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Sorry for the delay. Press conference with Rick Hendrick and Tony Stewart announcing Prelude to a Dream plans ran late. Tony donated 150K to Rick Hendrick floor of the Levine Children's Hospital here in Charlotte by the way. Fire away.
Who will drive the #21 Ford Fusion for the Wood Brothers in Charlotte for the Sprint All-Star Race & the Coca-Cola 600 if Bayne Can't Race?
Still no word on whether Trevor is definitely out. Will let you know as soon as I do.
Blah Blah Blah, this and that is good for the sport, I think Nascar needs to decide if an upset win is better for the sport than yet another driver fight. I like the boys have at it but does it sometimes seem like a soap opera?
But isn't the soap opera half the fun?
I love the 78 win! That being said though, what in the world would Nascar do if they make the chase? Nascar doesn't even license a Regan Smith diecast (which is funny because once on a chat someone asked what car the Dover trophy would be holding if 78 won, it could happen).
It was a great win, but Smith still has a long, uphill battle to make the Chase. He's 27th in points and it's much harder to move up in this system when you're that deep in the pack. He has to get to the top 20 to even make his win eligible for the wild card spot.
What is the Hardest Speedway when Danica Patrick races full time in the Sprint Cup Series that she will race on?
I thought Bristol but she did better than I expected there in the NW car.
I thought Bristol but she did better than I expected there in the NW car.
Why are people complaining about the Harvick/Busch incident and their lack of significant penalties? 2 years ago all people complained about was how Nascar was too harsh and wouldn't let drivers express themselves.
I'm with you. Did you read my blog where I said NASCAR got it right?
Hey David, hope you enjoyed Darlington, my family and I all saw you on the camera trying to get quotes in the Harvick/Kyle fued. Anyways, I know I asked you last week about the status of Edwards re-sigining, UPS, and RPM's quest for a 3rd car, any updates that you know?
Love Darlington always. Born there so a bit partial to it. No updates on Edwards other than I was told it would be hard for JGR to move the Home Depot sponsorship to Edwards if that is what it took to lure him there.
Hey Newt, why didn't NASCAR order Harvick not to block pit road and proceed immediately to the hauler?
Might have helped, but not sure he would have listened. Good question for NASCAR though.
Hi David, if Harvicks crew could run down pit road then so could the NASCAR officials. Why weren't the officials there to control the situation?
NASCAR officials were headed that way. It's a long way from where most of the officials were and where they parked. And I'm not sure anybody anticipated immediately it would turn into what it did. I'm sure NASCAR will look at what happened and re-evaluate for future events.
Should't NASCAR have sent Kyle and Harvick on vacation for a few days and given them each $25K for the ratings boost they have given NASCAR?
Funny. No, they should have sent me on vacation for having to stay up until 4 am working.
The all star race is coming up. Shouldn't Nascar have a tag team cage match between Busch & Montoya vs Harvick
Tony Stewart just suggested having a pay per view boxing match at the Prelude. Maybe that would work at the All-Star race.
David I know this is a stupid question, but how come Nascar doesn't use automatic transmissions in the cars?
Sure it would be too much stress on the motor.
What are the chances that JGR signs Carl with Home Depot sponsorship and gets Joey a new sponsor?
Answered that earlier, but talked to a few people who said that would be a tough move to make.
Hey Dave!! How have you been buddy? Once again thanks for the chats. Same question different week, Who is your top five this weekend? Dark Horse?
Hmm. Dover. Haven't thought a lot about it yet with all the drama. I'll definitely go with Kyle Busch because he's on a roll. I like the RCR cars as well, particularly Bowyer there. Will have to do more research before I can pin a solid top 5.
any news on a sponsor for the 5 car kasey kahne will be in next year?
Mr. Hendrick just left. Should have asked. He did tell me a week or so ago he was close to having all the cars sponsored. Hearing the UPS deal many thought might happen won't.
Am I a bad person for feeling it was too bad that Shrub and Harvick got probation, would have made it for a more fun All-Star race in my estimation....
Their probation won't impact the All-Star race. They can have at it all they want.
when do you see Kasey Kahne winning next?
He's pretty good at Charlotte.
What are the least liked tracks in the drivers' opinion?
A lot don't like Pocono because it's such a long race, but many love the track. Not sure they really hate any place.
What five drivers to think have the best chance to win this week at Dover? Do you see anyone pulling off a surprise win like last week? And if so, whom?
I'll expand on what I said earlier and add Jimmie Johnson to the list with the RCR cars and Kyle Busch.
Hi David; Do you think the altercation between Newman and Montoya will affect Juan Pablo's performance for the next few races and do you now why they (42 team) run so poorly at Darlington ?
It didn't stop him from running into Jimmie Johnson at Darlington, although I never heard a driver apologize so much afterwards. It'll be interesting moving forward. Part of what makes him the driver he is is his aggressiveness.
Hey David, I have a hypothetical question for you. Let's say that down the stretch, JG is solid, but unspectacular, winning another race, while Earnhardt fades a little and doesn't win a race. Heading into Richmond, JG is 10th in points, and Earnhardt is 11th. Does Gordon take one for the team, tank the race, and allow Earnhardt into 10th, taking the wild card himself? (This could apply to any team, I just used these two as an example)
Interesting scenario. Most in NASCAR frown on talking about team orders, but it would have to cross a few minds. Guess it would all depend on what Earnhardt needed to get in. Not sure Gordon would completely tank it.
Do you see Jeff Gordon's 1 win getting him into the Chase? He seems to be struggling to get good finishes and I doubt he'll be able to crack the Top 10 in points as it stands
I do.
What if Nascar told Nationwide owners they couldn't get owners points in a race where a cup driver runs their car?
Here's what I'd like to see. I'd like to see NASCAR limit the amount of money teams can spend on a NW car, that way the big-time teams won't have a huge edge.
Does Kevin go after Kyle on Friday in the truck race, or wait 4 weeks til probation is over?
Nope. The probation includes all three series and a retaliation would result in penalties in Cup.
Are you on iRacing? I'm thinking about getting into it, thoughts?
I am not, but I got lessons for Dale Earnhardt Jr. last year and had a blast.
Which Dover do you like better, asphalt or concrete? I used to love how slick and treacherous the asphalt track got
Asphalt.
Whos gonna win sunday and whose your top 5 at the end?
I'll go with JJ to win, Bowyer, Harvick, Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart.
Do you think nascar needs to be a little more forceful in their penalty's when stuff like that occurs??
I thought they handled it jus tlike it needed to be.
I really enjoyed today's article. Why do you think it seems that Dale's current crew are behind him and believe in his abilities and the McGrew led crew never seemed to be that way?
Thanks. You never know what makes good chemistry, but having success right off the bat with Letarte and that crew definitely has to help.
Thanks. You never know what makes good chemistry, but having success right off the bat with Letarte and that crew definitely has to help.
Can we get some pictures of the new video screen at Charlotte?!?!?!
I sent a bunch to twitter yesterday. Check out my tweets at @Dnewtonespn and you should find them.
I sent a bunch to twitter yesterday. Check out my tweets at @Dnewtonespn and you should find them.
Will Mark Martin win a race? or make the chase?
Maybe and maybe. Wish I could get off the fence on this one, but I haven't seen much to make me believe that team is Chase worthy yet.
Will Kurt Busch stay at Penske?
He signed an extension last year, so I'd have to say yes.
Even though you Cover NASCAR, What is the Best & The Worst Major League Baseball Stadium that you have been to?
Old Philaldephis stadium was the worst. As for best, love several, from the new park at San Fran to the new Camden Yards to the one in Denver. Hard to pick one.
Please tell me you aren't with Terry and think "Boys Have At It" has gone too far? I thought the punishment was appropriate because of pit road, but this sport thrives when drivers show emotion and has rivalries on and off the track
I totally disagree. Read my blog and you'll see you and I are on the same page.
Hi David. Huge 5 fan. Lately, the team's been running like the base ingredient to JJ's chicken salad. I know it's NOT MM. What gives? Super enjoyed the entertaining article on Jr. Thanks!
Thanks on the article. I don't have a handle on why Martin's team hasn't run any better either as I said previously. That's what's crazy in this sport. You never know how a small change in the car will impact the driver. Look at how Denny Hamlin struggled earlier after such a strong 2010.
David, I was the one asking you about the #78 team's commitment to winning and accomplishing something more than start up front, finish out back. We cam to the conclusion there is a difference in trying to win, and winning. On that note, how bout that FRR team!!!!!! Pleasant surprise!!!!
It was a great surprise. I don't question the commitment to that team winning at all.
now that it seems jr might have his swagger back on a personal level, when do you think it translates on the track?
It already has translated, just not into wins. If he remains consistent with top 10s those will come too. On that note, he's coming up on a pretty tough stretch for him.
what's your roush lineup looking like for next year? I'm thinking the same...
Could be the way things are shaking out now. I'm still not convinced David Ragan will be in the 6 though.
Will Dale Jr ever win again ??
Yes. Several times.
Mr. Hendrick calling Regan Smith - I have a ride waiting for you next year after I let the extremely overated JR go. We all know that Hendrick signed JR mainly for the merchandising rights anyways.
Actually, Hendrick really believes Jr. can win races as well.
hearing kyle and kevin's probation is for the incidents on pit road, does that mean that they can still wreck each other on track wihtout any punishment?
Funny. And no.
is trevor bayne racing this weekend?
Not that I've heard.
That was an interesting note about Jr.'s crew disrespecing him like that. As a racer myself at a local short track, there is absolutely no way a team can operate at it's max potential without every single person on board. You guys say it all the time and it is absolutely not a cliche! It is pretty obvious now what the problem was last year and in 2009. Did Rick Hendrick pick up on this stuff? As bad as he has been at Darlington, Dover has been equally bad or worse, if the 88 runs good this week I am 100% sold.
Good point on Dover, and I totally agree on the disrespect thing. I was surprsied it didn't bother Jr. more when I share it with him.
Hey David, Is ESPN or anybody else going to have anymore reality shows like "Being Kyle Busch" I am not a Kyle Busch fan but I love the behind the scenes part of it and everything they do during the week. If you did a show like that? Who would it be about?
Haven't heard of anything yet, but they're all the time working on things like that.
Does Harvick realize he looks like an a** clown chasing Bush in his helmet?
Don't think he really cared what he looked like at that moment.
Why is everyone calling for Busch's head....Harvick chased busch down after the race with his car...then chased him into the pit and stopped in front of him...what the heck was he supposed to do....get out and throw punches and look like a REAL jackwagon...lol...i LOVED what he did to harvicks car...
Other than pushing Harvick's car aside, Busch didn't do anything wrong after the race. His probblem was reverse was gone so he couldn't back up and go around.
Who are your picks this weekend - Cup & Trucks?
Cup JJ, Trucks Harvick or Busch.
I can see why NASCAR did what it did to Kyle & Kevin. But what I don't understand is why all the fuss on Kyle moving his car out of his way. I see the potential of injuring someone, but with his reverse broke and kevin's car not in neutral, it's really not Kyle's fault. Why should be suffer the blame?
He still parked behind Harvick to put himself in that spot. He could have just driven around when they got to pit road, although that might have turned out ugly as well. But it is a big deal when crewmen and officials are put in danger.
Now that Jr. seems to have his swagger back at a personal level, and seems now to be getting more confident behind the wheel, when do you think he will get a win?
How about Michigan, the anniversary of his last win? Or Daytona.
do u think j logano cld have a good run this weekend since this is one of his best tracks .and whos ur top 5 and dark horse
He could. But my memory of Logano at Dover is when his car flipped like 100 times. See previous answers for my top 5.
"Flash back to 2009. NASCAR was within a few hours of announcing the name of a driver we later found to be Jeremy Mayfield who had flunked a drug test. As I stood in the garage next to three crew members and asked what they knew, the Earnhardt crew member among them said, "I hope it's our guy so they can put us out of our misery."I can't believe a crew member would actually say something like that to a reporter of all people? I remember Tony Gibson said Dale Jr's team didn't believe in him but I thought he was just making excuses, I guess he was right.
Yep, I talked to Gibson about that. Thanks for reading.
Yep, I talked to Gibson about that. Thanks for reading.
If Jr. doesn't win Dover, I think we're all in agreement that he gets the fan vote for the all star event...does Jr and Stevie spend the qualification race working car setup and saving the car, or do they go for the win?
He better go for the win. Remember, if they're not on the lead lap the fan vote is nullified.
BTW do you think Lance McGrew really believed in Dale Jr?
I do. Hey, if they had succeeded it would have been good for Lance's career.
the best part of the harvick-busch episode was that it cuts down on the "newt, who ya got this week"? and "newt, will junior ever win again"? idiots who populate these chat rooms. oh, and kyle, keep your eyes peeled at MIS baby.
I asked Dale Jr. yesterday if he liked that all the drama took the focus off of him. He smiled.
When do you think Danica will make her Sprint Cup debut?
Phoenix.
David... if NASCAR wants to dock pointes from a driver under the new points system, how many points would they take away for a simple rules infraction? I seem to recall 25 or 50 points being common under the old system, with occasional higher hits. Obviously, that would be quite punitive under the new system. What is the replacement for 25 points? 5 points just doesn't seem to have much meat.
Good question and one I'm sure they have given lots of thought to. I haven't quantified what 25 points would be under the new system. I'd imagine a couple of points max.
Why doesn't Jr drive in the Prelude to a Dream? Arent' Tony and Jr buddies?
He doesn't like to drive on dirt.
Why not suspend those 2 from racing in the minors. That would have at least sent a message. Probation is a joke.
Now there's a thought, although I disagree on probation being a joke. It let them know one more slipup and they could face points penalties, and that neither wants.
Any comment from Rick about signing an extension with Jr?
Had to cut interview short to get to chat. Didn't ask. He told me last year he wanted to get it done sometime this year.
Earnhardt Focused article. Any idea what cuased the lack of focus, if you will, when he join HMS? Did he have the same issues in his last year at DEI?
Think the bad chase in 2008 snowballed into the bad start to 2009 that snowballed into a loss of confidence.
What's the penalty if you are on probation and something else happens?
I would suspect a points deduction.
Do you know how the big screeen at CMS is set up to handle the weather
I'm told it'll take almost anything, tornadoes aside.
Will we see one of the 29s RCR teammates take the 18 out this weekend to prove to the 29 that they have his back like the 29 did to the 11 last fall at Dover after the 11 made comments about the 33?
That I could see happening. Remember Harvick went after Hamlin in practice last year at Dover standing up for Clint Bowyer. Maybe Burton could take a swing for him.
where is the kyle busch has really matured article this week?
He admitted he made a mistake pushing Harvick's car. He also explained why. I'm not sure we saw immaturity on his part.
88 helped the 48 Win at Dega. in a different track, what would the 48 do if the they were neck and neck going to the finish line? WOuld the 48 let the 88 win?
I doubt it.
Last week it was Furniture Row,...can we have another this week, like Gilliland/Taco Bell or Blaney/Goldnen Corral or Cassill/Security Benefits win at Dover! What would it mean to the sport if one of these cats wins the race?
It would mean there is more parity than ever and NASCAR would argue going to the new car is a reason small teams can afford to keep up with the big ones.
I've read alot of comments on the internet about the cone that Dale Jr. hit. My question is has Nascar always had a cone there like when DW and others were racing? If not when did they start that rule. I really was just curious.
Cone has been there for as long as I can remember. They didn't put it there to trap Jr.
Isn't Blount wondering if NASCAR has let the "boys have it at" go to far a little naive when the Kyle v. Harvick, JP v. Neumen is exactly what they want?
Hey, you said it. I didn't.
Hypothetical...You have to choose 1 race to attend on Memorial Day weekend. Charlotte, Indy, or Monaco?
Monaco. Beaches, casinos. Is there really an option? On that note, have go bug out. Thanks for all the questions. See you at Dover.