Terry Blount

  (2:01 PM)

Hello folks. Stay away from that post-race bumping. What's on your mind?

Bill, NEwtown, Pa

Terry, what's going to happen to Patrick Carpentier now that Sorenson is in the mix?

Terry Blount

  (2:06 PM)

It depends on whether GEM can find sponsorship for a fourth car in 09. If so, PC is in. If not, he's out.

Marc (Malden, MA)

If you were running GEM, wouldn't you rather have Carpentier?

Terry Blount

  (2:11 PM)

Hard to say. The jury is till out of that Reed can do. He's only 22. But I think PC has shown he has the ability to race in Cup given good equipment.

Ed, Washington DC

Any chance that the second Cup race at Kansas may be on this new road course that they are talking about?

Terry Blount

  (2:12 PM)

Interesting idea. I doubt it, but it would get all the fans off NASCAR's back about adding another cookie-cutter race.

charlotte nc

What do you think the chances of Casey Mears running up front with RC Racing?

Terry Blount

  (2:14 PM)

I think he can run regularly in the top 15, but I don't see him being a title contender.

John, Covington GA

Was Felix Sabates just being a sore looser when he made his kiddish remark about Sorenson being as good as he will ever be? Whats your take?

Terry Blount

  (2:15 PM)

If wasn't a wise thing to say, but let's face facts here. It's not like the team is losing Carl Edwqards. The truth is they weren't sure they wanted to re-sign Reed.

Dan (Wisconsin )

busch or edwards?

Terry Blount

  (2:16 PM)

If you're talking about for the championship, I'll take Edwards. I picked Edwards before the season started, so I'm not changes horses now.

glenn (Morris Plains, NJ)

Who's had the worst half-month...gibbs (suspensions, stewart etc) or Ganassi?

Terry Blount

  (2:16 PM)

Ganassi. JGR still is gong to win the NW owner's title, probably.

Ben (Fayetteville, GA)

Who is the bigger loser.. Chip Ganassi or Patrick Carpentier?

Terry Blount

  (2:17 PM)

Maybe Patrick will go drive for Chip.

Jake, DEL

Any chance Ganassi only runs 1 car next year?

Terry Blount

  (2:17 PM)

None. They will have two cars.

Dan (Wisconsin )

will tony stewart be a real contender?

Terry Blount

  (2:18 PM)

If you mean this year, I doubt it. The odds are a aganst it. Lame duck teams rarely get the job done down the stretch.

Rick (Pa)

Now that the Bud shootout has changed its format will the winners still have an autoamtic invitation?

Terry Blount

  (2:19 PM)

I think they are talking the top 6 teams from each manufacturer.

Harry, Long Island

If Nascar hadn't created the chase, don't you agree that this would have been a dud of a last half of the schedule, even though Edwards is coming back?

Terry Blount

  (2:20 PM)

Absolutely. I wrote that today. Kyle still would be more than 200 points aheadin the old system. The Chase will make things interesting down the stretch.

Ray, Bensalem, PA

I'm going to this richard petty autograph session in dover on sept 20, can i expect him to sign autographs? is he fan friendly?

Terry Blount

  (2:21 PM)

Richard is one of the best in all of sports about being accomodating to fans.

Roger Johnson (Hawaii)

Who are your top 5 picks for California? And, who are your darkhorses?

Terry Blount

  (2:23 PM)

Johnson, Edwards, Busch, Gordon and Stewart. Darkhorses are Kahne, Vickers and Ragan.

GLYNN (ATLANTA)

SINCE REED WAS QUOTED AS SAYING HE CAN'T WAIT TO GET INTO A GEM CAR ANY CHANCE CHIP SAYS SEE YOU LATER NOW INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR THE END OF THE YEAR, AND MAYBE SEEING DARIO IN THE TARGET CAR? HE HAS LOOKED MUCH BETTER IN HIS LAST FEW NW RACES.

Terry Blount

  (2:24 PM)

It's possible, but Dario is no lock to take over in the 41 next year.

Marc (Malden, MA)

Dixon's lead down to 43? Nobody saw that coming.

Terry Blount

  (2:26 PM)

Should make things more fun down the stretch. That's was a great run Sunday by Penske and Helio to win after the hauler fire. But my money still is on Dixon for the title.

Dan (Wisconsin )

Will kyle busch be even better next year?

Terry Blount

  (2:26 PM)

I don't see how he could be much better in on-track performance, but he's continue to mature as a racer.

Tom (Minneapolis)

This has been a pretty rough period for the 88. Would you say they have slipped from contender to pretender? And, what do they need to do to get back to where they were?

Terry Blount

  (2:27 PM)

If you're going to have a slump, now is the time instead of once the Chase starts. I think the 88 team still can get it together and make a run in the playoff.

Don ( NC)

Terry, Do you think Childress will merge to get the points for the 33 team? And is that even possible since he already has four teams?

Terry Blount

  (2:29 PM)

No merger, but they will try to buy points from another team. The question is whether NASCAR will let them do it.

Dave Salisbury Md

Who is the next big name driver to retire and when?

Terry Blount

  (2:32 PM)

Depends on what you consider a big name. Michael Waltrip won't race much longer. Kyle Petty won't race full time next year. Bobby Labonte probably will race three more years and hang it up. Mark Martin will race a Hendrick one of two years and finally quit for good.

Matt (College Park, MD)

How many points does a driver need to be ahead of 13th place by to clinch a chase spot after California?

Terry Blount

  (2:34 PM)

You have to be 161 points ahead of 13th, assuming you start the race at Richmond.

Rick (VA)

Will Keselowski take over after Mark Martin leaves? Or does Truex have a shot at that ride?

Terry Blount

  (2:34 PM)

They both have a shot at it. DEI hope to convince Martin to stay. Brad also could move up in 2010 if JR Motorsports goes Cup racing.

Nick Rolando (Orlando)

Terry thanks for answering the questions each week. Any news on who will sponsor Yates tow cars or when they'll anoounce it?

Terry Blount

  (2:35 PM)

No clue, but Doug Yates says they are close to getting some thing ironed out for 09.

Marcus (Phoenix)

Is our man JJ Yeley in line for any rides in '09? i realize this isn't at the top of anyone's agenda, but there are Yeley fans out there somewhere!!

Terry Blount

  (2:36 PM)

I think Yeley will be NW racing next year.

JasonR (Phoenix, AZ)

Can you explain the Edwards-Busch dust-up? Would any driver in Edwards position (including Busch) have done the same? He didn't wreck him, and the chase is all about wins. What am I missing?

Terry Blount

  (2:37 PM)

Nothing. Carl's move was totally legit. He barely tapped Busch, and we all know Busch would have done the same.

Drew (Baltimore, Md)

Hi Terry, any word on who Ryan's crew chief may be next year. All of the Newman fans are hoping for Borland. Ok, maybe not all the fans, but I am. Thanks

Terry Blount

  (2:38 PM)

Borland is pretty much running the show there now, so it depends on where Tony feels he can help the team most _ as the big picture guy or Ryan's crew chief.

Tim (Oregon)

Do you think Jeff Gordon can get a win before the season ends?, and if so what track will it be at?

Terry Blount

  (2:39 PM)

Yes. Martinsville and maybe Dega.

Ralph, Philadelphia

Who is the most respected reporter at the track?

Terry Blount

  (2:40 PM)

When he's able to come out, it's Chris Economaki. He's a legend in our business and a wonderful man.

JOSH (PC)

HOW COME WHEN KYLE PUSHES PEOPLE OUT OF THE WAY ITS ALL GOOD. BUT WHEN IT HAPPENS TO HIM ITS THE END OF THE WORLD? ISNT THAT DOUBLE STANDERDS?

Terry Blount

  (2:40 PM)

Yes.

Dan (Wisconsin )

Will kasey kahne be a contender?

Terry Blount

  (2:42 PM)

If he manages to make the Chase (a big if now) I don't see him seriously contending for the title this year, but that team has shown a remarkable improvment over last season.

Stephen Johnson (Houston, Tx)

Reed Sorenson will win this weekend and prove Chip wrong!!!

Terry Blount

  (2:43 PM)

Wow. If you get that one right, I'm taking you to Vegas.

Tim (Oregon)

Prediction, how good will Joey Logano be next year?

Terry Blount

  (2:44 PM)

Decent, but don't expect too much too soon. The sky's the limit for Joey, but 09 is going to be a huge adjutment for an 18-year-old guy.

Chad (Savannah, GA)

How much of what Ky Busch did is him just trying to promote a 'bad boy' image?

Terry Blount

  (2:45 PM)

Kyle loves being he bad boy, but there's no love lost between Kyle and Carl. And that should make things fun in the Chase.

becky,va

will now going to gem turn reed for the better

Terry Blount

  (2:46 PM)

It's can't get much worse. But one problem Reed will have at the start of next season is a car outside the top 35. He'll have to race his way into the Daytona 500.

tammi, irving, texas

At Bristol, when Clint said that "Michael Waltrip is the worst driver in NASCAR, period. Cannot believe that NAPA resigned". Even thought that was said in the heat of battle, isn't there alot of truth to what Clint said and isn't that feeling shared by many other top drivers?

Terry Blount

  (2:49 PM)

Dont' read too much into that. Clint was just mad about wrecking, and Michael wasn't at fault in that indident. I can tell you this: Waltrip is a long way from the worst driver in NASCAR. You don't win two Daytona 500s if you're the worst driver out there, regardless of the equipment you have.

glenn (Morris Plains, NJ)

Who's the best lower level team driver who could do well if given a good ride?

Terry Blount

  (2:50 PM)

I'd say Travis Kvapil.

Jeff (East Bay, CA)

Are there many driver rivalries in NASCAR? It seems like there are occasional brush-ups, but very few long-lasting, super-competitive rivalries in which the guys genuinely don't like each other. Do we have hope in Edwards-Busch?

Terry Blount

  (2:52 PM)

NASCAR used to thrive on rivaliries (Petty-Pearson, Yarborough-Allison, etc.) but we haven't seen a lot of good ones lately. Let's hope this one stays hot for a while.

Chris (VA)

Why can't Boris Said get a full-time Cup ride? He has the charisma and he's a good driver.

Terry Blount

  (2:53 PM)

I agree. I wish someone would give him a shot. His only disadvantage age. Boris is no spring chicken any more, but I think he could help a lot of teams.

Brandon (Teutopolis, Il)

Do you think Mark Martin is a seat warmer for Jr. Nationwide Stud Brad keselowski

Terry Blount

  (2:55 PM)

Martin is no seat-warmer. He's a guy who can run up front for you on a regular basis. But I do think Brad has a future in the organization.

Rob (Philadelphia, PA)

With so much credence being put into wins for Chase ranking, a driver like Kyle Busch who is already locked in basically has to either finish first or he might as well not even run these last few races. Do you think the Chase seeding format needs a slight overhaul?

Terry Blount

  (2:57 PM)

Yes, but not about making a guy try to win. That's the good part. The entire system needs more emphasis on winning, especially once the Chase starts. More points for winning is what we need to see and less points racing.

Gary, (PA)

Will Steven Wallace ever be a full time Cup driver?

Terry Blount

  (2:58 PM)

Steve has shown a lot of improvement this year. If he contnues to improve, I think you could see him in Cup by 2010 or 2011.

matt k. (Sioux Falls, SD)

i dont know anything about nascar but i think jeff gordan is going to be the best this year do u agree?

Terry Blount

  (2:59 PM)

No, not this year. Gordon and the 24 team haven't shown they can compete with Busch and Edwards.

Clay

So it appears that Reed will drive the No. 10 at GEM and if sponsorship can be found Patrick will drive a 4th car correct?

Terry Blount

  (3:00 PM)

That's how it looks at the moment.

Terry Blount

  (3:00 PM)

I'm out folks. Have a great week. Peace.