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.
Click here for Tom's columns.
Chicagoland pit selections
Past races: Daytona | California | Las Vegas | Atlanta | Bristol | Martinsville | Texas | Phoenix | Talladega | Richmond | Darlington | All-Star Challenge | Charlotte | Dover | Pocono | Michigan | Michigan | Sonoma | Loudon | Daytona
Rebuilding for next year
Q: I am absolutely dumbfounded about Kasey Kahne's performance this year. Last year, the winningest of all Cup drivers, and this year, he only had two top 10's? Can you shed any light on this situation? I try to watch every race, and I don't hear this even being discussed? — Mike from Nashville, Tenn.
A: Ray Evernham said the team is trying to focus all its R&D efforts on the COT for 2008 and beyond. They've had a horrible year, but I think they'll rebound strongly next season.
Nemechek looking for a ride
Q: First off, the race is boring. All this race is follow the leader. It looks to me like the problems at Ginn Racing could begin first with Mark Martin. His Chevy team that he is so blessed to race for seems to be falling way behind. I think Mark should step out of that car and give it back to Joe Nemechek. It's not fair how Joe is being treated at Ginn. Why is there so much talk about selling the No. 13 car? What would happen to Joe? — Ronetta from Ravenna, Ohio
A: Nemechek is looking for a ride next year.
Navy and National Guard?
Q: Would having the National Guard as Junior's sponsor conflict with the Navy sponsor in the Busch Series? I think that was a reason Mark Martin couldn't race a couple races with Jr., isnt it? — Jake from Manhattan, Kan.
A: I doubt the National Guard will sponsor Junior, in fact it's almost certain that it won't so it's a moot point.
Clean sweep
Q: In the Chicago race today, why were there so many laps under yellow when the No. 66 car spun out? — Joel from Denver, Colo.
A: It was to sweep the track clean, since it had green since the start.
Bud back to the top 10
Q: Tom, great forum. I saw a commentator on TV this past week say something I found hard to believe. They stated that Budweiser wasn't even in the top 10 of all NASCAR sponsors as far as the amount of money they were putting towards a race team. Is that true? — Johnny from Columbia, S.C.
A: I can't prove that, but I don't believe it. I guarantee you they will be next year.
Better racing with age
Q: Tom, when this track was new, the drivers had to run the bottom since the "high" groove had no grip. It made for very boring racing.That does not seen to be the case now. Can you tells us what has changed and why? — Dave from Ukiah, Calif.
A: The surface has worn out over seven years. As it wears down, the groove widens out, and the racing gets better.
Smaller teams land big fish?
Q: When Jr. said he was leaving DEI all the rumors said Hendrick, Gibbs, and Roush. Now with Busch, it's the same big names. Have other smaller teams like Petty, for example, tried to hire these "free agent" racers? — Todd from Fort Eustis, Va.
A: Petty scored a coup when they signed former champ Bobby Labonte a couple of years back. Could something like that happen again? Sure. I don't expect it, but it's possible.
Midwest madness
Q: If he has the chance, will Jeff Gordon take out Matt Kenseth this year like he did last year? — Wade from Taylor, Texas
A: You know, we had fireworks here last year and could have again, but I doubt it'll be the same people involved.
Cereal to stay?
Q: I hear everybody talking about Bud, but what's going to happen with Kellogg's since Dale Earnhardt Jr. is getting a new sponsor at Hendrick Motorsports? — Danny from Burbank, Calif. and Q: Since Kyle Busch is leaving the No. 5, does Kellogg's/Carquest go with Kyle or stay with Hendrick? — Dylan from Malden, Mo.
A: Thanks for the questions, which I'm going to answer together. Honestly, I'd be shocked if Kellogg's and Carquest go with Kyle Busch, I really would. I think it's possible that Casey Mears could move to the No. 5 with Kellogg's and Carquest, and Junior move to the No. 25, with a new sponsor. Now that's just conjecture at this point — nothing official — but it could be a way to make the situation work, as the National Guard sponsorship on the No. 25 is a year-to-year deal.
Older drivers out of luck
Q: Have the demographics of the sport really changed so much that sponsors shy away from decent middle-aged guys like Mike Skinner or Kenny Wallace, who can't even get a sniff at driving a car like the DEI No. 8? I'm middle-aged and can't stand the big egos and me-me-me attitude that young drivers like Kyle Busch get. Why do sponsors put up with it? — Bill from Phoenix, Arizona
A: Greetings to you in Phoenix! Sadly, recent history has shown that middle-aged guys are totally out of luck when it comes to getting good rides. You'd think sponsors would want classy guys who appreciate sponsorships and maybe that will change in the future. I've been told that some of Hendrick's sponsors were none too happy with young Mr. Busch, and the team might have made a change, even if Earnhardt had not become available.
New number likely
Q: If owners have to petition NASCAR every year for their numbers, then why can't HMS just ask NASCAR for the No. 8 instead of paying DEI for the number since DEI doesn't own the number anyway? — Dick from New Philadelphia, Ohio
A: Welcome to FOX. The petitioning is really little more than a formality. As I said yesterday, with a new team and a new sponsor, a new number seems more likely.
Team equals 80 percent
Q>: Approximately what percentage is the driver as compared to his car and equipment responsible for a Nextel Cup win? — Fritz from Oshkosh, Wis.
A: Wow, tough question. There are three elements that make up how well a driver finishes each race - team, equipment and driver - and all three are critical. You can't win if you have weakness in any of those areas. I would say team comes first, because with the team comes good equipment, a great crew, proper strategy, etc. I would put the driver at about 20 percent, with the team being the remainder. Remember, all it takes is one lost lug nut or bad pit call to cost a team a victory. Let's put it this way - how fast the driver runs is largely dependent on the driver and to a lesser extent the equipment, because if you're with a good team, you'll have good equipment. But how well a driver finishes depends on the team.
Bud under contract, but...
Q: Is Bud under contract with DEI for 2008? — Tom from Cincinnati, Ohio
A: Welcome back, it's going to be a great day for racing. Yes, Bud is under contract with DEI for 2008. That said, all sponsor contracts contain "out" clauses that allow sponsors to terminate the agreements. Obviously, those contracts are private, but my guess is that Dale Earnhardt Jr. leaving the team would trigger an out clause.
Jeffrey to the No. 8?
Q: If Dale Earnhardt Jr. is unable to take the No. 8 to Hendrick Motorsports, why can't DEI use that number for Jeffrey since it belonged to his great-grandfather. That way, it will stay on an Earnhardt car. — Mary Lou from Harrisburg, Pa.
A: Great point. DEI might well do that, assuming Jeffrey progresses to the Nextel Cup level.
Kahne not to the No. 8
Q: Is there any chance of Kasey Kahne driving the No. 8 car next year? I heard he has a 2 1/2-year contract with Evernham, but I've heard a lot of things. — Morgan from Concord, N.H.
A: Thanks for the question. "Myself, I'm with Ray Evernham for 2008, and whatever he decides to do, that's a good deal. I'm behind him." Those words came from Kasey Kahne himself Friday morning when he met with a handful of reporters, including myself. DEI sources told me they called Kahne's agent and was told he had an iron clad, long-term contract.
Team have tough drug tests
Q: All of this drug testing for drivers has gotten me to thinking. I wouldn't want anyone working on my car testing positive on a drug test. Do the pit crews and crew chiefs ever get tested? Does anyone who works on a race car get drug tested? — Alison from Flint, Mich.
A: Great question. NASCAR has the right to test crew chiefs, crew members, etc., whenever they want. But NASCAR does not publicly announce who they've tested and when they've tested them so we don't know. It's also important to note that the vast majority of race teams have their own drug-testing policies, which — in some cases — are even more rigorous than NASCAR's. Some teams even drug-test their summer interns.
End of the road for CMS?
Q: Why isn't there NASCAR racing at the Chicago track in downtown Chicago/Cicero? — Robert from Margate, Fla.
A: Welcome to FOX. As far as I know, Chicago Motor Speedway ceased operations after the 2002 season and part of the grandstands already have been torn down.
Top 35 at top of cycle
Q: Why doesn't NASCAR realize how may fans are angered by the qualifying system? I am a big fans of Vickers, Allmendinger, Mayfield and a couple of other go-or-go homers, and these guys are running 180s and missing the race while 178s are making it. I don't call that a race. I call that a ripoff. Wasn't this started by a 2004 incident with Scott Riggs, where he and his sponsors missed he race while an unsponsored Todd Bodine made it? If so, doesn't NASCAR feel for guys like Red Bull and UPS who constantly watch their cars make good, fast runs and miss the race as much as they did for Valvoline? — Diego from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
A: Welcome to FOX. NASCAR doesn't "feel" for any one team or others. I just spent about five minutes in the garage with Nextel Cup Director John Darby, talking about potentially changing the top 35 and here's what he told me, using a hypothetical 50 cars entered for 43 spots in the field: "It doesn't matter what system we use. Even if we qualify all 43 cars (on speed), seven cars are going to go home. So seven teams are going to say, 'Well, we've got to do something different.' It doesn't matter - the old system, the top 35 system. At the end of that, somebody's going home. What we know about our sport is over time, it always cycles. You get to the top of the cycle where we're at now, yeah, you can argue that there are too many deer in the forest. The leaves on the trees are evaporating too fast. You could do that. But over time, it will come back. It will build, it will come back."
Perception isn't everything
Q: I hate to keep talking about him, but I need to get it off my chest! Do you think that Kyle Busch is ruining his reputation and any possible fans that wanted to jump on board of his amazing talent and capability with his attitude lately? — Amber from Visalia, Calif.
A: Here's what Kyle had to say. Judge for yourself. "My perception has been horrible since I came into this sport, so it doesn't really even matter any more."
The next Earnhardt
Q: A friend recently told me that the late Dale Earnhardt has a grandson entering the racing arena. Would this be one of Kerry Earnhardt's sons? If so, what can you tell us about him? P.S. Your "Answer Man" column is the most informative available. I always go to it first. — Steve from Ellenton, Fla.
A: You are correct, sir. Jeffrey Earnhardt is Kerry's son and Dale's grandson. He is 18 and signed to a driver development deal with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. which you can read here: http://www.daleearnhardtinc.com/content/news/default.aspx?StoryID=1838 From everything I've heard, he's a phenomenal talent.
08 for Junior?
Q: Is it possible that Dale Earnhardt Jr. could race using the number 08 next year? How does it work considering there is a 7 and and 07, a 1 and and 01? Does it matter now that we know he will not be racing with Bud as a sponsor? — Alex from Los Angeles, Calif.
A: Thanks for the question. In theory, sure Junior could use 08. Hendrick Motorsports would have to petition NASCAR for its use. I've not heard anything about them doing that, though. My guess is with a new team and a new sponsor, a new number might be in order, too.
Kahne's a Bud-ding star?
Q: Since Budweiser will not go With Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Hendrick Motorsports, which team will Budweiser sign with in 2008? Also, which corporate sponsor will be on the hood of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s car as the primary sponsor? — Chris from Latham, N.Y.
A: Thanks for the question. The betting line right now is that Bud goes to Kasey Kahne and Evernham, and that Junior gets sponsored by a Pepsi brand or brands. But that's all educated speculation right now. A lot could still happen.
Camera equals exposure
Q: After hearing about Robby Gordon's penalty with a camera mount, can teams refuse to put cameras and mikes in the cars? Also, after so many instances of brodcasters listening in on drivers as they drive and hear objectionable language by accident, drivers and teams are fined for rude hand gestures and cussing when they listen in. — Paul from Va. Beach, Va.
A: Excellent question. Yes, the teams can refuse cameras, but they almost never would because it's extra exposure for their sponsors — every camera shot, it seems has a nearby sponsor name. And sponsor exposure is what it's all about.
Missing the show costs money
Q: Tom, do sponsors like UPS get any kind of compensation from the car owner when their drivers don't make a race? It seems like the sponsors put out all this money and get nothing to show for it if the drivers don't make a race. — Bob from West Chester, Pa.
A: Another good question. Yes, every sponsor contract has specific types of relief built in for teams failing to make races, but there are any manner of variations — sponsor withholds future payments, team rebates payments already made, sponsor gets x number of additional races for free, etc. But rest assured, sponsors who shell out $15-$20 million a year do contractually protect themselves. They'd be fools not to.
Merch madness
Q: I think that whoever said that it's Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s fault for Motorsports Authentics $15-20 million loss is way off base. Just think about this. I stopped bying Jr. stuff because I'm waiting for new colors and a new number. Sales are going to skyrocket next year. So stop the hurt talk about Jr. The sea of green, blue or whatever will make millions next year. What do you think? — Allan from the Monster Mile
A: Welcome to FOX. I would say you are correct and so are the folks at Motorsports Authentics, who said that about half their loss — not all of it, just half — was due to a slowdown in Dale Earnhardt, Jr. merchandise sales. It's true — Junior's merchandise sales are way off right now and will be for the rest of the year, because most people don't want his Bud stuff when new gear will be available for 2008. And, yes, I expect a huge sales surge early next season.
Bright idea
Q: Tom, has anyone ever complained about the drivers wearing sunglasses while being interviewed on TV? I have seen Dale Jr. put on a pair to do the interview then take them off afterwords. The only one that I see remove them is Carl Edwards. Do the racers not know it is impolite, sleezy and just plain rude to wear them while being interviewed or am I the only one that sees it this way? — Paul from LaPlata, Md.
A: Impolite, Sleazy and Just Plain Rude? Weren't they three of Snow White's Dwarfs? Just kidding ... yes, the sunglass thing is rude. But to my mind not half as rude and disrespectful as the driver/girlfriend or wife hugging and groping that goes on during the National Anthem. That is REALLY annoying. Anyway, the reason drivers wear sunglasses is because they have sunglass endorsement deals and the sunglass makers pay them to wear them.
Weekend detention
Q: Tom, NASCAR took a 'hard line' stand on banning suspended crew chiefs from the track property. Has this really changed anything? With computers and cell phones, the crew chiefs can still communicate with their teams, making the new rule all horn and no driveshaft. — Sally from Daison, Mich.
A: I have to give a shout out to my loving wife, who came up with what I thought was a brilliant solution for suspended NASCAR crew chiefs - put them in detention. Set up a room at NASCAR's R&D Center in Concord, N.C. and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, make each crew chief sit in there. They can have TV piped in, but no cell phones, Blackberrys, iPhones, e-mail or anything else. Just like high-school detention. That said, I do think making the crew chiefs stay home is a step in the right direction because not being there hurts the team, even with modern communications.
Busch on Gordon's blow-off
Q: Tom, I can understand that the media on Saturday night focused on Kyle Busch's accusations that he was odd man out at Hendrick now. I'm assuming the other drivers left the track too quickly for reporters to follow up. But why were the stories being written on Sunday and Monday still printing only Kyle's side of the story? Is it that hard to get a team or driver to respond away from the track? I'm just wondering why the media is playing this as such a one-sided story; do editors push those choices? (And P.S. to Kyle--if you look at the race tape, Jeff Gordon didn't "blow you off" on pit road--he was in mid-sentence of a TV interview as you sped past, and he gave you a thumbs-up over his shoulder as he kept talking. That's not dissing, that's professionalism, buddy...) — Jo from Rock Hill, S.C.
A: As always, it's great to hear from you. Your question doesn't have a simple, easy answer. Much of it has to do with deadlines. The race was over late Saturday night — too late to meet deadlines for most daily newspapers, especially those on the East Coast. So some of the stories you read on Monday actually were written in the wee hours of Sunday morning, but too late to make the Sunday paper.
And, yes, sometimes it is that hard to get drivers the next day, especially after Saturday night races. They leave the track and fly back home as soon as they can after the race, and we're still at the track writing for several hours. On Saturday, for example, I worked at Daytona pretty much continuously from 9 a.m until 2 a.m. Sunday morning, which makes for a long, long day.
I e-mailed Hendrick's PR department around 10 a.m. Sunday about the incident, and they had no comment about it except to state that Busch would, in fact, continue to be welcome in team meetings. And since we knew Gordon was going to be on NASCAR's teleconference Tuesday, that was going to be the media's chance to ask about it.
For the record, here's what he said: "I think he (Kyle Busch) is a great talent. I think that was a little bit of frustration from, you know, I think he had such a great car and a shot at winning that race. You know, I think that, you know, if he was driving my car he'd understand that I didn't really have the opportunity to get down there and help him as easily as it may have looked.
"My car just didn't work good all night on the bottom groove. I had to stay up top. So there wasn't really much I could do for him. And I will admit there were some times throughout the race where I felt like he could have helped me, I could have helped him, and that did not work out.
"But I'm moving forward from that, and that happens all the time. Every time you're at a restrictor plate race, whether it's your teammates or other guys out there. And after the race I was doing an interview, he came by and kind of grabbed me on the shoulder and said, "Good race," or something, and I gave him a thumbs up. So I'm not exactly sure where that came from on the blowing him off.
"But I'm obviously, a huge supporter of that 5 team and what they're doing. And you know, we've got a lot of things that are going to happen this year also moving forward. It's only in our best interest to work together and make the best of the situation. You know, I've just got to guess that the heat of the moment, that maybe Kyle said some things that maybe he wished he hadn't. But yeah, I love racing with him, and I look forward to working with him the rest of the year as best I can."
Click here for the complete Gordon teleconference Q&A
Hamlin-Stewart revisited
Q: How is a wreck your fault if you are leading the race and no one is in front of you? Unless you slam on your brakes IT'S NOT! A true teammate would not drive his car into the back of his own team member at the exit of a corner when you know he is already loose. There's no whining in NASCAR! — Chris from Livermore, Calif.
A: Welcome to FOX. As I said during the race, there was blame on both sides. Hamlin's car was starting to get squirrely, and he should have let Stewart past him. On the other hand, there's no real excuse for hitting your own teammate from behind, especially that early in the race. And there's certainly no excuse for throwing you teammate under the bus, either.
Roush catching Hendrick?
Q: Has Rick Hendrick's domination ended? His team won races 3 through 6 and 8 through 12, but hasn't won since race 14 (4 races). Has HMS's luck turned foul since then or will they return when the New Car returns at Bristol for 7 of the final 13 races? — Diego from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
A: Your question is one all of us want to know the answer to. Yes, Hendrick hasn't won in four races, but they had 3 cars in the top 10 at Michigan, 2 in the top 10 at Sonoma, and 2 in the top 5 at New Hampshire and Daytona, including the runners-up in both races. It's not like Hendrick has suddenly fallen off the face of the earth, especially when you consider Jeff Gordon's 277-point lead — and that's after a 100-point penalty. But if Roush continues to show improvement, it will spice up the title fight.
Can't change rules mid-stream
Q: In reading your answers as to why a number of cars did not get to qualify because of the rain, you said that NASCAR can't change rules in the middle of a qualifying session or the middle of a season. How can DEI's suspended crew chief be allowed at the track and then Hendrick Motorsports' suspended crew chiefs are not allowed? — Pat from West Newton, Mass.
A: Thanks for the question. What I said at the Pepsi 400 is "You can't just change rules in the middle of the race weekend, because while guys like Boris Said, Jeremy Mayfield and Michael Waltrip got the short end of the stick at Daytona yesterday when qualifying was rained out, other drivers, including Brian Vickers benefited."
The reason NASCAR changed its policy about suspended crew chiefs is that so many people, fans and media alike, complained that crew chiefs sitting outside the track in their motor homes defeated the spirit of suspension and hurt NASCAR's credibility.
Single-file restarts
Q: Why were the restarts during Saturday night's race at Daytona run in single file? I do not remember seeing that before (I know towards the end of a race, it is done to allow the leaders to race on a "clean" track). It had me confused. — Bill from Hatfield, Pa.
A: Greetings. Restarts are run single-file when all the cars are on the lead lap, or there are fewer than 10 laps to go.
Both sides have their say
Q: Hi Tom, I am a serious fan from Canada and was going to go to a racing event that is being held at a track called Riverside Speedway, www.riversidespeedway.ca, and the biggest and main attraction was that Bill Elliott. He was going to be the main star of this race. Since mid-May or almost June, the Web site was talking about how great it is that a NASCAR star is going to be at the track and promote this racetrack. He was making all the news. Bill still is since he wi'' now not race here. A quote that he sent to the track owner was, "There is no way I am going to Nova Scotia to race that weekend. Now stop bugging me." How can a NASCAR legend that I adore so much make such a huge disappointment for the 5000+ people in attendance, the race sponsor and then IWK Children's Hospital that was the main sponsor to this racing event? Thank you. — Matthew from Sydney, Nova Scotia
A: So far, all we've heard is the track operator's allegations. I'll try to speak with Bill Elliott at the track this weekend and see what he has to say. Before doing that, I certainly would not take a side in this fight, because I don't know whether there was ever an agreement for Elliott to be there in the first place.
Here is Bill Elliott's statement, released Thursday: "I steadfastly deny that there was ever a final contract, spoken or written, in which I agreed to both attend and compete in the event at the Riverside International Speedway. Riverside International Speedway officials contacted my representatives in April 2007 to gauge my interest in competing in this event. Race officials sent a lengthy appearance schedule in conjunction with the event. Although my family and I strongly considered attending the event, on May 15th we communicated to race officials that we were leaning against attending, due in large part to the excessive amount of travel time the commitment would involve."
"Speedway and event officials were notified in writing on June 5th, 2007 that I had declined their offer to participate in the event. My family and I are disappointed that speedway and event officials continue to portray us in a negative light as a result of this matter."
|
