Buzzmaster

  (1:52 PM)

Terry Blount will be by at the top of the hour to chat some NASCAR!

Terry Blount

  (2:00 PM)

Hello folks. The 09 schedules are out for NASCAR and Atlanta gets Labor Day weekend. Is this a good move?

Guy Enfield NH

Jr. fan here but am wondering if you think Tony Jr's job is in jeopardy if they keep tanking it in the end of races, it's pretty frustratint to watch them smoke the competition in the first 50-60 laps and the car just goes away in the end of the race??? Thanks...

Terry Blount

  (2:01 PM)

They need some good runs in the Chase or Rick Hendrick may feel a change is in order for 09. Hendrick Motorsports has a ton of talented people waiting in the wings.

Tammy (Tacoma, WA)

How clueless do the Gibbs people have to be to think they could pull off that magnet thing?

Terry Blount

  (2:03 PM)

It's easy for one of two employees to get over zealous and do something on their own with the team's consent. I think that's what happened here. I can't see Joe or J.D. being in on it.

jeff (keokuk,IA)

Terry, I read on Jayski a few weeks ago there was a rumor mark would run the last 4 races in the 5 car. Haven't heard anything since. You got any word?? Thanks. JEFF

Terry Blount

  (2:04 PM)

Probably not going to happen based on what Hendrick folks said last week.

Mac Stougan (Zango, MA)

Hey Terry, do you see there being any chance Gordon doesn't make the chase, he has me a little nervous after these last two weeks?

Terry Blount

  (2:05 PM)

He'll probably make it, but his biggest concern is the team not being competitive once the Chase starts. They have to get it together soon.

dan (alabama)

Why isn't the daytona 500 at the end of nascar's season?

Terry Blount

  (2:06 PM)

NASCAR loves to start things off with aq bang. Daytona was originally placed early in th year because it was one of the few places NASCAR could race in February.

jeff (keokuk,IA)

What a coup for Rusty Wallace and THe Iowa Speedway to get a nationwide race. I have been there what a great facility. I think it holds 30,000. Will they have to add more seats??

Terry Blount

  (2:07 PM)

They are looking at adding seats, but it holds a litle more than that now. It's a really nice facility and the track size is perfect.

Billy (NY)

Any thoughts on hamlin's blow up on Sunday? That kid has had rotten luck...

Terry Blount

  (2:08 PM)

True, but he needs an attitude adjustment to stop throwing his team under the bus.

Josh (Reno)

Terry, does Kyle Busch have the chance to have one of the most dominant seasons in Nascar history?

Terry Blount

  (2:09 PM)

He has a shot at it. The modern era record of 13 wins in a season isn't out of the question, but I don't see it happening.

William (Kyle Busch Nation)

With this year's silly season almost over can you give us a preview of what's in store next silly season?

Terry Blount

  (2:10 PM)

Wow. Can't we at least wait until this season is over? I can tell you Truex has a one-year deal at DEI, so they need to race well to keep him for 2010.

little toby curran (shotgun)

how do you see people on the bubble racing this weekend, playing it cautious so they dont wreck, or going all out?

Terry Blount

  (2:11 PM)

You can';t go all out. Too big a risk. They are hoping for a top 10, but also have to make sure and keep the car in one piece.

Janet Besinger (Matapan, MA)

I've just started to get into Nascar because of my four lovely sons, all they've talked about recently is the upcoming race at Bristol, who do you think wins it terry?

Terry Blount

  (2:16 PM)

Kyle certainly has a shot. But the RCR car are good here, so Harvick, Burton and Bowyer should be up front also.

t boone pickens (texas)

Since gas prices are so expensive, do you think it will come to a point where there has to be fewer races to become a financially feasible sport?

Terry Blount

  (2:18 PM)

Well fake T. Boone, they could try to run on wind power. But no, I don't see the schedule getting shorter. I think it's a good idea, but it ain't happening.

Chrissie Perry (Hatemooney, VA)

I heard Gibbs is thinking of have Logano race in the sprint cup series this year, would he think about using him instead of Stewart in a race or two now that its official Stewarts leaving?

Terry Blount

  (2:18 PM)

No. Joey will run a fourth Gibbs car, probably No. 02. Tony is still inside the Chase. They aren't taking him out of the 20.

Rick (Pa)

In addition to the equipment the other thing going for the 88 is Darien Grubb sitting on the pit box. Yet week after week the 88 starts out strong and at best stays the same or goes backward. Could it be that the problem is not Tony Jr but rather Dale Jr's inability to communicate what the car is doing?

Terry Blount

  (2:20 PM)

It could, but it wasn't a factor when Earnhardt finished in the top 5 in the standings three times at DEI.

James English (Anger Management)

Terry, if you could pick an all star race team, that is a driver, crew chief and owner, who would your three be?

Terry Blount

  (2:22 PM)

Interesting question, but I'll play along. Carl Edwards, Chad Knaus and Richard Childress.

Chris (Richmond, VA)

Any guess as to what the penalties will be for JGR?

Terry Blount

  (2:23 PM)

Not specifically, but I'm sure it's going to be a whopper. That was blatant cheating, plain and simple.

John (DC)

Hey, I'm a new NASCAR fan this year, and I absolutely love the sport, I can't believe how quickly I got into it, I watch every lap of every race. Anyways, I have noticed every once and a while people commenting that the racing this year isn't as good as it was with the last generation car. I was wondering what makes the COT races worse, or if the occasional comments are just a matter of opinion?

Terry Blount

  (2:25 PM)

The COT is a taller car and more difficult to turn because it has less downforce. So the teams have struggled on the set up and some tracks.

Josh (Reno)

Terry if you had to change the format for the Chase how would you do it?

Terry Blount

  (2:26 PM)

Make it win and you're in if a driver still finished in the top 20 in the standings. And give way more points for winning. I also would make Vegas a Chase race.

Chris (Richmond, VA)

2008 has had some amazing moments in sports: Giants/Patriots Superbowl, Memphis/Kansas NCAA Final, Mediate/Woods US Open, Nadal/Federer Wimbledon, Phelps 8 Olympic gold medals. What would it take for NASCAR to match the excitement of those events?

Terry Blount

  (2:26 PM)

Have a dead heat for title between Busch and Earnhardt going to the last race of the season at Miami.

Danny Thomas Newton, NJ

Wondering what your take is on Jeff Gordons comennts after his wreck on Sunday. Now we can race hard and not worry about our pont position, go hard for the win. This is what the Chase has taken out of Nascar, true hard racing every lap, every race. They point race.

Terry Blount

  (2:28 PM)

Wrong. The drivers who know they have a spot in the Chase can race for wins right now _ Busch, Edwards, Earnhardt, etc. And the Chase also adds drama for the drivers on the bubble who wouldn't have any chance at a championship in the old system.

Nora Mooney (Lovephil, NH)

Do you think they should add a road course to the chase?

Terry Blount

  (2:29 PM)

Yes. if you are going to road race, then the Chase drivers should have to comoete on one in the playoff.

Mark (Mount Airy,MD)

Hey Terry, I am glad to see the Labor Day race moved to Atlanta. I'd still prefer the Southern 500 at Darlington on Labor Day weekend but this may be the next best thing. But does this mean that this could be the one and only race in Atlanta(with Kentucky getting a date in the near future)??????

Terry Blount

  (2:30 PM)

I don't think so. If Atlanta moves a race, it would be the March event. But Bruton Smith still hopes to buy Dover or Pocono and move one of those races.

Sueann Greene (Walpole)

How mad do you think Ashley Judd was at Dario when his car got shut down?

Terry Blount

  (2:31 PM)

Why wuld she be mad at Dario? It wasn't his fault. Maybe she was mad at Chip.

Rick (VA)

Which will be closer at the end of the season - the battle for the championship or for 35th in owner points?

Terry Blount

  (2:32 PM)

Hopefully the championship. And being inside the top 35 may not matter much next year if only 43 of 44 cars show up for most races.

Mad Mike, North Pole, Canada

Has Juan Montoya fallen asleep at the wheel or does his car just suck?

Terry Blount

  (2:33 PM)

The man didn't forget how to drive.

Sueann Greene (Walpole State Facility)

Does NASCAR have a revenue sharing system like the other major sports? If not, how could one be implemented?

Terry Blount

  (2:33 PM)

Not exactly, but the TV money is shared with the teams.

slovakian boyfriend (ma)

who do you think is the most respected nascar driver that races today? is there one guy that everyone just loves?

Terry Blount

  (2:35 PM)

Most respected _ Jeff Gordon. Most well liked _ Mark Martin.

Luke (Indy)

Gordon and Johnson's attempted mind games with Busch really worked well. Since they opened their mouths, Busch won a race and finished second in another. And Gordon and Jimmie played bumper cars, taking each other out of contention at Michigan. You think they should maybe keep their mouths shut for awhile?

Terry Blount

  (2:36 PM)

Kyle answered the bell, but the games will continue once the Chase starts.

Zack Morris (Bayside)

How is Denny Hamlin's reputation going to fare after his recent antics?

Terry Blount

  (2:37 PM)

It didn't help, but Denny is young and just got mad. He'll move past it.

Jed (Wisconsin)

How do you think Matt Kenseth will do? It seems like carl is getting all of Rouch's attention. Can Kanseth contend this year?

Terry Blount

  (2:38 PM)

Matt gets just as much attention at Carl. But Carl is really clicking with Osborne. Matt is starting to do that with Chip Bolen.

Mike (St. Louis)

Out of all the teams inside the top 12, who is least likely to stay there after Richmond?

Terry Blount

  (2:41 PM)

Kahne and Hamlin are in trouble, but Kahe is very good a Richmond and was second at Bristol a year ago.

Tim (Oregon)

I keep hearing stuff about sticker tires and I was wondering what those are and wheather they help or hurt the cars?

Terry Blount

  (2:43 PM)

Sticker tires means the tire is brand new and hasn't been used, so the sticker is till on it. Most of the time, new tires are better, but sometimes a team wants scuffed tires (tires that have a few laps on them) because they add some grip.

Luke (Indy)

If Gordon's slide continues could Steve Letarte's job be in jeopardy?

Terry Blount

  (2:44 PM)

Sure. The crew chief is like a head coach. He takes the fall when things don't go as expected.

M.A. (Oakville, Missouri)

Who's your pick at Bristol this weekend?

Terry Blount

  (2:44 PM)

I'll go out on a limb and pick Harvick. Picking Busch is boring.

Matt (TX)

Hey Terry. Who'll be sporting the Jack Daniels old # 7 next year? Boyer is one of my favorites, as well as Jack. Would hate to see Jack end up with some also ran.

Terry Blount

  (2:45 PM)

Mears will be in the 07. Bowyer will move to the new No. 33 Chevy for RCR.

Mike (Foothill Ranch, CA)

Hello Terry, Any truth to the Darien Grubb to Stewart-Haas rumor?

Terry Blount

  (2:46 PM)

Yes. It's a good possibility.

Rick (VA)

Has there ever been any thought to give positions 35-43 the same number of points so wrecked cars don't try to run laps and cause cautions (like Gordon did Sunday)?

Terry Blount

  (2:46 PM)

I'd be all for it, but I don't think NASCAR is considering it.

JJD (Seattle)

On Buschwacking, is NASCAR going to leave the Nationwide Series as-is for 2009? It seems that with Logano, BK, and Marcos getting wins there are more NW-only drivers being successful, and NASCAR didn't change anything.

Terry Blount

  (2:47 PM)

Cup drivers a teams still dominate the series. A change needs to be made to keep Cup driver from winning the NW title.

stougan being stougan (ma)

i was watching the race this weekend, and was wondering if the headlights on the front of the car are real? they looked like stickers

Terry Blount

  (2:48 PM)

Only decals to resemble the headlight of that particular model.

Joe (PA)

Of the guys who won't make the chase, can you name a few drivers who you think can be spoilers and will finish strong in preparation for next year?

Terry Blount

  (2:49 PM)

Definitely Brian Vickers. Truex also will have some strong runs.

Sueann Green (Walpole State Facility)

Terry, what makes the most money for NASCAR? Is it ticket sales, merchandise, ads? How do they keep the show running?

Terry Blount

  (2:50 PM)

TV money and sponsors.

Mike (St. Louis)

How well do you think Stewart/Haas will do next year?

Terry Blount

  (2:51 PM)

OK, but not great. It's going to take a couple of years for the team to get enough quality personnel to be competitve every week.

Aaron, Iowa City IA

Who decides on the race lengths because 500 miles at Pocono is nothing short of brutal to watch

Terry Blount

  (2:54 PM)

I agree. The tracks, along with NASCAR determine the length. Track owners like longer races because they sell more food, drinks and souvenirs, etc.

Saul (San Diego)

How would Dale Jr take it if RH wanted to replace Tony Jr at the end of the season?

Terry Blount

  (2:54 PM)

He probably wouldn't like it, which would be a factor in Rick's decision.

Chris (Richmond, VA)

Will you please explain to those who are too lazy to read that JGR's Nationwide cars were 100% legal for the race? The infraction only would have affected the post-race inspection.

Terry Blount

  (2:56 PM)

Yes, but they deliberatey attempted to alter the inspection process. NASCAR officials don't take kindly to that.

Josh (Reno)

Terry, do you think 2 races in Las Vegas could succeed?

Terry Blount

  (2:57 PM)

Yes, but they wouldn't sell out. Very few tracks do these days. However, Vegas would have over 100,000 for each Cup race. I'd call that successful.

JJD (Seattle)

My suggestion on Buschwacking - if you have won a race you can't get NWS points, but you can still race if you want. For example, Sunday at Michigan Cup race winners swept the top-5, so Mike Bliss gets a "win" even though he finished 6th. That keeps Logano eligible even though he'll prob drive both series in '09.

Terry Blount

  (2:59 PM)

NASCAR never would make the sixth-place finisher the winner of the event. But not giving points to Cup regulars would ensure a NW regluar as the series champion.

Matt (TX)

I know Tony Eury Jr. may have the toughest, most second guessed job in Nascar, but he's giving all us armchair quarterbacks a lot to second guess on a week to week basis. Dale Jr. isn't going to throw him under the bus, but are they at least learning from some of these mistakes? Even his win at the 1st Michigan he started with a top car and ended up falling back and getting the win with fuel mileage.

Terry Blount

  (3:00 PM)

Tony's in a tough spot. They need to have a few things go their way to get people off his back.

Terry Blount

  (3:01 PM)

Nice chat today folks. Gotta run. Have a great week. Peace.