by Jeff Hammond

NASCARTV on SPEED: Daytona Fri., July 1: Nextel Cup practice, 1:30 p.m. ET Fri., July 1: Busch qualifying, 2:15 p.m. ET Sat., July 2: Craftsman Truck race on SPEED, 3 p.m. ET Photo Gallery... Stewart's road rules Also... | | Video: Who's the sexiest driver? Riding with Junior: Sonoma Analysis... DW: Smoke slides ride past Rudd BYRNES: Stewart's single-handed win SPENCER:

Dustin from Fort Worth, Texas: On Sunday's pre-race show, Martin Truex Jr. was your pick to drive the No. 2 car. I thought that DEI was about to re-sign Truex. What is the latest?

Jeff Hammond: Anything is possible, but I do know that everybody at DEI expected to get Truex locked in by now. There's been a lot more pressure put on him, especially from the Penske organization. They've offered him a fairly lucrative contract to jump ship and go over there. When that's going on, it really challenges a guy's loyalty. DEI has been more than fair with Truex, but he's faced with a decision that could affect the rest of his career.

From what I was told the other day, an offer had been given to Truex, and there was a decision made then not to sign the DEI contract. It puts a lot of people back in the position of almost playing poker with checking and raising. Now the onus is back on DEI and whether or not they want to raise the ante to try to keep him in their camp.

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Dale Jr. to RCR?

Petty Officer Birdsell, U.S. Navy from Newport News, Va.: Jeff, a lot of rumors are flying around that Dale Earnhardt Jr. might be headed to Richard Childress Racing? I know Childress would welcome him with open arms, but could this actually happen?

Jeff Hammond: All things are possible, especially when contracts come to an end. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a very talented and a very capable driver. Who would not welcome him with open arms just because of his popularity? He probably commands 50 percent of the NASCAR fan base right now. That's not to belittle any other drivers, but he is just such a popular individual. You see him everywhere. If I had a racecar, I would just about give him anything to get him on board because you can make a lot of it up with souvenirs and commercials for sponsors.

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FOX race analyst Jeff Hammond led Darrell Waltrip to two of DW's three Winston Cup championships as his crew chief. They also teamed to win the 1989 Daytona 500.

For autographed copies of Jeff Hammond's new book "Real Men Work in the Pits" plus magnets, hats and more, check out www.dwstore.com.

For photos and appearances, visit Jeff's web site www.jeffhammond.com.