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David Newton

  (2:04 PM)

Welcome to a wet, wet Wednesday from Charlotte, N.C. where Noah would be a good addition to this chat. I come to you from the lobby of my doctor's office. I'd rather be at the BoJangles next door. Fire away.

Kathy (Wilmington NC)

Hi david! I thought JJ had a lot to do with the cause of the wreck on Sunday. He was passing 3 or 4 cars in turn 2 on the third lap!!Thats where everyone else was smashing the wall during practice. And those drivers are not the safest to be around. I think JJ put himself in a BAD situation. I just cant figure out why. What do you think?

David Newton

  (2:05 PM)

The bad situation was being around Hornish Jr. If you haven't noticed, he wrecks a lot.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

Will Danica Patrick in 3 years be as good as Tony Stewart and win races

David Newton

  (2:06 PM)

Hardly. Tony was winning titles before he came to NASCAR. What has Danica won?

AR (MN)

I read that Braun Racing is going to field four cars next season in the Nationwide Series. Which cars are they, and who will be driving each car?

David Newton

  (2:07 PM)

Sorry if I keep disappearing. I am having major technical difficulty with the laptop. Four teams is right. Unfortunately I can't name all the drivers at this point.

Bill (Winchester, VA)

Hey David, I'm thinking Johnson's bad luck continues this weekend either with a blown tire or engine. What do ya say?

David Newton

  (2:08 PM)

He seldom has two bad weekends in a row, so I'd bet against it.

Martin (Chicago)

What are you hearing about 2010 crew chiefs for Kurt Busch and the Blue Deuce and why doesn't Kurt run in the Nationwide series?

David Newton

  (2:08 PM)

Kurt seemed to endorse Steve Addington a few weeks ago. Steve says he won't make a decision until the final week of the season, so we'll see.

Irwin (NJ)

Do you consider Kyle Busch to be the king of restarts because he seems to have the ability to immediately pull away and gap the field?

David Newton

  (2:27 PM)

Sorry for that delay. Maybe it's the weather, but computer went crazy. As for Busch, I do believe he is the King of restarts with Johnson a close second.

Jack (Brooklyn, NY)

David, it was cool to hear that North Wilkesboro will be hosting some races next year. I don't see Cup racing ever returning there but I think Nascar should add Nationwide Series dates for the Rock and Wilkesboro. It would give the series more of its own identity and maybe bring back some fans that have been turned off by the sport the last 10 years.

David Newton

  (2:27 PM)

It was cool and I'd lover to see a Nationwide or Truck Series race at both tracks. They are the roots of NASCAR and deserve that much.

AR (MN)

What are the chances that Mark Martin wins a championship during the next two seasons in which he is under contract with Hendrick Motorsports?

David Newton

  (2:28 PM)

He'll have to get past Jimmie Johnson to do it. Honestly, as much as I'd like to see Martin win a title, I can't see him having a better year than this one.

AR (MN)

How long do you think it will take Danica Patrick to make it to the Sprint Cup Series?

David Newton

  (2:28 PM)

Does forever sound too long?

Alan (Columbus, OH)

Hey David. I'm a huge Kyle Busch fan, but I'm not sure that his run this past week at Texas was due to the efficiency of his new crew chief or just the fact that he runs well at Texas. Do you think people are jumping on the Dave Rogers bandwagon a little too early?

David Newton

  (2:29 PM)

Perhaps, but it was a good sign. He runs well at a lot of places but hasn't of late. I believe Rogers will help elevate him to championship level.

RAY gordon REID ( SEDONA AZ 86336)

QUESTION TO DAVID NEWTON AT 2.20PM HI DAVID NEWTON WHO DOYOYHAVE AT PHOENIX

David Newton

  (2:30 PM)

Hard to pick against Johnson with his record thre. Mark Martin also is strong there, as is Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch. I guess the usual suspects.

julie (Long Island)

Now that RPM is a Ford team, will Penske benefit from having 100% Dodge exculsivity or are fewer Dodges on the track a liability?

David Newton

  (2:30 PM)

It'll be a huge advantage from a testing standpoint. Every time there is a tire test Penske will be the Dodge representative. No other organization will have that advantage.

Stu (Winter Park)

Do you consider Henrick naming Lance McGrew full time crew chief on the #88 more of a vote of confidence in Lance than Dale?

David Newton

  (2:31 PM)

Interesting way you put that. I'm going with Lance here.

Manny (Kendall )

With Honda, Toyota, Bridgestone and probably Renault dropping out of F1 do you see manufacturers and suppliers dropping out of Nascar?

David Newton

  (2:31 PM)

Manufacturers already have cut back financial support, but they all believe NASCAR still helps sell cars. So I don't think we'll see a total pullout.

Matt (New York,NY)

David, as much as you seem to love making jokes about Jr, you have to admit that taking bad luck out of the equation things are looking bright for the 88 team finally.

David Newton

  (2:32 PM)

I totally agree. I was serious in the Monday rundown when I said the way Earnhardt and Kyle Busch ran was a glimpe into the future.

Norm (Vegas)

Who would you like to see MC the Nascar banquet?

David Newton

  (2:33 PM)

Me. It's the only way I'll get there.

Manny (Kendall )

Homestead-Miami is a 1.5 miler so why are other 1.5 mile tracks like Atlanta and Texas faster than Homestead?

David Newton

  (2:33 PM)

It has to do with the degree of banking.

Laura (CA)

As usual, media slammed Kyle for not talking after Texas but I didn't hear Dale Jr talk after he ran out of gas either. What did Dale have to say after Texas, if anything?

David Newton

  (2:34 PM)

I haven't heard a word from either of them. Don't blame them, actually. They aren't in the Chase and weren't in the top 5. Might as well get home.

Frank (Pa)

For JJ I always thought that it was Robbie Gordon. I even remember his spotter telling JJ be careful the 7 is up ahead. I guess the 77 is even to be more feared. Maybe the 48 team should hire one of the start and park teams to take out the 77 at the start of the race, to at least increase the odds of finishing in the top 5.

David Newton

  (2:35 PM)

I have to admit I was surprised Gordon didn't caculate into my top five that JJ should fear. Thanks for bringing him up.

ben (nc)

statistically homestead is one of jimmie johnsons worst tracks. does he actually struggle there or has he just never HAD to run really well there?

David Newton

  (2:35 PM)

He doesn't struggle as much as he just hasn't won. Look at his top 10s. Not too shabby.

ben (nc)

with the exception of a few guys like mark martin and jeff burton, Nascar is dominated by relatively young guys. any theories as to why so many young drivers are so successful?

David Newton

  (2:36 PM)

I'm not so sure so many young drivers are successful. Jimmie Johnson is no spring chicken. Gordon is getting up there and Martin is as old as me. There are a lot of young drivers because a few years ago sponsors all wanted the next young Gordon or Johnson and moved in that direction. It's starting to tilt back toward experience now.

Ty (Sonoma, CA)

Hi David. I am a Asian American and a huge nascar fan. I was wondering has Barack Obama made his decision on his Chase Pick?

David Newton

  (2:37 PM)

He picked Johnson during NASCAR Now's White House visit. I don't believe he's changed. By the way, what did you think of Nicole's shoes on that show?

john (montauk)

what is steve addington doing next year

David Newton

  (2:38 PM)

Still trying to make up his mind. He says he has a lot of interesting offers to mull over. JGR also wants him to hang around there and help with the Nationwide program.

Harvey (Orlando)

Do the Busch Brothers consider Phoenix another "home track" like Vegas and do you expect to see the brothers dominanting again like Texas?

David Newton

  (2:39 PM)

I wouldn't call it a home track. Jimmie's home may be closer to Phoenix than Vegas. It wouldn't surprise to see both running near the front, though. The track suits them.

kevin (new jersey)

In your article you have dale jr. and reed sorenson number 4 on drivers JJ needs to avoid. Do you think that those two drivers have had the worst luck this year?

David Newton

  (2:39 PM)

Junior has. I'm not sure I'd call what has happened to Sorenson bad luck.

kevin (new jersey)

Why are alot of people blaming Sam Hornish jr. for the crash last weekend?

David Newton

  (2:40 PM)

Um, because he lost control and got into Johnson. Even before the 00 nudged him he admitted he was losing it. He lost it again later in the race as well.

Nestor (Miami)

If the #48 wraps up the championship at Phoenix would they consider sitting out Homestead so as to not risk injury sort of like they do in football?

David Newton

  (2:41 PM)

First, the chances of him wrapping it up now are slim. He would need to pad his lead by 122 I believe, and Martin is strong at Phoenix. We did joke a few weeks ago that it would be cool to see him sit out and enjoy the moment, but you and I both know the chances of that happening are ... well, it won't.

Jeremy (Port Angeles, Washington)

When do you think will we know when Danica signs with JR Motorsports will be announced.

David Newton

  (2:42 PM)

I'm told the first week of December. That might be a good boost for the banquet.

Scott (Atlanta)

Always curious what teh relationship was like between King Richard and Kyle, which seems cool at best. Is it more of a result of the King thinking Kyle partied away his best years of carrying the legendary racing name on, or is it from Kyle's end due to him being pushed out at PE while he still wanted to drive? Sure doesn't seem like Richard was ever a huge Kyle supporter?

David Newton

  (2:43 PM)

I wouldn't say he didn't support him. He put him in a car for a lot of years. It just came down to the powers that co-ownn RPM and Petty agreed it was time to move on. Can't say I disagree.

Matt (New York, NY)

Is Rogers right now just Kyle's CC for the next 2 races or all of 2010 as well?

David Newton

  (2:44 PM)

2010 and beyond.

Mark (NJ)

Is Fennig out as crew chief of the 6? could he go back to being kurt busch's crew chief? HOw about Ragan, whos going over to his pit box?

David Newton

  (2:45 PM)

Haven't heard what will happen to Fennig. I know Roush really likes him a lot. Reuniting him with Busch wouldn't be bad if he and Ragan split.

Wally (PA)

Is Penske like EGR, a multi car team that can only put a single competitive car on the track?

David Newton

  (2:46 PM)

I wouldn't say that. I suspect Busch and Keselowski both will be competitive next year. And remember, outside of Hendrick Motorsports no team has gone more than two deep.

JD (Boston)

If you could see any driver who has never raced NASCAR before in a car at Daytona...who would you pick?

David Newton

  (2:47 PM)

Danica. Then again, I like pinball.

Steve (St. Anthony, MN)

What has happened to Carl Edwards this year? To go from nine wins to zero is brutal. What gives in your opinion?

David Newton

  (2:47 PM)

They made some slight adjustments trying to get more out of the car and the whole organization has gone backwards. Remember, though, he was in position to win a few but had something happen at the end. Talladega comes to mind first.

Cory (Geneva, IL)

What about running some of the tracks they race at twice (Pocono, Michigan, California) backwards the second time? Is that even feasible. Might add some excitement to some otherwise boring race venues.

David Newton

  (2:49 PM)

Have to admit, I never thought of that. I'm more in favor of eliminating the second race, or in some cases both. See Pocono and Calif.

Jordan (Pasadena Tx)

If NASCAR is considered a sport, does that make everyone in the world who drives a athlete?

David Newton

  (2:50 PM)

I can throw a football, but does that make me a football player? Hardly.

Larry (MI)

The last couple of races we have heard different drivers in the Nationwide series say that the Toyota engines have more power. Why does Nascar allow Toyota teams to run an engine with more horsepower than the rest?

David Newton

  (2:51 PM)

They do monitor this and took actions to level the field last season. And when one manufacturer is winning the others always scream foul for something.

TIM (THOMASVILLE)

Hornish is making a strong push late in the season for 2009's worst driver. You think Stremme will one-up him this weekend or in Homestead? He's got to be jealous he isn't getting any more attention!

David Newton

  (2:51 PM)

Stremme isn't in the race this weekend I don't believe, so the edge goes to Hornish.

shelby 409 (Dover, DE)

I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed Nicole's shoes.

David Newton

  (2:52 PM)

I personally thought she was styling. Apparently others with less taste disagreed.

Nick Rolando (Orlando)

David, you mentioned a few weeks ago that we could see some big changes at RPM in 2011 with drivers, care to elaborate? Hope your dad gets better and God Bless our Armed Forces!

David Newton

  (2:53 PM)

The biggest likely will be Kasey Kahne moving on, likely to Stewart Haas Racing. And thanks for the nice words for my father, who unfortunately remains at Duke University Hospital. If he keeps it up he'll be able to camp out for tickets at Krzyzewskiville.

kevin (new jersey)

Dave can you talk to the espn announcers and tell them to focus on the race and not the chase. The coverage of the race should be first. I dont need to know if the race ended now how the points would look when we're 10 laps in. Talk about points during slow parts of races and after the race. To me it seems like the last two winners of the race has been overshawdowed.

David Newton

  (2:54 PM)

How about I post your comment and let others far more intelligent than myself decide what needs to be done.

Nathan (Texas)

Who is the bigger 2009 disappointment Little Dale jr or Childress?

David Newton

  (2:55 PM)

I'll go with Childress. He went from three cars to none in the Chase. Dale Jr. only drives one car. So RCR wins 3-1.

kevin (new jersey)

Why is everyone calling hornish the worst driver in nascar. he has two more top 5's then dale jr. And in case everyone forgot paul menard and michael waltrip are still racing, i know he crashes alot but give the guy a break hes just trying hard.

David Newton

  (2:57 PM)

You are entitled to your own opinion and make valid points. I didn't call anybody the worst driver. I just ran the numbers on who seems to crash the most.

Matt (Chicago)

Hey Newt, if Jimmie DOES wrap it up this weekend and sits out Homestead, can I drive the 48? Great way to settle the "is it the car or driver?" debate!

David Newton

  (2:58 PM)

Good try. If that happened then the 48 would vault to the top of the list of cars most dangerous to be around.

Juan Carlos (Florida)

How can Juan Pablo consider 2009 a success without winning a single Nascar race?

David Newton

  (2:58 PM)

The same way Matt Kenseth considered 2003 a success when he won the title with only one win. Consistency counts for something.

Ty (Sonoma, CA)

Wasn't Nicole a former beauty pageant?

David Newton

  (2:59 PM)

I'd have to research that one, or just ask her. I'll try to get an answer for next week.

dz (phx, az)

do the drivers have media obligations after the race? i think it should be up to the driver and the reporters. your thoughts?

David Newton

  (3:00 PM)

The top three have to come to the media center. The top five stop on pit road. Other than that, they are free to go. But don't you think all should be available. Say Kyle Busch dominates and runs out of gas at the end and finishes 11th. He was a big part of the story. Don't you want to know his thoughts?

Justin (NC)

Stewart hasn't done anything since the Glen back in Aug. Is that cause Henrick focused on #48?

David Newton

  (3:01 PM)

Not at all. He hasn't run badly. He's just been overshadowed by the 48.

Sean (Socal)

There's a rumor that Kyle will be starting his own truck team next year. Any truth to this?

David Newton

  (3:01 PM)

I'm hearing the same thing.

Sean (Socal)

David, If Kyle gets to 200 career Nascar wins (seems more and more likely every year) how big of a feat would that be?

David Newton

  (3:02 PM)

It would be impressive, but it sill wouldn't equal Petty's 200 wins that were all in the premier series.... On that note, I have to go. Doc is calling. Sorry again for the computer problems. Glad I was able to get it fixed and back for the last half hour. Until next week, stay dry.