Ed Hinton

  (2:00 PM)

Good afternoon, all. I'm ready to go. Just finished a blog on the late nice guy Neil Bonnett, today being the 15th anniversary of his death here at Daytona. Check it out on our NASCAR page. It should be up soon. Neil was the nicest guy who ever drove in NASCAR. Now, to some questions . . .

Tim Bladensburg,MD

Ed, What are Tony Stewart's chance of regaining the top spot this year?

Ed Hinton

  (2:02 PM)

Tim, A week ago I'd have told you slim to none, what with the new team. But with all that Hendrick support, and the way Tony's new team has been peforming so far this week, I'd say they're going to be up and running sooner, smoother, than any startup team in recent memory. Newman did have a blown engine a while ago, but the whole Hendrick team is checking that problem out.

Ed Hinton

  (2:05 PM)

Hard to choose between those stories. I could go for this: Martin rubs elliott a little bit to win at the checkered flag. Would either get an Earnhardt type reception? I think both would. But I think Mark might get a bigger one even than Earnhardt did in '93.

JR Shreveport, La [via mobile]

What is kyle petty doing this season?

Ed Hinton

  (2:07 PM)

He's doing a lot of TV -- plans to do the full summer with TBS -- and trying to run some Grand Am road races. He's pretty well shut out of the deal his dad made with GEM. Kind of sad, in a way.

nathan (clarion pa)

how well do you expect Earnhardt Jr. to do this year?

Ed Hinton

  (2:08 PM)

He's a little more settled in with Hendrick, so things should go better. But you learn with Junior that you never know until he does it. I think he's capable of winning three or four and making the Chase, but we'll see . . .

Steiny (NYC)

How happy do you think the Wood Brothers are to be running in Daytona 500 again?

Ed Hinton

  (2:10 PM)

They have mixed emotions. They're proud of "going back to our roots," as Len said of their limited 12-race schedule. But they've got cars and are ready to go if full sponsorship "falls into our lap," says Len. I think they're very happy to be running so well at Daytona. I think Elliott actually has a chance to win it for them. He knows it's going to be tough to stick around till the end, with all that beating and banging.

AL(INDY)

With Detroit hurting and the COT practically eliminating any true relation to "stock" models do you see a point that money from manufactures dries up completely?

Ed Hinton

  (2:13 PM)

I do, but they don't. To a company, they say that as long as they're in business, they have to advertise and promote through NASCAR. But then, of course, if they're not in business, the nascar money would certainly dry up. I also wonder whether, if they need further government buyouts, the government czars would let them spend bailout money on nascar promotions.

Charles, (Alamogordo, NM)

Ed, is this the year that RCR is able to compete for a championship? Harvick, Bowyer, and Burton have all shown the ability to run in the top 5 as well as finish in the top 5 in points, but can these guys win multiple races this year and challenge Hendrick and Roush?

Ed Hinton

  (2:16 PM)

They're very anxious at RCR to get a championship for the boss, not just make the Chase. Harvick's performance in the shootout looked nice, but it's hard to gauge anything by Daytona. I think Roush is the team to beat, specifically Edwards, because Roush will do better under the testing ban than the others. But if RCR can pick it up just a notch, they can contend.

Ray tampa [via mobile]

I read your suggestions on shortening the length of time of races. How about the elimination of the "phantom" caution?

Ed Hinton

  (2:17 PM)

OOOH, boy! Guess you can't eliminate what supposedly doesn't exist, huh? NASCAR's very sensitive about that. Just ask Tony Stewart, after he mentioned such a thing on his radio show a while back. Yes, i'd like to see the phantom caution banned. but you can't ban it if you don't admit it. besides, there is the occasional race that gets so strung out i actually welcome the things myself.

Larry (MI)

Ed, How many teams do you expect to close up shop after Daytona?

Ed Hinton

  (2:20 PM)

I don't know that any will close up shop. I expect several will go into limbo, but it may be a while before we hear they're actually gone. they're hoping beyond hope to attract sponsorship here. One I think you'll see stay is Jeremy Mayfield, who's running the business himself and plans to show up at a lot more races. In future Cup races there'll be smaller fields than here, making it easier to qualify. So the pickings actually get better for the independent teams after Daytona.

Aron (Southlake, Tx)

What do you see Mark Martin adding to Hendrick Motorsports?

Ed Hinton

  (2:22 PM)

The stock answer would be maturity, but they've already got that at Hendrick. I think what he adds most is that all of them -- Earnhardt, Johnson, Gordon -- just plain like Martin. He's been a good friend all along, and now they've got him in the fold. He does have Hendrick and Earnhardt working out, though -- which is revolutionary, especially for Earnhardt.

evans spartanburg sc [via mobile]

whats the chances of mark martin winning the sprint cup or will it be a roush driver winning

Ed Hinton

  (2:25 PM)

Mark and I have already had a bit of a debate about that. I said on NASCAR Now the other night that he doesn't have enough dog-eat-dog in him to win races. And you gotta win races to win championships. But he says he doesn't know what he would do to win now -- he's real hungry -- until that split second is over. If he allows himself to rub on people for a change, rather than giving way all the time on the track, he could win races and win the title. Still, Roush is the favorite, because of Edwards, and Roush technology dominating the no-test era.

Steiny (NYC)

Are you pulling for Mark Martin?

Ed Hinton

  (2:26 PM)

Of COURSE I'm pulling for Mark Martin. Anybody 50 and over who isn't is a traitor to the midlife crisis crowd.

Big Mama (Yazoo City)

NASCAR is back, bay-bay! who will be this year's kyle busch?

Ed Hinton

  (2:30 PM)

Just had to pick a lady from Yazoo! I'm from Laurel, and had many friends from the "Gateway to the Delta." The late Willie Morris was a pal. Don't know if there'll be another Kyle Busch streak -- but wouldn't it be something if Logano took off on one? Wonder if the crowds would boo him the way they booed Kyle. And, How 'Bout them REBELS! They are BACK! Gonna get myself some football assignments and get back to Oxford this summer/fall.

Larry (MI)

Ed, Will Nascar ever realize that the racing would be much better if they put lapped car's in the back during restarts.

Ed Hinton

  (2:31 PM)

I sure hope so, Larry. I think Helton has his cowboy boot heels dug in for this season about changes. But they really do need to go to double-file restarts for the LEADERS, to enhance the competition, and leave the lapped cars back where they can't be a nuisance. that era is long gone.

Scott (Atlanta, GA)

Can a team change their engine between the duel race and 500?

Ed Hinton

  (2:32 PM)

My understand is that they can change engines after the twin qualifiers. But if they're going to do it, they have to do it by the opening of practice friday morning. If they're not changed by then, they're stuck.

Ray ray tampa [via mobile]

Is michael waltrip capable of ever winning again as a driver?

Ed Hinton

  (2:33 PM)

He won't like this answer at all, but here goes. He IS capable of winning on restrictor plate tracks if his car is right. He has a special talent for that. But I doubt he can win anywhere else.

jill (fl)

You telling me that DALE JR. Really doesn't work out? I have lost all respect!

Ed Hinton

  (2:35 PM)

Well, i guess it depends how you define working out. My understanding is that Martin is just now dragging him to the gym. Junior likes to sleep late -- as in, 10 a.m.

Luke (VA)

Do you think Paul Menard will have better success over at Yates instead of DEI this year?

Ed Hinton

  (2:36 PM)

He'll probably have better power. But lemme be honest. I think Menard is in Cup because his dad is many times a billionaire, and always has the money.

Rick (Pittsburgh, PA)

Which of the "New" teams do you see having the better year... Stewart-Haas or Earnhardt-Ganassi?

Ed Hinton

  (2:37 PM)

Oh, I think Stewart-Haas. They've got all the Hendrick technology and support.

Joe (columbia, sc) [via mobile]

What does R.Newman need to do to repeat the 500 victory?

Ed Hinton

  (2:37 PM)

Just what he did last year: find himself in the right place at the right moment with the right push.

Scott (Atlanta, GA)

Any estimate on how many :30 second commercials FOX will run during the 500? I feel like I watch 30 minutes of commercials to see 30 minutes of racing.

Ed Hinton

  (2:38 PM)

You mean they only last 30 seconds? Some feel like 30 minutes. I know what you mean. But think of the alternative: pay-per-view. The cost of production would be so high on pay per view that seeing a race might cost $100 a pop. So, I'll take the commercials.

Bristow

What would be the better story Bill Elliott or Mark Martin winning on Sunday?

Ed Hinton

  (2:42 PM)

I accidentally didn't post a similar question previously, so I'll answer again. They'd both be great stories. I'd take either one to write Sunday night. Guess if I really had my wish list, it would be Martin rubbing Elliott a little coming to the line and Martin winning -- and maybe Elliott giving Martin a payback shot on the cooldown lap! How cool would that be? Reason I'd take Martin in a tossup over Elliott is that Martin has never won a Daytona 500, and Elliott has.

Tiffany (California)

How is it that Bill Elliot is 'locked' into the 500 now? Just because he was a top 10 qualifier? I thought everyone who wasn't in the top 35, and who doesn't race their way in, isn't locked in to anything? How did that happen?

Ed Hinton

  (2:45 PM)

Two ways: He qualified so well that they way the system works, he can get in "on time" even if he wrecks out of his qualifier. Also, he's a former Cup champion and can get that provisional if needed.

Saul (San Diego)

Clarification please. Its my understanding that the body of all the cars are the same. The only difference is the stickers or wrap that makes them look like a Chevy, dodge, etc.. True?

Ed Hinton

  (2:46 PM)

That's essentially true, except for the nose. They get a little variation there. Dodge has a new one, and some people think that's helping a big, because it's got a little more slant to it.

casper

how important are these practice speeds when looking ahead to sunday?

Ed Hinton

  (2:47 PM)

Not very, really. It's always hard to tell who was clocked in which draft . . .or who was running all-out . . .or who was "two-cornering." some teams will run hard through only two corners at a time, and then the other two corners on a later lap, to disguise their true lap times from the other teams. You never really know until the race starts and they get in the draft. Then you STILL don't know until they start to move in the final 25 laps or so.

Jake (NJ)

Ed, my dad's name is Eric Girard and he tells me you guys used to hang out way back in the 70's when he was covering Daytona. Recognize the name?

Ed Hinton

  (2:49 PM)

I certainly do remember Eric Girard. He was always more of an editor than a writer in the newspaper biz, but he did come to Daytona. Last time I saw him was in New York, when we were forming the short-lived The National, a sports daily.

Bre (Seattle, WA)

What do you think JPM's chances are in new equipment? Chase-possible or still in the 20s?

Ed Hinton

  (2:50 PM)

Well, we'll see when he gets the Chevrolet power. I still think he has a ways to go in full-bodied cars. He's made a fabulous transition from F1, but all that open-wheel training in his youth formed habits that are hard to break.

jeff(durham nc)

do u think riggs will make the 500 via the duels...how do u thk he will do ..thanks

Ed Hinton

  (2:52 PM)

Riggs becomes like the independent drivers in the old days, when times were hard for many. A lot depends on the luck of the wrecks. He won't be far up in the pack, and everything depends on how well he can avoid the mess back there. If he makes the 500, the same story repeats itself. Doubt he can contend for win.

Ed Hinton

  (2:52 PM)

Riggs becomes like the independent drivers in the old days, when times were hard for many. A lot depends on the luck of the wrecks. He won't be far up in the pack, and everything depends on how well he can avoid the mess back there. If he makes the 500, the same story repeats itself. Doubt he can contend for win.

casper

who's going to commentate for espn's races this year... please dont say rusty...

Ed Hinton

  (2:54 PM)

My understanding is that it'll be Jerry Punch, D.J. and Andy Petree in the booth.

Al (INDY)

Don't usually care for gimmicks but would love to see a Sat Night local track format for on race a year for points.Heat races,last chance race,and a feature.I know,will never happen but man would it be cool!

Ed Hinton

  (2:55 PM)

That would seem unlikely, BUT if NASCAR gets hungry enough to bring the fans back, maybe they'll try something like that. Maybe if Tony Stewart's "Prelude to the Dream" gets popular enough, NASCAR will be inspired by that.

JB (CO)

What do you expect from the #17 this season?

Ed Hinton

  (2:56 PM)

I think his problem is very similar to Jeff Gordon's -- getting into the corners on intermediate tracks. The COT is so tight that to get it to turn through the corners, it has to be very loose on entry. I think Jeff has a problem with that, and so does Matt. It's a matter of getting their cars adjusted just right for them.

Saul (San Diego)

Do you see Rick Hendricks spending more time during each race working with Dale Jr?

Ed Hinton

  (2:57 PM)

I don't think so. Dale Jr. is a grownup. Their little radio encounter at New Hampshire last fall was a vastly overblown story, I thought -- and so did Rick.

Michael (Rochester)

Would NASCAR ever consider starting the season in January w/ say Fontana, Vegas, and Phoenix, then a 2 week break, then go into Speedweek @ Daytona?

Ed Hinton

  (2:58 PM)

Darrell Waltrip and I have both strongly suggested that, publicly. They used to begin the season at the old Riverside track in Calif., and it worked out great back then.

Steiny (NYC)

What are your thoughts on Dale Jr. being NASCAR's highest-paid driver?

Ed Hinton

  (2:59 PM)

He who sells the products makes the money. Regardless of what you think of Junior's driving, he is far and away the most popular, and sells more stuff, and gets more sponsorship, and makes more money. Just economic law in nascar.

Ed Hinton

  (3:00 PM)

Well, folks, gotta go. Lots of stories to chase down here. Enjoyed it a lot. Everybody be well.