Sam Hornish Jr. Archives - Page 17 Of 31

Frontstretch Fantasy Insider: Taking Gasoline Alley By Storm

December 1, 2020July 22, 2009 By Frontstretch Staff

Last year’s “race” at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was one of the sorriest excuses for a sporting event NASCAR has ever sanctioned, but none of that takes away from the fact the Sprint Cup Series is heading to one of motorsports’ most hallowed venues in Indianapolis. Regardless of what type of racing this year’s 400 will bring, have no doubt that all 43 teams on the track this weekend will be bringing a little something extra as they attempt to etch their name permanently on Gasoline Alley. And just as Goodyear has (reportedly) resolved their tire issues, leave it to the Frontstretch Fantasy Insider to resolve any issues your roster may have heading into the Indianapolis weekend.

2009 Driver Report Cards, Part II: Grading Dale Jr. & The Rest

November 30, 2020July 21, 2009 By Frontstretch Staff

Continuing on from yesterday’s review, it’s time for Professors Danny and Tom to grade those drivers sitting at the back of the class. Whether it’s some bad racing luck, poor chemistry with a crew chief, or just plain awful driving, most of these guys from 21st on back have endured a season they’d like to forget. As the upcoming summer stretch heats up, those unlucky enough to be a part of this list won’t be fighting to make the Chase; instead, they’ll be working to save their jobs, explaining to unhappy sponsors and owners how things didn’t go as planned. But in the midst of this group are a handful of diamonds in the rough, wheelmen overachieving with single-car teams overmatched from the start against the multi-car powerhouses. Just which of these underdogs stood out above the rest? Read below to find out as our two-part midseason report card series comes to a close.

Running Their Mouth: 2009 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma

November 25, 2020June 22, 2009 By Beth Lunkenheimer

Each week, we’ll go through media reports, interviews, PR and all of our own stuff to find the best quotes from the Sprint Cup race, capturing the story of how the weekend unfolded. It’s the most original commentary you’ll ever find: the truth, coming straight out of the mouths of the drivers, crew members and car owners themselves. This week, here’s a peek at what the drivers were thinking following the Toyota / SaveMart 350 at Infineon Raceway.

Frontstretch Fantasy Insider: Finding What Luck is Left in the Irish Hills

November 23, 2020June 10, 2009 By Frontstretch Staff

As the Sprint Cup Series turns to the Michigan International Speedway, teams and fans alike will find themselves in the faces of America’s former automotive giants, harshly reminded of the economic tumult that has driven the country into a deep recession. Speaking of giants, look for NASCAR’s giant teams to dominate the weekend. Michigan’s long, wide racing surface places a premium on horsepower, and is a place where the teams that have an intermediate package will clearly outshine the have-nots.

Running Their Mouth: 2009 Pocono 500

November 23, 2020June 8, 2009 By Beth Lunkenheimer

Running Their Mouth: 2009 Autism Speaks 400 at Dover

November 23, 2020June 1, 2009 By Beth Lunkenheimer

Bubble Breakdown: 2-Tire Pit Stop Has Sam Hornish Jr. Driving Away From Top 35

November 23, 2020May 31, 2009 By Frontstretch Staff

News from the bubble this week primarily dealt with Robby Gordon’s rear end and whether NASCAR’s method of handing out penalties is fair or not. Gordon was docked 50 owner and driver points and crew chief Kirk Almquist was fined $50,000 this week after post-race inspection at Lowe’s found their rear axle housing exceeded the maximum specified toe of plus or minus one degree. Neither the driver nor crew chief was suspended as a result of the inspection, however, while in the previous week, driver Carl Long was given a 12-race suspension, got docked 200 owner/driver points, and his crew chief was fined $200,000 for an engine at a non-points race that exceeded NASCAR’s 358-cubic inch requirement by just .17 inches. Seems to me one guy got off a little easy while another one got bent right over the woodpile…. To see if Robby could make up the penalty at Dover or if the drivers outside the Top 35 would make up some ground on him, read on in this week’s edition of the Bubble Breakdown.

Frontstretch Fantasy Insider: Bristol on the Juice… How to Survive Delaware’s Monster Mile

November 22, 2020May 27, 2009 By Frontstretch Staff

Leaving the Beast of the Southeast behind in a flood of rain, the Cup circuit heads to the aptly titled “Monster Mile” that is Dover International Speedway, a 1-mile high-banked concrete oval that lives up to its reputation as a Bristol on steroids. The high-speed facility is one of the more treacherous circuits on the Cup schedule, with its slippery concrete surface, narrow exit off the corners, and boilerplate metal walls. Just as in the track’s adjacent casino, the stakes will be high this weekend – and the Frontstretch Fantasy Insider is going to be right there with you to count the cards.

Bubble Breakdown: Rain Plays Into the Hands of Robby Gordon While Scott Riggs Rains on Baldwin’s Parade

November 22, 2020May 25, 2009 By Frontstretch Staff

Well the 24 Hours of Charlotte finally came to an end late Monday afternoon and the 50th running of the Coca-Cola 600 was dominated by Kyle Busch and the weather. The race never went green on Sunday and suffered rain delays again on Monday before finally being called and producing a surprise winner. So to see which bubble teams gambled on the weather and won, and which wound up all wet, read this week’s edition of the Bubble Breakdown.

Frontstretch Fantasy Insider: Taming the Beast of the Southeast

November 21, 2020May 20, 2009 By Frontstretch Staff

With the All-Star Race behind us, it’s back to points racing with one of NASCAR’s most prestigious and demanding events, the season’s only 600-mile race. Since its repaving, Lowe’s Motor Speedway has been home to fast and treacherous competition, with side by side in the corners proving next to impossible to control for drivers struggling with the handling of their racecars. A true test of man and machine, Sunday’s race will be a battle of attrition and adjustment as the track transitions from day to night. But just like Jeff Gordon’s back, the Frontstretch Fantasy Insider is ready to get your fantasy teams through 600 miles… and when our picks go three-wide, expect them to come out unscathed.