The Frontstretch Newsletter: October 27th, 2009

[Frontstretch.com]

THE FRONTSTRETCH NEWSLETTER
Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
October 27th, 2009
Volume III, Edition CCVII
 
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 nailbiting action as NASCAR holds its final restrictor plate race of the year.

 

What? You say you're too busy watching the infamous Brett Favre 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!

 
Top News Stories
by Tom Bowles

 

Andretti Defends NASCAR’s Call To Stay Green On White Flag Lap

 

One day after a last lap spin left his Cup car stalled at the start/finish line at Martinsville, John Andretti released an official statement Monday that defended NASCAR’s decision NOT to throw a caution for the incident -- that is, until the field came charging towards the checkered flag.

 

"It wasn't a bad call," insisted the Front Row Motorsports driver, whose No. 34 Chevrolet lay motionless on the inside wall while the rest of the field flew past at full speed. "To me, I wasn't in a great position, but I wasn't in an overly dangerous position. NASCAR focuses on the race itself, and they want to see the winner come across the finish line [under green flag conditions].”

 

"It's probably the call I would've made. I would've gotten out of the way if I could've. But I had a couple of issues. The car was too damaged."

 

However, not everyone agreed NASCAR’s choice was the right one. Second-place finisher Jimmie Johnson was among those expressing trepidation over the incident, worried that the sanctioning body was willing to wait so long.

 

“I didn't know [about the caution] until I came off of 4,” he explained. “My spotter had mentioned there was a car sitting on the inside, and when I looked up, I could see the caution and the checkered at the same time. From that standpoint, I see that they were consistent, and waited until the last possible second to throw the caution so that the finish could be as exciting as possible.”

 

“[But] it makes me a little nervous as I'm charging into the start/finish line... there's a car sitting there. I wish it would be thrown a little bit earlier for safety reasons. Might as well be on the safe side.”

 

It’s the second time since the start of the Chase NASCAR’s been accused of throwing the yellow a little late. At New Hampshire last month, A.J. Allmendinger’s car was spun in similar fashion as Andretti’s, but the caution didn’t come out until the field was charging off Turn 4. Ironically, it was debris from the back of Allmendinger’s car that bunched up the field for the final series of cautions on Sunday, setting the stage for Andretti’s last lap wreck.

 

But while debate rages on over what NASCAR should do, some drivers appreciate the recent changes designed to increase the odds of finishing under green.

 

“I think the car was right at the start/finish line and somewhat out of danger's way, and I think [Andretti] was trying to get going,” winner Denny Hamlin explained. “I think [NASCAR's] at least doing a good job of not letting it affect the top 5 finishing positions or anything like that. They're doing all they can. They don't know what's going on inside that race car, if the guy has given up on starting it or if he's continuing to try to get it going.”

 

“I think as long as they let it play out, it's fine.”

 

ESPN Announcer Griese Suspended For Montoya Comment

 

ESPN confirmed on Monday college football announcer Bob Griese will be sidelined for his next scheduled broadcast, the latest in a recent line of embarrassing incidents for the network. The analyst’s one-game suspension is a result of some racially insensitive on-air comments made about Chaser Juan Pablo Montoya. After a NASCAR promo during his game on Saturday, the broadcast showed a graphic listing the top 5 Chase contenders. Immediately, analyst Chris Spielman asked, “Where’s Juan Pablo Montoya?”

The remark was met by laughter and then the off-color remark by Griese, who said, matter-of-factly. “He’s out having a taco.”

After the game, Griese was immediately remorseful for the incident, apologizing twice for his poor choice of words. “Juan Pablo Montoya – he’s one of the best drivers in NASCAR,” he said before signing off the air.

 

ESPN Spokesman Josh Krulewitz said Griese “understands the comment was inappropriate,” but that wasn’t enough to prevent further disciplinary action.  The issue comes just one day after ESPN analyst Steve Phillips was fired for having an affair with a 22-year-old production assistant, a move that brought with it several additional accusations of sexual behavior from other ESPN employees through a series of articles posted on deadspin.com.

Montoya himself had no comment on the suspension.

 

TV Ratings Down For Sixth Chase Race In A Row

 

The racing might have been better at Martinsville … but the ratings? Not so much. The 500-lapper drew an overnight number of just 2.5, 14 percent lower than the 2.9 scored for last year’s race. The rating is also the lowest for any of the six Chase races held so far this year.

 

Busch, Logano Appear On WWE Monday Night Raw

Taking a break from the NASCAR grind, Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Joey Logano and Kyle Busch took time out to participate in the WWE's Monday Night Raw show in Buffalo, NY. Guest hosts for the evening, both drivers entered the arena in their Nationwide cars that will supposedly be driven in the race at Texas next Saturday.

Introducing several of the night's matches, the duo also watched as Busch's No. 18 show car also got destroyed on the air as part of the script for the show. The Buffalo Bills of the NFL were among several other special guests in attendance.

Have news for Tom and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at ashl...@mail.com with a promising lead or tip.
 
Got NASCAR-related questions or comments?
Send them Matt Taliaferro's way at matt.ta...@frontstretch.com; and 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 Thursday with a whole new set of Fan Questions and Answers!

Numbers Game: TUMS Fast Relief 500
By Kim DeHaven

1
Driver who failed to qualify for the TUMS Fast Relief 500.
(No. 73 - Josh Wise)

 

3
Number of times winner Denny Hamlin led the TUMS Fast Relief 500 Sunday.

 

3 hours, 34 minutes, 44 seconds
Time it took to complete the TUMS Fast Relief 500.

 

7
Career wins for Denny Hamlin in 147 starts.

 

10
Penalties handed down by NASCAR during the running of the TUMS Fast Relief 500.

 

12th
Joey Logano's finishing position, earning him Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors.

 

15
Caution flags for a total of 77 laps at Martinsville.

 

21
Lead changes among 12 drivers Sunday. 

 

31
Cars running at the end of the TUMS Fast Relief 500; 20 of those finished on the lead lap.

 

43rd
Travis Kvapil's finishing position Sunday in the TUMS Fast Relief 500.  He completed just 34 laps of the event before losing the brakes in the No. 37 Long John Silver's Dodge. 

 

73.633
Average race speed (in mph).

 

76
Career Cup wins for Joe Gibbs Racing after Denny Hamlin's trip to Victory Lane on Sunday.

 

118
Points that Jimmie Johnson leads Mark Martin by in the NASCAR Sprint Cup point standings.

 

206
Laps led by TUMS Fast Relief 500 winner Denny Hamlin, the most of any driver.

 

501
Laps in the TUMS Fast Relief 500, equaling 263.526 miles.

 

64,000
Estimated crowd in attendance at Martinsville.

 

$189,500
Denny Hamlin's purse for winning the TUMS Fast Relief 500.

 

$5,012,362    
Total purse for the TUMS Fast Relief 500.

Kim DeHaven is a co-publisher of Frontstretch.com. She can be reached at GoGou...@aol.com.
 
Note: S.D. Grady is out on vacation this week. Look for her to return next Tuesday; in the meantime, Tommy Thompson takes her place for this week's edition of Fan's View.

 

Today's Featured Commentary
Last Lap Caution Aside -- Martinsville Delivered

Sitting In The Stands: A Fan's View
By Tommy Thompson

Sunday’s TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway by most measures lived up to expectations.  Besides a spirited battle for the lead, unusually long green flag periods occurred on several occasions, even requiring teams to execute green flag pit stops -- a rarity for those that are familiar with the sport's shortest track. Though I have often criticized the track for its one racing groove that does not allow for true side-by-side racing and passing, the race was -- at least by Martinsville standards -- surprisingly clean and competitive. And after rain on Saturday even the weather, with its clear skies and crisp, cool temperatures left nothing for fans to complain about. Add in the changing of the seasons, along with the vast array of colors that the Fall season produces as one looks towards the surrounding hills, and you're left with something truly breathtaking. 

In fact, even though I never was a fan of Martinsville Speedway, Sunday was pretty much as perfect of a race day as I have experienced for 500 laps. 

Unfortunately, the event lasted 501. 

It’s that last lap when NASCAR decided to use its discretionary decision-making authority to not throw the caution and slow the entire, closely bunched field of race cars coming through Turn 4 as John Andretti was parked crossways on the track trying to restart his wrecked No. 34 Chevrolet. Rendered helpless by the inside wall, the driver had to watch as the field barreled toward him at full speed with nothing on their minds but the checkered flag.

NASCAR continues to attempt to sell the story that they are trying to balance the safety of its drivers and at the same time give race fans their money's worth by letting the race play out as much as possible.  Funny thing is, I doubt that many folks in the grandstands were watching how the race played out so much as whether Andretti -- who at one point moved his car further up the track into the preferred lanes as cars came off of Turn 4 -- would be T-Boned.

And as you might remember, this latest incident comes only a little more than a month after a similar set of circumstances unfolded at New Hampshire, when A.J. Allmendinger was the “sitting duck” as the pack rounded Turn 4, led by race leader and eventual winner Mark Martin in a hotly contested run to the checkered flag.  Like Sunday, the caution was shown dangerously late, and in that instant, Allmendinger was lucky not to get hit. 

So, what has happened to the notion that it is prudent to throw the yellow flag in a judicious manner when a car is stranded in the middle of the racetrack, freezing the field in the name of safety?  The “better safe than sorry” approach... if you will.

The only possible answer that I am able to come up with is that. in NASCAR’s judgment, safety is not as great a priority to them on the last lap as it is at others.  At least, that is the only possible explanation for their willingness to roll the dice with the well-being of a driver sitting helplessly in the middle of the track -- as we saw on Sunday. 

That NASCAR continues to believe that they can predict with any amount of certainty a pack of 32 cars, hell-bent to improve their positions with the finish line in sight, are all able to process the knowledge that there is a car wrecked in front of them is asking way too much.  There needs to be, for the safety of all, a definitive reaction to what their eyes and what their spotters are telling them.

I have resisted as long as I can using the "C word," but yes... NASCAR needs to be CONSISTENT in how they call such situations.

Drivers need to know what is expected of them.  For example, Mark Martin admitted to momentarily lifting when he saw Allmendinger's wounded car sitting on the track before realizing that a yellow was not thrown as he raced for the finish at Loudon.   You can bet there were others who did the same both there and on Sunday at Martinsville as well.  That, in itself, is a sure recipe for further wrecking within the pack as some continue to race while others hesitate.

Curiously, Andretti seems comfortable with NASCAR’s last minute choice to throw the yellow flag.  “It wasn’t a bad call,” Andretti said. “To me, I wasn’t in a great position, but I wasn’t in an overly dangerous position. NASCAR focuses on the race itself, and they want to see the winner come across the finish line.

“It’s probably the call I would’ve made. I would’ve gotten out of the way if I could’ve. But I had a couple of issues. The car was too damaged.”

In my opinion, Sunday’s runner-up Jimmie Johnson did not outright slam the sanctioning body for its decision to let the race play out as long as possible. “But it makes me a little nervous as I’m charging into the start/finish line and there’s a car sitting there,” he said. “I wish it would be thrown a little bit earlier for safety reasons. Might as well be on the safe side.”

Exactly.  Why not err on the side of safety?

NASCAR implemented a truly significant change in its race procedures in 2003, when it chose to stop the routine practice of the field racing one another back to the start/finish line.  It's a decision that was prompted by a Dale Jarrett spin at Loudon that was almost a carbon copy of the situation that Allmendinger, and now Andretti, have found themselves in.

Instead, the practice of quickly slowing or freezing the field at the time that the caution is waved properly addressed what was a legitimate concern for the safety of drivers.  Now, it only needs to be used consistently for the purpose it was intended.

NASCAR’s desire to give the fans a thrilling finish is to be commended.  However, that could be accomplished simply by allowing for at least one more green-white-checkered restart... when needed. 

Tommy Thompson is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. He can be contacted at tommy.t...@frontstretch.com.
 
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 4-6 additional writers for both our newsletter and website to add to our dedicated staff in 2010.  Follow this link for more information on how you can become a weekly columnist for the site and/or newsletter!
 
TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:

Beyond The Cockpit: Scott Wimmer On Rich vs. Poor And The Future Of Morgan-McClure
by Bryan Davis Keith

What Might Have Been For Hamlin, What Never Was For Mears, And What Never Will Be For Johnson
by Danny Peters

Talking NASCAR TV: ESPN Should Promote Nationwide-Only Drivers While Showing Us More Backbone
by Phil Allaway

Who's Hot / Who's Not In Sprint Cup: Chase Race #6 Edition
by Doug Turnbull

Running Their Mouth: TUMS Fast Relief 500
by Beth Lunkenheimer

FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Note: 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 Sprint Cup Series historically has been an older man's game, unlike many other racing series.  It is generally very rare for a driver under the age of 30 to win a championship.  In fact, for much of the 1980's, it was fairly rare that anyone that young was in position to win a race, let alone a championship.  However, a couple of "young 'uns" have pulled off the feat of winning a title in what is now the Sprint Cup Series before the age of 25.  Who is the youngest person to win the championship?

Check back Wednesday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
 
Monday's Answer:
Q. At Martinsville on Sunday, teams were constantly making adjustments to cars, either by air pressure or by going up (or down) on either the sway bar or the track bar.  But the term "sway bar" is technically a slang term.  What is it a slang term for?

A. The sway bar is a slang term for the Anti-Roll Bar.  Adjusting on this bar is often referred to adjusting the "Wedge," or Cross Weight.

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 tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Phil Allaway
-- Full Throttle by Mike Neff
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
 
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Did You Notice? by Tom Bowles
Denny Hamlin's third win of the season got drowned out in his mind, the Grandfather Clock overshadowed by the disappointment of losing out on a title. How does he step up to the next level in 2010? Tom notices a few things he'll need to change. Plus, a look at some inconsistency with the free pass, a certain set of commercials that means so much, and plenty more in his weekly list of small observations from in and around the Sprint Cup circuit.

Mirror Driving by the Frontstretch Staff
The Mirror crew is at it again, debating everything from a potential crew chief change for Kyle Busch to whether NASCAR awards enough points for winning. Plus, the writer roundtable takes a look at Roush Fenway Racing's penalty for violating the sealed engine rules in the Nationwide Series and whether no title for Jeff Gordon -- again -- means he's officially "over the hill" at 38.

Frontstretch Top Ten by Jeff Meyer
Jeff's weekly list based on the latest NASCAR controversy will start your morning off with a laugh -- guaranteed. This week, he takes a look at the Top Ten Things Bob Griese could have said that could have been more "politically incorrect."

The Frontstretch Foto Funnies by Kurt Smith
Poking fun at NASCAR superstars? It's second nature to Kurt, as he takes a look at some of the goofiest photos from Martinsville that should never have made it to print.

Voice Of Vito by Vito Pugliese
Pointed NASCAR commentary by one of the site's Senior Writers.
 
Frontstretch Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Martinsville by the Frontstretch Staff
Is your favorite driver primed to make a run at the title? To get there, he'll probably need to secure a spot atop our top 15 poll. Take a look and see who's on track to do just that following Sunday afternoon's TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
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