The Frontstretch Newsletter: November 6th, 2009
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THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
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The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
November 6th, 2009
Volume III, Edition CCXV
DON'T FORGET THE FRONTSTRETCH LIVE BLOG THIS SUNDAY!
Jimmie
Johnson has a 118-point lead in the point standings after his second
place finish on Sunday at Martinsville. However, Talladega's coming
up, a track where -- as we all know -- anything can happen. Needless to
say, the AMP Energy 500 should leave you amped up for some nail-biting
action as NASCAR holds its final restrictor plate race of the year.
What?
You say you're too busy watching Brett Favre's infamous return to Green
Bay to tune in? Or are you just looking for a great group of people to
watch the race with? Because either way, we're here to help. Join
your favorite Frontstretch writers 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
12:45 PM 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 Kurt Allen Smith
Ricky Carmichael Leaving KHI To Join Turner Motorsports
Former American Motorcyclist champion Ricky Carmichael announced on Thursday that he will be leaving Kevin Harvick Incorporated, the team he currently drives for in the Camping World Truck Series. Instead, Carmichael has joined up with Turner Motorsports for 2010, as the team plans a two-truck entry in its first year in the series.
Carmichael will still be receiving engines and technical support from KHI. He still hasn’t confirmed that his sponsor, Monster Energy Drink, will follow him to his new ride.
Carmichael has 15 starts in 2009, with his best finish being a 7th in Kentucky.
Motorsports Authentics Posts $20 Million Loss In 2009
Motorsports Authentics, the primary provider of NASCAR merchandise, reported that they have lost over $20 million in 2009 in an SEC filing on Thursday.
Motorsports Authentics is owned in equal parts by Speedway Motorsports and International Speedway Corporation, the two entities that run most of the tracks on the NASCAR schedule.
The company’s sales began to slide in the middle of 2008, starting a downward trend that has the company worried about bankruptcy. “Lower 2009 revenues have resulted, and may continue to result in, reduced profitability and increased exposure to excess product levels,” the company said in its statement.
Have news for Jeff and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at ashl...@mail.com with a promising lead or tip.
Hey Frontstretch Readers!
Do you want the chance to win a free Frontstretch T-Shirt, and are you really good at talking about NASCAR? Well, we have the perfect opportunity for you. Our staff will be giving away a free T-Shirt to the reader who makes the best post in our Frontstretch Forum between now and the end of the season. So, what makes a good post? It's pretty hard to impress us, but here are some things we are looking for:
Does your post spark passionate reactions from other readers? Are
you commenting on meaningful NASCAR-related events? Do your posts have
substance? In other words, "Dale Jr. is the best driver ever" or
"Danica Patrick is hot" will not cut it.
So go to the
Frontstretch Forums, post early, post often, and post well! We'll
announce the winner following the final race of the season at Homestead.
In Case You Missed It
By Kurt Allen Smith
Astronaut Doug Hurley To Be Honored At Texas This Weekend
Texas Motor Speedway announced on Wednesday that they will be honoring astronaut Doug Hurley, pilot of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, in the pre-race activities for this Sunday’s Dickies 500 at the track.
A grand entrance for Hurley is planned, but the nature of it has not yet been revealed.
"When Texas Motor Speedway said that they wanted to honor me, I thought Eddie would say a few kind words about me on the pre-race stage," said Hurley. "This is beyond my wildest dreams, but everyone told me that Eddie would come up with something dramatic, and he sure did. I am a huge NASCAR fan and to be part of the pre-race show for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at my home track is a tremendous honor."
Speedway president Eddie Gossage requested Hurley’s presence, and he noted that Hurley had carried NASCAR items onto the shuttle with him.
Buescher To Race Full-Time In Nationwide Series in 2010
James Buescher, driver of the No. 10 Circle Bar Racing entry in the Camping World Truck Series, will be racing full-time for Phoenix Racing in the Nationwide Series in 2010. He will also be driving the No. 31 Chevy for Turner Motorsports in the Camping World Truck Series for at least 19 races.
“I’m very excited about my plans for the 2010 season to run in the Nationwide Series and the Camping World Truck Series,” said Buescher. “Both series provide young drivers a place to learn and compete at the highest level. I would like to thank James Finch, Marc Reno, and Miccosukee from Phoenix Racing and Steve and Sandra Turner from Turner Motorsports for giving me the opportunity to have as much seat time as possible next year. Hopefully next season, I will take both Chevrolets to Victory Lane.”
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.
Blue Smoke And Burnt Rubber: Talk at the Track #17
by S.D. Grady
C.J. Parker here in the depths of Silly Season. Except this year, Silly Season has taken a truly odd twist. It looks like a huge domino in the sponsor spin is about to fall.
From Stan Fielding’s office this morning, we received notice that the GSCA is open to bids for naming rights for the Cup Series, effective immediately. When queried about the status of the current Air West sponsorship, no comment was offered.
We can only assume the naming rights are up for grabs due to the arrest warrant issued earlier this week by the Wake County District Attorney for Marcus Albright, the CEO of Air West. Albright has been charged with murder in the death of both Randy Ellis and car owner Brad Van Lytton.
However, the Wake County sheriff has been unable to execute the warrant as Albright is currently visiting his estate in Cornwall, England. Both the District Attorney’s office and the Raleigh Field Office of the FBI have refused further comment on the potential extradition of Albright, as the investigation into all the circumstances surrounding Brad Van Lytton’s death have yet to be concluded.
Consequently, it should not surprise too many people to know that Celia Langdon, owner of Langdon Racing and Albright’s sister, has already been taken into custody and charged with conspiracy in the death of Brad Van Lytton.
We spoke with all three drivers in the Van Lytton Racing stable today. Cup Series Champion, Harry Garrison, had this to say regarding the disturbing series of events. “I’ve seen some pretty messed up shit over the past thirty years in this sport. I’ve known some pretty twisted individuals. But, never have I known a single person in the garage intent on harming another racer in an attempt to make a name for themselves. It’s just shit…the whole deal. I just don’t know if I’m gonna wanna keep driving after all this.”
Danny O’Flynn appeared rather subdued as he spoke with reporters. “Brad gave me my first ride in the Saturday Night Sprints series. I’ll never forget him. It’s gonna be tough getting behind that wheel this week… but I will. Mr. Van Lytton always wanted to see us win. We can’t win if we don’t race.”
S.D. Grady is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached at sonya...@frontstretch.com.
Frontstretch Folio: Dickies 500
By Kim DeHaven
The Sprint Cup Series heads to the Lone Star State this weekend for a second spin at the Texas Motor Speedway. The Dickies 500 is the 34th race of the 2009 Sprint Cup season, the 8th race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, and will be broadcast live on Sunday, November 8th at 3:15 pm EST on ABC, with radio coverage by PRN affiliates nationwide. Competitors will make 334 circuits for 501 miles around the 1.5-mile tri-oval in their quest for the checkered flag.
Brian Vickers holds the record for the fastest lap at Texas Motor Speedway, posting a qualifying lap with a time of 27.518 seconds and a speed of 196.235 mph to win the pole for the 2006 running of the Dickies 500.
Bobby Labonte, Ryan Newman and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. are tied for the record for the most poles recorded at Texas with two apiece. Earnhardt, Jr. was the pole sitter for last year's event. David Reutimann was the pole sitter here back in the Spring.
Carl Edwards holds the fastest race record time at Texas. He attained the record of 3 hours, 19 minutes with a speed of 151.055 mph in the 2005 Samsung 500.
Carl Edwards also holds the record for the most wins at Texas Motor Speedway with three. He swept the races here last season.
Track/Race Length: 1.5 mile tri-oval, 334 laps, 501 miles
Pit Road Speed: 45mph
Degree of Banking: Turns 24 degrees
Frontstretch: Length: 2,250 feet, Banking: 5 degrees
Backstretch: Length: 1,330 feet, Banking: 5 degrees
Grandstand seating: 159,585
Pre-race Schedule
Practice: Friday, November 6, 1 p.m. on SPEED
Qualifying: Friday, November 6, 4:30 p.m. on SPEED
Practice: Saturday, November 7, 9:30 a.m. on SPEED
Happy Hour Practice: Saturday, November 7, 11:00 a.m. on SPEED
"I think Texas is going to be a fast place. It’s going to be a little bit different getting in and coming up off the corners than Atlanta because there isn’t as much banking at Texas getting into the corner." - Kyle Busch
Spoiler Picks, Round 34: Dickies 500
Texas Motor Speedway is a speed freaks' delight, with numbers upwards of 205 mph the realm of possibility on the high banks. Anything can happen at those speeds, and usually does. However, before we get into talking about this weekend's 500-mile extravaganza, we must first review the results from last Sunday's AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.
Phil's Talladega Picks:
34 John Andretti(35)- Finished 23rd
55 Michael Waltrip(33)- Finished 7th
Average Finish: 15
Mike's Talladega Picks:
6 David Ragan(28)- Finished 17th
98 Paul Menard(32)- Finished 42nd, crashed out on lap 5
Average Finish: 28.5
With Sunday's victory at Talladega, Phil has clinched at least a share of the overall season title. He currently leads the competition by the score of 18-15. In match play golf, this is a "Dormie" scenario. If Mike can win out for the remaining three weeks, it is certainly within the realm of possibility that he could tie Phil. In fact, he has won three consecutive weeks in this competition once this season. However, if Phil wins just one of the final three races, he claims the entire season for himself.
So with the Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend, Mike needs a victory really bad. Can he do it? Let's just see who he, along with Phil, have decided to go with for this week.
Mike's Texas Picks:
6 David Ragan - Ragan is a mixed bag at Texas Motor Speedway. His resume reads as follows: two top 15 finishes and three races where his day was derailed by problems. He has two DNF's at the track (last Spring, because of an engine failure, and November, 2007 due to a crash). He also tends to qualify well.
21 Bill Elliott - Elliott had a relatively steady first few years at TMS, when everyone and their brother was wrecking left and right. However, his best finish at the track is a ninth back in 2002, when he started from the pole. Recently, Elliott's form has been mediocre. Since that ninth place finish, Elliott's best effort at Texas in eight starts was a 28th back in April. Also, for reference purposes, Mike picked Elliott here back in the Spring.
Phil's Texas Picks:
44 A.J. Allmendinger - A.J. has generally not been the greatest at Texas. His best finish in three starts was a 26th last Fall. The first time Allmendinger started at Texas (he failed to qualify for the Spring race in 2007), he qualified a strong fifth in a stacked field. However, he crashed and finished 39th. This week, Allmendinger makes his debut in a Ford Fusion. Perhaps this move might change his luck.
82 Scott Speed - Scott has only one career start at Texas, which was last Fall. His No. 84 started and finished the race in 33rd position. He failed to qualify for April's Samsung 500, but hopes to do better this go-around.
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Drivers Should Unite Again On Talladega
by Kurt Smith
Wrong Time, Wrong Place For Nationwide Series COT
by Bryan Davis Keith
Danica Needs NASCAR -- But Is It A Two-Way Street?
by Amy Henderson
Driven To The Past: Let's Go Back A Few Years ...
by John Potts
Q. The Busch Series' Albertson's 300 at Texas Motor Speedway in 2000 is notable for one thing in regards to television coverage. What is it?
Thursday's Answer:
Q. During the 1998 race weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, there were some issues in turns 1 and 2 with the race track. What were they, and who paid for those issues?
A. In the weeks leading up to the race weekend, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex received copious amounts of rain, just like the previous year. During qualifying, water seeped up through the race track in turns 1 and 2, leading to multiple wrecks. Dick Trickle, Lake Speed and Derrike Cope all crashed during the session, forcing them to backup cars. Other drivers like Johnny Benson tiptoed around 1 and 2 during their qualifying laps, and had subpar qualifying efforts as a result.
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Coming Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Dickies 500 Race Recap by Jay W. Pennell
--- Big Six: Dickies 500 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: Texas 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 Texas Motor Speedway for Race #8 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 has five things you shouldn't have missed from the last week in NASCAR racing after an action-packed weekend in Texas.
Bubble Breakdown: Tracking The Top 35 In Owner Points by Mike Ravesi
Who will prevail in the battle for the 35th and final "locked in" spot -- the No. 34 team or the No. 82? Mike continues to track those cars in and around the top 35 in owner points following the Dickies 500 at Texas Motor 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 Dickies 500.
Truck Series Breakdown by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth gives the wrap-up treatment to Friday night's WinStar World Casino 350K from Texas Motor Speedway.
Nationwide Series Breakdown: O'Reilly Challenge by Bryan Davis Keith
Bryan gives his full race rundown from Saturday's Nationwide Series brouhaha in the Lone Star State.
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