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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.

10 Points to Ponder… After the 2008 Samsung 500 at Texas

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1. “Turn Left In 500 Ft.” – Garmin, makers of the popular portable GPS systems, will sponsor Gillett Evernham Motorsports’ No. 19 and driver Elliott Sadler for two races this season. Garmin’s branding will be on the hood of Sadler’s Dodge at Talladega April 27th, as well as Kansas on September 28th. The nifty devices have gained popularity at a rapid rate, and prove handy when you need the best direction to a destination; they will talk you through your trip, start to finish.

Bubble Breakdown: Jeremy Mayfield Out, Sam Hornish Jr. Back Inside Top-35 Safety Net

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The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series made its annual spring journey to the Lone Star State for the running of the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway this past weekend. They tell me that everything is bigger in Texas; and apparently, this adage can be applied to the problems of some bubble teams. There’s bickering at Petty Enterprises, sponsor issues at Michael Waltrip Racing, and Chip Ganassi seems to be of the belief that there needs to be some personnel changes on his No. 40 team currently driven by former open wheeler Dario Franchitti. All of this only seven races into the year; who says Silly Season in NASCAR ever stops?

Happy Hour: Nationwide Whackers are Hurting the Sprint Cup Series

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On several occasions during the Martinsville race this past Sunday, the announcers in the FOX booth analyzed “short term gain” vs. “long term loss.” The comparison was made whenever a driver skipped a pit or took two tires for track position, meaning that they may gain track position in the short run, but the older tires may mean a net loss in the long run. The short-term gain vs. long-term loss is a debate that could, and should, be taking place regarding Cup drivers in the Nationwide Series, and nowhere was this more evident than at Martinsville last Sunday.

Fanning the Flames: Petty, Childress, Earnhardt Shaking Things Up

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Q: I’m a lifer Ken Schrader fan, and I read today that BAM Racing will skip the Texas race. I’ve followed Schrader from his days in USAC, and I hate to see him and his team have to sit out and give up owner points. Why doesn’t BAM align itself with a big team like others do?

Voices From the Heartland: Early Silly Season Leaves Fans With Apathy

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Over the years, the “Silly Season” has grown longer and longer and now — thanks mostly to greed and inept leadership at the highest level of NASCAR — it’s grown to 366 days long. (I know there are only 365 days in the year… but that’s my point! It never stops!) How has it gotten to be this way? The main factor, as I see it, is simple, unadulterated greed. The price to be even remotely associated with NASCAR has simply skyrocketed over the years.

Fantasy Picks ‘N’ Pans: 2008 Samsung 500 at Texas Edition

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After two weeks of short-track racing, the Sprint Cup Series heads to the wide open spaces of Texas Motor Speedway for this weekend’s Samsung 500. They say things are often bigger and better in Texas; but that does that equate for success for your fantasy team? Read what our fantasy experts have to say in this week’s edition of Fantasy Picks ‘N’ Pans.

Thompson in Turn 5: Robby Gordon Just Being Robby

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It has just been a year since I wrote the article “Robby Gordon: NASCAR’s Lone Wolf” in which I touched on some of the uniqueness that is Robby Gordon. I was somewhat surprised to learn after the Frontstretch article appeared that the California native has a considerably larger fanbase than I had estimated. Likewise, I was equally dumbfounded that those same fans didn’t latch on to my “Lone Wolf” moniker and begin using it routinely and endearingly when referring to their favorite driver. Apparently, the name wasn’t as clever as I had originally believed it to be.

Mirror Driving: Roush’s Posturing, Lapped Cars Jostling & Big-Name Pending Free Agents

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Jack Roush announced he would not seek legal action against Michael Waltrip Racing after MWR admitted it was the team that had been in possession of a “proprietary part,” which happened to be a sway bar, belonging to Roush Fenway Racing. Was there ever merit to his claims, or was it just Roush taking another jab at his new nemesis, Toyota?

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