MPM2Nite: Quick Notes On The Onset Of The Ice Age
Winter maintains its icy grip over a large swath of the nation including here in Guthriesville. I just wanted to clear some things off my … Continue Reading
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.
MPM2Nite: The Circus Is Back In Town
Editor’s Note: A legend returns. Please join our happy Frontstretch family in welcoming back Matt McLaughlin for a Mark Martin-like “limited schedule” of columns! This … Continue Reading
April Fool’s Turned Tragic: Alan Kulwicki’s Death, 20 Years Later
Though it was not all that long ago in the grand scheme of things, the Winston Cup circuit was very different back in the late 1970s and early ’80s.
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: Bristol-1 Race Recap
*The Key Moment* – Brad Keselowski, the race leader, never got up to speed on the final restart, allowing Kasey Kahne and Kyle Busch to pass him before the first corner. While Keselowski and Busch battled over second, Kahne drove off to a win.
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2013 Daytona 500 Race Recap
Jimmie Johnson made the most of his 400th career start, edging ahead of Brad Keselowski just as the final caution flag flew. That gave the No. 48 entry the preferred outside groove for the final restart, where it was all over after that. (Finally.)
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2012 Richmond Fall Race Recap
On lap 313, Clint Bowyer managed to pass Ryan Newman and he never yielded that position the rest of the night.
MPM2Nite: One Tin Soldier Rides Away…
Regretfully, gentle readers, this will likely be my last commentary column, at least for the foreseeable future. I’ve been at this NASCAR writing gig for … Continue Reading
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2012 Watkins Glen Race Recap
This one wasn’t over until the checkered flag was thrown. Wow.
Blackhawk Down: NASCAR Conspiracy Theorists Run Amok
After Sunday’s race, as I sat down to write my recap I was on edge because I was already hearing rumors some fans had been struck by lightning and some of those individuals were badly hurt. (Tragically, we know now that Brian Zimmerman, a 41-year-old married father of three lost his life.) I immediately focused on that story and began calling friends I knew had been in the grandstands to ensure they were safe. But elsewhere on the Internet and in Twitterville (which I am rapidly learning is a lot less friendly place than Who-ville or Margaritaville), a cauldron was boiling over as more fuel was added to the fire by people hiding behind funny screen names. (I’ve been asked, so my Twitter handle mcmatt76 was chosen because “Matt McLaughlin” and “Mcmatt” were already in use. The “McMatt” part should be obvious. The 76 was added because a picture of my 1976 Trans-Am hangs over my desk.)
Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2012 Pocono Summer Race Recap
Jimmie Johnson, who had dominated the race, had his car get out from under him on the final restart and collected second-place Matt Kenseth. From there, it was on.