Terry Blount

  (2:01 PM)

Hey gang. Here's our Turn 4 answers today. The ESPN.com boys agree to disagree on a few of these. http://tinyurl.com/cqfbsb8

Mike (MN)

Your top 5 at Richmond?

Terry Blount

  (2:02 PM)

Kyle, Clint, JJ, Gordon and Matt. Put Denny in there if he comes back Saturday night.

Mike (MN)

How much do top tier crew chiefs make? Must be a ton if NASCAR fines them $100,000.

Terry Blount

  (2:02 PM)

Can make over a million. Most or less than that, but 100 grand is a huge hit to any of them.

Ryan (WI)

What up Terry! How can HMS be so close with the Gen6, and SHR be so off. Are they not getting the technical sport they once did? They're not even close off the truck

Terry Blount

  (2:05 PM)

No one really knows Ryan, especially the guys at SHR. Maybe it's adding a third team, maybe it's Newman being a lame duck, maybe Hendrick isn't telling all they know. But Stewart and his guys better figure it out soon. It could be this week because Richmond is one of Tony's best tracks.

Gene (Ohio)

Were you disappointed in Ron Hornaday's Rockingham behavior because of the message his actions send to younger drivers that on-track retaliation is acceptable racing?

Terry Blount

  (2:06 PM)

I was disappointed because he should have known how bad it looked since he had the same thing done to him.

Baseballman (Florida)

Mr. Penske and Paul Wolfe say #2 working in "gray areas" but the driver says no. Is the driver skating on thin ice by publicly disagreeing with Mr. Penske?

Terry Blount

  (2:07 PM)

No. Brad's just being Brad. Every team tries to work in the gray area. It's a fine line between doing that and going over the line.

Penny (SC)

From the Turn 4 comments on Denny it sounds like you guys are calling for Denny to stay out of the car due to the seriousness of back injuries while when it came to Dale Jr and concussion NASCAR couldn't have gotten him back in the car soon enough. Why the double standard?

Chris (Flordia)

dale jr a chance to win at richmond?

Terry Blount

  (2:09 PM)

No double standard. None of us are doctors. They must decide what's right for these guys. I feel Denny should be 100 percent certain he can't reinjure his back before he returns.

Larry (Il)

How about a darkhorse for Richmond?

Terry Blount

  (2:10 PM)

I'll say Jeff Burton.

Rob F (Philly, PA)

I'm not a Danica hater, nor am I fan. Why didn't she pull over while the 5 and 20 were dueling in the closing laps? It seemed to me she was in Kahne's way for a lap or two which really killed his momentum.

Terry Blount

  (2:12 PM)

She wasn't the only one. A few other drivers also got in the way. I think they weren't sure where to go. But I was thinking he same things at the end to all the laps cars. Get out of the way.

Scott (Charlotte)

Hey Terry, if you Seattle guys want a NBA team you can take our Bobcats so long you take Jordan with it. Third coach in 3 years fired.

Terry Blount

  (2:13 PM)

I think the Kings are a better deal. The NBA really looks hypocritical on this if they don't vote for Seattle to get the team. The Seattle offer is far better and more committed than Sacramento's offer, which had a lot of ifs and maybes.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

Why are the back marker, start and parkers like Gilliand and Cassill the drivers who are racing Danica dirty? It seems like Rowdy, Edwards, Kurt and those guys race her clean.

Terry Blount

  (2:15 PM)

Those guys are racing side by side with her a lot more than the guys up front. No one is going to show her any slack and she needs to understand that.

Rob F (Philly, PA)

Hi Terry, Gordon has been off in comparison to the raw speed he showed last year, but he's definitely improved over the season. What I don't understand are all the weird mechanical issues he's had since last year. I've been a 24 fan since I've watched NASCAR and have never seen that car break like it has in recent seasons. Any word on why he's experienced this and his teammates haven't?

Terry Blount

  (2:16 PM)

Sometimes it just works out that way. They blew a tire at Bristol and broke a hub at Texas. That stuff tends to balance out over the course of a season.

Matthew (NC)

Terry, I read your comments about Gordon and have to ask- are you serious? I watched the Richmond race from last September last night- I haven't seen driving like that from anyone in a long time. He had a shot to win Bristol, Martinsville, and Texas. Why is everyone so willing to want to bury his career?

Terry Blount

  (2:18 PM)

I'm not burying his career. I'm just not sure he is the driver he was when he won his last title in 2001. He's still one of the better drivers, but I don't know if he can win another championship.

Pete (Bristol, TN)

Terry...can you explain what would happen if the 55 & 11 are in the Top 10 in owners points at the end of the season, but the drivers aren't in the Chase? There is a separate owners championship...like in NW

Terry Blount

  (2:19 PM)

Yes, not that many people pay much attention to it. But the teams do.

Josh (NC)

Do you think Regan Smith may have committed NASCAR career suicide by joining JRM's Nationwide team since all the others like Cole Whitt, Kelly Bires, The Eury's etc. are long gone from the scene?

Terry Blount

  (2:21 PM)

Ridiculous. And JRM is running well this season. Smith is second in the standings, only two points behind Hornish. Regan could win the title this year.

Dwane (Ky)

hi terry what is going on with the bk racing cars ? i see that travis kvapil was up to 20th spot then he finished back oin the 30's?

Terry Blount

  (2:22 PM)

Dwayne, I think you are the only person in America who cares. The team doesn't have the money, equipment or personnel to be competitive. That's the bottom line.

Matt (Chicago)

Lost in all the bluster of Kenseth winning the two 1.5 mile races this season is the fact that Kasey Kahne was on his bumper at the checkered flag of each. How would you rate Kahne's opportunity to win the Cup in 2013?

Terry Blount

  (2:24 PM)

Excellent. Kasey is a title contender, mainly because he's very good at the tracks where you have to be good, the 1.5 mile ovals.

Dee (Vegas)

What major team do you think makes the first driver change this season? The 42? 39? 29? Someone else?

Terry Blount

  (2:24 PM)

14

Bart (East Bay)

Hey Terry, was that Kansas race on a delay? How else did Rowdy Busch wreck out and then be surrounded by 30 reporters, wearing street clothes less than 2 min. after the Logono wreck?

Terry Blount

  (2:26 PM)

No delay, but I put on our chat they he set a world record for getting in his street clothes to bolt out of there. However, I give him credit and stopping and answering questions.

Digity Dog (NC)

Hi Terry, great comments today about Jeff Gordon in Turn 4. When HMS puts a new driver in #24 do you think they go with an established star like Kurt Busch or an untested rookie?

Terry Blount

  (2:27 PM)

That's way on down the line. Jeff will race at least three more years, maybe more. So really impossible to say who would get that ride in the future.

Jake (Irving, TX)

As Rowdy fan, I'm suspicious as to why Rowdy's #18 snapped loose while Matt's #20 stuck like glue. Was Dave running the same setup on the #18 that Jason dialed into the #20?

Terry Blount

  (2:29 PM)

Matt is an outstanding race car driver that doesn't get enough credit. Kyle is a huge talent, but he also tends the drive the car on the edge quite a bit and sometimes goes over it. As for set-ups, every driver wants different things and the CC's try to give the driver what he asks for in the car.

Fred (Alabama)

So which team do you think is better at the moment. JGR or HMS. And i think it proves that Logano wasnt really that good since the 20 team is contending every week

Terry Blount

  (2:30 PM)

Joey isn't bad and he has raced pretty well this season, but he's not Kenseth. Hendrick is ahead right now on the Gen-6, but that's not a surprise.

fry (PA)

Will Dale Jr get back on the course of winning like he did in 2004?

Terry Blount

  (2:31 PM)

If you mean win six times, no, that's not going to happen.

Sandy (NY)

So the Crew Chief pay the fine or does the team?

Terry Blount

  (2:32 PM)

Depends on the organization he's with. Some CC's have it written into their deal that the team pays it. Some teams make it clear that the CC pays it.

Laura (Manhattan Beach)

If Joey isn't very good like some people claim , what does it say that Joey has the same number of cup wins as Dale Jr. since they have been racing head to head?

Terry Blount

  (2:35 PM)

The problem for both of them Laura is expectations. Joey came to Cup as the next young star. Mark Martin even said he was the best young driver he ever saw. But he couldn't reach those lofty standards, not yet anyway. And Junior will never be his father. No one will. So both guys take a lot of unfair criticism. But if you're asking me which driver is better right now, that's a tough call. Junior has much better results overall.

Lee (Fredericksburg VA)

Terry, Matt's success at Richmond has been limited recently. Do you think with the change to JGR that his short track program at Richmond can also see a marked improvement?

Terry Blount

  (2:37 PM)

I do, but Matt raced pretty well at Richmond last year. The 20 team is a threat to win almost anywhere right now. They are on fire. Heck, that car was so good Sunday at KC I probably could have driven it to a top 10.

fry (PA)

Will Jr win this Weekend

Terry Blount

  (2:37 PM)

He could, but put me down as a no on that one.

Sandy (NY)

Thoughts on Gillilands comments for Danica to shut up and drive.

Terry Blount

  (2:38 PM)

Funny, but something that happens between drivers almost every week.

RacingDMP (Charlotte NC Official Home of NASCAR)

TB not sure what to think of the new road course qualifying format. One thing is for sure, another debate when we return on a chase race. Fans continue to say YES. NASCAR seems to say NO year after year.

Terry Blount

  (2:40 PM)

I say Hoorah on the new road-course qualifying format. Great decision by NASCAR. Now, if only something could be done about the paint-dry boring 34 other qualifying days on ovals. And yes, a road course should be in the Chase, preferably Sonoma.

Michael (Texas)

where do you see Junior ending up this weekend?

Terry Blount

  (2:41 PM)

Top 10.

Laura (Manhattan Beach)

The general feeling was that Johnson got a free pass at M'ville because Denny was out so if Denny doesn't race Sat. night do you expect Rowdy to walk it because Denny won't be there to challenge?

Terry Blount

  (2:42 PM)

No. JJ can challenge him. So can Jeff at this track. And I think Clint has a shot at winning Saturday night.

Chris (NH)

Is Penske's appeal a waste of time or do you think there's a chance the penalties will be reduced or eliminated?

Terry Blount

  (2:43 PM)

It's not a waste of time because it buys them time to get everything in order in case they lose their brain trust. And you never know. Look how it turned out for the 48 last year. But I'll be more than shocked if this one gets overturned.

ZMc (OH)

No black flag for Brad's quarter panel peeling off of his car, so what does it take to receive a black flag for the possibility of pieces falling off of your car?

Terry Blount

  (2:44 PM)

It's a judgment call and a difficult one to make for a guy in contention. It's easy to look back now and say you knew it would come off.

Keith H (Seattle)

Slightly off topic, but with the NFL draft upcoming, what is your favorite team?

Terry Blount

  (2:46 PM)

Journalist don't have a favorite teams, but I love watching the draft. It always has first-day surprises with teams making trades to move up or down. I'm interested to see where Manti Teo ends up.

Matt_32FL (Tampa,FL) [via mobile]

HIi Terry! Looking ahead to the Chase opener at Chicagoland, how do you think attendance will be impacted by going head-to-head with a Bears home game? Full disclosure : I was never in support of the move when it was first announced back in 2010. Richmond would have been a better choice...

Terry Blount

  (2:49 PM)

I was surprised that six Chase races go head-to-head with NFL games in that market. The NFL and NASCAR used to work together on this. It's won't hurt the NFL, but I guess NASCAR feels there isn't much overlap. I'm not sure about that. In Chicago's case, Da Bears rule.

Katherine H (Raleigh NC)

You said the 14 would be the first major team to make a change this season. Do you think Tony gets out of the 14 or some other change?

Terry Blount

  (2:50 PM)

Of course not. Tony isn't going anywhere, but unless they improve soon, changes could come on the pit box.

Andrew (W. Kentucky)

What's wrong with Rowdy K Busch? He has been too nice on the radio and professional with media and the team. Do you think the old Rowdy will come back?

Terry Blount

  (2:51 PM)

I hope not. It's called growing up.

Billy (Indy)

Do you think Dale's best chance to win a race will be at Mich. in June, again? Why is that the only track where he's competitive anymore?

Terry Blount

  (2:52 PM)

He's competitive at most tracks. He could win at Michigan. He could win Saturday. If the 88 is going to become true title contenders, he has to find a win to win more. Even Junior agrees with that.

Brent (WI)

I was impressed with the way Joey conducted himself after being wrecked, while Kyle just stormed off

Terry Blount

  (2:53 PM)

But Kyle did stop and answer questions respectfully. That's good enough, especially when you're angry about what just happened.

Chuck (Cleveland)

Good Afternoon Terry, hope all is going great! I'm sick of Cup regulars in the Nationwide! I've got an idea to keep them out. For car owners they won't get the points for that race that a Cup star is in the car, and the drivers won't get any of the purse. So like a good plan?

Terry Blount

  (2:55 PM)

It works for me, but it ain't happening. Nationwide was regaining its identity last year with its regulars winning so many races. Now it's back to the same old thing of Cup stars (mainly Busch)running roughshod in Triple-A.

jack (phx, az)

Is it just bad luck or is it JPM for such a poor season so far???

Terry Blount

  (2:57 PM)

Something is amiss there because teammate Jamie McMurray is running much better. If they are using the same set-up, it doesn't make much sense.

Jeremy (Port Angeles, WA )

Do you think Danica comment on her radio about David Gilliland was blowing it out of proportion by the nascar media?

Terry Blount

  (2:58 PM)

Everything Danica does becomes big news. Just goes with the territory, but it wasn't anything different than other drivers say each week.

Matt_32FL (Tampa,FL) [via mobile]

Sonoma would make a good choice for a Chase race, but Nascar can't justify a RC chase race w/o adding one to the overall sked.

Terry Blount

  (2:59 PM)

Why not? Just move the date. If you are going to race road courses, one should be in the Chase. Period.

Scott (Charlotte)

In fairness to Danica, she did ask her spotter which lane do the do the 20 and 5 want. Getting out of the way is not easy, particulaly at a one and half groove track

Terry Blount

  (3:00 PM)

Good point Scott. She wasn't deliberately fighting for position.

Sandy (NY)

Should SHR be worried?

Terry Blount

  (3:00 PM)

Yes, and they are.

Keith H (Seattle)

Terry, with the Mariners playing the Astros, who do you root for? I'm assuming the Astros except when Felix is pitching. Also, I agree with you on the Kings/Sonics situation. However, I don't trust David Stern.

Terry Blount

  (3:02 PM)

Don't root for either. I covered the Astros for many years. But I watch the games now and just shake my head. Sad to see how bad things are. And Seattle has been a huge disappointment this year at the plate. It's time to give up on Smoak.

Terry Blount

  (3:03 PM)

Gotta run folks. Great chat today. Hope everyone enjoys the race Saturday night, and join in on our race chat if you can. By the way, ESPN2 is carrying the Houston NHRA event live this weekend, so don't miss it. Take care. Peace.