Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
September 12th, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CLXXXII
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Top News
by Brad Morgan
Title Contenders Participate in 'Chase Across America' Media Tour
With the Chase set to kick off with the Geico 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on Sept. 16, each of the 12 contenders is doing their part to help fuel excitement in the media. As part of the "Chase Across America," drivers are making appearances on television and radio programs and making stops across the United States in an attempt to create positive publicity.
Jimmie Johnson appears to be the main headliner; he'll promote the Chase while chatting about NASCAR and his life when he makes several appearances in New York including: LIVE! with Kelly and Michael, FOX Business Network, CNN Headline News, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and FOX News with Sheppard Smith.
While the five-time champion spent time in the Big Apple, other drivers will focus on a variety of other media outlets. Fan favorite Dale Earnhardt, Jr. spent Tuesday at ESPN headquarters while making appearances on SportsCenter and other programs before racing a golf cart against sports analyst Jay Crawford.
Meanwhile, other Chase drivers spent their time mingling with fans and visiting future race event locations.
Brad Keselowski spent time in Chicago with firefighters from Engine Company 70. Pictures posted on Keselowski's Twitter profile show the Penske driver operating a fire hose and manning a mounted tower ladder.
Denny Hamlin met with members of the New Hampshire Army National Guard as they prepared to be deployed to Afghanistan. The same Concord, N.H. based unit will participate in race day ceremonies prior to the Sylvania 300 on Sept. 23.
Like Hamlin, Martin Truex, Jr. also visited members of the Army National Guard, only he found himself in Kansas City. The Michael Waltrip Racing driver spent time reflecting on 9/11 but also fielded questions regarding NASCAR.
"I really felt like this was our year and hopefully over the next 10 weeks we can go out and take advantage of the hard work we put in this winter," Truex, Jr. said. "These final 10 races are going to be a huge challenge. Any of the 12 drivers could get hot at any time. Look at Tony (Stewart) last year – he won five races and won the championship."
Kasey Kahne visited Xfinity Live! in Philadelphia for a question and answer session with fans. The event is meant to promote the Dover International Speedway event being held during the Chase.
Students of Martinsville High School in Virginia gave Greg Biffle a huge welcome when the driver visited the city made famous by NASCAR's shortest track.
"It was a lot of fun and it was a satisfying feeling to go back and see the excitement and get to talk to the students," Biffle said. "It was different from things we usually do and we really enjoyed it."
Clint Bowyer visited Texas Motor Speedway to help lead an assembly dedicated to the victims of 9/11. Bowyer was the honorary starter of a relay race which was dedicated to members of Fort Worth's fire and police departments.
Matt Kenseth visited the U.S. Coast Guard Base in Miami for the opportunity to pilot a USCG Cutter Diamondback watercraft and participated in a man overboard simulation.
Following the "Chase Across America," all of the Chase drivers will meet at Chicago's House of Blues on Wednesday for the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Media Day.
Penske Teams Test at Nashville Speedway
Penske Racing's Sprint Cup Series teams were in Tennessee on Tuesday, gathering information during a full-day practice session at Nashville Speedway.
"It's a group effort to try several things," said Shell-Pennzoil Dodge crew chief Todd Gordon. "Many of the guys on the No. 2 car team will be there and several of us from the No. 22 team are attending. Sam will be there with us and getting seat time. The test is really not focused on preparation for a particular upcoming race; we're just using it to take a closer look at several items we've wanted to evaluate."
Penske managed to get Brad Keselowski into the Chase during its last year as a Dodge-affiliated organization.
Whitt to Drive No. 33 at Chicagoland
Cole Whitt will drive the No. 33 LittleJoesAutos.com Chevrolet in Sunday's GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. The 21-year-old driver will make his sixth start in the Sprint Cup Series.
Despite a lack of experience at the Sprint Cup level, Whitt has seen plenty of action in the Nationwide Series where he is the full-time driver for JR Motorsports in the No. 88 Chevrolet.
"The sport of NASCAR is constantly evolving, and as we look to make strides within our own organization we felt that we needed to add a driver to our lineup that has ties to a factory-backed organization," Circle Sport owner Joe Falk said. "Cole Whitt is a young driver with a lot of potential - demonstrated by the fact he was hand-picked by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - and we feel that his input will help us improve our intermediate program in the short-term. It has always been our goal to grow Circle Sport into a competitive organization no matter the race track and the addition of Cole Whitt will help us reach that goal."
The Nationwide Series rookie is currently seventh in the standings, and has compiled three top 5s and 10 top 10s in 25 starts this season.
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.
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WRITE FOR US!
Hey Frontstretch Readers! Are you looking for a fast-growing website that can give you an opportunity to not only share your thoughts on racing, but have FUN doing it with a group of laid-back, dedicated personnel? Well, we have the place for you. Frontstretch is actively seeking 1-3 additional writers for both our newsletter and website to add to our dedicated staff. Follow this link for more information on how you can become a weekly columnist for the site and / or newsletter!
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Today's Featured Commentary
Beth's Brief
Checking Chase Chances Part I
by Beth Lunkenheimer
The Sprint Cup Series heads into Chicagoland Speedway for the ninth Chase for the Sprint Cup, and with 12 drivers now within striking distance of the points lead, the championship battle has now been blown wide open. But who has what it takes to get the job done? While their seeding to begin the Chase doesn't guarantee a better finish at the end of the year, a good position usually ends up being a tremendous help. In fact, the eventual champion has been seeded no worse than third every year except 2004 (Kurt Busch - 7th) and 2011 (Tony Stewart - 9th). So without further ado, let's take a look at the Chase drivers and what we can expect from each one as the 2012 season begins to wind down.
1st - Denny Hamlin
4 Wins, 11 Top 5s, 13 Top 10s
Denny Hamlin comes into the Chase with all sorts of momentum. Having scored back-to-back wins at Bristol and Atlanta, the driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota led 202 laps at Richmond and likely would have scored a solid top-5 finish if not for his fuel mileage. But despite an 18th-place finish, Hamlin is still set for a solid run at the championship. Everyone remembers 2010 when he came so close to grabbing the championship only to have it fall from his grip at Homestead, and it's hard to think he won't suffer another meltdown if he finds himself in the same position late in this Chase. However, Hamlin insists there were a different set of circumstances that led to his collapse and that he knows how to handle the pressure better this year. Of course, it helps that Hamlin has last year's champion crew chief atop his pit box making the calls. In the end, everything combined might just be enough for Hamlin to snag his first career championship.
2nd - Jimmie Johnson (-3 points)
3 Wins, 12 Top 5s, 17 Top 10s
Jimmie Johnson enters the Chase not only as a five-time champion, but also as the only driver to have made NASCAR's playoffs for all nine seasons it has been around. Is there really all that much to say about the Johnson / Knaus combination? It's hard to argue with the pairing that has won five of eight championships under the Chase format. And while there are still 11 other drivers that would love nothing more than to continue what Tony Stewart started last year when he prevented a sixth consecutive championship, Johnson has found himself near the top of the standings for much of the season and has likely had a chance to try out a few things that will help give him an edge when the Chase begins.
3rd - Tony Stewart (-3 points)
3 Wins, 10 Top 5s, 12 Top 10s
Tony Stewart enters as the only driver to have won at all ten Chase tracks; he has a combined 21 victories at those venues. He started off the year strong, answering Denny Hamlin's first victory with Darian Grubb in Phoenix with a win of his own the following week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Though the driver of the No. 14 Chevrolet stumbled and nearly forced himself into using a Wild Card to make the Chase, he rebounded at Richmond with a solid fourth-place finish. While it's unlikely that he'll run off a string of five wins again this year, don't count him out as a championship contender. Remember that he's losing Office Depot as a primary sponsor, and the owner / driver would love nothing more than to show another potential backer that their money would be well represented.
4th - Brad Keselowski (-3 points)
3 Wins, 10 Top 5s, 15 Top 10s
Can you even consider Brad Keselowski as a dark horse pick for the championship anymore? With the numbers he's put up in the last few years, it's almost hard to even call him that, but one thing is for sure: he's scored the most points of anyone in the last ten races. Despite having instability in the No. 22 team, the driver of the No. 2 Dodge has definitely not skipped a beat and looks to challenge for the championship this year. Regardless of whether he manages to grab the big trophy at Homestead in November, one thing is for sure: Keselowski is an integral part of Penske Racing and as such, his team will be given all they need to make a run; however, it might not quite be time for the No. 2 team just yet.
5th - Greg Biffle (-6 points)
2 Wins, 10 Top 5s, 15 Top 10s
Having sat atop the points standings for 14 of the 26 weeks in the "regular" season, Greg Biffle knows what it's like to hold that lead, but perhaps what's more impressive is that the driver of the No. 16 Ford has just four finishes outside the top 15 in the first 26 races. Though he's seeded fifth thanks to two victories, the Roush Fenway Racing driver would love nothing more than to bring the organization its first championship since Kurt Busch won it all in 2004. And if Biffle can continue with the performance he's put up for much of the year and throw in a win or two when it means the most, there's a very real chance he could come out on top for the first time in his career.
6th - Clint Bowyer (-6 points)
2 Wins, 6 Top 5s, 15 Top 10s
With the pressure of being in the Chase off of his shoulders, Clint Bowyer was allowed the chance to gamble on fuel at Richmond Friday night and won. And despite being overshadowed by Jeff Gordon narrowly making the Chase, the driver of the No. 15 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota is one to keep an eye on. He's quietly been around for much of the season after starting off a little rocky, finishing in the top 10 just twice in the first eight races. With six top-10 finishes in his last eight races, Bowyer looks to have another shot at the championship after suffering a 150-point blow from a penalty in the 2010 Chase that took him out of contention following a failed postrace inspection in Loudon, and he'll be out to prove that MWR can compete with the bigger teams.
Author's Note: Looking for the rest of the Top 12? Check back here tomorrow for the rest of the Chase field.
Beth Lunkenheimer is a Co-Managing Editor for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via email at beth.lunkenheimer@frontstretch.com. Follow her on Twitter @Beth_Frntstrtch.
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Got NASCAR-related questions or comments?
Send them Summer Bedgood's way at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com; and, if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print when she does her weekly column answering back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat. It will run on Thursday with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!
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Tweet 'N' Greet
by Summer Bedgood
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 Bedgood 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...
@bobpockrass: Penske's Tim Cindric said he asked Gibbs last year when Kurt Busch was released to see if Logano was available. #nascar
@bobpockrass: Cindric said they will evaluate whether Todd Gordon remains as crew chief ... could go either way. #nascar
@bobpockrass: Cindric also said they considered other drivers, their driving ability and obviously sensitive to someone w/good character after issues w/22
@jeff_gluck: Joey Logano says Brad Keselowski is involved with many day-to-day decisions at Penske and has a big role in the company's direction.
@dcaraviello (David Carviello): Logano says Keselowski "called me and said, 'You might want to talk about this. This is a great opportunity for you.' That means a lot."
@WendyVenturini: Headed to decorate for @McDzFamily baby shower! Baby GIRL McDowell will be here next month!
@JennaFryer: Ryan Newman says today about future @StewartHaasRcng: "We pretty much have everything wrapped up." #NASCAR
@keselowski (Brad Keselowski): As the athlete debate continues in racing, it always amazes me what people say. IMO Sports require a true balance of mental & phys. strength
@keselowski: Many people are mystified by race car drivers position as athletes. Most likely because of the emphasis on mental over physical strength.
@TheOrangeCone: BREAKING: with no other rides open except a JGR Nationwide car, Ryan Newman wisely decides to stay right where he is. #nailedit
@WendyVenturini: One final baby note. I've been to more Wednesday night baby showers this year than most ppl in a lifetime. #NASCAR #WednesdaysAreWeekends
@RCR31JeffBurton: Thanks to my guys for a great effort tonight
@SherryPollex: 2012 Chase contenders!!!! Wahoo!! @MWRteam https://twitter.com/SherryPollex/status/244679891516276736/photo/1
@RCR31JeffBurton: Happy for @ClintBowyer. Way to go man!
@KristineC48 (Kristine Curley): Chit chatting. By the way it is late. https://twitter.com/KristineC48/status/244680896421167104/photo/1
@Mother_function: I know I am tired, but are we in Homestead? #saveit http://twitpic.com/asoel8
@JeffGordonWeb (Jeff Gordon): The 2012 #NASCAR Chase field. #Team24 https://twitter.com/JeffGordonWeb/status/244681108099309568/photo/1
@DavidRagan: The only place open after this long race... @TacoBell finally got the car better at the end, it was to late. Going home https://twitter.com/DavidRagan/status/244681307353923584/photo/1
@tomjensen100: "It sucks to not have Kyle in the Chase." — @dennyhamlin
@WendyVenturini: I can't keep up with these awesome photos! #nascar #champagnespray https://twitter.com/WendyVenturini/status/244684007869124609/photo/1
@WendyVenturini: Greg Biffle goes after Junior with the champagne #nascar https://twitter.com/WendyVenturini/status/244684198143721472/photo/1
@JeffGordonWeb: What a night! So proud of this team! We never gave up and now we're ready to battle for this championship.
@jeff_gluck: Dale Jr. thinks the Hendrick team debriefs will get a lot shorter during Chase... thinks guys won't share as much info. They got all four in.
@joeylogano: Not much good things to say about that
@mattkenseth: Really proud of my team tonight, great effort. Looking forward to Chicago! @bestbuy #nascar
@MikeCalinoff: You did okay yourself. RT @mattkenseth: Really proud of my team tonight, great effort. Looking forward to Chicago! @bestbuy #nascar
@mattkenseth: Congrats @ClintBowyer on the win, and @JeffGordonWeb for the amazing comeback..
@JMorris_NP (John Morris): Epic pic as @mw55's @ClintBowyer gets fresh w/ @kaseykahne. Hmmm @LorraP. #toomuchchampagne #cheese #nascar http://twitpic.com/asonq4
@JennaFryer: Dave Rogers on seeing Kyle after race: "We were both speechless ... looked at each other and nodded at each other. Both of us are hurting."
@JennaFryer: Gibbs: "I didn't really talk to Kyle much. Dave, I was up there with him just sharing the disappointment." #NASCAR
@KevinHarvick: Another solid night even though we didn't come out on the good side of the rain gamble.. Thanks for sticking with us! It ain't over yet!!!
@JennaFryer: Gibbs: "We love Dave Rogers. I think he's one of the brightest and the best. If we have a tough night, we all have a tough night together."
@JennaFryer: Rogers: "Kyle did a good job of keeping his composure and took it on the chin like a man and went back to his bus." #NASCAR
@DNewtonESPN: Just enough time to run by hotel, pack bag, get to airport for 6 am flight. Race winner @ClintBowyer needs to give me 5-Hour Energy. #nascar
@MartinTruexJr56: What a day for @MWRteam ! We had a fast car again. Cant wait for the chase.
@DNewtonESPN: #NASCAR http://mypict.me/nmPLR how they clean @JeffGordonWeb Victory Lane mess At 310 am.
@LorraP (Lorra Podsiadlo): What an awesome night! Thanks for all your kind words! So proud of cb, bp and the entire #15 team!!
@RodneyAtkins: Congratulations @mw55 & your boys @clintbowyer & @martintruexjr56 on making it in the chase & the big win
@OneMenz (Joe Menzer): You know it's been long night (and morning) of work when you get back to hotel and run into people hustling out to catch early-morn flights
@dcaraviello: After RIR races, media used to grill burgers and drink beer in parking lot. Now such an ass-kicker of a work weekend no one has the energy.
@landoncassill: Another one down. Great run. My ears have been ringing more than usual. Hope that goes away. Goodnight!
@ClintBowyer: Well, guess I run outta friends to celebrate with....Damn it...Suppose I'll turn it in for the night. #wahoo
@WendyVenturini: Got to bed around 445am after work. Husband @TRDTuner & I are on the road. Glad not on #airNASCAR this AM. Sunglasses on. Limited convo
@JimmieJohnson: I'm sipping coffee this morning thinking how cool it is to have all 4 @TeamHendrick cars in the Chase.
@kaseykahne: Man I'm happy to make the chase! Really cool that all 4 HMS car are in. Thanks to all the hard work by everyone involved
@KevinHarvick: Right now I feel like I have been run over by a truck... Long night. #tired
@blakeshelton: Oh shit!!! And congrats to my boy @ClintBowyer on a HUGE win lastnight!!!! I've taught you to race well my son.. I've taught you well..
@JeffGordonWeb: Woke up today still pumped about last night and still amazed at how that race went. #chaseherewecome
@JeffGordonWeb: So as many of u may have heard, I made a statement that if we made the Chase I wud bring back the stache. I'm a man of my word.
@WendyVenturini: some1 asked me if @ClintBowyer was drunk in VicLane interview live w/ me. Folks, it was 30mins post race..he's not exactly a lightweight lol
@MNeffShortTrack: Cannot wait to see @JeffGordonWeb rocking the early 90s porn 'stache! This is going to be EPIC!!!!
@dennyhamlin: AHH so bummed about last night for a lot of reasons. Shoulda had ourselves 3 straight. Sad for our teammates who didn't make it. #GAMETIME
@ivandebosch (Ingrid Vandebosch): Not too happy about the stache but he is a man of his word!
@EddieDHondt: Never, Ever, Never give up ! A lap down 148 laps in, scratch & claw our way back to finish 2nd & get in Chase by 1 point - "Epic"
@keselowski: Feeling well rested and ready for the chase to start. ;) #LetsDoIt #nascar
@JeffGordonWeb: This is going to get interesting! I have a whole week of sponsor appearances and @NASCAR/Sprint media while growing #thestache
@KevinHarvick: The uni has to come with it! @JeffGordonWeb: I made a statement that if we made the Chase I wud bring back the stache. I'm a man of my word.
@JeffGordonWeb: Hmmm decisions decisions. Help me out? https://twitter.com/JeffGordonWeb/status/244871418599321600/photo/1
@kaseykahne: Nice profile pic @ClintBowyer #bromance
@rchilders55 (Rodney Childers): Hope everyone realizes what @55MarkMartin still does.. He got his 1st pole at RIR in 1981. Got another and almost a win there 31 years later
@rchilders55: No one else could have ever done that. That's why everyone @MWRteam are so honored for him to drive our car.. Dedicated and driven person..
@SummerBedgood: Has everyone recovered from Richmond yet? #NASCAR
@HigNASCAR (David Higdon): Pretty cool that #NASCAR drivers, the most patriotic athletes in sports, will be reaching out to fans for #ChaseAcrossAmerica on 9/11 #proud
@tomjensen100: Remembering the heroes of 9/11 this morning and the resolve of so many men and women. #letsroll
@MikeDavis88: Another day w/ the greatest job in the world. Before it starts, I pray for the victims & families of 9/11. And for our country.
@JimmieJohnson: It sucks to think about all the hatred in the world. 9/11 #NeverForget
@ClintBowyer: Now this is my kinda recliner!!! https://twitter.com/ClintBowyer/status/245540849063165952/photo/1
@Brett_Griff (Brett Griffin): Just signed on with @ClintBowyer and @mw55. Looking forward to the Chase! Thx @Tymwr 4 ur help. Good peeps https://twitter.com/Brett_Griff/status/245553976249028608/photo/1
@ClintBowyer: They just had me talk to 5,000 high school kids at @TXmotorspeedway. I hope they didn't listen to my advice! Haha
@aric_almirola: Sorry you all for the lack of writing. Twitter has kind of taken a back seat to Alex. Free time has been either spent with him or sleeping
@paulieharraka: Forever in my memory: Mrs. Peto's English Class. Mom picked me up from school early that day, and I will #NeverForget the mushroom cloud...
@paulieharraka: ...of smoke when we got over the hill and saw the NYC Skyline. Remembering all whose lives were forever changed. #911 #NeverForget
@bobpockrass: Sprint Cup race at RIR won night on TV. 3.3 rating w/rain delays, 5.07 million viewers. 3.7 (no rain delays) in 2011, 3.1 in 2010 #nascar
@dennyhamlin: In our Hotel rooms for chase guys NASCAR has left us plenty of hangover remedies. What are they trying to say?
Summer Bedgood is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via email at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Recent Events Remind Fans of the Risks of Racing
by Huston Ladner
Top Ten Things Slightly More Useless Than The Chase…According to the Fans!
by Jeff Meyer
NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 after Richmond II
compiled by Summer Bedgood
Mirror Driving: Chase Scenarios, Best Of The Rest And Down The Stretch
by the Frontstretch Staff
Looking For This Weekend's Best Race? It Might Not Be in Chicago
by Kevin Rutherford
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: Jimmie Johnson, driving for Herzog Motorsports, claimed his one and only victory in the now-Nationwide Series at Chicagoland Speedway in 2001, outfoxing Ryan Newman. However, he got some help. What helped Johnson get the lead away from Newman?
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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!
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Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Charity Corner: NAPA Fallen Heroes Winners by Beth Lunkenheimer
This weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, NAPA Auto Parts will honor two military members with a special all-inclusive weekend. Beth has the details on how those winners were picked, who they were and so much more!
Professor Of Speed by Mark Howell
Our professor of racing history "has at it" with another column pertinent to the sport at large.
Beyond the Cockpit: Doug Yates Part 2 by Mike Neff
Mike Neff caught up with Doug Yates at Atlanta Motor Speedway to talk about a variety of topics. This week marks part two in the interview where Yates delves more into the technical aspect of racing.
Fan Q&A by Summer Dreyer
Summer takes on your questions and answers them to the best of her ability. Be sure to send your questions in if there's something that's been nagging at you and you might see your name in print.
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 on NASCAR's Truck Series! This week, Beth takes a look at the sponsorship woes that have plagued the series the last few years and claimed another victim last week.
IndyCar Championship Feature by Toni Montgomery
As the IZOD IndyCar Series rolls into Auto Club Speedway for its final race of the 2012 season, Toni takes a closer look at Will Power and Ryan Hunter-Reay as the pair battles for the championship.
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©2012 Frontstretch.com
-- @bobpockrass: Cindric said they will evaluate whether Todd Gordon remains as crew chief ... could go either way. #nascar
@bobpockrass: Cindric also said they considered other drivers, their driving ability and obviously sensitive to someone w/good character after issues w/22
@jeff_gluck: Joey Logano says Brad Keselowski is involved with many day-to-day decisions at Penske and has a big role in the company's direction.
@dcaraviello (David Carviello): Logano says Keselowski "called me and said, 'You might want to talk about this. This is a great opportunity for you.' That means a lot."
@WendyVenturini: Headed to decorate for @McDzFamily baby shower! Baby GIRL McDowell will be here next month!
@JennaFryer: Ryan Newman says today about future @StewartHaasRcng: "We pretty much have everything wrapped up." #NASCAR
@keselowski (Brad Keselowski): As the athlete debate continues in racing, it always amazes me what people say. IMO Sports require a true balance of mental & phys. strength
@keselowski: Many people are mystified by race car drivers position as athletes. Most likely because of the emphasis on mental over physical strength.
@TheOrangeCone: BREAKING: with no other rides open except a JGR Nationwide car, Ryan Newman wisely decides to stay right where he is. #nailedit
@WendyVenturini: One final baby note. I've been to more Wednesday night baby showers this year than most ppl in a lifetime. #NASCAR #WednesdaysAreWeekends
@RCR31JeffBurton: Thanks to my guys for a great effort tonight
@SherryPollex: 2012 Chase contenders!!!! Wahoo!! @MWRteam https://twitter.com/SherryPollex/status/244679891516276736/photo/1
@RCR31JeffBurton: Happy for @ClintBowyer. Way to go man!
@KristineC48 (Kristine Curley): Chit chatting. By the way it is late. https://twitter.com/KristineC48/status/244680896421167104/photo/1
@Mother_function: I know I am tired, but are we in Homestead? #saveit http://twitpic.com/asoel8
@JeffGordonWeb (Jeff Gordon): The 2012 #NASCAR Chase field. #Team24 https://twitter.com/JeffGordonWeb/status/244681108099309568/photo/1
@DavidRagan: The only place open after this long race... @TacoBell finally got the car better at the end, it was to late. Going home https://twitter.com/DavidRagan/status/244681307353923584/photo/1
@tomjensen100: "It sucks to not have Kyle in the Chase." — @dennyhamlin
@WendyVenturini: I can't keep up with these awesome photos! #nascar #champagnespray https://twitter.com/WendyVenturini/status/244684007869124609/photo/1
@WendyVenturini: Greg Biffle goes after Junior with the champagne #nascar https://twitter.com/WendyVenturini/status/244684198143721472/photo/1
@JeffGordonWeb: What a night! So proud of this team! We never gave up and now we're ready to battle for this championship.
@jeff_gluck: Dale Jr. thinks the Hendrick team debriefs will get a lot shorter during Chase... thinks guys won't share as much info. They got all four in.
@joeylogano: Not much good things to say about that
@mattkenseth: Really proud of my team tonight, great effort. Looking forward to Chicago! @bestbuy #nascar
@MikeCalinoff: You did okay yourself. RT @mattkenseth: Really proud of my team tonight, great effort. Looking forward to Chicago! @bestbuy #nascar
@mattkenseth: Congrats @ClintBowyer on the win, and @JeffGordonWeb for the amazing comeback..
@JMorris_NP (John Morris): Epic pic as @mw55's @ClintBowyer gets fresh w/ @kaseykahne. Hmmm @LorraP. #toomuchchampagne #cheese #nascar http://twitpic.com/asonq4
@JennaFryer: Dave Rogers on seeing Kyle after race: "We were both speechless ... looked at each other and nodded at each other. Both of us are hurting."
@JennaFryer: Gibbs: "I didn't really talk to Kyle much. Dave, I was up there with him just sharing the disappointment." #NASCAR
@KevinHarvick: Another solid night even though we didn't come out on the good side of the rain gamble.. Thanks for sticking with us! It ain't over yet!!!
@JennaFryer: Gibbs: "We love Dave Rogers. I think he's one of the brightest and the best. If we have a tough night, we all have a tough night together."
@JennaFryer: Rogers: "Kyle did a good job of keeping his composure and took it on the chin like a man and went back to his bus." #NASCAR
@DNewtonESPN: Just enough time to run by hotel, pack bag, get to airport for 6 am flight. Race winner @ClintBowyer needs to give me 5-Hour Energy. #nascar
@MartinTruexJr56: What a day for @MWRteam ! We had a fast car again. Cant wait for the chase.
@DNewtonESPN: #NASCAR http://mypict.me/nmPLR how they clean @JeffGordonWeb Victory Lane mess At 310 am.
@LorraP (Lorra Podsiadlo): What an awesome night! Thanks for all your kind words! So proud of cb, bp and the entire #15 team!!
@RodneyAtkins: Congratulations @mw55 & your boys @clintbowyer & @martintruexjr56 on making it in the chase & the big win
@OneMenz (Joe Menzer): You know it's been long night (and morning) of work when you get back to hotel and run into people hustling out to catch early-morn flights
@dcaraviello: After RIR races, media used to grill burgers and drink beer in parking lot. Now such an ass-kicker of a work weekend no one has the energy.
@landoncassill: Another one down. Great run. My ears have been ringing more than usual. Hope that goes away. Goodnight!
@ClintBowyer: Well, guess I run outta friends to celebrate with....Damn it...Suppose I'll turn it in for the night. #wahoo
@WendyVenturini: Got to bed around 445am after work. Husband @TRDTuner & I are on the road. Glad not on #airNASCAR this AM. Sunglasses on. Limited convo
@JimmieJohnson: I'm sipping coffee this morning thinking how cool it is to have all 4 @TeamHendrick cars in the Chase.
@kaseykahne: Man I'm happy to make the chase! Really cool that all 4 HMS car are in. Thanks to all the hard work by everyone involved
@KevinHarvick: Right now I feel like I have been run over by a truck... Long night. #tired
@blakeshelton: Oh shit!!! And congrats to my boy @ClintBowyer on a HUGE win lastnight!!!! I've taught you to race well my son.. I've taught you well..
@JeffGordonWeb: Woke up today still pumped about last night and still amazed at how that race went. #chaseherewecome
@JeffGordonWeb: So as many of u may have heard, I made a statement that if we made the Chase I wud bring back the stache. I'm a man of my word.
@WendyVenturini: some1 asked me if @ClintBowyer was drunk in VicLane interview live w/ me. Folks, it was 30mins post race..he's not exactly a lightweight lol
@MNeffShortTrack: Cannot wait to see @JeffGordonWeb rocking the early 90s porn 'stache! This is going to be EPIC!!!!
@dennyhamlin: AHH so bummed about last night for a lot of reasons. Shoulda had ourselves 3 straight. Sad for our teammates who didn't make it. #GAMETIME
@ivandebosch (Ingrid Vandebosch): Not too happy about the stache but he is a man of his word!
@EddieDHondt: Never, Ever, Never give up ! A lap down 148 laps in, scratch & claw our way back to finish 2nd & get in Chase by 1 point - "Epic"
@keselowski: Feeling well rested and ready for the chase to start. ;) #LetsDoIt #nascar
@JeffGordonWeb: This is going to get interesting! I have a whole week of sponsor appearances and @NASCAR/Sprint media while growing #thestache
@KevinHarvick: The uni has to come with it! @JeffGordonWeb: I made a statement that if we made the Chase I wud bring back the stache. I'm a man of my word.
@JeffGordonWeb: Hmmm decisions decisions. Help me out? https://twitter.com/JeffGordonWeb/status/244871418599321600/photo/1
@kaseykahne: Nice profile pic @ClintBowyer #bromance
@rchilders55 (Rodney Childers): Hope everyone realizes what @55MarkMartin still does.. He got his 1st pole at RIR in 1981. Got another and almost a win there 31 years later
@rchilders55: No one else could have ever done that. That's why everyone @MWRteam are so honored for him to drive our car.. Dedicated and driven person..
@SummerBedgood: Has everyone recovered from Richmond yet? #NASCAR
@HigNASCAR (David Higdon): Pretty cool that #NASCAR drivers, the most patriotic athletes in sports, will be reaching out to fans for #ChaseAcrossAmerica on 9/11 #proud
@tomjensen100: Remembering the heroes of 9/11 this morning and the resolve of so many men and women. #letsroll
@MikeDavis88: Another day w/ the greatest job in the world. Before it starts, I pray for the victims & families of 9/11. And for our country.
@JimmieJohnson: It sucks to think about all the hatred in the world. 9/11 #NeverForget
@ClintBowyer: Now this is my kinda recliner!!! https://twitter.com/ClintBowyer/status/245540849063165952/photo/1
@Brett_Griff (Brett Griffin): Just signed on with @ClintBowyer and @mw55. Looking forward to the Chase! Thx @Tymwr 4 ur help. Good peeps https://twitter.com/Brett_Griff/status/245553976249028608/photo/1
@ClintBowyer: They just had me talk to 5,000 high school kids at @TXmotorspeedway. I hope they didn't listen to my advice! Haha
@aric_almirola: Sorry you all for the lack of writing. Twitter has kind of taken a back seat to Alex. Free time has been either spent with him or sleeping
@paulieharraka: Forever in my memory: Mrs. Peto's English Class. Mom picked me up from school early that day, and I will #NeverForget the mushroom cloud...
@paulieharraka: ...of smoke when we got over the hill and saw the NYC Skyline. Remembering all whose lives were forever changed. #911 #NeverForget
@bobpockrass: Sprint Cup race at RIR won night on TV. 3.3 rating w/rain delays, 5.07 million viewers. 3.7 (no rain delays) in 2011, 3.1 in 2010 #nascar
@dennyhamlin: In our Hotel rooms for chase guys NASCAR has left us plenty of hangover remedies. What are they trying to say?
Summer Bedgood is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via email at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Recent Events Remind Fans of the Risks of Racing
by Huston Ladner
Top Ten Things Slightly More Useless Than The Chase…According to the Fans!
by Jeff Meyer
NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 after Richmond II
compiled by Summer Bedgood
Mirror Driving: Chase Scenarios, Best Of The Rest And Down The Stretch
by the Frontstretch Staff
Looking For This Weekend's Best Race? It Might Not Be in Chicago
by Kevin Rutherford
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: Jimmie Johnson, driving for Herzog Motorsports, claimed his one and only victory in the now-Nationwide Series at Chicagoland Speedway in 2001, outfoxing Ryan Newman. However, he got some help. What helped Johnson get the lead away from Newman?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: In the 2002 Tropicana Twister 300 at Chicagoland Speedway, Scott Riggs started from the outside pole and led 50 laps. However, his day ended in the garage a little past halfway. What happened?
A: Riggs was running in the sixth position on Lap 124 when something appeared to break on the rear of his Nestea Ford. The car then shot hard into the outside wall exiting Turn 2 and rode the wall all the way to Turn 4. The crash can be seen at the 1:19:25 mark of the race. Riggs was able to exit the car on his own, but he was in visible pain, favoring his right side.
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!
Tuesday's Answer:
Q: In the 2002 Tropicana Twister 300 at Chicagoland Speedway, Scott Riggs started from the outside pole and led 50 laps. However, his day ended in the garage a little past halfway. What happened?
A: Riggs was running in the sixth position on Lap 124 when something appeared to break on the rear of his Nestea Ford. The car then shot hard into the outside wall exiting Turn 2 and rode the wall all the way to Turn 4. The crash can be seen at the 1:19:25 mark of the race. Riggs was able to exit the car on his own, but he was in visible pain, favoring his right side.
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!
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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!
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Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Charity Corner: NAPA Fallen Heroes Winners by Beth Lunkenheimer
This weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, NAPA Auto Parts will honor two military members with a special all-inclusive weekend. Beth has the details on how those winners were picked, who they were and so much more!
Professor Of Speed by Mark Howell
Our professor of racing history "has at it" with another column pertinent to the sport at large.
Beyond the Cockpit: Doug Yates Part 2 by Mike Neff
Mike Neff caught up with Doug Yates at Atlanta Motor Speedway to talk about a variety of topics. This week marks part two in the interview where Yates delves more into the technical aspect of racing.
Fan Q&A by Summer Dreyer
Summer takes on your questions and answers them to the best of her ability. Be sure to send your questions in if there's something that's been nagging at you and you might see your name in print.
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 on NASCAR's Truck Series! This week, Beth takes a look at the sponsorship woes that have plagued the series the last few years and claimed another victim last week.
IndyCar Championship Feature by Toni Montgomery
As the IZOD IndyCar Series rolls into Auto Club Speedway for its final race of the 2012 season, Toni takes a closer look at Will Power and Ryan Hunter-Reay as the pair battles for the championship.
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