The Frontstretch Newsletter: Reaction To Jimmie Johnson Appeal Decision

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Jun 10, 2015, 1:47:59 PM6/10/15
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THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
June 10, 2015
Volume IX, Edition XCIV

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What to Watch: Wednesday

- In France, official practice ("free practice") opened for this weekend's 24 Hours of Le Mans at 10 a.m. ET.  Odds are that the Porsche 919 Hybrids should be battling for the fastest lap of the session.  The first qualifying round (or "qualifying practice") will be held starting at 4 p.m. EDT (10 p.m. local time).

- Here in the states, Pocono winner Martin Truex, Jr. will talk to the media in a teleconference at 12:20 p.m. today.  If anything interesting comes of it, we will definitely report the news at Frontstretch.

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Wednesday's TV Schedule can be found in Couch Potato Tuesday here.

Top News
by the Frontstretch Staff

Appeals Panel Rescinds No. 48, Jimmie Johnson Penalty

Tuesday, the National Motorsports Appeals Panel met to hear Hendrick Motorsports' appeal of the P1 penalty assessed to the No. 48 team after receiving written warnings in consecutive weeks.  The panel determined that NASCAR is justified in converting multiple warnings into a P1 penalty.  However, they also found that a "preponderance of evidence" showed one of the warnings should not have been given. As a result, they rescinded the penalty, absolving the No. 48 team from picking the last pit stall at Michigan.  Read more

Entry List: Sprint Cup Series Stars Prepare for NASCAR’s Fastest Track

Tuesday, NASCAR released the entry list for Sunday's Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway.  The release, issued later than normal, shows 44 cars entered for the race. Among the notables is Ty Dillon, who will once again drive the No. 33 in a joint venture between Richard Childress Racing and Circle Sport.  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: Professor of Speed will not be seen this week.  The Professor has some duties to attend to out of state.  However, we have a new commentary from one of our up-and-coming writers for you to check out today.

Today's Featured Commentary
Richard Childress Racing Struggling To Catch Up
by Clayton Caldwell

Martin Truex, Jr.’s victory at Pocono Raceway Sunday was a popular one throughout the NASCAR garage area. His story, both on and off the track has been well documented over the last two days. After a tough departure from Michael Waltrip Racing, part of the fallout from the team's Spingate scandal he struggled badly during the 2014 season, finishing a dismal 24th in points with just five top-10 finishes.

To top it off, Truex’s longtime girlfriend Sherry Pollex was diagnosed with ovarian cancer; she was forced to fight the disease through surgery and chemotherapy. Add in the rough road with Furniture Row Racing, culminating in crew chief Todd Berrier getting axed and it was easily the most difficult year of the driver's career. However, through it all Truex remained a center of positivity, keeping his head up and gained additional respect within the NASCAR community. Several drivers, including former owner and teammate Dale Earnhardt, Jr. congratulated him in Victory Lane.

As popular as the win was, though not everyone was smiling ear-to-ear. Take Sprint Cup car owner Richard Childress as an example. It’s not that Childress isn’t a nice guy; he's viewed as one of the nicest guys in the garage area. But while Childress could be happy on a personal level, on a professional one he had to be busy scratching his head.

Truex’s Furniture Row Racing team has a technical alliance with RCR, a deal where the bigger operation provides them with engines and chassis. One would think that FRR's success would translate to the "mother ship," but that hasn't been happening so far this season.  Of Childress’ three-car operation, Paul Menard’s No. 27 is the highest placed in points, running 11th while championship runner-up from last year Ryan Newman sits 15th.  Meanwhile, grandson Austin Dillon down to a disappointing tie for 23rd in the standings, the classic example of a "sophomore slump." RCR’s teams have been able to log 15 top-10 finishes, combined; compare that to Truex’s single-car operation having 13.

RCR has struggled over the past several seasons and hasn’t won a championship since 1994, which was Dale Earnhardt’s seventh and final title. To put into perspective how long it’s been, Hendrick Motorsports has 11 championships since then. Joe Gibbs Racing has won three, Stewart-Haas Racing and Roush Fenway Racing each have two and even the now defunct Robert Yates Racing has a championship more recently than RCR.

Sunday’s win proves RCR equipment is good enough to win in 2015. So it must keep Childress up at night as to what the problem is with his organization, causing him to wonder how a self-sponsored, single-car operation can go out and win while his own multi-car giant lags behind. The team hasn’t won a race since November 2013 at Phoenix and 2014 was just the fourth season since 1983 they've been shut out of Victory Lane. RCR as a whole led just 86 laps in 2014, by far the lowest for them since '83.

It’s hard to figure out what the problem is. Through the years, the team has gone through countless crew chiefs and drivers, yet the struggles continue. Now, their equipment, along with their horsepower can no longer be used as an excuse. Sunday’s win proves that the engines and chassis RCR is producing on a weekly basis are capable of quality performances. 

So with all the struggles the team has had in recent years, no wonder why Childress could only be so happy for Truex. His own program still has a lot of work to do.

Clayton Caldwell is a Contributor to Frontstretch.  He can be reached via e-mail at clayton....@frontstretch.com.

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TODAY AT FRONTSTRETCH:
by Tom Bowles

by Greg Davis

by Amy Henderson
 
as told to Joseph Wolkin

compiled by Michael Mehedin

by Matt Stallknecht
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:

Q: In 2001, the Audi Group created a second prototype team, Team Bentley, to field a pair of Bentley Speed 8's at Le Mans.  Officially, these cars were prototypes, but weren't classified as part of the LMP900 class.  Why was the differentiation made?

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

Tuesday's Answer:

Q:  With the 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend, we've got a Le Mans question for you.  When was the Mulsanne Straight split up by chicanes, and why?

A:  The two chicanes which split the Mulsanne Straight into three parts were first added in 1990.  They were mainly introduced to curb speeds, which were out of control.  The previous year, an all-time top speed record of over 400 kilometers an hour (248 mph) was set.  The FIA stepped in and threatened to strip the Circuit de la Sarthe of its license to hold races, forcing the ACO's hand.
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COMING TOMORROW
In The Frontstretch Newsletter:
We'll have any news that breaks in the world of NASCAR. In addition, John Potts returns with another interesting commentary.

On Frontstretch.com:
Toni Montgomery is back with another look at the NHRA in Nitro Shots.
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