season's exciting conclusion at the 1.5 mile track. It will be the 11th consecutive year that a champion will be crowned in South Florida after only 14 years serving as a host for Sprint Cup competition.
"It's already shaping up to be another heated battle for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship and you won't want to miss the finale in Miami," said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer.
Tickets can be found online by visiting www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com or by contacting the Speedway at 866.409.RACE. Base ticket prices begin at $55 for the NASCAR Sprint Cup season-ending race. There are several different ticket bundles available including special three-day packages and special deals on kids' pricing.
"We have something for everyone with our various ticket offers," said Becherer. "This includes great discounts for families, and everyone can take advantage of free parking as well as our 'bring your own' food and beverage policies. We encourage fans to get their tickets now while these great prices and best seat locations are available."
Have news for Brad and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com with a promising lead or tip.
~~~~~~~~~~
Got NASCAR-related questions or comments?
Send them John Potts' way at john.potts@frontstretch.com; and, if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print when he does his weekly column answering back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat. Potts' Shots will run on Thursday with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!
~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Featured Commentary
The Other Rookie In Friday Night's Nationwide Race
Full Throttle
by Mike Neff
If you listened to the hoopla surrounding the Nationwide series Friday night, you'd have thought that the only driver making his debut in the series was the driver of the No. 99. While there is no doubt that Travis Pastrana is a _huge_ media figure and is bringing a myriad of attention to the sport, he wasn't the only first-time competitor in the Virginia 529 College Savings Plan 250. Ryan Blaney, the son of Cup Series driver and former World of Outlaws Sprint Car Champion Dave Blaney, also made his first career Nationwide start. While he isn't a media darling with nearly 360,000 Twitter followers, Ryan Blaney is a racer who has been paying his dues and made the most of this opportunity.
Blaney is only 18 years old, but has been racing for most of his life. He's won over 25 races in Legends cars. In 2007, he was the Young Lions champion at both the Summer Shootout and Winter Heat at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Blaney also has an impressive resume in quarter midgets, compiling over 100 wins in three different classes including the Grand National Championship in 2009 in the Heavy AA series, 2007 World Formula Gasoline Alley National Champion, 2008 Eastern Grand A-Main Qualifier in Light AA and 2009 Eastern Grand A-Main Qualifier in World Formula and Junior Half.
In 2009, at the age of 15, Blaney was voted the Rookie of the Year in the PASS South Series and was the runner-up in the series points championship. He scored 12 top-10 finishes in 14 starts. Not only was he the runner-up in South points but he was also third in the National Point Championship. In 2010, Blaney was once again the runner-up in the PASS South Points, notching three victories and nine top 10s in 13 races. He also won the CRA Southern Six-Pack Championship while winning one of the six races. 2011 saw him finally break through and take the title in the PASS South Series with two wins, six top 5s and nine top 10s.
Blaney was also impressive in his first ARCA race, scoring the pole at Winchester Speedway in Indiana in 2011. He led 154 out of the 200 laps before cutting a tire and coming home in sixth position. At Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Blaney led 67 out of 203 laps in the race and finished second to series champion Ty Dillon. Blaney also moved into the heavier cars of the K&N series in 2011 and scored a victory at Phoenix in November in just his third career start in the developmental series. This season he scored a runner-up finish in the season opener at Bristol in the K&N East series.
Friday night at Richmond, Blaney qualified his car in the eighth starting spot and ran in the top 15 for the entire race. His team approached the event with the attitude that they did not want to shoot themselves in the foot, so they took their time on pit stops to make sure they didn't make mistakes. It cost them some track position but it prevented them from making a bigger mistake. Dave Blaney reminded everyone after the race that this is still a learning process for his son and the team and they would rather give up a little by getting things right. "He's been practicing with his guys but you just have to go through the races and gain the experience, and know how far you can push it," explained the elder Blaney. "We were running good enough tonight that they were just preaching to him, just not mistakes that will cost us. It cost time but not like a lap or a mistake. All went well."
In the end, Ryan Blaney was in the top 10 for good by lap 225 and came home with a solid seventh-place finish. While he didn't garner the attention of the media masses that Pastrana did, fans who paid attention were treated to a very impressive run by a future star of the sport.
After the race, Dave weighed in on his son's performance. "I've been proud of the way he handles himself for a long time. To race around the guys he raced with tonight, he earned a lot of respect," said Dave Blaney. "I watched how he raced everybody and how everybody raced him and that is priceless right there," the elder Blaney said. "It doesn't surprise me that he did very well. That was surely beyond everyone's expectations but it was a great car and he was flawless in it. He ran fast and made good decisions and was just flawless. That's what you get."
The younger Blaney was also understandably happy after his effort Friday night.
"It was a real good night for us," the younger Blaney said after the checkered flag. "Everyone at Tommy Baldwin Racing and Seal Wrap, Heavy Duty, these guys worked so hard at getting me a good car for this weekend. We were real good in practice, it was just a real good day. We were real consistent in practice and then qualified up there and ran with the best guys. It just took our car 35-40 laps to really get going where we could really mow guys down. Before that we were kind of average and weren't the best in dirty air, but I definitely learned a lot on pit road and racing with all of these good guys. It was a really good day for us."
Ultimately, the young driver said, it was his previous experience that helped to prepare him for his Nationwide debut. "There isn't too much of a difference [between a K&N car and a Nationwide car.]," Blaney explained. "The K&N East cars are definitely more similar to these cars with the big springs and all that. We've tested this car before and ran 100 laps in practice today just to get me comfortable with it. With all of the ARCA races and K&N races I ran definitely had me ready for this."
Blaney added that his team has five more Nationwide races scheduled in 2012. His next race will be at Darlington Raceway later this month."I'm really looking forward to that," he said. "I think we can do good and I get a little bit better and we get a little bit better on pit road and I think we'll be up there competing for a win."
There are many different avenues that drivers can follow to get to their ultimate goal of racing at the highest levels. For Ryan Blaney, it's been a matter of putting in in a lot of laps in full-bodied stock cars, and it showed on Friday night at Richmond. Blaney made a case for himself as a future force to be reckoned with in the sport with his impressive, methodical run. Darlington will most certainly be another test for the young driver, but it will be very interesting to see if he can, once again, best his fellow rookie Pastrana, since they'll both be at the Lady in Black in two weeks.
Mike Neff is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at mike.neff@frontstretch.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
COME JOIN THE FRONTSTRETCH FAMILY!
Hey Frontstretch Readers,
We are looking for someone who shares our enthusiasm for NASCAR and has an experienced background in web design. Specifically, we are looking for someone who can help maintain and enhance our website, increase our SEO, and upgrade our publishing platform while producing a limited amount of content throughout the season. This job presents a perfect opportunity for someone with a technical background, a person who wants their work to gain national exposure.
If you are interested, contact frontstretcheditors@googlegroups.com. Please include references to your past work in your e-mail.
~~~~~~~~~~
Tweet 'N' Greet
by Summer Dreyer
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, Summer Dreyer will sort through the thousands of messages and give us a little taste of what's going on each Wednesday.
So, without further ado, here's a look at what those in NASCAR were thinking over the past seven days...
@JimmieJohnson: What a #k&neast series race. I am beyond impressed with what I saw tonight. So close @chaseelliott!
@keselowski (Brad Keselowski): Resisting the urge to comment on y the K&N race was so good to watch...
@jeff_gluck: Ever wonder how long the grass is at some of these tracks? http://t.co/QHdhKOI1
@KevinHarvick: Was a long night @Mother_Function got hit in the head with a softball & cracked his skull. He's in ICU while they watch the swelling.
@DeLanaHarvick: Saw @Mother_Function before we left for rir. He's still in pain but continuing to rest & heal. Spirits are good! #verylucky
@joeylogano: Hahaha that was so much fun tonight. Being in the booth and getting to race a late model again
@jeff_gluck: Kevin Harvick on why things have been so quiet lately: "It's just part of racing and sports in general." Thinks it's just circumstances.
@JimmieJohnson: @MartySmithESPN finds the best locations for interviews. @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/VieFZpt3
@jeff_gluck: Harvick on Bristol: "Obviously it didn't seem like Bruton wanted anybody's opinion who drives the car, so he went to Darrell (Waltrip)."
@DNewtonESPN (Dave Newton): #NASCAR @KevinHarvick says @MotherFunction (Josh) is recovering well after fracturing skull in softball incident. Get well soon.
@EarnhardtKelley: New to twitter and trying to figure it out... help!
@AllWaltrip (Darrell Waltrip): OBW, Bruton didn't ask me what to do to the track, (he) ask me to come and see what they were doing and did I think it would make a difference!
@ClintBowyer: Man, I'm glad to be here at Richmond. This track kicks ass! We gotta get things turned around, and this is just the track to do it...
@DeLanaHarvick: GREAT NEWS! @Mother_Function is going home!! he's got lots of restrictions & a long road to recovery BUT he can do it at home w/ his family!
@TravisPastrana: Big thanks to @dennyhamlin for helping me in practice today!
@Samantha_Busch: Poor suzie comes running outta bedroom bc she hears @KyleBusch voice on tv. She's lookin but can't find him #confused http://t.co/4WBed3fG
@EarnhardtKelley: the welcome messages on twitter are better than the neighboring welcome wagon visit:) thanks for the love!
@DeLanaHarvick: Sometimes you don't always know your neighbor in the bus lot... I'm pretty sure i know ours this week! http://t.co/rrqZL0pj
@MartinTruexJr56: Another great day at the track for @MWRteam. Congrats to epic swagg @55MarkMartin and @rchilders55 on the pole!!! This is fun
@ClintBowyer: I don't know who gave Ryan Blaney the opportunity tonight but glad they did. Been watching him for couple yrs now and this kid can do it.
@ClintBowyer: Just saw my Sprint commercial, god I sound like a dumbass...I wanna redo!!!
@EmmaBlaney: Proud daddy! http://t.co/306fH8DH
@jeff_gluck: Here's @jeffgordonweb signing autographs in the rain. He's ALWAYS signing. #fanfriendly http://t.co/qRseA24Y
@TravisPastrana: Hey how'd that get there? http://t.co/eygGP3Ue
@KyleBusch: How about that!!!! @KBMteam and @MonsterEnergy are in Victory Lane!!
@KyleBusch: Amazing weekend! So proud of all my @joegibbsracing guys, they came up big when it counted. Thanks everyone 4 all the support
@KurtBusch: Thanks to everyone for the nice messages. This was a great weekend for the #buschbros that I won't ever forget
@DLaw544 (Darren Law): We've added a rudder to the car were going boat racing today, it's been raining for 2 days now race starts in an hour
@AndyLally: Yep... #NoahJustPulledUpToPitLane http://bit.ly/Iy1Wuj
@AndyLally: #GrandAmOnSPEED This is either going to be an epic event of awesomeness or an epic event of disaster. #WeAreGoinGreen
@RikiRachtman: Watching a really cool boat race right now... Oh wait it's @RolexSeries racing in the rain.
@JennaFryer: Wow! The monsoon at Grand-Am race is ridiculous! That is TRULY racing in the wet. @SPEED
@Adam1Alexander: @LeighDiffey We've confirmed your your return to CLT will be in a boat not a plane...
@AllanMcNish: Cannot believe it, Grand Am Homestead race is wet, but seen replay of GT car with a squeegy cloth on stick to clean inside of the windscreen.
@sdrmotorsports (Spirit of Daytona Motorsports): Grand Am is calling the race. Troy Flis not happy saying we could have won this!!
@gbiffle (Greg Biffle): Emma and I working on the yard today!!! http://t.co/hpVDU0vw
@SteveLetarte: Good morning twitter! Is everyone getting rolling? Just settled in at the office for another full day Dega prep.
@ClintBowyer: My helmet for this weekend... Pretty Bitchin! http://t.co/FLK4z0Kx
@ClintBowyer: These video conferences are soooo much fun! I think the rm is 4'x4' and this is all u see. http://t.co/sI35t1Sb
~~~~~~~~~~
Tweet 'N' Greet
by Summer Dreyer
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, Summer Dreyer will sort through the thousands of messages and give us a little taste of what's going on each Wednesday.
So, without further ado, here's a look at what those in NASCAR were thinking over the past seven days...
@JimmieJohnson: What a #k&neast series race. I am beyond impressed with what I saw tonight. So close @chaseelliott!
@keselowski (Brad Keselowski): Resisting the urge to comment on y the K&N race was so good to watch...
@jeff_gluck: Ever wonder how long the grass is at some of these tracks? http://t.co/QHdhKOI1
@KevinHarvick: Was a long night @Mother_Function got hit in the head with a softball & cracked his skull. He's in ICU while they watch the swelling.
@DeLanaHarvick: Saw @Mother_Function before we left for rir. He's still in pain but continuing to rest & heal. Spirits are good! #verylucky
@joeylogano: Hahaha that was so much fun tonight. Being in the booth and getting to race a late model again
@jeff_gluck: Kevin Harvick on why things have been so quiet lately: "It's just part of racing and sports in general." Thinks it's just circumstances.
@JimmieJohnson: @MartySmithESPN finds the best locations for interviews. @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/VieFZpt3
@jeff_gluck: Harvick on Bristol: "Obviously it didn't seem like Bruton wanted anybody's opinion who drives the car, so he went to Darrell (Waltrip)."
@DNewtonESPN (Dave Newton): #NASCAR @KevinHarvick says @MotherFunction (Josh) is recovering well after fracturing skull in softball incident. Get well soon.
@EarnhardtKelley: New to twitter and trying to figure it out... help!
@AllWaltrip (Darrell Waltrip): OBW, Bruton didn't ask me what to do to the track, (he) ask me to come and see what they were doing and did I think it would make a difference!
@ClintBowyer: Man, I'm glad to be here at Richmond. This track kicks ass! We gotta get things turned around, and this is just the track to do it...
@DeLanaHarvick: GREAT NEWS! @Mother_Function is going home!! he's got lots of restrictions & a long road to recovery BUT he can do it at home w/ his family!
@TravisPastrana: Big thanks to @dennyhamlin for helping me in practice today!
@Samantha_Busch: Poor suzie comes running outta bedroom bc she hears @KyleBusch voice on tv. She's lookin but can't find him #confused http://t.co/4WBed3fG
@EarnhardtKelley: the welcome messages on twitter are better than the neighboring welcome wagon visit:) thanks for the love!
@DeLanaHarvick: Sometimes you don't always know your neighbor in the bus lot... I'm pretty sure i know ours this week! http://t.co/rrqZL0pj
@MartinTruexJr56: Another great day at the track for @MWRteam. Congrats to epic swagg @55MarkMartin and @rchilders55 on the pole!!! This is fun
@ClintBowyer: I don't know who gave Ryan Blaney the opportunity tonight but glad they did. Been watching him for couple yrs now and this kid can do it.
@ClintBowyer: Just saw my Sprint commercial, god I sound like a dumbass...I wanna redo!!!
@EmmaBlaney: Proud daddy! http://t.co/306fH8DH
@jeff_gluck: Here's @jeffgordonweb signing autographs in the rain. He's ALWAYS signing. #fanfriendly http://t.co/qRseA24Y
@TravisPastrana: Hey how'd that get there? http://t.co/eygGP3Ue
@KyleBusch: How about that!!!! @KBMteam and @MonsterEnergy are in Victory Lane!!
@KyleBusch: Amazing weekend! So proud of all my @joegibbsracing guys, they came up big when it counted. Thanks everyone 4 all the support
@KurtBusch: Thanks to everyone for the nice messages. This was a great weekend for the #buschbros that I won't ever forget
@DLaw544 (Darren Law): We've added a rudder to the car were going boat racing today, it's been raining for 2 days now race starts in an hour
@AndyLally: Yep... #NoahJustPulledUpToPitLane http://bit.ly/Iy1Wuj
@AndyLally: #GrandAmOnSPEED This is either going to be an epic event of awesomeness or an epic event of disaster. #WeAreGoinGreen
@RikiRachtman: Watching a really cool boat race right now... Oh wait it's @RolexSeries racing in the rain.
@JennaFryer: Wow! The monsoon at Grand-Am race is ridiculous! That is TRULY racing in the wet. @SPEED
@Adam1Alexander: @LeighDiffey We've confirmed your your return to CLT will be in a boat not a plane...
@AllanMcNish: Cannot believe it, Grand Am Homestead race is wet, but seen replay of GT car with a squeegy cloth on stick to clean inside of the windscreen.
@sdrmotorsports (Spirit of Daytona Motorsports): Grand Am is calling the race. Troy Flis not happy saying we could have won this!!
@gbiffle (Greg Biffle): Emma and I working on the yard today!!! http://t.co/hpVDU0vw
@SteveLetarte: Good morning twitter! Is everyone getting rolling? Just settled in at the office for another full day Dega prep.
@ClintBowyer: My helmet for this weekend... Pretty Bitchin! http://t.co/FLK4z0Kx
@ClintBowyer: These video conferences are soooo much fun! I think the rm is 4'x4' and this is all u see. http://t.co/sI35t1Sb
Summer Dreyer is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via email at summer.dreyer@frontstretch.com.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
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Are you looking to advertise your website, product or brand? A good way to get your name out there is via direct advertising here in the Frontstretch Newsletter! Interested parties can contact us at tony.lumbis@frontstretch.com for details.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Did You Notice? ... Ford Fighting Ford?, Earnhardt Crying Wolf And NASCAR's Spark
by Tom Bowles
Mirror Driving: NASCAR Confusion - The Wrong Flags At The Wrong Times?
by the Frontstretch Staff
Junior Is (Almost) Back... But Is It For Real This Time?
by Garrett Horton
Mirror Driving: NASCAR Confusion - The Wrong Flags At The Wrong Times?
by Mike Neff
NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Richmond
compiled by Summer Dreyer
Top Ten Reasons Jeremy Mayfield Has Given Up On His Lawsuit Against NASCAR
by Jeff Meyer
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In the same DieHard 500 in 1990, there was a scary moment in the pits. What happened?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: In 1990, Dale Earnhardt won the DieHard 500 at Talladega to claim a season sweep on the high banks. However, there was a rarely-seen big wreck on the last lap. What happened?
A: On the final lap of the race, there was a crash on the backstretch that saw Jimmy Spencer's No. 57 Heinz Pontiac get upside down. Spencer was able to restart his Grand Prix and got back around to take the checkered flag. Surprisingly, there is no video of this crash. CBS referenced that there was trouble on the final lap, but chose not to cut away from Earnhardt's charge to the line.
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 trivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!
~~~~~~~~~~
Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Phil Allaway
-- What's Vexing Vito by Vito Pugliese
-- Critic's Annex by Phil Allaway
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, the Line of the Week and more!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
MPM2Nite by Matt McLaughlin
Matt McLaughlin is back again this season with his usual sarcastic sense of humor ... and incomparable insight. This week, Matt ponders what fans really want when they complain about boring racing ... and it's not more wrecks.
Potts' Shots by John Potts
Fanning the Flames has become Potts' Shots, and John Potts is here to answer your questions in our weekly Fan Q & A. Do you have something you'd like to ask John? Don't sit on the sidelines! Send it to john.potts@frontstretch.com and you just may see your question in print next week!
Professor Of Speed by Mark Howell
Our professor of racing history "has at it" with another column pertinent to the sport at large. This week, Mark takes on NASCAR's white paper expanding upon their "green" initiatives.
Dollars and Sense by Jesse Medford
The newest addition to the Frontstretch family will take a look at the business side of NASCAR.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back this year on a new night, but it's the same great commentary you've come to enjoy!
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 trivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!
~~~~~~~~~~
Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Phil Allaway
-- What's Vexing Vito by Vito Pugliese
-- Critic's Annex by Phil Allaway
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, the Line of the Week and more!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
MPM2Nite by Matt McLaughlin
Matt McLaughlin is back again this season with his usual sarcastic sense of humor ... and incomparable insight. This week, Matt ponders what fans really want when they complain about boring racing ... and it's not more wrecks.
Potts' Shots by John Potts
Fanning the Flames has become Potts' Shots, and John Potts is here to answer your questions in our weekly Fan Q & A. Do you have something you'd like to ask John? Don't sit on the sidelines! Send it to john.potts@frontstretch.com and you just may see your question in print next week!
Professor Of Speed by Mark Howell
Our professor of racing history "has at it" with another column pertinent to the sport at large. This week, Mark takes on NASCAR's white paper expanding upon their "green" initiatives.
Dollars and Sense by Jesse Medford
The newest addition to the Frontstretch family will take a look at the business side of NASCAR.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth is back this year on a new night, but it's the same great commentary you've come to enjoy!
-----------------------------
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©2012 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!
©2012 Frontstretch.com
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