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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New Hampshire pit selections
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Crew vs. car chief
Q: Tom, what are the different roles played by the crew chief and car chief? — Kenny from Fremont, Calif.
A: It varies from team to team, but in general, a crew chief is the boss and makes pit calls, setup changes and other strategic and tactical decisions. A car chief is responsible for preparing the car and making sure it's the way the crew chief and driver want it.
Toyota to win this year
Q: Since Toyota got its first pole this weekend, do you think it could lead up to some other major things, like getting better finishes and maybe even winning a race(s) in the near future? — Chris from Harriman, Tenn.
A: I expect Toyota will win a race before the year is over. They have strong engines and they are getting their COT programs together.
Hornish and Wheldon to NASCAR?
Q: Hey, Tom, I hear Dan Wheldon is very interested in NASCAR. Is there a possibility of him being behind the wheel of a Ganassi car next year? Also, Kyle Busch is talking to Ganassi as well, and Ganassi has said he will not be adding a fourth team so who could be on the chopping block if he does get Wheldon and/or Busch with his Nextel Cup team? Plus, any update on how much Sam Hornish is considering Nextel as well? — CJ from Smithville, Tenn.
A: Hornish almost certainly will be in a Penske Cup car next year and Wheldon could be in a Ganassi car. Who would be out at Ganassi? Not Montoya!
Crew chiefs in the crowd?
Q: Thanks, Tom! Separate question for you. I heard on one broadcast network say that Chad Knaus and Steve Letarte are at Loudon in the coach lot (as is Tony Eury Jr.) and another report that they are back in N.C. Can you let us know whether the "suspended" chiefs are there or not, and where they are if they are there? — Jo from Rock Hill, S.C.
A: Knaus and Letarte are here, but I'm not sure where exactly. Eury is on the hill overlooking the backstretch.
Stay tuned for Robby's second team
Q: It has been said that Robby Gordon is going to add a second team next year? Who do you think will be some of the drivers that might step into the second car? — Bill from Pleasant Grove, Utah
A: Thanks for stopping by. Robby Gordon very much wants to add a second car next year and eventually grow to a full four-car team to compete with the big boys. To be honest, in all the Silly Season talk in the garage, I've not heard any names yet, but I'll try to run something down in Daytona next week.
Working in the box
Q: I would hope that everyone down on crew chiefs for pushing the limits know that they are doing just what they are being paid for. I wouldn't want a crew chief who thinks, "If i try this or that, I will get caught so I just won't try anymore." The day that happens, all the other teams will pass you by. What are your thoughts? — Mitchell from Monroe, N.C.
A: Welcome. Well, you ask a complicated question, because it's clear that with the Car of Tomorrow, the rules are changing. When you talk to crew chiefs, they talk about "working in a box," an area of creativity that they historically were allowed to play in. That box has shrunk dramatically in the last decade and is in the process of shrinking more, now that NASCAR has introduced the COT. Where it will end up remains to be seen, though I hope we don't end up with IROC.
Cheating defined
Q: Tom, I don't know if I am correct with all the facts, as I am sure you will correct me if I am not, but if NASCAR finds a problem with the car during inspection, don't they give you a chance to correct it and then roll through the process again? If I remember correctly, the No. 8 car at Darlington had already passed his initial inspection and practiced when his rear spoiler infraction was discovered. Why did NASCAR not give the 24 and 48 time to repair the cars and send them back through the process again? Also, what is your definition of C-H-E-A-T-I-N-G? Some cars are allowed to fix their infractions, and some are not. I feel like I am feeling some hate for the best team in NASCAR. Waiting for your response. — Scubba Steve from Ellerbe, N.C.
A: Hello. I have no hate for Hendrick or any other team, although I hate it when teams get caught breaking the rules and make excuses for it. Last weekend, I asked NASCAR the very question you are asking me: Why were the 24/48 teams not allowed to go back and fix the car and then go through inspection again? What I was told was that had it been the "old" car, Hendrick would have been allowed to go back and fix the cars without a problem. But the COT is being regulated differently and much more closely than the old car. The teams were told repeatedly that they were not under any circumstances to touch the bodies - in template areas or not. They knew they weren't supposed to alter the bodies, yet they did. And that to me qualifies as C-H-E-A-T-I-N-G - doing something you were specifically told not to do for the sole purpose of gaining a performance advantage. Not everyone sees it the same way I do, but that's what makes America great. We all get to have our own opinions.
No problem parking unprepared drivers
Q: Hi Tom from humid S.C.! Question for you about how NASCAR approves new drivers to race at the Busch or Cup levels. After watching Steve Wallace wreck in almost every race by making mistakes that are clearly based on inexperience, I'm wondering whether NASCAR would ever say to his team, "Hey, he's not ready to be here yet (as I think they did to one of the Yates rookies last year)"? Or does a famous last name outweigh the dangers he causes on the track? — Jo from Rock Hill, S.C.
A: Hi, Jo! Still hot back home, eh? It's cool up here today. Anyway, on to your question. Although I'm quick to criticize NASCAR when I think they do something wrong, I applaud them on their heightened commitment to safety in recent years. I honestly believe that if NASCAR thinks any driver, regardless of name, isn't ready to race at a specific track, they'd have no hesitation in telling that driver to stay home.
Ratchet up penalties for repeat offenders
Q: I understand why Steve Letarte only got a six-week suspension, but why did Chad Knaus? He has cheated numerous times before. Does NASCAR have some kind of rule where if you cheat so many times, you are suspended for a long time, or do they just continue to let them cheat? — Tanisha from Indianapolis, Ind.
A: Thanks for your excellent question. NASCAR talks from time to time about ratcheting up penalties for repeat offenders, but it has no formal policy in place and its philosophy changes from time to time. As I've written many, many times this year, NASCAR ought to have in its rule book specific penalties for specific offenses. Instead, NASCAR rules on every situation individually, which only fosters talk of favoritism and prejudicial rules for or against specific teams and individuals. Considering Chad Knaus has been caught cheating about as often as Erica Kane on "All My Children," I'm frankly surprised NASCAR gave Knaus and Letarte identical penalties.
House arrest for cheaters?
Q: Why are crew chiefs that are suspended allowed to be at the racetrack, just not in the garage, or even be allowed to be in the shop? If they are suspended, they should have no contact with the race team while on suspension. — Mary Lou from Harrisburg, Pa.
A: Philosophically, I agree with you, but practically, it would be hard to do. Suspended crew chiefs ought to be put on the NASCAR equivalent of house arrest, but instead are simply banned from NASCAR events. I think it's mostly an issue of enforcement. There's no way for NASCAR to police people away from the track, so they don't try.
Change will do Dale good
Q: In your opinion, do you think that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will achieve his goal of winning a championship with HMS? Also, will Tony Eury Jr. go with him, or will Alan Gustafson be his crew chief? — Mary from The Dalles, Oregon
A: Welcome to FOX. Yes, I think Dale Earnhardt Jr. will win a NASCAR Nextel Cup championship with Hendrick Motorsports. But whether it takes one year or 10 remains to be seen. If you look at some of the drivers who've changed teams in recent years, few of them have immediately starting running markedly better when moving to a new team. Casey Mears is a good example of that this year.
Serious braking issue for the No. 2
Q: Why was Kurt Busch allowed to fix his brakes before qualifying? He was scheduled to go out 2 and went out like 30-something. What is the deal? — Cauri from Gettysburg, Pa.
A: Thanks for joining us. Teams are allowed to work on their cars and make adjustments and repairs prior to qualifying. Busch's car suffered a serious braking problem, resulting in his car unexpectedly shooting up the track when he applied the brakes. His team wanted to make sure it was ready to go before he attempted to qualify.
Only one team at fault Friday
Q: Tom, I heard from someone at the track that as many as 17 cars failed pre-qualifying inspection Friday, including the No. 2 car which was allowed to fix its brake problem. So tell me again why they are being allowed to fix their issue and qualify for the race while Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon were not allowed to qualify even though they fixed the fenders on their COT's last week? — Tanya from Palatka, Fla.
A: Sorry to have to tell you this, but, no, 17 cars did not fail pre-qualifying inspection at Loudon. In fact, NASCAR officials said it went exceptionally smoothly, with no serious issues. One (Team Red Bull No. 83 of driver Brian Vickers) failed post-qualifying inspection yesterday and was sent home. The reason Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon were not allowed to qualify is because their team, Hendrick Motorsports, got caught cheating. Say it with me. C-H-E-A-T-I-N-G. The team deliberately and illegally modified the bodies of the Nos. 24 and 48 and got caught by NASCAR. Jeff Meendering is the interim crew chief on the No. 24, and Ron Malec is the interim crew chief on the No. 48.
Removing car from equation
Q: With NASCAR aggressively strict regarding the COT experimentation, where is NASCAR heading? To Indy car? Why doesn't NASCAR just issue the whole car and get rid of the creativity of the individual team? I don't think this will help ratings because homogenizing racing is a bad idea. Let the cream rise to the top! — Pat from Columbus, Ind.
A: Thanks for the question. NASCAR wants to totally eliminate the car from the competitive equation as far as who win races. They want the car to be a non-factor and instead have races won on the basis of driving ability, pit strategy, etc. - I don't agree with that for a whole host of reasons, but that's what they want.
Holding it down
Q: I know the hoods are held down by four hood pins, but what holds the trunk lid down? — David from Huntsville, Ala.
A: Welcome. Two trunk pins and two hinges hold the trunk of a NASCAR Nextel Cup car down.
Who's in No. 5 Busch car?
Q: Is Kyle Busch leaving HMS all together, or is he still going to drive the Busch car? If not, who will be in that no. 5 Busch car? Dale Jr has a Busch car. — Barry from Ephrata, Pa.
A: Welcome. Yes, Kyle Busch is leaving Hendrick altogether. No word yet on who will drive the No. 5 Hendrick Busch car. That's one of many details remaining to be resolved.
Vickers penalized without points
Q: I know the whole top 35 thing, but other than that I want to know why Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson can break rules and yet 1/8th of an inch is miscalculated and Brian Vickers is sent packing? I find that a little hard to believe. I think NASCAR should rethink its penalties. If someone makes a mistake and messes with the car, they should get kicked out, no matter where they are in the owner points. — Jackie from Boca Raton, Fla.
A: Welcome and thanks for summing up the feeling of so many people who've e-mailed us. It's unbelievable to me that whether or not a team gets sent home for breaking the rules is based solely on owner points. Have enough points, and you skate; don't have enough, well, tough luck, pal. That's like saying a defendant who can afford a good lawyer should walk away from a criminal charge while the poor schlub who has to use a public defender should be forced to serve time. It's absurd.
Parking Musgrave
Q: I see that Ted Musgrave has been parked for one race due to his on track behavior. Why does NASCAR punish him but overlook Cup Series drivers for the same type of behavior? Case in point, Tony Stewart ran Matt Kenseth onto the grass at the 2006 Daytona 500. In a Busch race in 2006 at Michigan, Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrecked Carol Edwards on the last lap to win the race. In both instances, drivers could have been seriously injured or killed. — Chris from Opelika, Ala.
A: Thanks for the question. NASCAR punishes Ted Musgrave and not Tony Stewart because they can. Period. They are judge, jury and executioner all in one. Personally, I think NASCAR is scared of alienating - and losing - big money sponsors in the Nextel Cup Series, which is why they hand out wrist slaps there and throw the books at guys in the lower series.
Bonus penalty points
Q: No matter what happens, the No. 24 and No. 48 still have 40 bonus points, and they will be on top so they lose nothing. Should NASCAR start taking away bonus points? — Ken from New Paltz, N.Y.
A: That's a good question and one we'll know the answer to better in six weeks than we do right now. I really think these penalties don't have much effect in terms of the season now. I wonder if NASCAR will penalize as many contending teams once the Chase for the Nextel Cup is here and keeping score really matters.
Ginn seeking sponsors
Q: Why do Joe Nemechek and Sterling Marlin not have sponsors this week? Is it a money issue, or is it out of respect to someone, as they are both driving black cars? — Ellen from McHenry, Ill.
A: Welcome to FOX. he answer is very simple. The team is trying to illustrate that it needs sponsors for some races in the second half of the season on the two cars or in the NASCAR vernacular, it has "available inventory" in the form of unsold primary sponsorships for the remainder of 2007. Team spokesman David Ferroni said normally the team would simply run Ginn Resorts logos on the car, but by keeping them sponsor-free, it tells all the would-be backers out there that there is room at the inn – or at least on the hood and the fenders at Ginn Racing right now.
Plate update
Q: Does New Hampshire International Speedway still run restrictor plates because the death of Adam Petty? If not, why not? — Austin from Heber, Utah
A: Glad you asked. No, New Hampshire International Speedway does not use restrictor plates. The introduction of SAFER barriers has eliminated the need for restrictor plates at NHIS, a track that arguably never needed them in the first place. They were added as a safety measure while the deaths of Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin were investigated.
Why no parking?
Q: Included with the money and the points, why can't NASCAR tell Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson to 'sit down and enjoy the race'? Make them physically sit and watch a race. This should make them plenty mad and maybe their teams would straighten up. This would set a good example for other drivers also. — Lola from Lewiston, Idaho
A: Welcome to FOX. A NASCAR spokesman was asked Friday at Infineon Raceway what it would take for a driver to be actually parked for an entire weekend. His answer was a very vague, "We're not there yet." I was shocked that NASCAR didn't park Michael Waltrip for doctoring his fuel at Daytona. If they didn't do that then, they sure weren't going to do it to Gordon and Johnson for flared fenders.
Repeat offender?
Q: Can you tell me how many times Chad Knaus has been caught and fined for pushing the gray area, or as some call, it trying to cheat? — Debbie from Georgia
A: Thanks for the question. To the best of my recollection, this is Knaus's third suspension, the first coming in 2001, when he was working at Melling Racing and earned a two-week suspension for using an alleged out-of-date seatbelt. Suspension No. 2 came following Daytona 500 qualifying in 2006, when Johnson's Chevrolet was found to have a movable rear window. Knaus was also busted at Daytona in July 2002 for using offset suspension mounting bolts on Johnson's car. That offense resulted in points and monetary fines, but not a suspension.
Playing by the rules
Q: What is it with Juan Pablo Montoya getting away with being an absolute lost soul on the track? So far this year, the only way he can produce anything is to wreck everyone else. At Sonoma, he should have been black-flagged for his conduct on the track. If NASCAR is this hungry to turn their back on his deeds, then this is not a sport. Is this the course of NASCAR? Or are they going to start treating all drivers the same? — David from Las Vegas
A: Glad you could join us. We must not have been watching the same race on Sunday, because I didn't see Montoya do anything on the track that I thought was out of bounds.
Not Ginn-a happen
Q: Hey Tom, have you heard the rumor about Aric Almirola going to Ginn Racing next year as Mark Martin's protege'? I, for one, hope he does. It's kind of a slap in the face to Rockwell, the whole Gibbs organization. What can you say? The guy is ticked off and Gibbs just may lose a great future driver. — Chad from Mansfield, Pa.
A: Yes, I've heard the rumor about Almirola going to Ginn, but I'd be surprised if it happened. J.D. Gibbs made it pretty clear Sunday that his team has made a tremendous investment in Almirola. "Really, for us, he is a huge part of our future," Gibbs said at Sonoma on Sunday morning before the Cup race. "We have invested a lot in him both time wise and financially but more importantly, just getting to know him. No one wants him to succeed more than us. He is a perfect fit all the way around to race here for JGR and will be in this sport for years to come."
Not leaving Loudon
Q: Do you think New Hampshire could lose one of its races to put another race on the Nextel Cup schedule? — Ryan from Forest Hill, Md.
A: Excellent question. There have been rumors for many years that New Hampshire might be sold and, if so, one of the dates being moved. But track owner Bob Bahre, one of the real gentlemen of the sport, has said that as long as he's alive, he's keeping the track and that means both dates would stay there.
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