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NASCAR Will Use New Spoiler At Martinsville
posted by Jay Pennell
Wednesday March 17, 2010
During a press conference for the Sprint All-Star Race in Charlotte, N.C. today, NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton confirmed the Sprint Cup Series would officially make the transition to the rear spoiler beginning with the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 at the Martinsville Speedway. Pemberton said 83 spoilers had been sent to the teams on Monday. Teams tested the new rear spoiler on Tuesday at the Talladega Superspeedway, where the cars reached speeds well over 200mph in the draft. Throughout the test, NASCAR tried different combinations of spoiler height and restrictor plate size. Next week there is a two-day (Tuesday and Wednesday) test planned at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, where over 50 teams are scheduled to participate. Along with the return of the rear spoiler, Pemberton explained NASCAR is still working on other changes to the aero package on the Sprint Cup cars that will go into effect at all the tracks, possibly starting as soon as Texas in April.
High speeds in Talladega at first CoT spoiler test
posted by Doug Turnbull
Tuesday March 16, 2010
The highly anticipated first official spoiler test for the Car of Tomorrow may be noteworthy for other reasons. In an attempt to break up the large packs of cars, a notorious characteristic for restrictor plate tracks like Talladega, NASCAR allowed teams to try plates with larger holes – they started with a record size plate of 66/64th of an inch before shortening to 62/64ths of an inch after speeds were listed as too high. Just how high did those speeds go? Sources tell Frontstretch.com that this change, combined with the replacement of the rear wing with the traditional spoiler and the lowering of the front edge of the rear quarterpanels on both sides of the race car, allowed cars to approach straightaway speeds of up to 208 mph and average laps over the 200 mph mark. To set a mark for comparison, Juan Pablo Montoya’s April 2009 Talladega pole speed was 188.171 mph. Since speeds were in the 200 mph range, the same source says that NASCAR may consider having teams change the gear ratios on the cars, instead of decreasing the plate holes going forward, so the packs will remain broken up. Interestingly enough, the higher speeds come in light of the infamous Brad Keselowski-Carl Edwards race car flipping episode at Atlanta Motor Speedway two weeks ago, Ryan Newman’s incredible end-over-end flip at Talladega last October, and Keselowski turning Edwards airborne into the Talladega frontstretch catchfence last April. Read Wednesday’s Frontstretch.com Newsletter for more details on the Talladega spoiler test.
Edwards Placed On Probation For Three Races
posted by Jay Pennell
Tuesday March 9, 2010
NASCAR President Mike Helton addressed the media Tuesday afternoon following Sunday’s late-race incident between Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Well over 100 laps down, Edwards intentionally spun Keselowski through the tri-oval while Keselowski was running sixth. The No. 12 car lifted in the air and slammed the outside wall with the driver’s side window. NASCAR parked Edwards for his actions and ordered him to the NASCAR hauler for further discussion on the matter. Tuesday, Helton explained Edwards would be placed on probation for the next three races and the drivers and their teams would meet with NASCAR about the situation. “Following that incident we asked the driver of the 99 to visit us in the hauler, and we made it very clear to him that these actions were not acceptable and did go beyond what we said back in January about putting the driving back in the hands of the drivers,” Helton said. “We believe the driver of the 99 understands our position at this point.” For NASCAR, the biggest issue emerging from Sunday’s incident was the fact the No. 12 car lifted into the air. “But the bigger topic is the 12 car getting airborne at a mile-and-a-half track which we typically don’t see,” Helton said. “It’s been years since we’ve seen that. So a lot of our effort yesterday, today and until we find resolve to it is figuring out how it happened, why it happened and what we can do to prevent it from happening in the future.”
Keyed Up and Key Motorsports split
posted by Doug Turnbull
Saturday March 6, 2010
If missing the first three races to date was not enough drama for the No. 90 Keyed Up Motorsports Chevy team and Casey Mears, organizational upheaval may tip the scales. A member with the team tells Frontstretch.com that Raymond Key’s Cup operation, originally formed with ties to Curtis Key’s teams in the Nationwide and Truck Series, has become its own entity. As of Monday, the team began a move into Tommy Baldwin Racing’s old shop while planning to continue trying to qualify on Cup races. However, if sponsorship for the team fails to pan out, Keyed-Up may vie for a partial schedule similar to that of the Wood Brothers and only run about 12 races the rest of the year.
Wood Brothers running FR9 for now, Roush says no big problems with new motor
posted by Doug Turnbull
Saturday March 6, 2010
Ford’s new FR9 motor has not made a speedy entrance to the Sprint Cup Series, mainly because the Ford teams need adequate supplies from the engine parts vendors and not because of performance problems, says team owner Jack Roush. Claiming the engine will perform well over the long-term, he still expects the new design to be “the Ford engine of the future” and fully in use by the end of 2010. While his four Ford teams are not running the revamped engine, Roush revealed that the Wood Brothers Ford team will run the FR9 this weekend at Atlanta and in April at Texas. Beyond that, either Roush nor Ford officials have announced a set schedule for full or future implementation of the power plants.
Crawford says truck team is 'close' on sponsorship
posted by Doug Turnbull
Saturday March 6, 2010
While never a standout in the Camping World Truck Series, Rick Crawford has experienced moderate success over his long career in NASCAR’s third-tier. After losing sponsorship at the end of 2009, his Circle Bar Racing team finds itself on the ropes, wondering how many races the future may hold. The veteran Crawford, though, remains optimistic a deal is imminent. “I would say we’re pretty close on signing a sponsor for the 2010 season and 2011 and beyond. [Not starting 2010 with a sponsor] was a matter of losing a sponsor late last year and [the prospective sponsor] getting its marketing efforts done. We’ve got the contracts ready; we’re waiting to get that signed.” Crawford started 2010 with a DNF at Daytona, placing 28th.
Justin Marks Wins The ARCA Race!
posted by Thomas Bowles
Saturday February 27, 2010
Justin Marks won a rain-shortened event at Palm Beach Saturday, collecting his first ever win in the series. Robb Brent, Blake Koch, Tom Hessert III, and Steve Arpin rounds out the top 5. Stay tuned to Frontstretch.com for plenty of post-race coverage on both the website and our Newsletter.
Looking For ARCA Coverage? We Got It!
posted by Thomas Bowles
Saturday February 27, 2010
While the ARCA race at Palm Beach may not be televised … we’ve got you covered. Our own Bryan Davis Keith is at Palm Beach all weekend and will be posting news, commentary, and features from the Florida road course both on the website and in our newsletter. Don’t miss out! And don’t forget, our own Tom Bowles is spending the weekend in Vegas, too … so we’ve got you covered from all angles. Just another reason why we’re the best seat at the track and the best view on the ‘net!
Carter Simo still plans 2010 Cup races
posted by Doug Turnbull
Friday February 19, 2010
One story lost in the shadow of Speedweeks in Daytona was the absence of Carter Simo Racing’s No. 08 car. Much of the team’s equipment was put up for auction Tuesday; however, a source tells Frontstretch.com the operation still plans to field a car in 2010, with a limited schedule of races TBD. CSR may also try and field a car for the Talladega ARCA race in April; until then, most of the team’s employees have been temporarily released and are working for other teams in the sport. In mid-2009, team owner John Carter bought the assets of beleaguered owner/driver Jeremy Mayfield, using the newly purchased equipment and Toyotas to field entries in five races with two-time champion driver Terry Labonte. Equipment issues kept the team from cracking the top 30 in those races. Road course ringer Boris Said also wielded No. 08 Fords last year at both road course races, scoring the team’s season-best finish of 24th at Infineon. Later on that season, Said and longtime partner Mark Simo split, creating the newly-named Carter Simo racing with Labonte behind the wheel. On Tuesday, CSR only placed the equipment purchased from Mayfield on the block, including five Toyotas, a race hauler, and other pit equipment and tools. However, the source says that the team still owns three old Yates chassis and an old Ganassi piece (all of which they converted to Dodges last year) in the shop, with plans on returning to the track midseason pending sponsorship. The move is similar to what happened with Carter Simo last year, in which they took a four-month break between Daytona and Infineon while preparing to race at specific tracks. CSR, which still splits its time between its shops in Charlotte and in Toccoa, Georgia, just has to modify the top of the noses on their cars before returning to the track, due to a minor, lightly-discussed rules change before the season. As for CSR’s 2009 drivers and whether they will return to the team, Boris Said currently is driving the No. 26 for Bill Jenkins’ Latitude 43 Motorsports, and is working on a long-term deal that should remove him as an option. Terry Labonte is also out of the running; he and former owner Bill Stavola formed Stavola Labonte Racing in 2009, but are currently sidelined due to a lack of sponsorship. According to sources, Labonte was offered but initially turned down a return to the No. 08. A John Carter-owned car did participate in the ARCA race at Daytona on February 6th. Former CSR driver James Hylton borrowed a car from Carter, then leased it to driver Jill George for the race. But George infamously crashed the No. 48 roof-first into the wall just 25 laps into the 80-lap Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, finishing 31st in the 43 car field.
Parrott In As Crew Chief For Kenseth
posted by Jay Pennell
Wednesday February 17, 2010
Less than a week into the 2010 season and Roush Fenway Racing has already made a switch at the crew chief position. News broke on Wednesday that Todd Parrott would take over atop the pit box for the No. 17 team with driver Matt Kenseth, replacing Drew Blickensderfer. The Kenseth-Blickensderfer combination won last year’s Daytona 500 and backed it up by winning the next weekend at the Auto Club Speedway. Despite their strong start out of the box, the No. 17 team failed to live up to expectations in 2009, scoring seven top-5s, 12 top-10s and failing to make, along with missing the Chase. Now after an 8th place finish in Sunday’s Daytona 500, Blickensderfer is headed to the Roush Fenway Racing R&D Department and Parrott is taking over as crew chief. |
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Sometimes, going faster and winning all comes down to going a bit slower. Whether or not that was Kyle Busch’s strategy doesn’t matter… because it worked.
In a performance far departed from his stretch of eight consecutive Nationwide races leading the most laps, Busch started ninth on Saturday… and stayed there for awhile. But rather than embarking on a banzai charge to the front from the first lap, Busch was patient. Running in traffic for a bit, the No. 18 team made adjustments to a degree and volume not seen from them in recent weeks, turning Busch’s car from a top 5 runner to the fastest piece in the field over the long haul. And, thanks to those adjustments, Busch was able to pick off teammate Joey Logano (who dominated and led the most laps Saturday) on lap 165 en route to driving off to score his fifth win of 2009.
For the first time in 2009, Kyle Busch was the one celebrating in victory lane after the fifth Joe Gibbs Racing 1-2 finish of the year.
Though Busch managed to get by Logano, he scored the win without any contest from Carl Edwards, who proved to be the only car in the early running able to keep up with Logano’s No. 20. Two consecutive pit stops that saw the No. 60 crew lose multiple positions in the pits relegated Edwards to a sixth place run, a finish that saw him lose more ground in the championship points race to Kyle Busch. The same could be said for Brad Keselowski (who finished third yet again and proved unable to challenge Busch and Logano late after struggling to pass Mike Bliss, who had 50+ lap older tires) and Jason Leffler, who scrapped by to barely salvage his streak of consecutive top 10 finishes.
A late race incident between Cup teammates Scott Speed and Brian Vickers dominated post-race coverage, as Vickers was spun late by Speed after checking up in Turn 3 on the race’s final lap. Vickers confronted Speed after the race and attempted to downplay the contact, while Vickers was heated in his post-race comments.
Busch now leads Edwards by 162 markers heading to Daytona, with Keselowski 243 points back and Leffler an ever-growing 320 behind.
Worth Noting
The Good
When the rest of the field made their final pit stops on lap 159, only Mike Bliss elected to stay out instead of taking fresh tires. Problem was, Bliss’ tires were over 50 laps old already, making him what appeared to be a sitting duck. But while Kyle Busch and Joey Logano made quick work getting by the No. 1 car, Bliss lost only one more position over the last 40 laps en route to a fourth-place finish. Bliss’ car wasn’t the fastest on the track, but his throttle control of a car that proved able to roll well in the center of Loudon’s flat corners was enough to keep the field behind him at bay. Brad Keselowski took well over ten laps to make a late pass of Bliss for third, but a fourth place finish for the Phoenix Racing team was far better than the team appeared in line for had they stayed in sequence with the rest of the leaders.
The Bad
Both Brendan Gaughan and Jason Keller got lost in the shuffle on Saturday and never seemed to get a grip on the Magic Mile. Unfortunately for them, that’s not in reference to the TV coverage but the poor handling on their race cars. Gaughan made up a lot of ground from his 38th starting position, but a 21st place outing off the lead lap was not impressive, especially with his teammate Steven Wallace finishing 11th. As for Keller, the Baker/Curb No. 27’s slump continued, as he started 23rd…and finished 23rd. Keller slipped to tenth in the Nationwide standings as a result.
Meanwhile, Michael McDowell is 11th in Nationwide points and threatening Jason Keller for a spot in the top 10, but he has no sponsor for any race past Daytona. It’s a sad state of affairs for a program that will run a limited schedule if any races the second half of the season unless another company steps up.
The Ugly
Saturday’s race was a surprisingly clean one, and with no accidents marring the event (until the last lap), the ugliest moment goes to Eric McClure and his engine for faithfully recreating what happens when a hand grenade goes off under the hood. McClure’s motor expired in a nasty way with less than 25 to go, and left him with a 33rd place finish.
Of course, there is the small matter of that last lap wreck to consider. As Kyle Busch took the checkers, Brian Vickers had to check up in Turn 3 and slowed dramatically. As a result, Vickers got hit in the back and spun by his Cup teammate, Scott Speed (who was driving for Michael Waltrip Racing on Saturday). The bump took Vickers from a top 5 finish to a 12th place result… and he was none too happy about it. On the cool-down lap, Vickers made contact with Speed’s rear bumper through all of turns 3 and 4… until Speed brake-checked his No. 32 Toyota at the entrance to pit road. The resulting contact did heavy damage to the front end of Vickers’ ride, causing minimal damage to the rear of Speed’s car as well. Vickers then confronted his Red Bull compatriot about the contact immediately after exiting his car. Speed claimed he couldn’t slow down, but Vickers wasn’t hearing any of it — blaming Speed for being overly aggressive towards him because of his struggles on the Cup side of the garage.
Well, Vickers apparently wasn’t hearing much in the form of common sense either. For crying out loud, he checked up in Turn 3…in a pack of lead lap cars…on the race’s final lap. What did he think was going to happen in that situation? Speed wasn’t gunning for Vickers: for the record, the contact that Speed made with the No. 32 car also dropped him in the final running order after being a top 5 contender all race long. The bottom line is Vickers slowed up in a hurry… and Speed hit him. That’s what’s called a racing deal. Vickers may well be the senior driver at Team Red Bull and the de facto tutor of Cup rookie Speed… but he sounded like the rookie in the Red Bull camp on Saturday, going after a teammate publicly after all but dismissing anything he had to say in his defense.
Let’s summarize. Brian Vickers, one of the strong “team of drivers” that Braun Racing is assembling to replace Burney Lamar, heavily damages his own race car after the checkered flag falls, goes after a driver in what’s a no fault wreck, and then proceeds to throw a rookie he’s helping develop under the bus on camera. You’d think Todd Braun would have learned his lesson about Cup moonlighters in the Nationwide Series after Kyle Busch went after Jason Leffler so vehemently last season.
Underdog Performer of the Race: Matt Carter. Carter’s debut with the Specialty Racing squad in Loudon resulted in a 24th place finish, four laps down. Not flashy, but then again, that’s not the style of the No. 61 squad. Back when I interviewed this team in October, they were steadfast that they knew how to stretch a dollar and were going to keep coming to race… sponsor or no sponsor. And thus far through 2009, even as the team now weathers a midseason driver change, they remain perhaps the best example of how to compete as an independent team in the Nationwide Series; and more importantly, that it can be done without starting and parking.
The Final Word
There wasn’t a whole lot new to learn about the title chase on Saturday, as Kyle Busch is still the man to beat. The only difference was, Busch actually raced smart for once at New Hampshire, and he reaped the fruits of his labor. Busch was joyous and grateful in Victory Lane, just like he always is… when the going is good.
Sans the Scott Speed/Brian Vickers incident, Saturday’s race was largely uneventful. And, unfortunately, that was amplified by the TV coverage. ESPN has definitely improved its coverage over where it was at Texas and Phoenix earlier this season, but Saturday was far from their best effort (though I about fell over laughing when fill-in broadcaster Marty Reid actually had the nerve to identify a car on-air as a “start-and-park candidate.” You can’t say that Marty…there’s no such problem in NASCAR!) Steve Wallace went largely unnoticed despite a solid run, as did Justin Allgaier. Michael McDowell’s sponsorship plight (and his current sponsor, for that matter) got little airtime too. Danny O’Quinn, Ken Butler, John Wes Townley, Tony Raines, Benny Gordon, Chase Mattioli got no mention at all — and the same goes for Matt Carter and the Specialty Racing No. 61 team (how exactly does a full-time team change drivers and not even get mentioned in passing during a three hour broadcast?!)
Further, the only reason Bobby Hamilton Jr., Eric McClure, and Brian Keselowski got any time on screen was because they were involved in incidents. However, the new feature ESPN has been doing of late, going outside the top 10 cars to do a through the field rundown, is a nice addition and one that deserves credit. But it’s not enough airtime, nor done in enough detail, to give fans a true rundown of the Nationwide field in its entirety.
And while ESPN has admittedly gotten better in discussing a wider swath of drivers during their coverage, their pit road reporting is lagging behind. Every single weekend, viewers always see Wally Rogers and Jason Ratcliff atop their boxes. They may as well have their own features within the broadcast, they’re on so often. Maybe it’s because JGR’s goliath pit boxes cast more of a cold shadow over pit road than their cars do over the Nationwide regulars on the track…
But seriously, ESPN; there are over 30 teams and crews out there, even after the start-and-parkers do their nasty. Examples such as pit reporters converging on Mike Bliss’ pit box when he took the lead under caution should be more frequent… and not confined to those at the front of the field.
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