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| | Thursday, August 17 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 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 upstate New York for the Global Crossing at the Glen. But before the green flag drops, Weber took the time to answer a few of your questions. "Do you think somebody will be smart enough to pick up Ron Fellows for the Glen race next week? He is dominate driver on that course." Bill Locke,Las Vegas, Nev. Ron Fellows has a ride at the Glen, driving for Joe Nemechek. Could Nemechek go to Victory Lane as a car owner just one year after going as a driver? It could happen, so you better watch! "As a Terry Labonte Fan, I've not heard much on how he is feeling. We miss him on the track. When will we see him racing, if you know? How is his leg doing and how long before it will be safe for him to drive again? Watching the race is not, the same without him." Jackie Nixon, Grove City, Ohio Bobby Labonte said on Wednesday that Terry is doing better. I have not talked to Terry. One of our RPM 2Night producers tried to line up an interview but we were unsuccessful. Terry would love to hear from his fans. I'm sure he would be happy to know he is missed on the track. A personal and professional thank you to Terry for talking with us on the pre-race show at Indianapolis. Terry is a class act. And he's a great person. Can't say much more for a guy than that. "Do you think Rusty can catch the front four and have a chance to win the championship?" Nathan Houtz, Mifflintown Pa. It will be tough. Not just getting around the guys in front of him, but getting around THOSE guys in front of him. I think when this season is over, Rusty and his team and his fans will be saying "what if" all the way to N.Y. "I understand that there are tremendous amounts of money involved with sponsors, but don't you think that there would be better racing if NASCAR limited the number of starting cars to 35 or even less?" Doane Rohr, Tallahassee, Fla. I LOVE it when people ask what I think. So, my answer is NO! I think they should start 44 cars. 43 starters doesn't make any sense. If you're going to start 43, make it 44, so you have an even number. That is WAY too many cars at Bristol and Martinsville, but sense qualifying is a waste of time anyway, add another car! Until NASCAR changes the aerodynamics on these cars, nothing is going to make for better racing. "Mr. Weber, over the last couple of seasons Mark Martin had the Winston Cup championship with in an arms reach only to have it spoiled for whatever reason. Going into a season where he had successful back surgery and a great start, what and the heck is going on? Jeff Burton doesn't seem to have any engine trouble. Can Mark still win this years WCC?" Rowland Gove, US Air Force, England Please, don't call me Mister. It makes me feel old ... okay, OLDER, and I'll have to do an extra mile on the treadmill! Mark Martin is the victim of bad luck. And that's it. Every team will make a bad call or two during the season, but in the last two races, it has been bad luck, and that's it. Yes, Mark CAN still win the WC championship, unofficially, (which means I can deny it later). He was my preseason pick. I would tell you who my pick is for next season, but all those races are on another network or two ... so who cares? Oh, hey, Rowland, four of our (my wife and I) best friends live in England. A salute to ALL of our men and women in the service and a special hello to all the racing fans checking in around the world. "When and where will Bill Elliott begin testing the new Intrepid? Also, which Winston Cup races might Casey Atwood be entered in this year? I understand that he'll drive a Taurus of Bill Elliott's if he does." Barry Koenecke, Clear Lake S.D. If I told ya, Ray Evernham will kill me. Besides, I really don't know ... exactly. When, not if, but when Casey drives this year it will be a new Taurus built by and out of the Evernham shop entered under Bill Elliott Motorsports. "Do you know if Jeff Green will move up to Winston Cup next year, or anybody else's plans to run Cup next season?" Nick Reed, Knox, Pa. I don't know what Jeff Green plans to do for next year. I talk with him about the future when the BGN series raced at California. If he doesn't get a 'good' ride in WC, look for him to stay in Busch. Right now, I hope Jeff and his wife Michelle are enjoying this season. THEY BOTH deserve it! "What determines who will be in the IROC Series; and why are there only 4 IROC races per year?" Carla Patnoude Ft. Wayne, Ind. Hello Ft. Wayne! Did you know the first job offer I had out of Butler University was in Ft. Wayne? Do you care? It was a radio 'gig' at a station called the 'Magic Mee' as I recall. Anyway, what was the question? Oh, yeah, in most years since the beginning of IROC is has been four races. Why? No idea. I assume cost and the challenge of getting 12 drivers from different series together in one place at one time. I'll ask the IROC guys. Somebody get me the phone directory for Tinton Falls, N.J. "What do you think about in the 2001 season giving the driver who takes the pole in every race 5 bonus points?" Brent Post Seeleylake, Mt. I like it. Actually, I've always thought not just the pole, but the top-five spots deserve something. They have to do the work. How about a reward? "I'm a huge Chad Little fan and feel quite badly of what's happened with him and Roush. If you had to predict right now, based on what you've heard around the tracks, where do you think Chad will end up? Also, is there any chance John Deere will change its mind and go with Chad? Thanks and keep up the fine field reporting." Joe DeSalvo, Jacksonville, Fla. Have not talked to Chad. Becoming Cal Wells' No. 2 driver is a good rumor. "What has happened to what seemed like a promising season for Ward Burton? What does the future look like for him and the CAT Racing Team?" Russ, Baltimore, Md. Don't give up on Ward and the boys yet. There's still a long way to go. "When there is an accident involving multiple vehicles that are not able to continue in the race, how is there position in the race determined." Ann Verdegan, Oshkosh, Wis. Scoring reverts to the last scored lap. "How much gasoline does a typical Winston Cup Car use in an entire race weekend?" Tom Mach, Houston, Texas Depends on how much practice, how many laps, weather, and the size of the track. In a typical intermediate rental car, I use about a tankful. Does that help? "If Earnhardt doesn't win the WC championship this year, do you think he could still compete for one in the next few years?" Matt Jackson, Lincoln, R.I. Sooner is better than later. But I'm not telling Earnhardt he can't win it in the future. Do you want that job? "Ricky Rudd won the pole for the Brickyard 400 with a track record 49.705 second lap. Brett Bodine, in second round qualifying, qualified 26th with a 49.704. Who will hold the official track record? Can you hold a qualifying record at a track without winning the pole?" Mike Lee, Richardson, Texas Brett holds the record, and yes you can hold the a qualifying record without holding the pole. "Drivers and teams have a 'Silly Season' every year, but this year, with the new networks set to broadcast races next year, broadcasters will be having one of their own. Who are the lineups going to include on the different networks next year? How many of the excellent ESPN broadcast crew are going to change networks?" Ron Krupa, Collegeville, Pa. I'll have to consult my attorney for an answer. But I try and keep up on the 'Silly Season' for broadcasters by logging onto www.wsjournal.com. Click on sports. Then auto racing and look for the Mike Mulhern column or NASCAR Notebook. I just read it to see if he spells Weber with one 'B' or two! | ALSO SEE 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 Ask Bill Weber | |||||