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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Michigan 400 pit selections
Past races: Daytona | California | Las Vegas | Atlanta | Bristol | Martinsville | Texas | Phoenix | Talladega | Richmond | Darlington | All-Star Challenge | Charlotte | Dover | Pocono
Truex emotions
Q: I find it to be more than a coincidence that the 8 car and 1 car, performed almost identical before Jr's announcement to leave DEI, and now, Truex has had cars the past 3-4 weeks that have DOMINATED. Do you think Martin Truex Jr. is getting all the good equipment now that Jr. is leaving? — Justin from Waldorf, Md.
A: I think it's more likely a case of the whole No. 1 team has a huge chip on its shoulder about being ignored and disrespected in the whole Earnhardt saga. I think they simply have pulled together to work that much harder and more aggressively to show the world they can win, too.
Blown away
Q: I missed the first 49 laps of the race today and I am a Ryan Newman fan. Can you tell me what happened to him, why is he so far behind? — Janet from Ocoee, Fla.
A: Sure. He blew a tire, which wrapped itself up in his rear suspension. That necessitated a long pit stop that put him three laps down.
Bad to worse?
Q: Since the announcement of Dale Earnhardt Jr. signing up with Hendrick, has Teresa Earnhardt made any comments concering this matter, and will this make things worse between him and his stepmom? —
A: I've not seen any public comments from Teresa Earnhardt. I don't think signing with Hendrick is going to make things worse between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Teresa. Things are already terrible between them.
Racing harder than ever
Q: How will today's race play out with Hendrick's signing of Junior, and how will it affect Gordon, Johnson and Mears in the race? Will they help each other out this wekend since they are future teammates? — Thomas from Folsom, La.
A: Good question. But the answer is, it won't have any effect. Remember how hard Gordon and Johnson raced each other at Martinsville? These guys all want to win and will go all out to do so.
Slip, sliding away
Q: Larry McReynolds talked about the greasy conditions with triple-digit track temperatures. Are greasy conditions at all like racing on rain, and how to the drivers compensate for having no grip? — Chris from Latham, N.Y.
A: One of the main things drivers do is look for the place on the track that feels most comfortable and secure to them. If you watch closely, you can see drivers using different lines all over the track. And, yes, it's kind of like racing in the rain, though not as slippery.
Back to the future
Q: What was Hendrick Motorsports original name? I thought it was All-star something or other. Now, it will truely be an All-Star team in 2008. — Tom from Cincinnati, Ohio
A: Hi, Tom. Welcome back. The original name of Hendrick Motorsports was indeed All-Star Racing. The team's first sponsor back in 1984 was Northwestern Security Life, which paid the team $5,000 to sponsor driver Geoff Bodine.
Why Mears over Busch?
Q: I can't understand why Hendrick Motorsports would keep Casey Mears and not Kyle Busch? Is it the money? I'm sure that Busch would more than compensate Hendrick, as he has won more races than Mears in his career. — Wayne from Boynton Beach, Fla.
A: Thanks for the question. Obviously, a lot went into the decision for Busch to leave Hendrick, a decision both sides now say was mutual. If you read between the lines, it seems like team owner Rick Hendrick was miffed that Busch's former agent supposedly was talking with other teams even though Busch was under contract through the end of 2008. I think Mears will continue to improve with Hendrick, as he has shown in the last three races, where he earned his first victory and a fourth-place finish at Pocono.
Future of UPS
Q: Dale Jarrett is a great guy, but it seems that he's one of the slowest cars on the track this year. Do you think that UPS will start looking for a more competitive team to sponsor? — Tony from Riverton, Utah
A: Last year, UPS talked to virtually every top team before deciding to move their sponsorship to Michael Waltrip Racing. When they signed with MWR, there was no limit on the number of past champion's provisionals a driver could use, which meant UPS probably expected to make every race. Subsequently, NASCAR put in a limit of six past champion's provisionals per year, a limit Jarrett already has reached. My guess is that UPS is rethinking their strategy for next year, though I've not heard anything specific so far. But if Jarrett ends the year missing 12-15 races, common sense says UPS will go somewhere else, especially with archrival FedEx likely to make the Chase again with Denny Hamlin.
Kentucky to Cup?
Q: Tom, last night I was watching the lead-in to the Busch race at Kentucky, and once again, I heard the tired old argument that there was "no room at the inn" for another Cup race, that the schedule was full. It seems these media types don't follow NASCAR. If they did, they would know NASCAR has been trying for a couple of years to get a track built in Washington state and in Long Island, N.Y. Seems there would be room on the schedule for those tracks, would you agree? I only say that to show the "no-room-on-the-schedule" argument in no way rings true. — Mike from Hooks, Texas
A: Welcome to FOX. Right now, the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series races 38 times in 41 weeks, which is an unbelievably grueling schedule for the drivers, crewmembers and other people who work in the sport. If races are added at new tracks, other races most likely would come off the schedule somewhere else. I doubt you'll find anyone out there who travels every week who'd be in favor of adding another weekend to the schedule. As far as Kentucky Speedway, it's less than 100 miles from Indy and only about 200 from Talladega. On top of that, it's not a highly-populated area, like New York or Seattle. All of these things weigh against it getting a Cup date.
Intimidator and Wonder Boy tie
Q: Who do you think would win if you put Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart — the two drivers with the most championships today — against Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty — the two with the most championships all-time? — Jeremy from Mooresburg, Tenn.
A: Thanks for the question, even though it's impossible to answer. All four drivers who name are great champions and multiple title winners. Who would win the most if they all raced together? That's impossible to say, though if all four of them raced together in their respective primes with equal equipment, there's no way Earnhardt and Petty each have seven championships. If you forced me to choose, though, I'd say Earnhardt and Gordon would tie for the most championships.
Who's to blame?
Q: During practice, it seems David Gilliland did everything right. Tony Stewart is the idiot who had room on the inside and didn't use it. Remind him the brake is the one in the middle. What do you think? — Gene from Fontana, Calif.
A: Thanks for the observation. It's been my experience that most racers — and not just in NASCAR, but in many series — typically blame the other guy when there's contact. Stewart is no exception, certainly.
Can Kahne repeat?
Q: Can Kasey Kahne win again at Michigan? I think he can get the first win of the year if he is lucky. What do you think? — Sandra Dee from Washington
A: Welcome back. Honestly, I'd be really surprised if Kasey Kahne can win this weekend. He qualified 36th and was 24th in Happy Hour. I do believe Kahne will be a champion before his career is over, but he and the rest of his teammates at Evernham Motorsports have had a rough season this year from the very beginning.
How humidity affects teams
Q: Does high humidity come into play during races and how much will it affect the Michigan race? — Greg from Hartley, Iowa
A: Thanks for the question. In general, humidity doesn't play a huge factor in the outcome of races until it hits 100 percent — rain. Temperature and humidity changes have a minor impact in the power engines make, just as temperature and sunlight affects the level of grip that track surfaces have. But every team has such detailed notes now that they know how to react to weather changes.
Cup drivers not overpaid
Q: The general public knows what Alex Rodriguez, Peyton Manning and Tim Duncan get paid. How come NASCAR driver contracts are not disclosed? You've discussed how they are independent contractors so there aren't union records, but are they afraid of losing fans if we know how overpaid they are? Is the contract too complicated because of salary plus performance bonuses? Does NASCAR itself wish the fans to believe the drivers only take home the race winnings? Why no disclosure? — Leeray from Santa Cruz, Calif.
A: Welcome to FOX. You've sort of answered your own question already. NASCAR salaries aren't disclosed because there's no law or rule that requires it. NASCAR, which is privately owned by the France family, doesn't disclose how much money it makes, either. I don't know that NASCAR is worried about public perception if fans knew exactly how much each driver made. I will say this, though. Every Nextel Cup driver earns his money. The demands of racing 38 times in 41 weeks, coupled with all the testing, sponsor appearances, media attention, etc., takes a huge toll on drivers. Compared with other pro sports, Cup drivers are not overpaid, not by a long shot.
Secret agent
Q: Hi Tom! I was interested to hear Kyle Busch say on Friday that his agents hadn't kept him informed about what was going on in the negotiations with HMS and that he'd hired a new agent. How prevalent are agents in NASCAR? We rarely hear anything about them. Thanks and have a great weekend! — Jo from Rock Hill, S.C.
A: Hello, Jo! Virtually every driver nowadays has an agent. They have to. There are simply too many elements to be negotiated — pay, souvenir royalties, sponsor appearances, days of testing, etc. — to not have an agent. It appears, however, that Kyle Busch was not aware of what his now former agent was doing behind the scenes and fired him.
No chance at a trade
Q: Do you think Teresa Earnhardt would even consider trading the No. 8 for the No. 5, and how much value does the No. 8 haveto her? The 8 is Dale's number. However, I think Teresa would end up trying to show her muscle in this instance. — Jacob from Manhattan, Kan.
A: Thanks for the question, Jacob. I think the odds of Teresa Earnhardt trading the No. 8 for the No. 5 are roughly the same as the Boston Red Sox trading Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz and J.D. Drew to the New York Yankees for Jorge Posada.
Gustafson's staying
Q: What happens to Kyle Busch's crew chief on the No. 5 Alan Gustafson? I hope Roush scoops him up. He'll open the box to a bigger picture as a bright young crew chief. — Frank from Del Rio, Texas
A: I hate to burst your bubble, but here's what Gustafson had to say today about his 2008 plans: "I expect to be a crew chief for Hendrick Motorsports. But I will make a statement that I will be at Hendrick Motorsports next year regardless. I would rather sweep floors for Rick Hendrick than I would be a crew chief for somebody else."
Wimmer not in Michigan
Q: Scott Wimmer was on the original Nextel Cup entry list this week. Why didn't he go to Michigan? — Rex from Owensboro, Ky.
A: Welcome to Fox. I believe Wimmer was originally slated to drive a fourth Richard Childress Racing entry that the team decided not to race.
Terry over Bill
Q: It's been reported that Terry Labonte will drive the No. 55 at the two road course races this year. Won't he be given the champions provisional over Bill Elliott, since he won in 1996 compared to 1988? — Mike from Cincinnati, Ohio
A: Welcome back to FOX. Yes, you are correct. If Bill Elliott and Terry Labonte both are in a situation where they need a past-champion's provisional to make a race, Labonte would get it over Elliott because he is a more recent past champ.
Options for Kyle Busch
Q: Will Dale Earnhardt Jr. trade rides with Kyle Busch or where do you think Busch will go? — Jack from Vidor, Texas
A: Welcome to FOX! Kyle Busch will be highly sought after, without question. DEI certainly needs someone to replace Dale Earnhardt, Jr. If Penske Racing winds up campaigning a third car in 2008, they might have some interest in him. Richard Childress Racing is looking at adding a fourth car next year, and Childress has never been shy about aggressive personalities. He could wind up at a Toyota team, too.
Mega-merger OK with NASCAR
Q: What will NASCAR's response be to the New Alliance between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon? Won't it be ironic to see Junior fans booing Jeff Gordon, who will now be in the same stable? And could NASCAR have done anything to stop this move? This is like the Yankees buying everyone. Now we have the Yankees of NASCAR! — Al from Baltimore, Md.
A: Hello! NASCAR supports the move, as witnessed by a statement issued by NASCAR Chairman Brian France on Wednesday. "Today's announcement of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s move to Hendrick Motorsports is indeed an important announcement for this season and beyond, and it should be noted that high-profile partnerships have always been a part of NASCAR's competitive history. There have been so many great partnerships involving people of great character and ability. We're proud of what they have brought to our sport. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has always said that first and foremost, he wants to win a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series championship. We wish him the best of luck."
Opposites attract at Hendrick
Q: Why do you think so many people hate Jeff Gordon? Somebody had to win last week's race? Would there be this much havoc if Ryan Newman had won? People need to realize that Jeff has WON these races; NASCAR did not give them to him. — kraz424 from Queen Creek, Ariz.
A: Thanks for the question. The short answer to why people started hating Jeff Gordon in the mid-1990s is two-fold. First, he won an awful lot of races, beating the late Dale Earnhardt - NASCAR's most beloved driver at the time - in the process. Second, he's the opposite of Earnhardt in a lot of ways. Gordon is not Southern, he's not blue collar, etc. The irony is that Gordon and Earnhardt, while fierce competitors on the track, were friends and business partners off the track.
Stremme improving despite struggles
Q: What has happened to David Stremme these last couple of races? During the first 10 races, he was consistently staying in the top 15. The last three, he has dropped back in the standings and is having problems running near the front at all. — Michael from Mishawaka, Ind.
A: Glad you could be with us. David Stremme was 14th in points after Talladega. Since then, he was knocked out of the race in Richmond because of an accident and lost an engine at Darlington. He had a decent 17th-place run in the Coca-Cola 600, but arrived at Dover suffering from what was described as "flu-like" symptoms. There were also reports that he had elevated levels of carbon monoxide in his blood after he got out of his car late in the race and turned it over to Regan Smith. At Pocono, he was a so-so 23rd. He is now 22nd in points, but still much improved this year.
McMurray's Michigan bounce back
Q: As a Jamie McMurray fan, I'm frustrated by his performances of late. He seems to qualify well, but it doesn't translate into wins or top-5 finishes. What's the deal? — Jim from St. Catharines, Ontario
A: Welcome to FOX. McMurray said his team "totally missed the setup" at Pocono and then got bit on pit strategy, as he was all the way up to sixth, before having to stop on Lap 94 of the rain-shortened race. At Dover, six days earlier, he had a fast car, but the team failed to make the right adjustments in mid-race. The results were a 24th-place finish at Dover and 29th at Pocono. He'll be looking to rebound this weekend at Michigan, historically one of the best tracks for Roush Fenway Racing.
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