We are half way between California and Vegas, and that means its time for more questions and answers.  If you don’t know what this post is, until further notice, we will be answering any and all reader questions every Wednesday, right here.  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 Kevin:

In what year did NASCAR decide to allow only 43 cars to qualify for the Winston Cup Series, and how and why did they decide to limit the field to only 43, why not 42 or 44?

Early in NASCAR’s history and even throughout much of NASCAR’s modern era the fields varied depending upon the track you were at. In 1997 NASCAR instituted a standardized field of 42. Then in 1998 they added one more spot creating a 43 car field. How did they arrive on this number? Here is a clear explanation from a 2002 NASCAR.com article:

It came about after looking at a number of factors including the number of entries that were being filed at that time, the number of teams attempting to run full seasons, purse figures, the available pit stalls and garage space and track conditions in terms of raceability.

- Journo

2. From Susan:

Daytona was the first week that I’ve heard so many announcers make statements about Jr’s last name.  It sounds like they resent the attention Jr receives.  Do the drivers and crews resent Jr or is he liked by most of the insiders?  Thanks.

There is not any resentment that I am aware of. I think though at some point someone was bound to ask him about his media attention vs. his success. He acknowledges he is not his father (I don’t think he would want to be if he could). From an insiders perspective, more than anything you hear people who feel kind of sorry for the guy. Other drivers don’t receive the attention and scrutiny he does nor are they forced to live in the shadow of Dale Earnhardt. In all seriousness it is not easy being Dale Jr. – Journo

3. From George:

Ward Burton was sponsored by Caterpillar when driving for Bill Davis. Now Jeff Burton has the same sponsor.  Has this happened before with brothers having the same sponsor at different times? As I remember, Ward was kind of dumped by the sponsor and team so I wonder if has caused any hard feelings between the brothers.

Ward was dumped more by Bill Davis than Caterpillar. I couldn’t tell you for sure, but I highly doubt Ward carries around any resentment for Jeff over his sponsorship deal. I think he is very happy in retirement, and I am sure he is thrilled for his brother and his success.

As far as the second part of your question goes, not that I am aware of, but don’t quote me. – Journo

UPDATE: From reader Fred: I just read this week’s Ask The Insiders and remembered a couple brother acts that shared rides and/or sponsors. Brett and Geoff Bodine both drove a #15 Motorcraft-sponsored Ford for Bud Moore. Brett drive it in 1989 and Geoff followed in 1992-93. They also both drove for Junior Johnson in the #11 car: Geoff in 1990-91 and Brett in 1995-96. Brett then bought the team from Junior and ran it himself until it folded around 2003. Thanks Fred!

4. From Eric:

TC: As a member of a team, do you or any of your counterparts have the extreme sponsorship obligations that the drivers appear to have?

Crew members might be called on once in a while to attend a sponsor function or appear in an advertisement, but the demands are no where near what they are for a driver.  One of the main reasons some of the big name drivers have their own airplanes is because of all of their obligations. – T.C.

5. From Sean:

I’ve been wondering about the guys you see behind the wall during the race. I mean the ones who don’t go over the wall during pit stops.  How many of them are there on a typical team? What do they do during the race?

Although only seven crew members are allowed over the wall (five in the Truck Series) it takes many more to do a pit stop.  Starting from the front and working back, you need: a RF tire catcher, a sign board holder, a hose puller, a LF tire catcher, a LR tire roller, somebody to hand the second gas can, a LR tire catcher, and a RR tire catcher.  In some cases, you need a few others, but those are the basics.  Also, some of these tasks can be done by one person.  But that is the typical run down. – T.C.

6. From Kim:

Pit stops are so fast, the guys have to be in sync.  I was wondering what sort of “practice”, if any, is done before a race and is it difficult to absorb a new guy into the pit crew without any practice? (and another quick question, have there ever been any women in the over-the-wall crews)?

On race day, teams don’t practice.  Tire changers might do some warm-up stuff if their team has a practice hub on their pit box, but that’s about it.  All practice and training is done during the week.  If a new guy comes on, there will certainly be a transition period.  Everybody does things a little differently, and it takes time to mesh as a group.  It comes down to timing and spacing.  And yes, there have been women on pit crews.  Nicole Addison has been a tire changer in the Truck Series for a few years, having worked for PPC Racing and Circle Bar Racing.  I’m not sure where she is for this season though. – T.C.

7. From Michael:

I totally understand the reasoning, aerodynamic wise, of using grill decals in place of actual openings.  Instead, is it possible to recess the grill area where the openings would be on the production model?

If you get an up close look at a nose, you will see that there are actually body lines on them.  But once the pieces are painted, and you are looking from a distance, they cannot be seen.  Decals help distinguish the different makes. – T.C.

8. From Amy:

With Fontana and Vegas being back to back and on the complete opposite side of the country than most race teams- do any team members stay out west or do you all fly home after Fontana and back out for Vegas? I assume you can’t possibly drive the haulers back and forth in time- So do they just go to Vegas early?

Some crew members stay out west, some don’t.  It really depends on the team and its specific situation.  The haulers will not return to Charlotte, as there wouldn’t be enough time to get home, switch out, and get back to Vegas.  Teams will run a second transporter with cars and supplies in it out to Vegas, and switch stuff out with the team’s race hauler.  It can be very spendy.  Why NASCAR runs back-to-back west coast races, I’ll never know. – T.C.

9. From Dennis:

When will NASCAR do something about crew chiefs releasing cars from the pits when a car is coming into the pit in front of them. Every week there is at least one accident on pit road because of irresponsible traffic direction.  Michael Waltrip was hit and spun backwards into his pit box Saturday evening, it is a wonder that no crew member was hurt or even killed!  This was entirely avoidable and only due to the irresponsible crew chief that released that car when there was no room to go.

Don’t be so quick to blame the crew chief on this one. It is not easy standing up on that box releasing the cars (he’s got all sorts of things going on at that moment) and I promise the last thing that he or the driver wants to do is put anyone’s life in jeopardy. Honestly this type of thing does not happen a lot. And even if they wanted to there is not much NASCAR could do to fix it. Pit road is a race unto to itself and things like that are going to happen. This is why they preach to the over-the-wall guys (T.C. has talked about this) to always pay attention. – Journo

10. From Ella:

I know this must seem like a dumb question but I am a relatively new NASCAR fanzilla and I can’t find the answer anywhere.  Why do the cars race on smooth tires?  Why do they not use tires with tread and tires able to stand up to track conditions longer? Wouldn’t tread allow them to grip the track better?

You are under the assumption that just because the tires are “smooth,” that they don’t have tread.  They actually do have tread.  If you took the tires on your car, and filled in the gaps between the tread, you’d have a “slick.”  Race tires are slicks.  They run on tires like this, because they have more surface area in contact with the pavement.  And in terms of running tires that last longer, Goodyear has them, but the drivers hate them.  To make tires more durable, they actually lose grip.  Tires that are more grippy are less durable.  It’s a balancing act for Goodyear. – T.C.

11. From Savannah:

After reading the post about the race in CA, do you think that there is another track in Southern CA that might appeal to more race fans? What about the track in Riverside?

Unfortunately, there isn’t another track in Southern California that in its current configuration could handle a Cup weekend.  Irwindale Speedway may be able to accommodate a Truck race, but certainly nothing bigger.  And I believe what was Riverside Raceway is now a shopping mall. – 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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