Terry Blount

  (2:00 PM)

So how was your week away from racing? Good I hope. What's on your mind heading to Bristol?

Kyle Dover , Ohio [via mobile]

Next year Roush has to drop 1 driver . Is Jamie McMurray the most likely to get the boot ?

Terry Blount

  (2:01 PM)

Yes, but I wouldn't call it getting the boot. basically, he would just move over to race for Roush partner Doug Yates.

raymond (sanford,nc)

why is the 88 team struggling while his teamates contend every week to win

Terry Blount

  (2:03 PM)

Mark Martin hasn't been contending to win, but Jr. has had problems on pit road and enines woes. I think a change is warranted, but it isn't going to happen anytime soon.

Aron (Las Colinas, Tx)

Who do you see having a better year. Vickers or Boywer?

Terry Blount

  (2:03 PM)

I think Clint is the most underrated driver in Cup right now.

becka,va

what did you do for the break ?

Terry Blount

  (2:04 PM)

Sat on my back deck, drink a cocktail (or two) and relaxed.

Willie (MS)

Mr. Blount! Much appreciation on your articles each week, keep em coming! Well as we see it, Clint Bowyer and the 33 team are sitting 2nd... It seems some of their better finishes have come from pit strategy, rather than overall car setup. Is this the case, or is the 33 just killin it right now?

Terry Blount

  (2:06 PM)

They are the surprise of the season because no one expected that new team to come out of the box and race this well.

kirk Stuberg whitehall Michigan [via mobile]

Do u think rick Hendrick will Make a change at crew chief of The 88 team soon?

Terry Blount

  (2:06 PM)

Not going to happen.

Steiny (NYC)

In your opinion, is Kurt Busch a serious title threat?

Terry Blount

  (2:07 PM)

A little early to go that far, but I think Penske has made major strides in the off-season to enable Kurt to race closer to his skill level.

becky,va

will reed fall out of the top 35 after bristol

Terry Blount

  (2:09 PM)

Probably not. He'd have to drop way off for that to happen.

Steiny (NYC)

How sad are you to see Mark Martin's dream season turning into a nightmare?

Terry Blount

  (2:10 PM)

Way to early to give up on Mark. He's still capable of having a strong year. But I never thought winning a championship was a realistic goal for him at this point in his career.

lynn,va

will something strange happen at bristol,if yes what ?

Terry Blount

  (2:11 PM)

Doesn't something strange always happen at Bristol? Somebody will get wrecked and get mad and probably throw something.

Martin Luther (The Renaissance)

Do you think that NASCAR would ever be so bold as to introduce right turns into the sport?

Terry Blount

  (2:12 PM)

They have right turns at both road course races. As someone several centuries old, you should know that.

sean sardis alabama

i dont think dale jr is even a top 8 to ten driver in the series what about you. GO KURT BUSCH

Terry Blount

  (2:13 PM)

Yes, I do think Jr. is a top 10 driver and he's proven it in the past. But I'm not sure he has the chemistry he needs on that team right now.

Aaro no. st. paul mn [via mobile]

hey terry if jr is so distracted and he is why doesn't rick put his foot down and tell him to get it going? i mean anyone who can get anything out of dei muchless 17 wins has talent

Terry Blount

  (2:15 PM)

I agree, but Rick is a very patient man and doesn't believe in overreacting. Remember, people wanted him to get rid of Steve Letarte last year and look where the 24 team is now.

John WV

Will NASCAR change the chase system to add a road course or a night race. If you call yourself a champion, don't you race all type of race track in the Chase?

Terry Blount

  (2:17 PM)

Well said John. But no, a road race isn't coming to the Chase soon. And they have a night race in the Chase at Lowe's in October. Also, the finale starts in the late afternoon and ends at night.

becks,fl

should I make my dark horse for the chase reed or brian

Terry Blount

  (2:19 PM)

Your kidding, right? Brian Vickers, without a doubt.

Eric (Charlottesville, VA)

Who do you think will make up the top five this weekend?

Terry Blount

  (2:19 PM)

Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick.

sean sardis alabama

tear down pocono build a 1 mile or shorter track, get rid of california and give vegas and homestead 2 races agree?

Terry Blount

  (2:21 PM)

Leave Pocono, take one race from Cali and give Vegas the All-Star race.

Joe (FL)

Terry, both the 26 and the 19 are in make or break situations regarding their careers. Who do you see making it?

Terry Blount

  (2:22 PM)

Depends on what you mean by making it. I think both McMurray and Sadler will have rides somewhere for the next few years.

Aaron no. st. paul mn. [via mobile]

hey terry a follow up i'm a huge dale jr fan but it seems to me that really he's just fat dumb and happy does he appreciate his hendrick ride or does he feel that he deserves it because of qho he is? i hope i'm wrong but that's my impression

Terry Blount

  (2:23 PM)

He's not fat and not dumb, although I know you didn't mean it that way. I think Jr. needs a spark that is isn't getting at the moment.

J. Peebles Elkton, MD

With the #8 not having a full year of sponsership and now on the top 35 bubble do you see Aric losing his job soon? Do you think Bobby Labonte can actually win a race this year?

Terry Blount

  (2:26 PM)

Bobby could win a race, but I think the odds are against it. EGR officals said they planned to run the 8 all year, but everyone says that. Noneof these cars run indefinite without sponsorship.

Joe (FL)

I should have been more clear regarding the 19 and 26...who do you see winning races and competing to make the chase on a regular basis?

Terry Blount

  (2:26 PM)

Neither one.

Greg, CA

All Star race in Vegas, nice! Anyway, is Jeff Gordon going to race in Nationwide anytime soon, like next year or so?

Terry Blount

  (2:27 PM)

Jeff has desire whatsoever to race in the NN Series and I applaud him for that. Leave it to the up-and-comers, which is what the series is supposed to be.

Phil (Brooklyn, NY)

Will we ever see a race with a field less than 43 cars due to the economic crisis? It still seems like there are a lot of teams willing to enter the field.

Terry Blount

  (2:28 PM)

It's possible. Only 45 cars are entered this weekend at Bristol. But even if we do see less than 43 cars, does it really matter?

Aaron no. st, paul mn. [via mobile]

hey terry if atlanta can't score big at the labor day race do you think that it could not only lose one date but both? you can only lose so much money

Terry Blount

  (2:29 PM)

Atlanta is not losing both races. But I would move the spring race to Kentucky.

Jack Bauer (AZ)

Hey Terry!! YOur the best! With Jr. being in 24th in points, do you think theyll publically execute all the crew and hire back ray evernham?

Terry Blount

  (2:30 PM)

No public hangings are in the works. And Ray has no desire to return to the pit box for any team.

mike (york,pa)

do you think mwr will put a car in the chase this year?

Terry Blount

  (2:32 PM)

Reutimann has a shot, but I don't think they are that far along just yet.

Jordan (Candor, NC)

Put the All-Star race in Vegas? You're crazy. Do you know the main reason the race is in Charlotte? Geesh. Change the terrible segmentation NASCAR has now back to the format of "The Winston."

Terry Blount

  (2:33 PM)

The race is in Charlotte because the team's don't want another travel weekend. I think two Cup events at Lowe's is enough.

Aaron no. st, paul mn. [via mobile]

hey terry why does casey mears keep on getting rides? he's done nothing except a lucky 600 win what do they see?

Terry Blount

  (2:35 PM)

Drivers get rides for more reasons than winning. If you're good with sponsors, good in public and dont wreck equipment, you sometimes can parlay that into a full career.

sean sardis alabama

on a 1.5 mile track it seams like 30% driver 70% car on a track like phoenix it seams more opposite 70% driver 30% car what do you think

Terry Blount

  (2:37 PM)

The COT puts more emphasis on driver skill at every track. Road courses probably show the most drvier skill for that discipline.

Andy (Toledo, OH)

With the JR Motorsports lineup for the No. 5 Nationwide Chevy being announced yesterday without JJ racing in the Lowe's and Fall Cali race, does it mean he will not be racing in the NNS at all this year?

Terry Blount

  (2:39 PM)

I don't know for sure, but I hope he doesn't. As I said, I'm against Cup stars racing in the NN Series.

Cory, Geneva, IL

Would I even notice if all of the races, except the big ones, were shortened 100 miles? That wouldn't change strategy a whole lot would it? Would sure make my Sunday's potentially more enjoyable.

Terry Blount

  (2:40 PM)

I'm with you 100 percent Cory. In general, the races are too long. No race other than the Daytona 500 and the Coke 600 needs to be 500 miles.

Melissa (Allentown,PA)

Do you think Tony Stewart will make the Chase this year?

Terry Blount

  (2:40 PM)

I didn't when the season started, but I do now. What he's done this year shows how much difference the driver can make.

John (KY)

Mr. Blount, Thanks for the weekly forum. Do the drivers like the changes to Bristol in 2007 (Ability to go side by side) ?

Terry Blount

  (2:42 PM)

Drivers rarely like new pavement when they first race on it. They need the track to get rubbered in. Bristol is much smoother now, but some feel the racing isn't as good.

Andy (Toledo, OH)

I don't mind a few cameo appearances here and there in the NNS by Cup Stars, but when you have 10+ Cup drivers in the Nationwide race any given weekend and some running the full schedule, that is definitely over-saturation. Anyways, how does ESPN assign the their writers to go and cover races every week?

Terry Blount

  (2:44 PM)

We try to pick the ones we want to attend and work from there if we have overlap. And we all go to some of the big events. As of Cuppers in the NN, I agree, it's OK to race a few events, but racing the entire sked is just flat wrong.

Mike (Ohio)

Help settle a debate between some friends please...are NASCAR drivers really athletes? Thanks

Terry Blount

  (2:45 PM)

In my opinion, absolutely. Sitting in a firesuit for 500 miles on a hot summer day while trying to control and heavy race car at high speeds is no easy task.

mark pleasantville, ny

terry, i am a big 88 fan but am becoming increasingly frustrated. i went to the race in atlanta and listening to his scanner it sounds to me that he and tony jr, CANNOT communicate well enough to get the car right to watch him tetter on the brink of going a lap down the whole race was very frustrating who should be the one to say someting if its not going to be mr. hendrick then who?

Terry Blount

  (2:46 PM)

Tony Jr. is a quality crew chief, but I don't think it works with Dale Jr. They need a fresh start with other people.

sean sardis alabama

I heard dodge is just about done with nascar do you know if thats true?

Terry Blount

  (2:47 PM)

Dodge's Mike Accavitti talked to the media today and was very enthusiatic about the future.

Eric (Charlottesville, VA)

What are the odds of Bowyer winning a championship this year?

Terry Blount

  (2:48 PM)

I think they're decent. If I had to put a percentage on it, I's say 1 in 5. He isn't the favorite, but he's definitely a serious contender.

duluth mn

Doyou think a cup race will ever be held in Minnesota or Wisconsin?

Terry Blount

  (2:49 PM)

No. I don't see that happening.

Aaron mn [via mobile]

hey terry who is the best driver in the equipment? i mean who's a talent in a bad spot?

Terry Blount

  (2:51 PM)

Not a bad spot, but Allmendinger is a real talent who will do well in the future if he has a quality ride.

Anthony Rotolo (Miami)

My boy Denny has been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Can Denny actually be a solid choice to break Johnson's chances for a four peat or is Denny's success just not coming anytime soon

Terry Blount

  (2:52 PM)

Denny already is successful, but I don't see him as a true championship contender this year. I certainly think he's capable of winning a championship in the future.

Derek, Minneapolis, MN

Love your work Terry! If you had to pick one reason for Jeff Gordon's success so far this year, what would it be?

Terry Blount

  (2:54 PM)

That he has learned how to apply his strengths to racing the new car, which is much different then the old one. And that's he's very determined this year to show his best days aren't behind him.

Aaron mn [via mobile]

so do you see him in possibly the 5 car in a year or so?

Terry Blount

  (2:55 PM)

A lot of guys are lining up for that ride.

Brent (Charlotte, NC)

Hey Terry, something we know about Kasey Kahne we all know is he loves driving a Dodge. Another strong point is RPM will probably never be a powerhouse team. Seems like Penske for the most part has always been stronger. Do you see Kasey leaving RPM (if their cars are still inferior) and driving a Penske Dodge after his contract is up after 2010?

Terry Blount

  (2:57 PM)

One thing to know. Drivers aren't really attached to one manufacturer. They just want to race where they think they have the best chance of winning and can make the most money. If Kasey felt that way about Penske, then he might go there. But he might feel that way about a non-Dodge team also.

Derek, Minneapolis, MN

Can you give us one up-and-comer from the lower ranks of NASCAR that we can keep an eye on as a future Sprint Cup star?

Terry Blount

  (2:57 PM)

Colin Braun.

Ronnie (covington, la)

Where is Talladega on your favorite tracks to visit?

Terry Blount

  (2:58 PM)

Love to watch the racing there. Not thrilled about the location. A long way from Birmingham and even longer if you're coming from Atlanta.

Aaron [via mobile]

speaking of the five do the 5 and 88 get equal stuff because their engines failed not the 24 or 48 and we know the drivers skill they seem to always be behind

Terry Blount

  (3:00 PM)

All the Hendrick engines come from the same place. But the 24 and 48 guys work together in one shop and the 5 and 88 guys work together in another building.

Chuck from Illinois [via mobile]

What do you think about the old guys racing this Saturday night?

Terry Blount

  (3:00 PM)

Should be a hoot to watch. I bet we'll see plenty of bumping and banging.

Marc

You said last week that it was inevitable that D Jr and T Jr were going to seperate if they weren't any higher in the standings by late summer. Now you are saying it will be a long time before they seperate. Did you hear something this past week to change your tune/opinion?

Terry Blount

  (3:02 PM)

That is a a long time, but yes, a Hendrick official told Ed Hinton late last week that no change was in the works.

Jim NC

I believe the person to to fill the #5 car could be Brad Keseloski. He had a pretty good year last year for his first full season

Terry Blount

  (3:02 PM)

He is one of he candidates, but that's not a guarantee.

Terry Blount

  (3:03 PM)

Gotta run folks. Always a pleasure. Have a great week. Peace.