ESPN

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:03 PM)

Let's do some chatting, live from Kansas Speedway. Nice day here, little hot for late September.

Scott (Minneapolis, MN)

Tim, Any dark horses this weekend beyond the usual suspects?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:04 PM)

I think this is more of a race for the usual suspects. Is Kyle Busch a dark horse yet? I expect one of the big boys to take the checkered flag but if you want a dark horses, let's go with Sadler.

The Man, IL

With 5 of the last 8 chase races on 1.5 mile tracks, which drivers (chasers and non-chasers)will have the biggest advantage?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:05 PM)

I think you have to look at Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson. I think one of those two is going to win the Chase. I realize Biffle has won two in a row and won here last year. And he's always good at Homestead, come to think of it. But I think it boils down eventually to Edwards and Johnson.

JUSTIN (RALEIGH NC)

GIVEN STATE WATER HEATERS WILL GO WITH SCOTT RIGGS FOR THE 09 SEASON. WHERE DO YOU SEE SCOTT DRIVING IN 09 ..YATES. BDR.PETTY.DEI....WHERE U THINK IS MOST LOGIICAL AND PROBABLE

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:06 PM)

I think DEI is a possibility there but that's just a guess. No one really knows at this point.

Chad (Danville, IL)

Hey TimDo you think NASCAR would ever consider going with an East and West Division like NFL or NBA or MLB? They could spend the first half or more of the year with two races a weekend and then combine for the final 12 weeks or something?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:07 PM)

Never heard of an idea like that but I'm afraid it wouldn't work. Fans paying hundreds of dollars want to see Junior and Jimmie and Jeff and Tony. Not just half of them.

Jill (FL)

Tim,In your opinion, who has the brightest future Speed, Almirola, Hornish, or Ragan and why?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:08 PM)

It's too soon to make the call on Almirola although I expect his success at other levels will translate to Cup success one day. So give me Ragan, the man almost made the Chase at 22 years old this year.

Aaron (Florida)

Is Kyle Busch done for this year?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:10 PM)

I have to say yes. Even Kyle said this morning that realistically he has no chance. Drivers know they can afford one bad race in the Chase -- Kurt had a 42nd in '04, Jimmie had a 39th two years ago - - but you can't have two. A deficit of 210 points is too big because guys like Biffle and Jimmie and Edwards are going to keep piling up top fives and top 10s.

Joe (CA)

Sadler as a darkhorse...I see by the speed charts that he's running well.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:11 PM)

I didn't see how they finished but he was fast early in practice and he was top 10 here a year ago.

Ben, Denver

How ticked is Kyle Busch right now? He was clearly the leader earlier in the season and now he won't win anything.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:12 PM)

He's pretty upset but he's trying to tell himself it was a great year because he did win 19 races at three different levels. In that regard, it was a great year but just rotten luck in the Chase.

Andy (Toledo, OH)

Tim, where do you see Brad Keselowski fitting in in the future years at HMS? Will he possibly be taking over Gordo's ride when he retires? Or will he share time with Mark Martin in 2010 and then take the No. 5 on full-time after that?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:12 PM)

I am under the assumption he will eventually take over Martin's car. I don't know how much Martin plans to drive in 2010 and neither does he right now.

Justin (Sacramento)

what's your take on Rickey Carmichael trying to be a Cup driver?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:14 PM)

I don't know what the transition from motocross to NASCAR would be like but he has had Mark Martin in his corner. That has to be a good thing. He would bring a lot of fans to the sport.

Jared, Lawrence, KS

Tony Stewart? Is Kansas the place Smoke turns it around and strings together some finishes that bring him into championship talk?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:16 PM)

I don't think it's in the cards for Tony this year. I talked to him when he was in Texas three weeks ago and he just didn't sound optimistic about suddenly finding something that would allow him to run with the top guys. He's not out of it yet, but he's on the edge.

Mark (Mount Airy,MD)

Hey Tim, Who do you see Allmendinger driving for next season?? I think he has proven enough to get a full time ride in Cup.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:16 PM)

I agree with you, Mark. I think there's a good chance he ends up with Ganassi.

Brandon (Minnesota)

Tim, this is off topic but are you gonna be on ATH today? Your my favorite on there

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:17 PM)

Thanks for the support, Brandon, but, no I am in Kansas at the track today. So don't expect a lot of NASCAR talk on today's episode. Or hockey.

Cole (Norman, Ok)

Everyone was on the USC bandwagon before the big upset, now everyone is buzzing about Georgia. What will it take for Oklahoma to get the coverage that SEC teams get? OU has been establishing themselves as a powerhouse thus far, but have yet to get a mention. We are number 2 in the nation right now! Will Oklahoma or the Big 12 ever get the media coverage the SEC does?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:18 PM)

Not exactly a NASCAR question but we don't mind an occasional curveball. I think OU and the Big 12 get a ton of coverage. The SEC top to bottom is the best conference every year, but the Big 12's depth at quarterback puts it right alongside the SEC this year.

Levi (Minnesota)

Kyle Busch has the Cup won. Why are they even having the last few races?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:18 PM)

I'm afraid Kyle is out of it, Levi.

John (Los Angeles Ca)

Is Yates going muddle along with mid pack finishes and no wins forever or do you see some sort of driver signing or shakeup?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:20 PM)

I don't know how long Yates is going to stay in NASCAR based on some statements they made this year. And they certainly aren't competitive. Feel for the drivers who went without sponsors all year.

Scott (Minneapolis, MN)

Is Dale Jr, that bad at communicating with Eury Jr or are other drivers just better about it. It seems you don't hear about this unless its Dale, it can't be that all drivers are great at telling the crew chief what they need?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:22 PM)

You hear about it because it's Dale Junior and because he does cuss out his cousin on a semi-regular basis. I think they should examine that relationship after this season. Three wins in four years together.

Mark (Mount Airy,MD)

Tim, Since this is the first time the COT has been at Kansas, do the crew chiefs rely on Chicagoland notes to set up the car???? Or is practice more crucial than usual.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:24 PM)

I think practice here is pretty important for that reason. A couple of guys mentioned Chicago although Biffle said this track drives a little different because it is flatter in the turns.

Jace, KS

How are you enjoying the great state of KS Tim? It's got to be better than arguing with Stat Boy or Mariotti, right?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:24 PM)

I am enjoying it just fine, Jace, thanks. Might be up here more often since there's a good chance my daughter will be a freshman at Missouri next year.

BB (Mpls)

If the 24 team wins this weekend showing muscle they haven't shown all year (I know...wishful thinking) how would you assess his chances of winning the cup this year?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:26 PM)

Well, a win would get Jeff Gordon within probably 100 points of the leaders so that would at least get him into the discussion with seven races to go. But until he does that, he's not in the hunt. He's also sick this weekend, that probably won't help.

Mark (Bham, AL)

Great job as always Tim. You ever spend any time in the infield at Dega? We'd love for you to stop by our camp site next weekend!

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:26 PM)

I am sorry, Mark, I am not covering the race at Talladega next week. I have Kansas, Charlotte, Texas and Homestead left on my travel schedule. Appreciate the kind offer.

Big Mama (Yazoo City, MS)

A non Chase driver will win this week. mark it down. and can you put me in touch with that fine JA Adande?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:29 PM)

You're on your own in trying to reach the Adande Lounge, but if a non-Chaser wins, I will be very surprised. Biffle was the only non-Chaser to win a Chase race last year.

Scott (Minneapolis, MN)

Which chaser is going to have a bad weekend?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:29 PM)

I think Gordon and Stewart might be in for rough weekends.

Levi (Minnesota )

I am not much of a Nascar guy at all, but i know that millions love it. How is nascar comparing with other huge sports like the NFL or to a lesser extent MLB?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:30 PM)

This is a pretty broad question here. I will say that nothing competes with the NFL for fans and ratings but NASCAR holds up very well, TV ratings-wise, against everything else including MLB and the NBA.

your face (yourfaceville)

Who's the best young driver in the sport?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:31 PM)

Depends on how you define young. If it's 22, then probably Ragan. If it's younger, then definitely 18-year-old Joey Logano.

llama says meow (meow the face)

How do you think Randy Moss motorsports will do in the future?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:33 PM)

I don't know, I am not sure how seriously Randy is going to take it, how much money he's going to be willing to lose in order to try to compete. He sounds like he's really into it, though.

Justin (Lebanon, VA)

DO you think that Dale Jr will win a race in the chase?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:35 PM)

I think it's possible but he hasn't had the consistency the last two months that he had the first half of the season. If I had to pick, I would say no.

Joe (NY)

What do you think of Scott Speed? He had a great test this week...

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:36 PM)

Obviously, Red Bull is high enough on him to take away A.J. Allmendinger's ride although A.J. had done pretty well. We will have to see if Speed can compete with his teammate Brian Vickers.

Big Bob (Guantanamo Bay)

When is Tony Stewart going to win a race?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:39 PM)

He better win one of the next eight because it's going to be hard to win for Stewart Haas next season. But he has won at every track they go to from here on out except Talladega.

Tyler (Tampa Florida)

The chase has proven the gap between the big four and the rest. Only four teams made it in, but which team has the best chance to upset the balance in '09?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:40 PM)

My guess would be GEM or Red Bull. I could see Kahne or Vickers in the Chase next season.

JR (Dogtown, VA)

How many wins can Mark Martin win in 2009 and can he win the title to?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:42 PM)

I think Mark can win a race next year. Look how close he has been at times. I don't see him competing for the title. As he said a few weeks back, "I'm competing with Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Junior and they have the same equipment as I do.'' But I think he will compete for a spot in the Chase.

Mark (Mount Airy,MD)

Tim, Any news on where Menard will be next year???? I assumed DEI but I keep hearing about Yates as well.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:42 PM)

I am pretty certain he is going to be with DEI again.

Tyler (Tampa Florida)

Outside of the Biffle, Johnson, and Edwards, who has the best chance of winning the cup?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:44 PM)

I think the title definitely goes to one of those three. But if I was forced to pick someone else, I would take Kevin harvick. He had to do some bigtime driving to get into the Chase and as a result I think he is at eight straight top 10s. That's the kind of consistency you need to compete in the Chase.

John (Baltimore,MD)

What is the real story at Ganassi Racing?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:46 PM)

I don't know that there is a "real story'' other than the fact they overvalued the appeal of famous open-wheel drivers and thought that would attract sponsors. They need to rethink that strategy.

Eric (Charlottesville, VA)

Is there a final word on whether Bowyer and Martin will be together next year? Or is Martin going to go with Mears?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:50 PM)

What? Bowyer and Mears will both be at RCR but Mears will be in the 07. Martin will run fulltime at DEI. I have to run do an ESPN News "hit'' in a few minutes so a couple of more questions will be it. Thanks as always.

Ben (Fayetteville, GA)

Tim, How do you see the COT affecting the type of racing at Kansas this weekend? Are any modifications in the near future for the COT?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:51 PM)

I think teams have a better handle on it now. Testing at Charlotte may have helped them some this week. At least that's what Gordon is banking on.

Big Bob (Guantanamo Bay)

When will Nascar allow some crashes for once?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:52 PM)

they don't really prevent crashes, Big Bob. They have put a huge emphasis on safety the last seven years and it has paid off, but they're still wrecking out there. Talk to you all next week.Courage.