Frontstretch Newsletter - June 5th, 2007
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June 5th, 2007
Volume I, Edition XXXVII
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Today's Top News
Bill France, Jr. Dead At 74
For the past three decades, Bill France, Jr. has presided over the growth of NASCAR from a regional curiosity to a national phenomenon. But perhaps the most difficult transition for the sport he loved lies ahead - moving on without him.
France died Monday afternoon in his Daytona Beach, Florida home after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 74. Having taken to a motorized scooter to get around, France had long been sapped of the energy he once had to create a legacy that will last for decades to come, but that didn't make his death any less of a shock for the NASCAR faithful. Learning of the tragedy on the air, the FOX crew was visibly shaken as Mike Joy, Darrell Waltrip, and Larry McReynolds shared touching memories of the sport's former leader in a race that quickly became overshadowed by remembering a legend.
Taking over from his father in 1972, France presided over NASCAR for 28 years, in which time the sport grew to an unprecedented level of popularity it enjoys today. With expansion into major markets like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Indianapolis, France was able to take the seeds planted by his father and grow them into a full-fledged garden of racing royalty.
"Bill did a tremendous job of implementing the lessons learned from his father and managing NASCAR and its growth during his era," said SMI President Bruton Smith. "His father taught him this business from the ground up and Bill had respect for our sport's history and a strong desire to continue to move it forward, which he did."
France is survived by wife Betty Jane, daughter Lesa France Kennedy, son Brian, and younger brother Jim. For more on this story, stay with Frontstretch.com all week for much more on this story as we take care to remember Bill France, Jr.'s life and legacy.
Truex Earns First Career Win In Tragic Day At Dover
By Tom Bowles
On the heels of every tragedy, there springs eternal hope.
Monday afternoon at Dover, that hope was provided in the form of a second consecutive first-time winner, giving not just NASCAR nation but one of its premiere organizations a reason to smile.
Martin Truex, Jr. dominated the Autism Speaks 400, leading 216 of 400 laps en route to a 7.355 second victory over second place Ryan Newman. After the restart from the race's final caution on lap 361, the outcome was never in doubt, as Truex simply pulled away from his closest competitors and built a lead that would never be challenged. Jimmie Johnson appeared to have a car capable of making a run on Truex, but a flat tire over the last 100 laps sent him scrambling to pit road and falling to a disappointing 15th place finish. In fact, the race was a large letdown for Hendrick Motorsports, whose streak of winning all five Car of Tomorrow events was snapped; Johnson's teammates Kyle Busch, Casey Mears, and Jeff Gordon never were serious contenders, with Gordon posting the best finish of the group in 9th.
While the race was fairly clean, with only seven caution flags for 35 laps, the biggest incident of the day involved a wreck between Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart. Angry over the way Busch raced him throughout the event, Stewart lost his cool and appeared to spin Busch out coming off Turn 4 on lap 272. Both drivers wrecked, and an angry Busch responded by attempting to sideswipe Stewart's car on pit road. With Stewart's crew members scrambling, Busch skidded to a stop to the right of Stewart's pit stall, an aggressive maneuver that led to him being parked by NASCAR for the rest of the day.
Secret Star Of The Race
The Best Run You Didn't See
David Ragan
Since a fifth-place finish in the Daytona 500, David Ragan's earned a new best friend his rookie season - the driver of the tow truck that usually brings his car back to the garage. Spinning out in roughly half the races to date, Ragan has shared six Raybestos Rookie Of the Race Awards with the frustration of seeing car after car get crunched into a million different parts and pieces. An aggressive driving style has certainly left competitors angry and Jack Roush concerned about the young driver's future; but for one Sunday, at least, Ragan showcased the talent that got him the ride in the famed No. 6 car in the first place. Running steady and solid all day, Ragan conquered the Monster Mile with ease, finishing 14th, one lap down, for his best run since the Great American Race. With no other rookie cracking the Top 30, Ragan bested his peers while avoiding the wreckfest his season has threatened to become. -Tom Bowles
Stat Of The Week
52 - Number of years Bill France, Sr., then Bill France, Jr. held the position of NASCAR President, from 1948-2000. That number set a record for the most consecutive years just two people have held the top post in any major sport.
I came home from work Monday, driving through the downpour, feeling just a little off kilter. I had spent far too many hours at the theater over the weekend and not enough hours with NASCAR…most depressing. In an attempt to make it all better, I turned on the TiVo and started watching the Autism Speaks 400, hoping that my weekly rollercoaster ride would help to banish those workday blues.
Newman sat on the pole. Who else would it be? I asked myself. Jeff Gordon sat in 6th and Mark Martin in 21st. Fox had a cool race cam embedded in Turn 3 and D.W. spoke those really annoying words for the last time this season. "Boogity, Boogity, Boogity…" Still, it's all part of the fun.
I settled in with Miles the Monster and turned up the stereo. Did you know the new Chevy motors don't sound quite right? Each time I listen to one peddle down to turn onto pit road, I wonder if something broke.
The race moved on. Truex Jr. touted his pleasure with his awesome car. Newman stayed near the front and JG maintained his presence in the Top 10. Cousin Carl made a move to the front, teasing me with the possibility of back-to-back Victory Lane flips. Then the Monster started munching and tempers began to fray.
Just to make sure that NASCAR fans hadn't forgotten who the bad boys
are in the sport, Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch exchanged blows. I
pointed and fumed. But nothing paled in comparison to the emotion about to hit the airwaves.
The announcement came: Bill France, Jr., the man who made this sport what it is today, passed away earlier Monday afternoon. Whereas moments before Larry Mac and D.W. exchanged quips in the booth, the commentators now struggled to keep their voices steady. The head of this tight-knit family was gone. All of us in the NASCAR Nation understood that a special part of our history was over.
Still, the cars continued on their way towards the checkered flag. Martin Truex Jr. widened his lead to five seconds in the final laps, ensuring his first win in the Nextel Cup Series. He accepted the flag from the official and burned them up on the finish line. When he climbed from his car, he shared a hug with his father, who learned to race from his father.
I smiled, a twisted one to be sure. It was only seven years ago when I watched Martin Truex Sr. join Truex Jr. in Victory Lane at New Hampshire International Speedway, celebrating the son's win in the Busch East Series. Then, just as now, I reveled in the fact that I was allowed to share in the history of the sport. Bill France Jr. made this happen. While there are tears honoring his passing, there are still smiles.
Today really was a good day in the world of NASCAR. We watched a race full of emotion, speed and triumph. Fans cheered. Competitors fought and a trophy was claimed. I am assured that more excitement is coming my way in a week.
Thank you, Mr. France, for all that you did. My world is a better place because of you.
by Matt McLaughlin
Becca's Big Six : Dover Edition
by Becca Gladden
Introducing...The Real Kurt Busch
by Mike Neff
From California To Delaware : Gordon Caps Off Busy Week With Top 10
by Mike Lovecchio
Numbers Game: Autism Speaks 400
by Kim DeHaven
N A S C A P P E R T R I V I A
Q: Who is the only driver to win his first career race at Pocono?
Monday's Trivia Answer : Q: Denny Hamlin will be going for three race wins in a row in Pocono this weekend. Who is the last driver to take three in a row at Joe Mattioli's 2.5-mile triangular facility?
A: NASCAR legend Tim Richmond won three in a row at Pocono, sweeping both races in 1986 and winning the Spring event in 1987 in his first race of the season that year for Hendrick Motorsports. Richmond would run eight races in '87 before leaving the series for good, dying of a "mysterious illness" later diagnosed as AIDS in 1989.
NASCAR handicapping needs!
Coming this week on The Frontstretch :
Coverage of Bill France's death continues with fan reaction, a special Mirror Driving looking back at the legacy he's left behind, and so much more.
Tomorrow, Only In The Frontstretch Newsletter:
Frontstretch's Editor Power Rankings
Special Vito Pugliese Commentary - Bill France, Jr.
Coming tomorrow on the Frontstretch :
Frontstretch Top Ten
by Jeff Meyer
Jeff takes a more serious take this week, looking back on the legacy of Bill France, Jr.'s career in the sport.
Who's Hot / Who's Not In Nextel Cup
by Cami Starr
Cami takes an in-depth look at who's cooking - and who's falling flat - in Nextel Cup over the past few weeks.
Mirror Driving
by The Frontstretch Staff
The Frontstretch Staff looks back on France's legacy, as well as tackling the storm of controversy left behind by Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart.
Thompson In Turn 5
by Tommy Thompson
NASCAR Commentary: this week, Thompson examines how D.E.I. has been vindicated...by none other than Dale Earnhardt, Jr. himself.
by Tony Lumbis
Lumbis gives us all the details on how the rookies fared during the Autism Speaks 400.