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| | Wednesday, September 13 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. The Winston Cup season is in full swing and Weber is following the circuit -- this week he's in Darlington, S.C. for the Southern 500. But before he started his BBQ and made his way to the Darlington Raceway pits, Weber took the time to answer a few of your questions. "The Bristol night race is one of the most anticipated races every year. I love short-track racing and I think most NASCAR fans agree with me. Why is NASCAR increasingly moving away from short-track racing in favor of racing on these newer tracks which wouldn't produce the excitement in 10 years of racing which Bristol is going to produce (Saturday night)" Dan Bowen,Wilmington, N.C. It's not just NASCAR, it's the track owners that insist on building mile-and-a-half and two-mile tracks. I am biased. I love Bristol and Richmond. Great tracks, usually great races and plenty of seats. I know it's tough to get a ticket, but it is worth the wait. One thing to keep in mind, when someone build a mile-and-a-half track they think that means more seats than a half-mile or three-quarter mile track. More seats. More money. So maybe they are thinking of the dollars instead of the fans. "With night racing being so hugely popular in Winston Cup, why aren't more tracks considering holding a night race, especially the tracks with more that one event per season? I know lighting isn't going to be inexpensive, but man, those night races are so fun to watch! Prime time television on Saturday nights would surely benefit, wouldn't it?" Glen Dotson, Carthage, Mo. Actually, no. Night racing is not a big draw for the networks. In fact, networks have fought to prevent some races from being moved to the evening because of the audience you lose. Still, it's a great atmosphere. The races that are held at night are popular races no matter what time they are held, but I believe if other races were moved to the evening hours, they would take a hit at the gate and in the ratings. "How did NASCAR come up with a 43-car field? Why not 45 or 50? It's such a strange number, I had to ask." Gary Harrison, Orlando, Fla. The number grew to 42 over time to accommodate the growing number of entires, although fewer cars were started at short tracks until recent years. It became 43 when the champions provisional was added. I think 44 would be a better number, that way you have even rows. However, some of the smaller tracks are already to crowded and it hurts the racing. "It seems Rusty has one of the top two or three cars every week. What chances do you give him to get to the top of the points standings this year and what's your prediction for him next year?" Gene Hockenberry, Dayton, Ohio I believe Rusty has a shot. And I hope he makes a run at it. It would be exciting to cover, that's for sure; Labonte Jarrett, Earnhardt and Wallace all fighting it out down the stretch. I think patience at tracks where he hasn't excelled will determine his fate this season, beginning with Darlington. As for next year, let's see what happens this year first. "Johnny Benson has been surprising everyone this year with his success. It's surprising to me because he wasn't successful at Roush, even with all the resources that team has. To what do you attribute Johnny's success this year? Could it be that 'driving hungry' made the difference?" Dan Despard, Rockland, Maine No, because believe me, J.B. has always been hungry. It's just that sometimes in the past, nobody has "fed" him. Right now he is in a solid situation. Good equipment that is getting better, and a hungry team trying to earn respect. Nothing against Roush here, but if Benson had stayed at Bahari, I really think you would have seen him on stage in New York by now. "Sometimes we see drivers who suddenly disappear from the scene. Where do they go? Lake Speed dropped from sight, for instance. With a name like that what else could he do but race? Harry Gant -- never around, never a camera zooming in on a former racer enjoying the races as a fan. Is it too painful once a driver stops driving? Was their interest only in driving and making money? Even former U.S. Presidents show up at some functions to wave at the crowd." Gail Green, Ballouville, Conn. These guys show up every now and then, but when you've been traveling all over the country for so many years, it's nice to spend the weekends at home after climbing out of the seat. Lake Speed is still around quite a bit. But most of the time these "retired" drivers prefer to stay out of the spotlight. "Is the question of the front downforce on the Chevys been put to rest? It still seems as if they have trouble at the speedways dialing in the car." Richard Ristaneo, Columbus, Ohio It will never be "put to rest," but we haven't heard that much from the Chevy teams, lately. This weekend we could and certainly at Loudon and Dover. "Micheal Waltrip was driving the No. 99 Aaron's Rent car in the Friday night's Busch race at Bristol, and Hermie Sadler was driving a No. 7 car. Did Michael sell his Busch team or is this part of his expansion?" Pamela Mallory, Fairfield, Ohio Michael changed his car number for his new sponsor "Aaron's Rents." They have a sales promotion around rent-to-own for $99.99, or something like that. "I would like to how the drivers are paid. Do they get a salary, percent of winnings, or both? Or what? I have never heard this discussed. They list the winnings of each driver, but do they get the money?" B.J. Taylor, Orange, Texas It varies by driver, and I have seen a contract, but basically it's salary plus a percentage of the earnings. The "bonus" dollars certainly vary by owner and driver. "What's in the plans for Geoffrey Bodine's ride this coming year. Will he be with the Power Team, or will he be searching for a new ride? If so, who might that be?" Joe Hester, Rome, Ga. I don't believe Geoffrey will return to the 60 car. Right now, owner Joe Bessey is looking for sponsorship for 2001. "I'm a big Sterling Marlin fan. Will he win this year and will he get any poles this year for the Bud Shootout next season. How's he going to do next year in a Dodge and is he in jeopardy of losing his ride?" Abe Connor, Waynesville, N.C Sterling looked good at Bristol and there are some tracks left on the schedule where he has had some success in the past. A pole is certainly a possibility. As for next year, he has said he is staying with Ganassi. But I think that is a wait-and-see situation. "Is it true that Exide will not be the sponsor for the 99 car next year? If so, do they have another major sponsor lined up? Do you know who it will be?" Julie Paul, Virginia Beach, Va. By the time you read this, you may have already heard officially, but Exide is reevaluating it's position. They will be in the sport next season, but I believe it will be in a different sponsorship role. "Why don't the Winston Cup and Busch guys put the valve stems on the inside of the wheel, instead of the outside?" Bill Antes, Mesa, Ariz. That's a really good question. I'm sure there's a reason. I don't know, but I'll investigate. "What does Jeff Gordon's team need for a better year next season?" Vanessa Myrick, Wellston, Okla. Just one thing: Better luck. Between the time that the team will have to work together, and some better luck, they WILL be better in 2001. | ALSO SEE 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 Ask Bill Weber | |||||