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| | Wednesday, October 18 Weber opens up his mailbag | |||||
| ESPN.com If there is one thing ESPN auto racing analyst Bill Weber loves more than being down in the pits for a NASCAR race, it's giving the fans the inside scoop. So he's opened up his e-mail to you, the fans, this season. The Winston Cup season is in full swing and Weber is following the circuit -- this week he'll be in Virginia for the NAPA AutoCare 500. But before he makes his way down to the Martinsville Speedway pits, Weber took the time to answer a few of your questions. "Wouldn't it make more sense that when NASCAR calls a yellow to check tires (at Dover) the cars get to re-enter in the position they were running in? It doesn't seem fair to lose positions when they had no control! NASCAR seems to just slide downhill further and further in my estimation." Marilee Murchison,Phoenix, Ariz. Drivers don't HAVE to pit. It's a option. If you think you're good with your tires, stay and take the chance, otherwise, join the rest and fight the battle on pit road. "The answer to my question will seem obvious, it will be 'of course.' but bear with me ... My question is: Is there an official book of rules for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series? I always thought there was, but lately, it sure seems that the 'rules' are inconsistent and making many fans doubt the integrity of the sport." Linda Childers, Terra Bella Calif. Of course. And I agree with you on the "integrity" part, too. "After a very impressive Winston Cup debut at Richmond, I look forward to seeing Casey Atwood at Martinsville. My question to you Bill is this: How well do you think this young soon to be superstar will do in race No. 2 with the big boys?" Ray Moore, Quitman, Ga. Martinsville will be tough, 500 laps at that track is a challenge. Just ask Mark Martin or Ricky Rudd. Qualifying will be important for Casey. If he can get a good spot (near the front), that will help. The big thing here, get the laps, learn about the breaking, learn the pit road, learn the traffic and how to get around it. Or in some cases, through it. Don't expect too much, but with Evernham at the controls, anything is possible. "What happen to Chad Little? And why is Kurt Busch taking over his ride? Was this just a one- time deal? I know Kurt is good in Truck series, but does this mean he's taking over next year?" Charles Koon, Woodland, Calif. Little and Roush are going different ways. Busch is the "next" Roush star. Kurt will run 7 of the last 8 races, he has truck conflict with Talladega. Busch will still be eligible for the Raybestos Rookie of the Year award in 2001. Busch will drive the No. 97 next season, crew chief TBA. "As I write this the day before Dover, Ricky Rudd has not won a race this year, but is 5th in points. What is the highest a driver has finished in points without winning a race?" Dave U., Roanoke, Va. In 1973 Benny Parsons won the championship with one victory. In the modern era, three drivers have finished third without winning a race. 1975: James Hylton 1981: Harry Gant 1982: Terry Labonte "I know that NASCAR is opening the resistor plate up a little at Talladega's next race, but my question is how much and what will that change? Will it be racing like what Dale Earnhardt wants, or will the change be unnoticeable?" Mike Wilder, Henderson, N.C. I don't think anyone knows for certain. Hopefully the combination of drag and more horsepower will make for better racing and happier drivers. "Since NASCAR is changing the spoilers on Ford and Pontiac for the race at Talladega, how will this affect the race on race day?" Lisa Stage, Mt. Sterling, Ohio As stated above, the goal here is balance between the manufacturers. Frankly, Talladega hasn't been than bad, but I'm for anything that makes for closer competition as long as the sport remains safe. The spoilers obviously create more drag, so theoretically, it should slow the cars a tad. "What is the latest scoop on the Intrepid? Whether it's capable of running with the rest of the field (per testing efforts), test results and wind tunnel trips. What's the 'garage talk' among the teams that plan to switch, as well as the new team with the 'master' car, driver, track set-up man Mr. Ray Evernham." Kenney Gowan, Spartanburg, S.C. This is a wait-and-see situation. The Intrepid will be competitive because it is basically a Taurus with the Dodge nameplate. Horsepower should be good. Teamwork and experience will determine how it finishes. The one I got as a rental last week at Dover was bad fast ... not that I would know. "I am new to NASCAR, having only been watching for about 2½ years. Can you explain to me how they determine where the drivers pit is going to be? What pit is the best to have? If you have the first one then you don't have so far to enter the track after pit stops. But if you have a pit in the back then you don't have so far to go before you can start your pit stop. It is quite confusing to me. Do you know what place Jeff Gordon likes to pit? Why he likes it better in the front or the back of pit row?" Beverly Monette, Chazy N.Y. Pit stops are picked in the order that cars qualified for the race. Pole-sitter gets first choice, and on through the last provisional. The stall closest to pit out is usually the favorite, but the way NASCAR "clocks" speeds on pit road can change that. Normally it is best to pit as close to the pit EXIT as possible. You can concentrate on finding your stall, make you're stop and then focus on getting out. If you pit too close to Turn 4, or the pit entrance, traffic always seems to be a problem getting back out. "The defection of most of the pit crew for Jeff Gordon's No. 24 DuPont team made things even harder for the team after Ray Evernham left. But, I have seen some really great times for pit stops with the new Rainbow Warriors. How do the pit times compare between the No. 24 and the No. 88 pit crews this year?" Ellen Simmons, Sargentville, Maine Credit that to hard work and strong leadership from Robbie Loomis and pit crew "coach" Andy Papathanisiou. And, yes, I do think I spelled that right. "Do you feel that the playing field has been equal for Chevy, Ford, and Pontiac during the 2000 Winston Cup campaign? While I am no statistician, the starting lineups, points battle, laps led, and race results appear to be tilted in favor of Ford and Pontiac? Just a coincidence?" Keith Bailey, Champaign, Ill. I think the Ford and Pontiac teams are stronger this year. Labonte, Stewart, Jarrett, Jeff Burton, Rusty, Rudd, Martin. I look at it this way: If I can pick the driver and the team, you can pick the car and I'm still confident my guys will do better than most. Chevy has 7 wins, Earnhardt (1), Park (1), Earnhardt, Jr. (2) and Gordon (3). How much balance do you want? "Was Bobby Hamilton given the opportunity to return to Petty Enterprises before the hiring of Buckshot Jones? Do you believe this would have been a better choice if Bobby was given the opportunity, or do you believe Bobbby would not have been interested in an offer from the Pettys? Paul Konwinski, Oregon, Ohio The Pettys named a sponsor, Buckshot brought Georgia-Pacific. Talk about pressure. Buckshot has a lot to prove and now will do it racing for the first family of NASCAR. "Is Ron Hornaday a candidate for the Kodak car for 2001?" Geoff Charles, Baltimore, Md. I don't think so. "My dad and I were wondering if Bobby Labonte holds on to get the Winston Cup championship this year, will he and his brother Terry be the first brothers to win the Winston Cup? If not who were the other brothers to win it?" Brian Graf, Apache Junction, Ariz. Bobby and Terry would be the first pair of brothers to win it. Thanks for writing in. "Any ideas on who is going to drive for the McDonald's team next year in place of Bill Elliott?" Michael J Vanderhorst, Sidney, Ohio If you mean the "94" McDonald's car, it will race as the No. 9 Dodge with Bill Elliott and Ray Evernham . The McDonald's sponsorship goes to the second Cal Wells car with Andy Houston driving as a Winston Cup rookie. "Can you please make the situation at Hendrick Motorsports clear: Will Jimmy Johnson be driving along side Jeff Gordon in 2001 as a new Hendrick driver, or will he be taking Jeff's place in the Winston Cup Series for a few races in 2001 -- I hope this is not the case. I can only make one race a year (Texas) and am hoping with the luck (or lack of it) that Jeff has had here that he isn't going to give up on Texas." Edna Young, adisonville, Texas Don't worry. Johnson comes aboard as a teammate in 2002. "Originally a native of Maine, I can't help but root for Ricky Craven. And I was just wondering if you could give me a little good news on him. Do you think he has A future? Has he had bad luck, or does he just plain not have it? Seth Sawyer, Bellows Falls, Vt. Ricky still has a good future. He's still young and still determined. He is 100-percent healthy. He needs some better equipment and a little bit of good luck. He sure deserves it. "What are your thoughts on Ken Schrader? Do you think he should be performing better than he has the last few years? It doesn't seem he is getting any closer to Victory Lane." Jeff Hughes, Lumberton, N.C. I cannot figure out why Ken Schrader doesn't win races. Every year I think, "Okay, add Schrader to the list," but it hasn't happened in 296 races. I think he's in the right spot now. I think teaming up with Benson and the 10 team will help him. It would be great to see Schrader win. | ALSO SEE Ask Bill Weber Weber's mailbag: Sept. 21 Weber's mailbag: Sept. 13 Weber's mailbag: Sept. 6 Weber's mailbag: Aug. 30 Weber's mailbag: Aug. 24 Weber's mailbag: Aug. 17 Weber's mailbag: Aug. 10 Weber's mailbag: July 19 Weber's mailbag: June 21 Weber's mailbag: June 7 Weber's mailbag: June 1 Weber's mailbag: May 3 Weber's mailbag: April 27 Weber's mailbag: April 12 Weber's mailbag: April 6 Weber's mailbag: March 29 Weber's mailbag: March 22 Weber's mailbag: March 15 Weber's mailbag: March 8 Weber's mailbag: March 1 | |||||