NASCAR Race Weekend Central

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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.

Happy Hour: “Our” NASCAR? Nice Try, Brian

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NASCAR commercials deliberately focus on the sport’s tradition and history. They remind us that in every era of NASCAR, there have been great finishes, great victory celebrations, and great rivalries. When I say “nice try,” it isn’t meant to be sarcastic or critical. It is actually meant as a compliment. NASCAR had at least finally noticed that their unwelcome innovations in recent years have been Chasing (pun intended) traditional fans away from the sport. For recognizing that, they truly do deserve credit. But ultimately, a full-force marketing campaign and any number of speeches isn’t going to undo the damage done to NASCAR’s old-school fanbase during the Brian France era.

Fanning the Flames: Texas Testing, Kyle Petty is Testy & “Creative Arrangements”

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Everywhere you look since that accident, this site included, the press has had nothing but praise and applause for the car formerly know as the CoT. Suddenly this new car is the best thing in racing since Brian France, who by the way, is probably sitting around the mahogany bar in his office, telling anyone who will listen for the umpteenth time, about how he personally saved McDowell’s life by dreaming up this whole new car in the first place. Now I know that is an exaggeration, but let face it, if you were to believe everything that’s being said in the media these days, you would think that, up until the CoT arrived, five to 10 racers a year were getting killed. That is not the case.

Voices from the Heartland: Michael McDowell Incident a PR Bonanza for NASCAR

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Everywhere you look since that accident, this site included, the press has had nothing but praise and applause for the car formerly know as the CoT. Suddenly this new car is the best thing in racing since Brian France, who by the way, is probably sitting around the mahogany bar in his office, telling anyone who will listen for the umpteenth time, about how he personally saved McDowell’s life by dreaming up this whole new car in the first place. Now I know that is an exaggeration, but let face it, if you were to believe everything that’s being said in the media these days, you would think that, up until the CoT arrived, five to 10 racers a year were getting killed. That is not the case.

Fantasy Picks ‘N’ Pans: 2008 Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix

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After what many had hoped would be a good old-fashioned Texas shootout turned into a king sized snooze fest, the series heads to Phoenix International Raceway this Saturday night for the first short track battle under the lights of the season. With the exception of Jeff Gordon’s dismal performance, Texas didn’t offer many surprises with no major upsets appearing in the top 10. But the close confines of the 1-mile track in the Valley of the Sun, could have plenty of surprises in store for the drivers in this week’s race. So which drivers will rise from the ashes to bring success to your fantasy team and which ones will wilt in the desert heat? Read this week’s Picks ‘N’ Pans to find out.

Thompson in Turn 5: The Verdict Is In – NASCAR Scores Big with the CoT

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Michael McDowell’s terrifying near-head on collision with the SAFER barrier and subsequent barrel-rolling down the track at Texas Motor Speedway Friday was the most serious real-life test yet of NASCAR’s new car, known during its developmental period as the Car of Tomorrow (CoT). But the five-year project by NASCAR’s Research And Development division had been preparing for just such a moment; after all, their work was primarily prompted by as series of accidents that had kept drivers such as Jerry Nadeau unable to continue their careers while leaving the sport’s biggest star, Dale Earnhardt, dead. NASCAR knew that something had to be done to better protect drivers at speeds approaching 200 mph; and with the advent of some major structural changes, they hoped the car would live up to the challenge the next time an accident occurred.

Mirror Driving: The CoT – Both Safe & Boring, Toughing Out Texas & Managing RCR’s Future

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The CoT did its job at Texas, disintegrating to absorb Michael McDowell’s horrific crash during qualifying while the driver compartment remained completely intact. The racing on Sunday, while lackluster, was no worse than some past Texas races with the old car. With that said, is it time to stop complaining about the CoT and realize the role it plays in today’s NASCAR?

The Magic of McDowell, “Forgetting” a Blowout & Watching TV Blow the Finish in Texas… Again

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From the wild (Michael McDowell’s crash) to the wacky (Kyle Busch spouting off… again), here’s your guide to the past weekend of NASCAR television at its best, its worst, and its most confusing down in the Lone Star State.

Who’s Hot/Who’s Not in Sprint Cup: 2008 Samsung 500 at Texas Edition

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It’s been awhile since there’s been a scary accident in any of NASCAR’s three premier series; so, needless to say, Michael McDowell’s qualifying crash raised a few eyebrows when it comes to safety in the sport. It’s a wreck he could have easily not walked away from; but luckily, the improvements have left more than a few people impressed with the sport’s new car, along with McDowell both fully intact and counting his blessings. This week, the “HOTTEST” people on this list are the individuals who developed the particular safety equipment that just may have saved McDowell’s life; none of us can thank you enough.

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