Buzzmaster

  (1:30 PM)

We've got Randy!

fran (alabama)

How good of a season is Kyle putting together? One of the best ever?

Randy LaJoie

  (1:31 PM)

You look at Jeff Gordon's, Jimmie Johnson's, Petty's, all of the premier NASCAR drivers have all had seasons as good as Kyle's putting together. He's 8 wins in and there are still 14 races to go. He's having a phenomenal year for that race team.

KK (Sacto)

How about an over-under on Kyle Busch wins this year? I'm saying 11.

Randy LaJoie

  (1:32 PM)

12-13 is what I see. Right now, due to the fact that Edwards and Johnson are really the only two cars that can compete at their level.

David Fuller (Marion, NY)

It's great to have you doing commentary for ESPN, you're one of the best. (Some great jokes too.) Do you think NASCAR needs to limit the number of races a Cup team can run in Nationwide?

Randy LaJoie

  (1:33 PM)

That's a decade old debate of if they do, they wouldn't have a Nationwide Series, because you have a dozen Cup affiliated teams in. We'd have half the amount of racers in the field.

Wes (Idaho)

Not a NASCAR question, but I was curious, as someone involved in another sport, do you watch any of the Olympics?

Randy LaJoie

  (1:34 PM)

I have been watching. The American swimmers are doing wonderful. The basketball players should be doing wonderful and are. I'm not a gymnast, but I'll be watching, that's for sure. Go USA!

Wanda, Fort Worth

Junior's strategy on sunday? Worthy gamble or boneheaded move?

Randy LaJoie

  (1:35 PM)

It was definitely not the strategy that they would do again, I believe. Strategy-wise, they took a bad situation when they had a flat tire and made it into a top 10. Junior had problems with the car. So, yeah, it was a bonehead move.

Jack (Burleson, Texas)

How hard would it be to run on rain tires at bigger tracks like Texas Motor Speedway?

Randy LaJoie

  (1:36 PM)

I would reccommend a test until NASCAR and the Nationwide Series get the rain package, tires, wipers figured out. They should get it all figured out. If it rains, set them up and go, that's why they have rain tires.

Mike (Columbia, MO)

What are the chances KB falls apart in the chase like Gordon did in 07?

Randy LaJoie

  (1:37 PM)

History usually repeats itself. The first year of the Chase, Gordon had the best season before the chase. Can that happen again? Absolutely. This team has been lucky. They've been performing well in pit road. It only takes one problem to take them out of an event. If they have one problem for three weeks, that takes them out of the picture.

Ted (New Jersey)

After how he has run this year, how disappointing would it be if Kyle did not win the Chase?

Randy LaJoie

  (1:39 PM)

It would be disappointing if you're a Kyle Busch fan. But the reason they did the chase is to put some excitement to it. It's going to happen. They put some bonuses in there, so he has an advantage going in. There are 10 events and 10 different venues. There are no gaurantees in this sport. Even though he has a dominant season in the first 26...that's why I think NASCAR needs to have some sort of reward for winning the first part of the season.

Buzz (Pompano Beach)

Randy, give me your top three in order to win the Cup title.

Randy LaJoie

  (1:40 PM)

Favorites....the 18 is probably the dominant car I've seen this year so far. That team. I think they've spent less time on pit road than any other. Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson are there too. Tony Stewart wants to win a championship before leaving Gibbs.

Bill, Greensboro

Only 44 cars on the entry list this week. Do you see a point where we get down to 43 or less?

Randy LaJoie

  (1:41 PM)

I don't think less than 43 in the Cup Series, because it's too lucrative to get 43rd place money. That pays more than winning a Nationwide event. They're saying that Nationwide might drop down to a smaller field.

evan cincinnati

Randy was sunday really another Eury jr. mistake or more a case of misfortune. What are your thoughts?

Randy LaJoie

  (1:43 PM)

It was a bad mistake. It was a bad strategy. I'm not the best strategic person. I always left that to someone else. The only time I got involved when was it was wrong and I would say, "that's not how I would have done it." After lap 60, there's always a caution flag, so for them banking on that there wouldn't be one, they didn't do their homework.

Jeff (East Bay, CA)

Any updates on possible sponsors on the #4 car for Newman?

Randy LaJoie

  (1:43 PM)

That 4 car hasn't been decided yet. Until they announce it, I'm not going to speculate, because I don't want to be wrong.

David Fuller (Marion, NY)

What is your most proudest racing moment?

Randy LaJoie

  (1:45 PM)

The championships. To win a NASCAR North one and two NASCAR South ones. To get the trophy and walk through the garage as a champion. Now, I get a lot of joy from getting calls from customers Monday morning saying I saved someone's life because of our product.

Mike (Columbia, MO)

With Smoke and Newman on board, how much success will Stewart-Haas have in 09?

Randy LaJoie

  (1:46 PM)

As good as race car drivers as those two are, it takes time as a team and Haas Racing team is not as good as Gibbs, Rousch, Hendricks as the others that have been around for years. They might blister everybody, but I think they'll struggle for personnel. The 18 team has been together for three years. Same crew chief, tire changers. That's where you get speed. They are going to struggle. As good as they are at driving, their teams aren't going to be as good as the ones they're competing against.

Patrick (Agawam Mass)

Kyle Busch aside, how is the competetive balance among manufacturers in your view?

Randy LaJoie

  (1:48 PM)

It's really close. When you look at the race finishes, you look at Toyota who's really dominant this year, but that's the Gibbs factor. Putting their label with them was a home run for them. RCR is a little bit behind. Kasey Kahne has won a couple. Dodge camp is a little bit weak for cars. Parity among the manufacturers is about as good as it's ever been.

Craig (SoCal)

What is your take on the crash yesterday? What has NASCAR said about the incident and possible retaliation?

Randy LaJoie

  (1:49 PM)

I think NASCAR views this as being over and done with. It was a bad deal. When drivers put on a helmet, move you out of the way, your first instinct is to get the guy. I think David wanted the 00 to go into the fence not himself. There was going to be a wreck.

Jack (Burleson, Texas)

So should NASCAR just be ready to run on rain tires for Cup events at the two road courses every year?

Randy LaJoie

  (1:50 PM)

Not yet. Until they can get the vision figured out, where drivers don't have vision troubles. It's so hard to test for vision in the rain. Until the Nationwide cars and the trucks figured out...if they do get it figured out, I think all the road courses should be run in the rain.

JD (Boston)

I have never seen a multi car wreck like that on a road course-have you?

Randy LaJoie

  (1:51 PM)

When it happened where it happened, a very narrow point in the track and spotters are far away. You've got a blind corner with a lot of speed and the road is narrow. I'm sure guys will have spotters in that corner for next year.

Alan (Albany, NY)

Who is a better driver right now, Johnson or Gordon? Is it just the 48 team is better or has Johnson surpassed him?

Randy LaJoie

  (1:52 PM)

Is Jeff still racing? Jimmie and that race team are doing a far better job than the 24 team is.

Jimmy, Johnson City

So who gets the ride in the No. 45 next year assuminbg Kyle goes to part-time at most?

Randy LaJoie

  (1:53 PM)

I think they give Chad McCumby a chance. He needs a chance. He has a good head on his shoulders.

David Fuller (Marion, NY)

Do you think Brad Keselowski has a chance at winning the Nationwide championship this year?

Randy LaJoie

  (1:54 PM)

There's about five guys that have a chance to win it. I came back from 200 points down with 10 races to go, so I use that as a guage. There are a lot of guys in the race. Clint Bowyer hasn't raced well recently. So if they don't get back on it, then yes, Brad could win the championship.

Justin (Pella IA)

If you started a race team, where would you look for a young driver...open wheel or lower stock car divisions...seems like either way is a crapshoot!

Randy LaJoie

  (1:55 PM)

I've been fortunate enough this year to visit 26 race tracks. I've seen talented drivers all across the country. If I was an owner...I'd put my son in it!

Randy LaJoie

  (1:56 PM)

Thanks to all the race fans. Continue to watch ESPN. Race fans are my biggest critics, so if I mess up, let me know!