Welcome to the very first edition of Ask The Insiders Wednesday!  Starting with this initial post, we will be answering any and all reader questions every Wednesday until at least Daytona comes around.  We will try and answer all questions to the best of our ability.  So if you’ve got one, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send one to us!  On to the answers…

1. From Neon:

With all the layoffs and cutbacks recently, I began to wonder about something brought up before. Say a team has an over-the-wall pit crew that is separate from the car mechanics and shows up as late as race day. Normally, does the race day crew work full time at the shop during the week? Or do they typically have unrelated M-F jobs? Just wondering and thanks!

This really depends on the team.  Some teams have guys that do pit stops on the weekend, and have unrelated full time jobs during the week.  Others have guys that do work in the shop and go over the wall.  Every team has their own system.  But where NASCAR employees have, in the past, become very specialized, I think you will see some of this go away a little bit.  People who can do more then one thing will be more valuable to organizations.  Teams are going to start tightening their belts a little, and getting rid of redundant employees. – T.C.

2. From Kenny:

If Brian France came to his senses and asked you to take over NASCAR, what would you do?

Wow, um, I don’t know if I’d want that kind of responsibility.  But I guess if I had to offer up some suggestions, I think the first thing we need to do is fix the competition.  The quality of the racing obviously suffered this season with the COT, and we need to find out how to make it right.  I think maybe holding some sort of team summit where crew chiefs, drivers, and engineers could get together and offer up their thoughts to NASCAR on where they would like to see improvements to the COT and its rules would be a good first step.  I also think we need to get Goodyear to build a larger tire to accommodate for the higher loads being placed on the tires with the COT.  And without drawing this out really far, I think the last thing on my short list would be to lower ticket prices across the board.  The cost of attending races has become way too high, and something needs to be done to get butts in the seats again. – T.C.

3. Also from Kenny:

What’s up with Max Siegel? I haven’t heard anything, but I’m wondering about the aftermath of the Ganassi merger. Will Max Siegel be satisfied running an Intellectual Property marketing firm and museum? Because that’s all that will be left on Teresa’s side.

I think the issue here is, what exactly is Max Siegel’s role going to be, if any, in the Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing organization? We have been hearing bits and pieces about what is going on over there, but nothing too substantial. I honestly can’t see a place for him though. I would guess if he is not offered a position at EGR, he will head back to Indianapolis. As great of a guy as he is, he is one of those people that really had no business running a race team – Journo

4.  From KP:

I know it is an age old question -  how much do drivers make?  With Jeff Gordon recently saying that Forbes is way off and that he, along with other drivers, may have to give up some $$$ to help the teams, I think the question is relevant.

Without adding in endorsement deals and any money they get from merchandise sales, Cup drivers’ salaries really vary.  Drivers at the lower end make high six figures, to low seven figures a year.  Guys that make the top 30 in points probably hover right around a million a season.  On the higher end, drivers like Dale Jr. or Kyle Busch will be in the $10 to $15 million a year range.  Those numbers will vary though, depending on specific contracts.  Normally, drivers will make a base salary, and then get a percentage of the winnings. – T.C.

5. From Michael:

With the big 3 asking for a government bailout, along with sponsors leaving the sport, not too mention team layoffs, do you see a real possibility of less than 43 cars starting the Daytona 500? If so, do you think there will be enough “Privateers” to boost the field?

I’m going to say it right here and now, there will be 43 cars in the field for the Daytona 500.  Now, how many cars will start the 35 races after that, I couldn’t tell you.  The 500 is huge, and if there is even a hint of a short field, teams will come out of the wood-works with a car to make the show.  The usual suspects will show up, fill the field, and do the usual start-and-park deal at the very least.  Even the teams that are only running partial schedules will race at Daytona.  So I think the 43 car field at Daytona is safe. – T.C.

6. From Karah:

Journo: Who have been your three favorite people in the sport of NASCAR to interview and why?

I can honestly say I don’t have three favorite people to regularly talk to. The most enjoyable interviews I have had have been with crew members and people within the organizations. I won’t name their names for obvious reasons, but I really enjoy hearing and writing about the things people don’t normally know about; there are a ton of fascinating, diverse people in this sport. There are people that are less than enjoyable to talk to though. Tony Stewart, depending on where you stand with him that day, can be difficult and Chip Ganassi is rarely a pleasant interview – Journo

That does it for the first installment of “Ask The Insiders Wednesdays.”  Thanks to everyone who sent in questions.  And remember, if you’d like to be apart of next week, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send your question in!

Related posts:

• Ask The Insiders Wednesday #78