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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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A Special Night in Nashville: The Ken-Ten Series Bobby Hamilton Sr. Memorial 125
Tuesday October 13, 2009
The Ken-Ten Series/Bobby Hamilton Sr. Memorial 125 was a night to be remembered, and not only for exciting competition, but also for the latest inductees into the Fairgrounds Speedway Racing Hall of Fame. The list of inductees includes the late Bobby Hamilton Sr., James “The King” Climer, former track champion Malcolm Brady, and renowned sportswriter Larry Woody.
Beverly and Shirley Hamilton, Bobby’s aunts, were on hand to accept the plaque on behalf of the Hamilton family. Bobby Hamilton Jr., the son of the legendary driver, could not attend due to other racing commitments. The senior Hamilton succumbed to neck cancer in 2007 and his aunt Shirley is currently courageously battling brain cancer. Both women were on hand at the induction stage. Beverly said, “I know Bobby would be thrilled with this induction. He loved this track and it’s been a part of our family for many generations. We appreciate the opportunity to be here tonight to accept on his behalf; we only wish he could do it in person.” Shirley handled the “gentlemen start your engines” command before the running of the 125 from the comforts of the media suite.
Hamilton was a two-time, back-to-back Fairgrounds Speedway champion in 1987-88 and raced his way to the top of NASCAR and for decades he captured the hearts of millions of race fans behind the wheel of stock cars. He stepped out of the car in 2002 and into the NASCAR Truck Series where he took home numerous wins on his way to the Truck championship in 2004. For a full rundown of Hamilton’s NASCAR career in both cars and trucks, please go to http://www.bobbyhamiltonracing.com/cgi-script/kmgArticles/articles/000003/000387.htm
James “The King” Climer earned his royal title by racing his way from the Music City USA, Tennessee to TinselTown, California! The 69-year-old former racer decided he wanted to feed his “need for speed” one more time by entering in Saturday night’s Late Model 125, for old time’s sake. By earning over 55 wins in his memorable career, Climer was considered one of the best of the best, so good in fact he was asked to come out to the West Coast as a movie stunt driver.
Malcolm Brady was considered one of the best drivers to come out of the Fairgrounds Speedway and took home a track title in 1961 in a series known in the past as the Modifieds. He added up frequent wins at the historical Fairgrounds Speedway and recognition not only in the Tennessee area, but across the South and Southeast during his illustrious career.
Larry Woody, the final inductee of the night, is currently a contributing sportswriter for several publications across the state including the Nashville City Paper and the Lebanon Democrat. Woody, a Crossville, Tennessee native, retired from the Nashville Tennessean in 2007 after decades as one of the premier staff sports writers. He is currently a regular contributor to www.racintoday.com, along with other well-known writers covering the sport of NASCAR. Woody, a Belmont University graduate, is a three-time recipient of the Tennessee Sports Writer of the Year and the author of several books on the topic of racing and racing personalities. He was also inducted into the Martin Methodist College Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 2001-02 class. He resides in Nashville with his wife Mary Frances and they have three grown children.
The winner’s trophy for the “War of the Borders” between Kentucky and Tennessee’s best Late Model drivers in the South went home to the Bluegrass State as Dillon Oliver, from Bowling Green, prevailed in the end.
“Man, I could get used to this winner’s circle. I want to thank my #33 Chevy team for all their hard work. It was a long race and I knew tire management would be an issue, so I tried to save them as much as I could. Our team builds great race cars and the crew chief and I were on the same page. I especially want to thank W.A.R. Shocks because they’re the best. And I want to thank the fans for coming out to support us,” said Oliver.
Second-place finisher, Clay Alexander, son of the legendary Nashville driver Mike Alexander said, “We had to make some changes on the #84, but we still had a great run here tonight. It was a long, fun race and we’re happy to take home the runner-up spot.”
Sammy Sanders rounded out the top-3.
Top-5 finishes for all series Saturday, October 10, 2009 in the Ken-Ten Series
Bobby Hamilton Sr. Memorial Late Models 125, Sportsman Series, Frontrunners, Dwarfs, and Super Stocks
By: Rob Spires—PR Assistant/Fairgrounds Speedway
Sportsman:
- Ricky Goins led from the pole.
- Lap 1, Battling in the middle of the pack, Cody Buford and Steve Hadley made contact sending Buford into the wall. He was able to continue, though, and no caution came out.
- Lap 7- DJ Sokol got around Goins to take the top spot.
- Lap 16- Howard Tucker shot around Sokol to take the lead.
- Caution, Lap 17- While battling for second, Buford and Sokol crashed hard coming off turn 2. Goins also received extensive damage in the crash.
- Caution, Lap 22- Duane King went up in a cloud of smoke on the frontstretch.
- Tucker held off a late charge from Jimmy Victory to take the win. Tucker earned his first Sportsman Series win of the year.
Final Top-5 results:
1. Howard Tucker
2. Jimmy Victory
3. Steve Hadley
4. Wesley Pierce
5. Duane King
Ken-Ten Late Models/Bobby Hamilton Sr. Memorial 125:
- Michael House took the lead from the outside of the front row.
- Lap 9- Mark Day moved around House to take the top spot.
- Caution, Lap 14- Davey Coble blew an engine and spun in his own oil in turn 2.
- Caution, Lap 31- Phil Renfro spun in turn 2.
- Lap 36- While running fourth, Michael House fell off the pace and pitted.
- Caution, Lap 51- Daniel Bolden and Stacey Crain made contact in turn 1 sending Crain into the wall.
- Caution, Lap 75- Competition Break.
- Dillon Oliver drew a #1 on the inversion and started at the front of the second segment.
- Oliver dominated a caution-free second segment to win the Ken-Ten Series Bobby Hamilton Sr. Memorial 125 driving away.
Final Top-5 results:
1. Dillon Oliver
2. Clay Alexander
3. Sammy Sanders
4. Mason Mingus
5. Rob Sanders
Super Stocks:
- The initial start wasn't to specification, so they lined up for another attempt.
- Caution, Lap 1- Adam Adcock and Joshua Hood came together on the frontstretch. Since a lap wasn't completed, the race was restarted.
- Once the race got going, Clint Ivey led.
- Caution, Lap 2- Taylor Ryman stalled in turn 1.
- Lap 6- Adam Adcock drove around Ivey to take the lead.
- Lap 17- While battling for the lead, Adcock and Robert Forsythe both spun in turn 4. Cory Jones inherited the lead.
- Caution, Lap 21- George Saldana apparently lost an engine and spun in turn 3.
- Caution, Lap 26- Terry Vickers spun in turn 4.
- Lap 27- Clint Ivey moved back into the lead.
- Lap 32- Forsythe took the top spot.
- Caution, Lap 36- Saldana came back out onto the track, but was still leaking oil causing Adcock to spin.
- Forsythe was able to withstand a late charge from Jones to take the win.
Final Top-5 results:
1. Robert Forsythe
2. Cory Jones
3. Clint Ivey
4. CJ Adams
5. Joshua Hood
Frontrunners:
- Stephen Collins grabbed the lead from the pole.
- Caution, Lap 1-Kevin Gregory got turned around coming out of turn 4.
- Lap 2- David Harrod got around Collins for the lead.
- Lap 5- Billy Schaffer took the lead from Harrod.
- Caution, Lap 18- J. Isaac Davis was turned into the outside wall coming off of turn 2.
- The restart was aborted, but the leaders apparently didn't realize as they began racing. On the backstretch, the two came together and both cars were knocked out of the race. Sam Owens was the new leader.
- Coming to the flag, Owens was able to win a drag race with second place Scott Allen to take the win.
Final Top-5 results:
1. Sam Owens
2. Scott Allen
3. David Harrod
4. Aaron Ashcroft
5. Hardy Krantz
Dwarf cars:
- Don Walls led from the pole.
- Lap 2- Walls got loose in turn 1, allowing Mark Cole and Greg Greshamthe opportunity to pass. Gresham then got around Cole going into turn 3 to take the lead.
- Caution, Lap 9- Walls spun on the frontstretch and was unable to get his car refired.
- Caution, Lap 13- Michael Wood was turned around in turn 2. Rick Webster was sent to the rear for his part in the incident.
- Lap 18- Tim Lunn pulled underneath Gresham to take the lead.
- Lunn was able to hang on for the win. On the final lap, Webster's car got loose and shot hard into the wall on the backstretch. He was able to climb from the car unhurt.
Final Top-5 results:
1. Tim Lunn
2. Greg Gresham
3. Allen Ring
4. Mark Cole
5. Chris Crutcher
For full results, please refer to our official website at www.fairgroundsspeedwaynashville.com. And for more information on the Ken-Ten Series, please visit their website at www.ken-tenprolatemodelseries.com.
Our next event, the 2009 season finale, will be the running of the much-anticipated annual All-American 400. Racers from around the country will be on hand, including Bill Elliott’s son, Chase, and many other notables, to compete for the honor of taking home a special trophy guitar designed specifically for the Fairgrounds Speedway All-American 400! Please come out and support the event on the weekend of October 30, 31, and November 1. Not only will the adults have fun, but we will be having a special “Track or Treat” for the kids with best Halloween costume competitions and many other festive autumn happenings. Please visit our website often throughout the next few weeks for more rousing news! See more below….
Three CRA Series to be Part of Prestigious All-American 400 Weekend in Nashville
Salem, IN – Champion Racing Association officials have announced that three CRA Series will be part of the prestigious All American 400 weekend at the Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Tennessee. The CRA Super Series will once again headline the weekend with a 250 lap, $10,000 to win event on Sunday, November 1st along with the GAS Series, which will run a 150 lap event also on Sunday, November 1st, those two events will make up the traditional All American, with each winner getting a highly coveted Nashville guitar trophy.
The Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series and CRA Street Stocks will be part of the weekend’s preliminary events on Saturday, October 31st. The Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series will run a 50 lap, $1200 to win feature event with the Nashville Super Truck Division. The CRA Street Stocks will run a 50 lap, $1000 to win event with the Nashville Sportsman Division. The USA Modifieds will also have a 50-lap feature event on that Saturday night. All the divisions will race on the 5/8-mile track that weekend and all the CRA races will be non-points events.
"We are really looking forward to having three of our series as part of the All American 400 weekend," remarked R.J. Scott, Managing Partner with Champion Racing Association. "The CRA Super Series has proudly been a part of this prestigious event since the 2003 season. Racers from all over the country love to come race in Nashville, now a lot more of our competitors will get the opportunity to race here!"
The weekend will start with an open practice on Friday, October 30th. Pit gates open and rig parking begins at 1pm Central Time. Open practice will begin at 4pm with rotating sessions for all divisions racing that weekend until 9pm. Pit gates open on Saturday, October 31st at 8:30am. Practice will begin at 11am with qualifying starting at 3:45pm. The race program will begin at 7pm on Saturday night.
Pits open on Sunday, November 1st at 9:30am. There will be an autograph session with all the All American 400 drivers at the grandstand track fence starting at 12noon. The race program will begin at 1pm with Last Chance races for the CRA Super Series and GAS Series. The 250 lap CRA Super Series All American event will be first up after the Last Chance races, the 150 GAS Series All American event will be the last event of the day.
The CRA Super Series All American Weekend entry form is available now, the first 40 entries will receive guaranteed pit stalls inside the racetrack. Event entry forms for the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series and CRA Street Stocks All American Weekend events will be available very soon.
More event information is available at www.fairgroundsspeedwayatnashville.com. Rules and entry forms for the CRA Divisions are available at www.craracing.net.
27th Annual Nashville “All American” Weekend
Schedule of Events
(Central time)
Friday, October 30 (optional)
1:00 pm Pit Gates Open and Rig Parking Begins
3:15 pm Drivers Meetings
4:00 pm Practice Begins with Rotating Sessions Between the Five Divisions
9:00 pm Practice Ends
10:00 pm Track Closes
Saturday, October 31
8:00 am Registration Opens
8:30 am Pit Gate Opens
8:45 am Tech Lines Open
10:00 am CRA Drivers’ Meeting (Tech Area)
10:30 am GAS Series Drivers Meeting (Tech Area)
11:00 am CRA Super Series Practice (60 minutes)
12:00 pm GAS Series (45 minutes)
12:45 pm CRA L.M. Sportsman/Nashville Trucks (15 minutes)
1:00 pm USA Modifieds Practice (15 minutes)
1:15 pm CRA Street Stocks/Nashville Sportsman Practice (15 minutes)
1:30 pm CRA Super Series Practice (45 minutes)
2:15 pm GAS Series Practice (30 minutes)
2:45 pm CRA L.M. Sportsman/Nashville Trucks (15 minutes)
3:00 pm USA Modifieds Practice (15 minutes)
3:15 pm CRA Street Stocks/Nashville Sportsman Practice (15 minutes)
3:30 pm Break
3:45 pm CRA L.M. Sportsman/Nashville Trucks Qualifying (2 Laps)
4:10 pm USA Modifieds Qualifying (2 Laps)
4:35 pm CRA Street Stocks/Nashville Sportsman Qualifying (2 Laps)
5:00 pm CRA Super Series Qualifying (2 Laps)
6:15 pm GAS Series Qualifying (2 Laps)
7:00 pm Racing Begins
Support Divisions Last Chance Races- if needed
CRA L.M. Sportsman/Nashville Trucks - 50 Lap Feature
USA Modifieds - 50 Lap Feature
CRA Street Stocks/Nashville Sportsman - 50 Lap Feature
Sunday, November 1
9:00 am Registration Opens
9:30 am Pit Gate Opens
9:45 am Tech Lines Open
10:30 am CRA Super Series Drivers’ Meeting (Tech Area)
11:00 am GAS Series Drivers Meeting (Tech Area)
12:00 pm Drivers Autograph Session at Grand Stands Fence
12:30 pm Pre-Race Ceremonies
1:00 pm Racing Begins
CRA Super Series Last Chance Race(s)-if needed
GAS Series Last Chance Race(s)-if needed
CRA Super Series 250 Laps
GAS Series 150 LapsLOOKING FOR FREE NASCAR NEWS AND COMMENTARY SENT RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX?
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This report was provided by an outside PR source and posted by Beth Lunkenheimer.
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