ESPN

David Newton

  (2:01 PM)

Welcome to Daytona International Speedway, where cars are on the track practicing as we chat. It's been a long week and a half, from the dog getting hit by a car to Scott Riggs making the field. Fire away.

Steiny (NYC)

Do you think Scott Speed is the real deal?

David Newton

  (2:02 PM)

Wow, it's way too early to tell that. Let's way a month or so before we starting pitching him for stardom. I will say this, he is one of the most interesting characters in the garage.

Steiny (NYC)

Who are some Daytona underdogs?

David Newton

  (2:03 PM)

Jeremy Mayfield and Scott Riggs already have beaten the odds by making the field. I picked Martin Truex Jr. before he won the pole, so i guess you can't count him as an underdog. How about Jamie McMurray? He doesn't get a lot of mention, but he's a very underrated plate racer.

Tim Bladensburg,MD

David, What do you think of Tony's chances at winning the 500 this weekend?

David Newton

  (2:05 PM)

Tony always is a favorite here because he always runs well, just not well enough to win. So far you have to be impressed with the performance of his new team. He was strong in the Shootout and 150-mile qualifier, so he has to be one of the favorites.

Black Flagged Online (VA)

If we were to take one David Newton and place him behind the wheel of the #14 Office Depot Chevrolet on Sunday, where would he finish?

David Newton

  (2:06 PM)

Probably second to fourth. I have the nerve to put the bumper on the guy in front of me and push him to the front. I'm not sure I'd have the guts to pull out and take a chance at 200 mph. Hey, Dale Earnhardt Jr. said his mom could drive at Daytona, and I certainly stack up well against her.

Pete C Newark DE

Can this be Tony's Daytona? The team looked great yesterday.

David Newton

  (2:07 PM)

He certainly stole the show in here a few minutes ago during a press conference with A.J. Foyt. Never seen two guys that like each other so well call each other so many bad names.

Black Flagged Online (VA)

Kyle Busch is the current favorite to win the Daytona 500 at 4/1 odds, what do you think are the odds that he causes the Big One? We are going wit 2/1

David Newton

  (2:08 PM)

Way too high. I'd say the first Big One will be caused by Robby Gordon. He's 2-for-2 in the Shootout and qualifier.

Patrick (Boston, MA)

Where do you think Bobby Labonte will finish in the 500 and in the final standings this year?

David Newton

  (2:09 PM)

The 500 is a crapshoot. I'll say 14th. As for the season, he'll likely hover around the 12th spot and make a run at the Chase. If he doesn't it's time to retire.

in NH

is the dog ok?

David Newton

  (2:09 PM)

A broken leg and bumps and bruises. And a big hole in my wallet. Thanks for asking.

Chad (Las Vegas)

WRONG, 1st big one will be caused by the 55 Waltrip. He is ridonkulous.

David Newton

  (2:10 PM)

He's also a pretty good plate racer. This isn't California.

Jeffy D (Feeding Hills MA)

Repaving story got some play this week- but not till 2010...why publicize the plan now? I noticed lots of bouncing in the turns...why wait?

David Newton

  (2:11 PM)

It was publicized becaause Dale Jr. complained about the surface and said it needed paving now. When Dale Jr. speaks, all listen and all write. Had Scott Speed said it we all would have shrugged our shoulders and said, 'What does he know?'

Pete C Newark DE

Any surprises or disappointments from yesterdays performances?

David Newton

  (2:12 PM)

My biggest surprise was Joey Logano. We all know the kid's good, but many thought he'd cause a wreck or two on Thursday. He had a chance to win. Impressive.

Black Flagged Online (VA)

What does it smell like at Daytona right now, we a imagining it smells like a Bacon Explosion?

David Newton

  (2:14 PM)

No fair mentioning bacon. My doctor has me on a diet for high cholesteral. I haven't had bacon in two weeks and am going through withdrawal. Actually, the food in the concesson nearest us is not greasy at all. There's shrimp salad, turkey on rye, etc. I do miss the grease, though. Maybe I need to walk out into the infield deeper.

Black FLagged Online (Va)

How many girls does Scott Speed have around him at all times?

David Newton

  (2:15 PM)

He's got fiance, so just one right now and she hangs real tight to his side.

Steiny (NYC)

Which race is longer/harder? Daytona or Indy 500?

David Newton

  (2:16 PM)

From a driver's standpoint or reporter's? Not sure there is much difference from behind the wheel.

Black Flagged Online (VA)

Playboy has once again named ESPN?s Erin Andrews as the nation?s Sexiest Sportscaster. Our vote is for Marty Smith, I mean who wouldn?t want to see him in a bikini? Who does your vote go for?

David Newton

  (2:16 PM)

Hey, you haven't seen me with my new beard yet. So hold all votes.

Josh(LA)

David - who are your top 10 for Saturday's Nationwide series and who do you expect to win? Thank you

David Newton

  (2:18 PM)

I can't go 10 deep, but I'd say Stewart, Harvick, Edwards, Biffle and Bowyer.

David Newton

  (2:18 PM)

Pete C Newark DE

Im a Kyle Busch guy, what do you think of his chances on Sunday? How do you think the toyotas from Gibbs looked?

David Newton

  (2:19 PM)

Busch has a great chance. He won his qualifier and has gotten a lot better on plate races in the past year. Hamlin was running second before he crashed, and Logano was top 5 in his qualifier. I'd say the JGR cars are just fine.

M. Cook [Atlanta, GA]

Congratulations on getting married! I just wanted to comment about how damn good the racing has been so far: The Bud Shootout and both duals. Go Kyle Busch!

David Newton

  (2:19 PM)

Thanks, and the racing has been great. It's given us all a chance to forget about the economy for a while.

jumerms (NYC)

Are you expecting big things from Jeff Gordon?

David Newton

  (2:21 PM)

I know I picked Edwards to win the title in our preseason poll, and I said it was stupid to pick anybody but Jimmie Johnson, but I really believe Jeff has a great shot to win No. 5. It's just a gut feeling listening to him talk and watching him drive.

Jimmie Johnson (Daytona Int. Speedway)

Do you think I'm going to win the Daytona 500?

David Newton

  (2:21 PM)

If you do, then I'll shave my beard. If you don't, you have to shave yours. Fair?

Chad (Las Vegas)

Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart are side by side on the last lap. What happens? Crash, Jeff win, or Tony win?

David Newton

  (2:21 PM)

Jeff wins. He knows how. Tony hasn't priven that yet.

Pete C Newark DE

With the new ford engine not being run by Rousch this year, how much will we learn about its performance , when the best ford team refuses to ginnie pig it?

David Newton

  (2:23 PM)

Roush may run the new engine later in the season. He just won't be a test rat for it. That honor goes to the Wood Brothers and Bill Elliott.

Diego ((Chicago))

Are you the one who's marrying Nicole Manske?

David Newton

  (2:23 PM)

No, not me. I'm too old for her. Besides, I am happily married.

Black Flagged Online (VA)

Better beard - You or Danny "Chocolate" Myers?

David Newton

  (2:25 PM)

Me of course.

M. Cook [Atlanta, GA]

I know everybody loves Mark Martin - he is the sentimental favorite as they say. But to me, it was so sweet to see Kyle pass the #5 for the victory yesterday. Recall - Rick Hendrick released Kyle Busch. How ironic?

David Newton

  (2:25 PM)

Good point on the race. But Kyle will have plenty of opportunities to win a 500. This may be Martin's last great shot.

Andy (Toledo, OH)

David - How bright is that yellow paint on the No. 5 in person down there in sunny Daytona?

David Newton

  (2:26 PM)

Blinding.

Steiny (NYC)

What are your thoughts on Indianapolis cutting their ticket prices?

David Newton

  (2:26 PM)

Everybody's doing it. Nobody is immune. Better to cut prices and fill the seats than to have us write about the empty seats.

Harry (Days of Thunder)

Atta boy, Newton. Rubbin's racin!

David Newton

  (2:27 PM)

And Racin's rubbin.

Jack (LA LA Land)

What posiiton does Dale Jr, T Stewart, Kyle and Edwards finish at the Nationwide series race on Saturday?

David Newton

  (2:27 PM)

2, 1, 4 and 6. C'mon. Nobody knows. It's plate racing.

Steiny (NYC)

What should we expect from Brian Vickers this season?

David Newton

  (2:28 PM)

He won't jump as many spots as he did in the points last year. Otherwise, we might as well crown him champ. He'll contend for a Chase spot, but my guess he'll be on the wrong side in September.

Grant (Mexico, MO)

Greg Biffle seems to be struggling this weekend, should I be concerned?

David Newton

  (2:29 PM)

The body shop guy is the one that should be concerned. The Biff has has a lot of sheet metal damage thus far. How many wrecks has be been in? Four?

JD (Boston)

Is every team that qualified ready to run hard or will some park after a few laps with "handling issues"?

David Newton

  (2:29 PM)

Haven't seen any that should make the Start and Park list.

David Newton

  (2:31 PM)

Penske Indy car driver. Ryan Briscoe I believe.

Jeff C. (Syracuse, NY)

Quick, without looking it up, what time does the 500 start on Sunday?

David Newton

  (2:32 PM)

330 p.m.

Black Flagged Online (VA)

What are you doing in your down time at the track this week? Sun bathing shirtless on the lake with Carl Edwards doesn't count!

David Newton

  (2:33 PM)

Wouldn't dare take my shirt off in the same state with Carl.Don't want those comparisons. Hasn't been much down time. I have spent a lot of time at the vet. Took the injured dog to the beach just to look at the ocean from the back of the jeep. Otherwise, I've been busy trying to keep you guys updated on things.

Black Flagged Online (VA)

New beard huh? If you shaved it to straight stache' who would win, you or Helton in a "sweetest mustache at the track" competition?

David Newton

  (2:34 PM)

Big Mike wins that one easily.

Larry (MI)

Where you impressed at all by the way Dale Jr was able to get back to 7th after starting in the back after that last caution on Thursday? It seemed like most car in the mid to rear pack had a hard time passing and getting back to the front.

David Newton

  (2:34 PM)

Hey, Dale Jr. is one of the best if not the best at plate racing. I'm never surprised by what he does on this track.

Howard (Sacramento)

Can Jr win the Championship this year?

David Newton

  (2:35 PM)

Can he? Yes. Will he? Not likely.

M. Cook [Atlanta, GA]

I like the new ESPN website but sometimes like today, there is not a link on the NASCAR page to chats (only earlier in the day announcing the time). I had to do a search for David Newton chat to find the damn thing. Or am I overlooking it? If not, that can be improved.

David Newton

  (2:35 PM)

Not sure what happened there. Will check with the boss.

Steiny (NYC)

Who is the man to beat?

David Newton

  (2:36 PM)

Ricky Bobby, always.

Steiny (NYC)

Why do you think Stewart won't let Foyt coach him on the radio?

David Newton

  (2:37 PM)

Because Tony is smarter than that. Seriously, Stewart doesn't need coaching and he doesn't need Foyt distracting him.

Justin (Pella, IA)

Did merger to RPM affect Kyle Petty's road racing plans...either positively or negatively?

David Newton

  (2:37 PM)

The merger had no impact on Kyle because Kyle was not in the plans of Petty Enterprises or Richard Petty Motorsports.

Steiny (NYC)

Do you think Crawford will end his winless drought tonight in Daytona?

David Newton

  (2:38 PM)

Maybe, Possibly. I don't know.

Tim (Bladensburg,MD)

What are Jimmiy's chances of winning #4?

David Newton

  (2:38 PM)

Better than they were a year ago and much better than they were two years ago. Until somebody stops him, he's the man to beat as somebody mentioned earlier.

Chris (Richmond, VA)

Which driver/s will win his/their first race/s this year?

David Newton

  (2:40 PM)

Joey Logano, Nobody else has the equipment or talent to do so unless it's a fluke fuel mileage deal.

Branden (Pittsburgh, PA)

Want to make a long shot bet? Go with Juan Montoya, him and Truex have fast cars and wouldn't it be a good story for the sport if someone unexpected won the 500.

David Newton

  (2:40 PM)

I like Truex a lot in this one. Montoya's not a bad bet either. He has shown to be fast and he has the guts to pull off a big move. I just don't know if he has the experience to stay out of an early wreck.

Andy (Toledo, OH)

David - That yellow is blinding on TV. Can't imagine it without shades on in person. Anyways, how crazy is it that the Dinger is probably the 2nd best driver at RPM and is only guaranteed for a handful of races? Completely absurd!

David Newton

  (2:41 PM)

Maybe we're seeing why they wanted to put AJ in Sadler's car.

Larry (MI)

It was nice to see that Nascar made a rule change to restarts with 20 to go. Now they just need to realize that lapped car's should start in the back on every restart.

David Newton

  (2:42 PM)

Totally agree. Would love to see the leaders side by side, though. That would spice it up.

Skip B (Lexington, KY)

Do you expet more teams to be hurt by the economy this year? Ex: layoffs, firings?

David Newton

  (2:42 PM)

I wouldn't be surprised. From what we all hear things are going to get worse before they get better.

Chris (Richmond)

56 teams showed up to qualify at Daytona; how many show up at Fontana the following week?

David Newton

  (2:43 PM)

I'm guessing around 45.

John (LA LA ALand)

How they qualify for the Daytona 500 after the first 4 palces?

David Newton

  (2:44 PM)

Those spots are determined by their finish in the qualifiers and speed from Sunday after that.

Black Flagged Online (VA)

Will you please tailgate with us at Richmond or Watkins Glen?

David Newton

  (2:44 PM)

I'll be at Richmond but not the Glen. Sure, let me know closer the event and I'll try to stop by.

M. Cook [Atlanta, GA]

You are absolutely right regarding McMurray and his plate-racing abilities. You can get him to win the 500 at something like 25:1. That represents good value. I also like Montoya at 45:1 for a dark-horse pick. Great minds think alike Branden from Pittsburgh.

David Newton

  (2:44 PM)

No problem. Glad to help.

John (LA LA Land)

How much does qualifying tell you how well the driver and the car will perform in the actual race? Lets not count the crashes and mechanical failures.

David Newton

  (2:45 PM)

It doesn't tell me a lot. Dale Earnhardt Jr. typically doesn't qualify well but he always seems to find his way to the front. He's more worried about race setup and handling than qualifying speed.

Steiny (NYC)

Will Logano win the rookie of the year?

David Newton

  (2:45 PM)

If he doesn't it will be the biggest upset of the year.

Steiny (NYC)

What are your thoughts on Dale Earnhardt Jr. saying that he feels more comfortable and less concerned with Hendrick?

David Newton

  (2:47 PM)

Are you surprised? Of course he feels more comfortable with an owner that knows everything about the business than a stepmom who is just concerned about the business.

Chris (Richmond)

Allmendinger and Sadler worked well together to get the #44 into the 500. Do those two drivers have a strained relationship due to the off-season, or do they chalk up any friction to how the organization dealt with them?

David Newton

  (2:48 PM)

Not strained that I see. Sadler's beef should be with management, not AJ. They made the decision to replace him before the attorneys got involved.

Steiny (NYC)

What is NASCAR's biggest problem right now?

David Newton

  (2:49 PM)

The economy. It hurts sponsors and the sport can't live without the sponsors' dollars.

Steiny (NYC)

Do you think Bowyer has something to prove this season?

David Newton

  (2:49 PM)

Until he wins a title he always will.

Black Flagged Online (VA)

Are you going to make the religious pilgrimage to California for the "Weeping Track" after last year?

David Newton

  (2:50 PM)

Alas, no. The economy has hit us as ESPN.com as well. I am only going to 19 races this season.

Steiny (NYC)

Carl Edwards said that racetracks shouldn't be repaved. Do you agree with Edwards?

David Newton

  (2:51 PM)

I understand him, but racetracks like everything else get old and need a facelift from time to time.

Black Flagged Online (VA)

How long was longest chat? I believe your ESPN coworker Bill Simmons once held a 7 hour one. We have the day off if you want to keep this thing going to make a run at the record.

David Newton

  (2:52 PM)

Unfortunately, I don't have the day off. I also don't have the answer to your question. Seven hours would be a bit tedious.

Justin (West Hartford, CT)

David, would you give up Jeff Gordon and AJ Allmendinger (my 5th driver) for Kyle Busch in a league where you start 4? Seemed like a no-brainer a couple days ago, but after yesterday I'm thinking Gordon could be back in '09 in a big way.

David Newton

  (2:52 PM)

As I said earlier, I really like Gordon this year. Not sure AJ is worthy of being in your top five, but we'll see.

Mr.Lion (Detroit,MI)

THe Lions need a QB!!!!!

David Newton

  (2:53 PM)

So do the Bears.

mnbt gallant al [via mobile]

update on kevin harvick race car

David Newton

  (2:54 PM)

Still yellow with a No. 29 on the side. Do you know something I don't.

Black Flagged Online (VA)

Which food item is consumed the most by drivers during a race season - Turkey Leg, Martinsville Hot Dog or Sausage and Peppers?

David Newton

  (2:54 PM)

Martinsville dog hands down.

Larry (MI)

Have you heard any updates on Mayfields Jackman?

David Newton

  (2:55 PM)

Nothing today. Sorry.

Rich Rodriguez (Ann Arbor)

People who interrupt NASCAR chat with comments about football need to get lives

David Newton

  (2:55 PM)

Hey, we welcome all people in here.

Larry (MI)

You don't think David Regan has a shot at win #1 this year. He seems to have pretty good equipment to me.

David Newton

  (2:56 PM)

He says he'll be devestated if he doesn't. Seems like he's poised to get one and make the Chase.

M. Cook [Atlanta, GA]

Speed just said he was going to a backup car.

David Newton

  (2:56 PM)

Will have to check on that. I've been chatting and not paying attention.

Gallup new mexico [via mobile]

Will tony stewart win races with his own team

David Newton

  (2:58 PM)

Wouldn't surprise me if he started on Sunday.

Kerstin (Bloomington, IN)

Hey David...any word on where Danny Emerick ended up after leaving the 48 team? Thanks.

David Newton

  (2:59 PM)

Forgot to check on that for you. Sorry. I'll try to remember the next two days.

Black Flagged Online (VA)

Do you ever find yourself thanking your "sponsors" (ESPN, ABC, Disney) like the drivers do?

David Newton

  (3:00 PM)

i do thank ESPN and Disney for this opportunity, just not on the microphone like the drivers. Everybody should be thankful for their employer under these tough times.

Larry (MI)

Heard that Kyle ran some laps in Joey's car. Is Joey having a hard time relaying info to the crew?

David Newton

  (3:01 PM)

He did run a few laps, my guess is to help them get a better setup. They're pretty similar in driving styles from what I've been told.

David Newton

  (3:02 PM)

That's all I have time for today. Thanks for the questions. Enjoy the 500. It should be a blast.