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Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:57 PM)

Another episode of "Around the Horn'' is in the books. Let's go racin'.

GLYNN (ATLANTA)

TIM, YOU MENTIONED IT IN YOUR POWER RANKINGS, BUT HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A MORE DISAPPOINTED WINNER IN VICTORY LANE THAN CARL EDWARDS AFTER FINDING OUT JJ CHARGED UP TO 2ND. FROM BACK FLIPS TO THE PRESCHOOLER WHOSE BALLOON JUST GOT AWAY. OUCH!!!

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:58 PM)

You are right, Glynn. A bad moment for Edwards but that made for great TV when he looked over at the tower and saw the 48 in second place. He was stumped as for what to say. Great driving by Jimmie, great move by Knaus, though.

GLYNN (ATLANTA)

NEW CHASE FORMAT!!! SINGLE ELIMINATION10 RACES TO GO 12 CHASERS THE CHASER WHO FINISHES LAST OF THE 12 IS ELIMINATED AFTER NEW HAMPSHIRE. NO POINTS ACCUMULATED JUST DON'T BE THE LAST PLACE CHASER EACH RACE AND YOUR STILL IN IT. FINAL RACE AT HOMESTEAD 3 MEN ENTER HIGHEST FINISHER WIN TITLE. THE RACING WOULD BE CRAZY!!! WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:58 PM)

That's a wild format, to be sure. But it produces too random of a winner I'm afraid.

Dave W. Ukiah, Ca

Tim,It is very satisfying as a huge 48 fan to see all of the "change the chase" cries coming from the haters out there. How about this....run better than the 48 team and YOU can be on the big stage in NYC! Let's not woryy about "mulligans", or a shorter chase or any of the other idea's coming in and try beating your competition on the track!!!

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:59 PM)

Dave is right. Whatever changes could be made to the format, I think Jimmie and Chad would figure out what's best to do and they would find a way to win it. Best team going right now. Other than my Texas Longhorns.

justin(raleigh)

hey time..ur thoughts for riggs in 09...ur best logical guess as to where he will prob land....41.15.01..ne others...thanks man

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:00 PM)

I think the 15 makes the most sense to me. DEI has to find some drivers.

Rick (Pa)

With the three peat all but secured can Johnson and Knaus both write their Hall of Fame speeches?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:01 PM)

I think so, Rick. It was amazing to me to see that note two weeks ago that Johnson's win percentage had just inched above Gordon's. Incredible.

Dave W. Ukiah, Ca

Tim,I know it is VERY early to talk about it but with J.J. on his way to clinching his 3rd title in a row, can we start thinking about 4 in a row? Until someone can prove they can match the 48 team during the last 10 races of the year (has not happened in 3 years now), do you see any reason Jimmie should not be the consensus fav heading into 2009? And,if he were to pull off 4 in a row, do you think all of the "48 haters" would finally be able to embrace his superb talent like the rest of us do?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:02 PM)

It is a little early but he has to be everyone's favorite going into next season. If you pick someone else -- Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards -- you are just throwing a name out there. Although if I had to pick a driver other than Johnson to win it, I would probably go with Edwards. I think that's the real question for 2009. Who's No. 2? Any thoughts on that, I will post them.

Glen, Fla

Tim, why did you take a week off of ATH? fyi the show really stunk while you were gone, sad thing I resorted to rooting for Paige.second earlier in the week Jayski posted a report that Nascar took shrubs rear end housing, what was that all about ?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:09 PM)

First, I haven't taken a whole week off of Around the Horn in a long time, but thanks for your sentiments. Two, I didn't see the Kyle Busch story, I looked for it and couldn't find it.

Sam (PA)

If you see Riggs going to the 15, who's your pick for the 41?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:09 PM)

A.J. Allmendinger's got to go somewhere. That might be a good fit.

Jan (Philly)

With all the layoffs rumored to be coming at the end of the season, do you think Brian France's predication of full fields is a pipe dream?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:10 PM)

I think the auto industry is in for as tough a time as any sector of this bad economy, Jan. So I think NASCAR will see dramatic changes over the next two to three yeasr. We might not see it so much next year as the year after. But Kodak bailing out on the sport, just another big-time sponsor pulling back. Scary.

Scott (Minneapolis, Mn)

As for your question I go with Edwards, he has improved on the short tracks, was doing fine at 'Dega till he had a brain lock and has been in the chase and near the top, although if Kyle Busch matures just a little he is very dangerous in terms of pure talent in a race car.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:11 PM)

I agree with you, Scott. I would pick Edwards. My next pick might be Hamlin for the same reasons you cite Busch. Ton of young talent, drives for the same great team, just has to reign things in a bit.

Cody, Des Moines IA

OK Cowlishaw, where's your "No qualifying gives the 48 an unfair advantage" argument now? Jimmie surely didn't benefit from it too much this week as his penalty sent him to the back, and he still pulled off a hurculean effort to finish second. PS - I know it's not YOUR argument, just messin with ya.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:12 PM)

I think at this point, Jimmie can start anywhere he wants in the field and find a way into the top five. But I hate all the rainouts. I think that's 10 races set by owners points this year. I still think there's a window for them to qualify on Saturday and still keep practice in.

Chuck (Little Rock)

only have 1 start left for the 48 tex or phoenix?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:13 PM)

He's the highest ranked driver at both tracks so you really can't go wrong. I would save him for Phoenix because he can probably lock up the championship there with a high finish.

Sam (PA)

I saw a report that Ganassi wasn't very fond of A.J. if not him, then who?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:13 PM)

I don't know if Ganassi is fond of anyone that doesn't drive Indy cars. Who knows?

Mary (Penns Woods)

I agree with your sentiments on rain outs. Why doesn't NASCAR try to get quals in on Saturday?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:17 PM)

They claim they would have to eliminate practice or shorten it to the point where it wouldn't be enough of a practice for the drivers. I see a lot of down time at most tracks on Saturdays so I think they could get it in.

Cody, Des Moines IA

Totally agree, the rainouts suck. I read something where Biff or Burton said that practice is way more important than qualifying, but would it take that much time out of practice?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:17 PM)

I read that, too. But if they moved more of the Nationwide races to nights, I think there would be plenty of time.

Jan (Philly)

Speaking of Kodak pulling out, do you think NASCAR's multitude of "official sponsors" has hurt the teams and do you think it's time for franchising?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:18 PM)

It's a shame you don't readily identify one driver with one sponsor so much any more. Even Dale Jr. has to have two. But when it costs 25 to 30 milloin, they are all going to have to go multi-sponsors I am afraid.

Scott (Minneapolis, Mn)

How many cars get inspected after the race, is it always the winner then a few random cars, do you think they miss some cheating?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:19 PM)

They are bound to miss a little but the rules are so strict and the cars are examined so closely I don't think too much foul play is going on. Nothing like the old days.

Joe (VA)

what's with all these team owners cheating the IRS?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:19 PM)

That's probably not real good for the sport, is it, Joe? Pretty sad.

Billy (TN)

Do you think Kyle B will stay at least luke warm for the final 3 races? Thanks

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:21 PM)

I think Kyle will be all over the map. He easily could win a race and he could finish 43rd. Can't imagine that his focus is that strong right now. What's the best comparison for Busch's fold in the playoffs? The Cubs this year? The 67-win Mavericks against Golden State? A No. 1 seed losing on the first weekend like Kentucky did a few years ago (when I might have been in Vegas with a wager on Alabama-Birmingham. that's just a rumor, though)? Let me know what you think and I will post them.

Cody, Des Moines IA

Nationwide is coming to Iowa next season (Praise Jesus...and Rusty Wallace), and since everyone always says they love the smaller Nascar tracks, do you think it will take long for the Cup to come out here?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:22 PM)

I know from our ESPN relationship that Rusty is pumped about that and trying hard to get a Cup race. They just don't have many tracks that are likely to give up a race with Bruton trying to get a second one in Vegas, Kentucky wanting one, etc.

Joe (VA)

Very sad. Gives the sport a black eye, although it is a white collar crime and might help get the "redneck" image out of NASCAR, j/k

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:23 PM)

That's a good one, Joe, I like that. We've gone from moonshiners being chased by the "revenuers'' to getting popped by the IRS. The government has always been after NASCAR!

Dave W. Ukiah, Ca

Well Tim, not to hog up your chat time today but I might go with Jeff Gordon as someone that could rise back up next year and challenge for the second (or even first)spot. It took J.J. and Chad K. a while to figure out what the C.O.T. needed for the 1 1/2-2 mile tracks and Chad is a genius. Jeff and Steve L. were in the same boat as the 48 team last year having to concentrate on winning a championship while other teams spent a lot of time during the last 6-10 races getting ready for this year. I bet the 24 team will follow the 48's lead and test like crazy this off season as well as the first 10-15 weeks next season and try to get into the same zip code performance wise as their teammates. Your thoughts?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:24 PM)

Gordon's definitely motivated to get back to the top and I see him gaining on it. That's a good possibility although I would still rank Edwards ahead of him.

Cody, Des Moines IA

Kyle is like the Cowboys. Scary amount of talent, can't win when it counts.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:24 PM)

That's a good one. Lot of that scary talent is on the sidelines right now, but I know what you mean.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:25 PM)

Jamie McMurray has run well here. He would be my first dark horse pick since he has run well lately and led a bunch of laps at Martinsville before wrecking. Casey Mears who also has been pretty good at TMS would be my second pick.

Jan (Philly)

There are a lot of good smaller tracks out there. Wouldn't it make more sense for NASCAR to have one sellout race at most tracks, rather than empty seats for both races. The series could reach a lot more fans that way.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:26 PM)

I agree but the politics involved and the battle between NASCAR and Bruton Smith will trump logical thought any time.

Marc (NYC)

what do you think of Martin, Truex, and Edwards? All top 10 candidates

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:27 PM)

For this weekend? Edwards for sure, I would make him the favorite here. Martin and Truex could put it together for a top 10. Probably Truex more than Martin.

Martin G (San Antonio TX )

How many years do you see JJ and chad sticking together and being as dominent as the past three?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:28 PM)

That's a good question, Martin. Not sure how long Gordon and Evernham might have sustained winning titles had they stayed together. Neither Jimmie nor Chad seems concerned about trying to prove themselves away from the other guy. So I think this relationship should last quite awhile.

Steve (Ohio)

As crazy as it may sound...Jeff Gordon as a sleeper pick next year?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:28 PM)

The only crazy part is calling Gordon a sleeper. Even without a win, I don't think he rates as a sleeper yet.

Scott (Minneapolis, Mn)

I would go with the Cubs, they were talented, hadn't won anything before, and just completely laid down like the regular season didn't matter, when it counted the most. Great teams learn from this, it will be interesting to see the #18 next year.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:29 PM)

Good analogy. My guess is that the folks at Gibbs will convince Kyle to drive in fewer truck and Nationwide races and focus on the Cup.

Mark (Mount Airy,MD)

Hey Tim, will Petty Enterprises merge with another team, and if so who??? The rumor mill is all over the map on this one.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:30 PM)

I think the money they have coming in will keep them from having to do it for the next two or three years. But it's bound to happen. Eventually there will be 11 teams with three or four drivers and that will be it.

James(Detroit)

Dinger, Reut, or Kvapil

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:31 PM)

I will go with Reutimann for Texas because his crew chief, Ryan Pemberton, loves it here, he has a bunch of friends in the Cowboys organization and he gets fired up to run here. So on that incredibly sound logic, take the 44.

Sid (Atlanta)

Tim, in your opinion what's the biggest story in cup that's getting lost in the 48 talk? I'm a little surprised the 18 situation's been as hush as it has for one...

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:32 PM)

I don't think the 18 story has been hushed. I think he was just gone after three races and people were stunned, but there isn't much new to say about it at this point. What's getting lost? Maybe Tony Stewart's inability to put anything together in his final season at Gibbs before moving on. I think that's been a surprise all year.

Dave (Tampa)

Stremme get a ride next year? he's better than a number of guys on the circuit.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:34 PM)

David Stremme is good, you are right. He is driving the 12 for Penske next year.

Jan (Philly)

With the Dodge buyout pretty much a reality, do you think there will be ANY Dodge teams next year?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:34 PM)

The Dodge teams are OK for 2009. Beyond that, I expect to see them dwindling. Think you will see Gillette Evernham go to Toyota. Not sure what Ganassi will do.

Glen, Fla

do you think it hurts the sport that Jimmie is running circles around the field

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:35 PM)

Well, sure. It takes all the drama out of it. There are three races left and no one's talking about who could win. Jimmie, barring incredibly bad luck (and he never seems to have any of that) has it locked away.

TG(PA)

When asked who out of the chasers would not make the banquet, Blout said Earnhardt and Busch. Do you agree with this?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:38 PM)

I would say Busch and Stewart. I know Tony's about 8th right now but those bottom five are pretty close in points. Dale Jr. will run strong Sunday. I feel it.

Mark (Mount Airy,MD)

Tim, I hope to see a race live at Texas one day. How do you compare it to some of the other tracks you've been to????

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:39 PM)

It doesn't produce great racing but it's gotten better in recent years. I think without question it's more fun to see races at Daytona, at Bristol, at Darlington among the tracks I have been to. But it's a fun place. Going up against the Cowboys -- even the wounded Cowboys -- will make for a bunch of empty seats Sunday.

Martin G (San Antonio TX )

What are your top 5 for this week at Texas

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:40 PM)

Top five -- Edwards, Dale Jr., Hamlin, McMurray, Johnson.

Larry (MI)

I am with you Tim, I am picking Jr to get that long awaited 2nd win this weekend.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:40 PM)

Well, I just picked him for second so I am almost right there with you.

GV (OOOOHIOOO)

Ive taken your advice and it's paid off! Now tell me the 3 I need this week. I have S. Moss,Avery,Ginn Jr,Royal,Hester,and Breaston?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:41 PM)

Moss, Avery and Royal. Glad I could be there for you.

GLYNN (ATLANTA)

HEY MY CHASE FORMAT WOULDN'T BE ANY MORE RANDOM THAN WHEN VILLANOVA OR SYRACUSE MADE THERE RUNS TO BE NCAA CHAMPS! JUST 10 WEEKS INSTEAD OF 3.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:41 PM)

Yeah, your format would be interesting, that's for certain. But this one comes closer to crowning the driver who can stay hot for 10 weeks.

Larry (MI)

Heard that JR Motorsports laid some workers off recently and that they may not even run the 5 in the Nationwide Series next year because of sponsorship issues. That says a lot when the most popular driver in Nascar is having sponsorship issues with his team.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:46 PM)

That;'s true, Larry. Dale Jr. said in Indianapolis I think it was that he was done with the days of sinking his own money down that drain. I don't know where all the cars and trucks will find funding next year. People are broke. Gotta run after this next one, will be back to chat with you next Thursday before Phoenix. Be sure and catch me on NASCAR NOW tomorrow. And, of course, Around the Horn today.

Pete (LA)

Do you think the top 35 rule has helped or hurt the sport

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:47 PM)

It's controversial but I haven't heard of a better way to do it. Just letting the cars qualify and have the chips fall where they may. If Dale Jr. hits the wall in qualifying and misses the race, you've got thousands of people demanding refunds. But all these rainouts just crush the teams outside the top 35. Does anyone remember Joey Logano racing? One more and then I'll talk to you next week.

Mark (Mount Airy,MD)

I think the rookie of the year contest will be very interesting next season. Who you got??? Logano or Speed.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:48 PM)

Good one, mark. Nice transition since I just mentioned Logano. Give me a Gibbs car over Red Bull, though. Go with Logano. Take care, everyone, thanks.Courage.