ESPN

Terry Blount

  (2:00 PM)

Hello folks. Gorgeous day here at TMS. Trucks on the track. What's on your mind?

Dan (Virginia)

Do you think Jimmie will go for the wins from now on?

Terry Blount

  (2:00 PM)

Sure he will. I think the only place he didn't do that was last week at Dega.

Dan (Virginia)

hi Terry, who you got top 5 this week at Texas?

Terry Blount

  (2:01 PM)

Jimmie, Martin, Gordon, Kenseth, Kahne.

Bill (Concord, NC)

Hey Terry, Do you honestly see Kurt Busch and Brad K working well togther at Penske?.. I Think maybe its a case of too many roosters in the hen house... Whats your take on what will happen with these 2 on the same team?..

Terry Blount

  (2:03 PM)

It could be volatile at times, but there have been a lot of teammates over the years who didn't like each other and still won.

ginger (U.K.)

Nobody as mentioned that it was inevitable that one of the cars would run out of gas that late in the race and while stacked up two wide the obvious result is carnage

Terry Blount

  (2:03 PM)

I'm guessing that would have happened even if no cars ran out of gas.

ben (nc)

what if any changes will nascar make at the track to improve attendance at races in 2010?

Terry Blount

  (2:05 PM)

Many speedways continue to cut tickets prices and offer special incentives fo fans to come to the races. I don't see NASCAR maing any major changes in 2010, but they are talking to the teams about how they can make things better.

Marcus (VA)

Terry, I liked your article about Dale Jr. being the most unexcited excited person you've ever seen. Do you think that he doubt's McGrew? He seemed to be pretty irritated over the radio when they where himming and hoaing over what to do with the gas situation. Lance didnt sound like a dictator in that situation to me...

Terry Blount

  (2:09 PM)

I don't think I said that, but Junior is just frustrated period right now. However, I think he believes Lance has the ablity to turn things around in the long run.

ben (nc)

do you think kyle busch and carl edwards running full time in the nationwide series has hurt them in the sprint cup series this year?

Terry Blount

  (2:10 PM)

I do, and I realize I'm probably in the minority on this, but I think both guys would benefit from focusing more on the Cup side.

Chad (GA)

What are the chances addington moves over to pensky and joins kurt bush?

Terry Blount

  (2:11 PM)

It's possible. I guess that would make him NASCAR's Busch brothers tamer.

Stephen (Fort Lee)

What's with the restrictor plates? Is there really so much of a difference between 200 MPH and 220 MPH???

Terry Blount

  (2:11 PM)

Yes, and it would be over 230 mph without the plates.

Ken (Fontana)

What is your opinion of Brad K. I enjoy watching him race and wish every driver had his go for broke attitude.

Terry Blount

  (2:12 PM)

I like him. He's tough and he doesn't take anything for granted. Yes, he's over aggressive at times, but you see that a lot in young drivers with talent.

Rick (Mpls)

Are you surprised every time somebody asks your pick for this weekends race? You could save yourself some by putting your picks in your opening sentence.

Terry Blount

  (2:14 PM)

Not surprised, but good point. I know a lot of people are in fantasy leagues, but I hope they aren't setting their field based on my picks.

Frank (Pa)

Terry - Don't know if I am a typical fan but I had bought tickets to 5 races for 2009 before I lost my job. I have not renewed any of them for 2010. I suspect attendance is going to get worse before it gets better

Terry Blount

  (2:16 PM)

I think your situation is very typical this year Frank. Lots of people are going through tough economic times. Buying tickets to sports events is one of the first things you would cut back.

Joe (FL)

Your thoughts on Mcmurray's win last sunday?

Terry Blount

  (2:17 PM)

I was really happy for Jamie because he's one of the best guys in Cup. I hope it's what he needed to finialize the deal with EGR to drive the 1 car next year.

alex (fla)

How bad will the attendance be the rest of the year with the championship already being decided?

Terry Blount

  (2:18 PM)

I realy don't think it will change things much at this point. Most tickets for Cup events are purchased way in advance. And there's plenty to see even if the champinship Chase is over.

Rob (Colorado Springs)

Terry, Do you know what Kurt Busch's contract situation is? I honesly think that Brad K will eventually be Kurt's replacement, he really hasn't proven himself to be a Penske guy. He's still just as bad as his little brother attitude wise, he just learned how to put on the phony face for the media.

Terry Blount

  (2:18 PM)

I believe Kurt's contact expires at the end of next season.

Jack (Brooklyn, NY)

Terry, doesn't Ed Hinton usually chat on Thursdays? Did he skip out because he was afraid all of us Junior fans would crucify him for that tongue-in-cheek article he wrote today?

Terry Blount

  (2:19 PM)

Naw. Eddie can take it. He loves the banter. But he's on a plane at the moment heading the Big D.

norm (texas)

why didn't NASCAR want two cars to hook up at dega

Terry Blount

  (2:20 PM)

NASCAR officials felt the pushing that drivers did in the spring race was causing accident inthe turns. It really wasn't about bumping. It was drivers pusjing each other through the turn.

Frank W. (Richmond)

After the Talladega junk, I just sold my RV reservation/tickets to a friend who actually believes NASCAR want pull anything like that at Daytona. Does he stand a chance of seeing a good race for the $2800 spce/tickets, gas and misc?

Terry Blount

  (2:22 PM)

Daytona is a much different animal than Dega. Daytona is narrow and reguires the car to handle well. It isn't just about power at Daytona. So even though both are plate races, they are entirely different types of races.

Peyton (Indiana)

Terry, Is Danica what Dale Jr really needs right now?.. He has enough questions to answer about not winning, Much less if she comes on board and dosent do well, he will have a TON more pressure then he already does.. Your Take on it?

Terry Blount

  (2:24 PM)

I don't think signing Danica has any bearing on what he does in Cup. Junior's sister is handling all that. I'm sure Junior will give DP some tips next year about how to drive at certain tracks, but I don't think it hurts his Cup effort.

Justin (Northern Virginia)

Do you think that Kurt and Brad (Or Justin and Brad) will end up having the same kind of relationship that Rusty and Ryan had. Brad did end up wrecking Kurt at the end of the race this weekend and Brad did spin Justin out a few weeks ago in that nationwide race.

Terry Blount

  (2:26 PM)

You guys are overthinking this. Lots of people wreck at Dega. You can't hold it over. It won't be as bad as Rusty and Ryan. They didn't speak to each other and neither did their crews.

Walt (Florida)

Terry, Don't you think it is time to get rid of restrictor plates and run smaller engines at Talledega and Daytona so the cream will rise to the top?

Terry Blount

  (2:27 PM)

Smaller engines are the solution. Everyone still would floor it all the way around the track. The answer is to force the drivers to use their brakes in the turns.

Joe (FL)

Do you think with RPM moving to Ford, will that help jumpstart Sadler's career? He ran well in a Ford in the past and looked strong on Sunday

Terry Blount

  (2:28 PM)

It can't hurt, but I will be surprised if it makes Elliott a contender again.

Jeremy (Port Angeles, Washington)

When do you think we will now when the Danica to Jr Motorports will be offically announced .

Terry Blount

  (2:29 PM)

Possibly before the end of the season. It would make sense to do it next weekend at Phoenix since she lives there, but it make take longer than that to work out all the details.

Justin (Northern Virginia)

If NASCAR were to go to fuel-injectors what would they do then come Daytona and Talladega?

Terry Blount

  (2:31 PM)

From what I've been told, it's actually easier to do with fuel injection bacause you can slow the cars down electronically.

Adam (Humboldt)

Does the recent exodus of constructors from F1 shows the more cost effective market of NASCAR, as toyota is staying here?

Terry Blount

  (2:32 PM)

It shows the costs are ridiculously high in F1, hundreds of millions of dollars a year to race a two-car team. But F1 is trying to change, and it helps that Braun won the championship since Braun spends less money that many other teams.

Rob F (Hoboken, NJ)

'Dega upset me on a number of levels, and while it's nice that JM snagged another win, where does that leave Labonte? I was really hoping he'd land the 1 and be in the best equipment he possibly could be.

Terry Blount

  (2:33 PM)

Bobby will get a ride somewhere because teams will want to use his past champions provisional.

Walt (Florida)

Do you think KHI (Harvick) will merge with SHR (Stewart) after Harvicks contract is up at RCR?

Terry Blount

  (2:35 PM)

I don't know if they would merge, but they probably would form an alliance to share technology, if Harvick goes the SHR. Harvick may have a lot of good options.

Thomas (Akron)

With Bridgestone quiting F1 at the end of 2010 do you expect Goodyear to get out of supplying Nascar tires anytime soon?

Terry Blount

  (2:35 PM)

No, they have a long-term contract and are working on things for the future, like the bigger tire.

Adam (Humboldt)

So what happened to the push for injection engines.... It gives so much more for nascar techs and admins to regulate, figure they woudl love it!

Terry Blount

  (2:37 PM)

This will happen in a couple of years, but it's a big change. It should have happened long ago since production cars don't use carburetors and haven't for years.

Juan Carlos (Orlando)

Do you expect Kyle Busch and Dave Rogers to have a "break-out" season in 2010 with a runaway Sprint Cup and winning the most races?

Terry Blount

  (2:38 PM)

No. but I expect Kyle to make the Chase and contend for the title.

Jason (Ft. Worth)

How much of a chance to you think Kyle has at winning all 3 races this weekend?

Terry Blount

  (2:39 PM)

Good in Trucks and NW, not so good in Cup.

Justin (Northern Virginia)

Any word on the deal between Kurt and Penske? If I remember correctly, Roger was pretty mum about Kurt sticking around. Especially after what happened in the spring race at Martinsville.

Terry Blount

  (2:40 PM)

Kurt will be in the 2 car next year. After that, who knows.

Julie (Phoenix)

When Danica signs with Dale Jr do you expect Dale to retire and go full time into running Jr Motorsports?

Terry Blount

  (2:41 PM)

Not a chance.

Trevor (Columbus, Ohio)

Do Denny, Kyle and Joey draw their Toyota engines from the same source? Seems like Mike Ford's motors for Denny have more problems than the #18 and #20

Terry Blount

  (2:42 PM)

The engines all are built buy the same people at JGR, but the crew chiefs can set things up differently wih the car to place more stress on the motor.

Will (Mooresville)

Ford, Chevy, Dodge or Toyota, they are all the same basic body, who's go the best engine program and team is what wins. Can the Ford engine step up to the HMS Chevys?

Terry Blount

  (2:45 PM)

Ford folks are very confident about their new engine, which is the first built exclusively for racing. They seem to think they can get it done next year if the engine proves reliable and not susceptible to failure from fatique. But they believe the revolutionary cooling system will make the difference.

Nate (Ohio)

Hey Terry. I am a new race fan. Which would be the best track to attend a race.

Terry Blount

  (2:46 PM)

I would say Richmond. Great races and good seats to see all the way around the track.

Marcus (San Diego)

Does it look like Robby Gordon Motorsports will have a 2 car team-with Menard or Labonte, maybe-in 2010?

Terry Blount

  (2:47 PM)

He's working on it. Menard's the wildcard right now depending on whether he stays at the new RPM/Yates team or moves elsehwere.

Chet (PA)

Do you think that 36 points paying cup races are too many?

Terry Blount

  (2:48 PM)

Yes. I think 32 would work better, but it isn't changing any time soon.

Walt (Florida)

On the nationwide side, How come no Camaros for chevy?

Terry Blount

  (2:50 PM)

I asked the same question. It seemed like a no-brainer to me, but GM didn't want to do it, feeling it was better to use the new Impala for both series. We'll agree to disagree on that one.

Will (Mooresville)

Terry, you say 32 races is enough. Is that 32 with the last 6 or 8 maybe being a Chase setup?

Terry Blount

  (2:50 PM)

I'd say eight, but it's a moot point. It ain't happening.

Jake (Irving, Texas)

The scary part about Newman's wreck was suppose there had been fire? Would the track workers have been able to get him out without cutting off the roof?

Terry Blount

  (2:51 PM)

No, but they probably could have put of the fire very quickly.

Justin (Northern Virginia)

How sad is it that a 10 years ago RYR won a championship with Dale Jarrett and now this'll be their final year with the name Yates as a racing team in the cup series.

Terry Blount

  (2:52 PM)

Very sad. Robert Yates deserves better, but nothing lasts forever, I guess.

Joe (FL)

Who makes the chase next year, sadler, mcmurray vickers or all?

Terry Blount

  (2:53 PM)

Vickers could. Jamie has a shot if he gets the 1 car. Don't see it happening for Sadler.

Tim (Kentucky)

I have to cut back to 3 races next year. Choices are Bristol, Martinsville, Daytona 500, and Darlington.

Terry Blount

  (2:56 PM)

Touch choice there Tim. If I has to skip one, I'd leave out Darlington, but no easy answer there. Martinsville gets the nod over the Lady in Black because of those Martisville hot dogs.

Jake (Texas)

How is attendance looking for this weeks race.

Terry Blount

  (2:57 PM)

Eddie Gossage said it's flat, meaning he thinks it will be about the same as last year. But I'm betting it will be down a little. Even so, more than 150,000 will be here.

Justin (Northern Virginia)

How long till Johnson retires? The man is going to keep winning championships as long as he is in the Cup series.

Terry Blount

  (2:59 PM)

JJ has a long way to go. Surely someone can beat him eventually, but I'm beginning to wonder.

Walt (Florida)

Elliott Sadler should take over for Mikey or Rusty in the broadcast booth.

Terry Blount

  (3:00 PM)

Elliott's great on TV and it wouldn't surprise me a bit to see him make that his career after he retires from driving.

David (Texas)

What are the chances that EGR runs Toyota next year?

Terry Blount

  (3:02 PM)

I think it's 50/50. The problem is TRD has reached it limits for supplying engines. So EGR probably would need to make some sort of alignment to lease engines from Gibbs.

Bubba (Alabama)

Any driver that could break out next couple years.

Terry Blount

  (3:04 PM)

I still think Logano has a great future. And I thnk Brad K is on his way to a scuccesful Cup career.

Brandon (North Carolina)

Is it true NASCAR may make changes to the car in 2011.

Terry Blount

  (3:05 PM)

Yes, but don't expect a major swich to some sort of Speed Racer car. And changes will be subtle.

Mark (Charlotte)

Why does a 50+ year old guy like Mark Martin want to race to 2 more years?

Terry Blount

  (3:06 PM)

Because he's making more money that he can count.

Terry Blount

  (3:07 PM)

Gotta run folks. Join Denny Hamlin's chat at 3:20. Everyone have a great weekend. I'm out. Peace.