Race Weekend Central

Fanning the Flames: Cleaning Out NASCAR Inbox & Heading for Hampton

As per our typical off-week Q&A (or does “atypical” fit better when discussing off weeks?), let’s roll out the miscellaneous, non-time specific questions accrued since mid-July — with a couple Montreal queries thrown in for the Nordiques. Twelve weeks left in the season, then it’s the holidays. Does that seem weird to you, or is it just me?

Q: Everyone says NASCAR won’t add another road race to the schedule. Fine, we get it. But if ISC owned the Montreal circuit, would there magically appear a race north of the border? And what’s your thoughts on what a Cup race would be like in Montreal? I’m all for it. Thanks Matt. — Kelley McNally

A: You’re darn right there’d be a race in Montreal if ISC owned the circuit. I think Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villenueve is so cool because of its taxing nature to both man and machine. As our own Tom Bowles pointed out yesterday, the attrition rate was high because the course is so brutal on the cars and that’s just not something we see very often.

Watching Max Papis and Boris Said after the event, it was apparent that the length and strain, both physical and mental, to the drivers was punishing, too.

I’d be all for a Cup race in Montreal, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon. It’s a shame how politics and decisions based on a company’s bottom line can cloud the judgment of those calling the shots.

Q: I hope you can answer this, Matt. We’ve talked about it down the street over a few (too many) beers. Is Jeff Gordon the current leader of consecutive starts? The other two we assume are with him are Burton and Bobby Labonte. How close are they to Ricky Rudd, and do you think any of them will hang around long enough to pass him? You’ve got an open invite to join us for those beers if you’re ever in Cincy. — Trying to win a bet in Columbia Township, Ohio

A: I can’t admit to being up in the Cincinnati area often, but if I ever am I’m good for a couple tall boys.

You’re correct on Jeff Gordon being the active leader with 605 straight starts. Bobby Labonte is just behind him with 604, followed by Jeff Burton at 508.

Gordon sits 183 starts behind Ricky Rudd’s 788. Making the safe assumption that Gordon starts the last 12 events in 2010, that’ll put him at 617, 171 back from the Rooster. If Gordon sticks around for another five years (as he’s stated he’ll likely do), it’d give him 797 straight, and yet another record.

Q: Matt, this may be a silly question, but can you define a cookie-cutter track? Specs? What does and doesn’t define one? Some are obvious, but the line gets fuzzy. Are Charlotte and Atlanta cookie cutters, or is it “you know it when you see it?” Thanks. — C. Powell

A: cookie • cutter • track [kook-ee-kuht-er-trak] n. A group of North American racetracks, typically contained to the NASCAR circuit, whose length does not measure less than 1.5 miles nor exceed 2 miles. Banking ranges from 14-24 degrees. <See: Atlanta, Auto Club, Charlotte, Chicagoland, Kentucky, Homestead-Miami, Kansas, Las Vegas, Michigan, Texas>

Q: Matt, as an old-school fan I’m mourning the loss of Atlanta’s second date. I’ve been to many Atlanta races in the spring and fall, and can’t say I was ever disappointed. Although I was really cold a few times! My question is about a fantasy pick for the Atlanta race. This year, I’ve joined my first fantasy league, and this old-timer has found another way to stay interested in the races!

Our standings are tight and I’m second. Any words of wisdom would be welcome, especially a sleeper or two. Enjoy your work and the site which I read daily. Thanks! — Jim Cross, Orange Park, Fla.

A: Thanks for the kind words Jim, and trust me when I tell you that we appreciate your loyalty to the site. First off, allow me to recommend reading today‘s Fantasy Insider by Mike Ravesi here on the site. If you’re not getting some fantasy tips there on a weekly basis, I’d advise you start. He’ll crunch the numbers and dissect the field for the upcoming event in more detail.

I guess if I have to start a fantasy discussion about Atlanta, all roads lead straight to the Blue Deuce: Kurt Busch. He’s won two of the last three, so the Miller Lite boys have obviously found something that works. A couple other favorites in my opinion are Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson. Yeah, I know Johnson and the Lowe’s guys haven’t found the results lately, but he’s fast and they’re due. He’s also got three wins and averages a series-best 8.2-place finish at AMS.

As for Edwards, he’s a three-time winner as well, and has a ridiculous eight top 10s in 12 career Cup starts. The one thing to know is that Carl is feast or famine in Hampton, Ga. His eight top 10s are all runs of seventh or better; his four others: 40th, 42nd, 37th and 39th. Carl’s got a win coming, though, and I really like him this week.

Some sleepers: Do Kasey Kahne and Juan Pablo Montoya qualify? Both should be strong. Digging deeper, I’d look at Bill Elliott for a top 20 and Dale Earnhardt Jr. possibly sneaking in a top 10. The three MWR boys are worth a look, as well.

With Atlanta in mind, this week’s video link takes us back to a magical time and possibly the most notable race of NASCAR’s modern era, the 1992 Hooters 500. Elliott vs. Alan Kulwicki. Richard Petty’s final race. Gordon’s first. This link is unique in that it’s the closed circuit feed, so you can hear Bob Jenkins, Benny Parsons, Ned Jarrett and Jerry Punch crunching the points during the final commercial break.

About the author

The Frontstretch Staff is made up of a group of talented men and women spread out all over the United States and Canada. Residing in 15 states throughout the country, plus Ontario, and widely ranging in age, the staff showcases a wide variety of diverse opinions that will keep you coming back for more week in and week out.

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