Ask The Insiders Wednesday #6

It’s midweek, and that brings another edition of “Ask the Insiders Wednesday.”  We’ve got a light one this week, but they are all great questions.  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 Savannah:

Do you think that there will ever be a successful female driver in the Sprint Cup series?  Both Erin Crocker and Krissy Wallace havetried to break into the truck series.  This is not to start a debate about female drivers, but just a curious question for a perspective within NASCAR.

I think there will eventually be a female that comes along and is good and competitive in NASCAR’s top series. And I honestly believe that when she comes along you are going to have a lot of interest in her. Now when that will happen I have no idea, but I think it is coming soon. There are a lot more females competing in lower series these days and eventually someone will emerge. -  Journo

2. From David:

You’ve written about the importance of spotters. Why would Jimmie Johnson change after so much success?  It hard to believe that the salary of a spotter was a burden for HMS.

I’ve got to apologize David, I don’t know a whole lot about the situation withJimmie’s spotter.  But there are definitely reasons why they would make a change.  Maybe they hadn’t been getting along as well as they had in the past, maybe the spotter wanted a raise and Hendrick wasn’t willing to give it to him, or maybe a better spotter was available.  Either way, maintaining status quo every year doesn’t keep a team at the top.  Changes need to be made every year to continue improving.  And maybe they felt it was time for a new spotter. – T.C.

3. From Mr. Ed:

Any more news on the pony cars?

Actually there was an article on NASCAR.com this past week about it. NASCAR is pushing for 2010 date for introducing the COT in Nationwide, but the strength of the economy has a lot do with whether or not it is implemented at that point.

As far as the manufacturers using the pony cars, only Dodge is committed to using the Challenger. Chevrolet has said they won’t use the Camaro, and Ford and Toyota appear to be using the same models they use in the Cup Series. – Journo

4. From cwbnax:

In your answer about Earnhardt/Ganassi Racing, how do you know most of the Earnhardt execs will be let go and not Ganassi’s execs?  Because it’s still called Earnhardt/Ganassi I have been through a merger and the  company with their name at the top will have the most power.

 

Being familiar with the situation I know that it was Ganassi’s president Steve Lauletta heading up the merger. Likewise the mass firing of DEI employees and lack of layoffs at Ganassi tell us that it was Ganassi who was in charge of the situation. Remember Ganassi didn’t need to merge with anyone. They would have continued running the Nationwide team with Fastenal and Bryan Clauson, and the two Cup teams with Target (and to be named driver) and Wrigley (plus another sponsor) with Juan Pablo Montoya, much like they did last season. (David Poole reported this week that Max Siegel and John Story are likely on their way out.)

I think in this case because Earnhardt is the prominent name, they get first billing.- Journo

5. From Stacy:

If I understand correctly, NASCAR is requiring all owners/teams to drug test all of their on-track/garage area employees by the 16th of this month.  Is that correct?  If so, have your teams completed the required testing?  Who is responsible for the driver drug tests? If you have already covered this, I missed it and I am sorry to have wasted your time.

You are correct about the deadline date.  NASCAR has set an initial deadline of this Friday, the 16th, for having the forms in.  I know some teams have already completed the necessary forms, and some haven’t.  It’s tough to be done with paperwork for crews for some of these teams that aren’t 100% set in their plans yet.  The drug testing/licensing process for crews will be constantly ongoing.  Driver drug testing will be undertaken by NASCAR itself.  They haven’t said much about their process or what they will test for.  I’m sure we will hear about it down the road.  And don’t worry, there are no stupid questions here! – T.C.

And that 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!

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