ESPN

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:00 PM)

Let's get rolling here. Finished taping Around the Horn, got a NASCAR NOW segment to do at 315 central. Here we go!

Steven (NJ)

I saw you talking about Nascar pancakes on ATH are the Pancakes any good?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:00 PM)

Glad you caught that, Steven. I have never acutally had the NASCAR Pancakes that Woody was holding up on Tuesday. I am sure they are tasty.

justin (hillsborough nc)

in your best opinion where do you see scott riggs driving in 09....cup with dei or someone else or nationwide or trucks...your thoughts

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:01 PM)

I'm trying to figure out if DEI is going to keep its doors open much longer. No, it's not that dire, but consider that they began this year with four teams and four sponsors. They have Martin Truex's Bass pro sponsor for next year, nothing for Almirola or Regan Smith and Menard just left the building. So I'm not sure where Riggs lands, but I doubt it's DEI.

Elaine (Austin)

Tim, what do you think of the COT now that NASCAR has been using it almost a whole year? Do you forsee any changes to it next year. Thanks.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:02 PM)

I think teams are getting a better handle on it and they don't need to make major changes. We've had some exciting racing lately. Maybe do something with the splitter so it's not hitting the track on so many cars.

Ben (FL)

In your opinion, from a driver's perspective, which car make is the make of choice? If driver's had a choice, would they rather dive a chevy, ford, toyota, etc.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:03 PM)

Well, drivers have different opinions. I think a lot of guys like the idea of driving Chevies but are intrigued by Toyota's money advantage over the American manufacturers.

Mike (Chalmette, LA

Tim, what is your thoughts on what Jack Roush's will do with his 5th team when he is force to go to four?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:06 PM)

I think it's pretty clear that McMurray is going to be the odd man out after next year. Rest of team is deep and strong.

Chad (Cascade, MD)

Anyone outside top 10 have a shot to win?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:07 PM)

I will give you two names. I think Kurt Busch has a real shot based on how he has done in restrictor plate races the last two years. And maybe David Ragan, I can see him running up front with his Roush teammates. He was good at Talladega in the spring, 4th I think.

Rick (Pa)

Last fall most of Hendrick and Roush stayed about a quarter lap behind the pack until about 35 laps to go. At that point the 24 and 48 started racing and finsihed 1-2. Can we expect more of the same this weekend?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:08 PM)

I think that's the strategy some will adopt. It worked for Gordon and Jimmie although I am not sure everyone is strong enough to do that.

Joe, (Troy, NY)

So Biffle follows up two wins with a stout third place finish....and loses ground to the leaders (albeit slight). Did Biffle have to be in the lead at this point to be considered a serious contender for the championship? Have you seen anything out of the top three that would separate any one of them from the others (make one the favorite, and one the "Dark Horse") ?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:09 PM)

I don't think there is a dark horse but I still say Jimmie is the favorite. Biffle has to be thinking, "I've won twice and finished third and I'm 30 points behind the guy that wins is every year.'' I'll have a better feel for Edwards after Sunday, he has had some awful finishes at Talladega.

Rich (Pittsburgh, PA)

With Reed done with the 41, the 40 being shelved most of the year... will Ganassi go with just JPM in the Target car next year or do you see a Merger in their future?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:10 PM)

I think Ganassi will have a second team for sure but they need to rethink their approach of constantly bringing open wheel drivers to NASCAR.

Chad (Cascade, MD)

Anyone outside top 3 have a chance?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:11 PM)

If you mean to win the whole thing, I would say Gordon, Harvick and Burton are still in it if they can win Sunday and one or two of the big three has a bad finish. But I'd say there's a 90 percent chance your winner will be one of the Big three. And about a 50 percent chance that it will be Jimmie.

tk (flint mi)

does dale jr have a legit chance to win the cup?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:11 PM)

He thinks so. I asked him after the Kansas race if he thought it was a three-man race now and he said, "Not unless you have me in your three.'' If he wins at Talladega, he's at least in the discussion for another week. But otherwise, no.

Mike (Chalmette, LA)

Tim, how much of an impact will Paul Manard have on Yates Racing?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:13 PM)

I don't see much happening there. He has had an OK year but Yates is just happy to have a driver that comes with his own sponsor.

Tom (cincinnati, OH)

What do you say is more likely to happen that the race be cation free or there will be a big one with 20+ cars since at tally both are possiblities?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:18 PM)

I don't see it being caution free. There's too much at stake and too many drivers willing to take risks to get back into the chase.

Dennis (Riverside, CA)

TC, do you think Joey Logano will ever win a NCCS championship?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:18 PM)

Wow, it's a tough call to make on an 18-year-old. The fact he's had a couple of disappointing runs racing for a bad team doesn't tell me much. Certainly he has great potential. And speaking of potential...

Jake (Indy)

hey tim, give me a POTENTIAL top 5 this weekend

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:19 PM)

See how I did that? OK, I'll give you Gordon, Ragan, Kurt Busch, Hamlin and Johnson.

jimmy (buffalo, NY)

hey what do you think of the run Harvick's had? Any chance of him keep ing it up and challenging for the cup?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:20 PM)

He has been terrific, Jimmy. Nine straight top 10s since he left Indy in 13th place. I think he has to win or finish second this week or next and have the others run into some trouble. It's just hard when those three are so consistent.

William (Chattanooga, TN)

Please explain why Tony Stewart risked his whole chance at a title to wreck Vickers. Instead he wrecks himself and is now officially done. Why?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:21 PM)

I'm sure you know there were issues with Tony's and Vickers' pit crews Sunday but, yeah, it was a tactic designed to spin Vickers and instead Tony got almost all of the damage. I don't think he was in the hunt for a title, anyway, but he's certainly out of it now.

Joe (Troy, NY)

Is this the race that Biffle returns to the pack and Edwards and Johnson separate themselves from the rest?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:22 PM)

I'm talking about that a bit on Nascar Now today. Biffle and Edwards have really struggled at Talladega of late while Jimmie has been really good. I would say the odds are that one of the Roush drivers will continue to do well and the other won't. I know Edwards is very leary of going there. He said he would pay a million dollars to just take a 10th place finish and not have to drive there.

Dennis (Riverside, CA)

Way to ride that fence, Tim.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:23 PM)

I can do it with the best of them.

Tom (cincinnati, OH)

What happen to Gibbs Racing? I am surpised to see them 10-12 place in the chase! Who would have thought that Kyle Busch would be so far behind at this point in the chase?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:24 PM)

It's crazy. I don't know what to compare it to. Maybe Joe Gibbs Racing has become the 2006 Mavericks -- 67 regular season wins followed by a six-game annihilation by Golden State. Doesn't make sense that Kyle has mechanical issues almost immediately week after week. And you know Tony's team is a mess at this point.

Dennis (Riverside, CA)

How do you like your Tony Stewart? With or w/o the five o'clock shadow?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:26 PM)

I think Smoke looks better with the shadow. And with last year's weight, not this year's. At least I think there's a difference.

Tom (cincinnati, OH)

Taking about Tony how much of an impact would it be to lose Zip next year?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:27 PM)

Well, he is losing Zippy and I think that's big. He has been with him for 10 years and Zippy handles Tony's temper very well. Will be a big transition for Tony to be in worse equipment and have a new crew chief in his ear.

Jake(Indy)

Edwards attempted pass: Good move because he wants to win? or Bad move because it shows he is desperate to try and stay ahead of jimmie because he knows if doesn't and jimmie keeps racing the way he is it is over for him

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:28 PM)

I thought it was a great effort and he almost pulled it off. Got to give him credit for racing to win and doing it in a way where he made sure he didn't take Jimmie into the wall.

Jeff (Rochester NY)

What is the deal with Robby Gordon and GEM?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:28 PM)

They settled their lawsuit. He won't be driving for them.

Dennis (Riverside, CA)

So you're calling him fat?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:28 PM)

Let's go with husky.

bill (kent, ohio)

now that its been two straight years with three cars in the chase and challenging, and now adding a fourth car, do you think RCR has turned the corner and become one of the elite teams in nascar, along with hendrick and roush

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:29 PM)

I would put it this way. Hendrick is No. 1. Gibbs and Roush are tied right behind. And Childress is on the next level but it's right below them. They just need to win a championship.

Barry (Cleveland, OH)

When does Around the Horn usually film? You're awesome!

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:30 PM)

We love insight like this. We tape it at noon central, takes about an hour.

Jake(Indy)

i am a huge jj fan, but i have to say, wouldn't you like to see how much more intense the racing between the 2 would get if he would have taken him into the wall?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:31 PM)

Well, there certainly would have been plenty of drama but it's good that he didn't do that. I don't think intentionally wrecking Chase contenders is the way to go.

Scott (Minneapolis, MN)

Why does Edwards struggle at "Dega" not a good restrictor plate racer? He has finished in the top 5 at the last two July Daytona races.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:31 PM)

I think because the track is just so big it's a scarier place even than Daytona. It just gets into some drivers' heads and it appears to be in Edwards'.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:36 PM)

He does get a little flushed after a race, doesn't he? It's funny being there, some guys get out of the cars looking like they just drove to the grocery store while other guys look like they just showered in their suit.

Tom (cincinnati, OH)

Do you think the gas shortage in the south would affect the attenedence of the race?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:38 PM)

It definitely could. I talked to a lot of people at the track in Kansas and they were telling me they couldnt' find gas in Charlotte. Situation is supposed to be getting better this week but I don't know if it has.

Scott (Minneapolis, MN)

Do your counter parts on ATH like and appreciate NASCAR? Or do they make fun of you for liking it?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:39 PM)

If you think they like or appreciate NASCAR, Scott, you have never seen the show.

Chuck (Ft Lauderdale, FL)

Will DEI become nothing more than a museum? Will Truex Jr join Stewart/Haas after the 2009 season?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:39 PM)

I don't know if Tony will have a third driver that soon, but that his line -- a great one -- about DEI without Dale Jr. would be a museum. It's getting to be close to the truth.

Rich (Pittsburgh, PA)

What ever happened to the Goatee Challenge with you and Blackistone?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:40 PM)

It was a mustache challenge and I killed him. Wore just the mustache for a day, but my daughter made me shave it off when we went to look at Missouri.

Joe (Troy, NY)

Will all the Roush guys struggle at Talladega?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:40 PM)

No reason to think all five will struggle. They are too strong right now. I expect Ragan and Kenseth to do well, maybe Biffle, too.

Susan (austin, tx)

What do you think of Bootie Barker going with Waltrip?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:42 PM)

Love getting the name Bootte Barker into the chat, Susan. I don't think it will make a difference. I don't think Waltrip would be a successful driver if he had Chad Knaus as crew chief.

Dennis (Riverside, CA)

You have a college-aged daughter? Man you look a lot younger than 55. Got your AARP card yet?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:42 PM)

Didn't say I'm 55. She will be in college next year. Probably Mizzou.

Jon Menominee MI

I don't know if this was ask before but what was the most exciting moment this year in nns and nscs

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:44 PM)

Great question but I have to think a minute. End of Daytona 500 was classic. Nationwide, I'm not sure. Kyle had some exciting wins early.

Larry (MI)

I know Rusty has denied the rumors but where there is smoke there is fire, right?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:45 PM)

I talked to Rusty right before this chat. He said he thinks about driving every day and he still misses it but is happy at ESPN-ABC and is sticking with his contract. I think he is torn but I don't expect him to go back.

Matt (Madison,WI)

What do you think AJ Allmendinger should do with what could be a very promising career ahead of him?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:45 PM)

I think he will be good, Matt, I think Red Bull is making a big mistake.

Larry (MI)

What do you think of Jeff Gordon's new ride for next year?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:47 PM)

I'm not sure I like it. It's base is black now instead of blue, for those who haven't seen it. I like the old rainbow car the best.

Stacy (menominee mi)

I LOVE YOU

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:48 PM)

I love you, too, Stacy, but I am going to have to go after one more question or the good folks at Nascar Now will be shouting at me.

Dan

Tim,Do you think there is any chance DEI can pull threw this?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:51 PM)

I think it's going to be very tough. DEI has a poor reputation and if they lose Truex in another year or two I'm not sure what they would do. Thanks, everyone, appreciate the good questions. Talk to you next week from Charlotte, chat will probably move to Friday since I am flying Thursday but just check the web site and you will know.Courage.