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| | 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. Here are some of our users' questions along with Bill's answers. "I would like to know how the rookie points work. Matt Kenseth is over 200 points ahead of Dale Jr. but only 27 points ahead in rookie points. Please explain." Jim Brown Cragsmoor, N.Y. Jim, Did you see the movie Back to the Future? One of my favorites. Well, the Professor is the one who came up with the system that determines the Raybestos Rookie of the Year. So THAT should explain something. The reason for the difference in points is because only the BEST 17 finishes count toward ROTY points. One point for each qualifying attempt. Ten points to the highest finishing rookie; nine to the next highest, etc. Any top-ten finish by a rookie is awarded specific points based upon that finish. For example, 10 points for first down to one point for tenth. Should I keep going? Bonus points are awarded three times during a season, after the 10th, 20th and 30th races -- 10 bonus points to the rookie with the most points down to one point. An additional award is made after the final race in a similar fashion and finally, the big mystery, DISCRETIONARY POINTS are awarded by a mystery panel after the season. Aren't you glad you asked? "I would like to know why nothing is being done by the almighty NASCAR about the reckless driving of Kurt Busch? He has shown in the trucks that he has no respect for other drivers and now is causing carnage in cup. What gives?" Jay Hollywood, Md. I think the way you used it, Almighty should be in caps. That's a one-lap penalty for reckless writing. I believe Kurt has respect for the other drivers, he just doesn't have the experience of the other drivers. That is one fact in Winston Cup racing -- rookies wreck a lot of cars. Some of them are even their own. "Something that I have always wondered about. Why do they start 43 cars? why not 42 or 44? Just wondering." Dave Wagner Lovell, Wyo. Dave, I'm with you on this one. It was always 42 cars until the past champions provisional was added. That made it 43. I don't like odd numbers. Let's start 44. "How does it feel to cover the most exciting series in America? Do the drivers usually give you good interviews?" Dan Hughes Sauquoit, N.Y. It's a great job, no doubt about it. Most of the time, most of the drivers are great about granting interviews. It's not uncommon to catch the right guy at the wrong time, but that happens in every sport. Just watch SportsCenter. Every time a guy loses his cool it not only makes the show, it makes the tease! One of the best things about covering NASCAR is that you can talk to the driver/player/coach right after something good -- or not so good -- happens instead of having to wait until after the game. "Why is it in the pit crew challenge the top pit stop was only 18.355 when we see as low as 14-second pit stops on race day?" Adam Las Vegas In the pit crew competition the "timing light" is tripped by the car and that's what starts the clock. During a race, the clock starts after the car stops. Also, in the competition, lugnuts are tested for tightness so the guys hit them that extra split second. "I thought I understood provisionals, until now. How does Carl Long make a race on a provisional and Ted Musgrave not? Ted has made the starting field for 4 out of the last 5 races, including the last race at Talladega. Doesn't that reason, plus the fact that Team Ganasi/Sabco is a weekly competitor, qualify him for the race? NASCAR should revisit the rules governing provisionals." Kevin LaClaire Mass. Ted was totally out of provisionals and out of the top 25 in owner points. By rule, that makes the car ineligible for a provisional. Carl Long, even with his limited appearances, was eligible. I agree, the rules regarding provisionals should be updated. "Bill, are you totally mad about this switch for the Brickyard in 2001? I am furious! I go to Indy every year and I have to say, I love the tradition of having the Brickyard on Saturdays. I sets it apart from other races, minus the Saturday Night Thunder races. I don't think TV should have the power to change the schedule. What do you think?" Jennifer Washington, Ill. Gee Jennifer, I wish they had asked me about the switch but nobody called here. I loved the Brickyard on Saturday, too. That way I could go to my buddy Joe's house and grill out steaks on Sunday afternoon before flying home Sunday night. Now we'll just have to cookout later in the day and fly home Monday morning and hustle into the office. See, everybody has to make a little adjustment. If they call, I'll ask them to change it back and mention your name! "What will happen to Kenny Wallace in the next No Bull Five race? Does he get to compete for the million since he was the driver in the top five or does it carry over to the team since he is leaving?" Bill Parks Kokomo, Ind. Kenny will be eligible. It's the driver, not the team or car. "As I am originally from Owensboro, Ky., I read with interest your comments about the Moonlite BarBQ. The next time you are there try George's on East Main Street. It is on the right just as you are going out of town. Their food used to be some of the best in town! My question is, who in your opinion were the top three NASCAR drivers? Please consider the drivers from the 1950s and '60s as I feel Fireball Roberts, Joe Weatherly and Fred Lorenzen were three of the better drivers to ever set behind a steering wheel." Gary Lee Frankfort, Ky. I'm going to side-step this question. First of all, I didn't get to see the drivers of the '50s and '60s race. And the sport has changed so much over the 50-plus years of Winston Cup racing. If I had to pick three, I would probably have to split the 52 years into thirds and pick a driver from each year. That being said, The King and Dale Earnhardt would more than likely make the list, but for the first third, 1949 through say, 1966 ... That's tough. Too tough for me. Keep in mind, I say IF ... "I know that the car and driver have to weigh 3,400 pounds at the beginning of the race. When there is a driver change in the middle of the race, how does NASCAR make up the difference if it is Jimmy Spencer and Mark Martin." Dale Hood Clearwater, Fla. Obviously, they can't. But if you tried to put Jimmy Spencer in Mark Martin's driving seat, let me think of how to put this, Jimmy would be a little, well, shall we say, snug? Of course, if you put Mark into the seat Jimmy uses, Mark might not reach the pedals! You'll notice, relief drivers are usually close to the same size as the original driver, therefore, little or no advantage is gained. "Why did you find it necessary to do a piece on religion in racing on RPM2Night? The drivers views on religion are no more important than their views on the presidential election or the death penalty. The report was very one sided with no input from the people that find the driver's remarks about God offensive. When attending a race, I make it a point to remain seated during the prayer before the race. Religion should be a private, not a public matter." A V Mark Charlotte, N.C. This two-part story generated a tremendous amount of viewer reaction. I thought the story turned out great. Of course I would -- it was my idea. Pam Surbaugh produced both pieces. It WAS NOT one-sided, it was a story about why certain individuals say what THEY say or act as THEY act. Perhaps you missed the explanation at the end of the piece that this is an issue that does not have two sides, it has many sides. As I said on RPM2Night, "Athletes are fortunate. They can use their success to help build up businesses or spread personal beliefs. But fans are just as fortunate, to be able to make their own decisions when it comes to 'buying' whatever an athlete might be 'selling.' " Different people express themselves in different ways. You have decided to express yourself sitting down. It's a free country. "NASCAR has seen the recent tragic losses of three of its drivers due to on-track incidents. In the case of Tony Roper, "severe neck injury" was listed as the cause. Should NASCAR look into using a device similar to that used by Indy car drivers that could prevent or minimize whiplash-type injuries?" Troy Crosby Oceanside, Calif. NASCAR is always looking into ways to make the cars more safe and to protect the drivers. Many of the best ideas often come from the race teams. I don't have the knowledge or experience to comment on a whiplash device, but I feel comfortable in saying that NASCAR and crew chiefs are exploring anything and everything possible to prevent these types of tragic losses. "Why were you respectful of all the questions except those that were critical of NASCAR? In particular, the snide comment about NASCAR putting on a good show as opposed to soccer? Is it not possible to put on a good show, and a fair, competitive one?" Also, the comment about Earnhardt's luck. His main luck came Saturday when the eleventh-hour rule change took out most of his legitimate competition and gave the race to the best Chevy. Finally, do you feel any guilt over being a NASCAR prostitute instead of a journalist?" Gail Forrester Milwuakee, Wis. Hi Gail, Let me answer these in order. What? I'm out of space. Darn, Gail. The editor says I am out of space. But thanks for the nice letter. Sorry I couldn't answer all of your thoughtful and insightful questions. Gee, NOW I feel guilty. | ALSO SEE Weber's mailbag: Oct. 18 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 | |||||