ESPN

Tim Cowlishaw

  (2:55 PM)

Finished up another brilliant taping of Around the Horn, ready to talk NASCAR before going to tape something for NASCAR Now. I'm everywhere! Let's hear from you.

Elaine (Austin)

Hey Tim. Last weekend was a bummer weekend. First the Horns, then the Cowboys, then Jimmie's 15th place finish. How do you see Jimmie doing this weekend. I'm getting nervous. It is getting close to the end and that 3-peat!!!!

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:01 PM)

I still think he's going to win it all. He has been so good at Phoenix it is hard to picture him outside the top five. As long as he does that, even if Edwards won, he would go to Homestead with a 70-75 point lead and he knows how to protect that. Horns' game was a classic by the way, even if it ended in disappointment for those in Austin.

Glynn: (Atlanta)

Tim last week i through out a "knock out" style playoff system to you and you shot it down. Last night i turn on NASCAR Now and here are DW and Ed Hinton both pushing the same playoff system. This morning Iget to the office and pull up Newton's weekly article on ESPN.com and he mentions an elimination playoff system as a way to keep the chase exciting. I'm telling you it's the way to go!!! Any new thoughts?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:02 PM)

Glynn, your proposal is gaining steam. I couldn't believe I was hearing Waltrip agreeing with Hinton. I have the utmost respect for both and I'm open to anything, but I think the reality show format is too tricked up. No one would be proposing it I don't think unless Johnson was about to run off with his third straight title. But I'm willing to consider.

dave(raleigh nc)

riggs in 09..cup , nationwide or trucks...and what cup team u think hes headed with a contract in hand....41.38, 01,....ur thoughts...thanks

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:03 PM)

I think Riggs could end up with Ganassi or DEI. Very strange that those two are talking about some kind of merger with each of them having 1 1/2 sponsors for '09. Lots of change in the works in this troubled auto industry.

Bruce (CT)

Tim, big fan of the racing gloves on Around The Horn, it gives you a competitive advantage!

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:06 PM)

Thanks, Bruce, but the racing gloves and the whole firesuit went to charity last Christmas, raising an incredible $34,000 for the North Texas Food Bank. Trying to figure out what I can auction off this holiday season.

Jerry (STAMP IT, GA)

Let's say Jimmie Johnson wins this thing this year. He gonna win it next year too?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:07 PM)

He doesn't necessarily win it but he has to be the favorite. He's too good at this thing.

Luke, Gloucester, England

So Tim, Ganassi and DEI really?? But dispite the accidents the 42 have really picked up their game don't you think?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:08 PM)

Montoya has gotten better. He doesn't have the results to show for it, but I think he's more competitive more often now.

Brandon (Austin)

Cowlishaw Why do you like guys turning left in cars?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:08 PM)

A better question is why someone who doesn't like NASCAR spends time in a NASCAR chat room,don't you think?

Goat (Bham, AL)

How does Woody Paige keep getting work?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:08 PM)

He has photos.

Brandon (Minnesota)

Auction off your little stanley cup!

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:09 PM)

That's not going to bring very much, Brandon, but thanks.

Jerry (STAMP IT, GA)

But what about Junior? He ever gonna win one of these things?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:10 PM)

He got moving in the right direction this year, Jerry. I know his fans are impatient but he made big strides from a year ago. The first half of the year he was competitive more often than any of his teammates. I think Junior makes the Chase again next year and we will see him stay a little closer to the top.

Dana

If Ganassi and DEI merge who has controlling interest and what shop closes.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:11 PM)

Talks are only being explored it's way too early to have that stuff ironed out. Don't even know what cars they would drive.

Louis D (Rochester NY)

Jimmie Johnson is going to win. I dont care what anyone else says.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:12 PM)

I think you are right, Louis. Don't see him letting Carl chase him down although what Edwards has done of late is impressive so I had to move him to No. 1 in the power rankings.

Brandon (Austin)

No really I'm just messing with you. You are one of the smarter Round the horn guys. Have fun talking about guys turning left.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:12 PM)

will do.

Goat (Bham, AL)

What's next for AJ Almindinger? He once hung out with us in the infield at Dega. Nice guy with a smoking hot wife. Thanks!

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:13 PM)

I don't know, I think Red Bull made a poor decision to go with Speed over him. Of course, that decision was made in Austria, not in Charlotte. A.J. has had some good runs lately and will get a Cup ride, I'm fairly certain.

Larry (MI)

Dale Jr had some pretty harsh words for Nascar regarding the length of the season. Any chance they listen to him and at least shorten some races after next year?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:14 PM)

None. But he's right in what he says. And they do make a mistake by butting heads with the NFL throughout the Chase. They have seven or eight races at night during the regular season, then when the NFL starts up, they have only one Saturday night race. Makes no sense.

Tim (FL)

Just wondering, what do you like better NASCAR or hockey?...dont dissapoint us..

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:15 PM)

As you know, I work overtime to get both into "Around the Horn'' and I can't pick one. I will say that I have liked hockey longer because I grew up with it more. I didn't really get into NASCAR until I went to my first Daytona 500 in 2000. Been to all of them since.

mike (pennsylvania)

do you think that the public in general puts to much pressure on Dale Jr because of his fathers legacy???

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:16 PM)

Absolutely. The expectations are out of control.

DAG NAB IT (I dont know)

Why do I get this stupid Nascar chat with Tim "I never win at Around the Horn" Cowlishaw? I want the fantasy football chat!

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:16 PM)

Won yesterday! Lost showdown today! Ask me your question, I have expertise in all fields, Dag Nab it.

Duke (Bham, AL)

Amen on the night race comment! Any chance Dega has a night race soon?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:17 PM)

That would be a wild scene. I'm not sure those fans could make it home after a night race!

Pete C (Newark DE)

Tim, Kenny Wallace suggested that maybe NASCAR should require two years 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. He suggested a more developmental approach so teams can showcase the young talent on an even playing field. Thoughts on that suggestion and is that a possibility?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:18 PM)

I agree with him that there should be more of a developmental aspect to it, not just Bowyer and Edwards, two Chase racers, battling for the nationwide series. It was better when you had Junior battling Kenseth or Harvick. Now I think fans barely know any of the Nationwide regulars beyond Keselowski.

Jan (Philly)

How much of Montoya's improvement/comfort level do you see as being due to the help the team received from Jeremy Mayfield at Dover and Lowe's.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:18 PM)

I don't know if that was significant but I know a couple of the guys on JPM's pit crew and I talk to them at all the races I go to. They just feel like the team is getting very close.

Sid (Atlanta)

Tim, this is WAY after the fact but something I've been wondering since last yr: did Jr know Gibbs was going Toyota and did that influence his decision? I thought for sure that's where he'd end up...

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:19 PM)

He knew for sure that the rumor was out there and those rumors tend to come true. I think Hendrick was the best spot for him.

Feds - New Haven

Fastest you have ever driven in a car Tim?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:20 PM)

My fastest lap at TMS was 134. I got to 150 twice, you can tell when you get there because the car starts shaking. Very cool experience with Tony Stewart last fall.

Joe (Troy, NY)

So if Gilliland only gets a five lap penalty for taking out Montoya, why doesn't Roush ask McMurray to take out Johnson?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:21 PM)

This is a sport, not pro wrestling. No owner would want to win a championship by having one of his drivers not in the Chase take out the leader.

Jan (Philly)

With the financial mess in the auto industry, do you think NASCAR can survive without manufacturer support?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:21 PM)

It's going to have to survive with a lot less. Things just can't keep escalating. Look at it this way. Even Dale Jr. needed co-sponsors and every sponsor would want to be on his car. It's going to get tougher and tougher from all angles.

Joe (Troy, NY)

Okay, Mister math. Biffle and I want to know how Edwards gets 8 additional laps out of his car. 8 Laps= 12 miles. At 4mpg, he had to save 3 gallons? What was REALLY in his gatorade bottle? ......Seriously, is it possible, really, that he got an additional 3 gallons of savings? Or is it more likely that he cheated?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:22 PM)

I don't think he could have cheated but Jack Roush was certainly puzzled that there was a 7-lap difference between his drivers. I think some crew chiefs are too conservative with their calls. Edwards saved a lot of fuel the last few laps but he had to have done that earlier, too. Very strange.

C-Rod, Hartford

What are Junior's chances down the road considering everything that "has" happened this year and "could" happen next year?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:24 PM)

I think Dale Jr. has very real hopes of winning a championship. He has won at lots of tracks. He has won at Texas, Dover, Phoenix and several times at Talladega -- all Chase tracks. It's very conceivable.

alex (nY)

do you think if it was jr in jimmie's position that they'd be calling for a change in the chase??

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:25 PM)

Best question of the day, Alex! Thank you. Absolutely not.

Bryce - Gellford Hills, MD

Did you read Hinton's column on ESPN.com? NASCAR fans are really the pickiest of all time

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:25 PM)

I like to read Ed but I haven't seen this week's. My bad.

Tom (Austin)

Does Nascar have a plan for alternative fuels when gas goes higher?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:26 PM)

They have explored some things in talks but the bigger problem to me than the teams using expensive gas is getting enough fans to absorb those costs and get to the track.

Glen, Fla

Tim, any chance of talking to the PTI guys and seeing if they will keep Rielly over there a few days a week just to see how ATH can run without him.also what does poor ole AJ need to do to get attention. i think Nascar needs him

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:27 PM)

We have no show without our beloved host, Glen! You are right about A.J. He has been strong in recent races and will surely land a ride.

Tina (PA)

Does erin Crocker have a deal for 2009?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:27 PM)

Pretty sure answer is no.

Jan (Philly)

Do you think there's any chance Mayfield will get a Cup ride in 2009?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:28 PM)

I don't really like his chances. After his failures with Toyota, he's not really viewed as an up-and-comer.

Brandon (Minnesota)

Could the economic crisis kill nascar?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:29 PM)

It's not going to kill it but it's going to have a real impact. We may see races with fewer than 43 cars. Where are all the sponsors going to come from for the truck and Nationwide series? And how do fans who have lost a ton of their savings continue to buy expensive tickets? There are lots of troubling issues. Hendrick had layoffs this week. If Hendrick is doing it, who's immune?

Brian, Takersburg, CT

There's been a lot of drama on the track this year, but how do you think it resolve itself?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:30 PM)

I think the resolution as far as the winner is the same as 2007 and 2008. Jimmie wins the title and Edwards establishes himself as the guy with the best chance to beat Jimmie in '09. Not Kyle Busch.

Tom (cincinnati, OH)

I think the "knockout" system of playoff can produce worse racing if the worse finisher knock out espically someone have trouble early in the race. After that then there would be no reason to race for the win. I say give wins, top 5's, and top 10's more points.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:31 PM)

I am not a fan of the "knockout'' system, either. This isn't a reality show.

Jan (Philly)

When you say failure with Toyotas, do you mean the BDR team that had no sponsorship and no support? If so, that's not exactly Mayfield's fault, is it?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:32 PM)

No I'm certainly not blaming it on him but he had trouble qualifying for many races last year. Again not his fault but he hasn't had a top 10 in three years.

Cletus, Knoxville

I know it sounds crazy but will the election have any effect on the future of Nascar?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:32 PM)

Yes, the taxes on a bunch of drivers are going up.

Teaf (columbus)

Worse playoff system: NASCAR or BCS?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:33 PM)

Lay off the BCS!

Cowboy Ron (Piston, PA)

Hey Tim, ever think Mike Massaro missed his calling as a top-notch jockey? I was thinknig about him during the breeder's cup.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:33 PM)

Mike does a good job. Be nice. And I just had a question I did not post that said Shannon Spake looks goofy in a firesuit. Goofy is not the word that comes to mind for me.

Ear Loeb (Hollywood, FL)

Hey Tim, was wondering what your favorite classic rock groups are when you are rolling down the highway? I peg you as Seeger all day and all night!

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:34 PM)

That's hysterical, just had a discussion with my man Marty Smith last week with me saying that Seger was over-rated. He didn't like that.

Larry (MI)

What do you think about AI coming to Detroit?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:35 PM)

Quick NBA diversion. Is Iverson even better than Billups at this point in his career? A strange trade from the Detroit angle for me.

scott (hagerstown md)

how much do you think carl is kickin himself for spinnin biff n matt earlier in the chase

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:35 PM)

I think he kicked himself for awhile, then he went after harvick, then he had a bad race, and now he's over it.

alex (ny)

I'm a junior fan and want him to win but I can't stand that everyone calls him overrated. Do the junior haters think that as long as he wins 7 titles he is worth his name or what? Pretty ridiculous expectations.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:37 PM)

He is not overrated. He is overexposed because of his name and what he brings to the sport. He gets more commercial endorsements than more successful drivers but I think everyone understands why that is and how much attention and money he brings to everyone.And in a very weird aside, he told me at TMS last Friday he wants to meet the rest of the guys on "Around the Horn.'' I'm dead serious.

Jan (Philly)

Kind of hard to get a top ten when you're driving spare parts but I guess a lot of drivers are judged solely by how they did in their last race

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:37 PM)

Yeah, that's all i mean. It's unfair but Jeremy turns 40 next year and most teams are looking for younger guys to build around. I'm sure he'll get something somewhere, just maybe not Cup level.

T. Stovall (Bronx, NY)

We love us some Greg Biffle up here in the NYC! If he had Hendrick's cash money do you think he would Race to that there Chase?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:38 PM)

Good to hear the Bronx loves Biff! He drives for Roush Fenway so it's not like he lacks for money or support.

Kevin (Boston, MA)

Tim, is there any chance that they are rushing Logano to the big time a little too quick. Look at Keselowski; he absolutely kick Logano's tail. Wouldn't it make more sense to give him a full year in the "minors"?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:39 PM)

I think that was the plan until Tony left. Once that happened, it kind of forced them ahead a year. I think he will fare pretty well in the 20 but I wouldn't pick him to make the Chase at 19 years old.

Brandon (Minnesota)

Should they lower the ten race chase to maybe 5 races?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:39 PM)

I think a shorter Chase makes more sense. Drivers couldn't build quite as big a lead. The problem with shorter is that one bad race and you are done.

Mike (New Orleans, LA)

Tim, do you agree with no further punishment for the 38? Also, did you see Yates plugging the plug on David?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:40 PM)

Taking points away wouldn't really have much of an impact this time of year. But it was pretty deliberate, maybe a fine should have been added.

Jerry (STAMP IT, GA)

Do you think NASCAR will ever reform it's asinine "no passing below the yellow line rule unless we think you aren't passing but if you are maybe you can pass but we'll decide that based on what we had for breakfast" rule?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:41 PM)

Well put, Jerry, that is exactly how it is worded in the official rule book. A lot of drivers think Regan Smith got hosed in that deal and that he should have been declared the winner but NASCAR didn't want Tony Stewart coming after it.

AJ (MD)

What first drew you to NASCAR?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:42 PM)

Just going to Daytona in 2000, getting caught up in the spectacle, the availability of the drivers and the access. Was just curious about a lot of things and really got into it.

Joe (NY)

Of the up and coming drivers in Sprint Cup, who do you think has a bright future?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:43 PM)

I look at the two most likely to work their way into the Chase next year as David Ragan and Brian Vickers. I think Reutimann is coming on but he's not exactly young. Only compared to me.

Mary (NC)

I read somewhere that 60 is the new 40, so that means Mayfield at 40 should be the new 20. Seriously, don't you think his experience should be a benefit, like Mark Martin's helping DEI.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:47 PM)

That could be the case. I like 60 being the new 40. There's hope for me. Gotta run throw on a tie and do a little NASCAR NOW after two more. Great questions today.

Lee (ft worth)

What is your favorite venue to watch a race at, and are is there a party bigger than Dega in NASCAR

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:48 PM)

My favorite is still Daytona, took the kids there for the Pepsi 400 in maybe 2003? Great time.

Jeff (New Berlin)

I feel that AJ Allmendinger would have a better shot than Vickers, but not Ragan, to make the chase if put in equal equipment again. He was outperforming Vickers on a weekly basis before Redbull let him go.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:48 PM)

A.J. is in the mix but Vickers is good and he does have good equipment.

Bearded Norman (Grand Rapids, MI)

Tim, do you think UFC will pass Nascar as far as fan loyalty?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:48 PM)

Not even close I find UFC to be a joke.

Jerry (STAMP IT, GA)

I like Smoke alright, but Smith did get screwed big time. That's part of NASCAR'S charm and also its biggest fault: it's too arbitrary.

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:49 PM)

They are stuck in the middle of trying to be what they once were and trying to move into the modern world.

L. Campbell (Miami, FL)

Who is hotter in person: Ms. Shannon Spake or Ms. Nicole Manske?

Tim Cowlishaw

  (3:50 PM)

If I answered, I would get a stinging text message from the loser I am sure! We will call it a tie and call it a day. See you next week.Courage.