Ask The Insiders Wednesday #25

After a monster weekend of weather in Charlotte, all three of NASCAR’s top series now head to the Monster Mile at Dover, DE.  While teams prepare for the weekend ahead, we’ve got our 25th edition of reader questions and answer to get into.  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 Ric:

Got several questions for you, all kind of related: When a driver wins a race and/or the Championship who gets the trophy, or where does it go? Is more than one trophy made? Do crews get money or items when there driver wins a race or Championship? Do the people behind the scenes / back at the shop get anything?

In most cases there is a trophy for the owner and the driver. This is of course one of the things they covet most. If you win the Daytona 500, the Brickyard I believe and/or the Championship the team members get a ring. There are also huge bonuses paid out for winning championships and if you win big races some of that money goes toward mid-year and end of year bonuses.  – Journo

2. From Deuce:

In light of the Carl Long suspension and after reading his response, my question is multiple parted. How does NASCAR measure the displacement of an engine? Do they take it apart and dunk it in a bath tub a la Archimedes or do they have a different method? Secondly, would Carl and his race team be able to use this same method to measure an engine they lease or is it expensive to do?

I believe all NASCAR has to do is measure the cylinder bore and stroke, and then enter that number into an equation to get the cubic inch number.  The equation looks something like this: Displacement = [(Pi) (r^2)] [stroke] [number of cylinders].  Carl and his team should be able to do this, but when they purchased the engine from a builder or a team, I’m sure they just figured it was legal.  According to Carl, the engine measured 358.17 cu. in., which is over the 358 cu. in. limit.  I have heard that NASCAR actually allows for a tolerance of up to 358.09 cu. in. – T.C.

3. From Emanuel:

With all of the bad news coming out of the Big 3, bankruptcy, advertisement slashing by direction of the gov’t, GM being called Government Motors in some circles, what’s the mood with all of this in the garage and the teams?  We hear the same old company lines on TV, “Everything is great, blah blah blah” but what is the mood really like?  Are you guys worried?  If I was on a GM or Dodge team, I think I would have a lot of worries, especially after Obama’s Auto Task Force halved the Dodge advertising budget.  I know the automakers are in through the end of this year, but what happens next year?

You’re instincts are right. There is definitely some worrying going on. No one is really concerned about teams going anywhere because they don’t depend that that heavily on money from the manufacturers, but if there is a massive pullout it is going to hurt. Especially on the engineering and testing side. What next year holds is anybody’s guess. Don’t worry about the sport going anywhere though. – Journo

4. From GreenMeansGo:

I have a few questions regarding NASCAR’S substance abuse policy that I haven’t read anywhere.  Since your livelihood and reputation are risk, I know you aren’t given a list of substances but are you given any information on how the procedure works?  Do they automatically test Sample B?  Do they do the same or more extensive testing on Sample B?  Does someone from the lab collect the samples? I read somewhere on the internet that NASCAR Officials are trained to take the samples?  And if this is true, is there a protocol as to how these samples get to the lab?  I’m not a “black helicopter” type of person, but imagine what could happen if you t-off a vindictive NASCAR official!

I have never been personally given any kind of information regarding the testing.  And the only list I’ve seen for crew members is the one floating around in the press and online.  I have no idea what the procedure actually is once the sample is given.  When you go get tested at the track, you go into the infield care center and the test is administered by medical staff from the testing company.  NASCAR officials don’t do it.  Beyond that, the system is mystery. – T.C.

5. From Jon:

How does a driver that finishes 10 spots behind make more then the guy in front of him ?

There are several factors affecting how much a driver makes. The first and most obvious thing is sponsor contingencies. Some drivers have more than others and in turn make more money from them than other drivers. They are also going to be more lucrative for better drivers. Another thing adding to this is the different distribution of TV and purse money. Teams get a certain percentage of TV money and that is divided up through winnings. There are also several different award programs that give money based on how a driver has run in the past, where he ran in a particular race and where he presently stands. For instance one of those programs awards money based on where a driver or team sits in the point standings. Here is an old article from Lee Spencer that does a more in-depth job of answering your question. – Journo

6. From Mike:

With the obvious meltdowns at EGR why would Martin Truex Jr. consider re-signing with them next season?  I have read numerous rumors about him going to JGR and replacing Logano but, I can’t imagine that happening.  Do you think there is a chance that Stewart/HAAS racing could add a third car next year and, if they did could it be Truex?  Also, would his current Bass Pro sponsorship be able to follow him to a new team, or would it stay with EGR?

I disagree with you that EGR is having any kind of a meltdown. I think in any merger situation there is going to be an adjustment process and I think that is what they have been going through. While they might not have the finishes to prove it I think EGR is a much improved team from Daytona. That being said I am hearing MWR is a strong liklihood. It’s not the done deal that has been reported, but they are close. NAPA is hot to trot on Truex and I would imagine they are willing to do what it takes to get him. What that means for Bass Pro I really don’t know. – Journo

7. From Michael:

Is Penske prohibited from using a red “S”(like verizon’s “Z”) on His Cup car in regard to Sprints agreement with NASCAR?

I doubt Penske is expressly prohibited from using that in their logo, but remember NASCAR has to approve paint schemes before teams are allowed to use them on track. If they deem the Z or S an infringement on Sprint’s deal they can and would reject it. – Journo

8. From Jerry:

TC, When rain started Saturday night Mike Bliss was on a lap by himself. When he pitted about 12 cars got back on the tail end of the lead lap. The 62 car was a lap down and got the lucky dog pass. Why did he line up second and in front of the other cars on the lead lap. isn’t this a fault in the lucky dog rule. Thanks.

It’s not a fault of the lucky dog.  Brendan was the first car scored one lap down at the time of caution.  Per the rule, he gets his lap back and must start at the tail end of the longest line.  The only reason those other cars were on the tail end was because they didn’t pit.  If they would have pitted, they would have still been lap cars.  Sometimes the cautions fall at weird times and allow drivers to advance. - T.C.

9. From AJ:

This has to do with track drying. I was at the races this past weekend until I had to fly out and miss the actualy race on Monday. My question is this, at my local weekly track when it rains and they are trying to dry the track they attatch a string of old tires to drag around the track behind every vehicle out there. I know they have jet dryers and such and no matter what they did the weather was to bad for anything just wondering why they don’t use that method as well to help dry the track quicker?

I’m sure they could probably drag tires as well as use jet dryers, but jet dryers are much more efficient.  They drag tires at your track because it doesn’t cost anything to do it, plus your track is probably fairly small.  It doesn’t take as long to dry a short track.  Also, I think it might be difficult to control the tires on the banking. – T.C.

10. From Dan:

Would Prism Racing with Dave Blaney be considered a “start and park” team? Out of the 9 points races they have started their average finish is around 40th with their average starting position 30th. Blaney did have a best starting position of 8th at Bristol.The team never seems to finish higher than 41st  or run more than 50 or so laps with the exception of the rain shortened “600″ where they were credited with  28th. Reasons given for not finishing races have been fuel pump, electrical, brakes, rear gears, steering, etc. with only 1 accident. When a team drops out do they have to verify the cause with NASCAR? Thanks.

Yeah, they are a start-and-park team.  Prism Racing is owned by Randy Humphrey and Phil Parsons who also own MSRP Motorsports, which is admittedly a start-and-park team in the Nationwide Series.  I believe this weekend’s Coke 600 was the first race they actually planned on running until the end.  And no, NASCAR does not verify the reasoning behind a team falling out.  If they did, there are ways around it. – T.C.

11. From Michael:

I recently added “Twitter” to enhance my viewing experience of Cup & Busch races.  Who does the “Twittering” for the teams?

It’s usually the PR folks.  In some cases though, the drivers actually “Tweet.”  I believe @MaxPapis does, as does @KylePetty.  I’ve heard @mmcdowell47 might as well.  Don’t forget to stop by our Twitter (@nascarinsider) page as well! - T.C.

12. From Steve:

re: Carl Long, is there any way the oversized engine could have been the result of an innocent mistake?

There is certainly that possibility.  Most likely, Carl bought the engine and put it in his car without even knowing it was too big.  But ignorance is not a defense.  Either way, the rule was still broken. – 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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