Frontstretch Newsletter - January 22nd, 2008
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THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER presented by To Be Announced
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The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
January 22nd, 2008
Volume II, Edition I
Editor's Note: What happened to the newsletter?
Dear Newsletter subscribers,
During a time of unprecedented growth for Frontstretch, as the 2007 offseason kicked off some reorganization kicked in - and with it came the difficult decision to briefly suspend the newsletter. We had wanted to put forth a weekly offseason edition, but some exciting new opportunities for the site caused us to hold off until we had all our ducks in a row.But now, the new season is at hand, and with it comes exciting additions for the newsletter as well as the site. We've brought on new writers, and are working hard on both a new look and a new delivery method that will make it easier for you to read this product each day - right from your inbox. On course for the newsletter's full-time return by Monday, February 4th, we are certain that with the new and improved version, you'll be more than happy with the results.
Thanks for your continued support as we prepare for a full-time assault on 2008, and we look forward to serving you well in the year to come.
Sincerely,
Tom Bowles
Managing Editor
Frontstretch.com
Top News Story
Kenny Wallace Returns To Furniture Row; Will Run 2nd Car In Daytona 500
by Tom Bowles
Kenny Wallace has spent the better part of the last six months looking for a new full-time ride in Sprint Cup.
Turned out the best place to look was with the team who released him in the first place.After releasing Wallace midway through the 2007 season, Nextel Cup's Furniture Row Racing has tapped the SPEED television commentator / racing veteran to drive a second entry in this year's Daytona 500. Sponsored by Denver Mattress, the No. 87 Chevrolet will be a team car to full-time driver Joe Nemechek, as the team brings two entries to the track for the first time in their short lifespan in the Cup Series. Joe Garone - Wallace's old crew chief and still part of Furniture Row Racing - will crew chief the effort.
"I'm honored to attempt to qualify [for] the 50th Anniversary of the Daytona 500," said Wallace as the hiring was announced. "It's a team effort, with Joe and I hopefully both qualifying. It's also a chance… which is better than no chance at all to race."
Jeff Fuller had driven the car in January testing; his future with the team was unclear at press time. Right now, Daytona is the only race scheduled for Wallace and the No. 87, and the car will not race beyond that without sponsorship support. In the meantime, Wallace will attempt to shore up a deal in the Nationwide Series for that same weekend; he'll be looking to drive Baker-Curb Racing's No. 37 Ford.
Editor's Note : Kenny Wallace has signed on to do a Driver Diary with Frontstretch.com this season. Join us through his ups and downs in the Nationwide and Cup Series, as he tells of life on the road in his own words - every Friday, once a month on The Frontstretch.
Other News From The Sprint Media Tour
Chip Ganassi Still Seeking Sponsorship For Franchitti, No. 40 Team
As Dario Franchitti prepares for his rookie season in stock cars, team owner Chip Ganassi is preparing for another, less excitable future - putting some "patchwork" sponsorships together in order to keep the No. 40 Dodge afloat for all 36 races.
While sponsor Fastenal has committed to backing Franchitti in the Nationwide Series, Ganassi said at this time no full-time primary sponsor for the No. 40 in Cup has been secured. The owner thought he'd be rid of that problem when he brushed aside former driver David Stremme for the 2007 IRL champ - but the expected financial backing has simply not materialized. Rumor has it Energizer will be on board for the first five races while additional primary sponsorship is secured.
At least Franchitti's not alone in his problems; open-wheel veterans turned stock car rookies Jacques Villeneuve and Patrick Carpentier are also without full-time sponsorship as the season begins.
Go Or Go Home Cars To Qualify Together
As first reported on Frontstretch.com several months ago, NASCAR made it official Monday: cars outside the Top 35 in owner points for the Cup Series will now qualify together. Before each qualifying session, two separate draws will be held - one for those with qualifying exemptions and one for those without. Then, the exempt cars will qualify first, with the battle for the eight remaining spots in the field held until the end of that session.
For the Nationwide and Truck Series, the same rules will apply, except only the Top 30 cars in owner points for each of those series are exempt.
Cale Gale Leads Final Day Of Nationwide Series Testing Thus Far; Another Nationwide Series Team Shuts Its Doors
As Preseason Thunder works through its final day, it was a young gun at the top of the charts, as Cale Gale led the pack in Kevin Harvick's No. 77 Chevrolet. Impressive in testing throughout the week, the Alabama driver clocked in with a time of 179.917 miles an hour to lead 18 cars in the AM session. Chase Miller, Steve Wallace, Scott Wimmer, and Kertus Davis rounded out the Top 5 drivers.
In the meantime, another Nationwide Series team was officially put on the auction block. The remnants of the famed No. 34 Cicci Racing team are scheduled to be auctioned off on February 2nd at 10:00 AM. The team had suspended operations in the middle of last year after failing to acquire sponsorship; they join McGill Motorsports, Johnny Davis Motorsports, Robert Yates Racing, Rensi Motorsports, and Riley-D'Hondt Motorsports as race teams that have either closed up or scaled back operations in the series since the end of '07.
Because of that, fears remain the Nationwide Series will not attract a full 43-car field to Daytona.
Today's Featured Commentary
(FS Newsletter EXCLUSIVE)
Sitting In The Stands With S.D. Grady : A Fan's View
We Now Return You To Your Regular Programming Schedule...
by S.D. Grady
Normally, I actually enjoy the two-month long hiatus between Homestead and Speedweeks. This year, however, the writer's strike seems to have put a wrench in my off-season TV viewing. Thus, when I checked my TiVo for upcoming programming this month, I nearly cried when it told me it intended to record several episodes of NASCAR Preseason Thunder on Speed.
Already, I could feel the stress dwindle, caused by multiple viewings of Terminator 2 and repeats of Mythbusters. Granted, the preseason shows are only 30 minutes in duration … just long enough to allow me to settle in with my supper and a soda, before I'm transferred off to some non-NASCAR motorhead show. But still, the familiar rumble of the engines (although the Daytona engine sounds just a bit throatier this year) soothes those holiday-weary nerves, and allows me a glimmer of hope. Hope that normalcy is close at hand, that life does go on despite a disturbing lack of CSI and House; even my late nights seem to be finding their old routines, although I don't think David Lettermen's beard is anything close to normal.
What does all this have to do with NASCAR, you ask? Call it an epiphany.
There are things in our lives that linger in the background, reassuring us of our customary existence in some random way. My favorite sport does this for me: the rhythm of the week, a certain lilt in the voices, a remembered tang of unburnt fuel in the air and the bright colors painting my TV screen in a rainbow. With their return comes reassurance that even if primetime programming goes the way of the dinosaurs - I shall survive.
Shortly, that guaranteed survival is at hand. In just a few short weeks, there will be screaming engines, cheering fans and shredded tires. I will have the opportunity, once again, to pick on the broadcasts, look forward to packing up the RV and heading out to the track. My couch will serve as the telecommunications and snack center. Life will be good.
Until then, the crumbs left behind by SpeedTV will have to do. The other night, there was motocross…it wasn't that bad.But the best is yet to come.
2008 Frontstretch Survey:
Want a chance to win a FREE Frontstretch T-Shirt! How about a shot at a FREE membership to our Ultimate Fantasy Player Program? Well, Frontstretch has a new 2008 survey out just for YOU! We're attempting to see what you like about us the most, and what areas you'd like to see improved. Click here to take the survey and do your part to help make one of your favorite websites a better place to be!
Think you have what it takes to write for the Frontstretch?
Are you looking for a fast-growing website that can give you an
opportunity to not only share your thoughts on racing, but have FUN doing it
with a group of laid-back, dedicated personnel? Well, we have the place
for you. Frontstretch is actively seeking 1-3 additional writers for
both our newsletter and website to add to our dedicated staff. Follow
this link for more information on
how you can become a weekly columnist for the site and/or newsletter!
Got NASCAR-related questions or comments?
Send them Matt Taliaferro's way at matt.ta...@frontstretch.com;
if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print when he does his weekly column
answering back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat. Fanning The Flames returns in February with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!
All Week Long In The Frontstretch:
We take one last look back at 2007 with the "Best Of" the Frontstretch! See what articles we submitted from our staff for the Miller Lite Journalism Awards. It's all your favorite stories in one phenomenal five-day bundle: a heartwarming, power-punching week of sadness, criticism, anger, joy, and celebration. Don't miss out on the columns you wanted to read again and again!
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
An Amazing Event In The Desert : NASCAR's Connection To Barrett-Jackson
by Mike Neff
The Best Of The Frontstretch : A Question Of Risk - Is Death Too High Of A Price For A Driver To Pay?
by S.D. Grady
The Best Of The Frontstretch : TNT "F" Bomb Squad Trips Wrong Wire!
by Jeff Meyer
The Best Of The Frontstretch : Thousands Gather As Community Celebrates Life Of A Legend
by Mike Lovecchio
The Best Of The Frontstretch : 2007 - The Worst NASCAR Season Ever
by Vito Pugliese
Note: See This Week On The Frontstretch For All The Info You Need…
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA
Q. Juan Pablo Montoya made waves by recording a win in his rookie season, continuing a long trend of rookie winners this decade. When's the last time the series has gone an entire season without a rookie winning a race
?
(answer Monday)
December's Trivia Answer : All 36 races were once again won by multi-car teams in 2007 - led by
Hendrick Motorsports, who collected 18 trophies on the year. When's the last
time a single-car team broke through and took a Nextel Cup win?
Ricky Craven outdueled Kurt Busch at Darlington in the Spring of 2003 - taking home the final win for single-car PPI Motorsports, as well as his Cup career to date.
Coming Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Mirror Driving returns, as your favorite experts debate the merits of raising the age limit, grouping "Go Or Go Home" qualifiers together, and whether the Nationwide Series can fill its field at Daytona.
Coming next week on the Frontstretch :
2008 Season Preview
by the Frontstretch Staff
As December fades to January and the spotlight turns to the
2008 Sprint Cup season, keep it right here as your Frontstretch faithful have
all the angles covered. Whether it's the upcoming rookie race or the future of
Hendrick's dominance, we have the answers you seek – and the questions that
need to be raised to the NASCAR brass.
Feedback on the newsletter? Would you like to advertise with
us? Reach us at edi...@frontstretch.com.