ESPN

Terry Blount

  (2:00 PM)

Hello folks. Kyle gets a new man on the box. Will JJ clinch early? Dega looms. What's on your mind.

Sean (Socal)

What do you think about the crew chief change on the #18?

Terry Blount

  (2:01 PM)

I was surprised. I think Steve did a great job with Kyle, but the JGR folks felt the chemistry was gone. I like that they promoted within and gave Rogers the job. He seems to have a good working relatonship with Kyle in the NW car, but it's easy to get along when the car is capable of winning every week.

Loraine (Homestead, Florida)

Do you think that Kyle with Dave Rogers as crew chief will become the next dominant combination like Jimmie and Chad?

Terry Blount

  (2:03 PM)

Let's hold off on that one. They have along way to go to get to that level. But I think they will work well together. The problem is Dave has to learn the COT, something he hasn't worked with much.

Cory (Geneva, IL)

Any suspicion in the garage about the #42? From two top 5's all season, to top 4's in all Chase races but one. I know he ran well at times during the year, but nothing like this, what gives?

Terry Blount

  (2:04 PM)

No, and they have checked that car. The 42 team had a strategy in the regular season of playing it, safe, posting top 12s and making sure to get in the Chase. They turned it up a notch once they made the Chase.

Jerry (NJ)

Why do you think JD gave Dave Rogers this chance to work with Kyle on the #18 instead of assigning Zippy or Jason Radcliff?

Terry Blount

  (2:05 PM)

I don't think they wanted to disrupt two Cup teams because they can see things are improving and Zippy is working well with Joey.

john (montauk)

where is addington going

Terry Blount

  (2:07 PM)

Good question. I will discuss this today on NASCAR Now, but I'll give you guys a preview. First, Steve is very loyal to JGR and he'd be the likely choice when the organizations goes to a fourth car. But the two big-time CCs jobs out there not are the 88(maybe)and the 2. Wouldn't it be funny if Steve ended up going from one Busch to the other?

Mario (Texas)

Do you consider Coach Gibbs and JD to be the best talent scouts in Nascar?

Terry Blount

  (2:08 PM)

They have a knack for picking good people and they are very loyal to their employees.

John (Illinois)

The irony of the current Chase is that the points race would be much closer this year under the old format. Jimmie Johnson would be trailing Tony Stewart by 80 points, and Jeff Gordon would be just 37 points behind Jimmie.

Terry Blount

  (2:09 PM)

True, but it's a bit of flawed logic. We don't know how all these teams would have raced under the old system. Strategy would have changed and how they approached races would have changed.

Jeremy (Philadelphia)

Does a 13th place finish at martinsville help Labonte's chances of getting a ride for next year?

Terry Blount

  (2:10 PM)

Not really. One race on a short track isn't going to convince anyone to hire him, but a career as a superb racer and former champion is what can help him.

dz (phx, az)

i hear fans and the media talk about the old point system. when did the system change and why?

Terry Blount

  (2:12 PM)

The system changed in 2004 to make a playoff format and reset the standings for the last 10 races. The old system was points accumulated for the entire season. It changed because too many times the champion had the title sewed up long before the season ended, but that also is happening now in the Chase.

Mike (Atlanta)

Im going to go out on a limb and say that nascar is going to force rick hendrick to remove chad knaus and put mike helton on the box for the 48 team next year to make sure he doesnt win again

Terry Blount

  (2:14 PM)

I think Jimmie could win with Bozo the Clown on the pit box.

Lou (Las Vegas)

Mark Martin seems to be getting defensive in interviews lately. Has he basically conceded defeat to the #48?

Terry Blount

  (2:16 PM)

No, he just gets tired of hearing the same questions over and over again. But he knows something has to go wrong with the 48 for Mark or anyone else to catch JJ.

Adam (Galax, VA)

If a chase driver, especially Jimmie Johnson, is leading at Dega with one lap to go, would he try to block and go for the win?

Terry Blount

  (2:17 PM)

I think JJ might be a little careful in that situation, knowing hat has happened there inthe last couple of races. But anyone else, sure, they'll block to go for the win.

john (montauk)

hey terry, are the new nationwide cars similar to cup, and if they are, do you see some cup regulars drive more in nw. thanks

Terry Blount

  (2:18 PM)

Gosh I hope not. Way too many Cuppers in NW now. But the new NW car in the COT chassis, so it is much closer to the Cup car than the current NW car.

Joey (New Orleans)

Do you expect Carl, Denny and Kyle to be "head hunting" Brad K this weekend at Dega?

Terry Blount

  (2:19 PM)

No one head hunts at Dega. Way too dangerous. No one is that stupid.

Jeremy (Philadelphia)

With Jimmie Johnson so far into the in chase, is talladega the "wildcard" that nascar needs to provide for an interesting chase?

Terry Blount

  (2:20 PM)

It might be. Dega certainly is the place where the big wreck can happen to anyone. I expect JJ to try to play defense Sunday, but you can't really play it safe at Dega. Every lap is dangerous.

Jeremy (Port Angeles, Washington)

Have you heard any new newss on Danica to Nascar rumor?

Terry Blount

  (2:21 PM)

Nothing new, but I still expect to see her driving a few NW events for JR Motorsports.

Jamerson (Georgia)

I never listened to Steve Addington on the radio... how was he with Kyle? Is he a very soft-spoken person or was he more of a taskmaster like Chad Knaus?

Terry Blount

  (2:22 PM)

Steve is a very easy-going guy, which is what JGR wanted to try to keep Kyle's emotions in check. Rogers is the same type of guy.

john (montauk)

who is worst on the radio during the race, kyle or kurt, thanks terry

Terry Blount

  (2:23 PM)

They both have their moments when they explode, but that's true for a lot of drivers.

dz (phx, az)

what do you think will happen to mark martin if he loses to jimmie by coming in second again? do you think he will still be grateful during his interviews?

Terry Blount

  (2:24 PM)

Deep down, I thnk he will be disappointed because he knows he had a great chance to win it all this year. But he will say he is glad to have the opportunity to drive for a great team, and he is.

RG (TX)

What is the purpose of the Nascar Girl in Victory Circle each and every week?

Terry Blount

  (2:24 PM)

To get the Sprint logo on TV.

John (Gilbert, AZ)

What's going on with the 88 team? Lance and Jr weren't getting along that well on the radio, and what was with the brake bias issue on the 88? Was it the setup or Jr. dialing it in wrong?

Terry Blount

  (2:26 PM)

Brakes often are an issuer at Martinsville, so that isn't a huge surprise. When things continue to go from bad to worst, the driver and crew chief will have their moments of disagreement.

Mike (Atlanta)

Do you think Jr has done enough to show that he can still drive pretty well? To me its been a tale of 2 bad seasons. The first half he couldnt handle the car worth anything, but the second half he's had terrible luck (Daytona, the glen, mville). Hes been in the top 10 relatively frequently lately

Terry Blount

  (2:27 PM)

I think Jr is a better than average Cup driver. But his team is in the worst slump I've ever seen and it's starting to affect him.

John (Gilbert, AZ)

Does having multicar teams hurt the sport? When one team dominates and has that much more in resources doesn't it reduce the competition.

Terry Blount

  (2:29 PM)

Yes, but the truth is the teams with the most money almost always will out-race the teams with less money, whether you limit it to one-car team and 10-car teams.

Cleo (GA)

Dale jr has only 3 cup wins in his last 5 seasons or 180 races. What makes people think he will ever be a dominant driver like Kyle Busch?

Terry Blount

  (2:30 PM)

Kyle is very talented, but you're not a dominant driver if you don't make the Chase and haven't won a Cup championship. Not yet, anyway.

Cleo (GA)

Is it the drivers job to motivate his team or is it the crew chiefs job?

Terry Blount

  (2:31 PM)

It helps if both men try to do that and encouraging the crew. I know crew guys really approcaite when they feel like the drivers has their back.

Matt (Chicago)

Think the folks in Daytona are PRAYING that Johnson blows up on lap 1 or gets caught up in the big one and finishes 35th?

Terry Blount

  (2:32 PM)

No, but I know many fans are hoping JJ has a bad day at Dega so the championship will be up for grabs in the final three races.

dz (phx, az)

terry, do you think las vegas will pick up a 2nd race because the year end awards ceremony will be moving to vegas?

Terry Blount

  (2:33 PM)

No, not unless Bruton Smith is willing to move a race from one of his other tracks. And I don't think NASCAR wants to move the season finale out of Miami.

Leo (Connecticut)

In terms of avoiding "the big one" is qualifying more important at Dega and Daytona than other tracks?

Terry Blount

  (2:36 PM)

Most teams don't seem to think so because in the impound races the teams that have a guaranteed spot set up their car in race trim for qualifying.

Bill (Pittsburgh, PA)

How does NASCAR justify the new Nationwide car when the economy is so down that even the big teams are cutting down their participation in the series?

Terry Blount

  (2:37 PM)

NASCAR feels teams won't need to build as many cars with the new model, which is true. But the transition is very expensive.

John (Gilbert, AZ)

Do you think Brad Keselowski is too aggressive, or is it just a product of the times? For the record, I think Carl Edwards lifted a little with Brad not reacting soon enough. That was a hell of a move on that restart though!!!!

Terry Blount

  (2:38 PM)

I love the way Brad races. He's goes for it. No holding back. Reminds me of a guy I used to watch named Dale Earnhardt Sr.

john (montauk)

how long is penske going to let kurt keep this up, he almost ran over his crew last weekend? thanks terry

Terry Blount

  (2:40 PM)

There's not a whole lot they can do other than talk to him about it. But it didn't help things to ban Tyson from the shop four days a week. That lame duck situation never works out well.

Maurice (Boston)

Why isn't Chevy gonna run a Camaro in Nationwide to compete against the new Ford Mustang?

Terry Blount

  (2:41 PM)

They say they didn't want to run a different car, but I think it's a mistake. However, Camaro is outselling the Mustang for now. Let's see if that changes next year.

Dave W. (Ukiah, Ca)

Terry, Will Jimmie Johnson have to wait until he retires for people to see how special he really is?

Terry Blount

  (2:43 PM)

The greatness of many athletes is appreciated more when people look back. But a fourth tile this year will convince a lot of people that JJ belongs with the best of the best ever to sit in a stock car.

Alice (Kentucky)

How do you expect the lame duck Harvick to work out at RCR next year?

Terry Blount

  (2:44 PM)

It couldn't be any worse than it is this year. I think he'll be better. But will it be good enough to change his mind about leaving? I doubt it.

John (Illinois)

As a career measure of greatness, what do you think is more important - wins or championships? Who is the greater driver and more deserving of the HOF someday--- Mark Martin with 40 wins and zero championships, or Terry Labonte with 22 wins and 2 championships?

Terry Blount

  (2:46 PM)

That's an excellent question John. It's easy to make an argument either way, but in my mind, it's Labonte. Winning championships is the main thing for me. But both of these men are really great guys and deserve a spot in the Hall of Fame someday.

Tina (Orange, California)

Could Paul Menard to to Robby Gordon Motorsports and make that a 2 car team?

Terry Blount

  (2:48 PM)

They could, but I don't think they will.

Ron (Chandler, AZ)

Who do you expect to see as crew chief on the #88 in 2020?

Terry Blount

  (2:49 PM)

No clue, but I don't think Jr will be the driver.

ART (FLORIDA)

I THINK NASCAR IS LOSING FANS NOT BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMY BUT BECAUSE THE RACES ARE GETTING BORING AND PEOPLE DONT LIKE TOO SEE THE SAME TEAM WIN ALL THE TIME

Terry Blount

  (2:50 PM)

That could be a factor, but attendance is down across the board in professional sports.

Tina (Orange, California)

Stewart had a horrible Martinsville race. Are his fans gonna keep crying about how he should be acknowledged for being the leader after 26 races?

Terry Blount

  (2:52 PM)

I wouldn't say ninth is horrible, but yes, some fans will continue to bring up the fact that he led after 26 races and still would be leading in the old system. And it pigs could fly ...

Megan (Englewood, CO)

Does Stewart Haas racing have team orders that Newmen has to move over for Stewart?

Terry Blount

  (2:53 PM)

Absolutely not.

Rob F (Hoboken, NJ)

I don't understand how fans can't consider Johnson a great racer. You don't get 40+ wins by luck or a great crew chief alone. The issue I'm sure most have (including me) is the way in which he secured his championships. He certainly wasn't the best driver in 2007...

Terry Blount

  (2:55 PM)

Yes he was because he played the system to perfection. Everyone knows the rules going in. But also, there's no way to know what would have happened in the old system. Everyone would have raced diferently.

ART (FLORIDA)

HOW ABOUT KNAUS TO THE 88 TEAM

Terry Blount

  (2:55 PM)

How about me flying to the Moon. Same odds of it happening.

Megan (Englewood, CO)

Do you think that Kyle Busch at only 24 years of age could average 8-10 cup wins per year for the next 10-12 years?

Terry Blount

  (2:57 PM)

No. I don't think anyone can do that.

brian (nyc)

in response to Rob from Hoboken, the st louis cardinals won the world series wiht 82 regular season wins. they obviously weren't the best team that year but still won the title and are considered world champs.

Terry Blount

  (2:57 PM)

Excellent point Brian. That's why they call it a playoff.

Mike Mitchell (jacksonville Fl)

Terry are you basing your thought of Jr not being the driver of the 88 after 2010 on the rumor of a rift between Jr and Rick over Landon Cassil and the JRM team?

Terry Blount

  (2:59 PM)

I believe she said 2020, not 2010, which is why I replied the way I did.

Trevor (Columbus, Ohio)

Do you expect Roger Penske to tell Brad K to stop running over and wrecking out his competitors?

Terry Blount

  (3:01 PM)

No I don't. He may tell him to pick his spots and be careful, but the man is winning races. He's aggressive. Some drivers may seek revenge for that and Brad may have to deal with the consquences.

Trevor (Columbus, Ohio)

Who is more important to Nascar's future, Kyle Busch or Dale jr?

Terry Blount

  (3:02 PM)

Dale Jr. winning would mean more to NASCAR than Kyle winning, but both are drivers that generate tons of attention from fans and reporters.

Terry Blount

  (3:03 PM)

Gotta go. Off to do NASCAR Now. Watch if you can at 5 pm ET. Have a great week. Peace.