| | Don't ask ESPN auto racing analyst Bill Weber to pick a favorite for this weekend's Daytona 500 - he may rattle off about ten names.
During a chat session with ESPN.com users live from the speedway, Weber talked about his favorites for, not only the 500, but the Championship as well.
If you missed Weber's Feb. 16 chat, an edited transcript follows:
Bill Weber: Hello Race Fans! Welcome to Daytona! Weber here. Wish you were too. It's been a great two
weeks and the exciting part is still to come. So let's get started. I'm your garage pass. Fire away!
Bill Elliot: Will Mr. Stuart and/or Mr. Gordon be fined for (Wednesday's) incident?
Bill Weber:
I don't know. It's hard to tell. Robby says they have patched it up. The two drivers talked after
practice this afternoon. It's my understanding NASCAR will talk to both drivers tomorrow
morning then make a decision on any possible penalties.
Jim: Has Mark Martin talked about how he feels in the car after his surgery?
Bill Weber: Mark feels great. He told me to tell you hello! He feels like a kid again. His real pain
was when he was not in the car. He is smiling more. Good interview with Mark on Before They
Go Green Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Roadrunner024: Why is Dale Jarrett and Ricky Rudd in the 125 race when there already have a lock in the 500?
Why would they take the change of wreaking there cars?
Bill Weber:
Well, there's the $$$$, and the sponsorship exposure and the thrill of racing and
winning at Daytona. But Jarrett and Rudd will not be taking any chances. Dale told me this
morning if the 88 or 28 gets shuffled out of line or winds up in a "bad" pack, look for the driver to
pull the car out of line and head for the pits. Too much to lose.
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Weber serves as an auto racing commentator on ESPN and ESPN2, primarily as a pit reporter for ESPN's NASCAR Winston Cup and other stock car telecasts. He began those duties in 1995. He also serves as a reporter for ESPN2's RPM 2Night, which debuted in February 1996.
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Andy: Does Jeff Gordon have a shot at winning the 500 this year?Also, can he win the Cup title without
Ray Evernham?
Bill Weber:You bet he does. Would you bet against him? But if I had to handicap the situation, I
like Gordon's chances of winning the championship better than winning the 500. I think he'll have
an excellent season...less wins, more consistency.
Jeff Tom: Do you think the Chevrolets are at a disadvantage over the other cars?
Bill Weber: If I was to believe what I am told, yes. But the Monte Carlo will get
better with time. Right now, too much drag and the car does not seem to respond well to chassis
adjustments. I think in a pack they will be fine.
Diday: How safe do you think the races are going to be with the new rules on shocks and springs?
Bill Weber:
I think there is a tremendous amount of concern about how close
the cars are racing here and the fact that there seems to be incredible balance among the three
manufacturers IN THE DRAFT. In a huge pack, the air moves the cars around more than
usual and we all know what happens when one guy makes a small mistake.
Matt Downs: Does Scott Pruett have a chance to be the highest finishing rookie this year?
Bill Weber:
Sure he does. But, I think if Scott wins it, it will be because some of the other guys lost it. Dale,
Jr. and Matt Kenseth are runaway favorites because of their experience in the Busch series. But
Pruett is talented and if he's patient, he has the funding and the support to do well. I expect it and
he does too.
Brian in Boston: How about a theory on Rusty's
chances? He's been very competitive here the past couple years. Can he pull off a win in "the
big one"?
Bill Weber:
Can you hook me up with Sox-Yankee tix? Hey, about Rusty. Ya know, I like his
chances this year. I think with RW a lot of it is confidence at Daytona and Talladega. He has that
confidence after the last couple of years. His car is fast. He is relaxed. Even CC Robin
Pemberton seems confident, but NOT cocky. And I'm not just saying all this because Rusty is
taking some of the media, including ME, to dinner tonight!
William: Who do you think will win the Winston Cup Championship this year?
Bill Weber:
Hey, a lot of fans are asking this question. So here's my answer. I like a
number of guys, it's hard to pick just one. Jarrett is motivated to backup what he did last year.
Gordon is on a mission. Labonte, Stewart and Jeff Burton got close last year and want to get
closer this year. I really like the chances of Ricky Rudd. I told Jarrett this morning a lot of people
think his strongest competition could come from his teammate. Oh yeah, then there's that No. 3 car.
Dale Earnhardt will turn 49 in April. I think this may be his last year to serious challenge for the
Cup, and I think he could be holding it in Atlanta.
Alan in Huntington: What is wrong with Kyle Petty? Give me the inside scoop!
Bill Weber:
Boy, are they struggling. And John Andretti is running well and he's Kyle's TEAMMATE! I think
it's in the motor department. Not enough ponies for the ponytail dude. Got some confirmation on
this. Might have more power in the races. We'll see. Kyle COULD miss the D-500.
Dan: Dispite his on-track incident with Tony Stewart, I was wondering what you thought of Robby
Gordon's return back into Winston Cup. Do you think he has any realistic chances at some races
or is he just beating a dead horse trying to become an all-around race car driver?
Bill Weber: I have talked about this before so I have to stick with my word. I am a Robby
Gordon fan. I like the guy. I think he has talent but that talent is hidden behind his temper. I hate
that. I think it hurts him in the garage, in the public eye and with fans everywhere. I have told him
this before and I will tell him again. There's nothing wrong with being intense, but every time
Robby blows his cool, he's got more ground to make up. Tony Stewart has a bad rap from his IRL
days. He has shaken it totally, but he is improving. O.K., so much or my soap box
Paul: How come the networks aren't showing the Twin 125's. Will it be shown taped anywhere? I
enjoy your insights.
Bill Weber:
That's a great question. CBS owns the rights. NASCAR certainly should have a say. NASCAR
negotiates a huge TV deal beginning in 2001 because they want more exposure on over-the-air
TV but they don't have a deal in place to show the best day of racing OF THE YEAR on live TV.
Terrible administration work there. The fans, the sponsors and the teams get robbed. Write your
congressman! Oh yeah, they are televised on a delay on Saturday. BIG DEAL
Jonesy: My wife has a complaint. She wishes drivers would remove sunglasses for your interviews. She thinks
it's impolite not too.
Bill Weber:
I agree, Joneser. But these guys have big dollar deals with the sunglass makers. If they wear
them on the air, they get the bucks. Did I mention mine are Oakleys?
Aaron: How does it feel to be down at Daytona in the garage area with the tensions being so high as
the days tick away for the 500?
Bill Weber:
It is great to be in the garage at any race, but Daytona is special. You can actually feel the
pressure mounting and see the tension on the faces of drivers and crew. It was hot here today,
and that pushes the intensity meter higher. Guys know this race can make or break their season.
Most guys will talk to you about it off camera, it seems to help!
Ginger: Is Mark Martin racing in the Busch Series this year? How are the drivers chosen for the IROC?
Bill Weber:
This is his last year in the Busch Series. I believe he is going to run 14 BGN
events in 2000. Then he is done. Next year Greg Biffle from the Truck series will run a full-time
BGN schedule under Roush Racing.
IROC drivers are invited by IROC based on past success in
their particular venue
Reaspie: What is the reasoning for the rerun for Joe Nemechek's?
Bill Weber:
Kevin Triplet is making the announcement now, the wheel-weights were not within NASCAR
rules. The total weight of the car was OK but there are minimum and maximum cross-weight that
must be maintained and Joe's team apparently crossed the line. No fine. Thanks for asking!
Jeffrey: Do you think DW will win a race this year? And if so, which one do you think?
Bill Weber:
Jeffrey, I do think DW will win a race this year. I really do. But, that's my heart talking, not my
head. He still has some good tracks -- Martinsville, Pocono. It could happen and I hope it does.
24 rules: According to the odds makers in Las Vegas, Jeff Gordon is the favorite to win the championship,
while the 88 car is second. What grabbed my attention was that Earnhart Jr. is favored higher
than Terry Labonte. Did the No. 5 car do any offseason changes to improve?
Bill Weber: Hey, Dale, Jr. would get a lot of "action" in Vegas because he is so popular. Gary
DeHart has returned as Terry's crew chief, that combination won the championship for Terry a
few years ago.
Mike: How excited is the NASCAR community with Dodge re-entering the Winston Cup next year?
Bill Weber:
Mike, this is BIG, for Dodge, for NASCAR and for Ray Evernham. Dodge will come in very
competitive and you can look for more Dodge announcements concerning future involvement in
WC racing in the next few days.
Ddhirt: What do you think Bill Elliott's chances are at winning the 500? He appears to have a strong car
but can his pit crew keep up with the Yates and Hendricks pit crews?
Bill Weber:
Great question. I expect Bill to run much better this year. Unusual line-up in the administration of
the team, no true crew chief, but Bill knows this is a big year for him, his last year with McDonalds.
He still wants to be thought of as a threat to win. And he can win! But pit stops are critical for every
team and if you're no good there, you WILL NOT WIN!
Todd Heilman: This has been great! But I have to go watch RPM 2Night! Keep up the good work
Bill Weber:
Hey, now there's a great idea! I'm going that way, too. Then, it's off to dinner with Rusty!
Hey,
don't forget, RPM 2Night every night. I'll see you on "Before They Go Green" Saturday at 4 p.m. ET
and NASCAR 2Day is back Sunday morning at 11:30 am ET! You guys are the best. I'll lobby my
buddy Ron to let me do more of these, as long as he trusts me with the computer. And one more
thing, I'll be answering your questions in my weekly ESPN.com column beginning next week! Send
current race related questions. Can't get to them all, but we'll try. Time for Kernan and the
gang, see you on TV!
Thanks and so long! | |
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