Enterprise: Race in and get the same deals drivers and teams use
NASCAR Race Weekend Central

Avatar of Frontstretch StaffFrontstretch Staff

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.

Rick Crawford Driver Diary: The 1 That Got Away

by

Charlotte started with a two-day NASCAR test the week before and allowed us time to decide which truck we wanted to use. Kevin “Cowboy” Starland and the Circle Bar crew picked out CB-21, nicknamed Black Jack, which has been the down force workhorse of the Circle Bar camp. The Ford Power Stroke Diesel by International ran decent that day but to me it was just way loose. I steered more to the right than I did to the left but we ended up with a top-10 finish. Anytime you have a bad day (I say it was a bad day) and still end up with a top-10 finish it’s OK, but I thought we could be a little bit better.

David Starr Driver Diary: Going to Graceland

by

After struggling through growing pains for the first several races so far this season, I finally feel like we are making huge gains. You want to be competitive right off the bat, but the Craftsman Truck Series is so tough that it makes it hard for a new team like the International MaxxForce Diesel team. So while the season hasn’t been going the way we had hoped, I feel like we really started turning it around back in Mansfield.

Fanning the Flames: A Confused Writer Has a Question of His Own for NASCAR

by

Dear NASCAR: How does Kurt Busch slam into Tony Stewart’s car while on pit road, almost hitting Stewart’s jackman in the process, only to walk away with the new standard of a 100-point docking and a $100,000 fine. Meanwhile, Ted Musgrave gives Kelly Bires a pop after a wreck at Milwaukee, while still on the track, mind you, no crewmen anywhere close, and gets docked 50 owner and driver points, $10,000, and gets suspended for a race?

Thompson in Turn 5: Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

by

As we’ve all seen over the past month, criticizing NASCAR for their infinite number of blunders and incidents of poor judgment is really not that difficult; but it’s not exactly fun to do, either. Believe me, it’s not my intention to relentlessly harp on the organization; as it is, by Wednesdays I usually find myself standing at the back of a long line of writers that have already beat the proverbial “dog” of controversial topics to death. Thankfully, the sanctioning body has done something right for once involving one such controversy this week, so much so that I can actually partake in a far better exercise; sending compliments NASCAR’s way. Yes, the sport should be given credit where credit is due; three cheers, in fact, for what appears to be a decision to reevaluate their flawed Car of Tomorrow (CoT) introduction schedule.

Who’s Hot/Who’s Not In Nextel Cup: 2007 UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 at Las Vegas Edition

by

this week both the Nextel Cup drivers and I are back to work after that early vacation, with the bright lights of Las Vegas looming over the horizon. While two weeks isn’t enough to forecast a team’s entire season, there are definitely those teams out there that are getting all they can out of the early part of the year, just as there are those who are digging themselves a pretty big hole. So, before the engines start up once more, let’s take a second look at the roulette table and put our money on Who’s Hot and Who’s Not heading into this weekend’s race at Las Vegas.

Beyond the Cockpit: Bobby Labonte at Phoenix

by

NASCAR fans from Arizona and beyond converged on Phoenix International Raceway last week for a chance to purchase tickets to April’s Subway Fresh Fit 500 from the track’s newest sales interns — Nextel Cup stars Carl Edwards and Bobby Labonte. Along with working the ticket window, the drivers signed autographs and chatted congenially with the enthusiastic crowd. Frontstretch Senior Staff Writer Becca Gladden was on hand for the event and spoke with both drivers about a variety of topics.

Beyond The Cockpit: Carl Edwards at Phoenix

by

NASCAR fans from Arizona and beyond converged on Phoenix International Raceway last week for a chance to purchase tickets to April’s Subway Fresh Fit 500 from the track’s newest sales interns — Nextel Cup stars Carl Edwards and Bobby Labonte. Along with working the ticket window, the drivers signed autographs and chatted congenially with the enthusiastic crowd. Frontstretch Senior Staff Writer Becca Gladden was on hand for the event and spoke with both drivers about a variety of topics.

Scanner Static: Racing Around The Western Hemisphere

by

Another week, another late-race debris caution at California. Is this becoming a little too predictable? While we’re on the topic of California, I’m going to respectfully disagree with most every article I’ve read this week and say that I thought the racing was above average. Although I never thought I’d say it, I truly enjoyed the on-track product at California; so much so, I wish NASCAR had not thrown the “bunch the field up” caution with 25 laps to go.

Frontstretch