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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Homestead pit selections
Past races: Daytona | California | Las Vegas | Atlanta | Bristol | Martinsville | Texas | Phoenix | Talladega | Richmond | Darlington | All-Star Challenge | Charlotte | Dover | Pocono | Michigan | Michigan | Sonoma | Loudon | Daytona | Chicagoland | Indianapolis | Pocono | Watkins Glen | Michigan | Bristol | California | Richmond | Loudon | Dover | Kansas | Talladega | Charlotte | Martinsville | Atlanta | Texas | Phoenix
Hard knock life
Q: I heard on the scanner that Brian Vickers was knocked out during his crash at Homestead. ABC did a lousy job reporting on that! Can you give us a follow up? Is Vickers OK? — Sue from Bonney Lake, WA
A: Vickers is fine. He just took a hard hit.
Under the old system…
Q: Who would be the champion of the last four years if there had been no chase? (04, 05, 06, 07) Oh, and by how many points. — Tiffany from Perris, CA
A: I don't have the exact point totals handy, but Jeff Gordon would have won in 2004 and 2007, Jimmie Johnson would have won in 2006 and Tony Stewart in 2005.
Looking to improve
Q: Why is it that Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler ran so bad this year? Is it because of Ray Evernham backing out of the mechanics side of the program or what. I am totally perplexed as this was one heck of a team last year and this year totally winless much less a threat? — Kelly C. from Pace, FL
A: Gillett Evernham Racing made some fundamental technological mistakes with their cars this year and paid the price for it. They'll be better next year.
What just happened?
Q: how many spots does Jeff Gordon need to finish ahead of Jimmie if he leads a lap to win the championship?— Andy
A: If Johnson leads a lap (which he did earlier today), Gordon needs to win, lead the most laps and have Johnson finish 20th or worse.
What just happened?
Q: What happened to Elliott Sadler to get him down 8 or so laps?
— Max from Grand Forks, N.D.
A: Sadler backed his Dodge in the wall, but it didn't cause a caution.
Future plans for Wood Brothers
Q: Who Do You Think Will Drive The #21 Ford Fusion & The #4 Chevrolet Impala In 2008? Will It Be Bill Elliott Full-Time In The #21? — Chris Fiegler from Latham, NY
A: Don't know yet who will be in the 4 or the 21, but Bill Elliott, I'm told, will not be back.
Cheating Jimmie?
Q: If Jimmie Johnson's car fails inspection after the race and he's won the championship, will NASCAR fine him points even if it would change the outcome of the championship? — Mary Anne from Panama City, FL
A: Sheesh. I would be shocked if Jimmie Johnson's car fails inspection.
Dale Jr's future
Q: Will Dale Jr start the year with owner points? Jr isn't the best qualifier even though he is getting better so is Hendricks giving Jr Casey's points? and did I miss this piece of information somewhere?— Kayla from Oceanside, CA
A: Yes, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will start with owner points, so no worries there.
About the Roush empire...
Q: Hey Tom, Hi and thanks for all the great info this season! We appreciate it! Here's my last question for the season for you. With what you've been saying about the big teams driving out the single-car operations, why hasn't NASCAR stepped in to on the Roush/Fenway/Yates deal? It looks like Jack Roush is going from 5 teams to 7 or 8, not from 5 teams to 4, like he was supposed to. How come he's being allowed to get away with this? To balance out the perceived Chevy dominance? Thanks, and don't disappear in the off-season — only 90+ days till the Daytona 500! — Jo from Rock Hill, S.C.
A: NASCAR needs Ford to stay in. Roush has no ownership interest in Yates Racing, so I think they're letting it slide. I have my doubts about it myself, but NASCAR is satisfied with it.
The inside scoop on Kahne
Q: What is the rest of story about the Kasey Kahne incident. What is the media not telling us. — Doris G. from Morganton, N.C.
A: According to my sources, a number of race fans — some of whom were under the influence of alcohol — snuck into the team motorhome lot in the infield at Homestead-Miami Speedway Friday afternoon and were behaving in a rowdy manner. Police were called to clear them out and security guards were reprimanded and told no one is to enter the motorhome compound without a credential. After Busch practice, Kahne attempted to enter the compound to go to his motorhome to shower and change for a sponsor appearance. A security guard attempted to stop him because Kahne was not wearing his credential, which was in the motorhome. Kahne kept walking. The guard grabbed Kahne and in the process fell down attempting to stop him. When the police saw the guard fall, they in turn grabbed Kahne, handcuffed him and took him in for questioning. He was released without being charged, although the investigation is continuing. The guard — who is a temporary security person, not a policeman himself — complained of a sore back and high blood pressure. He was taken to a local hospital, examined and released.
Changes for the Blue Oval?
Q: I have heard Ford is working on some new engine parts for next year . Do you know what they are and have they been approved by NASCAR?— Kenneth L. from Yorktown VA
A: Thanks for the question. Ford and Dodge each will have new engines for the 2009 season.
Star of the future?
Q: I was watching the Busch race Saturday and noticed that Brian Keselowski was running real well in family owned equipment. Has anyone noticed him at all?. I realize that he has only ran a handful of races, but he is running as well as Brad who is in top-notch equipment. Just wondered. Thanks a lot — Marilyn from Rantoul, IL
A: Welcome. NASCAR people are always looking for talent, so I'm sure some team owners are checking Brian Keselowski out very carefully.
Q: Where is Matt Borland after leaving Michael Waltrip Racing earlier this year? —P Willis from Dallas
A: Hello. Matt Borland is competition director for Haas-CNC racing.
The next Montoya?
Q: With Patrick Carpentier, Jacques Villeneuve ,Sam Hornish Jr., and Dario Franchitti racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series In 2008, who do you think will be the next open-wheel race car drivers to make the switch? — Chris F. from Latham, NY
A: Thanks for the question. Honestly, the open-wheel talent pool is so diluted that there's no one out there who looks like a natural fit right now, but who knows? A lot will depend on how the class of 2008 does. Not all of them will succeed.
Follow the leader?
Q: If the pole winner select to go on the outside to start the race, then will all of the odd numbers will start on the outside or only apply to the front role? I ask this because I noticed that the Busch race the pole winner started on the outside. — Tom M. from Cincinnati, Ohio
A: Thanks for the question. As far as I know, it only applies to the front row.
You know you've always wanted to ask this question
Q: Knowing that the racers cannot stop in the middle of a four hour race, and knowing that they fill up with fluids before the race, do they have a way to use the restroom built into their suit or a device in there cars? — Vicki from zeigler, Ill.
A: Welcome to FOX. No there's no device that I'm aware of. For the drivers, I guess it depends on how they want to handle it.
Teaming up?
Q: Is Darrell Waltrip retiring as a Owner with the sale of his Craftsman Truck team? Also does Michael and he have any interest in each others Teams?— Tom from Indianapolis
A: Yes, Darrell Waltrip is selling his Craftsman Truck Series team. Michael Waltrip just sold half of his Nextel Cup team to investor Robert Kauffman, so it's safe to say it's highly unlikely the brothers would be swapping teams.
Why?
Q: What's the reason that Busch will no longer be the name for NASCAR's second series? Winston was dumped because of the PC attitude toward tobacco. Is Busch being eliminated because of their product as well? — Bill G. from Reedville, VA
A: It was the decision of Anheuser-Busch to leave. They decided the series no longer met their marketing objectives.
Is Gordon losing on purpose?
Q: Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't Jeff Gordon owner of the 48 of Jimmie Johnson? So even if Johnson beats Gordon for the championship, Gordon comes out a winner. Could that also have anything to do with why Johnson is winning? — Al from Toledo, Iowa
A: Thanks for the question. Having spent a lot of time around Jeff Gordon in the last 10 weeks, I can promise you he absolutely wants to win this so bad he can taste it. He and Johnson are close friends, but on the track they are fierce competitors.
Money, money, money
Q: Who gets more money for winning the Chase the driver, or the car owner? Jeff Gordon owns part of Jimmie Johnson's car I thought? — Gary from Columbia, SC
A: Thanks for the question. Every driver contract is different. Typically, a driver gets a salary plus 40-50 percent of his race earnings. In a championship situation, almost everyone on the team gets bonuses – driver, crew chief, crewman, fabricators, engine builders, etc. I would imagine once everyone gets their bonuses, the driver ends up with a lot more money than the team owner..
'Old School' vs. 'New School'
Q: Do you think it would be better to go "old school" points racing, meaning going back to the old point system? — Barry from Lititz, Pa.
A: Welcome to FOX. In general, I think I'd prefer to keep the Chase. Had the old points system been in place, the race would have been over weeks ago..
Who's your sponsor?
Q: Since Roush doesn't have a clue about the sponsorship for the Yates' cars next season, can you perhaps ask Geoff Smith about it this weekend? — Billy from Stockbridge, Ga.
A: Hello. Yes, I intend to do just that if I have time and he has availability on Sunday, when he typically comes to the track. It's not always possible to catch people when you need them, but I intend to try.
Looking at the crystal ball
Q: Hey, Tom, I have to say I think the Wood Brother's future is starting to look like Morgan-McClure's. I'm sure the Wood Brothers will coerce Bill Elliot into starting the first five races, but with more than likely Sam Hornish getting Kurt's points and Kurt relying on his past champ provisional, what legitimate shot does Bill have of getting the 21 in the field for the first five races? Even if Kurt doesn't need a provisional, the next in line for it will be Jarrett. I hate to see this, but that's what happens when you're not working harder to become a multi-car team. What are your thoughts on this? — CJ from Murfreesboro, TN
A: Good question. My genuine fear is that in five years, the Sprint Cup Series will consist of 12 multi-millionaire car owners with four teams each. I think teams like the Wood Brothers and Petty Enterprises face real challenges to the their independence. When guys like Jack Roush and Ray Evernham go find big-money partners, the little guys don't have a prayer.
Numbers game
Q: Why Can't Penske Racing Have The #77 Mobil 1 Dodge In The Ford 400 Instead Of #06 Mobil 1 Dodge For Sam Hornish Jr. for the Ford 400 At Homestead-Miami? — Chris F. from Latham, NY
A: Hey, bud. The short answer is that they could. In theory, Penske could go to NASCAR and petition them to change the number for the final race, but why would they? It's something they don't need to change, so they aren't.
Double standard?
Q: Why was Jimmie Johnson not penalized this past week for saying "damn" on national television. If I'm not mistaken, Dale Earnhardt Junior was penalized in 2004 and Tony Stewart was points penalized THIS YEAR after his Brickyard win! — Cody W. from Talladega, Ala.
A: My guess is that "damn" is not considered an obscenity.
Clinching scenarios
Q: What has to happen in the last race for Jeff Gordon to win the championship, and what does Jimmie Johnson have to do to win? — N. Lewis from Fairborn, Ohio
A: You get the first question of the last race. The bottom line for Sunday is pretty basic. If Jimmie Johnson finishes 18th or better at Homestead, he's the 2007 Nextel Cup Champion. For Gordon to win, he would have to lead the most laps and have Johnson finish 19th or worse.
Who's better?
Q: Would you consider Jimmie Johnson a better driver than Jeff Gordon? — David from Hawley, Pa.
A: Both Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon are great drivers — really great drivers. I have maintained all along that I think the three very best drivers of this generation are Johnson, Gordon and Tony Stewart. I would put all three of them in the category of having equal ability.
Earning the title
Q: Hi, Tom. It looks to me like the three extra DNF's are pretty much all that separated Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson this year. However, since the Chase has begun, Jimmie has really stepped it up. I reckon that's what a champion is supposed to do. So with 10 wins now, I cannot deny that Jimmie and the No. 48 team have earned the spot that they are in. However, it is not over yet, and the No. 24 team has had an amazing year. I can honestly say that whoever wins this championship has earned it. — Dave from Portland, Ore.
A: You hit the nail on the head. Whoever wins this championship has earned it. Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon have been head and shoulders above everyone else this season.
Leveling the field
Q:Tom, I respect that Jimmie Jonson and Jeff Gordon are great drivers, and Hendrick Motorsports makes great cars. But when is NASCAR going to do something to even out the field? The whole "Jimmie's racing Jeff" thing is getting pretty boring to non Jimmie/Jeff fans. I haven't been watching as many races since the Hendrick domination began (although a heavy workload has something to with that too). Do other fans feel the same? — Adam from Atlanta
A: Welcome to FOX. Jeff Burton had an interesting take on the whole Jimmie vs. Jeff subject at Phoenix last week. "The two teams that have been the best, are the two teams that are racing for a championship. To my way of thinking, that is good for the sport," Burton said. "Would it be more compelling if they didn't like each other? Would it be more compelling if one of them would grab the other one and shake them really hard after the race? Yeah, it would be. Let's face it. People like that. ... It could be more compelling if they weren't on the same team, so to speak, but it is in the best interests of our sport for the best teams to be battling out." From my point of view, it's not good long-term for one team to dominate the way Hendrick has, but in racing, it's hard to stay dominant for long.
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