Terry Blount

  (2:00 PM)

Hope it's a good Tuesday for everyone. What'ya got for me today?

Brian Huntington Beach CA

Terry, love your column...is it just me or are the races becoming more competitive on the 1 1/2 & 2 mile tracks? Are crew chiefs FINALLY figuring out the COT?

Terry Blount

  (2:02 PM)

Thanks Brian. Actually, I don't think it has changed much. The TMS race had the most lead changes of the season at 28, but that's misleading. Most of the race was spread out single file. And it was decided in the pits. The COT still has to improve on the intermediate tracks.

becka,va

happy easter, will reed stay above the evil line

Terry Blount

  (2:03 PM)

Reed needs to worry about keeping his job.

Cory, Geneva, IL

What do sponsors truly expect to get in return for their sponsorships? I am a big NASCAR fan and the only purchase I make directly related to the sponsor is AMP Energy Drink, and some of that is because I like it better than Red Bull, although I first tried it because of Jr. While I shop at other sponsors, it isn't because of the sponsorship, does that make sense?

Terry Blount

  (2:05 PM)

It's definitely worth the cost because the product exposure is enormous. Surveys have show a company often gets the same exposure it would get if t spent five times as much on TV commercials.

brian fiest: (newark, ohio [via mobile]

Now that Gordon got his first win out of the way. How many more will he get this season?

Terry Blount

  (2:05 PM)

Two of three probably. He'll be really good on the road courses, as always.

Saul (San Diego)

Terry, the 5, 24, & 48 continue to make the positive adjustments throughout the race to stay in contention. Unfortunately, the 88 continues to struggle to make the adjustments to advance into the top-5 or 6. As read articles, the 88 team say's it trying really hard. Do you know if the 88 team is having confidence issue's, are maybe developing a hard luck mentality, low morale sinking feeling as they just watch their teammates succeed?

Terry Blount

  (2:07 PM)

They say it all good, but how an it be? As for Sunday, most of Junior problems were of his own making _ overshooting the pit box and hitting the wall late in the race.

Beckley, WV

Do you think Jr. will make it to the chase this year?

Terry Blount

  (2:07 PM)

I still think he will beause he has great equipment. But I don't see him as a legit championship contender right now.

Vick, Austin

Looked like Johnson didn't try to run down Gordon like he did Denny at Martinsville. You think Johnson laid down for his team owner?

Terry Blount

  (2:09 PM)

Absolutely not. Running someone down at Martinsville is completely different than doing it at Texas.

Aaron Mn [via mobile]

Hey Terry do you see any tracks that are overated? Any underated

Terry Blount

  (2:11 PM)

Of course. Overrated and underarted tracks are a chapter in my new book, The Blount Report. Some overrated are Pocono, Auto Club Speedway and The Glen. Underrated include Phoenix, Miami and Vegas.

Peter (PA)

When do you think Jeff Gordon will retire?

Terry Blount

  (2:12 PM)

I think Jeff will race about five more years then call it quits. He won't be racing in his late 40s. Doesn't want to and doesn't need to.

Saul (San Diego)

I have one or two article, then heard discussed on the radio the rumor of at JGR replacing Joey L; that maybe they brought him up to fast? Or is everything Ok?

Terry Blount

  (2:14 PM)

Everything is not OK. Joey is struggling and rumors continue that JGR would make a deal to get Truex. They insist it isn't true, but these rumors have bene aorund since late last season before Joey ever got in the car.

Clay (Charlotte)

Do you think that NASCAR has, with imposing fines and suspensions, in the past few years limited the ability of "old school rivalries" to grow?

Terry Blount

  (2:15 PM)

No, not at all. Penalties aren't hurting rivalries. But they have greatly cut down on cheating, which is harder to do with the new car.

Ed, Chicago

What is special about Truex? Isn't he just another Sadler, Mears, Mcmurry?

Terry Blount

  (2:16 PM)

Most people in th garage think Truex can contend given the right equipment and team. And he's also available since this is the option year of his contract.

Aaron Mn [via mobile]

Hey terry it bugs me how people praise kyle for winning all the time with the lower series included yeah no doubt he's gifted but why praise a guy who picks on less experienced less equiped and funded would people praise the steelers or lakers beating on college and high scholl ranks no so why so what's so impressive?

Terry Blount

  (2:17 PM)

Aaron, you're a genius. Couldn't have said it better myself. As for as winning in the Nationwide Series, Busch is the best of the Cup bullies.

Mookie (New York)

Why is there a complete shortage of minorities in NASCAR? In the pits and on the asphalt. Do you think this is a problem?

Terry Blount

  (2:20 PM)

I know NASCAR officials are despearate to have more diversity. But it's hard to reach the Cup level and be competitive without proper funding, minority or not. The Drive for Diversity program has limited funding, which is part of the problem.

Aaron mn [via mobile]

So to add on to the cup bullies when is NASCAR making the rule of limited races and points not counting i know the tracks have alot to do with it?

Terry Blount

  (2:22 PM)

They have no plans to do that at the moment. And yes, track operators like having Cup guys in the NW races because ti helps sell tix. I get that, but they don't have to race the entire sked and they don't need to earn points.

Guy, Conn

How come Nascar didn't penalize Kyle Busch for wrecking Jr while he was in the lead?

Terry Blount

  (2:23 PM)

Because they didn't believe that's what happened.

David (TMS area, TX)

Terry, what can you share with us about your experiences at TMS?

Terry Blount

  (2:25 PM)

Well, I'm the only journalist is has covered every event at the track since it opened. So I've seen the good and bad at the place. I can tell you traffic is about 100 times better now than it was when the track opened.

Felipe (Dallas)

Hey Terry, Do you think Montoya can keep up the kind of season he is having so far and do you think he will start getting a little more credit for his season. Any chance a big team offers him a ride in the future?

Terry Blount

  (2:26 PM)

JPM has kind of raced under the radar this year, which he likes. But he has a real shot at the Chase. It's good for the sport for him to do well. Right now, nine organizations rank in the top 13 in points.

Joe (NC)

Will we see any improvement in the 19 team this year?

Terry Blount

  (2:28 PM)

I don't see any indication of that happening. But it needs to get a lot better for Sadler to keep his job.

Larry, Columbus

Is Petty really going Indy car racing or is that just a George Gillett thing?

Terry Blount

  (2:29 PM)

Gillett has nothing to do it. Petty brought sponsorship to theDreyer & Reinbold IRL team so they culd run another car with Andretti as the driver. That's all it is.

Aaron mn [via mobile]

i've heard about jeff earnhardt and that the gene skipped Kerry And jeff resembles grandpa what's your take?

Terry Blount

  (2:30 PM)

He looks and talks so much like his grandpa that it's a little eerie. But it's way too early to say if he has grandpa's talent.

Mark, San Diego

Do you think Red Bull needs to make a crew chief change on the 82 to get Scotty Speed some better equipment?

Terry Blount

  (2:31 PM)

Speed'sproblem is his lack of experience. Jimmy Elledge is a very capable crew chief.

josh tx [via mobile]

so why do you think the 24 will only win a couple few races this year not 5,6,or maybe 7 they r proving to be a contender week in and week out? thanx for taking my question

Terry Blount

  (2:33 PM)

Because it's extremely difficult these days to win six of seven races. Jeff is running well, but he has one win in the last 48 starts. I don't see him going from that to seven wins this year.

David Mayfield Akron,Ohio

Why don't Nascar just let more cars in the race? Why stop at 43. The more cars the the better the race is.

Terry Blount

  (2:34 PM)

All the purses are set up to pay a 43-car field, which really is too many at some smaller tracks.

Aaron mn [via mobile]

So speaking of Earnhardts do you think jr would've turned out the same personality and racer if sr was still alive it seemed like he had alot more fire in him the few yrs after his death and now well you know

Terry Blount

  (2:35 PM)

I think many things would be different for Jr. today if Sr. was around. For one thing, he'd still be at DEI, and it still would be DEI.

Lester, Atlanta

The Roush Fords haven't run like we expected. When is Jack gonna get those Fords of Carl, Biff and Ragan winning consistently?

Terry Blount

  (2:36 PM)

The Roush cars ran well at Texas but messed things up in the pits. So maybe the answer is making some changes on the pit crews.

Felipe (Dallas)

Thanks for answering my questions Terry, I read an article that Montoya was not happy after the third crew chief change happened and had offers to leave Ganassi. Any idea what kind of offers he had and did he seriously consider any of them?

Terry Blount

  (2:37 PM)

Juan feels good about where things stand at the moment. His contract is not up this year. But it will hurt his team if Truex leaves EGR.

Maria, Houston

What is this earnhardt obsession? Dale Jr ain't nuthin special. Who cares if earnhardts race or not?

Terry Blount

  (2:38 PM)

Win or lose, Earnhardt Jr. is far and away the most popular driver in the sport. No one disputes that.

Katie NC

Will AJ be in the 19 or 43 before seasons end,Will Reed or Elliott lose their ride

Terry Blount

  (2:39 PM)

Not sure what will happen to Reed and Sadler, but I can tell you AJ will either have a full-time ride and RPM or he will have it somewhere else.

David, Dallas

When Chrysler goes down do you expect Penske to switch to Toyota and what about RPM? What other manufactures might come in to replace GM and Chrysler?

Terry Blount

  (2:41 PM)

No new manufacturer is coming in any time soon. Chryrsler still can find a way to stay in business. If they don't no one knows what those teams will do.

Scott (Kansas)

What is your prediction on the biggest driver/team change the end of this season going into next?

Terry Blount

  (2:43 PM)

Cut me a break Scott. It's just race 7. But I predict Hornish will return to Indy car racing and Penske will lok for a big-name driver to step in on the 77.

Devin (Johnson City TN)

Do you think the only way Jr will come to the decision that a change to his team is needed is if he misses the chase the year?

Terry Blount

  (2:44 PM)

It's not Junior's decision to make, it's Rick Hendrick's. But yes, I think failing to make the Chase were prompt a change in 2010.

Brad (KS)

Who was better in their heyday...Gordon/Evernham or Johnson/Knaus

Terry Blount

  (2:46 PM)

Good question. Statistically speaking at the moment, they are even in championpships. But I think JJ and Chad are well on their way to the second best combo ever behind Petty and Inman

JARED (CONCORD, NC)

WHAT BIG NAME DRIVER WILL BE AVAILIBLE THAT WOULD ACTUALLY TAKE THAT RIDE IN THE 77?

Terry Blount

  (2:48 PM)

Too early to say who might become available. Contracts are made to be broken, as we've seen in recent years.

Bob, Phoenix

How many cars to you expect to show up at Phoenix?

Terry Blount

  (2:49 PM)

45 or 46 probably. They won't have a problem filling the field, if that's what you're asking.

Darin(bloomington)

Why is there so much unrest about the start and park teams? They qualified faster than the cars that go home so what is the big deal? I understand that they are going to run a few laps then park, but isn't that better than one of these cars getting in the way late in the race and costing someone at a chance for the win?

Terry Blount

  (2:51 PM)

They are getting in the way. It's better to have teams in the race that are trying to run the full schdeule with a real crew. As for qualifying, we're talking about differences of less than a tenth of a second.

paul (nc)

when will people stop blaming eury jr for junior's inadequacy

Terry Blount

  (2:52 PM)

Never, to be honest about it. Junior is beloved by the Earnhardt nation. The truth is it is working together and maybe they both would be better off with someone else.

jeff (iowa)

The big #5 train is on the move. Less than 100pts from 12th place!! You like his chances of making the chase??

Terry Blount

  (2:53 PM)

Yes, I thnk Mark will work his way back in the top 12 without much of a problem.

Lilly, Memphis

Will you be attending the Nashville Nationwide race this weekend?

Terry Blount

  (2:54 PM)

Nope. I'm having a quiet Easter weekend at home with my family. But I will be watching. It will be nice to see a real NW race with only five Cup racers in the field,

Luthur, Alabama

How come Jr just doesn't make Jr Motorsports a Sprint cup team and be another owner/driver so he can start showing that earnahrdt Nascar skill?

Terry Blount

  (2:57 PM)

Trying to run as an owner/driver on a new team would be a disaster compared to racing top equipment at Hendrick Motorsports.

Eric, Ft. Lauderdale

Harvick has really been looking bad. Is he streched too thin with his truck and nationwide teams?

Terry Blount

  (2:58 PM)

It's a thought, but I don't think so. DeLana runs most of that operation. Other than Bowyer, none of the RCR cars are running up to snuff right now.

JR (CO)

Is Roush trying some new things out early in the season (48 style), or do they really have some issues?

Terry Blount

  (3:00 PM)

The Roush cars always struggle on short tracks. They aren't experimenting. The cars were strong at Texas, but pit road was a disaster.

louie (bellmore, new york)

what can nascar and track owners do to bring more fans to the track without breaking the bank. we are all hurting but we still love our sports....

Terry Blount

  (3:01 PM)

All the tracks have cut ticket prices. And Texas had a huge crowd in excess of 150,000. That's pretty impressive in this economy.

Terry Blount

  (3:01 PM)

Gotta run to my next assignment folks. Have a great week. Im out. Peace,