David Newton

  (2:01 PM)

Welcome to the halfway point of the Chase and the week. Let's get rolling.

justin (burlington nc)

with and announcement this week.pending.....where u thinks scott riggs has decided to drive next year...buddy baker has said recently that he know thats scott will be competative with his new team.....ur thoughts

David Newton

  (2:03 PM)

I spoke with Riggs on Tuesday and he said it'll likely be next week before there is something definitive and that there remains interest from multiple teams. Not sure how many compettive teams there realy are outside of the Big Four _ Hendrick, Roush, Gibbs and RCR _ and i don't think any of them are looking for drivers.

Matty K & Kevin H

Is Carl Edwards more like the persona he portrays to the fans or more like the guy who leaves stupid notes and fake punches people?

David Newton

  (2:04 PM)

We all have different sides to our personality that comes out in different way sunder different situations. I don't think you can define Carl by either one of those. From my perspective, he's always been good to work with and straight forward. I can't ask for much more.

William (Chattanooga, TN)

There are rumours circulating that Ray Evernham is out at GEM? How is that possible? If so, what are the chances that he could work for Stewart-Haas in a similar role to the one they offered Jay Frye? The man is a genius in the world of Nascar and Smoke will probably need him. Thanks, keep up the good work.

David Newton

  (2:06 PM)

If he leaves, it'll be by his own choosing. Ray did seem a bit miffed that the Carpentier decision was made without his imput. But Ray has sort of taken himself our of the mix this year anyhow to be mor e involved in other things. Hel ikes driving his own cars and he really enjoys the ESPN/ABC gig. I don't see him at Stewart-Haas, but he'd be a great hire.

David Newton

  (2:07 PM)

Let me add, the reason I don't see him at Stewart-Haas is that he'd like less time committed to being at the track. Starting a new organization like that would require more time.

TONY (KEIZER, OREGON)

so who, if anyone (dont think anyone can) is your pick to give Jimmie a run for the cup?

David Newton

  (2:07 PM)

I really don't see it happeing.

Catfish

I saw the clip of Harvick v. Edwards...got me wondering...do you and Blount ever mix it up...you know...if you dispute who got the earlier beat on a story???

David Newton

  (2:08 PM)

We settle our differences at the local pub as real sportswriters should.

Pete C Newark DE

David, of all the rookie drivers who do you think has performed the best?

David Newton

  (2:09 PM)

You'd have to go with Regan Smith. He won a race - oops, NASCAR took that away _ and has kept his car inside the top 35 with limited sponsorship.

Pete C Newark DE

Any word on where AJ will be driving next year?

David Newton

  (2:10 PM)

Beyond the Sprint Cup series, not really. He has several options, Ganassi and Petty, but if they were definitely committed to him you'd think there would have been an announcement by now.

Tank

Does you think the precedetal electon should be more like the Chase?

David Newton

  (2:11 PM)

It should be more like Edwards and Harvick in the Nationwide garage at Lowe's Motor Speedway last weekend.

Eric (Charlottesville, VA)

So why was track position so much more valuable than tires at Charlotte? And why didn't Letarte (and Gil Martin for that matter) realize this?

David Newton

  (2:13 PM)

Clean air, baby. Once a car gets out front it apparently can pull away with old or new tires. Not sure anybody else expected Burton to go that route. A lot of teams took only two tires, which seems smart because you can add two tires in the time it takes to fill up the tank. Burton is lucky to a degree that the race didn't go into overtime. They likely would not have had enough gas to finish.

bob (Missouri)

what will the rams record be by the end of the seaon?

David Newton

  (2:13 PM)

6-8

Pete C Newark DE

Its been a few months since the Petty And Boston Partners deal, any improvements yet and what do you expect from them next season?

David Newton

  (2:14 PM)

I believe Bobby Labonte will be at least in position to challenge for the 12th and final spot of the playoffs.

Pete C Newark DE

Any relief over at DEI as far as locking up some new sponors for 2009?

David Newton

  (2:15 PM)

Not yet. It's tough out there. Most companies have their 2009 budgets set and many are cutting back those budgets. I'd be surprised if DEI has more than two cars next year.

TyHill (Durham, NC)

So with the talk with Riggs, where do you honestly see him going? and is his sponsors going to follow?

David Newton

  (2:15 PM)

Heck, I don't know. How about the Wood Brothers?

Tony (Oregon)

do the drivers have any say in what tracks get which race and with that said, if nothing is done with the tire situation, will they want to race at the Brickyard next year?

David Newton

  (2:16 PM)

Drivers have no say in tracks. And I suspect they'll have the situation at Indy figured out by then. It was too much of an embarrassment not to.

Jim (Las Vegas)

i say we put harvick and edwards in the ring here in vegas. Who do you take in that fight?

David Newton

  (2:17 PM)

Harvick. He's scrappy for his size.

Scott (Minneapolis, Mn)

With the success of Burton, at what age do we see drivers dropping off performance wise?

David Newton

  (2:17 PM)

Usually by early to mid-40s. I doubt we'll ever see somebody like Bobby Allison winning the Daytona 500 at 50 again.

TONY (KEIZER, OREGON)

dont see what happening,,,jimmie winning the cup, or that there is no one who will test him?

David Newton

  (2:18 PM)

Hand him the trophy.

jake (Indy)

give me a top 5 for this weekend david

Tank

Any truth to rumor DEI wil be sponsred by Leman Brothers next year???

David Newton

  (2:18 PM)

Johnson, Gordon, Busch, Burton and Johnson. Yeah, Johnson is good enough to win the race and come back around and get fifth as well.

Dave (Denver)

What is up with Carl? A couple of weeks ago his aggressiveness really cost him, then last week bad luck really clocked him. Does he have any chance in the chase?

David Newton

  (2:19 PM)

He'll need a miracle to get back in this now, and last I looked there are no Jimmie Johnson Voodoo dolls.

Catfish

come on...ain't Carl a lot bigger than Harvick? I think he'd be a 4-1 fav.

David Newton

  (2:21 PM)

Little guys pull no punches. They also pull hair and hit below the belt.

Tony (Oregon)

mid 40's huh, cool, glad to hear that, my son is an up and coming gocart racer,,,first year, three wins and 5 podiums,,,,,glad to hear he has a long career to look forward too

David Newton

  (2:21 PM)

Hope he has a lot of money as well. It takes that to get to the top level.

Nick Rolando

David, is it just me or is something missing with Kenseth this year, what about next year? Also, how many cars does Yates run next year?

David Newton

  (2:22 PM)

Yates runs three cars next year. As for Kenseth, he had a stretch where he was as good as anybody, albeit a short stretch. Not sure what is up now. Just a lot of misfortunate probably.

Robert (Atlanta)

If gordon would have stayed on track last week instead of pitting do you think he would have won or at least wound up top 3? Also how close do you think he is now, he showed he can still run when he gets his car up front.

David Newton

  (2:24 PM)

He made the right call by pitting. And you're right, his team is getting stronger. Wouldn't surprise me to see him win this weekend.

Damon(Plainfield, IN)

any chance that we see junior win a race before the season is done or will his mid season and late season downward spiral continue?

David Newton

  (2:25 PM)

Not a lot of great tracks coming up for him. I wouldn't say he can't win, but i wouldn't bet on it.

Scott (Minneapolis, Mn)

Are they really going to take a race away from Martinsville and give it to Kansas? Big mistake in my humble opinion.

David Newton

  (2:25 PM)

That's the rumor. I agree, I like the racing at Martinsville. It may be better than Bristol now.

Eric (Charlottesville, VA)

If DEI only has two cars next year, does that mean RCR is going to buy their points and give them to Bowyer in the 33 so he doesn't have to start at the back of the field if qualifying is washed out?

David Newton

  (2:26 PM)

I've been told that you simply can't purchase another team's points anymore. Unless they get extremely imaginative, Bowyer is on his own.

Jim (Las Vegas)

edwards just goes to the gym and looks big, harvick has the scrappy good ole boy thing going on for him

David Newton

  (2:27 PM)

Exactly.

Tim(Mobile, ALABAMA)

How close is gordon to finally getting to victory lane in the last 5 races, and which track do you see it coming at?

David Newton

  (2:27 PM)

He's good at Martinsville and Phoenix, so one of those is his best bet. And as I said earlier, he appears close to getting this new car down.

David (Jackson, KY)

Any validity to the Petty/Ganassi merger rumor that appeared on a couple of sites this week? Also, when -- and who -- can we expect to see announced as Bobby Labonte's teammate for next year? What are they waiting on in that regard?

David Newton

  (2:28 PM)

No validity I am told, although people are exploring all options. The second driver at Petty likely won't be named until after the season.

Pete C Newark DE

We saw last preseason that a move to younger drivers was trendy and now we are seeing established teams locking up expereiced veteren drivers, why the change so quickly?

David Newton

  (2:29 PM)

I'm not sure we've seen a major change. What you are seeing now is teams turning to experience to help get inside the top 35.

Scott (Minneapolis, Mn)

Will Menard's deal with Yates, cost Mcmurray a ride with Yates or do the dump a driver?

David Newton

  (2:29 PM)

Not at all. Yates will be a four-car team in two years.

Tony (Oregon)

this is why i love nascar chat,,,,last week 43 question submitted, none posted, come to nascar chat, 4 comments posted in 20 minutes

David Newton

  (2:30 PM)

Glad to be of service.

Trent (WV)

when brad keselowski finally makes his cup debut at atlanta how do you see him finishing?

David Newton

  (2:30 PM)

30-43.

Nancy (Kansas City, Kansas)

No respect for my cutie Tank...you skipped his question!!!

David Newton

  (2:31 PM)

Tank and cutie all in the same sentence. I can't handle this.

Andy (Toledo, OH)

David - Do you see Chad Knaus taking a similar role at HMS in the next five years like the one Robbie Reiser took as the general manager of Roush Fenway? Either way, I think you'd have to agree Chad has a bright future in T.V. when he decides to step down from atop the pit stall.

David Newton

  (2:32 PM)

Dhad is driven by competition that you don't get as a general manager, but in five years when he's won eight straight titles he may be ready for a change.

Johnny (NYC, NY)

Is Kyle Petty 100% out as a driver? back in the day, was he a good driver...or always kinda mediocre?

David Newton

  (2:32 PM)

He's 100 percent not going to drive fulltime in 2009. Mediocre? Tha's fair.

Kyle (Trenton, New Jersey)

will martin be a cup contender in 09? i want to see him get a cup title so badly

David Newton

  (2:33 PM)

Unless he loses something between now and next season I see him as a Chase contender. As for title contender, that'll be tough.

Pete C Newark DE

David, any chance we see smoke steal the chase title with only a few races to go? The car and team has looked good.

David Newton

  (2:34 PM)

he may steal the trophy, but they usually arrest people for that. As for the Chase, he's done.

Andy (Toledo, OH)

Who wins at Martinsville and who leads the most laps? Top-5 finishers?

David Newton

  (2:34 PM)

Johnson, Johnson, Johnson, Johnson and Johnson. He's had 11 straight top 10s, nine top fives in the last 11 races there and four wins.

Tony (Oregon)

wait a minute,,,getting close to getting this new car down, didnt they use these same cars last year? wasnt he the favorite going into the chase last year with a 400 point margin going into the playoffs i think he had the new car down last year,,,,,just not his year this year

David Newton

  (2:35 PM)

They only used the new car in 16 races last season. And Gordon's success in them had more to do with how far ahead of the competition Hendrick Motorsports was than anything else.

Johnny (NYC, NY)

What do you think of building a track in Jamaica and putting a race there during the chase. Aside from serious attendence and massive cost issues, I think a week in the Carribean is exactly what these guys need to chill out!

David Newton

  (2:36 PM)

I'm all for it. Can we build a bridge for the haulers?

TG(PA)

Did you make it to the concert at Whisky River? I was wondering if you heard Kyle Petty sing.

David Newton

  (2:37 PM)

I did not, but I hear he sings better than he drives. Sorry, couldn't resist.

Eric (Charllotesville)

Odds of Bowyer finding victory lane again this year?

David Newton

  (2:37 PM)

48-1.

Tony (Oregon)

i have asked this question to all the other nascar chat host's,,,time for your opinion,,,since the chase is really to see who is the best,,,,,why do they not include a road course in the chase,,,if it really is to see who is the best, shouldn't they include every style track in the chase?

David Newton

  (2:39 PM)

I agree with you. But some of the drivers will argue that if NASCAR has two road coruse races in 36 events tthen to have one in 10 races would not be fairly representative of the tracks they drive the most. Having said that, I vote the season end at Sonoma. Fast cars and wine.

other Chris (Richmond, VA)

On Jayski's site, there's a list of the standings assuming the old point system. Why do that? Why not just accept the current point system/playoff? On the other hand, why does NASCAR feel the need to reconfigure its point system every couple of years or so? That's kind of odd too.

David Newton

  (2:40 PM)

Think it's done for curiosity sake. As far as shaking up the system every so often, i wish they'd just leave it alone.

tyler (Champaign)

Is it just me, or does it seem like the roush drivers don't really care for each other? And does this hurt their chances to compete for the cup?

David Newton

  (2:41 PM)

I wouldn't say they all don't care for each other, bu tit's tough to put any five drivers on the same team and expect harmony. Heck, you probably can't do that with five co-workers at your own job.

Chris(Knoxville)

what will happen to which ever team jack rousch has to get rid of at the end of next year? will it become a single car team with ties to rousch or will a team like yates absorb it and become a 3 or 4 car operation?

David Newton

  (2:41 PM)

It'll go to Yates and get everything it's always gotten.

Discusted (Florida)

How likely is it to expect Kasey Kahne to be driving a Toyota in 09?

David Newton

  (2:41 PM)

Not very.

chris (bronx new york)

i dont know whats worst...watching Kyle Petty drive or listen 2 him announce on TV

David Newton

  (2:42 PM)

C'mon. He's great on TV.

Dana( Columbia SC)

DEI has 4 cars in the top 35 yet no one wants too sponsor them.They don't seem to run that bad so what the problem. Menard left for Yates but I don't see where they are any better than DEI.

David Newton

  (2:42 PM)

I agree, DEI's problem is perception, and a major part of that perception is Teresa Earnhardt.

David (Jackson, KY)

How serious are GEM, Petty and Ganassi about moving from Dodge to Toyota next year?

David Newton

  (2:43 PM)

I won't say no way, but I will day doubtful.

Jay (Indianapolis, In)

Hey David, what has happened to Dale Jr he's had a pretty decent season had only one DNF until he entered the chase and it all went south from then on.

David Newton

  (2:43 PM)

You could say the same thing about Kyle Busch. Stuff happens sometimes that you can't explain.

Kevin(Howell, MI)

whose wife is hotter, Gordon's or Johnson's?

David Newton

  (2:44 PM)

T'hey're both very pretty. Do you really expet me to choose? I have very little protection when they come flying through the garage during practice. I don't want to be a hit-and-run victim.

Andy (Toledo, OH)

Who do you think the top-5 drivers are in Sprint Cup based on pure talent?

David Newton

  (2:45 PM)

Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Jeff Gordon

Tony (Oregon)

a typical michigander,,,,always wondering who's hotter

David Newton

  (2:45 PM)

Nothing else to do up there now that it's turning cold.

Dana

Is Teresa Earnhardt really that bad our is that just what people want to say because she didn't give Junior what he wanted?

David Newton

  (2:46 PM)

Hmm. Wish Junior was here to answer that one for me. I will decline to comment since I haven't had a converation with her in a year.

Nate (Nebraska)

Chances of Scott Riggs landing at DEI?

David Newton

  (2:47 PM)

If he can bring a sponsor they'd be crazy not to take him.

Jay (Indianapolis, In)

I think Jeff burton is going to sneak up and win this championship

David Newton

  (2:47 PM)

That would be fun to see.

Tim (Hope, AR)

Give us a couple dark horses for Martinsville, David.

David Newton

  (2:48 PM)

Martin Truex Jr., David Ragan.

Jay (Indianapolis, In)

David do you think that Jr will ever win a championship

David Newton

  (2:49 PM)

If he doesn't, it won't be for a lack of trying. Just not sure he has what it takes over an entire season.

Joe( Ohio)

Do you think Teresa will Sell DEI now that there are no sponsors?

David Newton

  (2:50 PM)

That would be tough. She may sell a part of it, but I don't see her selling all of it. Her husband's legacy, you know.

becka, va

is this true that reed is mad at chip

David Newton

  (2:50 PM)

Haven't heard, but can you blame him?

Scott (Minneapolis, Mn)

Whats a realistic expectation for Lagano next year mid 20's point wise with a couple of top 5's and 10's?

David Newton

  (2:52 PM)

Logano has struggled more htan I expected in the few Cup races he's run. It just shows how tough it is in Cup. I'd say mid-20s is fair, but expectations are going to be to challenge for the Chase. Having Zippy as his crew chief will help.

Justin (jersey)

if jj wins the title whats his place in history ?

David Newton

  (2:52 PM)

As the most popular driver ever with one title.

other Chris (Richmond, VA)

Quick response questions: Best track to watch a race? Worst track to watch a race? Favorite personality within the sport? Least favorite personality within the sport?

David Newton

  (2:53 PM)

Best track? Bristol or Martinsville or Richmond. Worst? Indy. You can't see anything beyond a 100 yards. Favorite personality? Jeff Gordon. Least favorite? Tony Stewart when he's i n a bad mood, but when he's in a good mood he's sa good as Gordon.

Jay (Indianapolis, In)

Why has Petty Enterprises struggled like they have for so many years they have talened drivers in Kyle Petty, Bobby Labonte so why haven't they gotten to victory lane

David Newton

  (2:56 PM)

Did you say they have talented drivers in Kyle Petty? I like Kyle. He' was a decent driver in his prime, but that was a while back. The organization for years didn't put enough money into it and believed for too long it could do things the old way. Now it's in catchup mode, and catching up isn't easy.

Ryan, Chicago

the three guys in contention are all the good guys -- not usually in trouble, nice wives, clean cut, etc. who's the best guy of these three? and who's going to win it?

David Newton

  (2:58 PM)

Are you marriedd? If not, you should be. That you noted all three guys have a good wife behind them is quite commendable. As for the best guy, I'll let you decide. But Johnson will win the title. He has the best team.

Terrell TX

How no Tony in ur top 5?

David Newton

  (2:59 PM)

Just wanted to rattle your casge. Knew somebody wold ask that if I left him out.

Jeremy (Massillon)

Do you think Kurt Busch will be able to turn it around next season? Or do you think Penske is falling way behind everyone else?

David Newton

  (3:00 PM)

He looked pretty strong last weekend. Perhaps the new Dodge engine will give Penske and other Dodge teams enough horsepower to be more competitive in 2009.

Tony (Oregon)

who's going to win,,,,,jimmie jimmie jimmie,,,,i put 100 on him before the season even started to three peat

David Newton

  (3:01 PM)

Too bad the odds weren't bigger so you could make some money.

David Newton

  (3:01 PM)

Well guys and gals, that wraps it up. Enjoy your fall weekend. The leaves should be colorful at Martinsville this weekend.