THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
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The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
July 2nd, 2009
Volume III, Edition CXV
EDITOR'S NOTE: FRONTSTRETCH LIVE AT THE TRACK THIS WEEKEND!
One of the site's most popular writers, our own Mike Lovecchio, will be tracking all the action at Daytona from inside the garage, giving you the stories you're looking for with a special edition of the Newsletter planned over the weekend. It all culminates on Saturday night with his special participation in our LIVE blog during the Coke Zero 400! This weekend, Mike will be going the extra mile for you ... so we hope you enjoy it!
Breaking News Storyby Tom BowlesTemporary Injunction Granted; Jeremy Mayfield's Suspension Lifted, Allowed To Race
For weeks, Jeremy Mayfield has maintained his innocence from a positive test for methamphetamines, a black eye that's caused his suspension from NASCAR and cost him millions of dollars in sponsorship.
On Wednesday, court authorities vindicated his story -- for now.
U.S. District Court judge Graham Mullen granted a temporary injunction in Mayfield's case against NASCAR yesterday, ordering his indefinite suspension from the sport to be lifted and allowing the veteran to return to the track as early as the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona this Saturday night. In making his decision, Mullen noted the possibility for a false positive in Mayfield's test was "quite substantial" and that in suspending Mayfield, the potential harm for the driver is far greater than that for NASCAR shoudl he return to the track.
Mullen found credence in Mayfield's claim that crew members and other drivers would have noticed a change in Mayfield's behavior on methamphetamines, and found several issues with the way the "B" sample was handled by NASCAR's independent testing laboratory, Aegis.
"The truth came out. That's what it's all about," Mayfield said after the decision was announced. With the driver now cleared to race, initial reports had him bringing the No. 41 Toyota down to Daytona as a late entry this morning; however, sources close to Mayfield tell FS the car will not be entered until next weekend's race at Chicagoland. Instead, Mayfield will return to the garage as a spectator and to help out the part-time team run out of his shop, the Gunselman Motorsports No. 64 Toyota expected to be driven by Mike Wallace this weekend.
NASCAR has not yet decided whether to appeal the decision, according to public relations spokesman Ramsey Poston. In their argument to Judge Mullen, the sport claimed that their drug testing procedures had been effective, and that a second independent laboratory in Minnesota had recently confirmed Mayfield's positive test. The sanctioning body also presented affidavits from several drivers on the Sprint Cup circuit, including Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, stating their unwillingness to compete with someone who tested positive for a banned substance.
However, in the end Mullen sided with Mayfield and his side of the story, argued by attorney Bill Diehl. Diehl claimed NASCAR's policy was ineffective and incapable of being enforced, as there was no list of banned substances drivers could be tested for. Diehl also claimed the "B" sample had been opened and "tainted" prior to being tested at Aegis, which should have, at the very least, required Mayfield to submit a second sample. However, NASCAR never requested one and went on to suspend the driver based on evidence Diehl claimed was inadequate to do so.
"Independence Day for Jeremy ought to be today," he said. "It is a case involving fairness."
The case is the first under NASCAR's new drug policy to be overturned.
Today's Top News
by Todd Abbott
R&L to Sponsor Kenseth at Daytona / Kenseth to be Honored
The green and gold color scheme of R+L Global Services will once again adorn the Roush Fenway Racing No. 17 Ford of Matt Kenseth this weekend for the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Sunday’s 400-miler will constitute the second of four races in which Kenseth will run the green and gold scheme this season, as well as the 11th time the scheme has made an appearance on the No. 17 car since 2006.
The weekend will also feature Kenseth literally cementing his place in Daytona 500 history, as he will have his 3x3 cement block with his signature, hand prints, and right footprint placed into the Daytona 500 Champion’s Walk of Fame just outside the “Official Attraction of NASCAR.” Since the first year of operation for the Daytona 500 Experience in 1996, all winning drivers have shared the honor of having their legacy engraved in pavement.
Kenseth will not be running the same car he ran en route to his Daytona 500 victory, however. The RK-631 that the Wisconsin native drove to Victory Lane in February will remain on display at the Daytona Experience up until next season. The team will bring a brand new chassis, RK-658, for this weekend’s 160-lap affair.
In what is shaping up to be a tight run in the race for the Chase, Kenseth currently sits in 10th in the Sprint Cup Series point standingsm just a mere three points ahead of 11th place Mark Martin, five points ahead of 12th place Juan Pablo Montoyam and only six points ahead of 13th place driver Kasey Kahne.
Danny O’Quinn, Jr. Grabs Nationwide Series Sponsor
Venom Energy Drink has agreed to be the primary sponsor for Nationwide Series driver Danny O’Quinn and his No. 01 LD Motorsports entry. The sponsor will make its debut in Friday night’s Nationwide Subway Jalapeno 250 Sponsored by Coca Cola at Daytona International Speedway.
O’Quinn commented on the sponsorship and the impact it could have on moving the team forward.
"Venom Energy Drink is the perfect way for us to energize our move to the top level of the Nationwide Series," he said. "We have been ready to strike all year, and Daytona is a good venue for us.”
Financial terms and a sponsorship race schedule beyond Daytona were not disclosed. The No. 01 Chevrolet of Johnny Davis Motorsports is already sponsored by SunDrop Soda at a limited number of events this season.
First Annual Greg Biffle Foundation Day to be Hosted by Roush Fenway Racing
Roush Fenway Racing has announced that it will host the first annual Greg Biffle Foundation Day on Oct. 14th in Concord, N.C., at the home of the team’s headquarters.
The event is catered to race fans and animal lovers alike, and will feature autograph opportunities with NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers who appear in the 2010 NASCAR Pets Calendar. The event will also include booths hosted by local pet care associates, 3M giveaways, and live music.
Biffle himself sees this as an opportunity to raise awareness about the foundation and its contribution to animal rights, as well as providing a fun atmosphere for the fans in attendance.
“We see this event as a way to promote the work our Foundation is doing for animals, while providing fun and entertainment at the same time,” Biffle said. “Our new 2010 NASCAR Pets Calendars will be on sale, and a number of the drivers who appear in the calendar will be on hand to autograph them.”
Founded in 2005 by Biffle and his wife, Nicole, the foundation seeks to influence awareness of animal rights and to facilitate the improvement and well-being of animals through the assistance of the motorsports world.
Wimmer, Newman Swap Races In No. 5 JR Motorsports Ride
Scott Wimmer and Ryan Newman will be swapping out upcoming races in the Nationwide Series No. 5 JR Motorsports Chevy, with Newman manning the helm in the August 21st Food City 250 at Bristol and Wimmer competing in the Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway on October 3rd.
The swap will allow Newman to compete in four NASCAR-sanctioned events in one week, aptly dubbed the “Bristol Grand Slam.” Newman’s week begins with the August 19th NASCAR Whelen Modified race, followed by the CWTS O’Reilly 200 on the same day. He then plans on competing in the aforementioned Food City 250 Nationwide Series race on Friday the 20th, concluding the weekend with a showing in the Sharpie 500 Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday the 21st.
Newman commented on his excitement of competing in the four-race swing, something he never really expected to happen in the first place. “I’m not sure how this whole deal really came together,” he explained. “When I was in Bristol earlier this year, we were talking about how I was running the Modified, Truck, and Sprint Cup race in August, and someone said it would be really cool if I could find a car and compete in the Nationwide race, too. I thought about it, and was like, ‘Yeah, that would be pretty cool.’ So, a lot of people started working on trying to get a Nationwide ride for me.”
Newman has made only one appearance, at Dover, for JR Motorsports this year; however, he remains on the docket for three more starts this season.
Have news for the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at ashl...@mail.com with a promising lead or tip.
Listen In To Frontstretch On iTunes!
Tune in every Thursday afternoon to the Inside Racing Podcast presented by Wrigley's to get the inside dish on the week’s racing news. The Frontstretch’s Matt Taliaferro and Tom Bowles break down last week’s events, discuss current issues within the sport, and take a look ahead to this weekend’s upcoming race. With host Braden Gall keeping things in order for segments like Tom's Track Talk, Matt's Hot Laps, and more, it's an action-packed, fast-paced 30 minutes of racing debate. So if you’re tired of the cleaned-up, glossed-over network coverage, Inside Racing presented by Wrigley's is the place for you — Matt and Tom ask all the tough questions and provide the politically incorrect answers you seek. Look for our podcast on iTunes under the keyword: Athlon.
EDITOR'S NOTE: FOR REACTION TO THE JEREMY MAYFIELD DECISION, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT BRYAN DAVIS KEITH'S COLUMN TODAY ON THE WEBSITE.
What's Vexing Vito : Back To The "Few Sure" - Roush Looks To Rebound From Miserable Season
by Vito Pugliese
Remember that scene in Dumb & Dumber when Lloyd Christmas starts saying, “Find a happy place…” ?
Earlier this week, the stress of the day job got to be a bit much, so during lunch I went to my favorite place of refuge – the auto parts store. Don’t ask me why, but there is something cathartic and relaxing about walking through racks of tires and getting a snout-full of Michelin; there is simply nothing better to me than the smell of a tire store. That, coupled with rack upon rack of synthetic motor oils, a festival of filters, and every kind of concentrated cleaner or stop-leak concoction one could conjure, it was a little bit of heaven in what had become a hellish day.
Hey, everybody is into some freaky stuff. This is about as wild as it gets for me... so shut up.
Anyways, I’ve had similar feelings this week leading up to the Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca Cola (whatever happened to just calling it The Firecracker 400?) at Daytona. In seasons past, no matter how mundane the racing was or how rough of a going it was for my driver (I’m a – ahem – “journalist” now; so I have shunned any bias for objectivity), I always looked forward to rolling out of bed late on a holiday weekend and watching the second Daytona race of the year over some cold pizza. The Big D has always been a homecoming of sorts for NASCAR, and it also marks the halfway point of the season. By nowm the Silly Season rumor mill is just starting to get cranking, and with as much as been written in recent weeks regarding bankruptcies, foregone Federal funding, as well as the accusations of Jeremy Mayfield tweaking on high speed chicken feed, a bit of normalcy in the form of a familiar face is a welcome sight.
Daytona is always seen as a place where you can start fresh again, and for some teams, it is pause that is sorely needed.
Such is the case for Roush Fenway Racing this season.
What a difference a year makes for RFR – or, in this case, just five months. Last year at this time, Carl Edwards was in the process of passing Kyle Busch for the lead when the caution came out during the white flag lap. This past February, Matt Kenseth, with new crew chief Drew Blickensderfer atop the Killer Bees’ war wagon, captured NASCAR’s biggest prize in the Daytona 500, following that up with a decisive victory the following week in California. Since then, a drought of biblical proportions has befallen Ford’s flagship (and technically, its only) team, with a smattering of laps led and top 10s among their five-car operation. Kenseth has scored just a pair of top 5s since California, and has not really been a factor to win any race since then. Thus, it is only fitting that his car is sponsored by R&L Carriers this weekend... the No. 17 Fusion has been running as if hauling a 53’ trailer full of rubber dog dung around the Sprint Cup tour. Greg Biffle has fared somewhat better as of late, but has fallen victim to both poor pit strategy and racing luck – both of which were illustrated in the past two weeks. Michigan was a victory in sight until the fuel tank ran dry a mile too soon; then, at New Hampshire last weekend, the No. 16 looked like it might put up a fight until he bounced it off the wall early in the going.
The No. 99 of Carl Edwards was supposed to be the car to contend with this year after pushing Jimmie Johnson to the brink in the 2008 Chase, winning three of the final four races. Under the previous year-long cumulative points standings, Edwards would have actually won the 2008 Sprint Cup by 16 markers over Johnson. This year, however, the highlight reel for the No. 99 has been comprised mainly of Aflac and Subway commercials, along with a minor altercation on the final lap of the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega. Even on the Nationwide side of things, where he normally can be counted on to win with Metamucil-like regularity, it took until two weeks ago at Milwaukee to score his first win of 2009.
That brings us to the other two horses in the Roush stable, David Ragan and Jamie McMurray -- one of whom is destined for the glue factory – or Yates Racing – at the conclusion of the 2009 season, to comply with NASCAR’s new four-team limit for car owners.
To say that David Ragan’s year has been a disappointment would be akin to saying new car sales are a bit soft for The Big Three. While he hasn’t been a dart without feathers, as Tony Stewart once deemed him, the performance of the No. 6 car has to have the folks at UPS throwing their collective hands up in the air, wondering when they will have a car that has a shot at getting near Victory Lane. Ragan has but one top 10 finish this year, a sixth-place run at Daytona to start the season. That lone bright spot has since been overshadowed by four DNFs and a decidedly uncompetitive car that has sunk him with a 25.3 average finish and dropped him to 30th in points.
In contrast, this was supposed to be his breakout season where Ragan won a race and made The Chase, having finished a surprising 13th in the Cup standings in 2008. At least he got that Nationwide win back at Talladega in the Spring, utilizing that nifty side draft move coming to the line (though after seeing his indifferent reaction to winning his first race in the No. 6 car in the Nationwide ranks, I’m afraid he’d bypass Victory Lane and just drive it straight to the trailer when he wins his first Cup race).
Across the way in the land of misfit Fords is Jamie McMurray. After closing out 2008 with four top 5s in the last six races -- including three straight third place efforts to end the season -- the decision was made to bring in his former crew chief Donnie Wingo to replace Larry Carter. The results have been predictable, with Jamie McMurray having a very "Jamie McMurray" year: three top 10s, with the best being a finish of seventh, while leading only one more lap in competition than I have.
Taking that into consideration, I would suggest that maybe McMurray would be the odd-man out at Roush Fenway. However, he has both the coveted Crown Royal sponsorship and the nicest hair, so he will probably remain in place and continue celebrating the 10th anniversary of the No. 26 car’s wildly mediocre and fruitless 1999 season.
Now, having kicked everybody while they’re down and doing so knowing damned well there is no way I could possibly do half as well as they are doing, this is a prime example of why the second trip to Daytona is the perfect medicine for an organization that has struggled to get back up to speed this year as this bunch has.
For no other track sets the stage for a Roush rebound like Daytona does.
Matt Kenseth won the last race here back in February, while Carl Edwards was in the process of winning it last July before it ended prematurely. Edwards was also on his way to a win at the last restrictor plate race before he attempted to lateral park his car by the catchfence at Talladega. Meanwhile, Jamie McMurray won his last race (and second ever) here in 2007 when he caught the slightest puff of air off of Kyle Busch’s car coming to the checkered flag, and Greg Biffle won his first career Cup race back in here in 2003 driving the Grainger machine. David Ragan’s best run was here at the 500 a few months back, and that frantic dash to the stripe at Talladega proves he has restrictor plate chops, to be sure.
So, truth be told Roush in a sense enters this race as a favorite to win despite their slump. And while a win here in the heat of the summer might not carry the same weight as one in the winter, it still rates as one of the races every driver would like to add to their wish list of wins. The group at Roush Fenway is probably no different; and at this point, they’d be happy with a win anywhere ... even if it's as rain-shortened as the one we had last week ... or back in February.
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q. What legendary driver's practice crash prior to the 400-mile race in 1990 left him in a hospital bed for that year's race, forcing him to miss several more events to recuperate? Here's a clue: he drove for Rick Hendrick at the time.
Check back Friday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Wednesday's Answer:
Q. What Indy 500 legend got his first of seven career NASCAR wins in Daytona's 400-mile race?
A. In the summer of 1964, none other than four-time Indy 500 winner A.J. Foyt got the first of his seven career NASCAR wins at the Firecracker 400.
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!
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Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News by Kurt Allen Smith
-- In Case You Missed It by Kurt Allen Smith
-- Frontstretch Folio: Coke Zero 400 by Kim DeHaven
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, Phil and Mike's Top 35 Picks, the "mystery" continues, and more!
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Driven To The Past by John Potts
Take another wonderful trip down Memory Lane this week with our legendary flagman as he tells stories of his (and our) racing past.
Holding A Pretty Wheel by Amy Henderson
Everyone has their opinions about who the best drivers are, but this week Amy will disect what really makes a great driver in her latest weekly commentary.
Happy Hour: The Official Journalist Of NASCAR by Kurt Allen Smith
In this week's edition of Happy Hour, Kurt looks at the 2009 season so far and discusses how important consistency is, and always has been, in Cup racing.
Frontstretch Driver Diary: James Buescher as told to Toni Montgomery
The Rookie driver of the No. 10 Circle Bar Ford F-150 in the Camping World Truck Series is back to give you the inside info in the latest edition of his monthly diary.
Nuts For Nationwide by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan keeps you up to date with all the news and notes from the series heading into their next race at Daytona. This week, he discusses the hottest rumor with a handful of car owners and teams in NASCAR's second-tier division about the possibility of a Car of Tomorrow debuting in the series part-time in 2010.
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