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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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What's The Call? Should We Care About Dale Jr. Driving The No. 88?
Mike Neff and Amy Henderson · Wednesday September 19, 2007
Editor’s Note : The following is a special edition of Frontstretch’s What’s the Call? Occasionally throughout the season, two of your favorite Frontstretch writers will duke it out in a debate concerning one of NASCAR’s biggest stories. Don’t let us be the only ones to speak our minds, though…be sure to read both sides and let us know what you think about the situation in the comment section below!
Today’s Question : Should We Care That Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Gets The No. 88 for 2008?
Dale Jr. In The No. 88? Junior Nation Cares – And The Rest Of NASCAR Should, As Well
by Mike Neff
Car numbers have always been associated with teams, not drivers; anyone who switches rides through the years has been forced to take what their owners were assigned by NASCAR. But nothing can change the way certain numbers become attached to superstars of the sport, simply because of their long-standing relationships with successful teams. When a change is made, it is often a shock that takes months, if not years, to get used to.
Let the transition begin for Dale Jr.
On the heels of the announcement Junior will drive the No. 88 car, you couldn’t help but be satisfied at the way in which the sport’s most popular driver will retain at least a reasonable connection with the number he used to run. Naturally, the furor over not being able to bring the number eight to Hendrick Motorsports was to be expected. However, the number chosen to replace that for Junior represents more than just his identity; it’s family tradition.
Ralph Earnhardt, Junior's grandfather, became a legend on the Carolina short tracks while carrying the No. 8 on his car. Despite never using that number in Grand National Series competition, the No. 8 is still the only one most race fans associate with the eldest Earnhardt. To honor his father’s memory, when Dale Earnhardt, Sr. began racing Busch Series cars under the Dale Earnhardt, Inc. banner, he chose to race the number eight to honor the memory of a man who died far too soon, before two of the Intimidator’s three children were even born. While Senior’s time behind the wheel of that Busch car was fairly limited, the family legacy surrounding the Earnhardt name was already firmly established by the time Junior got behind the wheel of the No. 8 car in the late 1990’s.
Certainly, there’s no denying the No. 88 had a little history of its own with Robert Yates Racing; the lone championship Dale Jarrett won with that number stands as the organization’s greatest achievement to this day. But in the end, the value of the number for Yates was far outweighed by the pure desire for the Earnhardt tradition to continue on. By securing the the No. 88 for Junior in 2008 and beyond, Hendrick was able to make a crucial link from Earnhardt’s past to the organization’s present, making the future that much more special.
There’s no question a power play was made in order for this move to unfold. Dale Jr. has been a star since the drop of the green flag in his first NASCAR race, and coupling the Earnhardt name with his on-track success, his popularity has only increased over the years. But what’s the harm in using that influence to ask for something you want? While the casual fan of the sport might not appreciate the issue – passing it off as a trivial detail for a driver attempting to get what he almost couldn’t have – the ones who are loyal to the Earnhardts and their family legacy will surely know the historical significance of the number. The No. 88 still gives Junior a link to his grandfather, who drove that very number in a race at Martinsville along with seven other Grand National races behind the wheel of the No. 188. It also gives his legion of fans something to hold onto – everyone hears about the tattoos and how they'll have to be changed, but all joking aside, there are a lot of changes these fans are going through.
With the announcement public, those changes can now begin; and what a relaxing transition it will be. In the end, Junior will still be driving a car with an 8 on the side of it, even if it is a pair of 8s…and that means something to enough people for all of us to care.
It’s Just a Number. They ALL Have Numbers on Them.
by Amy Henderson
The question of Dale Jr.'s number and sponsor has taken on a life of its own, ever since Junior's announcement in June that he would drive for Hendrick Motorsports. Well, such speculation was finally put to rest on Wednesday when the announcement was made that Junior will drive the No. 88 next year, sponsored by Mountain Dew, Amp, and the National Guard.
Of course, there are plenty of reasons for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. to put time and effort into getting just the right number on his car. Junior has always respected both his family history and the history of the sport, and he wanted to carry a number that represented more than just a trademark on a T-shirt. He wanted a number that really meant something.
But it meant too much to other people, as well.
All summer, it was the hot topic in the garage and in the stands. ALL summer. And frankly, it wasn't all that important. The sponsors, especially Amp, are a good enough fit (although it would seem that Casey Mears more closely fit the National Guard ideal) and the number is one that has a history in the Earnhardt family. How nice. Let's move on, already.
Too much other racing information got buried under a completely meaningless story all summer long. Tony Stewart got hot in July and August and won another Brickyard 400. That's nice, but what was Junior's number going to be? Brian Vickers and John Andretti had their qualifying times disallowed at the New Hampshire races in July and September, sent home after violations were found on their CoT's after qualifying. Neat-o. Who is Junior's sponsor going to be? Current DEI teammate Martin Truex, Jr. hit his stride in June, winning a race and lighting up the track en route to his first ever Chase. Really? I heard Junior's going to drive number 6.7! While Truex soared, Junior missed the Chase for the second time in three years. WHAT!? NO &%#*!$@ WAY?! But…do you think he'll get number 452?
Sadly, all it took was for Teresa Earnhardt to retain her rights to the No. 8 for every race fan to hear nothing but numbers in their heads all summer long. It even got to the point where Junior himself had to ask his fans to stop calling his stepmother horrible things because she didn't want to part with the number. At the time, more petitions were circulated to "Free the No. 8" than for most political issues. And compared to the future of our country, our children, and our environment, frankly, Junior's car number should be the least of anyone's worries.
And to be honest, the simple fact people were concerned about it at all should be enough to raise some eyebrows in the first place. It wasn't as if people would suddenly stop buying T-shirts and hats because they didn't like the number on them. It wasn't as if the sponsor wasn't going to pony up millions for the opportunity to grace Junior's hood every week. It certainly wasn't as if Junior was going to morph into someone else.
Well, now it's over. Finally. Contrary to popular belief, the world didn't stop on its axis at the moment of the announcement. Knowing Junior's number and sponsor didn't solve global warming or find a cure for the common cold. Just like every other sponsor and number unveiling…it happened. Enough No. 88 Amp/National Guard T-shirts were sold to clothe a small county; that’s about it. To Junior, it's probably a relief for the ordeal to be over, as well as a good feeling to know there's some family history in his number. For the rest of us, we can finally push the speculation aside, and fans can buy their new T-shirts. There is a number on the side of his car, now…and it's 88.
Can we please move on? There are nine races left, and someone is going to win a championship. That person also has a number on his car. Wow.
By the way, did anyone notice that Clint Bowyer won his first race this week?
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