Terry Blount

  (2:00 PM)

HI Folks, Hope everyone is getting ready to chow down for Thanksgiving. Next week is the Cup awards banquet in New York. A big night for JJ. What's on your mind?

Rick (Pa)

Hi Terry - Thanks for being here during Thanksgiving week. I still need my NASCAR fix. As a 48 fan I am loving this no testing policy. I saw what testing meant to the 48 team last year and the benefit the 99 team had by being the team that tested the COT for Roush. This has to be a huge advantage for the 18, 48 and 99 by not allowing testing. I know that the idea is saving money but isn't this going to make for even less competition in 09?

Terry Blount

  (2:02 PM)

It's an advantage to any team that has the money to do more wind tunnel testing and more 7-post shaker rig data. But I think this needed to be done. If NASCAR allows all the teams to use Fridays as a test day as each event, it oculd even things out a little.

Steve (Toledo, OH)

Does J. Gordon's performance over the last 10 races show improvement for next year or will he still struggle behind Johnson, Edwards, Busch?

Terry Blount

  (2:05 PM)

Gordon remains a half-step behind JJ and Edwards. Hard to tell what Kyle will do after fading at the end. We could see the Gordon of 2007, but I don't think so. Something is missing and no one knows for sure what that is..

devin whitmore lake michigan

will david ragan win a race or two and make the chase for 2009

Terry Blount

  (2:06 PM)

I believe he will on both counts. If he improves as much from the second year to the third as he did from the first to the second, he's only his way to becoming a true contender.

Terry Blount

  (2:08 PM)

Apparently, the Midwest are on the line today. Is it snowing up there guys?

Steve (Toledo, OH)

Nope, just in clas and not paying attention.

Terry Blount

  (2:10 PM)

Been there, done that.

Matt - Phoenix

Speaking of Jeff Gordon, how fantastic would it be to see him & Ray Evernham get back together, I think it is obvious that Ray wants nothing to do with his ?old team?, and he has said he wants to step down from the Big Show ? but damn what a pair they could make again? ant thoughts on that?

Terry Blount

  (2:14 PM)

It would be fun to watch, but I'm not so sure the outcome would be the same as the glory years they had together. As the saying goes, you can't go home again. The guys on the Rainbow Warriors have moved on, including Chad Knaus. And Ray would find the crew chief duties much different today with the COT than they were in his heyday. Things change quickly in this business.

JASON THOMAS (WINNIE, TX)

can jimmie johnson break tha record and win a 4th title...

Terry Blount

  (2:16 PM)

Absolutely. I'd put the ofds around 50/50 at the moment. No one stays on top forever, but they sure don't appear to be slipping yet.

JASON THOMAS (WINNIE, TX)

is dale earnhardt career safe to say isnt gonna get any better than what it is at now

Terry Blount

  (2:17 PM)

I think it's going to get a lot better. He had a decent first year at Hendrick and I expect the 88 team to step up in 2009.

Matt - Phoenix

It seems the questions are slow today?? how about a prediction of the 2009 chase drivers?

Terry Blount

  (2:21 PM)

Wow. It's early, but why not. Here goes, in no particular order: Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Jamie McMurray, David Ragan, Jeff Gordon, Brian Vickers, Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, Mark Martin and Kyle Busch.

John (IL)

If some one can, who would you predict will surprise in 2009?

Terry Blount

  (2:21 PM)

Brian Vickers. I think the Red Bull team is on the rise.

Ben (Des Moines, IA)

I enjoy the cars more then the drivers. Do you ever see the cookie cutter cars going away or should I give up on that hope?

Terry Blount

  (2:22 PM)

Not anytime soon.

Ed, Hartford

Saw an interview with Junior Johnson. He said drivers were TOUGHER back when Cale won three in a row. You gotta agree because the cars were so bad. but I think guys are STRONGER nowadays. Better nutrition, workouts etc.

Terry Blount

  (2:23 PM)

It's really comparing apples and oranges. The cars were harder to drive but the competitiion wasn't anywhere near as close or as deep as it is today.

Billy (KY)

Terry, As I understood, the no-test rule takes affect after January 1st, so will the teams be testing at an increased pace in December ahead of the cut off? Thanks

Terry Blount

  (2:24 PM)

You can count on it. It will be a busy holiday season for teams that have the money to test.

Nate (Kearney, NE)

Is Scott Riggs a front runner for open rides since he has a sponsor or two coming with him?

Terry Blount

  (2:24 PM)

I would say Riggs, Regan Smith and Allmendinger are the top three, but there aren't many open rides out there.

devin whitmore lake michigan

how do see lagano doing in 2009

Terry Blount

  (2:25 PM)

OK, but not great. I don't see him making the Chase. But he's very talented with strong equipment, so he'll post some strong finishes.

SK (CO)

How is Petty, and more importantly, Bobby Labonte going to do next year. I keep on waiting to hear about sponsors or a merger, but nothing happens. Anyway they can survive without solid $ incoming?

Terry Blount

  (2:28 PM)

Richard said at Miami they aren't merging for 09. They desperately need more sponsorship money for the 43. And Kyle's status is up in the air. He wants to race full time. Everyone else at PE seems to think he needs to hang it up.

Ben (Des Moines, IA)

With the COT being much safer will we see smaller restrictor plates and more speed? A 200mph race at Talledega would be heaven.

Terry Blount

  (2:28 PM)

No. NASCAR wants to keep the cars below the 200 mph barrier. And typically, faster speeds equates to less competitive racing.

Scott (Indy)

What teams are in trouble financially? And, do you see any of them not answering the bell for Daytona?

Terry Blount

  (2:30 PM)

Bill Davis Racing, Furniture Row Racing, Wood Brothers, Hall of Fame Racing. I don't see BDR continuing without a partnership with another organization.

Scott (Indy)

How will Penske handle the Helio tax evasion situation? Who would be his back-up driver?

Terry Blount

  (2:32 PM)

Hopefully Helio wins this case and has a great year. Penske hasn't said who might step in, but Paul Tracy would be a fun choice.

Scott (Indy)

How long will the NHRA keep the shorter track? Is it here to stay, or is will it go away as the tracks improve the safety of the tracks?

Terry Blount

  (2:33 PM)

I'm hearing that the 1,000-foot length is staying for the start of 2009. And I don't see them changing back in the middle of the season.

Jason (Minden, NE)

Are there going to be races like in the Truck series where there aren't even 43 cars in the show, or will just be in the NNS or CWTS.

Terry Blount

  (2:34 PM)

I think the Cup races still will have 43 cars. The difference will be that fewer teams will run the full sked.

Larry (La)

In your opinion, does NASCAR need a angry rivalry to stimulate interest?

Terry Blount

  (2:35 PM)

It always helps, but the thing that could help pump up interest more than anything else is Dale Earnhardt Jr.winning races and in the running for the championship down the stretch

Billy (KY)

Has Stewart/Haas put together crews that are top notch?

Terry Blount

  (2:37 PM)

They're getting there, but it takes time. They can't get everyone they want in one year. Contract commitments make that impossible, and some guys want to wait and see how they do in the first year.

Jason in Atlanta

Terry, just read your column where you said James Hylton shouldn't be trying to get into the Daytona 500 because he's 74. Why do we dictate on age rather than ability (see: Michael McDowell)?

Terry Blount

  (2:38 PM)

You can't do the same things at 74 that you could at 34. The reflexes and the vision just aren't there. Experience can make up for a lot of that, but it reaches the point of no return.

Scott (Indy)

Alright, a triple play! Newton never came thru for me like that! Why not hit you with a F-1 question, too. How much longer is Bernie the head of F-1? There seems to be some grumblings about him over in Europe.

Terry Blount

  (2:40 PM)

I don't see Bernie going anywhere as long as his health is good. He loves every second of having ultimate power.

Junior Fans

So, how many races do you think Junior will win next year? We say at least 16.

Terry Blount

  (2:42 PM)

If he wins 16 races, we've got one heck of a story to write about next year. Not gonna happen, but I'll say three of four victories for Little E.

Jeremy (Palatka, Fl)

How do you see Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman performing next year for SHR?

Terry Blount

  (2:43 PM)

Winning a race or two but not making the Chase.

David (Jackson, KY)

Anything official on whether Jeff Mendeering will stay or go as crew chief of the #43 (he's been rumored to be car chief of the #14 next year). If he goes, what is the likelihood the recently unemployed Todd Parrott would reunite with Bobby L. and the #43 next year?

Terry Blount

  (2:46 PM)

Meendering is going to Stewart-Haas. Parrott a free agent who could have several options for 09.

TG

Any news on who the winner is for this years most popular driver???

Terry Blount

  (2:47 PM)

I don' think it has been announced, but if it isn't Junior they shoud have an investigation.

Ken (CA)

In my opinion, Jr and Tony Eury may be cousins, but until they start speaking the same language during the races they will continue the pattern of starting out ok, then making poor set up adjustments that cause them to fade in the second half of the races. Your opinion?

Terry Blount

  (2:49 PM)

That clearly happened at a few races this year. Eury's call also won the race at Michigan. But I agree, they have to figure out how to help each other during a race if they hope to reach the full potential for that team.

alex (fla)

How well do you see mark doing in the 5in 09? Does he finaly get the championship?

Terry Blount

  (2:50 PM)

No championship, but he shoud make the Chase with that equipment. Mark is prominently mentioned in my new book that comes out in February. It will be controversial, but a fun read.

Matt - Phoenix

I want someone to pull the double duty, the Indy 500 & the Coca Cola 600. Can Tony Stewart pull it off now that he is a team owner how about Robby Gordon again? Of course the start times would have to work out, but I think that when a guy can pull that off that is a great to watch and root for.

Terry Blount

  (2:51 PM)

No one can do it now unless one of the events changes its start time or races on Memiorial Day.

Brian (St. Louis)

I read your article about team funding for next year. I know it is only a one car team, but isn't Robby Gordon Motorsports fully funded gor next year?

Terry Blount

  (2:52 PM)

I believe Jim Beam is back with Robby for 09.

John (Spokane WA)

Early thoughts on the DEI and Ganassi Merger.. is it really gonna work?

Terry Blount

  (2:55 PM)

It was a move to survive. It doesn't guarantees success next year. They still need more sponsorship in order to run four cars. I think JPM will benefit the most out of this by getting help from Truex and running Chevy engines.

devin whitmore lake michigan

will the 07 run better than the 33

Terry Blount

  (2:57 PM)

Good question. I know Bowyer isn't too happy about having to take a car with no owner's pountrs (unless somehting is worked out to buy points). But he still has the same crew, so I expect he will finish higher than Mears when it's all said and done.

Matt - Again

Talking about the Double Duty, I just looked at the schedule, the Indy 500 is on May 25 and the race at Lowes is May 24, maybe we will see the double duty.

Terry Blount

  (2:58 PM)

That's wrong. Both races are on Sunday.

Brian (St. Louis)

Do you see Honda getting into series anytime soon? It might be the perfect time now to start working on getting in to the series for them.

Terry Blount

  (2:58 PM)

No auto maker is going to invest that kind of money (over $100 million) in these economic times.

Joe (FL)

My son is just getting in to NASCAR and is looking for a favorite driver. He wanted me to get your opinion on Hornish and Speed as to which one you think will be more successful over the long haul?

Terry Blount

  (3:00 PM)

Both are very talented drivers. And Sam is a great guy for your son to look up to. But I'll go with Speed on this one. In fact, I'm still not convinced Sam will stay in NASCAR for the long haul.

Nate

I would consider David Ragan and Brian Vickers Legit contenders for the Championship yes or no also, Jeff Gordon...comes up BIG in 09....your thoughts

Terry Blount

  (3:03 PM)

Both are serious contenders to make the Chase. Not sure about the championship. I hate to say this, because Jeff is one of the best guys I've ever met in my 30 years of covering sports. But I think his best days may be behind him. I hope I'm wrong.

Steve (Toledo, OH)

In wake of the economic crisis, should NASCAR change the top-35 rule?

Terry Blount

  (3:04 PM)

I'm all for throwing out the top 35 rule and making everyone qualify every race.

Terry Blount

  (3:05 PM)

Gotta run. I've got a giant turkey to stuff. Thanks for chatting today. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone. Peace.