Terry Blount

  (2:01 PM)

Hello folks. What's on your mind today heaing to Martinsville?

Jeremy Brodhead Wi [via mobile]

Will Rick Hendrick step in and make the change at crew chief if Eury Jr continues his poor in race adjustments ?

Terry Blount

  (2:02 PM)

Not anytime soon. Rick s a patient man and doesn't want to make rash decisions. I don't see anything happening on the horizon, but things can change.

Chad, Jacksonville, FL:

Do you think Kasey Kahne will keep up the good work and be a legitimate contender for the Cup championship this year?

Terry Blount

  (2:04 PM)

I have a column running today about Kahne and RPM. The entire organization is greatly improved. I don't know If Kahne's ready to seriously contend for the title, but the No. 9 team is moving much closer to it.

devin howell michigan

will justin allgaier win a nation wide race this year

Terry Blount

  (2:05 PM)

I doubt it, but he's a talented kid with a great future ahead of him.

Gary (CO)

Terry, Is there anyone out there who thinks Joey Lagano may be just a bit overrated? I know he's young and was thrown into Cup, but hasn't he been sponsored by Gibbs while he was making noise in the lower racing series'? Could it be possible that he is a kid with great potential but who has had better equipment then everyone else he was racing while making his way up?

Terry Blount

  (2:06 PM)

Joey is the real deal, but asking anyone at 18 to step up and compete at th Cup level is all but impossible, Joey is doing this a year ahead d schedule because of Tony leaving JGR.

Andy (Toledo, OH)

Terry - I bet the mood in the Red Bull Racing camp has to be sky high. Are you sensing any regret by them for kicking the Dinger to the curb in favor of Scott Speed?

Terry Blount

  (2:08 PM)

Going with Speed was a decision from the very top with team owner Dietrich Mateschitz. There's no looking back.

Jeff (East Bay, CA)

Who's your most improved team this year? RPM? Stewart-Haas?

Terry Blount

  (2:10 PM)

Probably Michael Waltrip Racing. Reutimann ranks 11th, and adding Marcos Ambrose through the partnership with Daugherty's team was a great move. Waltrip also is racing better. Steve Hallam from F1 has really help the organization.

Aaron mn [via mobile]

hey terry i believe to this day that jr should have gone to rcr he would have been with a man who knows his family well and he would have the number one guy not like at hendrick where he's three and he would have better teamates your thoughts?

Terry Blount

  (2:12 PM)

It's an interesting idea. but Earnhardt also feels very close to Rick, and Rick was able to offer more money.

Josh (Richmond, VA)

Will the Dinger get enough sponsorship to run the full schedule?

Terry Blount

  (2:13 PM)

He hasn't yet. They have added a couple of races. Hopefully RPM can piece it together and keep him out there. If not, I would be worried if I was Reed Sorenson.

paul (nc)

edwards has been qualifying poorly in every sprint race this year, but always manages to make it into the top 20 within the first 50-100 laps. do you think that he is a sure bet to win his first sprint race this year if he can improve his qualifying speeds and start in the top 10?

Terry Blount

  (2:14 PM)

He's going to win, you can bet on that. The 99 team will be fine. Look for them to step it up at Texas and Phoenix, two of their better tracks.

Aaron mn [via mobile]

so in relation do u think that rick will ever release jr if he doesn't perform or does his name and big money gurantee his spot?

Terry Blount

  (2:15 PM)

Noting is guaranteed, but Junior is a money-making machine for any organization.

Andy (Toledo, OH)

Thanks, although I bet Jay Frye has to be sitting in his office rethinking his boss on that move. Anyways, every few weeks I hear the Hornish back to the IRL rumors. If he keeps struggling, and struggling bad, like he is now, do you see the Captain pulling him out of the 77 and putting Allgaier in that car after or possibly at some point this season? Justin sure has talent!

Terry Blount

  (2:16 PM)

No, not in the middle of the season. But it wouldn't surprise me to see Sam go back to IndyCar next year.

me chandler arizona

I looked at the race winner history at atlanta and texas and a lot of times the atlanta winner wins texas too so do you think kurt busch and jeff gordon are the two guys to beat?

Terry Blount

  (2:17 PM)

It usually works that way, but Jeff in winless at Texas. Maybe this is the year that can change.

Scott (MN)

Terry- I heard that there are a few drivers who will start the race run some laps and go to the garage with a "mystery part issue" and take home the last place check. Is this true and can NASCAR do anything about it, it ruins the integrity of the sport.

Terry Blount

  (2:18 PM)

That kind of things has happened for a long time. It's more of a problem in the Nationwide Series right now. NASCAR officials have siad they will monitor it, but they don't have a lot of options there.

Natalie (Portland, OR)

When do you see the 48 getting their first win of the year?

Terry Blount

  (2:19 PM)

Sunday at Martinsville. They own the place.

Aaron mn [via mobile]

is the nationwide series still going with the mustang camero idea that i read about last year?

Terry Blount

  (2:19 PM)

No, that plan is off the table for now.

Matt (Omaha NE): [via mobile]

so i am a huge jeff gordon fan so he is leading in pts and doing very well but do u see him doing that in racing 4 the cup cause im assuming he is gonna make it or do u see him doing bad again in racing 4 the cup?

Terry Blount

  (2:20 PM)

I see Jeff as a serious contender to win his fifth title this year. I think he has a renewed detemination and he has adjusted his driving style to race better in the new car.

Kevin (Boston, MA)

Terry while I sense some real growing up on the part of Kyle Busch I still think that running in all 3 series is going to wear him down. At what point does JG step in and tell him to focus on the ultimate goal?

Terry Blount

  (2:21 PM)

I agree. Kyle is spreading himself too thin, even for a 24-year-old. But I don't see Gibbs tell him to back off at this point.

Trevor (Clemson, SC)

I'm a Kurt Busch and Penske fan and I was wondering if David Stremme and Sam Hornish are the long term solutions for teammates to Busch at Penske? Are they going to pick up anybody new? How about Justin Allgaier?

Terry Blount

  (2:22 PM)

Justin has a futurte there, but the big issue at the moment is keeping Kurt. I believe is contract is up after this season.

Phil (Brooklyn, NY)

Who do you like this weekend at Martinsville? Is it going to be another Hendrick domination show? Any dark horse picks?

Terry Blount

  (2:23 PM)

Johnson, Gordon, Hamlin and Burton. And maybe Earnhardt.

Jeff (East Bay, CA)

How encouraged should I be by Newman's [relatively] great run at Bristol?

Terry Blount

  (2:24 PM)

Not much. How you run at Bristol doesn't relate to many other places, but it is a confidence booster for them.

J.P. (La Porte City, IA)

Terry - any chance Yates Racing will bring back the 28 team? I've always been a Yates fan and don't want to see the famous 28 go down like this.

Terry Blount

  (2:25 PM)

They will bring it back it they find sponsorhip but the prospects of that at the moment aren't good.

Glen, Fla

any chance of Nascar stepping in and reversing the damage Bristol did by changing the surface and getting rid of the progressive banking

Terry Blount

  (2:26 PM)

No chance in your know where. The racing at Bristol wilol cange as the track ages. Honestly, the racing itself is better in some ways because cars can pass on the outside. But wrecking and cautions are way down.

Glen, Fla

whats your thougth on Bristol's awful racing surface, they killed the best racing of the year with the progressive banking. any chance of them going back to the old style surface?

Terry Blount

  (2:27 PM)

It depends on what you call good racing. Wrecking and cautions and demo derby is what you had before. Now you have some side-by-side racing.

flynn, alabama

Im a kurt busch fan also always been a fan of the #2 and hes wrecked 2 times and blown a motor and is still second in the points i think he should be taken as serious if not more serious than gordon johnson kyle and carl lookes like they turned it around big time what do you think?

Terry Blount

  (2:29 PM)

I think the No. 2 team is much improved. partially because of the new R6 Dodge engine. But Penske also send a lot of money in the off season to improve his operation. So yes, I think Kurt can be a Chase contender this year.

Aaron mn [via mobile]

hey terry why is kyle trying to pick fights with jr? doesn't he know of don't count your chickens before they're hatched?

Terry Blount

  (2:30 PM)

Kyle loves it. Any chance to take a dig at Hendrick and the man who replaced him is a good moment for Kyle. I don't think he's too worried about Junior catching him.

paul (nc)

the #20 team is set to run a full schedule this year, but do you think logano would be better off spending a few years in nationwide to gain some experience and build up his resume before trying to be competitive with the sprint drivers?

Terry Blount

  (2:32 PM)

Yes, he would have been better off. But too late for that now.

Jill (CA)

What's the deal with the 6 and 26 this season? Is it bad luck or are they just plain struggling?

Terry Blount

  (2:33 PM)

Noneof the Roush Fenway cars have been up to par the last couple of races. Jamie had a good thing going at the end of last year before they changed crew chiefs. I still believe Ragan will have a good year.

Aaron mn [via mobile]

so would that give jr a little more motivation in general and say if kyle is holding him up at martinsville moving him out of the way

Terry Blount

  (2:34 PM)

Now wouldn't that be fiun to see. The problem is it isnt likely Kyle will be holding up Junior.

devin howell michigan

if kurt contrad is up would you like to see him in the 02 joe gibbs car he can will a lot in that car

Terry Blount

  (2:35 PM)

Going to a new car with no owner points always is a risk. I think Roger will do whatever it takes to keep Kurt.

me chandler arizona

Hate to talk about junior some more but i dont think he fits in with the other drivers at hendrick.

Terry Blount

  (2:36 PM)

The other drivers at Hendrick love Junior. If there's a problem, it isn't his relationship with his teammates.

Nick Rolando (Orlando)

Terry, the Roush cars ran terrible at Bristol, only Biffle (engine) and McMurray (wrecked by the idiot Montoya) had good cars. When do they turn it around and how many cars for Yates in 2010?

Terry Blount

  (2:39 PM)

If we had to guess today, the logical asumption is Jamie will drive for Yates next year. But Yates also might find sponsorship to put the 28 back on the track in 2010. I look for the Roush guys to take charge at Texas in two weeks.

Chelsea (Ontario, Canada)

With the rumors of George Gillett thinking about selling his NHL team, what do you think it means for Richard Petty Motorsports? Will he sell his share of the team as well, due to the economy?

Terry Blount

  (2:41 PM)

I think this situation is bad news for RPM right when things appear to be going well. Gillett's problems must be serious if he's considering selling the Canadiens, one of the top franchises in the NHL. Finding a buyer for a Cup team right now wouldn't be easy, and it would mean yet another transition for those folks at RPM.

san antonio tx.

Whats the odds of dinger in the 43 if no sponsors are found for the 44 for the rest of the year.Will the king make the decision or someone else in the RPM camp and where does reed go?

Terry Blount

  (2:43 PM)

Richard is making those type of decisions. I don't think that wuld happen, but if it did, the 43 sponsor would move to the 44 unless NASCAR allowed them to swap points.

Scott (MN)

When will the Nationwide kick out the cup regulars, I would watch it every week if I knew it had different drivers winning, but its the same 3 or 4 cup guys as it is.

Terry Blount

  (2:44 PM)

Scott, please pass the message along to the NASCAR offices in Daytona so they can figure it the problem..

paul (nc)

after 2008 i called montoya and allmendinger making their way into the chase this year. that was before i knew that dinger wouldn't be running a full schedule, but with the two drivers at 15th and 16th in points, what are the chances of them making their way into the top 12?

Terry Blount

  (2:45 PM)

It's still a tall task, but not impossible. It doesn't seem like much of a climb, but those last couple of spots in the Chase are hard to come by.

Kim indianapolis [via mobile]

Do u think 24 could win this year

Terry Blount

  (2:46 PM)

He will win a race or two. Not so sure yet about the championship.

Jeff (East Bay, CA)

Where has Tank been at this year? The chats just don't feel right without his unique insight...

Terry Blount

  (2:46 PM)

Tank probably is busy competing in a spelling bee.

Steve (St. Anthony, MN)

Hello I saw something that's on ESPN Insider stating Kevin Harvick maybe exploring free agency. Why would he leave RCR? I would think he's got it pretty good there.

Terry Blount

  (2:49 PM)

Every driver considers his option when his contract is up. It's all about who offers the best deal and the most money, and where a driver thinks he has the best chance of winning. Having said that, I expect Kevin will stay at RCR.

Aaron mn [via mobile]

hey terry with all the saftey features in the and track will nascar cosider loosening their grip on plate racing so they can get more out of these SUPERSPEEDWAYS?

Terry Blount

  (2:50 PM)

Not a chance. Restrictor plates are here to stay unless a dramatric change in the engines is made in the future.

Woody (Denver)

Is RPM catching up to Penske based on driver ability alone? With the different engine packages, it seems Penske would have the edge, #2 notwithstanding...

Terry Blount

  (2:52 PM)

I think RPM has benefited greatly from having Robbie Loomis in the shop, and it can't hurt to have Dale Inman offers his insight.

flynn, alabama

do you see nascar changing the double file restart rules lapped cars get in the way and ruin the race especially at bristol.

Terry Blount

  (2:53 PM)

They already changed it this year from 10 lap to 20 laps for single-file restarts at the end. but I don't see them doing anything beyond that.

Scott(MN)

Are all the Dodge teams using the new engine, if not why? The results speak for themselves.

Terry Blount

  (2:54 PM)

Penske Racing is using the new engine. RPM still is using the old engine. They may switch over after 10 races if they are convinced all the reliability issues are solved.

Aaron mn [via mobile]

hey terry with NASCAR constintley discussing expanding outside the U.S why not look at the northwest? What's up with that i've always woundered

Terry Blount

  (2:56 PM)

NASCAR wants to race in th Seattle area. But ISC tried and failed to get the funding at two locations _ Marysville and Kitsap County. ISC wants too much money in public funding for new tracks, which isnt going to happen these days.

zach: tx

is nascar not getting a little boring, i mean it seems like its only three guys that win a race anymore, carl, jj, and kyle.

Terry Blount

  (2:56 PM)

Carl and JJ haven't won this year. Cup has had three different winners in five races.

paul (nc)

the green-white-checker win might as well have been a victory lap for busch. 2 laps is just not enough to have an interesting finish, especially at a short track, so do you agree or disagree that the green-white-checker should be more than two laps at short tracks.

Terry Blount

  (2:58 PM)

No, becasue it just increases the chances for a wreck. Actually, more than two laps makes more since at the plate tracks because it takes an entire lap to get up to speed.

JR (CO)

What was up with the 17 last weekend? He practiced well, and usually that means race day will be great for him. But once that green flag dropped it all went downhill.

Terry Blount

  (3:00 PM)

I've often found that how Kenseth practices has little care over to the race. Matt admits he looks for unusualy things in practive that he might can use in a race, so it's hard to judge how he will do once the green drops..

Matt Kenseth (Concord) [via mobile]

Hey Terry, I am a big fan!! I know I have had trouble at Martinsville in years past but am I one of your favorites this week?

Terry Blount

  (3:01 PM)

No fake Matt, you wouldn't be one of my picks this week because you've never won at Martinsville.

Bill (Lincoln, Ne)

I'm a fairly new fan of Nascar and I'm not sure why they have these restrictor plate races. They seem like complete crapshoots to me. What happens if they take the plates off?

Terry Blount

  (3:02 PM)

Terry Blount

  (3:02 PM)

Terry Blount

  (3:02 PM)

The cars will reach speeds of 230 mph and possible get airborne and go into the grandstands. That's why they have restrictor plates.

Terry Blount

  (3:03 PM)

Gotta go get ready for NASCAR Now. Have a great week everybody. Peace.