Race Day Chat – Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono



  • Join Fan4Racing writers for a live Race Day Chat for NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Pennsylvania 400 
  • The Race Day chatroom will open at 12:00pm CDT – the race is scheduled to begin around 12:20pm CDT.
  • You can access this live event in two ways

 

  • On our Fan4Racing facebook page click the – Let’s Talk Chatroom – link just below the cover photo.
  • On Fan4Racing click the – Race Day Chat – page link

 

 

  • This live event is FREE and participants are not required to log-in to be a listener for the event.

 

 

 

  • To participate in the discussion, you may choose to sign-in via your twitter or facebook account, or log-in as a guest – it’s up to you.

 

 

 

  • If you can’t watch this event on TV, this is a great way to still participate and get updates of the Pennsylvania 400 race action. Just bookmark the page on your mobile phone to receive live updates throughout the race.

 

 

 

  • Space is limited, so be sure to arrive early to secure your place in the Race Day Chat discussion.

 

 

 

  • PLEASE NOTE: Once all participants log-off the chatroom, following the race, the discussion will not be saved. Therefore, there are no replays available for this Race Day Chat.

 

 

 

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Pennsylvania 400 Preview

Photo- Getty Images

By Jason Schultz

Race Info
Date- Sunday August 5th, 2012
Location- Long Pond, Pennsylvania
Start time- 1:19 PM EST
Distance- 160 Laps, 400 Miles
Broadcast TV- ESPN
Broadcast Radio- MRN
Weather Forecast
High 79 F Low 68 F
Chance of rain- 30%
Isolated Thunder Storms

Past Race Winners
2011- Brad Keselowski
2010- Greg Biffle
2009- Denny Hamlin
2008- Carl Edwards
2007- Kurt Busch
Notables yet to win Pennsylvania 400
Kasey Kahne
Tony Stewart
Matt Kenseth
Kyle Busch
Kevin Harvick
Martin Truex Jr
Dale Earnhardt Jr
News & Notes
Jimmie Johnson looks to win fourth race of the season
Joey Logano looks to sweep both Pocono races with a win Sunday
Mark Martin looks for redemption after getting passed late in the race at Pocono in June
Newman, Logano could win and move into second wild card spot
If Kyle Busch wins, he will become the holder of the first wild card spot
Edwards, Gordon look to win to get in Wild Card contention and save their seasons
Brad Keselowski looks to win second straight August Pocono race
Dale Earnhardt Jr looks to maintain point’s lead
Kenseth looks to rebound after crash last week
My Fantasy Racing Picks
Group A- Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski
Group B- Mark Martin, Greg Biffle, Joey Logano, Kurt Busch
Group C- Sam Hornish Jr, Aric Almirola
Event Schedule
Cup Series Practice 12:00 PM EST Friday on SPEED
Cup Series Practice 3:30 PM EST Friday on SPEED
Cup Series Qualifying 10:30 AM EST Saturday on ESPN2
Cup Series Race 12:00 PM EST Sunday on ESPN
Next Race– Finger Lakes 355 at the Glen, Watkins Glen International Watkins Glen, New York
Entry List via Nascar.com
CAR
DRIVER
HOMETOWN
MAKE
SPONSOR
OWNER
1
Jamie McMurray
Joplin, MO
Chevrolet
Bass Pro Shops / Allstate
Felix Sabates
2
Brad Keselowski
Rochester Hills, MI
Dodge
Miller Lite
Roger Penske
5
Kasey Kahne
Enumclaw, WA
Chevrolet
Farmers Insurance
Linda Hendrick
9
Marcos Ambrose
Launceston, Tasmania
Ford
Stanley
Richard Petty
10
David Reutimann
Zephyrhills, FL
Chevrolet
Tommy Baldwin Racing
Tommy Baldwin
11
Denny Hamlin
Chesterfield, VA
Toyota
FedEx Ground
J D Gibbs
13
Casey Mears
Bakersfield, CA
Ford
GEICO
Bob Germain
14
Tony Stewart
Rushville, IN
Chevrolet
Office Depot “Back to School”
Margaret Haas
15
Clint Bowyer
Emporia, KS
Toyota
5-hour Energy
Rob Kauffman
16
Greg Biffle
Vancouver, WA
Ford
3M
Jack Roush
17
Matt Kenseth
Cambridge, WI
Ford
Roush Fenway Racing
John Henry
18
Kyle Busch
Las Vegas, NV
Toyota
M&M’s
Joe Gibbs
20
Joey Logano
Middletown, CT
Toyota
The Home Depot
Joe Gibbs
22
Sam Hornish Jr.
Bryan, OH
Dodge
Shell / Pennzoil
Walter Czarnecki
23
Scott Riggs
Bahama, NC
Chevrolet
North Texas Pipe
Robert Richardson
24
Jeff Gordon
Pittsboro, IN
Chevrolet
Drive to End Hunger
Rick Hendrick
26
Josh Wise*
Riverside, CA
Chevrolet
MDS Transport
Jerry Freeze
27
Paul Menard
Eau Claire, WI
Chevrolet
Menards / Serta
Richard Childress
29
Kevin Harvick
Bakersfield, CA
Chevrolet
Budweiser
Richard Childress
30
David Stremme
South Bend, IN
Toyota
Inception Motorsports
Kevin Buckler
31
Jeff Burton
South Boston, VA
Chevrolet
Enersys
Richard Childress
32
John Wes Townley
Watkinsville, GA
Ford
Zaxby’s
Frank Stoddard
33
Stephen Leicht*
Asheville, NC
Chevrolet
Little Joes A
utos.com
Richard Childress
34
David Ragan
Unadilla, GA
Ford
Taco Bell
Bob Jenkins
36
Tony Raines
La Porte, IN
Chevrolet
Tommy Baldwin Racing
Allan Heinke
37
J.J. Yeley
Phoenix, AZ
Chevrolet
Gunselman Motorsports
Larry Gunselman
38
David Gilliland
Riverside, CA
Ford
ModSpace
Brad Jenkins
39
Ryan Newman
South Bend, IN
Chevrolet
Haas Automation
Tony Stewart
42
Juan Montoya
Bogota, Colombia
Chevrolet
Target
Chip Ganassi
43
Aric Almirola
Tampa, FL
Ford
Automotive Lift Institute
Richard Petty
47
Bobby Labonte
Corpus Christi, TX
Toyota
Scott Products
Tad Geschickter
48
Jimmie Johnson
El Cajon, CA
Chevrolet
Lowe’s
Jeff Gordon
51
Kurt Busch
Las Vegas, NV
Chevrolet
Phoenix Construction Services
James Finch
55
Mark Martin
Batesville, AR
Toyota
Aaron’s Dream Machine
Bill Jenkins
56
Martin Truex Jr.
Mayetta, NJ
Toyota
NAPA Auto Parts
Michael Waltrip
78
Regan Smith
Cato, NY
Chevrolet
Furniture Row / Farm American
Barney Visser
83
Landon Cassill
Cedar Rapids, IA
Toyota
Burger King
Thomas Ueberall
87
Joe Nemechek
Lakeland, FL
Toyota
AM / FM Energy Wood & Pellet Stoves
Andrea Nemechek
88
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Kannapolis, NC
Chevrolet
Diet Mountain Dew / National Guard
Rick Hendrick
93
Travis Kvapil
Janesville, WI
Toyota
Burger King
Thomas Ueberall
98
Mike Skinner
Susanville, CA
Ford
TRAQM.com
Mike Curb
99
Carl Edwards
Columbia, MO
Ford
Fastenal
Jack Roush
119
Mike Bliss
Milwaukie, OR
Toyota
Humphrey Smith Racing
Randy Humphrey
191
Reed Sorenson
Peachtree City, GA
Ford
Humphrey Smith Racing
Randy Humphrey
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NOTE: No publishing or redistribution of any content is allowed
unless there is written, documented permission from Fan4Racing

Inside View fo Watkins Glen with The Glen’s President

Photo- Getty ImagesBy Jason Schultz

As the season continues on, we near closer to the second road course race of the season at Watkins Glen. The Glen is always a phenomenal race and after last year’s race, it is a must see race. Last year we saw some spectacular crashes, a first time winner and great racing action. Watkins Glen is a driver favorite track because of the high speeds it offers and especially because of the wineries that surround the region. The race at Watkins Glen has taken on new meaning in the last few years because of the potential for a driver to win and move into the wild card hunt and have a shot at making the Chase. The Glen is also a fan favorite track and track officials expect one of the biggest crowds in track history to show up in a few weeks.
Recently I discussed the changes at the track from the previous year and different aspects of the circuit with Watkins Glen’s president Michael Printup. He gave me some insight on what to expect in the coming race and shared some of his past with the track.

How did you become associated with Watkins Glen International?
 “I have been with International Speedway Corp for 12 years. (I) started off as a VP of another business unit, lobbyist in NYC when we were trying to build a NASCAR facility there, MIS and now here.”
 What changes have been made to Watkins Glen International in preparation for this year’s NASCAR events?
“We have been spending 1-3 million every year making The Glen a better place for the fans. This race properties always need upkeep and we always try to use capex monies to enhance the fan experience.  Better bathrooms/showers, addition to The Glen Club, racetrack improvements for competitors and fans and even an ice cream machine for all of our media.”
 After David Reutimann’s scary crash in turn two in last year’s Sprint Cup Race, what did Watkins Glen International do to improve the turn two wall setup?
“Well, that crash was scary and David is a good friend.  We took the Armco on both sides of the track and pushed it back about 30 feet.  Increased the size and length of the catch fence and added more curbing.”
With only weeks until NASCAR comes to Watkins Glen International, when will a race sponsor be made for the Sprint Cup Race?
 “I have been saying 2 weeks for 3 months. We had a solid deal going in the right direction but I am not so confident right now. We’ll see.”
Are ticket sales up at Watkins Glen for the NASCAR events so far?
“We have been trending in the “black” since last November and we are really proud of that.  We are the only race track in the country that has added seats so right now I am hoping we can sell all of those out!”
How did Watkins Glen International decide on the new grandstand names?
“We sent out on twitter and facebook a note to all or our fans and used a bit old fashion democracy routine.  We let the fans vote on what they wanted.”
 Do you think Watkins Glen would be interested in bringing the Camping World Truck Series to the Glen someday?   
“I would love to have the trucks here but we are working on a few things right now.  We’ll see if we can do that!”
 What do you expect for the coming NASCAR weekend at Watkins Glen?   
“I expect that our team will make all of our fans have the best darn race of the year.  We have had the best racing of all the track(s) the last 3 years and I expect that to continue.  The new short tracks are what some of the media is calling The Glen!  I always look forward in just seeing the smiling faces of our crowd that historically just falls shy of 100k.  That is fun and that is why I have the best job ever.”
 
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NOTE: No publishing or redistribution of any content is allowed
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Inside Look at the Pocono Raceway with the Track President

Photo- Getty Images

By Jason Schultz


Pocono Raceway is a track on the up rise. After the re-pavement of the track last off-season, the track developed a whole new meaning. The track is now faster and smoother which gives fans better racing action. The track is a perfect racers race track. We saw a great race back in June and should see another great one this weekend.
As workers prepare the track for the big weekend, I was able to talk with the President of the raceway, Brandon Igdalsky.  He described to me some of his favorite aspects of the track and gave me some insight to some neat things happening at the Pocono Raceway.

How long have you been around racing? 
“I was born into the family business but started working full time during summers when I was 13.”
What is it like being the president of a track? Are there any hard things to deal with? Any good?
“It’s the greatest job for a fan of the sport.  There are many hard things to deal with on a daily basis.  We go from a sleepy little town and sprout into the 3rd or 4th largest city in the state during events.  We also run approximately 300 other Track Days from April-Nov with our 3 interior road courses.”
 What do you feel is the best quality of the Pocono Raceway? 
“Small town, family owned facility.  Plus we only have 3 turns!”
 What are your favorite changes that have occurred at the Pocono Raceway? 
“The new asphalt!!!”
 Explain how you and Pocono Raceway have been connecting with fans on social media like no other track has done before.
 “We hired a Manager of Digital Marketing, basically a social media guru.  That is his main job.  I also have made it a point on my personal twitter to be very active with fans and build that personal relationship.”
 What are your favorite behind the scenes features at Pocono Raceway that fans on TV can’t see?
“All the work that our team does to prepare for race day!”
In your opinion, what makes Pocono Raceway unique compared to all the other tracks? 
“Other than only having 3 turns is our layout with each corner so different, straights are all different.  We still have that retro feel that made racing what it is today with a touch of modern.”
 One day would you like the NASCAR Nationwide Series racing at Pocono? 
“I would love to see NNS races at Pocono.  The truck series has done so well.  It is always great to see the next stars take their first laps here at Pocono.”
 If the Nationwide Series were to come to Pocono, do you feel like it would have a positive effect on the raceway?
“Of course, more eyes, more drivers!”
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NOTE: No publishing or redistribution of any content is allowed
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