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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 am a big Rick Mast fan and I would like to know if he will be getting a new ride next year? If so, do you know where?" Jeremy Jones Vermilion, Ohio By the time you read this, you might already know where Rick is going to be racing next year. But, I can't spoil his surprise. "The latest election showed us a problem with that system. After Miami we were told how Bobby Labonte's engine man can now give him a more aggressive engine combination like Tony Stewart has been running. Again this shows us the flaw in NASCAR'S point system. Drivers and their teams (can't) and don't run to win when they are close to the championship. They run in a way "not to lose," meaning "not to finish too far back." Even Bobby commented that now he can get back to "trying to win races," which shows us that he had very little chance of actually winning in the past few weeks but just tried to get high finishes. CHANGE THE SYSTEM. Give a driver 10 points for winning a pole; 5 points for leading the MOST laps (none for leading a lap; separate first and second place by 20 points); and make it where if a driver finishes in the top 20 for the season, he or she cannot run ANY Busch races the next season. Reward the WINNER for winning, not for hanging close." Butch Lee Taylor, Texas I'm not sure I agree with this system, but I certainly agree that the current system needs an overhaul. It does not reward excellence. But that does not take anything away from Labonte and his team. They won the championship under the rules. They deserve to celebrate. But the "point system" is lame. "Does NASCAR do any type of drug testing on the drivers? With the news of Mike Skinner's son, it makes you wonder. I know I would not want to drive on a track at 200 mph with someone who might not be 100 percent in control of their race car." Don Whitwood Hudson, Ill. If you saw the piece on RPM2Night you might already be aware that by signing for their license, a driver agrees to submit to drug testing any place at any time. "Will there be any special events for DW's final race? We have tried numerous times and so far have not been able to find out ANYTHING! I can't imagine, for such a great driver and icon to NASCAR that there wouldn't be a send off party. PLEASE share any information that you might know." Dana Green Marble Falls, Texas DW will have a couple of "special" moments on Sunday. Watch closely! "No question, just a comment. I watch every televised NASCAR race and from the first time I saw you on the air, I knew you were good. I like your insight, your opinions and your get-go! Good luck on your new venture. After watching NASCAR for so many years on TV, It's good to see "networks" get up and notice. Keep up the fabulous work, and remember, the audience is watching!" John Alberino West Haven, Conn. Thanks. Keep us on our toes! "If Winston Cup ever had an award for the most improved driver for the year, who would you think would get it and why? If I had a vote in it, I would give my vote to Steve Park. I think he has had a great year and I'm looking forward to next year when DEI has a three-car operation in Winston Cup. Thanks!" Kevin Mann Springfield, Mich. Park would get a lot of votes. How about Johnny Benson? 13th in points and he missed a race. Rudd would get some votes. And don't say it's the equipment. "In the Homestead race, what was that very untimely caution for after some guys pitted? I never saw anyone smoking, nor did I see the track crew putting down oil dry. Man, that messed up my No. 24. I'll miss ESPN race coverage." Michelle Taylor Valdosta, Ga. I was watching the same coverage, so I didn't see it, either. Or the "debris." Thanks for watching "What kind of advantage and/or disadvantage will the new Dodge teams have when they start the new season. Also, being a Rusty Wallace fan this year has been full of ups and downs. What will it take for us loyal No. 2 fans to see him win another championship, in your opinion?" Eddie Michael Indianapolis Hey, one question per customer! OK, I'll take a shot at both. The Dodge situation will be interesting to watch. No one will truly know what advantages or disadvantages it has until it runs under real race conditions. Its biggest pluses? Research and development time and a guy named Evernham. As for Rusty ... I wish I knew. I would like to say some luck, but it might take a little more focus on the "big" picture. "Bill, continue the fine work you are doing. We've all appreciated your insight. To my question: What are the qualification requirements to drive in Winston Cup? Do you have to earn your wings through other series, or could you theoretically "buy" your way into a team/driver position?" Bob Henderson Clearwater, Fla. You can't "buy" your way into a driving position. You have to prove you are capable of racing at these speeds on these tracks. Even a short track champion would have to race a Busch car or Truck to prove he (or she) could compete on a bigger track. "Is there any truth to this protest? Bobby Labonte isn't the NASCAR champion yet. Last week's race in Florida has some controversy associated with it and Dale Jarrett's team is protesting the finish. Apparently there was some confusion with the way Homestead, Fla., lays out the pit stalls. This caused Dale Jarrett's crew to accidentally change tires on Dave Blaney's car several times. "The way the pit stalls are lined up, it's confusing, " said a member of Jarrett's pit crew. "I mean, hey, there ain't no way Dave Blaney has a top-ten car anywhere, let alone here in Florida. People hate him down here." Joe Gibbs responded: "Forty-two other teams had no difficulty in distinguishing which car they were to service. Now we're supposed to believe that Jarrett's crew was confused? Come on! I would hope that the Yates team would not seek to drag out the NASCAR championship season." Members of Jarrett's crew are demanding a re-race. A decision from the NASCAR governing body is expected this week." Bill Bush Holland, Mich. You have too much time on your hands. "At the Miami race, why was Earnhardt allowed to restart up front on the inside row when he was two laps down and several other cars were only 1 lap down." Sharon Shepherd Newark, Del. The rule regarding restarts with more than 25 laps left says cars not on the lead lap start on the inside but does not discriminate against cars more than one lap down. Whoever -- or is it whomever -- gets there first, gets the spot. "Bill, I know that New Jersey's governor shot down a track for NASCAR to race, but then I heard a rumor that the owner of the Texas and Charlotte tracks was going to build it. Could you confirm this one way or the other? Thanks, and keep up the great work." Ed Hoffman Toms River, N.J. Lots of rumors but nothing concrete about a track in Jersey. Sorry. By the way, Toms River always beat us in hockey when I was in high school. "It's a simple question. Why does Dale Earnhardt always seem to qualify at the back of the field? It seems like every race he is starting from the 30s or a provisional spot, but he always races well. What's the deal?" Jason Raybon Woodbridge, Va. Don't know. I have talked about this a little in the past. Dale is not a great qualifier. Sometimes it's the car, sometimes it is probably him, sometimes a little of both. All in all, things have worked out pretty well for him, though. Don't you think? | ALSO SEE Weber's mailbag: Nov. 1 Weber's mailbag 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 | |||||