After they went roundy-roundy on the high banks of Bristol, NASCAR is taking the show to the Martinsville paperclip.  The Nationwide teams will sit this one out while the Truck Series takes center stage on Saturday.  But it’s not Saturday, it’s Wednesday, and that means another round of reader questions.  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 Dan:

I just read where Jeff Gordon said  ” the 24 team has been experimenting with something they’ve been working on in the off-season and it’s been paying off”. My question is do teams share this info with teammates? Especially with a team such as the 48 team, which is operating out of the same facility,who are struggling somewhat but are sure to be a threat later in the season. Just how open are teammates when it comes to this type of situation? Of course maybe the same results wouldn’t be seen by two different teams. Thanks.

Some teams share, some don’t.  In this case, I’m sure Knaus and Jimmie know what Letarte and Gordon are doing.  The cars are built side by side in the same shop.  The other thing to consider though, is drivers like different setups.  Maybe something that works for Gordon won’t work for Johnson. – T.C.

2. From Savannah:

Hey guys, I am curious about something.  Since drivers’ heights vary, how do teams adapt a car to their driver’s height?  For instance, Michael Waltrip is much taller than say Brian Vickers.   Is there room to move the seat back for the taller drivers?  Or is the distance from the back of the seat to the steering wheel pretty standard for all drivers?  Thanks for answering my questions.

There is some room to move the seats around and make the drivers comfortable.  Pedals and steering wheels can also be adjusted.  It has to be like this, because Waltrip certainly couldn’t fit in a car built for Jason Leffler. – T.C.

3. From T:

Planning on going to Pit Crew Challenge in May. What do you recommend as the best seats for this event?

In my experience through the years the best place to watch it is on either of the sides about midway up. It is good to hear others are finding this event, it is one of my favorite parts of All-Star weekend. Have fun! – Journo

4. From Barbara:

Please tell me which phrase is correct: Gentlemen start your engine or Gentlemen start your engines? Thank you

Gentlemen, start your engines! – T.C.

5. From Michael:

I was sad to see the 28 car shut down. However,after thinking about it, the 28 car died in July 1993.   Do you think it will be brought back, or is it Doug’s way of starting fresh?

I don’t necessarily think the car will permanently disappear, I just think it is a sign of the current economic times. The #28 car certainly has never been the same since we lost Davey Allison, but there is no reason to believe that they are trying to get rid of the number or team. I think given money and the right driver, the #28 will rise again. – Journo

6. From Kevin & Debbie227:

TC- How would you respond if your driver parked your car on the track for you to retrieve it? AND If your driver threw a hissy fit and left the car in turn 3 ala Kyle Busch on Saturday, how would you feel if you were part of the crew that had to go get it? Would you talk to the driver and/or owner/crewchief as to WHY you had to be degraded like that so the driver could go get his diaper changed?

I would certainly be mad about something like this, but there isn’t much you can do about it.  The driver is the talent and they are making millions a year.  I’m just a crew member.  The important people would tell me if I don’t like it, I can find a job elsewhere. – T.C.

7. From Eric:

You guys have done some very insightful pieces on the current state of NASCAR media coverage and as a long time fan of the sport I am glad that the decline in quality has not gone unnoticed. I have started listening to the radio broadcast while watching the races whenever possible, which helps, but I find myself asking why I should have to go through this much trouble just to enjoy a race. I don’t know if you ever get a chance to experience the b.s. ESPN and FOX (especially) throws at the fans, but I would like to hear what you guys (or gals) think of the current state of NASCAR broadcasting. I can’t see where it’s doing anything but chasing people away.

We both watch our fair share of weekend broadcasts, either through DVR or some other means (though there is a lot of fast forwarding with the DVR). I think it has its highs and lows. Some of the programming is good, some of it, well, is not. I think more than anything they are trying to appeal to a lot of people, and help make the sport more interesting and less complicated (hence the tech segments with Tim Brewer).

That being said, I think there are far too many commentators in the broadcast and the pre-race shows are too long. To the casual watcher I think it is fine, but for NASCAR’s core fan base who watch it week in and week out, it has just become too much.

I remember the days of Eli Gold, Ned Jarrett and Buddy Baker when pre-race was very minimal and there weren’t “tech centers” and “Hollywood Hotels.” I thought the broadcasts were pretty good then; then again what do I know? – Journo

8. From Amy:

I have three questions (at least two of them are kind of related):  1. It’s my understanding that the cars do not have onboard computers- if this is the case- how do the television broadcasts air the car’s telemetry?  2. Since there isn’t onboard telemetry what do the monitors on the pitbox show?  3. What the heck is that little round dome on the top of the car? I use to think it was the digital scoring thing but after Ryan Newman had his go bad earlier in the season I now know that is not the case.

First, cars don’t have onboard computers, but they do have an onboard telemetry box and GPS that transmits back to the TV trucks.  Information provided from these devices is what is used to create the telemetry you see on TV.  A company called SportVision provides the equipment.  Second, the monitors on pit boxes show timing and scoring, the race broadcast, and engineering data that was previously collected.  Teams have custom software they use to track fuel mileage, tire wear, and other things.  And third, the little domes are the onboard camera pods.  Each car has one, regardless of whether they carry on onboard camera.  The transponders used for timing and scoring are mounted underneath the rear of the car. – T.C.

9. From Tara:

I saw some news today that the NFL is considering extending their season into February with the Super Bowl potentially being the 3rd weekend of February (on the same day as the Daytona 500).  If this happened, do you see NASCAR changing the schedule to accommodate the NFL?

I have not seen this, but instinctively I would say it would be good business for NASCAR to move the date. By doing that though it would force NASCAR to acknowledge that there are other sports out there and that they have to play second fiddle to someone. I don’t see that going over very well. I don’t know the specifics of NASCAR’s contract with Fox, but it might come down to them trying to sell the 500 to another network. Either way I think it would be an interesting showdown. – Journo

10. From Jon:

i was on scenedaily.com and saw a question about “if kentucky wins its lawsuit and gets a cup date which track should it get its date from?”  the favorite to lose its date was infineon raceway at like 35% of the vote.  i would HATE to lose one of only two road courses on the schedule… i was wondering what your guys’ thoughts are on which track you think should (or will) lose its date, and what your thoughts are on road courses?  i feel like they should add a few more to the schedule, as watkins glen/sonoma are usually two of the best races of the year in my opinion.

There has been no indication that the road courses are going anywhere. I personally wouldn’t mind seeing another date or two on the schedule also. I think they are a good change of pace. As far as which track will lose a date (because the group won’t win their suit and NASCAR is not going to give SMI a date), my best guess would be either New Hampshire loses a date (even though Bruton promised he would not do that), Charlotte loses a date, or Atlanta loses a date. You know a month ago I would have said I didn’t see Atlanta losing a date, but today I think that is becoming an increasingly strong possibility. I think there are tracks **cough**California**cough** that are more deserving of only having one date, but whether or not that would actually happen is another story. It’ll be interesting.- Journo

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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