November 17th - November 21st, 2008
Thursday: _Editor's Note: This column has been postponed due to technical issues for Matt McLaughlin._ NASCAR's testing ban for 2009 has race teams and fans up in arms. Matt McLaughlin Mouths Off and puts the ban under the microscope, dissecting the pros and cons of cutting costs in this way.
Friday: Jimmie Johnson has officially joined NASCAR's elite in the history books; but how will his chapter be written? Amy Henderson gives her take on Johnson's place in history in Holding a Pretty Wheel.
- 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 David Reutimann, David Starr, Rick Crawford, and Kenny Wallace are stopping by.
|
| Subscribe to The Frontstretch Newsletter |
| Visit this group |
While many people thought Ryan Newman would be the man to beat in 2004, his actual performance chart looked more like a seismograph tape registering a sizable earthquake.
Ryan “The Rocket” racked up an amazing 9 poles in ‘04, putting him tied at 23rd for all-time poles in the record books after only 3 full-time seasons. In addition to his qualifying brilliance, Newman 
managed 2 wins. The first came in June at the DHL 400 at Michigan, while the second was a dominating show of force at the MBNA America 400 in Dover. Unfortunately, along with those high numbers came some equally high numbers on the low side of the scale.
Fourteen times in ‘04, Ryan finished 20th or lower, including 9 DNFs. Amazingly, Newman led 567 laps during the chase, the most of any other chaser. I say amazingly because 4 of his 9 DNFs came during the final ten races.
“Well, it’s been the same pretty much the last three seasons, and I’ve called it a roller coaster every time,” Newman said. “I guess it’s part of the sport when you’ve got 42 other competitors. Your odds are kind of against you that you’re going to finish in the top 10 every week.”
As up and down as 2004 may have been, the #12 Alltel team is looking forward to 2005. “We’re not really disappointed that we weren’t picked to win the championship this year. We were in 2004, and that was a lot of pressure on the team,” said Newman.
Even though not being picked to win the Cup in ‘05 may relieve some perceived pressure, the Penske camp has a lot of changes to deal with this year. Penske Racing South is currently busy moving into its new home at 200 Penske Way in Mooresville, N.C. While many divisions of the race team have already moved, the No. 12 ALLTEL team looks to be completely and permanently housed in the new facility following the 2005 Daytona 500.
Aside from new headquarters, the biggest change will be the new Dodge Charger. “Anytime the body style changes on a race car, it’s big,” said Newman. “We just concentrate on how we can make it the fastest car on the track. We take the changes in stride and work with the car to prepare it for both qualifying and racing.”
And how will the new qualifying rules affect ‘The Rocket’? “While the rules may have changed, the playing field is still the same. We won poles while everyone was in qualifying trim, and we’ll win poles when everyone is in race trim. Collectively, our goal is to be the fastest car every time we’re on the track. That won’t change.”
As for all those preseason prognasticators out there, they don’t phase Newman. “Picks are just picks,” Ryan said. “They don’t guarantee you anything. Maybe we’ll prove them wrong again this year.”
The experts might not be picking Newman to win the Cup, but not being one to take unnecessary chances, he’s once again on MY fantasy team!
Today on the Frontstretch!
Even packing for a trip is different when you’re a NASCAR fan
Making the Grade: Nextel Cup Budweiser Shootout
Frontstretch 2005 Preview: 8th-Kasey Kahne
Numbers Game – Bud Shootout
Still haven’t joined the Frontstretch Forums? Here’s a peek at what you’re
missing this week:
How does Jimmie Johnson compare to Cale Yarborough?
Ten things we hated about the 2008 season
Ten things we loved about the 2008 season
Make sure to join us during the offseason as we follow any news and stories that come out.
Click here to join the forums and tell us what you think. Don’t miss out on a chance to share your opinion with a growing community of fans just like you!
©2000 - 2008 Jeff Meyer and Frontstetch.com. Thanks for visiting the Frontstretch!
