*THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER*
*Presented by Frontstretch.com*
*The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!*
March 6th, 2009
Volume III, Edition XXIX

SPECIAL EDITOR'S NOTE: The Frontstretch LIVE BLOG is back! Join us this
Sunday at Frontstretch.com as Doug Turnbull and Bryan Davis Keith lead the
discussion LIVE from the race track! Get inside information from pit road,
chat with other fans, answer reader polls during commercials, and more! Just
go to the main page and look for the link for an all new type of racing
experience. Stop listening to the same old coverage and start a new season
off right with Frontstretch.com!

*EDITOR'S NOTE II: Check out two special editions of the newsletter this
weekend with reporters Doug Turnbull and Bryan Davis Keith LIVE at the race
track!*

*Top Story**
**RCM / No Fear Pushes Back Debut, Will Run At Infineon
**by Tom Bowles*

This weekend was supposed to be the debut of Sprint Cup’s newest team, the
No. 60 Ford for RCM / No Fear Racing driven by Boris Said. But a change in
philosophy has pushed back the debut of the organization until Infineon in
June.

“I learned an important lesson in this sport that I should have known as a
new owner,” said RCM / No Fear CEO Rick Clark. “My enthusiasm to debut the
team is a lesson in patience that I should have learned playing college
football and in the NFL. I would much rather make mistakes before we get to
the track as opposed to on the track, and I don’t want to put Boris in a
situation that we were not ready for. So, the decision was made, as much as
I was eager, to debut the team at a track where we’re capable of contending
for the win.”

“I know there will be speculation as to why we didn’t run, but rather than
burn up money I’d rather burn up rubber when the time is right. I’ve been
waiting for five years, and I sure as heck can wait three more months to
take a chance at Victory Lane.“

Clark said announcements on specific sponsors and programs will be
forthcoming for the June event. Said has attempted only one race in 2009 to
date, failing to qualify for the Daytona 500 after wrecking out of his
Gatorade Duel.  However, he is a road race specialist with a strong history
of solid finishes at the California road course. Following Infineon, the
team still plans to run a limited schedule of races in ’09 before plans to
move up to full-time competition in 2010.

*Today's Top News*
*by Kurt Smith

**Atlanta Motor Speedway Offering Free Cancer Screenings This Weekend*
The Georgia Chapter of the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance will be conducting
free cancer screenings this weekend from 9AM to 1PM Saturday in the vendor
area of Atlanta Motor Speedway. Lori Hamilton, widow of the late driver
Bobby Hamilton, has urged fans to take advantage of the free screenings.
Hamilton passed away of head and neck cancer complications in January 2007.

"It is my honor to continue this effort in his name because we've made so
much progress with past years' screenings,” said Mrs. Hamilton. “Bobby would
want us to press forward to reach more people with our message. The
screening is quick, painless and free, so we are encouraging everyone to
take advantage of this opportunity that could save your life.”

People interested in more details about the free screening can contact Edie
R. Hapner, PhD CCC-SLP, at 404-686-7798 or ehap...@emory.edu.

*Kahne Foundation Auctioning Custom Chopper*
The Kasey Kahne Foundation in partnership with Speedway Children’s Charities
has announced a fundraiser to benefit youth groups in Sonoma County. The
winner will receive a custom-built red and white chopper, built by the
famous Orange County Choppers.

"I am excited to team up with Infineon Raceway to raffle off this cool
chopper to raise money for the Kasey Kahne Foundation and Speedway
Children's Charities," Kahne said. "The lucky fan who wins the bike is going
to be cruising around on one of the best looking choppers around."

Raffle tickets are $9 each, for Kasey Kahne’s car number. Fans can purchase
tickets by calling 1-800-870-RACE. Kahne will draw the winning number at
Infineon Raceway June 21st, the day of the Dodge/Save Mart 350 Cup race.

*Mrs. Burney Lamar Gives Birth To Baby Girl*
Niki Taylor, ex-supermodel and wife of Burney Lamar, Nationwide Series
driver, gave birth to a baby girl, Ciel, on Thursday.

Ciel was born at 11:30 AM and weighs 7 lbs., 8 oz.
**

*Have news for the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at
**ashlan...@mail.com* <ashlan...@mail.com>* with a promising lead or tip.*
*In Case You Missed It*
*by Kurt Smith

**Kentucky Speedway Offering “Big Deals” For Nationwide and Truck Series
Races*
Kentucky Motor Speedway is running a promotion called “Big Deals”, which
offers reduced-price ticket packages and other amenities for its “Meijer 300
Presented By Ritz” and “Built Ford Tough 225” races in the Nationwide and
Camping World Truck Series, respectively.

Fans can choose from several deals, including the “Affordable Fun Pak” which
is four race tickets, four hot dogs and four fountain drinks for a package
price between $100 and $145. The tickets for the Fun Pak are all located in
Grandstand 5.

Other promotions include “Name A Lap”, “Infield Invaders”, and “Be A Front
Row Joe”. Details about the promotions can be found on Kentucky Motor
Speedway’s "website.":
http://www.kentuckyspeedway.com/promotions/promotions.asp

*Tommy Morgan Out At Key Motorsports*
Key Motorsports, owner of the No. 40 car driven by Scott Wimmer in the
Nationwide Series, announced on Tuesday that crew chief Tommy Morgan would
be leaving the team, in what Key termed a “joint conclusion”. Morgan was
promoted to crew chief earlier this year after two years as competition
director.

"The decision for Key Motorsports and Tommy Morgan to separate was very much
a joint conclusion," stated owner Curtis Key. "We will part ways on terms
agreeable to both myself and Tommy, and I wish him luck in all future
endeavors."

Wimmer has raced in two Nationwide races this season, failing to qualify for
the Fontana race. His top finish is 11th.

*Talladega Offering Combo Meals at Aaron’s 499*
With the economy struggling and racetracks finding new ways to bring the
fans out, Talladega Superspeedway announced it will be offering “combo
meals” to save fans money at the racetrack. A hamburger, fries and a drink
purchased together will offer a 25% savings over the price of each item
purchased separately.

“We realize the impact the economy has had on our fans,” said Talladega
Superspeedway President Rick Humphrey.  “When our guests told us that food
prices were weighing on their decision to attend a race, we knew we had to
act.

Talladega Superspeedway has also been offering $40 tickets and reduced
concession stand prices in an effort to lighten the financial burden on race
fans.
*
Kurt Smith is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached at
kurt.sm...@frontstretch.com**.

*
Breaking Through The Bubble: Predicting The Spoilers For This Weekend's
Kobalt Tools 500
by Phil Allaway and Mike Ravesi

This spoiler pick competition is being held this season between Frontstretch
writers Phil Allaway and Mike Ravesi.  The rules are as follows:

1. Each writer picks two drivers that are currently outside of the top 25 in
owners' points.
2. As in the actual Sprint Cup Series, owner's points from the 2008 season
will be used for the first five races.
3. The writers are free to snipe at each other, but must "keep it
friendly."
4. The winner for each week is determined by the average finish of their two
picks.
5. The winner earns one point for the victory.
6. If, somehow, the average finishes are tied, then half points will be
awarded to both competitors.  This is just like the Ryder Cup in Golf.
7. If a driver that is picked fails to qualify for a race, then a finishing
position of 44th will be used in order to calculate the average finish.
8. The writer with the most points at the end of the season wins the
competition and all the bragging rights that come with it.  Also, there are
undisclosed rewards for winning in the offseason.
Well, last week's competition wasn't exactly a competition.  Unfortunately,
DNQ's happen and both of Mike's choices for Las Vegas failed to qualify.
Under the rules of our competition, that means that Mike averaged a 44th
place finish last week.

*Last week's picks:

*
*Phil Allaway:*
39 Ryan Newman- 25th
44 A.J. Allmendinger- 33rd
Average Finish- 29.0

*Mike Ravesi:*
36 Scott Riggs- DNQ (44th)
41 Jeremy Mayfield- DNQ (44th)
Average Finish- 44.0

Granted, even though Phil won by default, his choices didn't exactly set the
world on fire.  Hopefully, our prognosticators can do better this week.
Here are this weeks' picks:
*
Phil's Picks:*
*Marcos Ambrose*- I've been impressed by the Tasmanian so far this season. A
lot of the credit for the improved form goes to Michael Waltrip Racing, with
which JTG Daugherty Racing is affiliated. I think that if he keeps his form
from the first three races, he could help me earn another victory this week.

*David Gilliland*- I had no clue what to expect from TRG in the Cup Series
this year. I thought the No. 71 was going to be a one-off for Daytona, but
they seem to want to keep going as long as they can. Power to them. Last
week was excellent for them, finishing a strong 14th at Las Vegas. I don't
think he's going to equal that this week, but here's hoping that he does. I
would have picked Todd Bodine in the No. 35 here, but I have no clue about
what Germain Racing is going to do with that car (are they actually going to
race if they qualify, or will they just use the race as a test session?)
*
Mike's Picks:*
Well seeing as how I am desperately in need of a win, I'm going to start my
picks with *Mark Martin*. Mainly because, well, he's Mark Martin and there's
no way Martin in a Hendrick car is going to finish outside the top 40 three
weeks in a row.

I'm also going to go with *Travis Kvapil*. I really think that Travis has
proven he's a good driver and that last week was a fluke. I think Robert
Yates will have that team amped and ready to go come Friday to qualify and
drive themselves into a position to have a top 35 spot come Martinsville on
Sunday.

Officially, since we're still in the first five races of 2009, Mike's pick
of Mark Martin technically contravenes the rules of this competition (the
No. 5 was 21st in Owners' points last season with Casey Mears behind the
wheel), but since I want this to be as much of a competition as possible,
I'll let it slide.  But only this time.  Hopefully, I'll still find a way to
trimuph.

*Frontstretch Folio : Kobalt Tools 500*
*by Kim DeHaven

***The Sprint Cup Series heads to Hampton, Georgia this weekend to take on
one of the fastest speedways on the circuit.  The Kobalt Tools 500 is the
4th race of the 2009 Sprint Cup season and will be broadcast live on Sunday,
March 8th at 2 pm ET on FOX, with radio coverage by PRN affiliates
nationwide.  Competitors will make 325 circuits for 500.5 miles around the
1.54-mile quad-oval in their quest for the checkered flag.
*
Records and Facts*
Geoffrey Bodine holds the record for the fastest lap at Atlanta Motor
Speedway, posting a qualifying lap with a time of 28.074 seconds and a speed
of 197.478 mph to win the pole for the 1997 running of the NAPA 500.

Ryan Newman is tied with Buddy Baker for the record for the most poles
recorded at Atlanta with seven apiece.  Jeff Gordon was the pole sitter for
last year’s event.

Dale Earnhardt holds the record for most victories at Atlanta Motor Speedway
with nine wins. Carl Edwards won here in the fall.  Kyle Busch won last
year’s event.

Dale Earnhardt holds the fastest 500-mile race record time at Atlanta.  He
attained the record of 3 hours, 3 minutes, 3 seconds with an average speed
of 163.633 mph on November 12, 1995 in the NAPA 500.  Bobby Labonte holds
the fastest race record time in the track’s current configuration, attaining
an average speed of 159.904 mph in 3 hours, 7 minutes, 48 seconds on
November 16, 1997 in the NAPA 500.

The closest margin of victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway came in 2001 when
Kevin Harvick defeated Jeff Gordon by 0.006 second on March 11 in the
Cracker Barrel 500.  The greatest margin of victory came in 1986 when Dale
Earnhardt defeated Richard Petty by 1 lap, 3 seconds on November 2 in the
Atlanta Journal 500.
*
Track Facts
*Track/Race Length: 1.54-mile quad-oval, 325 laps, 500.5 miles
Pit Road Speed: 65 mph
Corners: Banked 24 degrees
Frontstretch: 2,332 feet, banked 5 degrees
Backstretch: 1,800 feet, banked 5 degrees
Grandstand seating: 124,000
Pre-race Schedule
Practice - Friday, March 6,  3 p.m.
Qualifying - Friday, March 6, 6:45 p.m.
Practice - Saturday, March 7,  11 a.m.
Happy Hour Practice - Saturday, March 7, 12:20 p.m.
*
VIPs
*National Anthem: Richie McDonald
*
Say What!?!?*
"Atlanta is going to be kind of like Darlington and the way we used to race
Darlington. The track is really old and there’s not a lot of grip and it’s
real rough so you’ve got to have a good balanced race car that’s comfortable
and where you’re not taking a lot of risk and have a safe event." - Jimmie
Johnson

"I think everyone loves Atlanta Motor Speedway and I think if you look at
the racing overall the last 10 years it’s got to be one of the best race
tracks on an average year after year. I know there are some tracks that may
have a closer finish here or there, but on an average the racing in Atlanta
does not get any better." - David Ragan

Kim DeHaven is Senior Editor and PR Coordinator for The Frontstretch. She
can be reached at kim.deha...@frontstretch.com.

Blue Smoke And Burnt Rubber
A NASCAR Mystery
Chapter 1, Part III
by S.D. Grady

*Reno Raceway
3rd Race of the Season*

Chris sighed.  The med-evac chopper rose in a cloud of sand, bearing a
disgruntled Preston Colton off to the local trauma center.  Most likely, the
rookie had just a mild concussion, but nobody fooled with these things
anymore.  His car, on the other hand, that had been put under wraps and was
already loaded on the GSCA hauler ready to be taken back to the R&D center
for inspection.

He turned away from the heli-pad, rubbing the desert from his face.  The
jet-dryers still filled the air with their roar, blowing the last of the
debris field from the frontstretch.  Chris ignored the chatter between Danny
and his crew chief on the headset.  It didn’t matter much.  The No. 74 sat
eight laps down with an engine running on seven cylinders.  Harry Garrison
had already left the track as well.  His No. 47 blew a tire in the fourth
lap.

Scuffing his feet on the uneven asphalt, Chris headed back to pit lane.  He
had left the golf cart on the access road behind their pit box, choosing to
run to the medical center instead of ride when Preston’s car disintegrated
upon impact with the unsecured crossover gate.  His heart still beat a bit
too hard.  That was a wreck nobody in the Van Lytton stable would forget
anytime soon.

Even now, the giant screen sitting in Turn One replayed the disaster over
and over.  Chris flinched for the ninth time as he watched the white
unsponsored car fly up into the catch fence, its sheet metal shredding in
multiple direction.

Much like the Van Lytton year…bits and pieces coming apart.

The atmosphere this morning in the garage area hummed with the determination
of three irritated teams.  Last week’s engine failures left a bad taste in
everyone’s mouth.  And now this…

Chris didn’t believe in curses, but the past month made him wonder what Van
Lytton might have done to piss the gods off.

Cutting down the garage area, he paused when raised voices broke into the
subdued murmur of the infield during a red flag.  He slowed down, realizing
the two angry men stood just inside the open garage bay previously assigned
to the No. 47.

“Are you sayin’ something, Brad?”

Chris peeked around the doorway.  Chuck Farley stood chest to chest with
Brad Van Lytton.  The aging mechanic’s gray hair twisted in awkward snarls,
clearly the result of frustrated fingers and another bad day at the track.

“I don’t know, Chuck.  How do you explain this tire?”  The boss man pointed
a manicured nail at the shredded remains of Harry’s front right.

“Why are you asking me?”

Brad’s florid features tightened with anger.  “Because I sign the checks
around here.”
Chuck’s hesitation stretched.  The older man shifted his weight from foot to
foot.  “He must’ve run over something.”

“Harry said he didn’t.  And that doesn’t look like a cut.”

Chris considered the carcass…he didn’t know how anybody could determine what
had caused the catastrophic failure.  There wasn’t enough of a tire left.

Apparently Chuck shared that opinion.  “Oh, so now the pretty boy suddenly
knows what made it blow?  Are you psychic?”

“I know that the kid you trained on tire set-up told me he saw you doing
something before the race to that set of tires.”

The echo of a wrench hitting cement split the silence stretching between
Chuck and Brad.  Chris held his breath.

Chuck pulled a much used rag from his back pocket, wiped his brow and then
spit.  “You know something, Van Lytton?  I’ve worked in these garages for 28
years.  And never…”  He speared Brad with a look full of venom.  “Never has
anybody ever had the balls to even hint that I might’ve tampered with
equipment.  I think you need to say you’re sorry.”

The two men continued to take each other’s measure.

“I’ll tell you what, Chuck.  I’ll apologize when you can tell me what caused
this tire to fail.”
A dry wind stirred the stink of unburned fuel.  A car missing its front
fenders being pushed from a garage bay across the lane to its waiting hauler
drew Chris’ attention away for a moment.  When he turned back to the drama
unfolding in the garage, he frowned.

Chuck’s normally red cheeks were pale.  He looked stunned.  Brad kicked at
the floor.
“You’re holding me responsible for this?”

Brad’s eyebrows rose in question. “Do you want me to have that tire tested?”

For a moment, the mechanic’s eyes shadowed with something that looked like
fear.  “I have never left a team mid-season in my career.  I really wish you
would think twice about this, Mr. Van Lytton.”

“I can’t risk my drivers, my cars or my reputation on second chances,
Chuck.  I don’t know, yet, what you did.  But I am going to find out and I’d
prefer you were not on my payroll when I do.”

Chris could see the promise of retribution in his boss’ face.

Chuck nodded.  “Well, Boss, you know where you can find me when that tire
tests clean.  And then I’ll think about accepting your bullshit apology.”

Chris shrank into the shadows of the neighboring garage bay and waited for
Chuck to storm past.  When he deemed it clear, he looked around the corner
for Brad.  “Uh, sir?  What was all that about?”

Van Lytton rubbed his face before sharing a tired grimace.  “God, I hope
it’s nothing…  Weaver, I need you on top of the hauler.  Danny’s still in
the race.  Let’s bring him home in one piece, today.”

“Yes, Boss.”

Chris followed Brad back into the afternoon sun, just as the engines
restarted.  Already, the apprehension of a bad wreck and Chuck’s odd
dismissal diminished in the anticipation of the green flag.  Still…did Brad
really mean it?  Would their own crew member try to sabotage his cars?

The biggest question would be why.

He reached the top of the hauler and pulled the headset over his ears.
Looking to the flag stand, his heart skipped a beat as the green flag
fluttered over the passing field.
The question would have to be answered later.

*Think you have what it takes to write for the Frontstretch?*
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 in 2009.  Follow this
link for more information on how you can become a weekly columnist for the
site and/or newsletter!

*TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:*

*Eight Years Ago In Atlanta <http://www.frontstretch.com/ksmith/22896/>*
by Kurt Smith

*'Shine, Bruton, and All That Hype: Five Observations So
Far<http://www.frontstretch.com/ahenderson/22899/>
*
by Amy Henderson

*Tearing Apart the Trucks: AMS, Crafton and Crawford Celebrate
Milestones<http://www.frontstretch.com/blunkenheimer/22884/>
*
by Beth Lunkenheimer

*Driven to the Past: Those Aren't Bumps - They're A
Test<http://www.frontstretch.com/jpotts/22889/>
*
by John Potts

*Scott Speed Driver Diary: Overcoming Diversity, Turning the Corner and
Family Support <http://www.frontstretch.com/sspeed/22876/>*
by Scott Speed

*FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:*
*Q. *Which former Cup driver and Georgia native's last qualifying attempt
came at the Atlanta Fall race in 2003? Here's a hint: he was driving a
Michael Waltrip Racing car.
*Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!*

*Thursday's Answer:*
*Q.* From 1988 through 2000, Atlanta hosted the season finale to what was
then the Winston Cup Series. During that 12-year stint, the point leader
going into that final race failed to win the championship just *once *during
that span. What year was it, and who were the two drivers involved (the one
that lost the championship, AND the one that won it?)
*A.* In November, 1992 Davey Allison came into Atlanta with a 30-point
championship lead over Alan Kulwicki and 40 points over Bill Elliott. But
with less than 75 laps to go, Allison was an innocent victim in a wreck
involving Ernie Irvan, costing him the title and eventually handing the
trophy to Kulwicki by just 10 points over Elliott.

*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
tri...@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... *FREE!
*

*ADVERTISEMENT
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*Frontstretch.com has negotiated a special price for its readers on all
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*Coming Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:*
-- Kobalt Tools 500: Race Recap *by Phil Allaway*
-- Big Six: Kobalt Tools 500 *by Amy Henderson
*-- Secret Star of the Race AND Stat Of The Week by Tom Bowles
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, Stat of the Week, and more!

*Monday on the Frontstretch:*
Matt McLaughlin's Thinkin' Out Loud : Kobalt Tools 500 by Matt McLaughlin
Before you take that first break mid-morning on Monday, be sure you check
out Matt for the best in NASCAR water cooler fodder.

Bowles-Eye View by Tom Bowles
Tom gives his views on the weekend events on SI.com. Want to know what he
really thinks? You get that only on the Frontstretch.

Bubble Breakdown: Kobalt Tools 500 by Mike Ravesi
Mike sorts out the owner point standings, letting you know who's got it made
after the first five races of this season -- and who faces an uphill battle
simply to qualify each week.

Points To Ponder by Mike Lovecchio
Mike's Points after covering the Kobalt Tools 500 are guaranteed to get you
thinking.
Sprint Cup Rookie Report: Kobalt Tools 500 by Tony Lumbis
Tony takes a look at the exciting rookie race between Joey Logano and Scott
Speed following the Kobalt Tools 500.

Tracking The Trucks : Atlanta by Beth Lunkenheimer
Our Truck Series expert has the inside scoop on the all the action in
Atlanta.

--------------------------------

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