Terry Blount

  (1:03 PM)

What's up. Do you have the yellow line blues?

Dave (Memphis)

Does Stewart gain some momentum from Talladega, even though there's a lot of luck in that win, and take it to a place where he led a ton of laps earlier this year? Or is Charlotte just going to be another Carl/JJ/Biff show?

Terry Blount

  (1:04 PM)

Tony definitely gains some mo, and remember, he ran well in Charlotte in the spring. But can he win the title. No.

Finn (Nashville)

Next year, could we see races with less than 43 drivers? If you start putting names and teams together, as we sit here today, 43 looks like a stretch.

Terry Blount

  (1:04 PM)

We could, but I doubt it. NASCAR will use field fillers to make sure he field stays at 43.

Teddy (Chicago)

Crystal ball -- looking 5-10 years out, do we see more restrictor plate races (possibly Cali)? A race in Kentucky? More tracks (maybe NYC)?

Terry Blount

  (1:07 PM)

Kentucky _ yes. NYC_ not likely. Plates at Cali _ probably not.

Harry - Birmingham

4 of the next 6 at cookie cutters...does the advantage go squarely to Johnson, or does Carl, who may be a little better on the 1.5s have the edge?

Terry Blount

  (1:13 PM)

JJ clearly has the edge now, but not because of the type of tracks. JJ has the edge because of experience in winning the Chase and having Chad Knaus on the pit box. But I wouldn't count Carl and Greg out yet.

John, Atlanta

Any chance NASCAR changes its scoring system to emphasize Top 20s (like only give points to the top 20 finishers)? It seems that in the Chase, you wreck, finish 40th, and your Chase is over. If 21st (or some cutoff) to 43rd all got no points, sort of F1-like, maybe the Chase would actually have more contenders.

Terry Blount

  (1:19 PM)

I'm all for it John. I'd like to say NASCAR only score the top 30. If would keep teams from going back on the track with wrecked cars to try to gain three points or five points. But I don't think it will happen.

Joe (Milwaukee)

Any of the chasers looking to next year already? How many teams (throughout the field) are really competing vs. trying stuff for next year?

Terry Blount

  (1:24 PM)

I don't know that any of them have given up yet, although Kyle and Denny are more than 300 points behind. Non-Chasers will use R&D setups to see if if will work for next season.

Randy (Dallas)

Any new teams at the Cup level confirmed for next year? With all the consolidation, seems there's room on pit lane for some new teams.

Terry Blount

  (1:30 PM)

New teams will be few and far between in this economy, but we may see some more mergers.

Don (Little Rock)

AJ going to the 00? Ironic that he's been outside all year of the Top 35, and now he's right back there. Do you think that's permanent?

Terry Blount

  (1:31 PM)

I don't think so, but it's nice to see AJ have a ride this week. I still think he's a candidate for ther 41 car.

Mike (Dallas)

Terry, Do you think Junior and Tony would have been 1-2 at Dega? Junior was running real strong and those two are restrictor Gods.

Terry Blount

  (1:35 PM)

I think Junior had a car capable of winning, but I think Denny did also had his tire not exploded.

Larry (NC)

Prediction for next year -- how many cars will DEI field?

Terry Blount

  (1:37 PM)

Three at the most, but it could be two with this economy unless they merge with another team.

John, Atlanta

I was impressed with Montoya Sunday. He seems to be a pretty good plate racer. Any chance these guys take the next step next year with their intermediate program?

Terry Blount

  (1:42 PM)

Hard to say. They haven't shown they can do that consistently, but stability for JPM with a crew chief will help.

Nick Rolando (Orlando)

Terry, do you think Yates and Petty will have full-time sponsors next year?

Terry Blount

  (1:43 PM)

I think any team that doesn't already have primary sponsors lined up for 09 is going to have a tough time finding them now with the down economy.

Fred (Miami)

Do you think Vickers or Ragan will seriously threaten for a Chase spot next year? Do you think Penske comes back with a vengence?

Terry Blount

  (1:44 PM)

I think Vickers definitely is a guy to watch next year. Ragan will continue to improve and he barely missed he Chase this year. I think Penske has a long way to go.

Mike (Dallas)

Do you think Junior will ever get to the level of his Dad?

Terry Blount

  (1:44 PM)

No one will ever get to that level.

George,AZ

We are hearing newmans 39 with US Army as primary sponsor. Hoping for Borland as crew chief. Is it possible?

Terry Blount

  (1:47 PM)

It's possible. It depends on whether Tony wants to leave Borland in the overseer role he has now, but I expect Matt to CC for Newman.

Mark (Annandale, VA)

Which track do you think will be the next to lose a Cup date ?

Terry Blount

  (1:47 PM)

Probably Martinsville.

Mike (Dallas)

What is the overall concensus on the Goodyear tire after this season?

Terry Blount

  (1:48 PM)

Goodyear needs to develop a wider tire and everyone knows it. But it won't be ready for 09.

Joey (Wilmington)

Will the same setups that worked at Charlotte earlier this year work there this weekend? Or will the teams come with entirely new cars and setups based on testing, track differences, etc?

Terry Blount

  (1:49 PM)

The set-ups chance as the teams leave more and more about how to race the COT. So what worked in May probably won't work as well now.

Adam (Syracuse,ny)

do you remember another year when tires played such a huge role in deciding the outcome of the race?

Terry Blount

  (1:50 PM)

Not in the era of having only one tire manufacturer.

Mike (Dallas)

Will DEI be non-existent in the next couple of seasons?

Terry Blount

  (1:50 PM)

No. DEI is here to stay in some form, but that may mean another merger.

Dave (Memphis)

How important to Kahne is the triple at Charlotte? Does he still have a chance at 13th and the money bonus?

Terry Blount

  (1:51 PM)

Kasey wants to win, but bonus anymore for 13th.

Rocco (NYC)

Is Gustafson going to be Martin's crew chief next year? Will Letarte be Gordon's crew chief next year if Jeff doesn't win a race or the chase this year?

Terry Blount

  (1:53 PM)

Loks like Alan will cc for Mark. Jeff loves Letarte, but a change could happen anyway if the team runs poorly down the stretch.

Ted (DC)

Why was Logano going to race and now is not going to race in the 96?

Terry Blount

  (1:54 PM)

Because the 96 is such a horrible car that JGR felt it was hindering his deveopment. And the 96 teams needs to find a driver for 09.

BB (Mpls)

Jeff Gordon...done?..changes coming? When does he start working on 09'?

Terry Blount

  (1:55 PM)

Probably done for th 08 Chase, but I don't think they're ready to go all R&D just yet.

Jason (Seattle)

At what point does getting a sponsor become a seller's market? It seems teams are holding out for certain dollar amounts instead of taking the best available offer.

Terry Blount

  (1:56 PM)

What they do is take sponsors for a few events instead of reducing the overall rate, but that may change soon.

Fred (St. Paul)

I thought Harvick had a car to win at Dega- is it too late for him in the Chase?

Terry Blount

  (1:56 PM)

Not impossible, but not likely.

David (Jackson, KY)

Are the Pettys still undecided about their second driver for 09, or is it for sure McCumbee's job? Could the Riggs contract that was alluded to during Sunday's telecast be from Petty Enterprises?

Terry Blount

  (1:57 PM)

Probably Chad, but the fact that they have waited this long to say could mean they are wavering.

Mike (Dallas)

Do you ever see any more than 12 in the Chase cutoff?

Terry Blount

  (1:58 PM)

No, not anytime soon, anyway.

Adam (Syracuse,ny)

because of the hard economy, do you think it's possible we'll see less than 43 cars qualifying at ANY track next year?

Terry Blount

  (1:59 PM)

Answered this earlier, but I think NASCAR will use field-fillers (guys paid to show up knowing they have a spot in the race) to make sure that doesn't happen.

Ted (DC)

Reutimann has come on strong, it seems -- any chance he gets a better ride than MWR?

Terry Blount

  (2:00 PM)

David is better because the MWR cars have gotten better. Not many good rides left out there now for 09.

Terry Blount

  (2:01 PM)

Gota run folks to do NASCAR Now. Have a great day. Peace.