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| | Wednesday, April 12 | |||||
| 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 email to you, the fans, this season.
The Winston Cup season is in full swing and Weber is following the circuit -- this week he's in Martinsville for the Food City 500. Before he finds his way to the pits this weekend, Weber took the time to answer a few of your questions. "Rusty's team doesn't name their new cars until they win with them. What did they name the car they won the Food City 500 at Bristol with on Sunday?" Wanda Schmidt,Sawyer, Mich. They named it "Bristol". Pretty appropriate don't you think? It is his favorite track and right now. I'll bet it's his favorite car. It's a virtual clone of the car that won there last year! "I know Steve Parks won the pole at Bristol, but his lack of success has me wondering if Ron Hornaday has a Dale Jr.-type of Busch Series for the next let's say two years, what is the likelihood that Steve Park could be replace by maybe a Ron Hornaday or anybody else for that matter?" Kenneth Kierbow, Atlanta, Ga. First of all, for Steve, let's get it right. His last name is Park, without the "s". This has been a common error, so don't feel bad Kenneth. I think the pressure is on Park, especially after the win by Dale Jr., last weekend. But I also think the driver and the team has stepped it up. Park lost a lot of valuable seat time after his crash in Atlanta. He has shown improvement and is surrounded by strong leadership. His finishes are better. He needs to win, very similar to the Mike Skinner situation in the 31 car. "Some people I know think D.J. has gotten cocky since winning the Cup. Being a diehard fan, but also objective, I haven't seen any evidence of that. What's your take on his and the team's attitude and work ethic this year?" Brian Pembrook, Ballston Spa, N.Y. I believe the team is more confident and now faces the pressure of defending the most coveted prize in motorsports -- the Winston Cup. Also, there is a tremendous demand on Dale Jarrett's time, not only from his sponsors, but from his sport as the reigning champion. There have been instances where I think Dale's disappointment could be construed being cocky. I think he remembers his humble beginnings, and if he doesn't, we can break out the videotape and show him. "There have been a couple of rumors spreading around the Internet that Joe Gibbs could possibly be switching to a Ford operation as early as Fontana? Is there any proof to this rumor or is it Greg Zipadelli's way of getting NASCAR to change the rules for them? Joe Gibbs has the best team on the track week after week and I wouldn't think Joe is the kind of guy who gives up on something that easily especially with Bobby Labonte leading the points standings in a Pontiac." Melissa Oswald, Penn Yan, N.Y. I have seen the quote, but I haven't talked to Zipadelli about it. The Gibbs organization gets a lot of money from Pontiac. They advertise Pontiacs on television. I believe you would call the comments "posturing." They are lobbying for a better race car. Did Jeff Gordon ever sign a lifetime contract with Hendrick Motorsports? Or was it just a two-year deal? Ed Ehman,Syracuse, N.Y. I have never seen the contract, but it has been called a "lifetime" contract with Hendrick that also gives Jeff part equity in the 24 team. It's an impressive package and I hope Jeff finishes his career at Hendrick. But even "lifetime" contracts have a tendency to expire in the Winston Cup world. "During the in-car camera views, there seems to be something that removes debris from the lens. Could you explain how that works?" Jim Walsh, Palos Hills, Ill. Very observant. There is a teeny-tiny spool of plastic that is remotely controlled by Broadcast Sports Technologies. It works just like the sheet of plastic on the windshield of a Winston Cup car, only on the car someone has to peel off the plastic. When the windshield gets too dirty, the crewman peels off the plastic during a pit stop. When the view from the "on-board" camera gets obscured, the reel of plastic rotates, clearing the view of the lens. "Do you think that NASCAR will ever allow teams to put the gear shifter on the steering wheel as the Formula One cars do on the road courses so that the driver can keep both hands on the wheel for safety?" George Zambos, Rialto, Calif. I've never thought of this. This would probably go back to the argument that these are stock cars and that's where the shifter would be in your car or mind. Remember, in F1, the drivers shift a lot more than in a Winston Cup race, with the possible exception of the two road course races. "What do teams do with the left-side tires when making a two-tire change since the four tires are a matched set?" Fitz Marlow, Modesto, Calif. Those "spare" tires are matched to the next best set, or set aside in case there in an immediate caution when the team could pit for two left-side tires. "What is the deal this year with Derrick Cope. How come he hasn't been trying to qualify for all the races?" Todd Nicarry, Greencastle, Pa. The team Derrike is driving for is running with a very limited budget. It is not financially sound enough to attempt all the races because many of the tracks have a very small purse. The team is running just selected races, and they have failed to qualify for some of those. "Enjoy listening to you on ESPN! Can you help me as who to send an e-mail to on helping Ernie Irvan getting his trophies and pole awards replaced? There has got to be something we can do! Thanks for all your help in this matter." Sandra Sharpe, Sanford, N.C. You can contact NASCAR or, I believe visit the Ernie Irvan web site at www.irvan.com Before you make any commitment, MAKE SURE your time and/or donations are getting to Ernie! "Good article on Pruett. Do you think TIDE might be saying. 'Where's Ricky?'" Patrick Leach, Bristol, Conn. I think so. But Tide has made the financial commitment to Cal Wells and Scott Pruett. I hope they have committed the time and the patience, too. I'm not cheering for anyone here, but I said this in Daytona and I'm sticking with it, I think Scott Pruett could be good for the Winston Cup series, a good spokesman for his sponsor. I hope the fans have some patience, too. "Do you think NASCAR would/could ever go to a safer way to fuel the cars? Every week I see more gasoline spilled than I use in a year! I believe it was last week they had a pit fire. Don't you think it would be wiser to go to a fueling system like they have in sports cars? This would involve only one man with an input and take up hose. And, in my opinion, much safer." Bill Sweitzer, Cincinnati, Ohio I am down there during every ESPN race. In the Winston Cup races, I feel safe. Those guys "gasing" the car know what they're doing. There is a certain amount of danger involved, but I believe there is more danger fueling your car at the local gas station. Some people pay no attention to what is going on. Now, I am not quite as confident at some of the lower-level events where fueling the car is not a common practice. The one thing I have never been able to understand is allowing people to smoke in the pits. Now that's DANGEROUS!" "In print and on TV, you often hear someone on the crew referred to as the 'car chief.' What are this person's duties, and how does this differ from the crew chief?" Jack Miller The car chief deals directly with the performance of the car and the crew. The crew chief works in these areas as well, but also have a variety of other duties to perform at the office and at the track. "Bill, are the Earnhardts going to be able to survive together, or are they to much alike?" Frank Mullins, Cary, N.C. They'll do GREAT together. They feed off the competitive spirit from each other. They inspire each other. They are better because of each other.
| ALSO SEE 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 Ask Bill Weber | |||||