SPEEDTV.com's Tom Jensen is the former managing editor of National Speed Sport News earned the National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year Award in 1997.
Click here for Tom's columns.
Past races: Daytona | California | Las Vegas | Atlanta | Bristol | Martinsville | Texas | Phoenix
Gordon backlash
Q: Why is everyone in the crowd so disappointed with Jeff Gordon? He is racing his heart out and having a great season so what is the problem? — Kim from Kettering, Ohio
A: I think some of the frustration is just Hendrick domination. The team has six victories in nine races and many fans are sick of seeing them win week after week after week.
But let there be no mistake about this: The behavior of the Talladega crowd today was deplorable and I'm glad some of the hooligans were arrested.
Booing someone is fine. But throwing stuff is totally unacceptable.
Tony at time of caution
Q: If the field is frozen at the second yellow by video, the results are showing Tony Stewart far back. Shouldn't he be further to the front? The caution was called for wrecks farther back before he was wrecked. — Lucas from Jacksonville, Fla.
A: Honestly, I'm not sure where Tony was when the wreck happened because I was watching the leaders.
Plan for overdrive
Q: If they go extra laps, why don't they let everyone come in a get fuel? — Don from Windsor Ontario Canada
A: It's called strategy. Cautions and red flags are supposed to be unpredictable in terms of teams not knowing when they are coming. Teams have to make educated guesses about how far they can go on fuel and if everyone got to pit, it would take a lot of strategy out of the racing.
Red-flag finish
Q: Why do they throw red flags at some races for a green/white/checkered and not for others. My mom and I have been talking and she has seen them do both at Talladega. What needs to happen for them to throw the red? — Jenna from Greencastle, Ind.
A: Red flags occur in two instances: 1. If there is an extremely serious incident, one where someone is injured or the track damaged; and 2. If it's in a specified window at the end of the race to allow a green-white-checkered finish. The exact lap number is different at each track.
Overdrive
Q: Why did NASCAR wait to call the caution after Jeff Gordon passed Jamie McMurray? — Ronetta from Ravenna, Ohio
A: NASCAR threw the flag when they realized Reutimann was dropping oil, not when they realized Gordon was in the lead.
On his own
Q: Casey Mears holds 35th if Riggs finishes 26th or worse. Is this right? Assuming Riggs doesn't lead a lap? — David from Belleair Bluffs, Fla.
A: We'll have to wait until the owner points come out, but by my math, Mears likely will hold 35th. Riggs needs to finish 9th to pass Mears in owner points.
Lugnut glue
Q: Tom, it's great being able to ask you questions! The tire change during the race is done very fast - how are the lug bolts attached to the tire rim when the tire guy puts the tire back on the car? — Rick from Tampa, Fla.
A: The lugnuts are glued on with contact cement a couple of hours before the race.
Battery animation
Q: If the battery supplies power mainly to start the car, and the alternator takes over to keep the car powered up, why do teams replace the battery instead of the alternator when a car is low on power? — Kara from Greeneville, Tenn.
A: The battery is the power source, so it's what needs to be replaced.
No Gilliland pole
Q: Will David Gilliland be able to compete in the Bud Shootout after being tied for the pole and losing the tiebreaker? Also what will happen if the a race ends in a tie? — Tom from Cincinnati, Ohio
A: No. Gordon got the pole, but Gilliland won the Daytona 500 pole, so he's in anyway.
Fuel for thought
Q: Tom, they're using larger fuel cells at Talladega this race - do you think this is a possible cause of the early engine failures (higher RPM, longer period of time), or do you think it's other factors? If so, what do you think? — Craig from Fairless Hills, Pa.
A: It's not the fuel cells, but the unleaded fuel, which detonates if you don't retard ignition timing could be.
Camry power plants
Q: Hello Tom, could you please tell me what engines are the Toyota teams using? — Michael from Melbourne, Australia
A: 358-cubic-inch V-8s, just like everyone else. Toyota builds motors for Michael Waltrip Racing and Team Red Bull. Bill Davis Racing builds its own.
Pit selection
Q: When teams select their pits, especially the later teams, do they look at who would be pitting around them? — Glenn from Alberta, Canada
A: Yes, you want to make sure you're near teammates, if possible.
Crew chiefs cash in
Q: Tom, ballpark figure. What do the top-tier Cup crew chiefs make, 500k a year? — Kirk from Fayetteville, Ga.
A: The very best can make a little more than $1 million.
Racing against themselves
Q: The first 4 cars that did not qualify have speeds equal to or better than 30th. What beyond speed matters for a race that is not set by owners points and champions provisional? — Bob from San Diego
A: Thanks for the question. The top 35 in owner points, plus a past champion are all guaranteed spots in the field. The remaining cars are timed against each other for a spot in the race. At Talladega, 52 cars attempted to qualify, which meant 16 cars were racing each other for seven spots in the field. All that matters with the go-or-go-home cars is where they rank compared with each other. In theory, had the top seven qualifiers all been guys who had to qualify on speed, then someone else could have qualified eighth and missed the race.
Where's Junior going?
Q: Tom, there's not a second that goes by that someone isn't seeing if Dale Jr. and DEI are signing a new contract. Now, we have Robert Yates is talking to Teresa/DEI board members about him possibly selling his company to them. I saw Max Siegel, DEI president of Global Operations, and Kelley Earnhardt Elledge standing near Jr. after he got done with an interview about his qualifying lap. Could this come at a worst time for Jr.? I admit that I've been a Earnhardt fan since '83 and a fan of Jr. from day one. I don't care about who he drives for.(DEI would be fantastic) I just love watching him drive. So is Jr. at DEI, or driving for JR Motorsports? Every sponsor will follow him, and it's been DEI because he is the key driver that is keeping the doors open. — Mark from Hays, Kan.
A: Welcome to FOX. I've said this several times already, but I'm going to repeat it - loudly - so that everyone understands. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO CHANCE WHATSOVER THAT DALE EARNHARDT, JR. DRIVES FULL-TIME FOR JR. MOTORSPORTS IN THE CUP SERIES NEXT YEAR. No way, no how, isn't going to happen. No way, no how. Nada, zip, zilch. There are a blue zillion other scenarios out there, but Junior has no interest right now in doing a full-time Cup deal from scratch. Junior wants to win races now, not do a start-up deal, especially without owner points.
Why 43?
Q: I'm a totally new and excited fan of NASCAR. Why is the field of cars 43? Or drivers?
A: Great question. As recently as 1996, NASCAR's then Winston Cup Series ran races with eight different-sized fields over the year, from as few as 36 cars to as many as 43. The standard number of 42 was adopted in 1997, and a year later it was increased to 43 to allow for inclusion of a past champion. — Nick from Long Beach, Calif.
Fit to be tied
Q: Is this the first tie for the pole in NASCAR history? If not, when was the last time? — Mary from Matthews, Ind.:
A: Mary: Thanks for the question. I checked with NASCAR and they spent a lot of time yesterday researching your question. So far, they've not been able to find another tie for pole speed, though they continue to look into it.
Montoya vs. Stewart
Q: I was watching the Talladega Busch Series race Saturday. Earlier, JP Montoya was drafting with M. Wallace. In, what I perceive, as a rookie mistake (and inexperience), he bumped MW too hard and was warned by NASCAR. Can you tell me what the difference is between what JP Montoya did and what Tony Stewart did, making contact with Kyle Busch and David Gilliland? — Michelle from Del Rio, Texas:
Tom Jensen: It isn't so much that the incident was that much different, it's that NASCAR keeps a much closer look at rookies - and reprimands them when needed - than it does veterans. Even rookies like Montoya.
State of MWR
Q: Why is it that other Toyota teams perform so much better than MWR? What will UPS do now,that Jarrett used all his past champion starts? That's a lot of money spend not to have their car making the race. — Bob from West Chester, Pa.:
Tom Jensen: Thanks for the question. I don't think the other Toyota teams are performing so much better than MWR. Or at least not a lot better. At Team Red Bull, A.J. Allmendinger has only made two races, while Brian Vickers has made just four. Neither qualified for Talladega. Bill Davis Racing has a tremendous advantage over MWR because it was an established team, yet Jeremy Mayfield has made only three races and Dave Blaney missed the Talladega race.
The big thing is I think MWR tried to do too much too soon. They would have been better off starting with a one- or two-car team and building up to three or four cars. It was just too much to start out with.
Changing manufacturers
Q: How can Bobby Labonte race in a Chevy in the Busch race while he race in a Dodge for the Nextel Cup? — Tom from Cincinnati, Ohio:
Tom Jensen: Thanks for the question. It all depends on the contract Labonte has with Dodge. Some deals permit it, others don't. Some deals allow drivers to drive other makes in Busch or Trucks, but not Cup, others no crossover at all. Dodge fined Kyle Petty $45,000 in 2004 for serving as a relief driver for Kevin Harvick at Bristol.
Mark-ing down his schedule
Q: How do we find out what races Mark Martin will be in this year? Rumors had it he would be racing at Talladega. — Reggie from Oakland, Maine
A: Welcome to FOX! The best way is to check the team's website at www.ginnracing.com. There were lots of rumors that Martin would run the full schedule, but he isn't and he won't, though he could add a race or two this year.
Here's his Ginn Racing Cup schedule for 2007, according to GinnRacing.com:
Feb. 10 Bud Shootout @ Daytona
Feb. 18 Daytona 500
Feb. 25 California Speedway
March 11 Las Vegas Motor Speedway
March 18 Atlanta Motor Speedway
April 15 Texas Motor Speedway
April 21 Phoenix International Raceway
May 5 Richmond International Raceway
May 12 Darlington Raceway
May 19 Nextel All-Star Challenge
May 27 Cola-Cola 600
June 3 Dover International Speedway
June 10 Pocono Raceway
June 17 Michigan International Speedway
July 7 Daytona International Speedway
July 15 Chicagoland Speedway
July 29 Indianapolis Motor Speedway
August 19 Michigan International Speedway
Sept. 30 Kansas Speedway
Oct. 13 Lowe's Motor Speedway
Oct. 28 Atlanta Motor Speedway
Nov. 4 Texas Motor Speedway
Nov. 18 Homestead-Miami Speedway
Using caution in comments
Q: To me, all Tony Stewart said was what a lot of people have been thinking. Why was he called in by NASCAR and what are other drivers saying? — Doug from Hopkinsville, Ky.
A: That's an excellent question. I think Jeff Burton put it best yesterday, when he said, "I didn't agree with his comparison with the wrestling or with him saying NASCAR didn't run a fair race. I didn't agree with those things. The conversation about cautions I think is OK to have. I think that's a reasonable conversation to have." In other words, it's
perfectly acceptable to discuss the merits of whether or not NASCAR is throwing too many cautions.
What isn't OK is to openly question NASCAR's integrity, accuse them of deliberately manipulating race results and compare them to pro wrestling.
Plate change good
Q: Why in the heck do they continue to slow down the cars, changing the Busch plate this weekend? — Darlene from Fairbanks, Alaska
A: Thanks for the question, The NASCAR Busch Series has a lot of
young, relatively inexperienced drivers. They were going too fast in
practice Thursday for NASCAR's comfort level so they put on smaller plates,
which was a good move for safety.
Summer of '41
Q: What's wrong with the Target No. 41 car? Reed Sorenson's teammates, Juan Pablo Montoya and David Stremme, seem to be having good years. — Paul from Grants Pass
A: Let me answer this one as succinctly as possible: When he finishes races, Sorenson runs decently. He's had four finishes of 18th or better, which is more than Montoya has had and just one less than Stremme has. But here's the rub. He finished 43rd at Fontana and Bristol after being caught in wrecks, and 40th at Texas when he lost an engine. If he doesn't wreck or blow up, he runs just fine.
Is Gordon next Martin?
Q: Do you think that the deal that Mark Martin has will become an everyday thing? Those who only want to run certain races will be able to so in order they can spend more time with their family. Kathy from Nazareth, Pa.
A: Great question! Yes, if Mark Martin's part-time continues to work well, you'll see other guys try it. One driver who said at the start of the season that he would be watching Martin closely was Jeff Gordon. Not that Gordon's not going to retire or cutback soon, but he might down the road.
'Stupid' Stewart?
Q: With all the chatter about Tony not giving an interview after the last race, it seems that no one is remembering that Tony has been on the receiving end of penalties or long chats with the powers that be because he was too harsh with his words or behavior when he DID give an interview. Hey, I think he did the right thing. He knew enough to go chill out before talking with anyone. Can these drivers win with ANYTHING they do? Laurie from Wells River, Vt.
A: Here's what Tony had to say Friday morning: "You can't fix stupid a lot of times. I'm getting better about not saying stupid things at the wrong times, but I'm not totally cured yet." Click here for the complete story.
Impound schedule
Q: How will the practices work for the Nextel Cup series at Talladega? Will they have a practice for just qualifying or will it be two drafting practices? Danny from Sparks, Md.
A: The schedule at Talladega is rather unusual this weekend, with a one-hour practice session at 1:30 p.m. CST Friday, followed by "Happy Hour" for 50 minutes at 3:05 p.m. Qualifying is Saturday at 10:15 a.m., after which the cars will be impounded.
Change would do Nextel good
Q: A NASCAR spokesman recently was quoted as saying "... NASCAR will continue to protect the industry in any future attacks on our key partners." This statement of course is in regards to the AT&T lawsuit. My question to NASCAR is since when did a primary team sponsor become and enemy of the sport? Healthy teams equal a healthy NASCAR right? Steve from Toledo, Ohio
A: Here's my take on this situation. Nextel has been on the record as saying it is talking about whether the name of the Nextel Cup Series could change next year to reflect Sprint's ownership of Nextel. Personally, I think Sprint ought to go to NASCAR and allow Cingular to change its sponsorship of the No. 31 to AT&T. Such a move would be very popular with fans and show good sportsmanship.
Dale Day Sunday
Q: Do you know whose birthday it is this Sunday? Talladega was his second favorite track, next to his achilles heel "Daytona." Sherry from West Palm Beach, Fla.
A: Sunday would have been the late Dale Earnhardt's 56th birthday.
Silly Season starting
Q: Tom, if I am correct, Bobby Labonte signed a two-year deal with Richard Petty, and this is his final year. Is there any chance he re-signs with Petty Enterprises? Glenn from Atlanta, Ga.
A: Glenn, from everything I've heard, Bobby Labonte is very happy at Petty Enterprises. Now, there's a tremendous shortage of talent in the garage, and a guy of Labonte's ability level — who is a past champion — is going to be in high demand. Pretty soon, you're going to see Silly Season starting, and you're going to be surprised by some of the names you're going to be seeing in the mix.
Dodge's Talladega turnaround
Q: Tom, what's wrong with the Dodges this year? They just can't seem to get it together. Can they turn it around at Talladega? Chris from Houston, Texas
A: Thanks for the question. The problem with the Dodge teams isn't just one thing, but a series of things. The new nose on the Charger worked great in the wind tunnel, but on the track, not so much. Some believe that Dodge's Nextel Cup support in terms of dollars and R&D is considerably less than what's doled out by GM, Ford & Toyota.
As far as this week's race, I think the Dodge teams might just do well in Talladega. In the Daytona 500 earlier this year, Kurt Busch led the most laps and three Dodges finished in the top seven.
Hendrick Motorsports momentum
Q: Do you think Hendrick Motorsports can continue its domination over the rest of the field at Talladega, and do you think Jeff Gordon is racing with a renewed passion, which we probably have not seen since the 2001 season? John from Pottsville, Pa.
A: Going back to Daytona, the Hendrick Chevys had what probably was their worst race of the season, but since then, they've been on fire, so they could be again at Talladega. As far as Jeff Gordon goes, I absolutely see a fire and a passion in him that I haven't in quite a while. His intensity right now is full on.
Transition from tomorrow to today
Q: What adjustments, if any, will drivers need to make going from the Car of Tomorrow at Phoenix to the Car of Yesterday at Talladega? Bobby from Texarkana, Texas
A: From what the drivers have told me, it only takes two to three laps to get up to speed, figuratively and literally, when switching back and forth and the cars.
Majority report
Q: Do you honestly think Teresa Earnhardt is going to give Dale Earnhardt Jr. the majority of the company? I hope so, but I don't think she is going to be that easy about it. Bill from Ontario, Canada
A: That's a tough one, and I go back and forth on it a lot. I spent two hours at a luncheon with Earnhardt Jr. yesterday, and he said he hoped a deal could be struck. But he was also careful to say that there was nothing new to report. He has a tremendous sense of loyalty to the employees and crew at DEI. If he didn't, he'd be gone already.
In the end, though, I think Teresa will have to strike a deal that will give him majority control if she wants to keep him. He badly wants to win races regularly and doesn't think that will happen unless things change and he controls DEI's destiny. That said, there's literally dozens of ways it could be structured.
Tony to media: It's a privilege
Q: Why doesn't the media try this? Don't even attempt to talk to Tony Stewart after a race. Ignore him completely! Do you think he would care? I know I wouldn't! Barbara from Columbus, Ohio:
A: According to USA Today, here's what Tony had to say about speaking with the media after a race: "The thing with the media is they think it's our obligation to do those things," Stewart said. "It's a privilege that they get to (talk to us). That's the way it's always been. Maybe it is in some of these other guys' contracts, but it is not in my contract that says I have to go do any interviews after the race is over." Draw your own conclusions.
Racing for respect
Q: I am not a Jeff Gordon fan or even a Chevy fan. I was just wondering now that Jeff has proved he is as good as Dale, do you think all of the Earnhardt fans will finally get over it and show him the same respect they think Dale Earnhardt is worthy of? Keith from Ypsilanti, Mich.
A: You're never going to win over every fan, and there always be folks who dislike some drivers. But at a press conference Tuesday, I asked Dale Jr. about Gordon carrying the No. 3 flag after winning Saturday in Phoenix, and here's what he said: "Basically, when you win a race, its all about you at that moment. You won, you're happy, youre excited, you're the best of the best. And he (Gordon) decided to split that down the middle 50-50 and give my father some respect and take half of his moment and give it to my dad. I thought that was really classy. If you think about it, they obviously had that planned, and I was sure if they had any amount of class, which I knew they did, that they would do something or say something. Jeff's been in the sport a long time and knows good and well that acknowledgement or respect is a big deal."
Winning strategy
Q: WHY should the car running FIRST be penalized for HAVING to slow down and the 2nd-place car thats in the pits gets basically a "free stop" without being FROZEN as the field is supposed to be? Dara from Skullbone, Tenn.
A: Dara, that's a great question, but the field was frozen. Tony Stewart had the lead when the field was frozen, but Jeff Gordon pitted beforehand. It's called strategy. Tony Stewart had the lead but had to come into the pits afterward to make his final stop. That's why Gordon took over the lead.
Showing his respect
Q: What is wrong the No. 24 team? NASCAR gives him the race, and then Jeff Gordon and his crew disgrace Dale Earnhardt Sr. by carrying the No. 3 flag around as if to say I tied No. 3, and the next one, I'll go ahead. Sharn from Bristol
A: I don't know what race you were watching, but Tony Stewart sure didn't give Jeff Gordon the race. They had a tremendous battle. As far as carrying around the Dale Earnhardt flag, he did that with Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s approval because he wanted to make sure that people understood it was a sign of respect to Dale Earnhardt Sr. who was one of his fiercest rivals but a close friend off the track. In fact, if you watch, the first person in victory lane after Gordon pulled in to congratulate him was Dale Earnhardt Jr., who was genuinely excited. So I would say there's no issue there at all.
Tony doesn't talk
Q: I was just wondering what Tony Stewart's reaction was at Phoenix. He ran a hell of a race against Jeff Gordon, and then when he was asked for an interview, he declined. Do you know what he could have been thinking after the race? Andy from Houston, Texas
A:: Well, Andy, we're all wondering what Tony Stewart's reaction was after Phoenix because he wouldn't talk to any of us. But Tony is a very intense and passionate competitor, and he was afraid that he was going to lose his temper and decided it was better to just go sit in his motorhome and chill out for a while. That's what he did.
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