It’s the first Wednesday of 2009, so welcome to the first “Ask The Insiders Wednesday” of the New Year.  My inbox has been filling up with great questions over the last week.  In case you don’t know what this is, we will be answering any and all questions every Wednesday until at least Daytona comes around.  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 questions…

1. From Richard:

With all the improvements in safety with the COT why aren’t the pits being addressed. The use of built-in jacks, one center nut wheels, fueling rigs, tire pressure monitoring systems and other such improvements implemented.

While I agree that tire pressure monitoring and safer fueling methods should be looked at, I can honestly say I wouldn’t want those other changes to be made.  I guess if you enjoy IRL and Formula 1 pitstops, you’d like these changes, but I like how we do it now.  Having jackmen and five lugs per wheel brings in more of the human element to stops. – T.C.

2. From Sean:

Are there any rules for practice sessions? For example, is it possible to get tagged for speeding on pit road during a practice session? And how are penalties applied to a practice session violation?

Practice sessions don’t have any special rules outside of the races.  There is no specific pit road or garage speed limit that I’m aware of.  There are officials everywhere though, and if they feel you are going to fast, they will let you know.  The only other thing I can think of, is that NASCAR requires every team to have a spotter in the stand during sessions. – T.C.

3. From Deborah:

I continue to try and follow what has been going on with USAR ProCup, but since Hooters is done are they still going to be racing?  I work with a team and we are sitting on pins and needles hoping to hear something soon

I honestly don’t know a lot about what is going on with USAR.  Over the last two months, I’ve heard rumors they have closed up shop, and then will hear the very next day that they found a sponsor.  I’m sorry I can’t offer up more info, but if I hear something I will be sure to pass it along.  – T.C.

4. From Mary:

As a long time fan of Bobby Labonte (since the days of the 22 Maxwell House car) are you hearing anything about where he may end up (or should the question be will he get a ride?)

Neither of us have heard anymore than what has been reported. As far as I know he is still the leading candidate for the Earnhardt-Ganassi #41. Media day is only a couple of weeks off, so I would imagine there will be news about this deal very soon. – Journo

5. From Eric:

At the beginning of the chase, the Roush stable took team members off of McMurray’s pit crew and transferred them to another team within the stable.  Is that really a right thing to do within this sport for the crew members who helped earn the team the playoff berth?

I actually wrote a post about this very thing right after it happened (click here to read it).  It may seem like a crappy thing to do, but unfortunately people’s feelings cannot affect performance decisions.  There is too much at stake.  RFR felt they needed to make changes to strengthen their teams, and they did it.  As a crew member, if you can’t handle that, you need to find something else to do.  It’s the nature of the beast. – T.C.

6. From Karah-Leigh:

I’ve always wondered…are the photos used in the top headers photos that you guys have taken personally?

Yes those are pictures that we have taken. We take them whenever we get a free moment. I am particularly a fan of the new rotating banner feature the website now has. I think the website has a new look everytime you refresh. – Journo

7. From Diane:

Do you think Dale Jr. has ever recovered from the loss of his father as a mentor on the track?  I think Dale Jr. is a good driver, but the kid that showed all that fire for racing early in his career seems to have disappeared. I think he means it when he says he wants a Championship, but I think a part of the heart of a young racer died that day.  What do you think?

I think it affected him a lot which is to be expected. But if you look at his performance he really peaked in 2004. Between 2001 and 2004 he had 13 of his 18 wins. He certainly looked a lot better this year, but he is a ways away from winning a championship. Being at DEI as the years progressed wore on him and I can’t say I think he should have brought Tony Jr. with him to Hendrick. I agree with you that the kid wants to win a championship and races, and I think he will do it where he is at, but there needs to be some changes over there before that can happen. – Journo

8. From Kim:

This may sound like a silly question, but is there any particular “etiquette” when a fan is able to visit the pit area?  More specifically, what should you NOT do when you have access to the pits?

No this is not silly at all. More than anything just realize that people are working. Drivers and crew guys aren’t going to mind signing autographs unless they are in the middle of doing something. Practice sessions and qualifying probably aren’t the best times to approach people.

Also always remember to pay attention to what’s going on around you because often there are cars and crew members speeding through the pit area. And don’t forget to wear pants and closed-toe shoes because they won’t let you in otherwise. – Journo 

9. From Marc:

We all know that NASCAR’s rule book is not made public and is available only to people who have “hard cards.”  What has stopped a disgruntled former owner or team employee from leaking it to the press and the public?  Even if there are confidentiality clauses in contracts covering both owners and employees under contract, I cannot imagine there has never been someone who is not covered by such a prohibition who was angry enough to leak it.  I feel as though I know more about planning for the Vietnam War than about NASCAR rules.

Actually hard card carrying members of the press have rulebooks and every now and then you can find one for sale on eBay. Trust me it’s not worth the money you would spend on it. The book includes a lot of technical information that means nothing to anyone who is not building a stock car and a lot of ambigious rules that allow NASCAR an out whenever they need it. I know it seems like a conspiracy and frankly I think they should be available to the general public, but there isn’t anything too special about them. – Journo

10. From Michael:

Aside from GEM driving Petty Enterprises into the ground, do you see the same fate facing other team mergers?

For these teams that have merged you are always going to see one team dominant over another. In the case of Petty and GEM, GEM was always in the driver’s seat. They didn’t need to merge and frankly I don’t know why they did. With Earnhardt and Ganassi, Ganassi has been behind the wheel. It was not necessary for Ganassi to merge, but DEI was desperate. You’re going to see most if not all of Ganassi’s executive team stay on, and probably most, if not all, of DEI’s let go. It is just the nature of the beast that one team is going to have less visibility and control. – Journo

11. From Jamie:

Have you heard anything new on the rule changes for the truck series?

NASCAR hasn’t released any information publicly, but from what I understand the teams have been tipped off that these rule changes are coming.  I have heard there are several teams already practicing 6 man pit stops. – T.C.

12. From Neon:

TC-Carefully not divulging any info that would sacrifice your anonymity, how would you describe the best and worst race weekend of your career?
PS Savannah…Great idea on the driver/cc vote. Give her a TC or Journo bobblehead. Oops, guess that won’t work!

My best race weekend to this point was when I was apart of my first win as a tire changer.  It was a race that we won right at the end, and I’ve never hollered at a driver so much in my life.  Leaping off the pit wall with my teammates as that car crossed the finish line was an amazing feeling that I’ll never forget.

I don’t know if I can’t point to a specific weekend and say that one was the worst.  I’ve had some where I’ve made mistakes during pit stops, and wrecking always sucks, but one race doesn’t stand out in my mind. – T.C.

With that, this brings yet another “Ask The Insiders Wednesday” to a close.  Thanks to everyone who sent in questions.  And remember, if you’d like to be a part 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 #6
• Ask The Insiders Wednesday #31