November 2nd - November 6th, 2009
Don't miss this week's edition!
Frontstretch Podcast: Just how good is Jimmie Johnson?
Check in with Matt and Jay on their site at CareyandCoffey.com.
- 2008 Driver Review Schedule
Miss out on your favorite driver's report card / season preview? Just click the link above and you can find them all archived together! - This week on the Frontstretch!
Looking to see when and where your favorite columns (and columnists) pop up every week? Click here to find out all the details! - Advertise With Us!
Want your products and services to be a part of one of the fastest growing racing website on the net? Get all your questions answered about advertising here. - Write for Us
Think you have what it takes to write for the Frontstretch? Follow this link for more information on how you can become a weekly columnist for the site! - Driver Diary Schedule
Want to know when your favorite drivers are telling their latest stories to the Frontstretch? Check out the schedule link to figure out when Scott Speed, David Starr, James Buescher, and Kenny Wallace are stopping by.
|
| Subscribe to The Frontstretch Newsletter |
| Visit this group |
Each week, Frontstretch Staff Writer Becca Gladden looks at the prior weekend’s NEXTEL Cup race from a reporter’s point of view, covering the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” of the race, the drivers, the TV coverage even the commercials. Check back every Wednesday for Becca’s fun and thought provoking commentary.
Who ... gets my shoutout of the race? This week, it’s rookie Clint Bowyer. He converted a 38th-place starting spot to a 9th place finish at Chicago, and it was the second time in as many weeks that Clint started 30th or worse and finished in the Top 10.
What ... is one of the bright spots of NASCAR coverage on NBC/TNT? While I generally prefer FOX, I really appreciate the “Through the Field” feature, which provides the only airtime that some drivers get all day. I also like the graphic showing the fastest lap times within the Top 10, particularly in the closing laps of the race.
When ... is Tony Stewart going to stop climbing fences to celebrate his wins? Apparently it won’t be any time soon, as had been widely speculated after the Pepsi 400. Stewart was on stage after driver introductions in Chicago and commented, “I’m already looking to see where the gate is for the fence.” To climb, that is. It didn’t happen this week, but now we know for sure that he still plans to do it.
Where ... will the next round of the Jeff Gordon/Matt Kenseth feud play out? No telling, but it’s going to be fun anticipating each driver’s next move. Gordon justified the hit in part by saying he was hungry for a win at Chicago, one of only four tracks where the four time champ had not won a Cup race. Overall, however, Gordon has a lot more to lose than Kenseth at this point. Matt has been solidly in the top three in points since the second race of the season and is almost guaranteed to make the Chase, while the 24 team has struggled to stay in the Top 10.
Why ... do some drivers need to be reassured of their talents and abilities over and over again during a race? I have especially noticed this on the 48 team’s in-car radio, with Chad Knaus frequently telling Jimmie Johnson things like, “You’re a great driver,” and “you’re the best driver out there.” I am not sure if it points to ego or insecurity, but either way it is puzzling.
How ... many people understood what Bill Weber meant when he said the following about Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch: “Like Elwood and Jake, they hope to break out of Joliet and make some noise.” Weber again proved himself to be the undisputed master of obscure references.
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.
©2000 - 2008 Becca Gladden and Frontstetch.com. Thanks for visiting the Frontstretch!
