Filed under: Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Chase for the Sprint Cup
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With the track “Too Tough To Tame” in the rearview, all three NASCAR series head to the “Monster Mile” for another weekend of tough racing. As we wait for Friday to arrive, here’s the 74th edition of ATIW. If you don’t know what this post is, we answer any and all reader questions every Wednesday, right here. So if you’ve got one, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send one to us. On to the questions…
1. From Bob:
Wondering what is up with Boris Said? I know they brought David Stremme in because of his experience at certain tracks. Other than the road courses do think he’ll do much racing this year?
I wouldn’t expect to see Boris run any more races for the #26 team, except maybe the road courses. His experience and ability on ovals is pretty limited, and a team that needs to qualify in the shows each week needs a more experienced driver. I think the team realized after the first few races that they needed to run better then they did with Boris. – T.C.
2. From Steve:
How do you feel about the new G/W/C rule ? Personally, I’d like to see them go back to one. With three it just turns into a crashfest,crap shoot. Not to mention trying to figure gas and all the carnage that has to be repaired afterwards. That’s got to be awfully tough on the lower budget teams.
In the beginning I was a critic of the move, and felt exactly the same way you did. In practice though I have to admit I’m being won over by the rule change. I appreciate races that end with a definitive winner and the carnage hasn’t been quite as bad as I expected. It can be a bad thing for lower budget teams, but it’s incentive to not get caught up in wrecks. – Journo
3. From Sue:
Now that the crew chiefs for the 24 and 5 team have been re-signed any educated guesses as to the amount they will make? Do they get the same incentives % such as winning a race or winning a championship that drivers get?
My best guess would be high six figures or very low seven figures. Crew chiefs, just like crew members are certainly eligible for and receive bonuses. If you’re a crew chief for a good team, you can make a very good living. – Journo
4. From Cinde:
Are the pit crew members allowed to have tattoos that are visible while on duty? I have never seen any, but do see alot of crew members that wear the partial sleeve. Where I work, we have to cover them up as well.
There are quite a few crew guys who have tattoos, as do some officials. I’ve never heard of a team requiring guys to cover them. In this picture, you can see a bit of Mike Houston’s ink (Jeff Gordon’s front carrier). Remember too that when you normally see crew members and officials on TV, they are in firesuits, gloves, and helmets. Ink is hard to spot that way. – T.C.
5. From Kyle:
Have you heard anything else on the John Wes Townley situation? Is Zaxbys upset at the situation? There have been some rumors that he no longer wants to drive. Ironically both he and Clint both have driven 5 races in the 21 and John Wes has more points than Clint (484-478 respectively)
It’s funny, John Wes actually has a better average finish in the car, and one less DNF (22.4 to Clint Bowyer’s 22.8 and 1 to Bowyer’s 2). We’ve heard John Wes doesn’t want to do it anymore too (I’m honestly not sure how true that is). We also know Childress is actively seeking drivers to fill the seat in the non-companion events. I can’t imagine the Townleys are thrilled with the way this has gone, but legally they may have no recourse. It’s just all around a bad situation. – Journo
6. From Deb:
Why isn’t michael Waltrip racing today?
Michael is pretty much retired from racing. In the future, you may see him run a few races here and there, but don’t expect any more full seasons. He decided at the end of last season that he was finished, but that he would run a partial schedule in 2010. – T.C.
7. From Neon:
Do either of you have any insight on Ford’s FR9 engine? It was mentioned Sat that AJ’s car was the only FR9 running Darlington. I figured starting w/ Talladega that all Ford’s would be sporting the better cooling FR9 pkg. AJ qualified and ran as strongest Ford till his wreck. Ford teams need to get going!
As I understand it, the FR9 will be fully deployed starting at the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona in July. I believe it’s taken Roush Yates and Ford Racing a little longer to get the engine implemented then they’d hoped, but they’ve now had plenty of time to track test and work out any bugs. – T.C.
And that brings yet another “Ask The Insiders Wednesday” to a close. Thanks to everyone who sent in questions. And remember, if you’d like to be a part of next week, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send your question in!
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When the Cup Series heads to Bristol this weekend, it marks the fifth race on the 2010 schedule. It will be the final race that the top 35 in the owners standings from 2009 will have a guaranteed starting spot. The following weekend at Martinsville, the 2010 owners points will decide who is in and who is out. Bristol will be crucial for those who are floating right around that 35th spot in the standings.
Those who are on the outside looking in right now include Kevin Conway, Boris Said, Robby Gordon, and Max Papis. A good run at Bristol for any of these drivers could mean the difference between racing and going home at Martinsville and beyond. For Said, Gordon, and Papis who all have limited sponsorship, the idea of not having a guaranteed starting spot could drastically affect the health of their race teams and their ability to continue competing.
The drivers who are in currently, but are dangerously close to being out, include Mike Bliss, Travis Kvapil, Brad Keselowski, David Gilliland, Sam Hornish, Bobby Labonte, Ryan Newman, and Marcos Ambrose. A bad finish at Bristol, combined with some good runs by the competition, could knock any of these drivers out of the top 35 and that vital guaranteed starting position.
Two drivers who stand to benefit following Bristol are Mike Bliss and Scott Speed. Speed is very solidly in the top 35 (currently 12th) after a difficult 2009 season left him having to race his way in to the first five of 2010. But his team has rose to the occasion this season, and their performance has improved markedly. Bliss currently sits in the final guaranteed spot in 35th, which, if he could keep it would be a huge boost to his Tommy Baldwin Racing team. This team continues to run severely underfunded, but a locked in spot in every race could help this team secure more sponsorship.
Bristol is always an exciting race anyway, filled with drama from start to finish. And this season’s spring stop in Thunder Valley will be no different. But if the usual story lines don’t grab you, take a look down the leaderboard a ways. You will definitely find a tension filled race for many teams./
Filed under: Jimmie Johnson, Juan Pablo Montoya, Daytona Int'l Speedway