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Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:59 PM)

Let's do some chatting before we get to the Chase. Finished taping Around the Horn, got my usual brilliant Tim's Takes segment on Nascar Now to do live in a couple hours. Let's go!

Charlie (Milwaukee)

Do the drivers who are in the chase do anything differently in this final pre chase race?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:02 PM)

Charlie, the top seven or eight can just go for broke, try to get those 10 points. Guys like Gordon and Hamlin have to be careful and Clint Bowyer just has to keep an eye on Ragan and Kahne to make sure he maintains the lead. Lots of interesting things to watch Saturday night. Or Sunday, if the next hurricane hits.

Paul (Pittsburgh)

Do you think the race venues in the chase are the best ones?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:03 PM)

No and they are about to get worse. I don't think Loudon needs to kick it off. You're going into New England Patriots-NFL country the first or second week of the season to start the Chase? Makes no sense. And next year California (ugh!) gets a spot in the Chase with its boring track and empty seats. I would rather see a road race in there.

Eric (Charlottesville, VA)

Ragan v. Bowyer - who wins?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:04 PM)

Ken in Trenton, your question is essentially the same as this although yours might include Kahne, too. My best guess is Bowyer gets in and we don't see any change. Ragan has a chance, just 17 points back, but I think the place to beat Bowyer was Fontana where he hasn't been very good. And he finished 10th, not far behind Kasey and ahead of Ragan. So I'm saying the 12 you see now are the 12 you get for the Chase.

Paul (Lorain, OH)

Why do they always dog you on Around the Horn? You're the obvious winner every week.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:07 PM)

Paul, i had one three straight appearances until today's episode. But I did get to plug "Tim's Takes'' as I was being eliminated today. Thanks for your undying support.

Mick (Chicago)

Any chance this weather from the hurricanes effects any of the south or eastern races the next few weeks?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:08 PM)

Yeah, Mick, there's a really good chance that Hanna (is there an H on the end? Not sure) has an impact on Richmond. They have already discussed running the race early Sunday. They would love to keep it Saturday night and not go head-to-head with NFL season openers at 1 p.m. Sunday, though. Just have to wait and see where she hits.

Sid (Marietta, GA)

we're down to 11 races to go - what are the odds that neither Jeff Gordon nor Tony Stewart finish the year w/o a win? at the start of the season that wan unfathomable and even now I have a hard time putting it much above 50/50 but even at even money it hard to believe - your thoughts?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:10 PM)

Very hard to believe, Sid. Especially considering Gordon won six times last year, was up front in some others. There were no signs he was going to fall off like this. Stewart, I can at least understand because his focus is very divided right now as he builds a new race team. But throw in Kenseth, Biffle and Harvick winless, too, and you have one very strange season. To finish your answer, I will say there is a 75 percent chance Gordon wins a race, only about 40 percent that tony wins one of the last 11.

Bob (NJ)

What are you hearing about Newman's sponsor for next year? Army? Thanks!

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:10 PM)

I have not heard anything new on potential sponsors. Should be coming out soon.

Dan (L.A.)

Dr. Aaron Perlut of the American Mustache Institute was just here chatting and he was in full support of people with mustaches. Are you back sporting the stache?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:11 PM)

After watching Jason Giambi last night, I am a strong supporter of the stache -- although my teenage daughter won't let me wear one without the goatee. It's her call.

Dan (Tampa)

How do you rate the year Junior has had with his new team?

James (Louisville)

Any thoughts on DEI moving forward? They haven't looked like a great team the last few years, but seemed to have picked it up a bit this year, even with out Junior.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:15 PM)

James, I'm not sure how they have picked it up without him. Truex was better a year ago than this year. Menard has been better but he's no factor. Martin's leaving so he doesn't count. I think they have a rough future.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:16 PM)

I think I failed to post my answer to the Jr. question. If so, I said it was two different years. First half was great -- 12 top 10s in 18 races plus the win at Michigan.Since then, he is 0-for-7 at top 10s.

Eric (Charlottesville, VA)

Since you say Bowyer can hold off Ragan for the 12 spot, what are you thoughts on him repeating his win from April?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:17 PM)

I think that's extremely unlikely. When you're just focused on staying ahead of two guys, it's hard to think about going for a win. Kind of like Jimmie Johnson going into Homestead last year with four straight wins. He didn't need to win the last one, just had to run up front, and that's what he did.

Steve (St. Louis)

If we had the old poitns system, would Kyle Busch pretty much be running away with this thing?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:19 PM)

That's unfair, Steve, I always try to point out that you can't frame things that way. People who say Gordon would have won under the old system last year are just wrong. If a different system had been in place all year, drivers would have behaved differently. You can't assume Johnson would have allowed Gordon a 400-point lead last year. But he did because he knew it was irrelevant. I think you can say the same about drivers and Busch this year. But, obviously, if Kyle had eight wins under the old system, he would presumably be tough to catch.

Henry (Buffalo)

Do you think NASCAR does enough to reward guys who win during the season?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:20 PM)

Henry, I don't I think there should be more points awarded for wins and more bonus points, too. Plus I think the guy who is No. 1 going into the Chase should get a 20 or 25-point bonus, too. Would put more of a premium on winning all around.

Ben (Delaware)

Tim, what's the next big change to hit nascar? anything from tracks losing a race to drivers swapping teams. what is the next blockbuster?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:21 PM)

Ben, I would say that the next blockbuster is going to be races next year with fewer than 43 cars. Look how many teams don't know their sponsors for next year yet. And the economy is not likely to turn around overnight, no matter what happens in November. So it's my guess that a day of reckoning is coming for NASCAR in '09.

Tom (cincinnati, OH)

What are yours opinions about the Bud Shootout new format? I understand why the change is being made. Who decision to change the format?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:24 PM)

It's kind of crazy, Tom. Since the Bud pole is now the Coors pole, they got rid of pole winners and are just going with top six of each manufacturer. That means David Stremme is in the shoot-out and people like Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman and Clint Bowyer aren't. It's got a few kinks to work out.

Sid (Marietta, GA)

on the weather front (pardon pun) would they move qualifying UP (re: earlier) to aviod setting the field by points? given the stakes of this race it seems the right/fair thing to do...

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:25 PM)

Sid, you are talking about what's fair and what NASCAR does in the same sentence. That's a dangerous mix. Does it make sense? Sure. Have I seen anything about it happening? Not yet.

Larry (MI)

Hey Tim, any idea who JPM will have as a teammate next year?

TG (PA)

Do you think they should have waited to let Joey Lagano race until next week since this is the last race to get into the chase. God forbid he wrecks one of the guys trying to get in.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:29 PM)

That would be unfortunate but this is a very skilled young man and he's not likely to do anything like that. I would say Robby Gordon being in the field is a bigger concern.

Tom (cincinnati, OH)

What are the olds the Kentucky Speedway will get a race in 2010?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:30 PM)

That's got to be getting closer to happening, Tom, with Bruton buying up everything. Have to assume it will get a Cup race by then.

Jon (Maryland)

Jr's season has been like his cars, strong in the begining but fades towards the end.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:30 PM)

That's pretty appropriate I would say.

Larry (MI)

With the chance of qualifying get washed out, how come Gibbs didn't put Logano in the 20 and Tony in the 02 for one race. Tony basically has his spot in the chase and he can use a past champion.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:31 PM)

I know what you're saying but I think it's more fair to have Joey start in the back and Tony start in the first four rows since he has earned that spot, if it does get washed out.

TONY (KEIZER, OREGON)

poll time,,,,,out of the twelve in the chase, who wins the championship,,,,my opinion,,,,as if was from the start of the year,,,,,jimmie johnson

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:32 PM)

Tony, it's time for my weekly ever-changing top five, so everyone can exhale after this. Drum roll.......1. Johnson.2. Kyle Busch.3. Carl Edwards.4. Greg Biffle.5. Kevin harvick.And, frankly, you can stop the list after the third spot.

Saul (San Diego)

How would you change or modify the California track to make it exciting? I agree its boring on TV and sitting on the stands.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:33 PM)

I'm not sure, the track is so big that you don't see much side by side racing, no one can run down the leader. I was there last year when it was miserably hot. This year it was nice and you still had thousands of empty seats.

Larry (MI)

If qualifying does get washed out is Logano in the field? I didn't think the 02 had any owner points.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:34 PM)

Good question. I am not sure how many drivers are attempting to qualify. I haven't seen a list.

Kenneth (Beaumont, Texas

How likely is it that a Rousch teammate of Ragan's "unintentionally" goes after Bowyer when push comes to shove in the race this week?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:35 PM)

That would be a very interesting development but I don't see it happening. You know three years ago in the Chase, you had five out of 10 drivers were with Roush. And they still couldn't win. So the conspiracy things usually don't play out. Interesting thought and something to watch, though.

Greg (Richmond, VA)

To answer Larry, if qualifying is cancelled, Logano will not be in the race.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:35 PM)

Thank you, Greg, I assumed that was the case unless somehow only 43 drivers were qualifying.

TONY (KEIZER, OREGON)

i have busch third and edwards second, other than that, same top five

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:36 PM)

Yeah, you might be right, Edwards has been very good at intermediates and we have a lot of those in the Chase. However, Busch has won at three of the Chase tracks this year already.

Nate (San Antonio, TX)

What do you think Khane's chances are of making the Chase?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:39 PM)

He's going to have to finish about 8 to 10 spots ahead of Bowyer and several in front of Ragan. It's doable for sure. But it's hard when you've got two competitive guys that you need to beat by a substantial amount.

Saul (San Diego)

What are your three boring tracks after California?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:40 PM)

Probably Michigan, las Vegas and Indy. They may love those markets and the Indy history but this wasn't the first Brickyard that was unwatchable. Just the worst so far.

Larry in landover

What's up with the truck series? No sponsor annoucement yet?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:41 PM)

that's just another in a long series of bad signs for NASCAR as it deals with this economy.

Tony (Vacaville CA)

Do you see Jeff Gordon winning a race this year. If so, which one?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:42 PM)

Well, I gave him a 75 percent chance earlier in the chat so I guess I better pick a race. Let's give him Martinsville since he has only won there 7 times.

Robert (Shreveport, LA)

Should I still be mad at Richard for putting Mears in the 07 and taking the points away from Clint? Do you think Mears will produce for RCR? I personally don't like cheerios or the color yellow.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:43 PM)

I think Mears might do OK but I don't like the rule that allows teams to do that, same thing Penske did with Hornish and others have done. The drivers who do the work should be rewarded.

TONY (KEIZER, OREGON)

you might not agree with this, but,,,i know they put the restricter plates in to make the racing closer,,, but my opinion, take em out,,,,races have been real boring on the big tracks

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:44 PM)

I don't think the Daytona races have been boring the last couple years. You had great finishes in the 500 each of the last two years. I just think with safety being the emphasis you're never going to get them to take the plates off again.

Rob (Philadelphia, PA)

Denny Hamlin has been heating up as of late, and with Richmond this weekend, do you see him winning? I also have him as my darkhorse pick for the Chase.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:45 PM)

I think Denny is capable of anything once he gets into the Chase. The back-to-back third place finishes have really elevated his chances. I'm surprised his year has been so up and down but he could be a real factor in the Chase.

Nate (San Antonio)

When do you think Jeff Gordon will retire? I'm tired of seeing him.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:46 PM)

Nate, think about this. When Gordon retires, I don't get to see Ingrid on the pit box any more. Have a heart.

TONY (KEIZER, OREGON)

hey Tim, just a follow up from a couple weeks ago, my seven year old(gocarts)not racing for points or tropheys,,,he joined to late this year,,,but mock races,,,,15-20 laps, had his first socalled podium finish last weekend,,,,a second

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:49 PM)

Sounds strong. Keep it up.

Saul (San Diego)

When the chase begins, do the non-chaser give the chasers a little more room during the race?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:50 PM)

They should. That hasn't always been the case. I mean they still have a right to race and try to win but they do have to show some caution.

Eddie (NJ)

If Matt Kenseth goes on a run like he did mid summer to climb from 22nd to 8th in points, do you give him a shot at the title?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:51 PM)

It will have to be a powerful run with no bonus points. He only has two top threes all year, that is pretty surprising for him.

Kyle (Burlington, VT)

Hey Tim, This season has been dominated by a very small handful of drivers (largely Busch and Edwards), while these drivers are no doubt talented, I see the switch to the COT as being a big reason for their success and the relative struggles of some perennially strong drivers like Gordon. What's your take on this? Is it that Busch and Edwards are the best at handling a really free setup and the change has really benefited them while penalizing others slower to adjust?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:53 PM)

That's basically it, Kyle. We have talked about this some before but drivers like Gordon, Stewart, even Kenseth who have won lots of races know how those cars used to feel. They don't get that feel with these cars and it frustrates them. Whereas Busch is just very good at driving hard into the corners but not killing his brakes in the process. He has learned that slower is faster if that makes sense. I think it does. The surprise to me is that, say in Edwards' case, he has four teammates and they are mostly really good and none of them have won a race. Bizarre.

Bill (Baltimore, MD)

What is the next team to close up shop?>

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:55 PM)

Well, it will be interesting to see what happens with the yates drivers who have been without sponsors basically all year.

Kyle (Burlington, VT)

It seems like Denny Hamlin and the 11 team have been getting kicked around a little by the media recently,granted his season has been up and down, but by no fault of his own. His struggles have been mostly mechanical issues and poor luck. He could easily have three victories like Jimmie Johnson with a green-white checker lead at bristol and and a dominant car at richmond foiled by mechanical issues. He also trailed only Kyle Busch in laps led for a large portion of the season, I'm wondering why he isn't higher on your list of favorites?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:58 PM)

I like Denny a lot, I just can't put him in the top five because it's all about consistency and his team can't stay consisent for more than two or three races at a time. If they find it, then, yeah, they would be right with the guys after the big three.Nice chatting, talk again next week when the Chase is locked in and ready to go.Courage.