SPEEDTV.com's Tom Jensen is the former managing editor of National Speed Sport News and earned the National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year Award in 1997.
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Atlanta pit selections
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Restart by the rules
Q: Why doesn't NASCAR restart the field in the order they were in when the leader can't get to the start/finish line on a restart? Two cars passed him low, which is supposed to be a penalty. — Jason from Morrison, Ill.
A: NASCAR's restarts the field in the order everyone was in when the caution comes out. That's the rules.
Kahne comeback
Q: Kasey Kahne seems to have turned around today. I noticed they said something about the body style of his car. Can you explain? — Jennifer from Waukesha, Wis.
A: Ray Evernham is personally overseeing his team's cars. They went to the wind tunnel and tweaked the car slightly. The body style is the same Dodge Charger the team has run in non-COT races all year — the team just figured out how to make the aerodynamics a little better.
Fuel for thought
Q: Hey Tom, I was wondering how do the teams get their gas to the gas cans? Does Sunoco deliver them to the pit crews? The reason I ask is because it seems that Dave Blaney has water in his fuel. — Joe from Fresno, Calif.
A: They have wagons that they put the cans on and pull them back and forth from the pits to the gas pumps.
Johnny and Robby?
Q: Will we see Johnny Sauter full-time next year? I believe he's a very underrated driver. — Josh from Liberty, S.C.
A: I think there's a good chance Sauter could wind up in a second Robby Gordon Ford in 2008.
Shorter Chase?
Q: Has NASCAR ever considered creating a shorter Chase? I think that it would be more exciting as you couldn't have those Jimmie Johnson-esque comebacks, and you would have to be absolutely perfect. — Diego from Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
A: I've never heard that discussed, but it's an interesting idea.
Happy Hour doesn't predict races
Q: Hi Tom, I see Jeff Gordon was horrible in final practice. Is a shakeup going to happen today and draw all teams closer? Is this what NASCAR wants? Hoping for a safe clean race. — Nick from Montrose, Pa.
A: Jeff Gordon's crew chief, Steve Letarte, said a few minutes ago that the No. 24 is never good in Happy Hour at Atlanta, so he's not worried at all. Does NASCAR want a tighter Chase? Sure they do. But they aren't going to do anything to make it so. And 10-4 to a safe, clean race. That's what we hope for every race.
Three failures
Q: How many cars do you think will be out of the race due to engine failures today? — Chris from Latham, N.Y.
A: Hey, bud! I'm just guessing, but I'm thinking there will be three engine failures today — only one of which will be at DEI.
Rookies influencing title races?
Q: Hey Tom. Mornin' to ya. My question is what is your take on having inexperienced rookies and inexperienced — in NASCAR — Indy racers running in a race this late in the year where regulars are competing for championships and standings? — Paul from LaPlata, Md.
A: Thanks for the question. My take is that there have always been rookies and inexperienced racers in the series. It's the same for everybody. What you want is for the championship to be decided between the top guys in the points, not because someone in 40th place crashing out one of the contenders. But like I said, it's the same risk for everyone so I don't have a real problem with it.
Reason second round went away
Q: Every week I get sad knowing some go or go home drivers are faster then the ones who actually make the race. I didn't really watch NASCAR between 2000-2004. What ever happened to second round qualifying and why was it replaced with the top 35 in points rule? — Mark from Venice, Fla.
A: Welcome to FOX. Second-round qualifying was ineffective. What it usually resulted in was a handful of guys having to attempt to qualify a second time every week, but almost never making it. Lots of the drivers complained because second-round qualifying was usually during the day, while first-round often was late in the afternoon, when the track was cooler and faster. The top 35 rule was put in to protect sponsors and teams that showed up every week from getting knocked out of the field by a driver who only ran one or two or five races a season.
DEI lost more than gained
Q: Hi Tom. Wondering the real reason Steve Hmiel left DEI? I figured he wasn't gonna leave to be Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s spotter at HMS. Also, what's your take on the future of DEI? — Ron from Midlothian, Texas
A: Great question. Based on what Steve Hmiel said yesterday, it seems he didn't like his former team owner. When asked yesterday what he saw at Ganassi, Hmiel said, "First thing is I saw an owner at the race track. I saw an owner at the race track that wanted to boost his group a little bit. Things went along pretty quickly. There is a lot of comfort in not having too many bosses and there is a lot of comfort in having a boss that is standing right there watching what is going on." That to me is a pretty damning shot at Teresa Earnhardt. What's the future of DEI? I'm not an oracle, but if you look at what they've added vs. what they lost, they are worse off. They added Mark Martin, Aric Almirola, Regan Smith and the U.S. Army. They lost Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Eury Sr., Tony Eury Jr., Steve Hmiel and Budweiser. I just don't see them getting better as a result of the moves they made.
Chase makes its point
Q: What would the season standings look like without resetting the points for the Chase? — Ed from San Jose, Calif.
A: Thanks for joining us. Unofficially, under the old point system, Jeff Gordon would have a lead of almost 500 points over Jimmie Johnson, with no one else closer than 500 points.
Tires aren't an issue
Q: Hey Tom, happy Saturday! I know the Trucks had a caution on lap 30 to check tire wear. Do you know if the Cup series will do something similar on Sunday? Thanks! — Matthew from Cape Breton
A: Happy Saturday, to you, too! I'll double-check tomorrow morning, but so far I've not heard anything about a competition caution. The fact that tires aren't an issue in the truck race should help.
Dark qualifying, light racing
Q: Why does NASCAR have the drivers qualifying at night when the race will be run during the day? — Nick from Montgomery
A: Welcome to FOX. There's no real correlation in NASCAR between when qualifying is and when the race is. Atlanta is no exception in that regard. Besides, the race likely will end when it's all the way or at least mostly dark.
Hmiel's new deal
Q: Have you heard anything yet as to where Steve Hmiel is going to work? Just curious because I think he is a great person and hope he gets a position that he will be appreciated. — Marilyn from Rantoul, Ill.
A: A man with Steve Hmiel's talent never stays unemployed long. He's landed at Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, where he will be manager of competition.
Petty vs. Jarrett
Q: Happy Friday, Tom. I read where Kyle Petty said that if he falls out of the top 35, he would consider changing cars with Bobby Labonte next year. Since Bobby Labonte would have a more recent champion's provisional than Dale Jarrett, do you think Jarrett would reconsider running the first five races in 2008? — Mike
A: Happy Friday to you, too, bud. Honestly, my best guess is that Kyle Petty will stay in the top 35 in points for the rest of the season, so the discussion may be moot. And I think D.J.'s program is set, no matter what anyone else does.
HMS Bounty
Q: There's been a lot of speculation that even with the move, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will still not be as successful because of Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson being right there at the front. What are your thoughts on this? — Sarah from Boone, N.C.
A: That's a great question, and one that won't be answered until Earnhardt has been there for some period of time - 3-5 years most likely. I do not expect Earnhardt to be as good in his first year as he will be once he truly learns the team and has some real seat time there. I have no doubt he'll do very well. It just depends on how well.
Drug testing
Q: Hi Tom! A friend of mine who is a professional athletic trainer was talking about the Carl Edwards/Matt Kenseth flare-up and said that Edwards' sudden temper changes (such as those Jamie McMurray and Greg Biffle are reporting) sound similar to temper flare-ups in athletes who are taking steroids. I know Carl's a body builder; not to start anything here, but does NASCAR's drug testing policy (such as it is) cover testing for performance enhancers like steroids? — Jo from Rock Hill, S.C.
A: Hi, Jo! I will follow up with NASCAR and find out about the steroid testing. But I really think it was more like a perfect storm of Martinsville tempers and a year of frustration with his teammates. And as careful as drivers are about taking care of themselves now, I can't imagine any driver messing with steroids, which would be of dubious performance value anyway.
Ears burning
Q: DW described the Nascar garage as a "dysfunctional family" and Mark Martin called it a "high school". As a writer, how do you balance the humor/anger/name calling you encounter when doing an article? At times your ears must burn! — Paul from Vancouver British Columbia, Canada
A: Thanks for the question. When you travel the same group of intensely competitive people every week you hear everything - rumors about every vice you've ever heard of and a few you haven't. And some of the reporters are even worse gossips and rumor-mongers than the drivers and crews, which I hate. I take it all with a grain a salt and try to remember why I'm here - to serve you, our readers. When I'm on the job, that's what matters to me.
Edwards-Kenseth isn't over
Q: After the race, SPEED showed a little spat going on with Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth. What was that all about, and has it been resolved? — Jill from Princeton, Ill.
A: Welcome to FOX. Here's a link to my story on SPEEDTV.com that covers the Edwards-Kenseth feud. And, no, it's a long way from settled.
Blown opportunities
Q: Hello Tom, as we all know, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has had seven "major" engine problems in his No. 8 car this season. My question is... Have there been any other drivers (not teams) who have had that many motors blow up in one season? Also, what is the highest number of blown engines for 1 team in a season? — Carrie from Newaygo, Mich.
A: Thanks for the question. NASCAR doesn't keep any kind of stats on engine failures. I can tell you the only drivers with more DNFs than Earnhardt this season are Ward Burton, Dave Blaney, David Reutimann and Ryan Newman.
Reutimann move is good
Q: Why does Michael Waltrip Racing want to move David Reutimann out of the car at the end of the year when David is close to being in the top 35? — Sara from Slatington, Pa.
A: Good question. Actually, Reutimann isn't moving out of the 00 at the end of the year. He's moving after five races next year, all of which Dale Jarrett should make because of his past champion's provisional, even if his qualifying time isn't good enough. And if Jarrett makes all five of the first five races in 2008, there's a strong chance that by the time Reutimann moves into the No. 44, it'll be in the top 35 in owner points. I think this is a good move for all involved.
Delayed yellow
Q: Why was the caution not waved immediately when the No. 6 car was spun out between Turns 1 and 2 at Martinsville? Ragan was sitting right in the middle of the track. As they try to make everything safer, I'm surprised NASCAR would let them continue racing while he still sitting still in the middle of the turns. — Justin from Richmond, Va.
A: Excellent point. NASCAR should have thrown the caution immediately, just as they should have at Daytona when Clint Bowyer flipped coming out of Turn 4. NASCAR tries to have all races finish under the green flag, which is what they hoped was going to happen last Sunday at Martinsville. Still, I believe the yellow should have flown sooner.
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