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ESPN: SportsNation |
Terry will be right with us from Kansas Speedway. Track is a busy place.-- The Ed
I'll sit in for a few minutes. Anything you want addressed by me, the motorsports editor at ESPN.com, fire away. I'll save Terry's questions for Terry.
Here's who I like to win this weekend, top 5 in order.1) Juan Pablo Montoya; 2) Jimmie Johnson; 3) Carl Edwrds; 4) Mark Martin; 5) Jeff Gordon.
Why do you think the Fords have not run well this year?
Sorry guys. Had to finish a TV inteview with John Darby, but I'll go a little long to make up for it. What's up?
What do you think... Montoya or a "Darkhorse" Yates or Roush ford this wins weekend?
I think they're all heavily dependent on what happens at Roush Fenway Racing and they got behind in the offseason. Kenseth made them look good the first two races, but since then, it's been downhill. For whatever reason, the Chevy teams have adjusted better (RCR notwithstanding). Terry's in, I'm out!
A JPM victory wouldn't surprise me. He's been on the verge of that first oval victry for a while now. Don't know about Ford. They've been good here in the past, but we'll see. Carl would love to win at his home track.
Terry,Any idea why the Fords have run so bad this year?
They needed the new Ford engine, which was introduced to the media back in January. But for whatever reason, the Ford cars haven't used it yet. They probably will debut it in Charlotte later this month, but it too little too late.
Terry, I follow you on Twitter ... or at least someone who claims to be you. Can you confirm your Twitter identity?
Sure. It's TerryBlountESPN
With Penske racing signing Brad K, do you see the Penske team being even more of a threat for Team Hendrick?
I don't know how much of a threat Brad will be right off the bat, but he's a talented driver with a bright future. It's good that Brad has raced and won in Cup. But it's still a huge step to go to a new team and compete full time.
Terry, any idea why Danica resigned for 3 years? Everyone thought she was NASCAR bound.
She still may be NASCAR bound part-time next year. And DP has yet to confirmed she signed the deal with Andretti. I expect her to run a few NW events next year to see how she feels about it and try to determine if she wants to do NASCAR full time.
When's the next race in Texas?
Hello Angela. It's the first weekend of November. You should come up to Fort Worth and check it out.
before everyone claims that hendrick is cheating there not! if they where they would have lost points! but how close are the grey areas?
Extremely close. We're talking about thousandths of an inch. And the 48 and 5 were on the limit with no room to spare. So NASCAR warned them it isn't worth the risk.
Would NASCAR really dock Mark or Jimmie 25 points and affect the outcome of the Chase? Do you think their cars are legal?
Yes, there were legal, but they were cutting it way too close. I think NASCAR would dock them a lot more tan 25 points if they fall outside the limits now after hsowing them how close they were this week.
Do you think Tony Stewart still has a decent shot to win the chase? Its only been two races and everybody is already saying its between Mark and JJ.
Anything could happen Jared. Eight races is an eternity. Sure Tony can still win it. But he needsw to sart runnig the way he did this summer.
Only a couple races into the Chase and all but 3 Drivers are over 100 points behind Martin, how close does a drive need to be to stay "in the hunt" for a championship?
Mathematically speaking, a driver can make up 161 points in one race if he wins it, lead the most laps and the points leader finishes last. That's unlikely, of course, but 10 points really isn't much with eight races to go.
ok you say its thousandths of an inch but why did it say less than an inch of failing? it just makes it sound like they have at least one inch of wiggle room!
One inch is like a mile these days. Nobody gets an inch of gray area on the COT.
Terry,Matt Kenseth said his car was setup different the the other RF drivers after the last race. Is this because he is out of the chase & do they always run the same setup on all their cars?
They don't all use the same setup, but you're right, Matt can take some chances since he's outside the Chase. Carl and Greg's team looked closely at hat Matt's team did last week to see if they can use anything that might help them.
did u think kane was at all at fault for the logano wreck for spinning his tires during the restart. kinda seemed like it was a ripple effect from there, evenutally leading to loganos wreck
No fault. It's just a product of bunched up cars.
Do you think Harvick will win a race this year?
Probably not. There don't seem close to finding the answers right now.
when i drive with my window open on the highway, it slows my car down, is there anything special on the drivers side windows of the race car?
Just the safety net, but the bodies of these cars are designed to have as little wind resistance as possible.
what are ur feeling on chase drivers like hamlin racing in nationwide still? i know its in the contracts at the beginning of the season, but do u feel his mix-up with kesselowski had anything to do with a lack of focus on sunday?
I doubt it, but in general, I'm against Chase contenders splittng their time racing in the NW Series. For that matter, I'm against all Cup drivers racing regularly in the NW Series.
Terry, How do you think Mark Martin will attack Talladega since he believes it is such a "lotto"? Do you expect him to ride at the back and wait out the big one?
There is no safe place. But I don't expect him to ride at the back. You just have to try and expect the unexpected. Easier said than done.
i want to take my father to a race next year i've been to lowes, and darlington. witch track do you recomend? and he's never been to a race!
If you can get tickets to Bristol, it's something to see. And he's bound to see a whale of s show if you go to Talladega.
Terry:Do you have any insight on what Bobby Labonte will do next year. Does he has a chance to get in better equipment like a fourth RCR car. I think he has some good runs left like Mark Martin but the difference is equipment.
RCR is a possibility, but he all depends on sponsorship. I think what Martin has done this year helps a guy like Labonte. Teams owners realize an older guy still can get it done if he has qualifty equipment.
What happened to Kasey's car in the 1st practice?
I was doing some interviews and didn't see it, but I hope it was a technical issue or something fixable because 45th of the speed chart is scary.
Jimmie Johnson began the chase 10 points behind Mark Martin and currently trails by the same 10 point margin. Why has everyone conceded the chase to Jimmie?
I haven't, but I think the natural inclination for some people is to assume the 3-time champion is back doing the same thing he has in the past.
will nascar give kansas a second race if they put lights in
Kansas will get a second Cup date when the casino/hotel project gets approved and built. It's still possible that could happen by 2011.
I read earlier today that Martin and Johnson were warned about their cars being "close" to out of compliance, whats this all about?
Both cars were taken to the R&D Center in NC and both were right on the limit at a few spots on the body. NASCAR told them they were cutting it too close to be safe from incurring a penalty.
i live in MA. and have been to martinsville and loudon, should i go to richmond, dover, or pocono next. (in terms of the overall experience?)
Richmond without question. Great racing, great site lines and a fun city.
I read that goodyear is going to test a new wider tire. If nascar decides to go with this tire won't there be a large cost impact to all the teams to change there cars over?
There's a cost factor, but most teams would gladly accept it if it improves the racing and makes the cars easier to drive.
Hey Terry, since the 4th car for RCR next year is dependent on sponsorship, I think Casey Mears will be driving elsewhere. Where do you see him ending up?????
I don't see Mears in a top ride. I think he'll have a hard time getting any competitive ride in Cup.
Will we ever see Jennifer Jo Cobb racing in the Sprint Cup Series?
Maybe as a one-time deal here or there, but I dn't see her competing on a full-time basis.
Terry What do you think Juan Pablo Montoya will do this weekend if something like the first chase race happens again with mark martin?? will he bump him out of the way or will he run behind him again??
Bumping someone here is much different than bumping someone at NH. Much faster and far more dangerous. But I think JPM would do everything within reason to win the race.
They keep mentioning that the splitter is cutting down tires, what can they do realistacally to help this problem?
Good question. Making the splitter edges and little smoother and wider could help. Putting a lift edge on the sides is another option, but that coulod affect handling, as would cutting the edges down.
right when im starting to talorate hamlin again he opens his mouth! why does he constantly bad mouth nationwide drivers who dont bow down to him and other cup guys?
Boys will be boys Josh. Hamlin was mad that he got wrecked. But I agree that Cup drivers shouldn't expect NW regulars to get out of their way in a NW event.
What are your top 5 in this weekends race?
Tony Stewart, Mark Martin, Johnson, Montoya and Bowyer.
terry being a jr fan suree im upset how he's running but being a nascar fan i know drivers have a bad season it happens but i know and you can hold me to it that jr is going to be a top contender next year. Now that being said i beleive if he plans on getting a win this year. his last chance is at talladega... your thoughts
Dega's probably his best chance, but I don't think it's a good chance. And he's going to have to show some dramatic improvement to be considered a top contender next year.
Is Kelly Bieres going to be in JR Motorsports car before the year is out (5 car) ? Also, any truth to the rumor that Tony Jr. will move there next year?
Not sure about Bires this year, but Tony Jr. could end up working full-time for JR Motorsports.
Since Bobby Labonte brought JGR its first championship, you would think JGR would try to help him get back in a quality ride or even offer him their fourth car if sponshorship is found. Why has JGR turned its back on Labonte - did the relationship end badly.
No bad terms or anything. It they had the sponsorship, it's not out of the question, but I really don't see JGR heading that direction.
Hey Terry, I did my research... the Bailey's 300 at Martinsville has over 100 cars entered and the winner gets $25,000... sounds awesome... and people driving for a reason and only sponsor responsibility is to thank Larry's Muffler... even more awesome ... the highlights from last year's race included a lot of crumpled sheet metal... the most awesome.
Whatever floats your boat Stu. Glad you enjoy it.
I am not and have never been a fan of Cup drivers going to the Nationwide Series and taking the championship. With that said, out of the Nationwide teams,(as they are now) is JrMotorsports about the only team that might end this sad trend?
The only one this year, but it's not going to happen. Barring a complete collapse Busch is going to win the NW title. I hope JR Motorsports, or some other NW team, ends the trend. But remember, JR Motorsports is getting tons of support from Hendrick. It really a comnined operation.
Say what you want about Dale Jr but the guy sure is loyal. I mean first he brings Tony Jr with him to Hendrick, now he's going to make sure he has a job at JR Motorsports since Hendrick didn't work out. Junior handles himself with a lot of class and that's why I'll always be a fan.
true he would have to make a dramatic improvement but look what juan montoya was able to do in a year
Things change quickly in this business. It's such a fine line between being competitive and running 25th. I hope they change for Junior.
Terry, will Roush be able to field a part time ride(like the #25 for Hendrick) next season???? It would be good if his development drivers had the opportunity to get a few races under their belt.
Good question. I'm not sure what the rule on that will be next year. I thought that was a temporary thing until the four-car rule went into effect. But I bet he stays in some capacity.
Will NASCAR survive the ecomony if the Big 3 continue to struggle? How much longer will GM and Dodge field cars when they are losing money?
NASCAR isn't going anywhere. As long as GM builds cars, they will be in NASCAR becaus they have to market their product. Regardless of what the manufactuerers do, NASCAR will continue. They raced many years without any manufacturer support.
Looking at the improvement that Kurt Busch and the 2 team had between 19th and points last year and being a championship contender, there should be some hope for the 88 crew. That team was one of the top 3 in the first half of 2008 and has just lost its way since then.
A fair point, but I'm not sure Brad is ready to compete for a Cup title.
Thanks for your time today and hope you enjoy the race. Will ESPN ever expand this chat to where there is a Nationwide and Truck chat?
If there's enough of a demand and enough of you guys ask for it, I'm sure we'll do it.
Hi Terry dont you think would be good for the sport to have 2 superspeedway races in the Chase for the championship, i would probably give some more intensity to the playoff ?
It would add some excitement, but the drivers and teams think one wildcard race is enough.
If the chase format had always been in play, would Dale Earnhardt have 7 championships?
You can't look at it in retro. He would have raced diffently, so there's no way to know what would have happened. But my gut tells me Dale Sr. would have been a pretty strong Chase racer.
Gotta head back to the garage. Enjoyed it everyone. Have a great weekend. Peace.