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Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:03 PM)

Can't begin to tell you how I lost the showdown on Around the Horn today. So disappointing to miss out on Victory Lane. Let's talk NASCAR and whatever else you got.

Tyler (Blacksburg, VA)

Hey Tim!,What are the chances Scott Riggs(State Water Heaters and Hunt Brothers Pizza) will be in the #15 or #8 for DEI next year? He has a contract just very silent on who its with! Any ideas?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:03 PM)

thanks, Tyler, he told my man Marty Smith he had a contract ready to sign last week. I assume it is DEI, they have to get some drivers from somewhere. Riggs can drive, but he's reaching a point where he's not viewed as the next big thing so he's getting skipped over for younger drivers.

Rich (Pittsburgh, PA)

Did the Ganassi shop finally make some strides with both the 42 and 41 cars being good at Dega? Im looking for any reason to hope that JPM can make the chase next year.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:04 PM)

Rich, that's a big leap for Juan Pablo to make the Chase. He needs to break into the top 20 and then see what he can do. He has the potential but I don't think he's got a fair shot against drivers from Hendrick, Gibbs, Roush and Childress.

Bryan (KY)

You need to make an appearance on ARTH so we can get a little Hockey love on there, opening night, baby!

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:05 PM)

We talked hockey on Around the Horn today, Bryan. Don't miss it.

William (Chattanooga, TN)

I got a feeling Smoke is about to catch fire. Now that he got that first win watch out. What do you think? Also can you get me the hook up with Nicole Manske?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:06 PM)

Sure, William, here's Nicole's number. It's...sorry, can't help you. Is Tony going to get hot or was this just one race? Good question. My guess is he will continue to be up and down but he might win another race since he has no choice but to go all out. No sense driving for points when you are out of it.

Greg (Sacramento, CA)

Do you think Truex stays at DEI after next year? after that if he doesnt stay there where does he go? Tony's team? Hendrick? I couldnt see him going anywhere else besides those two or if JR started a Cup team by then but still think thatd be a long shot...what say you?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:08 PM)

I would think his bad luck this year and all the bad luck and bad equipment he saw Junior dealing with in '07 make DEI a hard place for him to stay. Paul Menard shows a little potential and he leaves for Yates. If Yates is an upgrade over DEI, then Truex will have to think long and hard before staying. Not sure how soon Tony will be ready to add a third team but Truex will have options.

Greg(Sacramento, CA)

who is still in the running to win the championship I only think 5 guys have a semi chance?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:09 PM)

I really think it's four. Bowyer, in fifth, is 152 points back and I just don't think he can pull off the kind of driving that allowed Johnson to rally from that far back two years ago. So it's really Jimmie, Carl, Greg and Burton.

Justin (Ohio)

Tim, any chance you do a non-nascar chat?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:11 PM)

Well, I throw a few unrelated questions in here from time to time but I don't want to overdo it.

Kevin Harward

I heard that Robby Gordon might be coming to RCR? Any new word on that?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:12 PM)

I'm not sure how that would happen, they have four drivers for '09 and after next year you can't have five any more.

Jeff(CA)

In your opinion who had the car to beat at Talladega? Also do you think Smith was forced below the line or chose to go there? I think Nascar would not have been happy with Smith if he did not elect to go below the line and Tony definitely woulda thrown something prlly not just gloves and han device on his dash either

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:16 PM)

I've heard from a lot of people on that finish. I have to think NASCAR got it right. I know it's split about 50-50 in polls but I don't think Stewart forced him below the line. He blocked him for sure, but that's not the same thing. The rule is written just vaguely enough that both sides can believe they are right. I just hate that Regan Smith got an 18th place finish out of it. Would have been nice to at least give him second.

other Chris (Richmond, VA)

I recently took a vacation to Montreal -- beautiful city. Anyway, why doesn't NCSC move the Watkins Glen race (which is in the middle of nowhere) to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve? The Nationwide series ran there this year.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:17 PM)

That's a move that makes so much sense I am certain it won't happen anytime soon. Used to love to visit Montreal both when I covered the San Francisco Giants and the Dallas Stars. Saw the last hockey game ever played in the Forum. A magical night.

Sid (Atlanta)

once Tony and Zippy part ways at the end of this yr will Jimmie and Chad be the oldest driver/crew chief tandem? also, how many years do Jr and Jr have if you bridge?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:19 PM)

I'm not sure on that but I believe that would be correct on Jimmie and Chad. Tony Jr. has been Dale's crew chief since the Loudon race in September, 2005.

Rusty (SC)

Tim, I was watching the race and saw an in car shot of carl edwards spilling his water in his lap. what was up with that.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:20 PM)

You mean intentionally? I didn't see that. that would be an unusual way to cool off.

BB (Mpls)

Gordon...changes or not with team for next year? I'm assuming DuPont will get a rebate after this year for his lack of performance:)

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:21 PM)

It has been a very strange year, coming after a season in which Gordon won six times and had 30 top 10s. They can't explain the dropoff and so I can't either. I still think he can win a championship. Not this year.

Glen Fla

Tim, yesterday on araound the horn the one guy got 3 points right at the buzzer to knock you out, the rule are as loose as NASCAR's rule book wouldnt your agree

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:21 PM)

Thanks, Glen, the rules on Around the Horn make NASCAR's rule book look air tight. Disturbing finish today, too.

Daniel (New Berlin, WI)

Hypothetically, if AJ Allmendinger was in 15th place in the 00 car with 100 miles left, but had a top 10 car, do you think he would ride play it conservatively to put the 00 in the top 35 in owners' points, or go for broke and try to finish in the top 10? Additionally, it would be sweet irony if he took the 84 car out of the top35 owners' points.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:22 PM)

That would be ironic but he won't be driving it the last five races, anyway.

Phil (Charlotte, NC)

Other than the 48, who are your favorites to win at LMS Saturday night?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:23 PM)

Clint Bowyer was second to Gordon there last october and he has a lot of momentum. I would put him and of course Edwards and Biffle in the mix. Dark horse? David Ragan.

Eric (Charlottesville, VA)

You said Bowyer is out because he can't "pull off the kind of driving that allowed Johnson to rally from that far back two years ago." What exactly does that mean?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:25 PM)

Starting at Charlotte, Johnson went 2nd, 1st, 2nd, 2nd and 2nd to lock up the championship. Bowyer's good and he had a hot stretch early this season but I don't see him reeling off five straight top twos. Might not matter anyway because Jimmie's not going to fall off the map.

Scott (Minneapolis, Mn)

Will JJ go down as a better driver than Gordon when he is done and where is his place all time?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:26 PM)

I don't think so, I think he will be viewed as the best driver of the Chase era. We will have to see how many championships he win. I think Gordon can be considered No. 2 behind Petty although Dale Sr. fans disagree with that.

Greg(Sacramento, CA)

Ok do you see Tony Jr. and Dale Jr. getting the plug pulled or do you think that Dale Jr. has the call on that for at least a couple years? Also do you think that they are a good tandem despite the bad press tony jr gets and Jr.'s fiery personality?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:28 PM)

I think Tony Eury Jr. catches a lot of heat for things that aren't his fault. However, they have never experienced a lot of winning together and i would think Hendrick would look at some of the crew chief-driver pairings, not including the 48 team, of course.

steve ohio

any chasers working on next year yet?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:28 PM)

I don't know about that, it's more just trying to win, trying to get good finishes and keep getting a better handle on this car.

other Chris (Richmond, VA)

Who wins the most Stanley Cup titles over their career: Crosby, Ovechkin, or Zetterberg?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:29 PM)

Two each for Zetterberg and Crosby. One for Ovechkin.

Nick Rolando

Any news on Yates sponsors?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:31 PM)

Nothing new this week.

Magna, Utah

How do you think kasey kahne will do at charlotte? i think he might pull off the sweep.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:31 PM)

That would make for an interesting season for him, wouldn't it? Awfully good there this summer.

Eric (Charlottesville, VA)

it's raining in Charlotte, so if qualifying is rained out today, do they try and qualify tomorrow, or is it just set by points?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:33 PM)

I won't be there until later tonight but in normal circumstances they just set the field by points. Don't know if they have a built-in window for qualifying tomorrow. That would be unusual.

Larry (MI)

Hey Tim, So Scott Riggs is saying he has a contract for 2009 on his desk. Any idea who it is from?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:33 PM)

I have got this question several times and I said earlier in the chat i don't know. Best guess is DEI.

Eric (Charlottesville, VA)

Think the Rangers can win the cup?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:34 PM)

Watch Around the Horn today and you will find out.

Josh (Lincoln, NE)

Yeah, if I was DuPont I would just hate a guy who would be top 5 in the points right now if it weren't for a blown tire taking him out.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:35 PM)

Well, that's true, but it's been a hard year for him to watch Jimmie continue to win and he can't get close to Victory Lane.

sam (smoky mtns)

what's gonna happen to mears next year?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:35 PM)

Driving for Childress.

Jeff Macomb, MI

Where do you see the cutoff for the drivers in the Chase who still have a chance to catch the 48?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:36 PM)

I think Burton, 99 points back, is the last guy you can say really has a chance. And his is a long shot. Biffle and Edwards have better shots because they have been winning.

other Chris (Richmond, VA)

Who had the worse playoff collapse: Kyle Busch or the Chicago Cubs?Also, how is Denny Hamlin feeling (besides the "he's cleared to race" line)?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:39 PM)

That is a great question. I am going to go with Kyle because a guy who won eight races and won three times at tracks that are in the Chase shoulud have kept winning. In baseball, it's not that unusual for wild card teams to knock off the team with the most wins. Just huge disappointment for Cubs fans.

Kyle (Ottawa, ON)

Hockey starts tonight (in North America) and you're talking NASCAR? Don't you think Carpentier got a raw deal from Gilette Evernham?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:40 PM)

We have mixed in some hockey here, Kyle. Carpentier didn't have much of a year but reading about the spat he had at Talladega, that seemed pretty unfair.

Glen Fla

now that Tony has his 08 victory do you see Jeff getting his 08 win?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:40 PM)

Yes, I do. And he won at Charlotte a year ago so it could happen sooner than we think. But I do think he gets a win somewhere.

Jeff Macomb, MI

How many years do you think Gordon has left in this sport till he calls it a career?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:41 PM)

That's hard to say. I think he will drive five more years for sure. Not certain beyond that point.

Scott (Minneapolis, Mn)

Would NASCAR guys struggle if they went to open wheel, like open wheel guys coming to NASCAR?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:41 PM)

Yeah, I think so for sure unless they had previous open wheel experience like Tony Stewart.

Eric (Charlottesville, VA)

Speaking of Carpentier, doesn't all the open-wheel guys coming to NASCAR (and failing), rather than the NASCAR guys going to open-wheel, kind of end the debate as to which format is better?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:42 PM)

It's not a matter of better. NASCAR gets far better ratings, there is more money and more sponsors in it and it's safer. Those factors are cited by all the guys that try to cross over. But owners have learned that just because a big open wheel name might bring a sponsor it won't keep it if he can't get in the race.

TyHill (Durham, NC)

Are the Carolina Panthers for real?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:45 PM)

Picked them to win the NFC championship in Dallas Morning News. For real.

Jon (Bay City, Mi)

give me a top 5 for this weekends race, and do you think edwards mistake last week might make him second guess himself and drive more conservatively

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:45 PM)

No, I think he's going to continue to be aggressive. And I think he'll find his way into the top five with Biffle, Johnson, Bowyer and Ragan.

Greg(CA)

Tim, I want to know what you think about the whole open wheel to Nascar and vice versa. I think that the Nascar guys could pick up the open wheel quicker because the cars have more overall grip and are typically easier to drive...where as the open wheel guys struggle because these cars lack overall grip and are twice as heavy and twice as hard to drive, not to mention not as many adjustments in the cockpit...do you agree with this assessment, easier to go NASCAR to open then open to NASCAR?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:46 PM)

What you say makes sense but the experience of the open wheel drivers is a huge advantage in that sport, I think. And the problem is you aren't going to see top level NASCAR drivers switch. You're going to see someone whose lost his ride most likely. That's going to make for a hard judgment.

Greg(CA)

Who wins the world series?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:47 PM)

Phillies. One more and I have to head for airport. thanks, everyone.

Larry (MI)

Is the Navy leaving the sport or are they just going to a new team for next year?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:48 PM)

I'm pretty certain that Navy has not sponsored a car for next year. With what's happened to the economy the last two weeks, I have to wonder how many unsponsored cars are going to show up at Daytona. Thanks to all, talk to you next thursday.

Greg

Agreed Tim no top level nascar guy would go to open wheel excpet maybe to run the INDY 500...How much would you pay to see Tony run the Indy 500 a couple times? do you think he could win it if he had 5 chances?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:49 PM)

I will give him one win in five tries. Thanks, everybody.