The Frontstretch Newsletter: Tequila Patron ESM Victorious in Rolex 24; SunEnergy1 to Cup?

[Frontstretch.com]

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!

Feb. 2, 2015

Volume X, Edition V

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What to Watch: February 2-8

- This week is the calm before the storm.  No major racing outside of Monster Energy Supercross is scheduled here in the United States.  Next week, Speedweeks starts up at three locations in Volusia County (DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park, World Series of Asphalt at New Smyrna Speedway and regular Speedweeks in Daytona).

If anything of note breaks news-wise, we will have it for you at Frontstretch.

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This week's TV Schedule can be found here.

Top News

by the Frontstretch Staff

Tequila Patron ESM Wins Rolex 24 at Daytona

Last weekend's Rolex 24 at Dyatona was a rare look at P2 superiority after two years of the Daytona Prototypes overshadowing the ACO technology.  It was Tequila Patron ESM with their Ligier JS P2-HPD that was the class of the field, taking the overall win by 26 seconds on Sunday.  Corvette Racing scored a 1-2 in the GT-Le Mans class, while JDC Miller MotorSports won PC and Magnus Racing won the GT-Daytona class.  Read more

SunEnergy1 to Sponsor Chase Elliott in 2016?

Frontstretch has learned that SunEnergy1 is working on a deal that will see the solar energy company join Hendrick Motorsports in 2016 as the fifth primary sponsor on Chase Elliott's No. 24 Chevrolet for a select number of races.  In addition, SunEnergy1's Kenny Habul will drive for JR Motorsports in the three XFINITY Series road races in the team's No. 88 Chevrolet with SunEnergy1 branding.  Read more

Ryan Ellis to Compete at Daytona for FDNY Racing, Working on Sprint Cup Series Plans

FDNY Racing recently announced that Ryan Ellis will return to the wheel of the No. 28 Chevrolet for another limited schedule in the Camping World Truck Series in 2016.  Ellis is also still working on plans that would allow him to return to the Sprint Cup Series at some point later this year.  Read more

Multimatic Motorsports, Murillo Racing Take Daytona CTSC Wins

On Friday, the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge held their season opener at Daytona International Speedway.  In a race that saw lots of action for position, Multimatic Motorsports' Ford Shelby GT350R-C driven by Billy Johnson and Scott Maxwell won overall.  In Street Tuner, Murillo Racing's duo of Jeff Mosing and Eric Foss won in a Porsche Cayman.  Read more

Have news for The Frontstretch?  Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at phil.a...@frontstretch.com with a promising lead or tip.

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Editor's Note: The Critic's Annex will return next week.

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TODAY AT FRONTSTRETCH:

Friday Faceoff: Did NASCAR Add Too Many Gimmicks?

by the Frontstretch Staff

Joe Gibbs Racing Prepping for the Future with Erik Jones, Daniel Suarez

by Joseph Wolkin

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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:

Q:  Back in 1997, Joe Nemechek raced the Daytona 500 in a No. 73 Chevrolet with Bellsouth sponsorship.  Why did this occur?

Check back Tuesday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!

Friday's Answer:

Q:  In 2004, Tony Stewart was in position to claim overall victory in the Rolex 24 in the very first race for the Crawford chassis.  However, trouble reared its head in the final hour.  What happened?

A: With less than an hour to go, Stewart pitted the Crawford chassis with what turned out to be a broken left rear suspension.  Rather than take the time to fix it, the team jury-rigged a solution that believe or not, involved wood blocks.  The result was that Stewart's No. 2 would often drive with one wheel off the ground, but it could trundle around the course.  It looked like the MacGyver-esque repair was going to hold up, but the suspension collapsed once and for all with 15 minutes left, pitching Stewart into the outside wall just before the bus stop chicane.  That gave victory to Doran Racing's No. 54.

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COMING THIS WEEK AT FRONTSTRETCH:

We'll have some more news if and when it breaks.  Also, we'll have some more coverage from Rolex 24 weekend.  Interviews with some friendly and interesting chaps are on tap.

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