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.

MPM2Nite: When Busch Comes to Shove

April 10, 2023November 10, 2011 Matt McLaughlin

My initial thoughts Friday were that Kyle Busch’s punishment should have involved being lowered by fishing hooks through his scrotum into a vat of battery acid.

Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2011 Texas Fall Race Recap

April 6, 2023November 6, 2011 Matt McLaughlin

If you were watching Sunday’s race as its own unique event, it was a long, tedious afternoon.

MPM2Nite: The Rocket Car

April 6, 2023November 3, 2011 Matt McLaughlin

All of us have that half-formed memory of the first car we recall from our youth. Mine is Mom’s Rocket Car.

Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2011 Martinsville Fall Race Recap

April 4, 2023October 30, 2011 Matt McLaughlin

Motorized mechanical mayhem at Martinsville. Easily the best race of the year.

MPM2Nite: A Matter of Degrees

April 2, 2023October 27, 2011 Matt McLaughlin

I’ve seen better races and worse races than Talladega on Sunday, but I simply can’t recall a single race that pissed more fans off.

Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2011 Talladega Fall Race Recap

March 31, 2023October 24, 2011 Matt McLaughlin

Well NASCAR’s plans to break up the tandem racing with a larger restrictor plate and lower pressure cooling systems didn’t work too well, did it?

MPM2Nite: November 15, 1992

March 28, 2023October 20, 2011 Matt McLaughlin

Sometimes the magic was real and for three hours, 44 minutes and 20 seconds on Nov. 15, 1992, it took our collective breath away.

Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2011 Charlotte Fall Race Recap

March 24, 2023October 16, 2011 Matt McLaughlin

Thank God for the SAFER barriers and the HANS device. Jimmie Johnson’s wreck looked horribly similar to a certain last-lap wreck in the 2001 Daytona 500.

MPM2Nite: The Slippery Slope Slickens

March 23, 2023October 13, 2011 Matt McLaughlin

Little has been made of some potentially troubling developments that took place at Kansas long after most people had drifted off for an autumn’s afternoon nap.

Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2011 Kansas Fall Race Recap

March 21, 2023October 10, 2011 Matt McLaughlin

Jimmie Johnson easily aced Kasey Kahne on the green-white-checkered restart to score the win.