ESPN

Ed Hinton

  (2:00 PM)

Hi, all. Green green green green.

John (Bakersfield, CA)

A little confused - the judge put a gag order on Nascar and Mayfield not to talk about allegations. Go to Nascar.com and they are reporting your story on meth. Doesn't that break the gag order. Isn't Nascar.com their website? If so, what's the deal????

Ed Hinton

  (2:01 PM)

NASCAR.com is owned by a separate entity, Time Warner, I believe. From the old Turner empire.Just because they cite our reporting doesn't mean they're breaking the gag rule. What the judge meant was that NASCAR officials and Mayfield, and their lawyers, couldn't comment.

Evan Johnson (Salt Lake City, UT)

Welcome Mr. Hinton, I read an article today about the support of Hendrick Motorsports to SHR, and if that support would begin to taper off as the chase approached, mainly exchanging of information. What's your take?

Ed Hinton

  (2:03 PM)

I doubt that support would taper off. It's probably contractual, and besides, Rick Hendrick doesn't go back on his word to friends.

Sid (Atlanta)

Ed, what do you think would make the biggest story in November: Jimmie winning unprecedented 4th in a row, Tony becoming 1st owner/driver champion since Kulwicki, Mark Martin winning 1st @ 50 in 1st yr w/Hendrick, Jeff's "drive for five" or other (if so what? Kyle/Toyota?)?

Ed Hinton

  (2:05 PM)

Oh, Jimmie four in a row. No doubt about it. That would resonate with fans of other sports. Tony's owner-driver role is nothing like Kulwicki's. Kulwicki literally ran everything himself, giving orders from the seat. Tony has a huge and brilliant supporting cast.But nothing would be as big as a JJ four-peat.

Kyle Busch (Loserville)

Why am I such a loser...destroying the guitar they worked so hard on...

Ed Hinton

  (2:06 PM)

If you really were Rowdy, you'd know your big messup was that you didn't destroy the guitar. You picked the wrong guitar to mess with.

Thomas (KY)

Hey Ed, does the Mayfield case drag on like the Bonds or Clemens case has?

Ed Hinton

  (2:07 PM)

Nothing like as long as those. For one thing, Mayfield's lawyers are by no means cheap. He couldn't pay them as long as the BB players have paid theirs.

TC (KY)

So Ed, any leads on Brad K next year? When will we hear?

Ed Hinton

  (2:08 PM)

I still say Stewart-Haas as a third driver, UNLESS Martin decides to ask out of his 2010 full season. If he asks, Hendrick will let him out, and there's Keselowski's seat in the 5.

Rich (Clearwater, FL)

Hi Ed,You hear Lance McGrew this am on Sirius? Man, he's got his stuff together...he sounds like an engineer and psychologist. I looked at the schedule and there are 7 races where Jr. has done well in the next 12. Thoughts on the 88 team going forward?

Ed Hinton

  (2:10 PM)

Being a good psychologist with a difficult driver is what separates a great crew chief from just a good one.Look at Evernham in the glory days with 24. Zippy in the glory days with Tony. You think those guys didn't practice some serious psychology?

Marc (Gulfport, MS)

Hi Ed, so do you stand by your Kyle Busch views after that display in Nashville? Kid has some growing up to do.

Ed Hinton

  (2:11 PM)

I pleaded nolo contendere for him -- no contest -- in this latest column. It's up on the site right now. That's my view.

Evan Johnson (Salt Lake City, UT)

This new chat format kinda sucks

Ed Hinton

  (2:11 PM)

How so? All I'm seeing on my end is new graphics.

Racefan (KY)

So Ed, with the KY race this weekend, what do you think about the track and who wins?

Ed Hinton

  (2:12 PM)

Rowdy wins. What do y'all give in Kentucky that he could smash up?As for the track, don't see you getting a Cup race for at least several more years.

Les (Tampa)

Do you expect the GM bankruptcy to put an end to Henrik-Chevy winning by outspending the competition?

Ed Hinton

  (2:13 PM)

Manufacturer support isn't nearly as much as the public seems to think. Hendrick could go on winning with no factory dollars at all, as long as they've got that fabulous marketing department to draw sponsorship.

Scott Phillips (milledgeville ga)

are they going to look into where mayfeild got the meth??

Ed Hinton

  (2:14 PM)

Don't think that would be NASCAR's concern. If other drivers have issues, it might be a different story.

Gerry (New Jersey)

Now that we know Tony is a championship contender, what about Ryan???

Ed Hinton

  (2:15 PM)

Ryan's got a little to much on- or over-the-edge tendency to me. Lotta wall scraping. Could hurt championship chances.

RAY GORDON REID ( DAYTON OHIO 45402)

QUESTION TO ED HINTON AT 2.25 PM HI ED WHOS YOUR PICK FOR MICHIGAN SUNDAY

Ed Hinton

  (2:15 PM)

One answer to all the questions on this:Carl Edwards. He's got the mo, and Michigan is Roush's house.

Gerry (New Jersey)

Will Stewart Haas open a 3rd team anytime soon. Possibly adding Kurt Busch, who has dropped off recently performance wise, and is outspoken with his frustration.

Ed Hinton

  (2:16 PM)

You think Kurt and Tony could last more than five minutes together?Nah, Brad K's headed to the third car if they fund one.

Heath Hinton (Laurel, Ms)

First of all I would like to say "What about them Golden Eagles". Now my question: Being someone who is ADHD, 30 y/o, and takes Adderall, I have tested positive for Meth when taking a drug test for a job. When the test came back all I had to do was show them my prescription and that was that. If Mayfield was prescibed that then what leg does NASCAR have to stand on and who is this doctor that has come out and even questioned Mayfield's doctor about prescribing this drug to him. Looks as if NASCAR may have gotten themselves in a little mess with this one!

Ed Hinton

  (2:17 PM)

Interesting. I'll pass that along to Newton and McGee, who are quarterbacking our coverage on this.

bill (canada)

how does kenseth fare at the end of the season after hot start?

Ed Hinton

  (2:18 PM)

He doesn't win the Chase. He's never had a positive demeanor in the Chase. Always frustrated. Remember, he hasn't won the title since the old format.

Dan (UK)

Can jpm make the chase?

Ed Hinton

  (2:18 PM)

No. It's not him, it's the team.

Rena (Louisville)

If we didn't have Kyle Busch in Nascar with all of his winning and merry making, wouldn't the attendence and tv ratings even be lower?

Ed Hinton

  (2:19 PM)

You better believe it.

Richard (Dallas)

With Dale 20th in points is his '09 season basically over? How would dale start planning for 2010?

Ed Hinton

  (2:20 PM)

It's over, except for maybe stumbling upon a feel-good win. They could start in August throwing everything out the window and starting over on setups. Sort of like that massive revamp Letarte did with Gordon several years ago. But Letarte had the luxury of testing. This'll have to be done in races.

Jason (East Bay, California)

Seems like Kyle's guitar fun got more attention on ESPN, USA today local news than that snooze fest Nascar fuel mileage test at Pocono. Isn't that what it is all about? Attention for Kyle and his sponsors?

Ed Hinton

  (2:21 PM)

It's all about what's interesting and unusual. Kyle was, Pocono wasn't.

jack (miami)

Come on now after all your rah rah rah on Kyle last week you gotta admit he is an idiot.

Ed Hinton

  (2:22 PM)

See my column today for the answer. He's now officially one of a kind. Read why.

RANDY RITCHIE (WHEATFIELD INDIANA)

hey ED how does this team look for sunday's race @ MICHIGAN 99,16,17,26,0014,39 than either the 20 or 77 not sure which one to take,which one would you take?

Ed Hinton

  (2:22 PM)

77. He's coming around, and his open-wheel experience at Michigan can't hurt, believe it or not.

Dave (NC)

Which TV network covers the series the best? I have to go with Fox.

Ed Hinton

  (2:23 PM)

You expect me to reply to that? Please.

Patty (Seattle)

Why can't the old Nascar fans admit that Kyle is here to stay and will be winning Nascar races for a long time and that Kyle has taken over the #1 slot from Gordon and Johnson?

Ed Hinton

  (2:24 PM)

Because NASCAR fans would a lot rather hate somebody than love 'em. Whatever Michigan attendance is this weekend, about 25,000 tickets will be due to Rowdy as bad guy.

Evan Johnson (Salt Lake City, UT)

Do you think NASCAR will do something about these "satelite" teams? Especially now that it's pretty obvious Hendrick now has six teams.

Ed Hinton

  (2:26 PM)

NASCAR hasn't even done anything about Roush yet, despite years of sabre-rattling. Don't think they'll mess with Hendrick, as long as he gives 'em an out to look the other way.NASCAR's not in position right now to pick on anybody except people like Long and Mayfield who can't fight back very well.

Ted (Cleveland)

Have you ever seen a Nascar driver under the influence of any substance including alcohol?

Ed Hinton

  (2:26 PM)

I used to see Tim Richmond crocked quite frequently.

bill (sc)

hinton get off of "rowdy's" d###.

Ed Hinton

  (2:27 PM)

What planet have you been living on while everybody else on Earth has been ripping me for defending Rowdy?

Ted (Oakland, CA)

I bet if Kyle urinated on the guitar that would get even better ratings...you should suggest it to him!

Ed Hinton

  (2:27 PM)

Na, they'd have to do one of those pixel blurs or whatever they do to video.

Ted (Oakland, CA)

Does Kyle have pictures of you naked or something like that so you are forced to say good things about him

Ed Hinton

  (2:28 PM)

Na, I just think he's funny. And I think it's hilarious how all you fans get so bent out of shape about it. Been laughing a lot lately.

Jack (Brooklyn, NY)

Ed, you don't see JR Motosports moving to Cup next year to give Brad a ride as a Hendrick satellite team?

Ed Hinton

  (2:29 PM)

I think JR Motorsports will be lucky if it's healthy enough to stay in Nationwide.

JB (Alaska)

Is Kyle running all 3 Nascar races this weekend? How does he get to Kentucky from Michigan in time for the night race? Does he eat between races?

Ed Hinton

  (2:29 PM)

Private jet.

Bob L (Elk Grove IL)

Ed, What is the 1 thing or is there 1 thing about the car that all the Drives complain about? I mean why is it so hard to get up to the leader and make passes for the lead?

Ed Hinton

  (2:30 PM)

It's still the same old "aero push" and "dirty air." For example, if Edwards had beaten Stewart out of the pits on their last stop at Pocono, it might have been Edwards running away from Stewart rather than vice versa.

Cann (SanFran)

What happened in Nationwide where that one guy was really pissed at the other ,...

Ed Hinton

  (2:32 PM)

What happened was that Brendan Gaughan was in the race at all. He's a Georgetown grad with a 3,400 pound ego and so-so talent. He was entering the pits, and Marc Davis, a rookie, was turning to go through the gap in the wall to the garage area. It was neither guy's fault, but Gaughan is such a loudmouth that he blew off completely unwarranted.

Marion (SC)

ED,with RPM partnering with Braun Racing does this signal a change from Dodge to Toyota for them next season

Ed Hinton

  (2:33 PM)

Somebody else is working that story, but that's sure what it looks like to me. RP and Dodge don't seem to be getting along.

Lenny (San Diego)

Dale jr hasn't won a sprint cup race in 1 year? Do you expect him to ever win another Sprint cup race?

Ed Hinton

  (2:34 PM)

Oh, he'll win another one, or a few, over a period of years. Big winner? Looks unlikely at this stage.

Marc (MS)

Ok, Ed...just read the column. Very true what you said. Basically what you're saying is that Kyle did a very dumb thing in so many words. At least I can say you're not totally in the tank for the guy.

Ed Hinton

  (2:34 PM)

See there?

Steve ((St. Anthony, MN))

Hi EdWhat do you think of Paul Menard's Talent? When is his dad going to pull the plug on his sorry racing career? I would take all that huge sponsorship money and find a championship caliber driver. Your thoughts?

Ed Hinton

  (2:35 PM)

I think Paul Menard's talent was measured in about $6 billion, which was his dad's net worth according to Forbes last year.It's now worth about $4 billion, I think. If all that big sponsorship money went to another driver, Paul would . . .oh, I don't know. . .go find a yacht or something.

Rich (Clearwater)

You think DW should retire and just do a weekly commentary?

Ed Hinton

  (2:36 PM)

No. I think DW should run his mouth 24/7. That way, we at least know NASCAR still has a heartbeat. Which is hard to detect nowadays.

Maxine (Tyler, Texas)

Why doesn't Dale Jr run races in Nationwide and truck so he could keep his skills sharp just like Kyle Busch?

Ed Hinton

  (2:37 PM)

Uh, I think we're talking apples-to-walnuts here.

matt kenseth (concord) [via mobile]

Hey David! I have always ran pretty good at Michigan can i run there good again this weekend? a win?

Ed Hinton

  (2:38 PM)

You might be Kenseth, but I dang sure ain't Newton.

Steve (St. Anthony, MN)

On that DW question...Why does he only do FOX? I see Larry Mac doing both FOX and TNT. I would love to see DW on TNT instead of Kyle.

Ed Hinton

  (2:39 PM)

DW only does big stuff for big bucks. Larry Mac hires out cheaper.

Jason (Radom, IL)

Why didn't Kyle get fined for destroy a NW trophy like that?

Ed Hinton

  (2:40 PM)

Honestly, I wondered myself if NASCAR might pop him with one of those "conduct detrimental to stock car racing" deals. Maybe they're scared of Rowdy. They better be.

RANDY RITCHIE (WHEATFIELD INDIANA)

ED MICHIGAN IS THE TRACK THAT ROUSH SEEMS TO OWN any idea why they are so successful there and the others teams aren't even close to being a successful? AND would you stay away from the 6 car and take the 00 instead?

Ed Hinton

  (2:41 PM)

Because Roush is a native, his business headquarters is 45 minutes away, and Ford is about an hour.He's always made a big, big deal out of it. Puts forth extra, focused effort. Always had a throng from Ford as his guests.

Cann (SanFran)

If you like Kyle so much you must live Terrell Owens in football,

Ed Hinton

  (2:41 PM)

Na, T.O. is boring compared to Rowdy.

Silvia (Orlando)

Why doesn't Nascar start prohibiting burnouts cause it disrespects Goodyear and prohibit throwing drinks in victory lane cause it disrespects the drink sponsors?

Ed Hinton

  (2:42 PM)

I do wish they'd stop the burnouts. They've been boring the dickens out of me for years. Find something different, folks!

Ryan (Mankato, MN)

Is Mikey going to be in the 55 next year? Seems like he's out of steam as a driver...

Ed Hinton

  (2:43 PM)

He thinks it's going to be part time. Betcha he won't find any really good takers unless he offers a full-time ride.

Cann (SanFran)

I don't think Rowdy is a good nickname...I suggest one of the following:(a) Crybaby(b) Douchebag(c) Crybabydouchebag

Ed Hinton

  (2:44 PM)

I thought you San Fran guys were more creative than that. Aren't you really from Georgia?

JGE (MA)

or D) Cryle Boohoosh

Ed Hinton

  (2:45 PM)

Now here comes Mass., a supposedly bright state, weighing in with old-hat, boring stuff. San Francisco and Mass. intellectual stock just dropped 50 points in my book.

eghyuqio9 [via mobile]

jfdsiopofjdios djsiodfjkio dhjskop,

Ed Hinton

  (2:45 PM)

Makes as much sense to me as the Busch bashers in Mass. and SF.

Felipe (Dallas)

Hey Ed, do you ever see another team giving JPM a shot and if so, who?

Ed Hinton

  (2:46 PM)

Probably not. Age is becoming a factor.

Ed Hinton

  (2:47 PM)

JJ. End of story. Gordon has slumped too long and he'll probably be out in three or four years if his back doesn't get better.

Matt (Chicago)

Ed, handicap Kasey Kahne's shot at the chase. He's 60 points out with several tracks he's performed well at before upcoming.

Ed Hinton

  (2:48 PM)

make him 5-1. It's the team, not him, that makes him doubtful.

Aron (Las Colinas, Tx)

Do you honestly see Danica taking a Nationwide ride next year? Would her ego allow it?

Ed Hinton

  (2:49 PM)

She's got new agency representation. They'll adjust her ego.

RANDY RITCHIE (WHEATFIELD INDIANA)

ED DO you think ROUSH gets rid of RAGAN and keeps MCMURRAY since RAGAN isn't getting results and ROUSH can only have 4 teams next year? DO you see RAGAN going to the ROUSH YATES RACING TEAM next year?

Ed Hinton

  (2:51 PM)

I think Jack's still high on Ragan.

Nathan (Skokie) [via mobile]

Hey Ed! I know u know NASCAR but what do you think of the Bears is this the year?

Ed Hinton

  (2:52 PM)

Ah, my old Greater Chicago readers are here!You know I never could guess on the Bears. Remember when I picked 'em to crush the Colts in the Super Bowl?

TG (PA)

I was watching a video interview with Marty Snider and Junior. Junior said he knew the pressure that would be on him if he signed on with Hendrick but he felt he could handle it. How do you think he is handling everything so far?

Ed Hinton

  (2:53 PM)

I think it's like a 100-pound ball and chain around his neck at this point.

Nathan (Bristol) [via mobile]

I hate this new chat format too because i cant see the chats.. it is just things about "David" not even you!

Ed Hinton

  (2:54 PM)

That is weird. I do know the schedule is messed up. They've got me on for today and tomorrow, and I'm traveling tomorrow.

Mike (Co)

Ed, It sounds like you're not very big on Kenseth.

Ed Hinton

  (2:55 PM)

I'm fine on Kenseth. It's just that he's never very big on himself or his team when the Chase starts. Why, I don't know.

Felipe (Dallas)

What right does Danica have asking for a top ride when she has one win in like 100 races in top equipment in IRL. She is the most overated driver, even more so than JR. All they are good for is to bring the money in (which i guess is all they care about at this point) your thoughts?

Ed Hinton

  (2:56 PM)

People get NASCAR rides all the time because they've got money or can bring sponsorships. Danica's no better, no worse. She's got every right.

Cann (SanFran)

you are a bears fan??...that makes sense..you must love that they got the crybaby from Denver!

Ed Hinton

  (2:57 PM)

No, no, no. I just worked for the Chicago Tribune before I came here. Before that, I worked for Sports Illustrated, covered the Niners in their heyday, and people thought I was a Niners fan.I'm not a fan of anybody. When people are good, I write it: Bears (occasionally), Niners (once upon a time), or Kyle Busch (now).

Crystal (Houston)

Do you think we will see Dale Jr on Dancing with the Stars? Maybe it could help him like it did Helio?

Ed Hinton

  (2:59 PM)

Eureka! You've hit upon it! I'll call Rick Hendrick on his cell phone right now and tell him redemption is at hand!Except . . .I can't see Junior doing a very hot tango.

Scott (Atlanta)

Ed would be bigger on Kenseth if he acted like a complete idiot in winning and losing. How many championships does Kyle have?

Ed Hinton

  (3:00 PM)

I have NOTHING against Kenseth, people! I'm just telling you, he always gets down on himself and his team in the Chase. It's historical fact!

Ed Hinton

  (3:01 PM)

Well, gotta go. Guess the Kenseth fans will say I bailed, but it's fact that I'm only supposed to stay on for an hour.See y'all next week. Bring half of Southern Wisconsin with you if you like. They used to e-mail me all the time in Chicago. But they know I have nothing against Kenseth.