NASCAR on TV this week

Tracking The Trucks: NextEra Energy Resources 250

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*In a Nutshell:* Johnny Sauter waited patiently, spending the first half of the race riding in the back while others took their turn out front. After going 4-for-4 on wrecks at Daytona during his career, he dodged them, scuttled out front on Lap 85 and used teammate Todd Bodine to hold on for his first ever victory at Daytona.

*Who Should Have Won:* *Ty Dillon.* Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 truck was dominant during the first half of the race; in all, Dillon led three times for a race-high 56 laps. But as wrecks popped up during the second half, Dillon lost track position and fell towards the back half of the top 10. Whether others had recognized Dillon’s speed or the sophomore just made some bad moves, he was never able to assert himself up front when it counted down the stretch. Dillon, who finished sixth has to be sitting there this Saturday morning wondering what could have been.

The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2013 Budweiser Duels at Daytona

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The Duels aren’t points races, so nobody saw their title hopes go up in flames like you might see at Talladega in October. However, the week’s activities did leave a few drivers behind the eight-ball to start the season. In particular, Carl Edwards has suffered what could be an early season blow, beginning with a hard crash in preseason Daytona testing. Last week, practicing for the Sprint Unlimited, Edwards wrecked his car for that race, forcing him to go to his Daytona 500 backup. His team made preparations to return to Charlotte for a replacement, which was a smart move because they’d need it: Edwards suffered another practice crash before having his primary car turned into sheet metal spaghetti in the first Duel.

Voices From the Cheap Seats: Sex, Lies and Video Tape in NASCAR

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Danica Patrick’s historic capture of this year’s Daytona 500 pole position couldn’t have come at a better time for NASCAR. After all, we all know that when it comes to the marketplace, sex certainly sells. I mean, who among the male fan base doesn’t like a fast woman? Congratulations, Danica! Here’s to hoping you don’t become fast and loose… a seemingly recurring theme with these new Gen-6 cars.

Not to be outdone in the “selling sex” department, Michael Waltrip Racing has hired Christmas Abbot (I know, my first thought was of Holiday Monks, too…) as a full-time pit crew member for their Sprint Cup operation. Abbot stands five foot, three inches tall and tips the scales at 115 fat-free pounds.

Nuts For Nationwide: 2013 Season Preview, Part Two

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In part two of the 2013 Nationwide Series preview, let’s take a look at the drivers I expect to finish in the top 10 of the overall points standings. Check out part one of the preview “here!”:https://frontstretch.com/krutherford/42330/

10. Brian Scott

After a tenure with Joe Gibbs Racing, Scott moves over to Richard Childress Racing, effectively switching rides with Elliott Sadler. I’ve seen some improvement from the Idaho native over the years, culminating thus far with two top-5 finishes and 11 top 10s in 2012. But I want to see more. A change of pace may be what he needs, and now, he’s paired with a team that nearly won the championship two years in a row. I’d rank him higher, as a result but there’s still a lot of unknowns with Scott, who has yet to win in the series.

Frontstretch Foto Funnies: Put ‘Em Up!

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_Welcome to the Frontstretch Foto Funnies! Ever see a photo that’s just begging for a caption? We see them all the time! Each week, we’ll pick a few, and our let our staff give it their best shot. Then we’ll post the best ones for you!_

_Want to get in on the fun? Each week, we’ll also designate one of the photos for fan captions. Leave your best ideas in the comments below or on our Facebook page. We’ll choose our favorite one and reprint the photo next week with its new caption! This week’s Fan Foto is Photo No. 2 (the one with Jeff Burton with his dukes up). Ready, set…caption that!_

Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2013 Budweiser Duel 150s at Daytona

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Duel One – Kevin Harvick thought it was time to go, prior to the first green-flag pit stop of the race and he went, blowing by Trevor Bayne on Lap 37. That was pretty much all she wrote. The field spent the rest of the day simply trying to lap up Harvick’s beer exhaust, the Bud Chevy in another time zone just like the Sprint Unlimited Saturday night.

Duel Two – Jeff Gordon led. Then he sped… on pit road, so Kyle Busch pretty much took control from there. Kasey Kahne tried, and failed on the last lap to make a charge as teammate Matt Kenseth served as sacrificial lamb for Busch’s second career Duel victory.