 |
 |
| | Thursday, November 16 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. People are still talking about Talladega, but Weber also answers questions about points, banking, the pits and 2001. "Mark Martin seems to be having a rough year in qualifying, having the correct setup for races (last week at Charlotte) and good pit stops. Is there a specific problem, such as new crew members, or is it a combination of things?" Patty YodersJefferson, Pa. Nope. Just one of those years. He's still got four more chances to get another win. But come next year, he'll once again be a preseason favorite to challenge for the Cup. "My question relates to the manufacture's point standings. It doesn't seem fair that Pontiac is competing with Ford and Chevy when they run much fewer cars. Has there ever been any consideration to coming up with a prorated system that takes into account the number of vehicles that race for each manufacturer? Pontiac has won 10 races this year and Ford has won 12. When you consider the number of Pontiacs that are racing in comparison to Fords, Pontiac should be winning the points race. Would like to know if there has ever been any consideration to come up with another way to calculate this. In case you are wondering, I'm a CPA. Go figure." Larry Fox Jr. Aurora, Neb. A short answer to your long question: no. "In response to provisionals being outdated, why not give points for qualifying? If a driver/team knows that they can get points based on how well they qualified, maybe they wouldn't think of it as a waste of time and use a provisional. Use a provisional, get no points for qualifying. 43 points (maybe an additional five points) for taking the poll and one point for taking 43rd." John Price Lansing, Mich. This subject generated a number of responses. This might be a possibility but I don't like points for qualifying. And in the latter portion of the season, it might not have any impact anyway. And it goes back to taking up more time for "another" round. But that's just when I become the boss. Keep those suggestions coming! "Why on Sunday at Talladega when Mayfield's engine let go, ESPN interviewed him, but when Dave Marcis's engine blew, all we got was pictures of his car pulling off the track and no interview. Does this have to do with Mayfield being a more popular driver then Marcis? To me this is wrong, and both should have been interviewed, especially since Marcis was running in the top 15 all day." Justin Londagin Pittsburg, Kan. Usually this has to do with what's happening on the track at the time. At the bigger tracks, we try to interview all the drivers that fall out for various reasons. It's not practical at the short tracks because of the noise factor. If memory serves, Marcis brought out the caution, that led to pit stops and the restart of the race. In more direct fashion, I really don't know why we didn't get to Dave, but I am confident that there was a reason because we had followed the story all the way from his outstanding qualifying run. "I don't quite understand how Tony Stewart didn't get his lap back on Sunday in Talladega. I know by making an unscheduled pit stop he lost a lap, but when the caution came out and everyone else on the lead lap made their pit stops, he stayed out on the track. Wouldn't he have automatically gained his lap back when the leaders pit? Or did he gain it back, then lose it again when he came in for another pit stop during the same caution? Please explain this to me!" Jennifer Orlando, Fla.. Tony and Jeff Burton were among the drivers that lost a lap because they pitted under green and the rest of the guys came in under the yellow. The caution flag trapped the 20 and 99 a lap down. As I recall, if they had stayed out, they would have been on the tail end of the lead lap, but Burton pitted and I believe Tony did, too. I had Burton's pit but not Stewart's on Sunday. "With so many new tracks being built and all of them wanting a Winston cup race, do you see a time in the future when all of the tracks will only get one race per season?" David Varao Fairhaven, Mass. Yes. Maybe not all of the tracks. But certainly most of them. "In your opinion, can Dale Earnhardt win the point championship this year? Will he retire after he wins his eighth championship? It was good to see him finally win that No Bull Million." Earnhardt Fan Atlanta, Ga. I said at the beginning of this season that I thought this year would be Earnhardt's last shot at that eighth championship. I now reserve the right to amend that thought. I have been impressed with his performance in 2000. Besides, I'm not going to be the guy to tell him. I don't think the eighth championship will affect his decision. I think he enjoys competing against Dale, Jr. And now, at the Rolex 24 next season, he will race with his son as a teammate along with veteran road racer Andy Pilgrim. "I want to know why Kerry Earnhardt was not in the ARCA race on Saturday? I feel Dale was trying to push Kerry too fast by putting him in the Winston Cup. Kerry should be able to come up through ARCA and Busch the same way others do. Can you tell me what has happened to him?" Doris Bradley Oakhurst, N.J. I asked Kerry that at Charlotte. He said there was no plan and no sponsorship to race at Talladega. Kerry said he is working on some stuff, but nothing concrete. "Bill, my question is about finishing the race under the caution flag. Why won't NASCAR change the rule so the race finishes under the green? We fans pay too much money to watch the finish under caution. I want to see the cars race to the checkers, not follow the pace car." A.J. Sanders Virginia Beach, Va. Hey, me too! And I really believe this rule will change (and should change) for 2001. And you know why I think that? The TV package. Do you think those guys paid all that money to watch cars crawl to the finish? I don't. "Hey Bill, by what process does NASCAR mandate and regulate the size of a restrictor plate on the Cup cars for both restrictor plate races, Daytona and Talladega? " Lanny Cadle Bristol, Va. They draw them out of a hat. Just kidding. It's done by measuring the amount of horsepower produced by a race engine with different-sized plates. This time, the measurement wasn't quite as accurate as NASCAR had hoped, but part of that was shear numbers ... the bigger the pack of cars, the faster the speed. That's why they switched to the smaller plate Saturday. "What were the real reactions of teams to the 11th-hour change in restrictor plate dimensions? With so little time to readjust the motors and cars, it seemed to give wealthy teams with large staffs and private jets to move them between their home bases and Talladega overnight a big advantage. On camera, everyone smiled and said it was O.K. with them. Was it?" Jon Stewart Gainesville, Fla. I'm not sure it was O.K., but most teams felt it was "all right". You know, the "wealthier" teams are the only teams winning anyway. You have to be happy for Kenny Wallace, Joe Nemechek and owner Andy Petree. That was cool. NASCAR is all about putting on the best "show". If you're not a fan of that philosophy, watch soccer. "What makes you know-it-all reporters think that we fans appreciate a race in which the winner is determined by pure luck, as happened in Sunday's Winston 500? I watch a race to see who has the best car and is the best driver on that particular day. So there. Robert Bement Longview, Texas And I'm sure you noticed who won, didn't you? I'll tell Earnhardt about the luck thing after he gets back from depositing that million dollar bonus check at the bank. Thanks for watching, too. "I have watched racing for almost eight and a half years. I understand most things. But one thing that troubles me is this: What is the purpose of the banking, and how many degrees each corner is? Also, who sets the numbers for this? Thank you for answering my question, Bill." Patricia Trumpp Lincoln, Maine The tracks are designed on an individual basis. Banking is determined by the track owner and designer. Banking helps the cars turn. Watch a "flat" track race and compare it to a "banked" track. You'll notice the difference. In my opinion, banking is better! I know you didn't ask that question but I threw that in anyway! "I think it is great that you take time to answer questions for the fans and I am so sorry that ESPN will no longer continue to cover NASCAR. Anyway, I had a thought on a question you answered last week about the pits (that's what they are, "the pits") at Martinsville. Why not knock down the wall and move it closer to the infield and give the guys more room? I liked your idea about not pitting on the corners. My question is concerning the rules changes at Talladega. Why not let the cars run that aero-package at all the tracks? California, Michigan and all the speedways would be much better races, don't you think? Thanks for great coverage of America's greatest sport." Alex Barr Owensboro, Ky. Hey Owensboro! Been to Moonlight lately? Great Bar-B-Q! I think you've hit on an idea a lot people would like to see happen. MORE DRAG equals BETTER RACING. When I build my track ... well, never mind! As for Martinsville, something has to be done to improve "the pits." Thanks for watching! "I'm sorry that ESPN won't be carrying any of the WC races after this year, you guys are the best. My question is, why did Exide end it's sponsorship of the 99 team?" Tracy Sparrow Joplin, Mo. To the best of my knowledge, Exide was not willing to make the financial commitment for the 2002 season. Even though they have one year left on their contract (2001), they wanted to start reducing their role as soon as possible. I was told there have been some managerial changes at Exide, as well. The company worked out an agreement with Roush. They are suppose to be an "associate" on all the Roush cars next season. We'll see. Thanks for watching and for the kind words. Don't miss our finale in Atlanta! "At Lowe's a couple weeks ago there was a restart where Mayfield was a lap down, but for some reason he got to start on the high line on the track ahead of the cars on the lead lap instead of in the low line with the other cars down a lap. Why was this? I think this was a key factor to Rusty getting his lap back because the lead cars got hung up behind Mayfield while Rusty ran away to get back on the tail end of the lead lap. Thanks." Douglas Reynolds Durham, N.C. Jeremy was at the tail end of the lead lap, and that's where he belonged by rule. This happens almost every race with one or more drivers. Jeremy gained the position by staying out when the leaders pitted. And you're right, it did help Rusty. "Bill, my question is: How is the money won from the race divided up? Does the owner get all the money? Then does he pay his driver? Does it matter which driver you are?" Al Heber Billings, Mont. It's different for every owner-driver combination. Most drivers have contract that calls for a salary plus a percentage of the winnings. Bonuses like the Winston No Bull Million are another thing. "Is there any future in Winston Cup for Geoff Bodine? I watched Geoff many times years ago when he use to kick butt throughout the Northeast driving modifides." Nelson Dailey Hailesboro, N.Y. You mean Geoffrey, don't you? I think he'll have a ride next season and he might even drive few races in the closing weeks, maybe a race or two as a teammate to his brother, Brett. "Concerning the Lowe's sponsorship of the RCR No. 31 car, I have heard that they are out after this season, but I also saw Richard Childress on RPM2Night state that he contacted Lowe's and they told him that they would honor the remaining two years of their contract. What's the real scoop?" Dan Keeling Celina, Ohio Don't know for sure. I think Lowe's had a performance clause in the contract that may have included finishing in the top ten in points. When it became clear that was not going to happen they may have had an "out." I believe Lowe's will be back in the sport next season, and you might be surprised where there land. Of course, I could just be guessing ... | ALSO SEE Weber's mailbag: Oct. 11 Weber's mailbag: Sept. 27 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 | |||||