A lifelong gearhead, Tom Jensen reports on automobiles and auto racing for SPEEDTV.com.
Jensen has been writing about both topics for more than 15 years and is the former managing editor of National Speed Sport News.
He is the recipient of the 1997 National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year Award and numerous other journalism awards.
Jensen's latest book is "Cheating: An Inside Look At The Bad Things Good NASCAR Nextel Cup Racers Do In Pursuit Of Speed."
Click here for Tom Jensen's columns.
Past races: Daytona | California | Las Vegas | Atlanta | Bristol | Martinsville
Beatin' and bangin' former open wheelers
Nicolai from Denmark: I would just point out that half down the backstretch Tony Stewart forced Montoya down the racetrack like he did with the #17 car during last year's Daytona 500. Was Montoya just gave Tony a taste of his own medicine.
Tom Jensen: No question, Stewart and Montoya were both beating on each other.
Trouble ahead
Mindy from Maquoketa, Iowa: Dale Jr was slowing down and Kyle Busch needs to watch he's doing and watch in front of him. Why didn't he slow down?
Tom Jensen: My guess is Kyle Busch was looking ahead, trying to figure which way to go, and simply missed seeing Earnhardt.
Hendrick points performance
Joshua from Somerset, Ky.: If Hendrick Motorsports wins this race, could the momentum cause us to see a 1,2,3 points finish at the end of the season? Or will a drop off like we did when Roush had all five cars in the chase a couple of years ago.
Tom Jensen: This race won't affect how Hendrick's drivers finish in the points. That will be determined in the Chase. I don't see them finishing 1-2-3 in any event.
Business is picking up
John from Tacoma, Wash.: This race is boring. TMS should have been a Supersleepaway. What is your opinion?
Tom Jensen: The race just got a whole lot more interesting. We'll see how it finishes.
Junior's to lose
Mike from Burbank, Ill.: With more than half of the race over, who do you think has the best chance to become a repeat winner at Texas?
Tom Jensen: Junior clearly looks like he has the best chance to be a repeat winner.
Confident Hendrick
Jon from Mulvane, Kan.: Do you think Hendrick Motorsports has the advantage to win 5 in a row from winning the last 4 races?
Tom Jensen: Sure, Hendrick has an advantage — confidence. They expect to win every time out and as a result make great clutch decisions.
Dale Jr. to Yates?
Joe from Warren, Ohio: If Dale doesn't receive his control of DEI don't take for granted he's going with any of the Chevy teams, one trusted source said to me that Yates may in fact sell his team to Dale or Yates's son may sell Dale controlling interest in the team. Hey, we all no Yates motors are far better then either Chevy motor, so what a chance for Ford to gain back some lost ground, and finally give Roush a little competition.
Tom Jensen: Thanks for the observation. Late last season, Robert Yates told us he was contemplating selling his team, but I've not heard any talk about that this year. Still, it's a long season, and we've seen a lot of surprise in the last few years so who knows what could happen down the road?
Only one Busch to the back
Mary Anne from Panama City, Fla.: Why doesn't Kurt Busch have to start at the back (like Robby Gordon) when he wrecked his car? It's a new engine. So what's the difference?
Tom Jensen: Hello! Kurt Busch doesn't have to start in back because NASCAR rules say if you crash prior to qualifying, you don't need to go to the back of the field.
Junior's future
Dan from Wilmington, N.C.: If Jr. leaves DEI, which do you think is more likely: JR Motorsports fields its first Cup car or Dale signs with Childress, keeps the Bud sponsor and drives the No. 3? Any early ideas who would drive the vacant No. 8?
Tom Jensen: Thanks for the question. Understand that this is purely speculation, but if Dale Earnhardt, Jr. leaves DEI, he most likely would go to RCR. There's absolutely no way he'd jump into a JR Motorsports start-up Cup team with no owner points. As far as who would drive the No. 8, I wouldn't even hazard a guess right now, as it's way too early in the season.
Kenny in, Ward out
Scott from Sheboygan, Wisconsin: Why did Kenny Wallace make the race and not Ward Burton who is higher in owners points?
Tom Jensen: After the California race, Morgan-McClure Motorsports and James Finch struck a deal to trade owner points with the No. 4 and 09 cars. The deal meant that Ward Burton would make the field if there was a rainout in one of the first five races of the season, when the field was set on 2006 owner points. But because of when the timing of the change was made — after the second race of the season — the No. 4 is considered to have fewer qualifying attempts than Wallace. And in case of a rainout, the field is set by top 35 in owner points, then race winners from the prior year, past champions and qualifying attempts.
Elliott to MWR?
Marilyn from Rantoul, Ill.: I thought when NASCAR changed the amount of provisionals a driver/team could have that it was a total of six. If Dale Jarrett uses all of his, doesn't that mean he used all of the teams also? They surely couldn't put Bill Elliott in the car, could they?
Tom Jensen: Welcome to FOX. Just to clarify for everyone. The RUMOR — and an UNCONFIRMED RUMOR on Internet chat boards at that — was that Bill Elliott might drive the No. 55 at some point in the future. I want to stress that no one from Michael Waltrip Racing has discussed this publicly and frankly I don't think it will happen.
Change won't do you good
Bill from Indianapolis, Ind.: I was listening to Booty and Chad on SPEED's NASCAR Performance, and they were saying that at a track that is banked as much as Bristol when the cars are low on fuel and the fuel box is on the right side, the tank will sometimes not fill with gas and you lose power if your car is out of fuel.
Tom Jensen: Welcome. Every track presents different obstacles to teams as far as set up and strategy. When you add variables — like moving the location of the fuel pickup for just a couple of tracks — it adds unnecessary expense and complexity for the teams.
Points for positions
Scott from Denton, Texas: When qualifying is rained out, why not reverse the field on points. Take the top 43 cars in points but reverse the field. That way, the lower points drivers have a chance to improve in points, and it makes it a more interesting race.
Tom Jensen: Glad you could join us. Why should the guys who've done the best all season be penalized in the case of rain? Yes, it would jumble up the field, but I don't think it's fair.
Repeat this week
Matthew from Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada: Why, in the all the years at Texas, have there been different winners in every race? Will a 13th different driver win Sunday?
Tom Jensen: A shout-out to the good folks north of the border! Welcome. Why
have there been different winners in Texas every year? If folks knew the answer, there would already have been a repeat winner. The first two years at Texas, there were huge wrecks at the start of the race and in subsequent years, the track has had a couple of corners torn up and redone and some repaving, too. This year, the bump between Turns 1 and 2 has been eliminated.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say race 13 at Texas will have a repeat winner: either Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Tony Stewart or Carl Edwards.
MWR in deep trouble
Matthew from New Milford, Conn.: Tom, heard a rumor that Michael Waltrip is going to have Bill Elliott drive the #55 Napa Camry the next 5 races? Have you heard of anything about this? Or about when Awesome Bill will next race?
Tom Jensen: Thanks for the question. Yes, I've heard the Elliott rumor, but unless and until Dale Jarrett uses his last two championship provisionals, there's no real incentive to put Elliott in the car. This much is certain, though. Something has to change and change dramatically at the No. 55 team. Waltrip was slow in practice at Texas and likely wouldn't have made the race anyway and was equally bad at the Richmond Car of Tomorrow test. That team is in deep, deep trouble.
DJ saves provisional
Danny from Sparks, Nev.: Did Dale Jarrett use one of his past champion provisionals to get into the Texas race since qualifying was rained out?
Tom Jensen: Great question. No, Dale Jarrett did not use a past champion's
provisional to get into the Texas race since qualifying was rained out. He made the race because he is a past champion, but in rainout situations, NASCAR does not count that against the driver by charging him with a provisional.
Complicated qualifying
Richard from Waddy, Ky.: When qualifying is rained out on Friday, why not just qualify the cars on Saturday morning and then the final Nextel Cup practice about one hour before or about 30 minutes after the Busch or Truck Series race is run?
Tom Jensen: Another excellent question, but one with a complicated answer.
Texas Motor Speedway, like many tracks, sells tickets to qualifying, and they sell separate tickets to Saturday's Happy Hour and Busch race. If you move qualifying to Saturday, how do you deal with the tickets? Also, in fairness to all the teams, NASCAR can't decide in the middle of the weekend to change the rules and move qualifying. But philosophically, I agree with you. NASCAR should think about allowing Saturday qualifying in the event of a rainout.
Taking a points position
Sarah from Minot, N.D.: I understand that the points are based on the average of all races run, but it is still difficult to look at the points standings and see someone who has won no races lead the points, and see someone who has won 3 races be further down. Have the changes to the points system really made the impact that they were supposed to? Are more changes needed? Careful driving is not as exciting as all-out racing for the win! Maybe the person with the most wins should also be recognized for that at the end of the year.
Tom Jensen: Thanks for being with us at FOX. I don't know what race you were
watching at Martinsville, but points leader Jeff Gordon wasn't engaged in "careful driving" to protect the points lead. He was doing everything he could to knock the living stuffing out of Jimmie Johnson — his friend and teammate — in order to win the race. The same with Mark Martin at Daytona — he wanted to win, not race for points. Besides, you won't truly see the changes in the point system until NASCAR's "regular season" is complete after 26 races and every driver who has qualified for the Chase for the Nextel Cup gets 10 bonus points for each victory.
With all that said, I still believe the race winner should get 25 points more than the second-place guy, positions two through five should be separated by 10 points and then six through 10 split by five points per position.
Who's in and out if it rains
Matt from Gibson City, Ill.: With qualifying getting rained out, how did NASCAR decide which go-or-go-homers get to race?
Tom Jensen: Thanks for the question. It's complicated, but the top 35 in owner points are automatically in, then it's anyone who won a race within the last year and past champions. Then, it goes by qualifying attempts. If multiple cars have the same number of qualifying attempts and would tie on that basis, then it goes to owner points.
Making the field: In addition to the top 35 drivers being locked in, these drivers make the race: Brian Vickers (2006 race winner at Talladega), Dale Jarrett (past champion), Ken Schrader (36th in owner points), Scott Riggs (37th in owner points), Dave Blaney (39th in owner points), Mike Bliss (40th in owner points), Paul Menard (43rd in owner points) and Kenny Wallace (44th in owner points).
Going home: Ward Burton, David Reutimann, Scott Wimmer, Kevin Lepage, Jeremy Mayfield, John Andretti, Michael Waltrip and A.J. Allmendinger.
Robby's blown opportunity
Mary Anne from Panama City, Fla.: Why does Robby Gordon have to go to the back of the field if qualifying hasn't been held? I understand why after qualifying, but before?
Tom Jensen: Excellent question. The rationale for making someone go to the back of the field after replacing an engine in practice, is that driver will have fewer laps on his race engine than drivers who didn't change engines, plus he'll have a fresher engine for qualifying. NASCAR doesn't want a driver to run 90 minutes of practice and then change an engine without penalty.
Chevy's old engine vs. new
John from Greensburg, Ind.: What is the difference between the regular engines and the R07 engine that six Chevy drivers will run at Texas?
Tom Jensen: Welcome to FOX! There are a whole host of subtle differences between the RO7 and old SB2 engines. Here's what Jimmie Johnson had to say about it Friday at Texas: "I think the biggest thing that we're going to see is that we can cool the engine more efficiently," Johnson said. "We had some areas in the cylinder walls that we couldn't get enough water to and we couldn't keep the pistons in a stable situation. The walls in the cylinder were getting too hot in some spots and we were seeing scuffing of some pistons and things like that. So I really think the new engine is going to let the engine cool more efficiently and we're going to have a little bit better reliability."
Camry consideration
Dave from Corbin, Ky.: NASCAR is making Toyota modify its intake manifolds in Truck and Busch because they say it gives them an unfair advantage. If that's the case, shouldn't NASCAR let Toyota use something to produce more horsepower in Cup since their performance is below par?
Tom Jensen: Glad you could be with us. From everything I've heard, Toyota's problems aren't horsepower; they're primarily aerodynamic-related and some normal teething problems common to start-up teams.
No. 8 doesn't lie
Cat from Topsham, Maine: And here I thought NASCAR racing was a team sport. Everyone seems to think that DEI will die without Jr., but why should it? There are plenty of teams out there that Jr. doesn't drive for, and they do OK! Second point is that if Dale Earnhardt had wanted Jr. to have the company, he would have willed it to him and not Teresa.
Tom Jensen: Thanks for the question. The numbers don't lie. How many DEI drivers other than Junior have finished in the top 10 in points in the team's 12-year history? The correct answer is 0. How many races have DEI drivers won? Junior's won 17, everyone else at DEI has won a combined total of six. And let's talk ability to attract sponsors. Junior is the most marketable driver in NASCAR by a wide margin.
Fixing Vickers' problem
Hazel from Greensboro N.C.: Tom, a lot has been mentioned about the foam burning and the noxious fumes on the COT's of Harvick and Kenseth, but what about Brian Vickers suffering second and third degree burns on his feet at Bristol and having to be given oxygen from breathing carbon monoxide? Have those problems been resolved?
Tom Jensen: NASCAR has worked diligently to solve all the problems you've mentioned. I suspect they will be ongoing works in progress as NASCAR and the teams learn the Car of Tomorrow.
Chevy power ready
Hank from Ewing N.J.: What progress has Chevy made with the new engine that six teams will run this weekend? If perfected, how will it affect the other brands? The Ford engine is two years old so why can't they keep up?
Tom Jensen: Thanks for the question, Hank. The best thing I can tell you is that the teams using the new Chevrolet R07 engine this weekend feel like it's far enough along that they have a better chance by using it than by running the old SB2 engine.
Joe Gibbs Racing will be using it for all three of its drivers — Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and J.J. Yeley — plus Hall of Fame Racing, who they supply motors to. Hendrick Motorsports will be running it this weekend in the cars of Kyle Busch and Casey Mears. I spoke with a Hendrick official Tuesday, and he told me no decision had been made as to when Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon will have it in their cars.
Dodge knows nose
Justin from Waveland, Miss.: Do you think that Kasey Kahne and other drivers that did well last year and are struggling this year will step up their game? Also, is it their fault, or will they do anything to change team members, like crew chiefs? Or has the NASCAR driver field just gotten much better?
Tom Jensen: Excellent question. Nothing stays constant in NASCAR, and this year is no exception. No Dodge driver has finished higher than fifth this season, and no Dodge driver has multiple top-10 finishes, which tells me the new Dodge Charger nose hasn't worked as well as hoped. Yes, Kasey Kahne and other drivers who are struggling this year will step it up eventually. In the case of the Dodge teams, it's mastering a new nose on the "regular" car and everyone has to figure out the Car of Tomorrow.
Dale Jr. in driver's seat
Paul from Westlake, Ohio: Teresa Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Inc. should take a lesson from Mark Martin. He took two weeks off, and just that quickly, no one is mentioning the former points leader. It would take about two weeks after Dale Jr. leaves DEI for all the sponsors to forget who DEI is. Then, open season on DEI's other drivers. If Dale flies, DEI dies. So who is really in the driver's seat with those "negotiations"?
Tom Jensen: You raise a great point. I have said all along that DEI needs Dale Earnhardt, Jr. more— a lot more — than Junior needs DEI. And both parties know it, too, which is why Earnhardt has maintained a hard line in negotiations so far. Make no mistake about it, he's in the driver's seat.
DW in Mikey's ride?
Jim from Riverside, Calif.: Why not put Darrell Waltrip in Michael Waltrip's car and let Michael be a relief driver? Then, the car at least would make the field, and they could get some track testing time.
Tom Jensen: Thanks for joining us. I don't think either NAPA or Toyota would be happy with such an arrangement.
Sponsor circus
Big GW from Cerritos, Calif.: Watching Robby Gordon struggle with sponsorships this year and so many cars missing races with full-time sponsors, why don't NASCAR or the manufacturers help teams that struggle like this? Isn't NASCAR supposed to help with sponsorships? They have a driver in Robby Gordon that's performing, locked into races and showing up with no primary. Of all the cars, he is an independent owner/driver, it's teams like this that they should help. It's a great story: David vs. Goliath(s).
Tom Jensen: While you raise a good point, here's the deal. NASCAR has to remain impartial as to the amount it helps teams. If it gets one team a sponsor, then that team is happy. But 10 other teams are beating on NASCAR's door, demanding it help them find a sponsor. It's a no-win situation for NASCAR. Besides, NASCAR actively competes with teams for sponsors and in the past has steered some sponsors into becoming the Official Whatever of NASCAR, instead of sponsoring a car.
Petty/Evernham 2.0?
James from Kalispell, Montana: If Petty Enterprises and Evernham Motorsports merged, wouldn't they have more than the four-car team NASCAR allows for one owner? Which driver would have to go? Would Kyle Petty park the No. 45 car?
Tom Jensen: Welcome to FOX! It's way, way too early to talk about what might happen if Evernham Motorsports and Petty Enterprises start working closer together in the future. That said, Kyle Petty has made no bones about the fact that he doesn't want to drive forever.
Robby Gordon news release: At Texas Motor Speedway, Robby Gordon will again be behind the wheel of the No. 7 car with familiar Jim Beam logos. Jim Beam was the primary sponsor for the first two races of the season, at Daytona and California, and Gordon and the team hope to duplicate the success they had in the Beam paint scheme, as the No. 7 team left California in 14th place in the standings. — Robby Gordon Motorsports
Robby looks for sponsors
Barb from Leesburg, Va.: Could you please mention that Alan Kulwicki passed away 14 years ago on April 1? Being the 1992 champion, he should be recognized. Speaking of owner/drivers, why is Robby Gordon running without a sponsor?
Tom Jensen: It's always a good time to give Alan Kulwicki a shout-out, Barb. He was the last independent champion in NASCAR. He was a class man and a hard racer on every level. I know a lot of the guys who worked on his team back in his championship season, and they all have very fond members of him. As far as owner/drivers, Robby Gordon had at least one sponsor deal that I know of that was on the table, but the paperwork never got signed. He's going to be looking for some additional sponsorship help as the season goes on.
Chevy throws down gauntlet
Richard from Shady Valley, Tenn.: In the past, NASCAR has tried to see that one make didn't have an advantage over another often with midseason rule changes to level the playing field. Chevys dominated last year and are dominating again this year. I haven't heard anyone complaining, but are there any rumblings in the garage for changes?
Tom Jensen: I have not heard any rumblings about rule changes, but I do find it interesting that with all the tremendous lengths NASCAR has gone through to equalize the cars, the Chevrolets really have stepped it up in the last year, year and a half. I don't expect any rule changes, but I think some of the other teams clearly need to pick up their game.
Sponsor scrutiny
John from Millbrook, Ala.: What, if anything, will Toyota do to help get more of its cars into races? Is there any expected backlash from Toyota for Michael Waltrip missing yet another race by not qualifying for Martinsville?
Tom Jensen: Lee White, who is the vice president and general manager of Toyota's racing division TRD, told me at Bristol that they're putting extra engineers from TRD in with Michael Waltrip's team. He went to great lengths to say that he's patient with Michael Waltrip and with the rest of the Toyota teams, which have frankly struggled. The big question is how patient will NAPA and some of the other sponsors be if they continue to miss races. That's what Toyota and Michael are worried about.
Petty-Evernham merger?
Joe from Staten Island, N.Y.: Since Petty Enterprises and Evernham Motorsports are looking for help from outside investors, why don't they merge together?
Tom Jensen: There's a lot going on with Petty Enterprises and Evernham Motorsports, and you raise a very good question. Last week, Richard Petty was up in Montreal as a guest of Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett. Now, Gillett is talking to both Evernham and Petty Enterprises about getting involved on some level in NASCAR. We don't know exactly what's going to happen. Everybody has been very close-lipped about it. But I think there's a possibility you could see many more synergies between these two teams if Gillett steps in and makes an investment in one or both teams.
No nerfing allowed
Howard from Sulphur Springs, Texas: I have seen a lot of racing in my time, but Martinsville was one of the best finishes I have ever seen. My hat is off to both Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon for showing how real drivers race.
Dale from USA: This wasn't racing; it was blocking. If this is team racing, count me out.
Question: What did you think of the finish? Was it clean racing or blocking by Johnson with Gordon being nice to his teammate?
Tom Jensen: That's an excellent question. Gordon wasn't being nice to his teammate. He was actively trying to root him out of the way, and Johnson was blocking. But that's his prerogative, being the leader. But what happened is with these Cars of Tomorrow, the bumpers match up. With the old cars, you could take the front end, sort of nerf the guy, get underneath him, lift his rear wheels off the ground and move him out of the way. You can't do that with the new cars. I will tell you that Gordon was trying everything he could to get around Johnson. It wasn't a case of him being polite.
Foam on fire
Alicia from Clinton, Conn.: NASCAR put foam on the sides of the cars in the roll cage, and they said it's safer. It seemed like a great idea for crash impact, but I wasn't thinking about what would happen if it caught fire. At Martinsville, it was mentioned that the shouldn't burn, but it appeared to burn in Kevin Harvick's car. Do you know why and/or have any explanation about it?
Tom Jensen: That's a great question. NASCAR took Kevin Harvick's car back from Martinsville to their R&D center in Concord, N.C. to study it. Apparently, the thinking is that the foam would be far enough away from the exhaust pipes that there wouldn't be a lot of heat up there. But apparently a lot of the heat did get up into the foam in several of the cars, and that's what NASCAR is taking a close look at because they're obviously going to have to address that situation very quickly.
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