Articles by Beth Lunkenheimer

Content Director Beth heads up management of our 30-person staff, acting as Tom’s main assistant with technology and personnel while working as Frontstretch’s Truck Series expert. The author of Truckin’ Thursdays and the coordinator of the site’s pre and post-race coverage, she also runs a periodic charity column that spotlights when NASCAR gives back. A childhood transplant to Texas, Beth is a 15-year writing veteran who has contributed content to BRANDT and Athlon Sports, among other outlets.

Truckin’ Thursdays: Inside NASCAR’s Return to The Rock

May 18, 2014April 12, 2012 written by Beth Lunkenheimer

It’s finally here!

That’s right, NASCAR’s much-anticipated return to Rockingham Speedway is upon us, and it’s sure to prove an exciting weekend at the one-mile track nestled in the Sandhills of North Carolina. And if that’s not enough, track owner Andy Hillenburg has done everything he can to make the weekend’s festivities fan friendly. From opening the drivers’ meeting (which I’m actually against) to an autograph session before the green flag flies and everything in between, there’s sure to be something for everyone.

But just a few years ago, this race wasn’t even a remote possibility. From the inaugural Cup Series race in 1965 won by Curtis Turner, The Rock hosted NASCAR through the 2004 season before it was dropped off of the schedule just five years after International Speedway Corp (ISC) purchased the track. Then, thanks to an anti-trust lawsuit brought on by Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (SMI) shareholder Francis Ferko, ownership of the track once again changed hands.

Truckin’ Thursdays: Young Guns Showing Up the Veterans … So Far

May 18, 2014April 5, 2012 written by Beth Lunkenheimer

As all of NASCAR heads into the Easter weekend off, the Camping World Truck Series standings might surprise you. The top 8 drivers, all under the age of 30 with the exception of 31-year-old Timothy Peters and 32-year-old Jason White, are separated by just 21 points leaving Martinsville. King holds the points lead by just one marker over Timothy Peters and Justin Lofton who are tied for second. Close behind, you will find rookie Ty Dillon just four points out of the lead after an impressive second-place run at Martinsville, and Jason White rounds out the top 5, just eight points back.

Truckin’ Thursdays: Sauter, Harvick Look to Defend Martinsville Spring Dominance

May 18, 2014March 29, 2012 written by Beth Lunkenheimer

_Martinsville Speedway._ Those two words are enough to make me grin, ear-to-ear, and that couldn’t be more true then at this point of the season with no Truck Series racing since Daytona. This month-long drought of no competition is one of the longest gaps in between races we’ve seen in the division’s short history.

So with race number two on the horizon, let’s set you up with a preview. For the past three spring visits to the 0.526-mile paperclip, it has been the Kevin Harvick and Johnny Sauter show. Harvick won, back-to-back in 2009 and 2010, but it was Johnny Sauter who crossed the line first last year.

Which driver has an edge for this Saturday? I think it’s about 50/50. But either way, both drivers are poised as favorites to defend their victories this weekend.

Truckin’ Thursdays: Hornaday, Sauter, Buescher Rise To The Top In 2012

March 31, 2013March 22, 2012 written by Beth Lunkenheimer

With March 31st and the Kroger 250 at Martinsville just about a week and a half away, it’s time to start thinking Camping World Truck Series racing once again. But sadly, with just one race in the books, it’s almost impossible to have built any kind of momentum for the teams _or_ the fans. That’s exactly what I’m here for today, though. With so many changes across the board and last season’s champion Austin Dillon moving on to the Nationwide Series, there are plenty of drivers to keep an eye on as the season unfolds.

Q&A with NASCAR race winner Nelson Piquet Jr

March 25, 2013March 20, 2012 written by Beth Lunkenheimer

Nelson Piquet Jr won the first race of his NASCAR career at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend driving for X Team Racing on his K&N East championship debut. Nelson now joins an elite club of just eight foreign-born drivers to visit Victory Lane in the NASCAR ranks. His seven compatriots include Mario Andretti (Italy), Earl …

Truckin’ Thursdays: Relishing a Return To Road Course Racing

March 31, 2013March 15, 2012 written by Beth Lunkenheimer

Though road course racing is no longer present on the Truck Series schedule, it used to be. From 1995 through 1998, the series visited Infineon Raceway and Heartland Park in Topeka, Kansas each season, and at least one road course was on the schedule through 2000. Beginning in 1999, drivers visited Portland International Raceway, a 1.967-mile course in Oregon, but that only lasted until the 2001 schedule came out, and since then road courses have been absent.

But is this type of track what the Truck Series needs?

Truckin’ Thursdays: Can The King Keep His Crown? And Other Daytona Lessons

May 18, 2014March 1, 2012 written by Beth Lunkenheimer

Well, readers, it’s time to hunker down and wait out another ridiculous break in the Truck Series schedule, but in the meantime, let’s take a look back at a weekend of racing at Daytona. If there’s one thing we learned, it’s that anything can happen –and it did, with one of the wildest finishes to any Truck race on record. But there was plenty more to take from the NextEra Energy Resources 250, as we look forward to 21 more races to determine the 2012 champion.

Truckin’ Thursdays: A Look Ahead At The CWTS 2012 Season

May 18, 2014February 23, 2012 written by Beth Lunkenheimer

Hello, race fans! It’s time to shake off the cobwebs from the offseason because the Camping World Truck Series is back in action Friday night, and we have a lot of catching up to do before the green flag waves over the season opener at Daytona. As my husband and I talked about the upcoming start of what should be another fantastic Truck Series season, I couldn’t help but get excited. Heck, I even had goosebumps on my arms as we talked about not just a long list of new drivers, but a number of important storylines to watch. So, as the offseason wore to a close, I decided to change my traditional, team-by-team preview to look more at some of those “big picture” items to keep an eye on as the 2012 season dawns. Here they are, in the nick of time as tomorrow begins the 22-race dash to Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway…

Tracking the Trucks: 2010 EnjoyIllinois.com 225 at Chicagoland

November 22, 2019August 29, 2010 written by Beth Lunkenheimer

*In a Nutshell:* Kyle Busch took the checkered flag 0.186 seconds ahead of Todd Bodine to win the EnjoyIllinois.com 225 Friday night at Chicagoland Speedway. A blown engine for Timothy Peters with just three laps remaining set up a green-white-checkered finish in which Busch had no trouble pulling out front, scoring his second straight victory and fourth overall in 2010. Ron Hornaday, Jr., Johnny Sauter and Justin Lofton rounded out the top 5.

*Who Should Have Won: Kyle Busch.* Once again, Kyle Busch had the strongest truck on the track Friday night. It took him just 12 laps to take the lead for the first time after starting fourth. Despite dropping to fifth during his second pit stop after trouble getting their first can of fuel in, Busch once again took the lead on lap 98. Despite a hard charge from Todd Bodine after that, Busch managed to hold onto the lead and, ultimately, the win. The driver of the No. 18 Toyota led three times for 121 of 154 laps.

Tearing Apart the Trucks: Understanding the Kyle Busch Motorsports Fiasco

February 26, 2021May 13, 2010 written by Beth Lunkenheimer

Almost two weeks ago, the Charlotte Observer reported several subcontractors claim they are owed for work done at the new Kyle Busch Motorsports facility that’s set to open for the team in June. Paul Davis of Creative Carpets LLC filed a lien as a last resort against the contractor that hired him, claiming he is …