By Matt McLaughlin

Matt joined Frontstretch in 2007 after a decade of race-writing, paired with the first generation of racing internet sites like RaceComm and Racing One. Now semi-retired, he submits occasional special features while his retrospectives on drivers like Alan Kulwicki, Davey Allison, and other fallen NASCAR legends pop up every summer on Frontstretch. A motorcycle nut, look for the closest open road near you and you can catch him on the Harley during those bright, summer days in his beloved Pennsylvania.

Beside the Rising Tide: Dear NBC… Part II

August 14, 2020June 16, 2015 Matt McLaughlin

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Editor’s Note: This column is the second of a three-part series Matt’s writing about the pending return of NBC to covering the sport full-time. Come …

Beside the Rising Tide: Dear NBC… Part I

August 14, 2020June 15, 2015 Matt McLaughlin

Editor’s Note: This column is the first of a three-part series Matt’s writing about the pending return of NBC to covering the sport full-time. Come …

Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2015 Pocono Spring Race Recap

August 15, 2020June 8, 2015 Matt McLaughlin

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Editor’s Note: Mike Neff, who usually writes these things these days, was called away by an important assignment at the last minute and asked if …

Beside the Rising Tide: Chasing the Blue Away

August 15, 2020June 4, 2015 Matt McLaughlin

All right gentle readers, huddle up. Today we’re going to talk about an unpleasant topic and one that will incite fear or loathing for many …

Beside the Rising Tide: Tired of All This

August 15, 2020June 1, 2015 Matt McLaughlin

There’s an increasing number of media pundits and plain old race fans who are calling for Dover to lose one or both of its race …

MPM2Nite: Rating The Ratings

August 16, 2020May 30, 2015 Matt McLaughlin

By now, most of you know this year’s Indy 500 drew higher Nielsen TV ratings (4.1) than the World 600 (3.8) for the first time …

MPM2Nite: And the Winner Ain’t…

August 21, 2020May 11, 2015 Matt McLaughlin

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Talk about a perfect storm for a NASCAR TV ratings disaster. Start with an event slated to run on Saturday night, a time slot that …

MPM2Nite: The Daytona Beach Orchestra

August 22, 2020May 4, 2015 Matt McLaughlin

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Sunday’s Talladega event was notable as one of the tamer such affairs run at the track though in this instance, tame is not to be …

MPM2Nite: Bits & Pieces from the NASCAR Notebook

August 27, 2020April 20, 2015 Matt McLaughlin

Photo Credit: Amy Henderson, Frontstretch

Fans watching both at home and in the grandstands at Bristol this weekend might be forgiven for feeling like Alice had hand-fed them some mushrooms …

RCR To Appeal NMAP Decision to Final Appeals Officer

August 27, 2020April 20, 2015 Matt McLaughlin

(Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch)

Richard Childress Racing has decided to appeal the reduced P5 penalties issued April 16th by a three-person National Motorsports Appeals panel. Originally Luke Lambert, crew …