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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Dover pit selections
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Bright idea
Q: OK, I've been to many races, my comment is, with all the technology, sometimes the sun or shadows obscure the lights showing if pit road is open or not. It is easy to miss the official with the flag (blending in with all the other stuff on pit road). Why cant there be some type of HOOD or even a guard that will illuminate RED or GREEN? It's not high tech, but I think it could make it easier to see. — Shawna from Martin, Tenn.
A: Not a bad idea!
'Monster' better than 'Magic'
Q: First, thanks for reading & commenting :) question- do you find races like this race and last week where ONE car blasted everyone on the track boring? i know i do. who wants to watch when there are only 5 cars on the lead lap and the same 2 or 3 guys have dominated all day. makes it EXTREMELY boring and dull for fans of the other 35 or so cars. *yawn* — Shawma from Martin, Tenn.
A: To me, this has been a much more interesting race than New Hampshire. Yes, two guys have dominated, but there have been a lot of interesting sub-plots - the flat tires, the crashes, things that have a real impact on the championship. New Hampshire and Bristol were boring, but this one has some stuff going on.
Waiting for Raines' penalty
Q: Hey Tom, Why wasnt Tony Raines fined or suspended for his actions yesterday in the Busch race? This was very similar to Robby Gordon's actions at Montreal. — Matthew
A: I'm sure NASCAR will announce a penalty for Raines on Tuesday. Wonder if they'll do anything to Gordon, who is on probation.
Lucky Burton
Q: Talk about LUCKY. Good god, Jeff burton got two lucky dogs, one was for debris? Sounds fishy. Just like every time Johnson or Gordon needed one last year, they should thank their "lucky" star. I think the reason Tony Stewart didn't get a penalty is because Paul Menard not only blocked him in, he cost him spots. And I did love Carl Edwards' comment about Gordon will get his. — Shawna from Martin
A: I hear ya! At least they showed the debris this time.
Dover needs 43rd stall
Q: Hey Tom, I know you can't answer this -- or you can't without risking retribution. But why NASCAR lets Dover Downs get by with the worst and most unsafe pit road on the circuit is beyond me. It's almost criminal. — JohnJohn from Overbrook Kan.
A: I agree. NASCAR should do something about the Dover pit road.
Why no Tony penalty
Q: Again Tony Stewart has intentionally run into someone, under caution, no penalty. He continually gets away with it. How does this happen? — Linda from Florida
A: I'm as baffled by it as you are.
No 1.5-mile tracks in '08
Q: Hey Tom, Why has there been no COT races held at a 1.5 mile track yet? Does NASCAR Figure they have enough testing done or do they just want to mess everyone up next year? — Matthew
A: The COT was not scheduled to run on the 1.5-mile tracks until 2009, because NASCAR thought the 1.5-mile tracks would be the toughest for the car. That timetable has been moved up and the COT will run all the races in 2008.
The wait is over
Q: Hi Tom. Now that Dale Jr. and HMS has announced the new number and sponsor for the '08 car when will we start seeing new merchandise on the shelves and at the track? — Joey from McAlester, Okla.
A: Thanks. It's available to pre-order now at www.jrmotorsport.com
Will Stewart race for Harvick?
Q: Maybe I missed any announcements on this subject, but will Tony Stewart drive any races for Kevin Harvick in the whatever-the-new-name-for-Busch Series next year? — Joe from Louisville, Ga.
A: I've not heard anything one way or another, but my guess is that Joe Gibbs Racing moving to Toyota is going to complicate matters.
Wood Brothers 2008 plans
Q: Any news about what Ken Schrader will be doing next year? Thanks to Schrader graciously stepping aside for a past champion and then a good break with Ginn folding teams, they are back in the Top 35. Now, they have Ken back in the car, but for Kansas, they are going to run Jon Wood and Bill Elliott. And now they are going to run multiple drivers again next year even after all the problems this year. — Andrew from Port Hope, Ontario, Canada
A: The Wood Brothers are still working on plans for next season, and it looks like they may run multiple drivers again next season, which means Schrader could be in the mix.
Rookie of the year class for 2008
Q: Welcome. Other than Jon Wood and Dario Franchitti, who will be a Sprint Cup rookie next year? — Diego from Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
A: In addition to the drivers you mentioned, Regan Smith will run for ROTY honors next year and so will Jacques Villeneuve, assuming all goes well the rest of this year in his ARCA/NCTS program. Scott Speed is an outside possibility, too.
Kvapil steps up
Q: Hello Tom, what do you think of last night's Truck winner Travis Kvapil at the Cup level with Yates? I can't wait to see Kvapil in the No. 28. I know he will prove that he can compete at this level. Who will his sponsor be? — Carguy from Kvapil City/Janesville, Wis.
A: Travis Kvapil has proven he can run well in good equipment, and with Yates essentially running Roush cars next year, the team should improve, "should" being the operative word. As far as I know, Yates has no sponsors for next year and I'm hearing Citifinancial may leave the team's Busch program as well, so they definitely need some financial muscle.
Busch Series needs changes
Q: Tom, Matt Kenseth is 11th in the Busch Series standings with 10 fewer starts than the rest of the top 10. Is that what is wrong with the series? How close are they to a sponsorship? Do you feel changes will be made to level the field more to a Busch Series driver only format with a new sponsor? Plus, if they change to a Mustang and Camaro race car, it may help keep the Cup drivers out and eliminate the learning curve they can get from racing on Saturday. Thanks for being a voice of the fans! — Don from Summer Set, S.D.
A: Thanks for the questions and the kind words. NASCAR is working very hard to find a new sponsor for the Busch Series, but NASCAR officials twice in recent weeks have told me they are prepared to race without a title sponsor next year, if necessary. I do think NASCAR needs to make big changes in the series to make sure it is unique and not just "Cup Lite." And that's why the new cars will be a huge step in the right direction.
Crew chiefs make memories
Q: Hi Tom! Given the Roy McCauley and Tony Eury Jr. moves, I'm wondering how much information a crew chief is allowed to take with him when he moves from one team to another. Can he take his notes and testing notebooks, or are they considered proprietary? When a crew chief like Eury Jr. is already working with crew chiefs at his new organization, how can a non-compete clause be enforced anyway? Would it be different if an executive like Steve Hmiel or Eric Warren switched teams? Thanks and keep up the good work! — Jo from Rock Hill, S.C.
A: Hello and happy weekend, Jo! Most of what a crew chief takes with him is between his ears - the accumulated knowledge he gained for however long he was employed at his last stop. I'm sure anything written down is proprietary, but most of these guys have pretty good memories for what they did that worked, if you get my drift. And even though the cars are more alike than ever, it's not as simple as plugging in a setup from one team into that of another.
Gordon will grow
Q: What is going on at Robby Gordon Motorsports? Crew chiefs leave? What about 2008 sponsors, and will RGM merge or expand somehow? — T Fair from Stamford, Conn.
A: Thanks for the question, T Fair. Robby Gordon has told me several times that his goal is to eventually become a four-car team and at one point last year, he almost bought Robert Yates out. I suspect he'll add another car, if not next year then certainly by '09.
International overrated?
Q: Why hasn't NASCAR been able to develop the internationality of F1, CART, and IRL? Although next year, there's gonna be a Colombian (Montoya), Scot (Franchitti), Tasmanian (Ambrose), and (possibly) a Quebecer (Villeneuve), Noofie (Tracy), and Brit (Wheldon), still, that barely sizes up to the other series. — Diego from Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
A: Glad you could join us. NASCAR has let others have the internationality, opting instead to go after things some of the other series don't have, such as paying sponsors, big fields, full schedules, etc. Better to run a 38-race schedule with 43 fully-funded cars in all races, instead of a 15-race schedule, with 16 or 18 mostly unsponsored cars.
Getting lead out OK
Q: I wonder how much of the DEI engine problems have been due to unleaded gasoline? What have other teams with failed engines said? — Kelly from Americus, Ga.
A: Welcome. So far, I've not heard a single team blame unleaded fuel for their engine failures.
Practice imperfect
Q: How come they are not showing all of the Cup practices? It seems to me ever since they went to ESPN, they have stopped showing a lot of the Cup practices. Why is that? Thank you for giving us fans a place to try to get some of our questions answered. I sure appreciate it! Have a great weekend! — Patti from Elgin, Texas
A: Great question. I guess auto racing just doesn't rate as high to ESPN as college football does. Let me correct that - I guess NASCAR fans don't rate as high to ESPN as college football fans do.
Wait and see
Q: Since Lisa Smokstad is the tire specialist for the No. 25 team, will she be the tire specialist in 2008 for Dale Earnhardt Jr.? — Chris from Latham, N.Y.
A: I asked a Hendrick official your question last weekend and he said to the best of his knowledge, no decision had been made, pending her return from maternity leave.
Nothing certain about Yates
Q: Hey, Tom, I'm fairly sure of the answer to this, but do you know for sure that Yates will be bringing back the No. 28? You stated a couple weeks ago that they had no more controlling interest in it, but could there be other numbers they are looking at? Also, when will Joey Logano be moved up to Busch full-time? After all, he's about to wrap up the Busch East title I believe. I'd appreciate any feedback and enjoy your column! — CJ from Murfreesboro, Tenn.
A: Thanks for the questions. Do I know FOR SURE that Yates will be bringing back the No. 28? No. I don't know for sure anything about that team. I thought I knew for sure that they had merged with Newman/Haas/Lanigan in late July, when the team announced the deal and said it already had taken effect. They even had Yates/Newman/Haas/Lanigan crew shirts, but it turns out the deal hadn't closed after all and Yates pulled out. What had been publicly announced as a completed transaction, had in fact only gone as far as a letter of intent. Remember, this is a team that pulled out of at least four deals late in the game, including one with Robby Gordon last year on the morning that Robert was to sign the papers to sell the team to Gordon. So, anything can happen with these guys. All I know for sure is that both Rick Hendrick and Kelley Earnhardt Elledge said Wednesday that Yates was going to run the No. 28. "We're thankful that they thought enough of us to work something out with us where they could bring the No. 28 back to the racetrack, and we could carry on the legacy of the No. 88," said Earnhardt Elledge. As far as Logano, here's what he had to say Friday: "I'll get in a Busch car next year. I've got to wait until I turn 18, which is May 24. I'll probably get some Busch East Series races in at the beginning of the year, and then we'll see what we have when I turn 18. I'm just learning all I can right now so that when I turn 18 I'm ready to go Busch racing."
Roush to find sponsors for Yates
Q: Was wanting to know if you had heard anything about any possible sponsorship replacing M&Ms for David Gilliland and the No. 38 team for next year? — Steven from Bon Aqua, Tenn.
A: Good question. I've not heard anything at all about a replacement sponsor for the No. 38. I will say this, though — sponsor duties are being taken over by Roush Fenway Racing. If anyone can find sponsors for them, they can.
More Silly Season news
Q: Hello, Tom, love your column here! My question is any word on where Coors Light is heading? I heard about M&M's working towards Kyle Busch and didn't know if Coors was close to a deal. I've heard them rumored to DEI for Regan Smith, but I've also heard J.C. Penney's as well. Also, what about Michael Waltrip Racing's sponsors? Are any of them heading out the door as well? Also, when is Reed Sorenson's contract up with Ganassi and could he be heading elsewhere? Thanks for the time! — Dillon from San Fran, Calif.
A: Welcome. Most of the deals you allude to are being sorted out as we speak, though I've heard Coors Light likely will end up at DEI. David Reutimann said today that his No. 00 sponsorship is not set for next year, and although he has a contract offer on the table from MWR, he's not sure where he'll be next season. Waltrip has said NAPA and UPS are solid, but like everything else you hear this time of year, take it with a grain of salt unless and until it happens. I believe Sorenson's deal is for three years, which is standard, though most driver contracts have provisions allowing the owners to opt out under certain conditions.
Plate superpowers
Q: Hi Tom, Over the past three or four years, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have been rivals at Daytona and Talladega. What do you think happens at Talladega this year and all the plate races from here on out? Gordon and Junior work together? Or will it be a back-and-forth rivalry? — Aisha from Pembroke Pines, Fla.
A: Thanks for the question. I think Gordon and Earnhardt will work together up until the end of the race, when it becomes every man for himself. I suspect each man will do fine in plate races.
DEI exodus?
Q: Hello Tom, Do you think more DEI employees will move to Hendrick? Especially key people Steve Hmiel, Richie Gilmore, etc. — Saif from Orlando, Fla.
A: Hello and welcome to the weekend. I don't know anything specific about Hmiel or Gilmore, but yes, I do expect DEI to lose quite a few people to Hendrick.
M&M's on the move
Q: Hey Tom. With all the talk this week about Kasey Kahne and Dale Jr., what does the future hold for Elliott Sadler? Is there still talk about M&Ms coming back or is he sticking with Dodge? — Mathew
A: Glad you can join us. It looks like M&M's is going to sponsor Kyle Busch at Joe Gibbs Racing next season. Elliott Sadler is staying at Gillett Evernham Motorsports, likely with Dodge sponsorship.
Kahne keeps on in Busch
Q: How is Kasey Kahne's new relationship with Budweiser going to affect his ability to run non-Cup races that he has enjoyed running in the past? — Mindy from North Dakota
A: Hello, there. To the best of my knowledge, Kasey will still run a few non-Cup races here and there.
The next No. 8?
Q: I wondered if Jeffrey Earnhardt was going to be racing in the Busc) Series next year. I believe he is 18. Get him started in the Busch in the No. 8 so he can work up to Cup in the No. 8. I'm sure that is why Teresa would not let the number go to Hendrick Motorsports. — Marilyn from Rantoul, Ill.
A: The last I heard, the plan was for DEI to run Jeffrey Earnhardt in eight Busch Series races next year, so he can run for rookie of the year in 2009.
Dale Jr. back in Busch
Q: Will we see Dale Earnhardt Jr. compete in other races, such as the 24 Hours at Daytona, and more Busch (or whatever it will be called) series races next year since he wont have Budweiser as a sponsor? And will Kasey Kahne be affected in how many non-Cup races he can run? — Jacob from Manhattan, Kansas
A: Thanks for the question. I'm sure Dale Earnhardt Jr. will run some non-Sprint Cup races next season, including in the Busch Series, but I don't think he has his entire schedule set yet. As far as just the Busch Series, he's expected to do seven races next year.
Yates changes to express train
Q: What happened to the Yates Newman/Haas merger? Did Doug Yates feel there was no benefit? — Jason from Dallas
A: Good question. Doug Yates's explanation was that N/H/L wasn't moving fast enough for them. And I think Roush Fenway Racing can offer more help and sooner. Basically, Roush is going to build the cars and provide sponsor and marketing support.
Suiting up
Q: Do the drivers, crews and other staff buy their own firesuits/uniforms, or do the sponsors or team owners purchase them? — Chris from Alabama
A: Welcome to FOX. I'm sure there are exceptions, but most teams provide either the uniforms themselves or a uniform subsidy.
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