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Terry Blount

  (1:59 PM)

Hi folks. Two weeks to go for the 2008 NASCAR season. How do you see things?

TED (ohio)

Is there going to be a Thired stewert haas car next year, and if so could it be part time with Scott Riggs?

Terry Blount

  (2:00 PM)

Tony is still trying to find sponsorship for half the season on Newman's car, so I don't think a third car is likely.

Rob (Philadelphia, PA)

What are your feelings on the flagrant stunt that David Gilliland pulled on Juan Pablo Montoya? Do you think there should have been further penalties?

Terry Blount

  (2:02 PM)

Horrible. I like David, but that was a serious mistake. It's one thing to punt someone at Martinsville or Richmond, but you just don't do that at a super fast track like Texas. JPM could have been hurt. I think Gilliland should have to sit out the last two events.

Cindy CA

Terry who do you think is going to win today?

Terry Blount

  (2:03 PM)

I just encourage everyone to go vote.

Mark (Mount Airy,MD)

Hey Terry, where has Brad Coleman disappeared to??? I thought he was supposed to take over the #96 and be full time next season in tha car???

Terry Blount

  (2:06 PM)

Good question. I think the Hall of Fame Racing guys are trying to reevaluate things and make some tough decisions about the future. That team has really gone backwards this year. Coleman may still be the guy next year, but I don't know if they're convinced a rookie with limited experience if the right move for a struggling team. But I like Brad. I think he has a bright future ijn NASCAR.

Ralph (New Jersey)

Does Edwards have a shot at this thing?

Terry Blount

  (2:10 PM)

Yes, but not a good shot. No one ever has made up 106 points with two races to go. Alan Kulwicki has the record, making up 85 points in the last two events in 1992.

Cactus Jack (New mex)

who do u like at phoenix? any team or driver have an advantage there?

Terry Blount

  (2:13 PM)

Jimmie Johnson has won the last two races there, so that doesn't bode well for Edwards. The RCR cars tend to run wll there, so I'd look for good results from Bowyer, Burton and Harvick. And Gordon always runs well at PIR.

Big Mama (Yazoo)

any insight on why ganassi wont consider allmendinger for the 41 car?

Terry Blount

  (2:14 PM)

I think he is still considering him. Chip's thought is he wants to hire somebody for the 41 who can help JPM in the 42. So a veteran might get the job. But I would go with AJ and hire somone like Mayfield to be a driving coach for both guys.

Dan (Detroit)

Does Edwards try to have one of his teammates drive JJ hard to get him out of the race?

Terry Blount

  (2:15 PM)

Absolutely not. These guys are professionals and respect each other.

Dave (Philly)

Story on FoxSports that Ganassi and DEI are in serious talks -- heard anything?

Terry Blount

  (2:16 PM)

There's nothing new to what Newt reported a couple of weeks ago. They are trying o work it out, but it requires a lot of tough decisions and a lot of changes.

Lee (fort worth)

What penalties did NASCAR end up haning out to the 38?

Terry Blount

  (2:17 PM)

Nothing other than parking David for the rest of the race.

Aaron (Florida)

how does JJ keep himself from crashing or finishing poorly?

Terry Blount

  (2:18 PM)

No guarantees there, but he'll do what he always does and not take any ridiculous chances. And that teams seems to always know how to avoid a poor finish, as we all witnessed at Texas.

Jon H. (Denver,CO)

Would it be safe to say that the 48 team will come back with a vengeance at Phoenix? I picture Knauss not sleeping for a few days to ensure they are front runners. PS: Kyle's donation to Ard was very commendable!

Terry Blount

  (2:20 PM)

JJ still is the man to beat. And they know they are good at Phoenix, so I don't think they are too worried about it. They will do what they always do. The wrong thing to do now would be to make drastic changes.

Chris (MD)

Will Jeff Gordon win a race this year?

Terry Blount

  (2:21 PM)

This weekend is his best chance because he runs well at Phoenix. If he doesn't win Sunday I don't see him winning at Homestead.

chris (richmond, va)

I know that it's highly unlikely, but would Yates consider "parking" or "benching" Gilliland for the rest of the season?

Terry Blount

  (2:21 PM)

No. They have sponsor commitments to honor that involved David.

chris (richmond, va)

Read on your blitz that only the top 10 get to walk on stage at the awards banquet. Why don't they simply expand that number to 12 to match the number of Chase contenders?

Terry Blount

  (2:22 PM)

The banquet ceremony is way too long as it is, so they wanted to keep it at an even 10. I bet that changes if Junior gets left out again.

Blount Fan

Hey Terry - what did you think of the F1 finish?

Terry Blount

  (2:25 PM)

I think NASCAR would give anything to have a similar championship battle. The F1 title has been decided by one point the last two years. This time Hamilton had to make a last lap pass in the last race to win the crown. For the moment, F1 has a lot of things NASCAR wants _ a close championship, lots of passing and a young diversity driver as the star of the series.

Scott (Minneapolis, Mn)

Did the 99 share his fuel mileage info with his teammates and how could he get so much better mileage than them?

Terry Blount

  (2:27 PM)

Fuel mileage has a lot to do with the set up in the car, even for teams with the same engine programs. And every engine is different. Plus, Carl was really milking it at the end and letting off he throttle because he had a big lead.

Pete C (Newark DE)

Terry, Kenny Wallace suggested that maybe NASCAR should require two tears for NAtionwide racing for drivers before they can go full time on the Cup series. Giving the example of Harvick and Junior battle for the title many years back. Do you think with the drivers being so young now and the Nationwide series hurting in attendance this my breathe new interest and blood into the series. She suggested a more developmental approach so teams acan showcase the young talent on an even playing field. Thoughts on that suggestion and is that a possiblity?

Terry Blount

  (2:29 PM)

I'm all for a more developmental approach for the Nationwide Series, but it starts with limiting the participation of Cup regulars, or least keeping them for earning points in NW races.

Pete C (Newark DE)

Can you believe that Kyle Busch won 8 races and may not be at the banquet at the end of the year, maybe they should make an award for the person with the most wins?

Terry Blount

  (2:30 PM)

The banquet could use some retooling. It needs to give awards where no one knows the winner. Make it more like the Academy Arwards to add some drama. It's one thing I brought up in my book that comes out in January.

Rick (San Diego)

Who is going to be on JR's 88 nationwide team next year? When is he moving that program up to the big boys?

Terry Blount

  (2:32 PM)

Keselowski will be back in the 88 next year, but JR Motorsports doesn't have the budget right now to run two cars full time. Earnhardt doesn't feel the team is ready to move up to Cup. Maybe in 2010 if they have the financial backing, but that's hard to come by in this economy..

Catfish

Somebody asked whether Edwards would have a teammate run into JJ...I think the better question is whether one of his teammates would run into him if he actually was standing atop the standings at some point in Homestead...last I heard Biff and Kenseth aren't his biggest fans....

Terry Blount

  (2:34 PM)

Totally ridiculous. No, they aren't best buddies, but no driver would deliberate try to keep his teammate from winning the title unless he wanted to get fired by the team owner.

chris (richmond, va)

Which is better for NASCAR: 3 drivers winning almost 2/3's of the races, or having 12 different winners in a single season? Which is more important to you as a writer, and as a fan?

Terry Blount

  (2:37 PM)

I like seeing a lot of different winners. People get tired of seeing the same guys win over and over. But the best thing for NASCAR is having two or three guys in a very close points battle for the title at the end of the season.

Catfish

It was a joke...clearly it wouldn't happen...just making light of the fact that its hard to imagine his teammates getting all that excited at the prospect of him winning.

Terry Blount

  (2:39 PM)

You may be right be about that. But that has been true for a lot of teammates over the years. These guys are very competitive and sometimes their personalities don't mesh.

Pete C (Newark DE)

Early prediction, what rookie driver next year should be keep an eye on other then sliced bread?

Terry Blount

  (2:41 PM)

I don't see a lot or rookies getting rides in 2009. Maybe Brad Coleman in the 96. Chad McCumee in the 45, but those teams are so bad that it won't be easy to look good. The guy with the best chance probably is Scott Speed.

Larry (MI)

With teams like Rusty Wallace Inc. and JR Motorsports going back to only 1 full time ride next year, do you think we see a NW race with less then 43 cars next year.

Terry Blount

  (2:42 PM)

Wouldn't surprise me in the least, although NASCAR will try to make sure that doesn't happen.

Josh (Green Bay WI)

If A.J. Allmendinger does not get a full time ride next year in the Sprint Cup series, do you see him possibly going and running in the nationwide series next year, like David Stremme did this year? AJ is talented and its a shock he does not have a ride for next year, it would be a steal for a team in the nationwide series to sign him for next year.

Terry Blount

  (2:44 PM)

AJ says he wants to stay in NASCAR, so he could run Nationwide. But he also may get some offers to go back to Indy car.

justin(durham nc)

ne thoughts on where riggs is heading in 09...he said hes had a contract to sign ...ne thoughts...41 or where

Terry Blount

  (2:45 PM)

Don't know, but the situation with the 41 in up in the air because of the possible merger with DEI. If that happens, a DEI driver may get the 41 ride.

Scott (Minneapolis, Mn)

I find it amazing that Carl will have at least as many wins, more top 5's and top 10's than the 48 but lose the title, shows how thin a line there is to mess up and the 48 rarely if ever crosses that line.

Terry Blount

  (2:47 PM)

The NASCAR points system really penalizes a driver for a DNF or a finish of 35th of worse. JJ is a master at avoiding that. And Carl could use those 10 Chase bonus points he lost for the penalty at Las Vegas.

Johnny (NYC, NY)

I think it was about a year ago that you told me that your book was coming out sometime around this time? When can I get it...and how can I get it autographed???

Terry Blount

  (2:50 PM)

The book comes out in early January. It's titled "The Blount Report: NASCAR's Most Overrated and Underrated Drivers, Cars, Teams and Tracks." It will be controversial. I'd be happy to sign it for you at a race next season.

Pete C (Newark DE)

Terry, how far are we before we see the first female full time driver in the cup series, or even on the Nationwide series?

Terry Blount

  (2:52 PM)

It isn't close at the moment unless some team owner lures Danica away from the IRL. The diversity program is trying to find them, but I don't see any real female phenom yet ready to move up.

Johnny (NYC, NY)

With the split in US open wheel racing a thing of the past, do you see it gaining in popularity...w/ Kanaan, Darion, Danica, Andretti...they have a good mix of drivers to keep things interesting...i think it could become big again.

Terry Blount

  (2:54 PM)

I don't see them overtaking NASCAR, but it is moving in the right direction. A lot of good things are happening in open wheel, but it's a long road back to recoever from more than a decade-long split.

John TX

Did Red Bull Racing bring in Speed more for his marketability or his tallent? What happend between A.J. and the team for them to let him go?

Terry Blount

  (2:56 PM)

The Red Bull execs in Europe have a close relationship with Scott, and they do believe in his talent. Red Bull wanted to keep AJ and run three cars, but they couldn't find the sponsorship dollars to do it.

Larry (MI)

It's to bad Brad Keselowski isn't able to run Cup next year. I think he would really give Logano a run for ROY.

Terry Blount

  (2:57 PM)

Brad has a bright future. But I like that they are rushing him. He's doing this the right way.

chris (richmond, va)

What's the latest on the Grant vs. NASCAR lawsuit?

Terry Blount

  (2:59 PM)

Nothing except the case will remain in New York. NASCAR's request to move it to Florida or North Carolina was denied.

chris (richmond, va)

Does Hornish Jr. turn things around next year? Could Ganassi move Hornish Jr. into the #41 to guarantee him a spot in the first 5 races next year?

Terry Blount

  (2:59 PM)

Hornish races for Penske, not Ganassi.

Pete C (Newark DE)

Why the layoffs at Jr motorsprts, is there a lack of capital?

Terry Blount

  (3:00 PM)

Yes. They just don't have the sponsorship money, but they aren't alone. A lot of teams will have layoffs before next season.

Terry Blount

  (3:01 PM)

Great chat today folks. Gotta get going, but have a great day. Peace.