THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
October 30th, 2009
Volume III, Edition CCX
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
Allmendinger Placed On Probation By NASCAR Following DUI
A.J. Allmendinger, driver of the No. 44 Dodge for Richard Petty Motorsports, has been placed on probation by NASCAR following his arrest for driving while impaired early Thursday morning. Richard Petty Motorsports has not yet announced any suspension.
Allmendinger was charged on Thursday morning with one count of driving while impaired. He was found to have a BAC content of .08 when stopped, just at the legal limit in North Carolina.
“I made an error in judgment last night for which I take full responsibility,” said Allmendinger. “I went out to dinner and I had a couple of drinks. I honestly felt fine but I obviously should have erred more on the side of caution, particularly given what I do for a living. It was a bad judgment call and I apologize for that to my fans, sponsors, team and NASCAR.”
In North Carolina, a driver caught under the influence automatically receives a 30-day driver’s license suspension, but a license is not necessary to race.
Former PR Director For NASCAR Dick Thompson Dies At 74
The Associated Press reported on Thursday that Dick Thompson, former racing writer and track publicist for Martinsville Speedway, has died at the age of 74. Thompson was just the second public relations director in NASCAR.
“Dick was more than a long-time employee of Martinsville Speedway. He was part of the family,” said Martinsville Speedway President W. Clay Campbell. “I have fond memories and valuable lessons learned I can attribute to him. We will miss him and we send our thoughts and prayers to his family.”
Thompson had been a reporter for the Roanoke Times before being hired as the PR director for Martinsville. He retired in January of 2005.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 30, 2009 at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Martinsville, VA.
Townley, Zaxby’s Leaving RAB Racing At End of 2009
RAB Racing announced on Thursday that both driver John Wes Townley and sponsor Zaxby’s will be leaving the team at the end of the 2009 season. Townley drove the No. 09 Ford in the Nationwide Series.
"The Townley's are great people and Zaxby's has been an outstanding partner over the past two years,” said team co-owner Robby Benton. “We are grateful for the relationship we have had with them and wish both John Wes and Zaxby's the best of luck in their future endeavors."
In 26 races this season, Townley has four finishes in the top 20, the best being a 16th at Bristol Motor Speedway.
John McCain Named Grand Marshal For Phoenix Race
John McCain, Republican senator from Arizona and 2008 Presidential candidate, will be serving as the Grand Marshal for the coming Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 race at Phoenix Raceway on November 15.
McCain had appeared as the grand marshal at the track before, in April of 2006. He was quoted as being “thrilled” by the opportunity.
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
Steve Wallace Fined $5,000 For Post Race Pit Road Shove At Memphis
NASCAR announced Wednesday that Steve Wallace, driver of the No. 66 car for Rusty Wallace Inc. has been fined $5,000 for his post race shove of Matt Kenseth’s car on pit road in the recent Memphis Nationwide race.
Wallace was found in violation of Section 12-1 (actions detrimental; hitting another competitor’s car on pit road following the race).
Wallace spun after making contact with the No. 16 of Matt Kenseth with 12 laps to go in the race, which was won by Brad Keselowski.
Earnhardt, Jr. To Appear at Country Music Awards
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has been chosen to be one of the presenters at this year’s Country Music Awards, to be held on November 11 at the Sommet Center in Nashville, TN. Earnhardt, Jr. is the first athlete to be named as a presenter for the awards.
Other celebrities selected as presenters include Neil Flynn, Patricia Heaton, Julianne Hough, Leann Rimes and Robin Roberts.
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: Chapter 19
A NASCAR Mystery
by S.D. Grady
“All rise! The Honorable Judge Francis Donatelli is presiding.”
Chris stood with the rest of the courtroom and waited. Shortly, an elderly man entered through a door from behind the bench and sat in the large chair. The bailiff indicated that all could be seated and that the court was now in session.
Chuck Farley sat next to his defense attorney, a round, mean-eyed woman dressed in a shiny pinstriped skirt suit. Behind him, Celia Langdon smiled to those she recognized sitting in the gallery. The district attorney of Wake County flipped through his notes, accompanied by two other clerks.
Chris spotted Van Lytton’s lawyer and another suit he thought represented Marcus Albright’s office. Cody shrank down in her seat and leaned against him. Agent Silverton provided further physical protection and Stan Fielding offered his support from the seat in front of her.
All this for an aging mechanic gone mad? It really didn’t make much sense to Chris. Maybe all of these people were here out of curiosity. There were certainly enough racing fans lining the sidewalk outside the courthouse, and the drive to Van Lytton Racing. Most of them held signs wishing the best for Brad…some still held a grudge against Harry Garrison winning more than his share of Cups over the years.
“In the case of the People of Wake County vs. Mr. Charles Farley, may we please hear the charges?”
The bailiff began the recitation of the charges filed: Assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, and murder in the second degree. Chris listened to a multitude of other lesser charges—resisting arrest, fleeing, assault on a police officer, etc. etc., but wasn’t much interested in them. He really wanted to know that this was all finally ending.
“Mr. Klein, would you like to give us the details?”
The district attorney stood, rubbed at his nose before replacing his glasses, and started reading from his notes. The dry dissertation didn’t sound much like the horrid set of events Cody attributed to the grizzled mechanic. Still, Chris figured that’s why the courts were run like this—devoid of emotion. Less likely for everybody to make a mistake in judgment.
“Mr. Farley, how do you plead to these charges?”
Chuck stood and leaned on the table, his knuckles bearing his weight. “Not guilty.”
The judge made a notation before mumbling, “Bail?”
The D.A. checked a column on his table before responding, “We recommend no bail, your honor, as Mr. Farley is clearly a flight risk. He managed to elude authorities for several months and commit additional crimes while we were searching for him.”
The judge nodded. “Miss Stevens?”
She placed a hand over Chuck’s. “No bail or high bail is contraindicated in this case, your honor. Mr. Farley has a clean record, has a family in the area and is gainfully employed. The risk of flight is minimal. We ask that he be released on his own recognizance.”
The judge chuckled. “He works as a mechanic for a racing team that tours the nation on a regular basis. His own recognizance, Miss Stevens?” He set down his papers and reached for his gavel. “Mr. Farley is remanded to custody. The trial date is set for…February 17th, 2010.”
The D.A. stood. “Your honor?”
“Yes, Mr. Klein?”
“The People request an early court date, if at all possible, as many witnesses and victims all participate in the GSCA. In order to eliminate as many delays in the proceedings as possible, we suggest a date before the second week of February.”
“Very well…the 19th of December, 2009. Is that better, Mr. Klein?”
“Yes, thank you, sir.”
The judge smiled, banged his gavel, signed a piece of paper and handed it to the bailiff. “Next case, please.”
Two officers appeared at Chuck’s elbows and took him into custody.
Chris sat back in his seat.
“Is that it?” Cody muttered.
Silverton leaned over. “Yes, at least until December.”
Chris watched Celia Langdon walk by, her face creased with a bitter frown. The Albright suit followed right behind her. Curious, Chris stood and gestured for all of them to leave the courtroom.
The large door closed. The echo rattled around the marble hallway. Chris looked left but only saw a woman wiping tears from her face—probably a relation of another defendant.
“Let go of me!”
The strident noise drew everybody’s attention in the other direction.
The man he had previously identified as the Albright suit held Celia Langdon’s wrist. Silverton started to walk forward.
“You’ve got to be kidding, you asshole!” She continued. “Marcus can’t seriously expect me to shut up! It’s over!”
Somebody shoved Chris to the side. He looked down at Stan Fielding, the man’s usually florid face strained with anger.
“I will not leave with you. I won’t!” She pulled her arm, but the man’s grip did not lessen.
Chris tried to hear what the man muttered. The whisper vanished in the echoes of distant conversation.
“I am not overwrought. I am…” Her face crumpled, as did her voice. “Do you know what we did? My son! My son…” Her shoulders slumped. “He was going to win, you know. I was going to make sure.”
A soft gasp distracted Chris. He looked behind and met Cody’s strained eyes.
“Is she saying…?”
A high-heeled shoe scuffed across the floor, drawing Chris attention back to the drama.
Celia stood against the wall. Her splayed hands pressed into the unyielding marble, as if it would throw her back at the angry attorney. “What is there left? It just doesn’t matter anymore. My son will never win that championship, and I will never have Brad Van Lytton.” She nodded at the gathered witnesses. “Come December, it just won’t matter. They will all know the truth.”
Stan stepped forward. “What truth would that be?”
She surged past her tormentor and pointed a finger in Fielding’s face. “Fuck you.”
He stepped back. “Excuse me?”
Chris gasped, as did each person standing within hearing distance.
‘You and your godalmighty Grand Stock Car Association. Only those you select can even get in. We bleed money to play on your field. You think you’re blameless? No…” She shook her head. “No, you’ve got blood on your hands, too, Mr. Fielding.” His name fell off her lips in a sneer.
Stan’s mouth opened and closed in silence.
Tears flowed down her cheeks. “Did you know they took him off life-support this morning?”
The announcement cut through the room. Chris felt the floor shift. Brad Van Lytton dead?
“All I wanted was for Beau to win. Isn’t that what every mother wants? For their child to succeed? I just made the mistake of believing somebody else wanted that, too.” She couldn’t suppress the sobs anymore.
Silverton reached her side. “Who else was going to help you?”
She sniffled and wiped at her red eyes. “Who do you think has enough money and power to buy a championship?”
Stan’s voice erupted. “Goddamn Marcus Albright!”
S.D. Grady is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached at sonya...@frontstretch.com.
Frontstretch Folio: AMP Energy 500
By Kim DeHaven
The Sprint Cup Series heads to "The Heart of Dixie" this weekend for a bang-up time at the Talladega Superspeedway. The Amp Energy 500 is the 33rd race of the 2009 Sprint Cup season and will be broadcast live on Sunday, November 1st at 1:00 PM EST on ABC, with radio coverage by MRN affiliates nationwide. Competitors will make 188 circuits for 500 miles around the 2.66 mile tri-oval in their quest for the checkered flag.
Records and Facts
Bill Elliott holds the record for the fastest lap at Talladega Superspeedway, posting a qualifying lap with a time of 44.998 seconds and a speed of 212.809 mph to win the pole for the 1987 running of the Winston 500.
Elliott also holds the record for the most poles at Talladega with eight, four of those coming in the fall event.Juan Pablo Montoya won the pole here in the spring, while Travis Kvapil was the pole sitter for last year's event.
Dale Earnhardt, Sr. holds the record for most victories at Talladega Superspeedway with 10. Brad Keselowski won here in the spring, while Tony Stewart won last year's event.
Mark Martin holds the fastest race record time of 2 hours, 39 minutes, 18 seconds and speed of 188.354 mph. He attained the record on May 10, 1997 in the Winston 500, a race run without a caution flag.
Track Facts
Track/Race Length: 2.66 mile tri-oval, 188 laps, 500.08 miles
Pit Road Speed: 55 mph
Degree of Banking: Turns 1-2: 33 degrees; Turns 3-4: 33 degrees
Frontstretch: Length: 4,300 feet, Banking: 16.5 degrees
Backstretch: Length: 4,000 feet, Banking: 2 degrees
Pit Road: Length: 1,730 feet
Grandstand seating: 143,231
Pre-race Schedule
Practice : Friday, October 30th - 2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. on SPEED
Happy Hour Practice : Friday, October 30th - 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on SPEED
Qualifying : Saturday, October 31st - 12:10 p.m. on SPEED
VIPs
WILL FILL IN IF INFO BECOMES AVAILABLE
Say What?!?!?!?!
"One of the biggest challenges at Talladega is being caught up in a wreck that isn’t of your making. Things happen quickly there and you have to have some friends to work with. Sometimes it is easier to let some people by early in the race so you can be around with a car in one piece at the end." - David Ragan
"That’s kind of the way this [restrictor plate] racing goes. If you miss the wrecks, you will probably have a good day. If you don’t miss the wreck, it doesn't matter how fast you run. Your day will be junk.” - A.J. Allmendinger
Kim DeHaven is a co-publisher for frontstretch.com She can be reached at GoGou...@aol.com.
Spoiler Picks, Round 33: AMP Energy 500
By Phil Allaway and Mike Ravesi
Hello, race fans and welcome back to our Spoiler Pick competition. Admittedly, the 2009 Sprint Cup season may have been slightly more predictable than recent years, which has probably affected this competition slightly. The economy has decreased the number of available teams to pick from, which will require adjustment for the 2010 season.
But, enough of that stuff. It's Talladega this week, where anything that you could possibly imagine could be in the cards. Back in April, Brad Keselowski won driving the No. 09 for Phoenix Racing, pitching one of the biggest upsets in recent memory. But, before we get into Talladega talk, we must review Martinsville from last weekend.
Mike's Martinsville Picks:
6 David Ragan(14)- Finished 22nd, one lap down
96 Bobby Labonte(8)- Finished 13th
Average Finish: 17.5
Phil's Martinsville Picks:
19 Elliott Sadler(40)- Finished 21st, one lap down
43 Reed Sorenson(9)- Finished 24th, one lap down
Average Finish: 22.5
As you can see, Mike claimed victory last weekend at Martinsville. This closes the margin down to 17-15 with four races yet to run. Mike has no margin for error in order to win the competition for himself. Phil needs only to win one more week in order to claim at least a share of the title, which would put the competition in "Dormie," to borrow a term from Match Play in Golf.
This week is Talladega, a complete toss-up at the best of times, and a predictable complete and total runaway at the worst of times. Only 44 cars are entered, so we won't see a circumstance where the ninth fastest driver in qualifying fails to qualify. Let's see who our competitiors are going to go with this week.
Mike's Talladega Picks:
6 David Ragan- Ragan has a pretty good track record in his short career on restrictor plate tracks. Last year, Ragan finished third and fourth in the two races at Talladega. Earlier this season, Ragan finished 12th at Talladega.
98 Paul Menard- Last year, Menard scored his best career finish, a second in this race after many of the top contenders were eliminated in a crash late in the race. Of course, that race will go down as the race that NASCAR robbed from Regan Smith after he passed Tony Stewart below the yellow line in the tri-oval on the last lap. But the fact that both Smith and Menard, the two weaker drivers for DEI last season, were in contention to win at Talladega speaks volumes. Also, this is a repeat pick for Mike (he picked Menard for the Aaron's 499 back in April).
Phil's Talladega Picks:
34 John Andretti- Yes, Phil is definitely playing it safe with this pick. However, Andretti has a fairly good track record there. He has two career top 5's at the monstrous tri-oval (and yes, they occurred in 1997 when Cale Yarborough Motorsports had a really good restrictor plate car). However, he does have seven DNF's in 22 starts. Also, he'll likely lay back in order to avoid the big wrecks.
55 Michael Waltrip- In recent years, Waltrip has become a bit of a restrictor plate specialist, kinda like Phil Barkdoll in the late 1980's (a driver that mainly attempted the races at Daytona and Talladega, and allowed Stanton Barrett to ride in his car during a practice session so that he could experience high speeds unbuckled). Waltrip has a victory at Talladega, and the pole for this race two years ago. Over the years, his average finish is about 19.5.
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
For A Second Class Citizen, Kyle Busch Has Had A Hell Of A Season by Kurt Smith
Spread Too Thin: Do Other Interests Slow Drivers' Cup Efforts
by Amy Henderson
Driven to the Past: The Old ASA Crossover by John Potts
Tearing Apart the Trucks: Park Returns to Series
by Beth Lunkenheimer
Kenny Wallace Driver Diary: Good Races, Bad Races...and Writer's Cramp by Kenny Wallace
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Today's trivia question was provided by Buzztime. Be sure to visit buzztime.com to battle against others in trivia challenges about NASCAR and all of your favorite sports!
Q. "The King" Richard Petty is best known in NASCAR circles for his 200 career victories in what is now known as the Sprint Cup Series. He has the highest number of victories at Martinsville (15). What other current track does he hold this mark at?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Thursday's Answer:
Q. The Camping World Truck Series officially started back in 1995. The series, then known as the NASCAR SuperTruck Series presented by Craftsman, had 20 races, mainly on short tracks with no race longer than 200 miles on the schedule. In addition, the series brought the Halftime Break and the GWC into a major touring series for the first time.
Who was the series' first champion?
A. Mike Skinner, off of the strength of eight victories in a 20 race schedule, brought home the inaugural NASCAR SuperTrucks Series by Craftsman championship. Skinner, driving the No. 3 Goodwrench Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, had 17 top 5 finishes and only finished out of the top 10 twice all year (27th at Tucson Raceway Park and 20th at Bristol in the Pizza Plus 150).
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!
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Coming Monday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- AMP Energy 500 Race Recap by Jay W. Pennell
--- Big Six: AMP Energy 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: Talladega Superspeedway 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 Talladega Superspeedway for Race #7 of the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
Bowles-Eye View by Tom Bowles
We'll have our take on the biggest story coming out of the weekend in our 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.
Bubble Breakdown: Tracking The Top 35 In Owner Points by Mike Ravesi
Mike continues to track those cars in and around the top 35 in owner points following the AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.
Sprint Cup Rookie Report by Tony Lumbis
Tony has the wrapup of Sunday's action for the Sprint Cup Rookie contenders in the AMP Energy 500.
Truck Series Breakdown by Beth Lunkenheimer
Beth gives the wrap-up treatment to Saturday's Mountain Dew 250 from Talladega Superspeedway.
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