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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. "With 3 Pontiacs in the top ten, why are so many Pontiac teams changing to Dodge next year?" Ryan ClarkOakton, Va. Ryan, they are moving in bunches, aren't they? Obviously, the top two Pontiac teams are staying, Labonte and Stewart. Of all the teams moving, only Ward Burton has a win and he is tenth in points. I think it's a case of the grass -- and the money -- possibly being a little greener on the other side of the manufacturers fence. "What does Nascar do with the money from the TV contract? Is it split among the teams, like it is in other professional sports leagues? Larry Shonk Jr. Columbus, Ohio There is a break down but I don't know exactly what it is. In fact, from what I have heard and read, some car owners don't know exactly what it is. Originally, we were told a certain percentage of it would go into the purse. What they need to do with it is make winning worth more financially as an incentive to improve the racing at the front of the field. "Recently, an accident occurred behind Jeff Gordon as he was preparing to enter the pits. If he had had to speed up to avoid a collision, and therefore exceed pit road speed, would he have been penalized? I know drivers can speed down pit road to avoid an accident, but in this case Gordon was actually pitting, so what would NASCAR have done?" Barbara DiNicola Perrineville, N.J. If Gordon had exceeded the pit road speed limit to avoid a collision on pit road, it becomes a judgement call by the officials. The object here is to make certain no one gains an advantage. "I've been a BIG Jeff Gordon fan since '93. This year has been a little rough but I like the progress. My question is: Do you think we have a good shot at contending for another champ with the people they have put back together? I also think it will be pretty cool to see Bobby win it this year. Keep up the good work -- we will miss you guys!" Chris Alexander Unionville, Mich. Chris, "a little rough?" That's like saying Lake Michigan is a nice pond! Actually, I just got off the phone and was speaking with a colleague about the season Jeff has had. A lot of guys out there would love to "settle" for three wins and a top-ten in the points. But certainly, this team has higher goals. I think they will contend for the title in 2001. It's not an understatement when people say it takes a long time to adjust to change in the Winston Cup series. "My question is: Why hasn't Jarrett's sponsor for next year been announced? Just recently, Quality Care signed on as an associate sponsor, so it is apparent that they will not be back next season as the primary sponsor. During the summer I had heard that UPS would be footing the bill. If this is the case, why haven't they announced the deal like the 6 team and others?" Gerald Larsen Amherst, Mass. It's my understanding that the 88 team cannot "officially" make a statement until after Atlanta. I was told that's the way the contract is worded. It could be a case where Ford Quality Care does not want attention focused away from their sponsorship until after the season is over. "Read Gail's comments. I sometimes was upset with you until I realized you knew what you were talking about ALL the time, even when I disagreed with you! My question is, do you think everything happened too fast for Ricky Rudd's spotter to let him know what was going on last Sunday? We have discussed it and some of our racing gang wondered where his spotter was! Of course, we are all 'arm chair quarterbacks', aren't we?!" Joni Steele Port Franks, Ontario That armchair is the most comfortable (and the safest) seat in the house, even when you're second-guessing poor pit-road reporters. I don't think it was a spotter issue. If you get a chance to look at the tape one more time, watch Ricky commit to a part of the track that he believed was going to be clear. One thing about this crash, if you watch it in slow motion, is that it still happens very fast. Ricky is scheduled to be our guest Sunday morning on NASCAR2Day. Oh, and thanks for watching and reading! "I read that they are building a new track in Pittsburgh for indoor racing. My question is, how do they plan to ventilate the exhaust from the building or are they going to require the competitors to run a non toxic fuel" Ed Kerans Plymouth, Mass. These are the questions everyone is asking. Someone in the newsroom said it best a few months ago; "That's one I'll believe when I see it!" "What has happened to Darrell Waltrip? Is it really possible that his skills have deteriorated that much or is it the team he drives for?" Kelly Bryner Germantown, Md. GREAT QUESTION! The answers, or at least some of them, are in my column this week. Great minds think alike, huh, Kelly? "The F-1 Champion was not interested in a top-5 finish at races during the season. John Force isn't happy with winning a couple of rounds, as these people are champions as a result of winning more races. When is NASCAR going to make winning races important again? The driver who wins the most races should win the championship! I'm very disappointed in guys who are satisfied with a top-5 finish or guys who say "we're just trying for a top-10 finish". NASCAR needs to fix the points system to reward the guys who just want to run top 5, with just that, a top-5 finish in the championship standing,s while the guy who wins the most races is rewarded with the championship! How do car owners and crews feel when drivers comment, "I'm just hoping for a top 10 finish." Did the crew slack off and just build a car to run top 5 or did they build a car capable of winning a race?" Brian Murphy Walnut Creek Calif. Just think about how some kind could be running for President and get more votes and lose! Winning should matter the most. I think the system is flawed. You should reward the winner for winning. Unfortunately, consistency is the current goal and that is where the reward is. Owners and crews know that, and of course, so do the drivers. Until the system is corrected, winning isn't everything. "I read on NASCAR.COM that Jeremy Mayfield may be leaving Penske South. What is up with that? Why in the world would he leave such a great team?!" Smoser Indianapolis Jeremy said last week he is not leaving. We'll see. Sometimes it's not what you see, it's what you can't see that leads to changes in race teams. "I've been watching Winston Cup racing for a long time and I'll never understand this. When the caution came out in Phoenix with about 15 laps left, why didn't everyone or at least some stay out with Mark Martin when the leader Burton went in the pits? Being an 88 fan, I couldn't believe they wouldn't give it a shot after running around 10th place all day long. The 6 team won the first Martinsville race that way, and last weekend Mark gained nine positions using this strategy." Brian Pembrook Ballston Spa, N.Y. Mark tried it. Others didn't. They felt that their best shot was to get tires or make an adjustment. This is another case where a great reward for winning would have affected the outcome of the race. But because most of the guys that stopped were concerned with "protecting their position in the points and getting a solid top-ten finish" instead of trying to win the race, well, that's what you get. And, honestly, you can't fault them for that because that is how the system works. Those guys did what they thought was the best thing to do in the spirit of the rule and the race. Here's one to think about: When Bobby Labonte won the Southern 500 in the rain at Darlington with a great pit stop, NOBODY stayed out. If anyone had, that driver would have been the winner of the Southern 500. "With the terrible season Terry Labonte is having I have heard tons of rumors that he was leaving the Hendricks Team. Is there any truth to this? And if so, tell me he isn't going to the Roush stables!" Laurie Pecor East Montpelier, Vt. Haven't heard that Terry is leaving, in fact, he and Kellogg's have extended their deal at Hendrick. Those contracts don't always last, but I would be surprised if Terry left. I will also be surprised if he doesn't have a MUCH better season in 2001. "I have asked this question numerous times but I never get a straight answer (if any at all). I serve my country in the U.S. Army and I have a lot of pride. One thing I don't understand about NASCAR is why the drivers don't stand for the National Anthem. I think that is crap. What do they do in the cars that prohibits them from "paying tribute to America"? Can the race hold out five minutes longer if they stand for the National Anthem?" Deron Jannicke Stationed in Vilseck, Germany Actually, many drivers do stand for the National Anthem and climb into the car after it has been completed. There are races where the timing of the Anthem and the command to start engines are very close, or even back-to-back. Because of the time it takes to make sure the safety harness is buckled properly, make sure the helmet is strapped on tight, make sure the radio is connected to the helmet, make sure the radio works, etc., drivers will occasionally have to climb aboard prior to the Anthem. Here's a little more, Deron. Because of all the people where the cars are "gridded" and all the activity on the track, inside the car is the only quiet place for a driver to compose himself in the final moments before the race. Also, I think every driver in the top NASCAR divisions proudly wears the American flag on his driving uniform. Hope that gives you and all our men and women in the Armed Services a better feeling before every race. Thanks for the great job around the world, allowing us to enjoy the rights and freedoms of living in our country. | ALSO SEE Weber's mailbag: Nov. 1 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 | |||||