*THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER Presented by
Frontstretch.com<http://frontstretch.com/>
*
*The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!*
July 31st, 2008
Volume II, Edition CXLIV
*Breaking News
**by Tony Lumbis
**
Lawsuit Filed Against Specialty Racing Involving Former Driver, Front Row
Motorsports
*Frontstretch.com has learned that Kevin Lepage and Front Row Motorsports
owner Bob Jenkins have filed a lawsuit against Specialty Racing, LLC,
freezing the assets of the company while attempting to acquire its owner
points, equipment, and money they claim they're owed.
The basis of the suit began in late May, when Specialty Racing informed
Lepage that they did not have sufficient funds to run the Nationwide event
in Dover, Delaware. In response, Lepage informed Specialty Racing about a
proposal that would allow Bob Jenkins from Front Row Motorsports to supply a
car, transporter, and engine to run under the No. 61 banner that weekend.
The lawsuit states that after speaking to a NASCAR official, Specialty
Racing co-owner Charles Shoffner learned that in order for his team to earn
owner's points in a Nationwide event, they would have to supply the
employees, equipment, transporter, and cars for the entire weekend.
Therefore, his team could not earn points under Lepage's proposal.
But even with that limitation, Shoffner states that starting at the June
Nashville event and concluding at Daytona, Jenkins did provide equipment to
use while Specialty Racing incurred the team expenses. However, when
approached in July about signing an agreement that would allow owner's
points to be transferred to Front Row Motorsports, Shoffner declined until
the paperwork was reviewed by counsel and NASCAR. Jenkins and Lepage then
responded by filing the lawsuit at the end of this month. The plaintiffs
assert in their paperwork that they did indeed have a formal agreement with
Specialty Racing to obtain the No. 61 team owner points for the events in
which Jenkins provided a car for the team earlier this year, and that
Shoffner is now reneging on that agreement -- as well as on money supposedly
owed Lepage. However, Specialty Racing has claimed in their response that at
no time was a formal agreement ever reached, and that Lepage had already
been compensated accordingly. Instead, they believe that as a result of
these allegations, their future has been irreparably harmed once their
assets were frozen in relation to this lawsuit.
Lepage and Jenkins have declined comment at this time, while Shoffner has
issued this statement: "Specialty Racing will address all of the allegations
by Mr. Lepage and Mr. Jenkins in the court proceedings. In the meantime, we
will continue to field the No. 61 Nationwide car with the outstanding and
talented driver Brandon Whitt."
Lepage himself has sat out the last two Nationwide Series events and was
officially released by Specialty Racing after Daytona in July. In the
meantime, Whitt will move to the No. 62 this weekend at Montreal as the
Specialty Racing team will field two cars -- the second for former 1980s Cup
driver Stan Barrett.
*
Today's Top News
**by Bryan Davis Keith*
*Newman Reportedly Agrees in Principle to Drive for Stewart-Haas in 2009*
After Joe Gibbs Racing President J.D. Gibbs confirmed that Ryan Newman would
likely not be driving for his team in 2009, reports Wednesday from several
sources are that the current driver of Penske Racing's No. 12 Dodge has
entered into a verbal agreement to drive for Stewart-Haas Racing next year.
Newman will purportedly drive a No. 4 Chevrolet as a teammate to Stewart's
No. 14 Impala, though no announcement of a car number or sponsor for SHR's
second car has yet been made.
Newman, who has been widely speculated as a lock for SHR, apparently reached
the agreement after Joe Gibbs Racing was unable to secure sponsorship for a
fourth Sprint Cup team in 2009. Newman has been one of the most sought after
free agents in the garage area, and has been courted by Gillett Evernham
Motorsports, Petty Enterprises, and Richard Childress Racing since
announcing he will depart Penske Racing following the 2008 season.
Details of the verbal agreement were not made available, and sources state
that it may well take up to a month for such details to surface.
*
Two-Time Cup Champion Johnson Seeks More Seat Time*
Defending Sprint Cup champ Jimmie Johnson is looking to add wins at Watkins
Glen International and the Bristol Motor Speedway to his racing resume as
his No. 48 team steams towards the Chase, and as such has announced plans to
run lower-level companion races at both race tracks later this season.
Johnson will make a rare appearance in the Nationwide Series when the
circuit tackles the Watkins Glen road course, driving a No. 48 Chevrolet out
of the JR Motorsports stable. Johnson drove for JR Motorsports earlier this
season, posting a tenth place finish at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
In addition, Johnson will make his Craftsman Truck Series debut in late
August, driving the No. 81 Chevrolet Silverado for Randy Moss Motorsports.
Kobalt Tools will sponsor the ride.
"Watkins Glen and Bristol are two tracks where I really want a win," said
Johnson. "As for the trucks, I am really looking forward to that. I have
never run a Truck race, so it should be fun. Heck, my brother Jarit has run
more than me... but it's going to be a good time."
*What's Vexing Vito?
Fallout From The Brickyard May Prove NASCAR's Undoing
**by Vito Pugliese**
*Four days following the debacle that was The Allstate 400 at The Brickyard,
fingers continue to be pointed, accusations are still being made, and
theories espoused as to why NASCAR was unable to put on a race that allowed
drivers to run more than five laps without their tires being ground into
magic tire dust. As the teams gear up to run this weekend at Pocono (the
track that most everyone opted to test at instead of the track that hosts
the second largest event of the year), many are still miffed at the sport --
and as well they should be.
But in the midst of all the anger ... guess what? On Tuesday, NASCAR offered
up an apology that was supposed to ease the pain.
"I can't say enough how sorry we are, and it's our responsibility being
NASCAR that we don't go through this situation again," said Robin Pemberton,
Vice President of Competition. "The race didn't come off like we had hoped,
the fans didn't get what they exactly wanted, and we'll do everything in our
power - it won't happen again, I can tell you that much."
That is nearly an admission of guilt, and as close as you'll hear this
sanctioning body come to admitting any wrongdoing.
Still, it is unfathomable how the most prestigious racing organization in
North America has managed to, in just a few short years, alienate a fan base
it had spent over half a century cultivating and nurturing. Don't believe
this is happening? Check out those vast expanses of shiny aluminum that
encompass the track on any given race day this season. Sure, Pocono's
grandstand may look a bit more full than the rest of the track's have been
this year -- it has seats that line the frontstretch only. But with the way
this past weekend's unmitigated televised disaster shook out, might this be
the straw that breaks the camel's back, and turns fans sour for quite some
time?
Let's be honest: NASCAR isn't the only show in town. It's rise to popularity
and prominence during the 1990s and early 2000 was spurred along by expanded
network television coverage, motion picture placement, not to mention a
little thing called competition. That was back when the cars actually sort
of looked like something you and I might drive down the street, races got
underway before 3:00pm, and before gimmicks such as green/white/checker
finishes and a convoluted points system was designed to capture the
imagination of the "casual fan" -- one more interested in stick & ball games
than motorsports. All the while, those hardcore enthusiasts were told that
this would be for the best; after all, NASCAR always had a way of making the
right decisions. They, as fans, just needed to sit back and enjoy the ride.
Well after this past Sunday, I hope ya'll brought one of those hemorrhoid
donuts, because it sure is going to be a bumpy ride. In the last two years,
we have seen the level of competition decline to the point where restrictor
plate races aren't endured because of the impending 30-car pileup, but
revered since they actually foster some sort of excitement. Television
coverage has degenerated to the point where the action on the track has
taken a backseat to Diggers, Race Buddies, and Hollywood Hotels. A new car,
while roundly regarded as a step forward in safety (not that the old car was
unsafe) helped contribute to a rather destabilizing and uncomfortable
situation last weekend. And a foreign manufacturer that many feared would
upset the pecking order has done just that, at a time when American
automakers are seriously considering what their role should be in the
traveling stock car carnival.
What's worse is that over in the real world, the economy is teetering on
brink of collapse, as months of $4.00 per gallon gasoline are finally coming
home to roost. Houses are being foreclosed at record numbers, the credit
crunch is taking a chomp out of the livelihoods of many, and a series that
lives and breathes solely on the dollars of others in the form of
sponsorship suddenly hangs in the balance because of it. NASCAR might not be
tanking yet... but it is listing worse that the U-Boat in, "Das Boot". No,
it will not fold up shop overnight, but what happened this past weekend --
to fans who were paying customers, or merely just paying attention -- may
have set the sport back about 15 years. And that's no matter how many
apologies get issued, or how this problem gets spun or reconciled.
I'll give you this much: race fans are a generous lot, and quick to forgive
should a driver admit their error. This time, however, the preponderance of
misdirection, mismanagement, and monarchal way of dictating how things
are handled could come full circle and bite NASCAR right in the backside.
Call it death by 1,000 paper cuts or reaping of the whirlwind, but the core
fan -- the one who has been there through thick and thin -- may have finally
had his patience tested one too many times.
A month ago at Michigan International Speedway, NASCAR instructed its
drivers to shut up and drive. That's ironic, for after being forced to watch
a poor product on the track for much of the season -- and then having the
second biggest race of the year being run under a perpetual caution flag --
it's the silent majority in this equation who may have the final say in
NASCAR's future.
**
*Every Thursday, find out what's Vexing Vito; and if you've got a comment,
an opinion, or even a good topic, Vito can be reached at **
vito.pugli...@frontstretch.com* <vito.pugli...@frontstretch.com>*.*
* FRONTSTRETCH LINE OF THE WEEK
The Best Line From A Story You Need to See
From **Talking NASCAR TV: Terrible Tires Overshadow ESPN's 2008
Debut<http://www.frontstretch.com/dturnbull/18879/>
* *by Doug Turnbull*
*"**It is OK to for the media to publish rumors as what they are, but once
rumors are published as facts, things can get ugly. ESPN does a good job at
breaking news, but needs to elevate journalism ethics and standards before
being labeled the best in show."**
**IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS, BE A NASCAR RACING EXPERT!*
How, you ask? The answer is simple: read up on the teams and drivers you
love the most, right here on Frontstretch.com! Every day, Kim DeHaven and
her helpers Beth Lunkenheimer and Tony Lumbis post reams of PR from teams
across the NASCAR-o-sphere. Here's just a sample of the race reports for
this week's featured races.
Driver Previews!
Truex Looks to Rebound at Pocono <http://www.frontstretch.com/ncpr/18962/>
Kelly Bires To Double-Team Montreal In No. 47 Clorox
Ford<http://www.frontstretch.com/bgnpr/18956/>
Red Bull Driver - Scott Speed's Pocono
Preview<http://www.frontstretch.com/otherpr/18957/>
Even Tums won't give NASCAR and Goodyear relief from the Indy Tire Debacle!
*Tire Wear and Tear, Flags at the Brickyard Cause Heartburn and Indigestion
for Drivers in the Top 10 TUMS(R)
Moments<http://www.frontstretch.com/ncpr/18889/>
*
Got a foursome? Want to play Golf with the NASCAR pros?
NC Students To Benefit From Motorsports Celebrity Golf Tournament For
Workforce Diversity Scholoarship
Promgram<http://www.frontstretch.com/otherpr/18963/>
It's the great Rick Flair's favorite motorsport organization, WoO!
*Maintaining Focus: Two-Time World of Outlaws Champion Donny Schatz Keeps
Tony Stewart Racing's Armor All J&J on Torrid
Pace<http://www.frontstretch.com/otherpr/18940/>
*
*Got NASCAR-related questions or comments?*
**Send them Matt Taliaferro's way at matt.taliafe...@frontstretch.com; 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. Fanning The
Flames returns next Thursday with a whole new set of Fan Questions and
Answers!
Frontstretch On The Radio:
Strap on a set of non-Goodyear tires and join Frontstretch's Tom Bowles and
Matt Taliaferro for their weekly version of the Frontstretch.com / Athlon
Sports Racing Podcast Powered By Pepsi. This week, Tom and Matt will be
joined by host Patrick Snow as they ponder the future of the sport after the
Great Indianapolis Debacle of 2008. Questions abound about who's at fault,
why it happened, and most importantly ... what happens from here. We don't
promise to have all the answers, but we'll do our best to keep you informed
as we look ahead to Pocono and an August in which NASCAR will attempt to
salvage its damaged reputation.
Unsure when to tune in for the podcast? Well, the newest version usually
comes out by Thursday night and gets archived at racetalkradio.com each
Friday. Download us by heading over to
http://www.athlonsports.com/racing/inside-racing-powered-by-pepsi, and don't
forget to listen in on iTunes each week!! We're under "Athlon Racing
Podcast."
And if you're up for it, we're always looking to hear from the fans; be sure
to write in and give feedback at insiderac...@athlonsports.com! Tell us a
topic we haven't been chatting about, and we'll be sure to mention it on the
air. Of course, the two individual hosts can also be reached at
tom.bow...@frontstretch.com and matt.taliafe...@frontstretch.com.
*Newsletter advertising works!
*You just proved it! We have packages from single insertions to monthly or
annual packages surrounding news, columns, and even complete newsletter
sponsorships. If you'd like to find out more, head over to our advertising
information page<http://www.frontstretch.com/about/2716/newsletter-ads-work>and
get started now!
*TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:*
*Fanning The Flames : Strong Fan Reaction Makes This A Brickyard
Backlash<http://www.frontstretch.com/mtaliaferro/18964/>
*
*by Matt Taliaferro*
*
Biggest BSNEWS Scoop Of The Year! One Word:
Indianapolis*<http://www.frontstretch.com/jmeyer/18968/>
*by Jeff Meyer*
*
Matt McLaughlin Mouths Off: How A Smith (Not Bruton) Is Making Life Easy For
Race Fans* <http://www.frontstretch.com/mmclaughlin/18934/>
*by Matt McLaughlin*
*
Beyond The Cockpit: The Future Of NASCAR Timing And
Scoring*<http://www.frontstretch.com/tbowles/18971/>
*by Tom Bowles*
*
Fantasy Picks 'N' Pans: How To Pick Your Team To Perform At
Pocono*<http://www.frontstretch.com/picksnpans/18967/>
*by Bryan Davis Keith and Mike Neff*
*
**FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q. In September 2000, Jeff Burton led every lap in a race at New Hampshire.
Who was the only other driver to lead every lap at a superspeedway (track
one mile or larger) event in Cup level competition?*
*Check back Friday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!*
*Wednesday Answer:
Q. He was the first stock car driver featured on the cover of Sports
Illustrated. Who is he?
A.* *Curtis Turner was the first stock car driver to grace the cover of
Sports Illustrated. Follow the link to see Curtis on the February 26, 1968
cover of SI<http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/featured/8064/inde...>.
And while you're there, be sure to check out Frontstretch Managing Editor
and SI contributor Tom
Bowles<http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/writers/tom_bowles/archive/>'
archives.*
*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!*
*
Tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
* *Frontstretch Folio : Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500**
*Be sure to check in with Kim this week when she lays out the facts this
week from Pocono!
*In Case You Missed It : News From The Week That Was*
Kurt Smith looks back at a week full of news that you might not have seen
... but is important nonetheless.
*
**Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
**Driven To The Past*
*by John Potts*
The great thing about John's stories about how things were back in the day
is that, unlike Grandpa's, no one has to walk uphill in the snow both ways
to school!
*Holding A Pretty Wheel *
*by Amy Henderson*
This week, Amy looks into the No. 18's rear-view and sees a blue and silver
Lowe's logo looming larger... as the No. 48 team hits their midseason stride
just in time to become a formidable Chase challenger.
*
Happy Hour : The Official Journalist Of NASCAR
**by Kurt Allen Smith
*This week, Kurt wonders in the midst of the sport's biggest controversy,
where is Brian France ... and why is he keeping quiet?
*Nuts for Nationwide
**by Danny Peters*
Our bi-weekly Nationwide Series commentary from our resident British expert.
*Rick Crawford's Driver Diary
**by Rick Crawford
*Rick is back to talk about the latest news on and off the track as the
driver of the No. 14 Circle Bar Ford in the Truck Series.
*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------
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them here!**
*
(c)2008 Frontstretch.com
**
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