ESPN

  (2:59 PM)

Finished with Around the Horn and have a break before going live on Nascar Now, so let's do some chatting, shall we?

BJ (Des Moines, IA)

JGR is doing very well this year. HMS dominated last year. Roush Fenway is consistently good. What are your thoughts on those three organizations?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:02 PM)

Long answer coming. Gibbs is having a great if uneven year. Yes, all three drivers are in the Chase but Hamlin and Stewart have one win between them. I realize there's not much out there to win since Kyle is winning everything. But Gibbs is winning so many Cup and Nationwide races that it's an incredible year. As for Hendrick, it's nothing like '07 when they had 10 wins at this point. But they will have three Chase drivers with one (Johnson) having a very good chance to win it. Roush Fenway is also going to have three Chase drivers and I think Edwards will have the best chance to win it all although Greg Biffle actually has more Chase victories than anybody except Johnson.

Eddie (Brotown, MA)

Hey Tim, rainbow warrior is my favorite driver, but how do you envision Hendrick's drivers finishing up the year come the chase. I have Gordon, Johnson, then Dale Jr.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:03 PM)

Eddie, I've got to go with Johnson first. He has 11 wins in the Chase. He knows how to get it done come playoff time. I would rank Gordon's chances a little ahead of Junior's but I don't have either of them in my top five to win it all right now.

james (english, ma)

me and my friends want to go to a race, which one out of charlotte, martinsville, or dover do you suggest?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:04 PM)

I would say Martinsville or Dover, nothing against Charlotte, but it's a big Bruton Smith track that looks like so many others. I thought Dover was pretty cool when I went there last year. The casino there isn't bad for a non-Vegas casino.

Eddie Besinger (Big Ed's Doghouse)

How do you think Truex staying at DEI will affect his career in the long run? Don't you think he would have been better signing with Hendrick or Joe Gibbs?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:06 PM)

They lost Dale Junior last year, then they borrowed Mark Martin for a year and lost him. So I don't know who Truex goes to for any help or guidance there. He's a young driver who shouldn't be on his own the way he is at DEI. So yes I agree. He would have been better served to move on as I don't see DEI ever getting close to the level of the top four (Gibbs, Hendrick, Childress, Roush) teams.

Keith (Miami)

What on Earth was Michael McDowell doing out there on Sunday?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:07 PM)

I don't know, that was a pretty big mess he created. Wasn't totally his fault maybe but it looked like most of it was and he apologized afterwards. It's a tribute to these cars that no one was really injured. Are they still hitting Gilliland? He got it from all sides.

John, Covington GA

Any update on what Newmans sponcer will be?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:08 PM)

I think Burger King is one of them they are announcing tomorrow but I don't think that's the main sponsor. Not sure yet.

David (Jackson, KY)

Is Mears to RCR a done deal -- or is there a chance he could still end up at Petty? If not Mears, who do you see driving PE's 2nd full-time car next year?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:09 PM)

I think Mears is going to end up at Childress, yes. Pretty good move for him. I'm not sure what Petty will do but I would hope they would go with a young driver they can attempt to build around.

big baby davis (boston, ma)

when do you think gordon gets his first W? i was real disappointed after his poor showing at the Glen.

Joe (NJ)

Can you explain why Nascar took away that bit of Toyota's power? I thought that figuring out a way to be better was a good thing. I am a new fan of Nascar, and maybe thats why I don't get it. Thanks

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:13 PM)

Joe, they took away a fraction of Toyota's horsepower in the Nationwide series because they felt like Toyota, having newer engines than Chevy, Ford or Dodge, had an unfair advantage. And they Kyle Busch went out and led I think 197 out of 200 laps to win, anyway. So it didn't hurt them but I thought the penalty was strange, too.

Corey (Philadelphia)

Hey Tim how are ya? Who is more dominant right now Michael Phelps or Kyle Busch? All they do is win. I bet Al Davis would love to have them, casue we all know his mentality.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:14 PM)

Great question, Corey. I will take Phelps in the pool and Busch in the car. Seriously, Phelps is an incredible athlete. I didn't think he could win eight Golds but now it looks like he might. And if Kyle Busch wins more races this season than Johnson did last year, that will be just incredible. And it looks like it will happen.

Butch Besinger

I just got into NASCAR and all I hear about is the night race at Bristol, what can I expect?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:15 PM)

I went to it last year and it's an amazing sight in person. It wasn't a great race unfortunately because of the new cars but I think it could be better. And be prepared to sit in traffic for a long time leaving the race. I mean a long time.

John, Covington GA

If Boyer makes it in How do you think Nascar will be seen as a competition standpoint if 4 owners all ahve 3 cars in the chase good/bad?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:16 PM)

That will only happen if he knocks out Kasey Kahne and I expect Kahne to stay in, putting at least one Dodge in the Chase. It's just the way it is right now, those four teams are dominant with Penske and DEI having fallen off and Evernham not quite gotten there yet.

Josh (South Carolina)

Tim, do you see Dale Jr. winning the chase this year?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:17 PM)

Josh, I don't have him in my top five. It astounds me when his team makes mistakes like it did Sunday, no reason to stay out. My top five to win right now are: 1. Johnson; 2. Kyle; 3. Edwards; 4. Stewart; 5. Harvick.

Tom (Danbury,CT)

Tim you have obviously never been to Pocono, traffic there is horrendus.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:18 PM)

I have not been to Pocono, Tom, and traffic is pretty bad around almost any track. Funny to me, I think Daytona is about the easiest one to get in and out of, at least if you are heading to the beach and not towards Orlando. Fontana also is pretty easy because no one is there.

"Hollywood" Harry Sills (The Studio)

Timmy whats happenin' my man? I just wanted to see who was your pick for Bristol...I Got Junior!

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:19 PM)

You've got me picking two weeks ahead, that's rough. I have Kasey Kahne, very good there last year in a bad season.

Corey (Philadelphia)

Tim, what do you think is the main reason why Jeff Gordon cannot find Victory Lane? Also, why has Juan Pablo Montoya almost fallen off the map so quickly into his stock car career?

  (3:21 PM)

Second question first. I don't think JPM is off the map. I think he's 22nd in points. That's far better than Hornash, Carpentier, etc,. so at least he is doing something the other open wheelers aren't. We have to give him credit for that. I don't think Gordon's team has had it together all year. Briefly they knocked off some top fives but it's been rare for Gordon to have one of the best cars on Sunday afternoon. Or Saturday night. No great explanation for it and it can't all be on Steve Letarte because he was the crew chief last year when Gordon set a modern era record with 30 top 10s.

Nate (Hoover, AL)

Talladega is pretty easy to leave after the race nobody leaves because everyone is hammered.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:21 PM)

That always helps.

Joey (Clemson)

Tim, you cover any type of racing outside of NASCAR? How about some dirt track racing in Lancaster, SC? You would have a blast.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:22 PM)

I'm pretty much limited to NASCAR here in Dallas, Texas. We have a few other things like the Cowboys and Mavericks I have to deal with.

Dylan McKay (Beverly Hills, CA)

Why didn't junior sell out Tony Eury? It was obviously his fault, it seems like his crew has been slipping up all season..

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:23 PM)

It's his cousin, he doesn't want to sell him out. He knows Tony Eury Jr. is going to get second guessed more than any crew chief in the business because Junior's fans are never satisfied. But if you read between the lines, Junior saying "I don't really know what the strategy was, but it didn't work''' that's about as much as he needs to point the finger.

Mark (Mount Airy,MD)

Tim, I am glad the Southern 500 is back at Darlington. Now that there are lights there, they could run on Sunday evening of Labor Day weekend if they chose to. What is your take on this????

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:24 PM)

I will be discussin that on "Nascar Now'' in about two hours. I think it's good to have the name back but they need to move it back to Labor Day weekend and get the heck out of California.

Corey (Philadelphia)

Hey Tim, which school did your daughter end up choosing?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:24 PM)

Good question, Corey, she's applying to several and her first choice now is Missouri. Go Tigers.

Ryan (Tylersborogh, PA)

Tim, What does RCR see in Mears? Also I thought Marty Smith said today that Mears is afraid about Qualifing on time and hopes to get the 12 ride?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:25 PM)

I think there is some potential there, but, frankly, there is not much to choose from. I can't see a Nationwide driver that you just say is for certain ready to be a good Cup driver for Childress.

Tom (DC)

Is your daughter good at sports?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:27 PM)

Most questions I have ever fielded about Rachel. There are more in here, but I'll post this one and move on. Did basketball and hurdles in middle school but she is a dancer in high school.

dylan (PA)

how many win is kyle bush gonna end up with and do you think he will win the cup?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:28 PM)

I have him for 12 wins, one shy of Gordon, and have him finishing second to Johnson. But he might just run away with the whole thing and it wouldn't be a surprise.

Tim (Oregon)

Out of the tracks Jeff Gordon hasen't won at in his career (Homestead, Texas and I might be missing one) which one or all do you think he can win before he calls it quits in nascar?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:28 PM)

Those are the two. Phoenix was on the list but he won there last year. He's never been very good at Texas, so I don't particularly see him winning here. I don't know a reason he can't win at Homestead, I will give him a win there.

Tom (Danbury,CT)

What is more amazing about Kyle, his 8 wins this season or that his 12 career wins are at 12 different tracks?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:30 PM)

The 12 at 12 is very hard to do, but eight wins in 22 races has to rate as the greater achievement. He has as many wins right now as Johnson and Gordon had combined for a year ago when they were so dominant.

dylan (PA)

what track is your favorite one to watch?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:30 PM)

I still like going to Daytona the best.

Mark (Mount Airy,MD)

Tim, would you like to see a road course race in the chase???? If so, Infineon or The Glen?????

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:31 PM)

I would like to see a road course in the Chase. Probably Watkins Glen. It would be cool if they added Montreal but that's not happening.

Brian (MA)

You mean you don't like Fontana?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:31 PM)

I will be there in two weeks. There's just not a need for two races there. NASCAR tries to act like it's the LA market but it's not.

David (Jackson, KY)

How do you think Woody Paige would be received in the NASCAR garage? Does he follow it at all?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:32 PM)

I think it would be hysterical for him to show up and he would have a great time.But I haven't been able to get him to do it yet. People at NASCAR have tried.

Tim (Oregon)

Who is your dark horse to win the Sprint Cup this year?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:33 PM)

Since I have Harvick rated fifth I guess he would be considered my dark horse. He has had good starts in the Chase before. Just needs to keep it going.

hey its sean mccarthy (ma)

who are your top 5 nascar drivers of all time?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:34 PM)

that's a difficult one, Sean. Since this is kind of a rapid fire chat and I don't have lots of time to think about it, I will just shoot from the hip and go: 1. Petty; 2. Gordon; 3. Earnhardt; 4. David Pearson; 5. Junior Johnson. No list is complete without Junior.

Toby Curran (Boston, MA)

I recently went to the NASCAR race at Loudon and I'm pretty to new to the sport, and I just don't understand Dale Jr's popularity, I know he is a good driver but definitely not great, is all his popularity due to his father?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:35 PM)

His father is a lot of it but Dale Junior had a very wide appeal before his dad died. I think he's just got a very genuine nature about him. Then after his father died, he inherited probably a million of his father's fans.

Molly English (Atlantic City)

Do you think there will ever be a female NASCAR driver? I hate open wheel -- I wish Danica would make the jump!

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:36 PM)

There have been a few, they just haven't had the success. I can't give a rational reason why a woman could have success driving open-wheel and not a stock car. They're bigger and heavier but I don't think that totally explains it.

Deonte (OAkridge Tn)

A tim what type of car do you ride

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:37 PM)

Toyota Highlander Hybrid. 27 miles to the gallon. Thankfully.

dylan (PA)

what do you think the point standing are going to end up as going into the chase?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:38 PM)

Before the points are adjusted based on wins, I assume you mean? I think it will look somethinig like: 1. Kyle; 2. Edwards; 3. Johnson; 4. Burton; 5. Junior; 6. Gordon; 7. Stewart; 8. Hamlin; 9. Harvick; 10. Biffle; 11. Kenseth; 12. Kahne.

Bruce Wayne (Gotham)

How far do you think the Batmobile is from being ready to pass NASCAR inspection?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:41 PM)

You're going to have to re-attach that splitter, Bruce.

Kyle (Centerville, IA)

According to fzsports.net. UPS sponsorship for Newman is a lock. What have you heard?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:41 PM)

They are supposed to be one of them. I think they are the main and Burger King is one of the secondary ones.

tom (PA)

who gonna win around the horn tonight?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:42 PM)

I will never tell (but the smart money is on Adande).

toaster struedel (ma)

ive heard that logano is gonna get some time in cup, when and what races do you think?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:42 PM)

If all the Gibbs drivers are in the Chase, I don't see Logano taking a ride from them unless they are hopelessly out of it near the end.

thomas gransden (houston,tx)

what do you think the chances of dale Jr. winning the sprint cup this year are?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:43 PM)

Thomas about a month ago I liked his chances better than I do now. He's capable of a lot of top fives which is what you have to do. I just think there's some hotter race teams out there that will be hard to beat.

Robert (Shreveport, LA)

I'm a Bowyer fan and my friend is a Harvick fan. What do you think are the chances that we will get to watch our drivers in the chase?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:45 PM)

One of you will get to. I think it's your friend. Clearly Bowyer is capable but since he had that great run early in the year, he has just three top 10s in 12 races. And one top five. That's how he has gone from 4th to 13th since Richmond.

Mark (Mount Airy,MD)

Tim, Will Brad Coleman be able to improve the performance in the #96???? Where do you see JJ Yeley landing next season?????

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:45 PM)

Maybe a little, but it's always a struggle for one-car teams.

Scott Dixon

I have 6 wins in 14 races. My year is more dominant then Kyle's isn't it.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:46 PM)

I would say not, Scott. Not to hate on open wheel, but you don't compete with 42 other drivers every week.'

Chet Stedman (Chicago)

What's more likely: Randy Moss' truck winning a race or the Patriots winning the superbowl this year?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:47 PM)

Take the Pats. But don't sleep on the Jaguars.

La (cincinnati,ohio)

Have you heard anything about Rusty starting a cup team

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:47 PM)

I know Rusty would like to get to that point eventually. I don't know what his timetable for that is.

wasabullet (ma)

do u see the 88 running up front at mi again? eeked out a victory last time...if not who is your pick?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:52 PM)

I have got Jimmie Johnson this week. Boring I know. But think he gets it done. Will take two more and then I have to get ready for Nicole Manske. So to speak.

Bryan (Inwood, WV)

Have you heard a reasonable explanation as to why Gordon was so off on Sunday? I know he has been off at other tracks but pretty much everyone thought he would be one of the cars to beat Sunday? I know they had a team meeting immediately after the race.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:53 PM)

No, they just didn't have good setups at either road course which is out of character for them.

Mixed Emotions (Milton, MA)

My emotions are a little mixed up after this weekends race -- I am hopeful from Dale Jr's good run but a little scared that he can't seem to get it done....thoughts?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:54 PM)

I know what you mean, Mixed. The fact that he ran up front at a road course does represent progress. That's why it was a shame to see them screw it up.

kyle perdios (MA)

Better dancer, kasey kahne is his geico ad's or woody paige in general?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:54 PM)

I will take Kasey any time, and I am out of here. Lots of good questions this week, talk again next Thursday. Courage.