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Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:29 PM)

Chatting with you this week from Oxnard, Calif, where the Cowboys are training. Had a nice chat with Magic Johnson at practice yesterday. Actually met him at the Vegas race in '07. On to race talk...

Brandon Curtin (Crystal Lake IL)

When do you think Carl Edwards will win his first points championship?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:30 PM)

Brandon, we might get that answer in three months. I think out of Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Edwards, one of those guys is going to win the Cup. I will save my weekly rankings of five most likely to win the Chase for later in the chat. But Edwards' four wins (I know he only gets 30 bonus points instead of 40)put him in the discussion.

josh ( park city)

know that jj yeley is out at hof racing, why did they let raines go in the first place? the guy clearly had the 96 car in the top 35 every year he was there. and jj couldnt even compete in a gibbs racing car. ( and i know you cant compare him to kyle but he was awful there too)

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:31 PM)

Well, Josh, I was one of the people who was fooled by Yeley. I thought he was maybe just too inexperienced when he was at Gibbs. I know Jeff Moorad thought he would be a significant upgrade because Raines really didn't compete. But it didn't happen. One-car teams just have a rough time.

Schme Boyard (Maniitsoq, Greenland)

DEI finally re-signed Truex jr. Do you think they'll go after a free agent like Casey Mears to replace a current driver (Regan Smith for example). P.S. Will you ever be on ATH again?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:33 PM)

It is great to know people are watching Around the Horn in Greenland! Who knew? Yes, I am on today, taped it in LA a couple hours ago. Back to DEI. I think Mears actually will have better options. Even though he has essentially failed at Hendrick, there are openings at Childress and Penske. I would go to either of those (especially RCR) over DEI, if i was Casey.

Sam(phoniex, arizona)

As of now what driver do you seee missing the chase?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:34 PM)

I think Bowyer is going to slip out of the Chase and Kenseth is going to get in. I don't rule out Ragan but I can't see anyone else falling out of the top 12 right now. Thought Stewart might with all of the distractions but that second at Pocono saved him.

Dylan (Rochester, Ny)

Other than Tony Stewart is Juan Pablo Montoya the man to beat this weekend?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:35 PM)

Stewart, JPM and Gordon maybe. And don't forget the guy who won the first road race. Not to mention six others this year.

Jake (Orlando, FL)

I read that Truex worked out a deal with DEI for next year "with future plans in store"... does that mean he just agreed to the 1 year option or will it be a 2 or 3 year contract?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:36 PM)

He has agreed for next year just to settle down the talk of his leaving. And they were working on making it multi-year, so we don't go through the same speculation next year.

Griffin (Memphis TN)

Do you think Jef Burton has a shot at winning the Sprint Cup?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:37 PM)

My honest answer would be no. I guess everyone in it has a chance and Burton winning would not be more surprising than kurt Busch winning the first one in '04. But Burton has tailed off the last month and his lack of wins hurts him.

William (Kyle Busch Nation)

Kyle won 3 races at chase tracks earlier this year. Plus he won Chicago which is most comparable to Kansas. Plus he finished in the top 3 at two more. Two others he finished in the top 10 and has previously won at the tracks. That leaves Martinsville and Homestead and he's traditionally done best at short tracks so really that leaves just Homestead as a problem track. He has at least a 40 point lead going in...HOW IS HE NOT THE PROHIBITIVE FAVORITE?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:39 PM)

Good to hear from Kyle Busch nation, I get a lot of posts from Busch haters. I do have to respect the man, and I think everyone does now. But I can't make anyone the prohibitive favorite if Jimmie Johnson is in the mix. He has won 11 of 40 Chase races. Pretty sure no other driver has more than four. That's quite a disparity.

Tom (Danbury,CT)

Are Vickers chances gone for the chase after he wasn't able to capitalize at his best track last weekend?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:39 PM)

I am afraid so, Tom. Indy and Pocono pretty much ruined his chances. He has enjoyed a nice season, though.

Rich (Pittsburgh, PA)

Do you think its a possibility for JPM to get out of his Contract with Ganassi and jump into the 4th seat at RCR?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:40 PM)

Rich, I have not heard anything to that effect. I know he wasn't thrilled with the crew chief changes and some members of his team didn't understand those changes, either. But he's pretty much all Ganassi has in Cup racing, so I don't see it.

eddie (ma)

what else does kyle busch do to be hated? watched the whole pre-race show at pocono and they mentioned him maybe once...

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:41 PM)

Maybe they were just tired of talking about him, I don't know. He has received plenty of ink and pub this year. All deserved.

Cory, Geneva, IL

It seems despite all of the apparent anger towards Kyle Busch, no one has done anything on the track. Any chance they are waiting for the chase when a DNF could be much more costly?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:43 PM)

I don't see any drivers doing something intentional to take Kyle out of a race. The hate for him tends to be exaggerated.

Mike (Long Island)

Allmendinger is under 100 points now from getting the 84 in the top 35. Do you think he gets it done?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:44 PM)

Mike, he has had a couple of good finishes to move in the right direction. Red Bull hasn't picked up his option yet so he doesn't know what his future is.

Jeff (East Bay, CA)

Timmy...Newman have any shot this week? Also...can you throw us some insight on the Newman-Rusty Wallace mutual dislike that seems to have gotten a bit of press lately (aka your Power Rankings)

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:48 PM)

Newman only has one top five in six runs at Watkins Glen so I don't give him a great chance. Rusty and Ryan have been at it for a long time but it's mostly been quiet and private. Rusty's very loyal to Penske and so when Newman parted ways, it wasn't that surprising that Wallace took a shot at him. He feels like he was just expressing the truth.

Jeff (East Bay, CA...but heading to Kyle Busch Nation)

Best reason to like Kyle Busch...cause arrogant Hendrick Motorsports fans hate him.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:48 PM)

Wow KB Nation really seems to be growing this week . This is an interesting development.

Jake (Orlando, FL)

Do you think DEI has any hope of returning to any kind of multiple car prominence or even contention?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:49 PM)

Well, DEI has never had multiple-car prominence. There was a time when both Junior and Waltrip were good on the restrictor plate tracks but other teams caught up a few years ago. They are pleased that Menard has made some steady progress, but obviously they have to hope that Truex gets back into the Chase next season. The 150-point penalty last month obviously killed his chances.

Eugene Horne

Do you think Dale Jr will win any more races in 08 why or why not

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:54 PM)

If I had to bet one way or the other, I would go with a win. He's only had the one win but he easily could have three or four. Just needs to do a better job finishing those races where he has one of the two or three best cars. It will happen.

Kaleb(Fargo)

Do you think Petty Enterprises will ever get a car in the chase it seems as though Boston Ventures is willing to put some money out there to be competitive

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:56 PM)

Well, yeah, that's the idea. That company wouldn't be pouring millions into Petty if it thought they weren't going to do more than see Bobby Labonte run 20th. But it's not going to happen overnight. Or next year.

sam smoky mtns

which of the hired guns will finish higher at watkins glen?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:57 PM)

You know I am going to go with my man, Boris Said.

casper

junior seems to struggle every restart... why is he so bad at them.. youd think by now he'd have gotten better.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:57 PM)

I can't say that he consistently struggles on restarts. Anyone who isn't out front runs the risk of getting a bad restart in these cars.

Chris (Richmond, VA)

Any chance RGM goes to two cars in '09?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:58 PM)

I haven't heard anything to that effect. Would need an influx of money for sure.

Kaleb(Fargo)

better ride Penske 12 or RCR 33?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (4:59 PM)

Although I think the Penske team should be performing better than they are this year, I would go with RCR. I think they can field a strong four-car team in '09.

TONY (KEIZER, OREGON)

any tips for my 7 year old who is getting into gocart racing? also, do you think jeff gordon will win another cup, or has he gotten to complacent with his new life?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (5:00 PM)

As for the seven-year-old, keep your helmet on. And eat healthy (lighter means faster). As for Gordon, I wouldn't say he's complacent although he is certainly very happy with his new life. He might not have the singular focus he had 10 years ago, but Gordon really wants to win. And I think he will win one more before he is done.

casper

chase starts today, you gotta bet the house on the 99, 48, or 18.. wheres your money goin

Tim Cowlishaw

  (5:02 PM)

Great question, Casper. My money would go on the 48. And my order for top five (a weekly staple of these chats) would be: 1. Johnson; 2. Busch; 3. Edwards; 4. Gordon; 5. Harvick. Let me hear from some of you on the 99-48-18 question. I won't post them all but I will add them up and give you the results when we're done 20 minutes from now.

junior nation

how in the @#!% do you put harvick fith?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (5:06 PM)

Just wanted to see if anyone was paying attention, Nation. Harvick was very good early this year -- left Texas in second place -- then that team wandered in teh dakness for about 10 races and fell all the way out of the top 12. Now they are back in and moving up. Just kind of a dark horse pick ahead of Junior.

josh

why wouldnt red-bull pick up there option on almindinger? at the begining of the year i could see why. since then he has stepped it up. in my opinion for most improved driver this year has to go to him and ragan.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (5:07 PM)

Marty Smith's door-to-door (a must read every week) has a good explanation. Decisions are made by Red Bull out of Austria. They aren't always in touch with what's going on in the shop at North Carolina. I think they eventually will pick it up.

casper

as far as age goes in nascar.. when would you consider a drivers 'prime' to be.. and wen do you feel like they drop off.i've always wondered wat getting older did to driving ability, outside of aggressiveness, i wouldnt think much

Tim Cowlishaw

  (5:09 PM)

Great question. Clearly, there is not an across the board answer. Martin's still pretty good at 49. Others drop off in their late 30s. I think a little of the fearlessness that young drivers take for granted gets lost over the years. I'm not saying drivers are necessarily scared. They just lose a little edge, are willing to play it safer even if they don't recognize that's what they are doing.

Kevin (Boston, MA)

Tim, even though NASCAR claims the COT can be run anywhere, do the teams tend to have road course cars or will they use what is currently not torn up?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (5:11 PM)

They still have multiple cars, they just can't make the significant adjustments that they made in the past. Looking forward to this race, by the way, it was one of the most entertaining last season.

TONY (KEIZER, OREGON)

woooohooooo Tim, about a month ago i ask you the question how to get my son into racing, i just received a phone call from safeway,,,,,he now has a sponsor,,,,wooooohoooooo

Tim Cowlishaw

  (5:11 PM)

Very good, Tony. Good luck.

Chris (Richmond, VA)

Has NASCAR given any consideration to the option of a specific point system to the 12 Chase drivers in the last 10 races? (I think Tony proposed this last year.)

Tim Cowlishaw

  (5:12 PM)

They have talked about things but don't see a need to make adjustments. I still think the top driver should get 25 points for being the leader through 26 races. I know you think that would give Kyle an insurmountable lead, but it really wouldn't. A lead of 60-70 points is really nothing in a ten-race playoff.

Amber (Richmond, VA)

How many Toyotas can I hope to see in the chase? Only the three JGR teams? What would it take for Vickers to be in the Chase? With phenom sliced bread in the 20 next year, do you think all 3 JGR teams will be in the Chase in 2009?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (5:14 PM)

Good questions, Amber. Don't think Vickers can get it done now, not after 42nd at Indy and 28th at Pocono. So the three Gibbs drivers will make it this year. Do I pick Logano to make the Chase next year at age 19? I have to say no, although I wouldn't put it past him. And if he has Zippy as crew chief, who knows?

TONY (KEIZER, OREGON)

just remember last year boys, gordon had a huge lead going into the chase, that 25 points would have done him no good

Tim Cowlishaw

  (5:16 PM)

That's what I mean. I think he deserved the points, but Johnson would have won anyway. Doesn't really matter what system is in place when one driver wins four races in a row.

Bill (Winchester, VA)

Do you think if Jimmie Johnson were to win the cup this year, for the 3rd straight time, that NASCAR will consider doing away with the chase? I mean, the whole reason of NASCAR introducing the chase was to make it more exciting, right??? Well, I've found it far from exciting and in all honesty, I think a few of the titles didn't go to the REAL CHAMP!!!

Tim Cowlishaw

  (5:17 PM)

No, they will never go back to what they had. The last thing they want is to have everyone know who is going to win the title when football season begins. They have enough problems maintaining their audience in the fall, they need the playoff feel to carry it.

Mark (Mount Airy, MD)

Hey Tim, have you heard anything about the rumor of Ganassi and Waltrip racing merging????? If so, would they be Toyotas or Dodges?????

Tim Cowlishaw

  (5:19 PM)

The rumor is out there but haven't seen any real details. Assume they would go to Toyota. That's where the equipment is.

TONY (KEIZER, OREGON)

around the horn barber shop,,,,tell woody to do it on his own time

Tim Cowlishaw

  (5:21 PM)

Didn't work for you, huh? I will withhold comment.

casper

with gm making cutbacks.. are the chevy teams (hms and rcr, i guess dei) going to fall behind the toyotas?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (5:22 PM)

That's a very real risk, GM has said it needs to cut $10 billion and is already dropping some of its sponsorships of tracks. Not that Toyota is doing great in the era of $4 gas, either, but lots of Chevy folks are concerned.

Chris (Richmond, VA)

Which driver would you like to hang out with and have a beer?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (5:23 PM)

Gordon...if he brings Ingrid.

TONY (KEIZER, OREGON)

dont forget, whats the count on 48,18 or 99

Tim Cowlishaw

  (5:24 PM)

I didn't forget, Tony. And the winner by a 4-to-1 margin is Jimmie Johnson. Thanks, everyone, I will be back to chat and what Kyle Busch Nation is thinking next week. Travel safe.Courage.