The Frontstretch Newsletter SPECIAL EDITION: November 21st, 2009
1 view
Skip to first unread message
Frontstretch.com
Nov 21, 2009, 9:52:52 AM11/21/09
to The Frontstretch
THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
November 21st, 2009
Volume III, Edition CCXXVI
EDITOR'S NOTE: Surprise! As an end-of-season bonus, we've got extra newsletters flowing all weekend at Homestead with our Managing Editor Tom Bowles there covering all the action. If news breaks, you'll read it here as Silly Season ramps up over the final three days of the year.
DON'T FORGET THE FRONTSTRETCH LIVE BLOG THIS SUNDAY!
Jimmie Johnson's victory Sunday at Phoenix has given him a 108-point lead going into the season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, all but securing him a fourth straight title. But while there may not be much of a race for the championship this weekend, that doesn't mean the action will stop on a 1.5-mile oval whose graduated banking often makes for fantastic finishes.
Can't get to a television to watch the race? Or are you too busy watching the NFL to switch over? Well, join your favorite Frontstretch writers instead for commentary, opinions, polls, and all kinds of other inside information you just can't get anywhere else as you follow the race LIVE from your computer. The action starts at 2:45 PM EST on Sunday, so feel free to drop on by. And remember, viewer posts are always welcome, so don't be shy -- participate!
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
November 21st, 2009
Volume III, Edition CCXXVI
EDITOR'S NOTE: Surprise! As an end-of-season bonus, we've got extra newsletters flowing all weekend at Homestead with our Managing Editor Tom Bowles there covering all the action. If news breaks, you'll read it here as Silly Season ramps up over the final three days of the year.
DON'T FORGET THE FRONTSTRETCH LIVE BLOG THIS SUNDAY!
Jimmie Johnson's victory Sunday at Phoenix has given him a 108-point lead going into the season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, all but securing him a fourth straight title. But while there may not be much of a race for the championship this weekend, that doesn't mean the action will stop on a 1.5-mile oval whose graduated banking often makes for fantastic finishes.
Can't get to a television to watch the race? Or are you too busy watching the NFL to switch over? Well, join your favorite Frontstretch writers instead for commentary, opinions, polls, and all kinds of other inside information you just can't get anywhere else as you follow the race LIVE from your computer. The action starts at 2:45 PM EST on Sunday, so feel free to drop on by. And remember, viewer posts are always welcome, so don't be shy -- participate!
Today's Top News
by Tom Bowles
Brian France Visits Media Center: Highlights
Friday morning, NASCAR's CEO stopped by the media center for his final Q & A session of the season. A wide variety of topics were discussed, including the economy, pending lawsuits (Jeremy Mayfield, his own versus an ex-wife), and Danica Patrick's possible entrance into the sport. Here's a few highlights:
Topic #1: The Economy
France acknowledged the stresses financial cutbacks have put on the sport's top teams. But he believes in the wake of a serious downturn, new opportunities emerge for up-and-coming businesses to take a look at the sport.
"Obviously, you know, we're on our way to doing some things that are going to be more appealing to what we see as an emerging green economy," he said. "Where new companies, new technologies are coming out. They're going to need to build their brands, build their companies' awareness, their technologies. We're going to be a very, very important place for those companies to invest in in the future. We're doing a lot of things in that area that will give us a chance to convince them to join into this sport."
France went on to say he believes Johnson's historic title run will have a marketing impact as they look towards 2010.
"It's very likely that Jimmie Johnson is going to be a reigning four-time champion," he said. "I can't say that with any more admiration than I have, what that means to the historic dynamics of this sport... and can he go for number five.
"We'll be looking at all the things you would expect us to look at in the off season to make the racing in 2010 even better."
Topic #2: Drug Policy / Pending Lawsuits
With a barrage of public comments ragrding the Jeremy Mayfield case, France was put on the spot not once but twice regarding the case. But for the most part, he adhered to the sport's policy of not speaking specifically about their defense.
"We believe that we made the right decisions to make an already tough policy even more tough," he explained. "We think we have to do that with the circumstances that go on in the country today and in sports in general. The fact that we have a 200-mile-an-hour racecar, we think it was very imperative that we improve, which we did. We will stand behind that, very clearly."
"Our preference is never to be in litigation over anything," he continued in response to the Mayfield case. "We make rules and we hope everybody abides by them. If you go get a trial lawyer and you go do something, that's out of our control. Our only control at that point is to do the best we can in representing the entire sport's interest in matters that affect them. We will continue to do that."
And as for his own problems regarding his ex-wife? "I said nothing surprises me with trial lawyers in the 21st century," France told Landmark Newspapers' Dustin Long, responding to a move to leave the case unsealed for public view. "They're an amazing group of people."
Topic #3: Brad Keselowski
The question was broached as to whether NASCAR asked Keselowski to tone down his aggression in the wake of another incident in the Nationwide Series with Denny Hamlin. But while France admitted officials had a talk with the driver, he claimed the sport didn't overreact by doing so.
"We don't go into private discussions we have in the trailer with our drivers," he said. "But suffice it to say what we want is drivers who are driving hard, that are driving to win. When that happens, you're going to have some situations where there's contact. We're a contact sport. You didn't see us overrespond when that happened. What happened in the Nationwide race in Phoenix, what you're always worried about, with retaliation, all those things, is escalation, unintended consequences."
Topic #5: Danica
When France was asked about the IRL star's reported entrance into the sport, his response mirrored the Rick Hendrick answer of one week ago: it's far from a done deal yet.
"Danica, you know, she has obviously taken a very hard look at this sport," he claimed. "She's obviously a very recognizable, accomplished driver in her own right. I would love to see her compete at the highest form of racing in the world. I think she's thinking about it. If she does, you know, as they say, that's why you play the game. I don't know how well she'll do."
McMurray Hopes The Second Time's The Charm For Earnhardt Ganassi Racing
Jamie McMurray spent the first four years of his career falling short of his own expectations at Chip Ganassi Racing.
He spent the next four years trying to match impossible expectations at Roush.
And now? He's just happy to set expectations altogether.
McMurray will start from square one next season, rebuilding in the No. 1 Chevy owned by Ganassi, Felix Sabates, And Teresa Earnhardt. It's a homecoming of sorts, returning to the owners (Ganassi and Sabates) who "discovered" his talent back in 2002, when the driver subbed for Sterling Marlin and won in just his second career Cup start -- in Charlotte driving the old No. 40 Coors Light Dodge. His new one-year contact comes with sponsor Bass Pro Shops, crew chief Kevin "Bono" Manion, and -- perhaps most importantly --- the relief of having four years of Roush-like expectations lifted off his shoulders.
"The grass is always not greener on the other side," McMurray admitted in jumping back with the team where he experienced his most consistent success -- just missing the Chase in 2004 and '05. "Going to Roush was somewhat of an eye-opener in that there wasn’t a magic button, or a magic set of shocks, or any magic [to make them better]. And my time at Roush hasn't been nearly as good as with Ganassi."
"That’s something Felix [Sabates] told me [could happen] when I left, except he wasn’t as encouraging as Chip," he joked, "So I’ll have to buy him dinner in the next few weeks."
Yet despite a four-year stint that never saw him make the Chase or even finish inside the top 15 in points, McMurray has no regrets about taking a chance with Roush. After all, the team had all five cars in the top 10 in points back when he made the jump in after '05.
“Yeah, no regrets at all," he said. "You just always think it’s going to be better if you do something different, and it isn’t always."
"We just didn’t have the success that we needed."
So now, McMurray starts over with an owner that has a propensity to give drivers second chances. But he's not the only one looking forward to the opportunity.
"Going back to Ganassi’s shop on Tuesday, to see the guys that you knew years ago come up and shake their hand and tell them how glad they are you’re back, there’s a lot to be said for that," he explained. "Not just having the eight or ten guys beyond your specific team behind you but to have the whole organization behind you.
"A lot of [Ganassi] guys sent me texts before this happened, saying ‘I hope you’re the one that comes over.’ And there’s a lot to be said for that."
"It just makes you feel good to have all those people on your side."
Johnson, Hendrick, Lowe's Sign Contract Extension
As part of his top 12 press conference Friday morning, Jimmie Johnson and Rick Hendrick announced a contract extension that would keep both driver and sponsor in the car for several years to come. Johnson's contract now runs through 2015, while sponsor Lowe's has reupped through the end of the 2013 season.
"Jimmie and I tried to look at a lifetime deal, [but] I couldn't borrow enough money to make it work (smiling)," said Hendrick.
The deal keeps Johnson and Jeff Gordon one of only three drivers to have the same team and primary sponsor combinations since 2002. Matt Kenseth is also on the list, but his deal with DeWalt expires after the season.
With sponsor and driver signed up for the long haul, talk immediately turned to crew chief Chad Knaus -- who doesn't seem like he'll be leaving anytime soon, either.
"Chad has a multi-year deal," Hendrick said. "Chad and I have talked about retiring together. So we're in the process of getting that all papered."
For more information on how this effects the NASCAR landscape, check out Tom Bowles' commentary on the website below.
Johnson Wins Homestead Pole, Well-Positioned For Fourth Championship
No, the championship isn't officially over.
But after qualifying Friday, it looks like the final nail's halfway in the coffin.
Chase leader Johnson bulldozed through qualifying Friday, taking the pole with a time of 31.049 seconds -- nearly two-tenths faster than any of his closest competitors.
"I always hope for a pole, but leaving practice and going into qualifying I didn't have that feeling," he said after a 21st-fastest time in first practice. "I know we didn't show well in practice, and the number Mark (Martin) put up, I didn't know if it was going to reachable."
"We just needed a good lap, a good clean lap, and we got it."
"We'll treat tomorrow like a whole new day and start over again, save the worrying for Sunday and see what happens."
Meanwhile, Scott Speed was a surprising second, qualifying on the outside of the front row for a second straight year.
"Just a product of being able to go out when the sun was going down," the rookie joked. "Eventually, I'm going to want to be on the pole."
"But the car is pretty good in race trim."
Marcos Ambrose, Mark Martin, and Tony Stewart rounded out the top 5. Martin blamed a bad qualifying draw for a lap that leaves him that much more of a longshot for his first title.
"It is a good race car, but it wasn't a good lap," he claimed. "But, I am really happy that we ran as fast as we did. Early wasn't a good time to go."
Kevin Harvick, Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle, Bill Elliott, and Clint Bowyer rounded out the top 10. Joe Nemechek, Mike Skinner, Max Papis, Dave Blaney, and David Stremme failed to qualify for Sunday's race.
Friday Notes
Jeff Gordon's Future: Rick Hendrick claimed Gordon has a lifetime contract, and he expects him to drive the No. 24 for "at least three or four more years." Gordon reiterated that in his press conference, claiming good seasons like this one "add years to his career."
Addington Leaving Gibbs: As expected, former Kyle Busch crew chief Steve Addington announced he'll be leaving the team after the season for other opportunities. Sources say he hasn't yet made a decision on where to go for 2010, but has multiple Cup crew chief options available to him.
Kahne Leaving RPM: Also as expected, Kasey Kahne made a public pronouncement Friday that if things continue on their present course with the RPM-Yates merger, he's likely not to re-sign with the team after the 2010 Cup season.
"Come January, I can start looking around; I can talk to other people," he said at his weekly press conference. "I would imagine the Gilletts are going to talk to me at that point. But as of right now, the Gilletts haven't talked to me and I'm just kind of doing my job, doing the best that I can through the end of the season. The ups and downs of the team have made it difficult for me to really say, 'Man, I'm going to be here for 10 more years.'"
Hamlin Having Knee Surgery: Thatsracin.com's Jim Utter is reporting Denny Hamlin will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee next week. Hamlin said there was some tearing, but that the surgery wasn't too invasive and will allow him to resume a normal workout routine "within a few weeks."
Stremme Out Of Phoenix Racing Sweepstakes? Count Mr. Stremme out of the running for the No. 09 car in 2010. He spun out during his only qualifying attempt, flunking an audition that's performance-based.
Tom Bowles is the Managing Editor of Frontstretch.com. Reach him at edi...@frontstretch.com.
by Tom Bowles
Brian France Visits Media Center: Highlights
Friday morning, NASCAR's CEO stopped by the media center for his final Q & A session of the season. A wide variety of topics were discussed, including the economy, pending lawsuits (Jeremy Mayfield, his own versus an ex-wife), and Danica Patrick's possible entrance into the sport. Here's a few highlights:
Topic #1: The Economy
France acknowledged the stresses financial cutbacks have put on the sport's top teams. But he believes in the wake of a serious downturn, new opportunities emerge for up-and-coming businesses to take a look at the sport.
"Obviously, you know, we're on our way to doing some things that are going to be more appealing to what we see as an emerging green economy," he said. "Where new companies, new technologies are coming out. They're going to need to build their brands, build their companies' awareness, their technologies. We're going to be a very, very important place for those companies to invest in in the future. We're doing a lot of things in that area that will give us a chance to convince them to join into this sport."
France went on to say he believes Johnson's historic title run will have a marketing impact as they look towards 2010.
"It's very likely that Jimmie Johnson is going to be a reigning four-time champion," he said. "I can't say that with any more admiration than I have, what that means to the historic dynamics of this sport... and can he go for number five.
"We'll be looking at all the things you would expect us to look at in the off season to make the racing in 2010 even better."
Topic #2: Drug Policy / Pending Lawsuits
With a barrage of public comments ragrding the Jeremy Mayfield case, France was put on the spot not once but twice regarding the case. But for the most part, he adhered to the sport's policy of not speaking specifically about their defense.
"We believe that we made the right decisions to make an already tough policy even more tough," he explained. "We think we have to do that with the circumstances that go on in the country today and in sports in general. The fact that we have a 200-mile-an-hour racecar, we think it was very imperative that we improve, which we did. We will stand behind that, very clearly."
"Our preference is never to be in litigation over anything," he continued in response to the Mayfield case. "We make rules and we hope everybody abides by them. If you go get a trial lawyer and you go do something, that's out of our control. Our only control at that point is to do the best we can in representing the entire sport's interest in matters that affect them. We will continue to do that."
And as for his own problems regarding his ex-wife? "I said nothing surprises me with trial lawyers in the 21st century," France told Landmark Newspapers' Dustin Long, responding to a move to leave the case unsealed for public view. "They're an amazing group of people."
Topic #3: Brad Keselowski
The question was broached as to whether NASCAR asked Keselowski to tone down his aggression in the wake of another incident in the Nationwide Series with Denny Hamlin. But while France admitted officials had a talk with the driver, he claimed the sport didn't overreact by doing so.
"We don't go into private discussions we have in the trailer with our drivers," he said. "But suffice it to say what we want is drivers who are driving hard, that are driving to win. When that happens, you're going to have some situations where there's contact. We're a contact sport. You didn't see us overrespond when that happened. What happened in the Nationwide race in Phoenix, what you're always worried about, with retaliation, all those things, is escalation, unintended consequences."
"But on balance, there's no question, we're encouraging drivers [to be themselves]. When Carl last year made the last-lap attempted pass, Kansas City, you heard us applauding that. You didn't hear us saying anything other than that was a daring move by one of the better drivers. But we also regulate the events. You have to make sure that there are limits to hard driving and rivalries. But we certainly want them. We know how important they are."
Topic #4: The Car of Tomorrow
Reiterating previous reports, France said there's no official word on changes for the Car of Tomorrow, although some are being considered for the near future.
"What we netted out was we will take a look at some things in the off season as you would expect us to do," he said. "But one of the things we felt strongly about is if we change something in May or June, it would counter what we had said in the beginning, which is the car is going to take a little while to figure out, but when you did, we were going to have better racing by far and we were going to have safer racing. If we change things too much too fast along the way, we'll never get everybody comfortable with what they have."
Topic #5: Danica
When France was asked about the IRL star's reported entrance into the sport, his response mirrored the Rick Hendrick answer of one week ago: it's far from a done deal yet.
"Danica, you know, she has obviously taken a very hard look at this sport," he claimed. "She's obviously a very recognizable, accomplished driver in her own right. I would love to see her compete at the highest form of racing in the world. I think she's thinking about it. If she does, you know, as they say, that's why you play the game. I don't know how well she'll do."
"She has a lot of talent. She will be good for NASCAR. How well she will perform is like any other driver that comes through the front door and sits in the car: you never know until they do it."
"She probably doesn't know."
McMurray Hopes The Second Time's The Charm For Earnhardt Ganassi Racing
Jamie McMurray spent the first four years of his career falling short of his own expectations at Chip Ganassi Racing.
He spent the next four years trying to match impossible expectations at Roush.
And now? He's just happy to set expectations altogether.
McMurray will start from square one next season, rebuilding in the No. 1 Chevy owned by Ganassi, Felix Sabates, And Teresa Earnhardt. It's a homecoming of sorts, returning to the owners (Ganassi and Sabates) who "discovered" his talent back in 2002, when the driver subbed for Sterling Marlin and won in just his second career Cup start -- in Charlotte driving the old No. 40 Coors Light Dodge. His new one-year contact comes with sponsor Bass Pro Shops, crew chief Kevin "Bono" Manion, and -- perhaps most importantly --- the relief of having four years of Roush-like expectations lifted off his shoulders.
"The grass is always not greener on the other side," McMurray admitted in jumping back with the team where he experienced his most consistent success -- just missing the Chase in 2004 and '05. "Going to Roush was somewhat of an eye-opener in that there wasn’t a magic button, or a magic set of shocks, or any magic [to make them better]. And my time at Roush hasn't been nearly as good as with Ganassi."
"That’s something Felix [Sabates] told me [could happen] when I left, except he wasn’t as encouraging as Chip," he joked, "So I’ll have to buy him dinner in the next few weeks."
Yet despite a four-year stint that never saw him make the Chase or even finish inside the top 15 in points, McMurray has no regrets about taking a chance with Roush. After all, the team had all five cars in the top 10 in points back when he made the jump in after '05.
“Yeah, no regrets at all," he said. "You just always think it’s going to be better if you do something different, and it isn’t always."
"We just didn’t have the success that we needed."
So now, McMurray starts over with an owner that has a propensity to give drivers second chances. But he's not the only one looking forward to the opportunity.
"Going back to Ganassi’s shop on Tuesday, to see the guys that you knew years ago come up and shake their hand and tell them how glad they are you’re back, there’s a lot to be said for that," he explained. "Not just having the eight or ten guys beyond your specific team behind you but to have the whole organization behind you.
"A lot of [Ganassi] guys sent me texts before this happened, saying ‘I hope you’re the one that comes over.’ And there’s a lot to be said for that."
"It just makes you feel good to have all those people on your side."
Johnson, Hendrick, Lowe's Sign Contract Extension
As part of his top 12 press conference Friday morning, Jimmie Johnson and Rick Hendrick announced a contract extension that would keep both driver and sponsor in the car for several years to come. Johnson's contract now runs through 2015, while sponsor Lowe's has reupped through the end of the 2013 season.
"Jimmie and I tried to look at a lifetime deal, [but] I couldn't borrow enough money to make it work (smiling)," said Hendrick.
The deal keeps Johnson and Jeff Gordon one of only three drivers to have the same team and primary sponsor combinations since 2002. Matt Kenseth is also on the list, but his deal with DeWalt expires after the season.
With sponsor and driver signed up for the long haul, talk immediately turned to crew chief Chad Knaus -- who doesn't seem like he'll be leaving anytime soon, either.
"Chad has a multi-year deal," Hendrick said. "Chad and I have talked about retiring together. So we're in the process of getting that all papered."
For more information on how this effects the NASCAR landscape, check out Tom Bowles' commentary on the website below.
Johnson Wins Homestead Pole, Well-Positioned For Fourth Championship
No, the championship isn't officially over.
But after qualifying Friday, it looks like the final nail's halfway in the coffin.
Chase leader Johnson bulldozed through qualifying Friday, taking the pole with a time of 31.049 seconds -- nearly two-tenths faster than any of his closest competitors.
"I always hope for a pole, but leaving practice and going into qualifying I didn't have that feeling," he said after a 21st-fastest time in first practice. "I know we didn't show well in practice, and the number Mark (Martin) put up, I didn't know if it was going to reachable."
"We just needed a good lap, a good clean lap, and we got it."
That leaves Johnson at the front of the pack to start, a spot that would seemingly keep him out of trouble early. But after wrecking in the early laps at Texas, the No. 48 team claims they'll be taking nothing for granted.
"We'll treat tomorrow like a whole new day and start over again, save the worrying for Sunday and see what happens."
Meanwhile, Scott Speed was a surprising second, qualifying on the outside of the front row for a second straight year.
"Just a product of being able to go out when the sun was going down," the rookie joked. "Eventually, I'm going to want to be on the pole."
"But the car is pretty good in race trim."
Marcos Ambrose, Mark Martin, and Tony Stewart rounded out the top 5. Martin blamed a bad qualifying draw for a lap that leaves him that much more of a longshot for his first title.
"It is a good race car, but it wasn't a good lap," he claimed. "But, I am really happy that we ran as fast as we did. Early wasn't a good time to go."
Kevin Harvick, Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle, Bill Elliott, and Clint Bowyer rounded out the top 10. Joe Nemechek, Mike Skinner, Max Papis, Dave Blaney, and David Stremme failed to qualify for Sunday's race.
Friday Notes
Jeff Gordon's Future: Rick Hendrick claimed Gordon has a lifetime contract, and he expects him to drive the No. 24 for "at least three or four more years." Gordon reiterated that in his press conference, claiming good seasons like this one "add years to his career."
Addington Leaving Gibbs: As expected, former Kyle Busch crew chief Steve Addington announced he'll be leaving the team after the season for other opportunities. Sources say he hasn't yet made a decision on where to go for 2010, but has multiple Cup crew chief options available to him.
Kahne Leaving RPM: Also as expected, Kasey Kahne made a public pronouncement Friday that if things continue on their present course with the RPM-Yates merger, he's likely not to re-sign with the team after the 2010 Cup season.
"Come January, I can start looking around; I can talk to other people," he said at his weekly press conference. "I would imagine the Gilletts are going to talk to me at that point. But as of right now, the Gilletts haven't talked to me and I'm just kind of doing my job, doing the best that I can through the end of the season. The ups and downs of the team have made it difficult for me to really say, 'Man, I'm going to be here for 10 more years.'"
Hamlin Having Knee Surgery: Thatsracin.com's Jim Utter is reporting Denny Hamlin will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee next week. Hamlin said there was some tearing, but that the surgery wasn't too invasive and will allow him to resume a normal workout routine "within a few weeks."
Stremme Out Of Phoenix Racing Sweepstakes? Count Mr. Stremme out of the running for the No. 09 car in 2010. He spun out during his only qualifying attempt, flunking an audition that's performance-based.
Tom Bowles is the Managing Editor of Frontstretch.com. Reach him at edi...@frontstretch.com.
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Contract Extensions Leave Hendrick Consistency Unmatched
by Tom Bowles
Contract Extensions Leave Hendrick Consistency Unmatched
by Tom Bowles
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: When the Winston Cup Series first came to Homestead-Miami Speedway in 1999, it also marked the first telecast of a Cup race for NBC since 1985 (they had actually never televised a race flag-to-flag up to that point). Who was in the booth for NBC that day?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
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
Save Big at Porter and Pittsburgh Paint Locations Nationwide!
Frontstretch.com has negotiated a special price for its readers on all paints and sundries at any corporate owned Porter Paints or Pittsburgh Paints location. Tell your sales associate to use account number TA000553 to let them know that you are a Frontstretch reader, and you are entitled to a 15% discount off the WHOLESALE price on any stocked item. Not valid at dealer locations.
Coming Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Ford 400 Race Recap by Jay W. Pennell
--- Big Six: Ford 400 by Amy Henderson
--- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, Stat of the Week, and more!
Monday on the Frontstretch:
Matt McLaughlin's Thinkin' Out Loud: Homestead by Matt McLaughlin
Matt's got all the post-race analysis and NASCAR water cooler fodder you need to know, after the Sprint Cup Series goes racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the final race of the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
Bowles-Eye View by Tom Bowles
Tom has his take on the biggest story coming out of the weekend in his Monday post-race commentary.
Five Points To Ponder by Mike Lovecchio
Mike will point out five things you shouldn't have missed from the last week in NASCAR racing after an action-packed weekend in South Florida.
ADVERTISEMENT
Save Big at Porter and Pittsburgh Paint Locations Nationwide!
Frontstretch.com has negotiated a special price for its readers on all paints and sundries at any corporate owned Porter Paints or Pittsburgh Paints location. Tell your sales associate to use account number TA000553 to let them know that you are a Frontstretch reader, and you are entitled to a 15% discount off the WHOLESALE price on any stocked item. Not valid at dealer locations.
Coming Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Ford 400 Race Recap by Jay W. Pennell
--- Big Six: Ford 400 by Amy Henderson
--- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, Stat of the Week, and more!
Monday on the Frontstretch:
Matt McLaughlin's Thinkin' Out Loud: Homestead by Matt McLaughlin
Matt's got all the post-race analysis and NASCAR water cooler fodder you need to know, after the Sprint Cup Series goes racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the final race of the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
Bowles-Eye View by Tom Bowles
Tom has his take on the biggest story coming out of the weekend in his Monday post-race commentary.
Five Points To Ponder by Mike Lovecchio
Mike will point out five things you shouldn't have missed from the last week in NASCAR racing after an action-packed weekend in South Florida.
Bubble Breakdown: Tracking The Top 35 In Owner Points by Mike Ravesi
34 teams are already guaranteed a spot on the grid for the first five races of 2010. Just one spot, the 35th and final "locked in" spot remains. Will the Front Row Motorsports No. 34 get it, or will Scott Speed somehow overcome the gap driving the No. 82 for Team Red Bull? Mike continues to track those cars and others in and around the top 35 in owner points following the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Sprint Cup Rookie Report by Tony Lumbis
Tony has the wrapup of Sunday's action for the Sprint Cup Rookie contenders competing in the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Truck Series Breakdown by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth gives the wrap-up treatment to Friday night's Ford 200 from Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Nationwide Series Breakdown: Ford 300 by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan gives his full race rundown from Saturday's Nationwide Series showdown, the Ford 300, at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
---------------------------------------
Talk back to the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Got something to say about an article you've seen in the newsletter? It's as easy as replying directly to this message or sending an email to edi...@frontstretch.com. We'll take the best comments and publish them here!
©2009 Frontstretch.com
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages