Ed Hinton

  (2:00 PM)

Hi, all. Thanks for stopping by.

Harold (NJ)

Did you walk the red carpet at the Henrick movie and if Henrick deserves a tv movie how about Penske, Roush and Gibbs?

Ed Hinton

  (2:02 PM)

Didn't walk the red carpet, wasn't there. Know little about it, except this: 1) Hendrick is clearly the most successful team in NASCAR the past several years, so WHY do Penske . . WHY do Gibbs, who has been chronicled for decades in the NFL, NASCAR, etc. And, Roush has had his own reality show for years.

Josie (NC)

Is Henrick a Saturn dealer?

Ed Hinton

  (2:03 PM)

Don't know, but he has stores for virtually all major brands. If he loses a Saturn store or two, there are always the Honda, BMW, Chevy, Mercedes . . . on and on . . stores. More than 80 of them nationwide, at my last count.

Todd (Ga)

How can the 88 be so bad this year and last year ran real well for 75% of the season? Does everyone else just get so much better or have they just gotten so far off? He is hardly ever in the top 20 in practice speeds or qualifying.

Ed Hinton

  (2:04 PM)

If anybody at Hendrick had ANY idea, they'd have fixed it right now. I think the bottom line is, Dale Jr. has finally come to the point where he's a deer in the headlights.

Josie (NC)

If Petty can't answer questions about the Saudi Prince's ownership stake in the team bearing his name then exactly what does Petty control over there?

Ed Hinton

  (2:05 PM)

Little if anything, actually. He is paid for his name.

Branden (Pittsburgh, PA)

Show some love to JPM, what an outstanding year!

Ed Hinton

  (2:05 PM)

We already have. Quite a bit.

Megan (Kentucky)

With Jermey Mayfield apparently finished in Nascar what do you think a guy like Jermey will do with the rest of his life?

Ed Hinton

  (2:06 PM)

He's not done with NASCAR yet -- either inside it, or outside it. He's not the type person to tuck his tail and go away. He'll fight this fight as long as he is able. Years.

Moncho (Hatillo)

No chance for Roush drivers this weekend,the pitcrews gain a lot more positions tha the drivers.

Ed Hinton

  (2:07 PM)

Mile and a halfs used to be their forte; they've been bad on them this year. Surely they're experimenting now, taking chances on setups, etc. So you might see a breakthrough at KC, but i'd give that about a 10 percent chance.

Harold (NJ)

How did Earnhardt manage to get wupped by Paul Menard in a Yates Ford at Dover?

Ed Hinton

  (2:08 PM)

Case you haven't noticed, Earnhardt's been getting whupped by a bunch of 'em.

Brenin (Ohio)

Ed! You're my favorite NASCAR columnist! Thanks for writing from your perspective. My question is this; if Mark Martin wins - is this his final year? If that happens - I would love to see Alan Gustafson (sp?) paired with Dale Jr. Is this possible?

Ed Hinton

  (2:10 PM)

Mark has re-upped with Hendrick for two more years, with full sponsorship. As for Rick Hendrick breaking up Martin and Gustafson anytime soon, no way, no how.

Chase (NC)

Do you expect an announcement on who will be the Guy to CC the 88 team shortly after the season ends? Or do you think they are going to take their time to explore options?

Ed Hinton

  (2:10 PM)

They'll explore their options. They need to work on their driver's mindset more than anything else.

Devin (Johnson City TN)

Hey Ed, was just wondering, I know you follow all of the SEC, and youve made a point by saying that you like Kyle Busch because he brings an attitude to the racing world...I was wondering, what do you think of what Lane Kiffin has done this year? If he isnt the Kyle Busch of the SEC, I dont know who is. Go Vols!!

Ed Hinton

  (2:12 PM)

Kiffen hasn't been anywhere near as outrageous as Kyle has been at times. I kinda like Kiffen, but Tennessee alums I know don't. I think Kiffen more than anything else is a victim of the Gator propaganda machine. Urban has provoked him more than once. If Kiffen is the SEC's Kyle, then Urban is the SEC's Brian Vickers . . .

Devin (Johnson City TN)

Hey Ed, just wondering how your visit to Darlington was this weekend after those damn crazy chickens put it on your beloved alma mater?

Ed Hinton

  (2:13 PM)

Actually they were pretty nice. Tone was more than they couldn't believe their Gamecocks actually won a big one. Not to rough from folks who know what it's like to lose themselves.

Marcus (Va Beach,VA)

Hey Ed...If Kansas comes down to fuel mileage at the end, could that be Superman's Kryptonite?

Ed Hinton

  (2:15 PM)

Knaus's caculator sure needs calibrating, doesn't it? If it's fuel mileage I think you're going to see at least the top five in the Chase play VERY conservatively. You'd normally say a guy like Stewart would roll the dice on fuel, but that was always when he had nothing to lose.I'd be surprised to see a gamble, other than by say Jeff Gordon on down in the standings. Gordon needs a big catchup moment and might want to gamble.

Danny ( (VA))

Hi Ed. In your mind is JJ winning again this year?

Ed Hinton

  (2:16 PM)

Gut instinct right now is that he is. But, Martin could prove as good as JJ on mile and a halfs.

Daniel (Harrisonburg (VA))

Hey Ed. Who you got this week?

Ed Hinton

  (2:17 PM)

How's this for a copout? A Hendrick car. In order, JJ, MM, maybe Gordon.

Ed Hinton

  (2:17 PM)

I'm going to post both question from Kurtis in Houston and then answer after the second.

Kurtis (Houston, TX)

With RPM leaving Dodge; Penske is the sole representer of the manufacturer in Sprint Cup (& pretty much Nationwide). Isn't this a huge advantage with more funding from Dodge, and being the only team to go to each tire test?

Ed Hinton

  (2:18 PM)

now the next one.

Kurtis (Houston, TX)

If it is a huge advantage for Penske being the only Dodge team, they could end up becoming a huge competitor next season. With new sponsors, more tire testing, more money from Dodge, and the improvement from Keselowski, Hornish and Allgaier, along with a resurgence of Kurt Busch, couldn't you even admit that Hendrick might have some big competition in 2010?

Ed Hinton

  (2:19 PM)

Frankly I'd look for the opposite. Manufacturers general spread good ideas from one of their teams to another. With Penske flying solo, there's nobody else to get data from.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

Which Female Driver will be racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in the future?

Ed Hinton

  (2:20 PM)

One of three:Danica Patrick, Dani Patrick (nickname inside IRL), or Danica P. Hospenthal (if she races by her married name.)

Tom (Georgia)

Do you see the new ford engine really being a difference maker next season ?

Ed Hinton

  (2:21 PM)

It's essential, but not the complete answer. It better be good, but they have other car issues to deal with as well. Ask me, Roush desperately needs testing. Bet you'll see them a lot at those marginal tracks that'll be allowed.

Emily (NJ)

Ed, do you see major changes coming at Roush this offseason? Because watching their cars lately (minus Matt at Dover on Sunday) reminds me of watching turtles vs. rabbits...

Ed Hinton

  (2:23 PM)

You hear vibes of crew chief swaps, but I don't think that's the answer. I'm beginning to wonder if the business-investor side isn't beginning to show. Roger Penske always said you couldn't race, and excel, if you were treating it totally like a business and looking for profits. Team after team has demonstrated that. If John W. Henry is looking at the bottom line, that's trouble.

Pete (Vegas)

Fans, Brian France, Bruton, Gossage, Fox Sports have all made negative statements about Johnson as a Nascar champion. WHy do you suppose that is?

Ed Hinton

  (2:25 PM)

All the individuals you've mentioned -- not talking about fans -- have a history of playing to the grandstand. That's about it.Otherwise, Jimmie's got more boo birds than fans at this point, so everybody seems to be ganging up in bemoaning the sameness of a four-peat.

Peter (Chicago)

Any chance NASCAR would want to cxhange it up a bit and have the do race making only right hand turns?

Ed Hinton

  (2:26 PM)

That's in keeping with what my wife tells people who ask her when she's coming back to a NASCAR race: "When they start running in the opposite direction."Actually they do that, down in Australia -- they run clockwise.

Tank ((home))

Why such bad traks in the chase? we shood get bristal, drlington, richmond, etc. and not KC and Boston...Nascar ain't about tea parties and tractors...its bout fast cars and great traks!

Ed Hinton

  (2:27 PM)

Because NASCAR did the lazy, half-baked thing. They just plopped the Chase down on the schedule that already existed. Worse by far, they plan on keeping this same hick, half . . .. methodology. Don't get me started.

Pete (Vegas)

Now that Kyle Busch has his emotions under control is a new crew chief the missing piece?

Ed Hinton

  (2:28 PM)

Nope. Addington's fine. Calm guy. Let's see how they do with a calm driver.

robert (ft lauderdale)

How does the #48's dominance compare to the #3's dominance back when Dale won 4 championships in 5 years?

Ed Hinton

  (2:30 PM)

48 is MUCH more dominant. Ain't even close. He's got 10 times the competition Big E had in that era. He was the only one left standing after Davey Allison was killed and Ernie Irvan badly hurt. This may rile the Earnhardt nation, but sobeit. Big E cakewalked to some of those championships.

Jim (Maryland)

Is it me or does JJ wear on people's nerves? Don't you think it would be bad for NASCAR for him to run away with the title again?

Ed Hinton

  (2:31 PM)

It's you. Plus, a lot of others who for whatever reasons just don't like JJ's personality. Never been able to figure out fan tastes. And I never will.

JD (Boston)

If you advocate a separate points system within the Chase- how about this- qualify as usual- get pit selection as usual- but Chasers start up front at the start of the race- that way they race each other first- but still contend with the rest of the field...Thoughts?

Ed Hinton

  (2:32 PM)

Not enough. Things get mixed up after the starts. You'd still have non-Chasers interfering with the process.

Frank (DC)

How is Hendrick getting away with its partnership with Stewart-Haas? JJ was real clear after Richmond that there were so many teammates in the chase (24, 5, 39, 14)? Didn't NASCAR set up a 4 car rule or is this the "Hendrick rules"?

Ed Hinton

  (2:33 PM)

Hendrick has better business lawyers than anybody else. The loopholes are enormous.

Deke (Texas)

If Indy 500 goes back to the 11:00 am start time or Charlotte 600 run on different days which drivers do you expect to do the double?

Ed Hinton

  (2:34 PM)

Big ifs. It ain't happenin', either place.

dz (phx, az)

hey ed,alot of fans have been calling some of the current drives vanilla. the drivers of old, were their personalities any different than todays drivers?

Ed Hinton

  (2:36 PM)

Oh, yes. I could write a book on the old guys. In fact, I have: "Daytona" (Warner Books, 2001).

Trevor (Virginia)

What do you know about that USF1 team based in Charlotte?

Ed Hinton

  (2:37 PM)

That when pigs fly, they'll field an F1 team U.S. citizens will be proud of.

Devin (Johnson City TN)

When you say that Dale jr is a "deer in headlights" what exactly do you mean? Like from being around him recently can you tell hes just emotionally exhausted or just in awe of how bad the team has been so far this year?

Ed Hinton

  (2:38 PM)

Emotionally exhausted, and just in sort of a torpor -- sort of frozen in his tracks.

Joe (AZ)

Anything in the works to put the Racing back in NASCAR? These COTs are terrible, if it weren't for the double file restarts, we would have nothing! NW and Trucks are far more fun to watch.

Ed Hinton

  (2:39 PM)

I'll just keep posting such questions in the hopes that somebody in daytona beach will HEAR the fans. I hear this from fans every single day.

Dan (( Virginia))

hey Ed. Do you think Dale Sr if still lived would be impressed with 48 dominance?

Ed Hinton

  (2:40 PM)

Very impressed. But he'd never have admitted it in public. He would have picked on JJ the way he picked on JG.

flynn (alabama)

Hey ed what happened to the rebels last week and what would you top five drivers be that know the most about the nuts and bolts part about racing?

Ed Hinton

  (2:43 PM)

The Rebels were abducted by aliens and replaced by a bunch of androids sent into Columbia in blue helmets programmed to look as bad as possible.Top five drivers who know nuts and bolts? Oh, Mark Martin, Bobby Labonte, Kurt and Kyle both (training from their dad), Matt Kenseth.But remember: mechanical savvy doesn't matter for the driver anymore. He's supposed to sit down, shut up and do what the engineers tell him.

Marco (Long Island)

Can you hear any difference betweed a Toyota, Ford, Dodge or Chevy engine?

Ed Hinton

  (2:44 PM)

No, but I haven't listened closely lately. Any difference you might hear probably comes from headers and therefore could be a team thing rather than a make thing.

dz (phx, az)

why have the chevy cars been so dominate this year? when the races are going on you see chevy's running top 10. any thoughts?

Ed Hinton

  (2:46 PM)

It's mainly the teams involved. Hendrick and SHR are way ahead of Roush.

Penny (Ft. Myers)

Do you think Homestead deserves another cup weekend like right after Daytona or early in March?

Ed Hinton

  (2:47 PM)

I think Homestead should have one race, but that it should be moved to right before or right after the Daytona 500. I think the finale should be pulled out of Homestead, and the July 400 at Daytona moved to Daytona. That is, the season should start and finish at Daytona. To make up for the extra plate racing annoyance, throw Talladega out of the Chase.

Dan (Virginia)

JJ or Martin this week?

Ed Hinton

  (2:48 PM)

Flip a coin. Another 1-2 shootout, I'd say.

Robert (Ft. Lauderdale)

How do you compare Petty's 7 vs Earnhardt's 7 vs Gordon's 4 vs Jimmie's 3? I've heard opinions that Petty's is overated.

Ed Hinton

  (2:50 PM)

Petty's and Earnhardt's are both overrated. Neither had anything like the competition there is now. I figure Petty's 7, Earnhardt's 7, Gordon's 4 and JJ's 3 (or 4 to be) were equally hard to amass in their own way.

Marco (Long Island)

Is the technology available to listen to all the scanners from home or is it only available at the tracks?

Ed Hinton

  (2:51 PM)

NASCAR has some streaming available, but last I looked you had limited choices. Not sure you could scan all 43 over the Internet. I'd contact NASCAR.com and see what they say.

Justin (Northern Virginia)

Alright then Ed, how would you improve the racing?

Ed Hinton

  (2:51 PM)

This chat lasts only an hour -- not the 10 days it would take to outline it all.

Devin (Johnson City TN)

With that said, do you think the offseason and starting a new season with Lance or another CC will re-energize the 88 team or do you think the 88 team will not be as competetive as his teammates?

Ed Hinton

  (2:52 PM)

Who knows when the 88 team will be competitive? I've stopped trying to guess.

JB (Little Rock)

If all the top teams are constantly improving won't Dale jr and the #88 have to improve 2 times as much as the rest to beat them?

Ed Hinton

  (2:52 PM)

Make that 3 or 4 times as much.

Devin (Johnson City TN)

Do you think Rick will at least offer the CC job for the 88 to Ron Malec. I heard Malec and Jimmie came up through the ranks together and all, so who knows if he even wants to jump ship for next year. I would just be afraid that if you dont offer your best car chief a shot, he might leave if another offer is out there...i.e Dariun Grubb

Ed Hinton

  (2:54 PM)

They'll meet, they'll talk. But really, the only common denominator in all this is Junior. So why pull personnel from the other teams?

Marcus (Va Beach,VA)

Are the Busch Bros 2 of the most immature drivers you've heard on the radio when things arent going there way? or is there other drivers that act the same way we just dont know about?

Ed Hinton

  (2:55 PM)

You must not have ever heard Jeff Gordon on the radio when he was young. He didn't blame his crew, but he sure could throw verbal fits about various stuff.

Justin (Northern Virginia)

By the way Ed. How can people call Jimmie a clean driver when he bumps Denny Hamlin out of the way to win at Martinsville back in the spring. People say that Mark Martin is the cleanest driver out there and he didn't lay the bumper to Kyle when he had the chance.

Ed Hinton

  (2:56 PM)

Review the tapes at Martinsville. Jimmie said Denny came down on him. Awfully close call if you look at the slo mo. But, I never have rated Jimmie the clean driver some do. He moves people when he has to.

Hoss (Boston)

When will we see the next good race, last 30-40 laps at Dover were follow the leader. Even though Mark may have caught him with another 15-20 laps.

Ed Hinton

  (2:58 PM)

We'll see another good NASCAR race when we see another guy named Hoss from Boston. HOSS? In Boston? Did you move there from Houston? Dallas?Bet there's not another Hoss in all of Mass.Anyway, we'll see eventful -- not necessarily good -- races at Talladega and Martinsville.

Chris (Delaware)

Ed,With the chase always being the same 10 races (no wonder why Jimmie has won 3 staright championships since it is his best 10 tracks) do you ever think they will change what tracks will be the final 10

Ed Hinton

  (3:00 PM)

Well, they really should. In fact they should change it every year. But they won't. Truly sad, lazy and unimaginative . . .not to mention that this stagnation will in no way "grow" the Chase.

Cory (Geneva, IL)

He backed off a bit since, but what exactly is dirty about the brake check JPM accused MM of a couple races back? Isn't that a veteran move?

Ed Hinton

  (3:00 PM)

Yeah, JPM isn't versed enough in all NASCAR tactics yet. He'll get there.

Jimmy (Montgomery Alabama)

Um your thinking of Jeff "cheats to win" Gordon there Ed Hinton JJ was not even around when Davey Died

Ed Hinton

  (3:03 PM)

No, no. You misunderstand. When I said "he," I meant Earnhardt Sr., not JJ. Earnhardt Sr. cakewalked to titles after Davey died and Irvan was hurt.The Alabama address tells me all about why the incredible reach that Jeff Gordon "cheats to win." When? Where? Except in the minds of the inhabitants of the Talladega grandstands?

Ed Hinton

  (3:03 PM)

Well, gotta go. Clock's run out, just as we were getting a little hot sauce on this conversations. Everybody keep simmerin' till next week, then we'll turn up the burners again.