The Nationwide Series gets its first off week of the year, while the Truck and Cup Series head to Atlanta this weekend.  It’s only midweek though, and that means another round of reader questions and answers.  If you don’t know what this post is, we answer 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…

I missed a couple of questions last week, so we will kick this edition off with those first.  Sorry for my screw up! – T.C.

1. From Gene:

Why is wind tunnel time so expensive? On TV it looks like a car on rollers in front of a big airplane propeller. Costwise,what am I missing here?

First off, the cost to build a wind tunnel has got to be pretty high.  Besides a roller and some big propellers, it also takes some very sophisticated computers and machinery to control everything.  On top of that, the energy bill alone needed to run everything is probably astronomical, not to mention the engineers needed to run the place.  It all adds up very quickly.  If they were cheap, everyone would have one. – T.C.

2. From Christopher:

After Daytona, I looked at the NASCAR rankings page, which lists winnings in dollars. I noticed that every driver listed- including those who did not qualify for Daytona- had some winnings. First of all, how do you win money if you don’t race at all? Secondly- why do the non-qualifying drivers have slightly different amounts? Derrike Cope has some $40,000 and Jeff Fuller some $21,000. Both didn’t race- what did Cope do earn that extra money? Finally, with the racers that did compete- how come some in 20th place made more than guys who finished well ahead of them?

I believe what you are seeing for drivers like Cope and Fuller, who didn’t run, is there winnings from the Bud Shootout and Gatorade Duels.  NASCAR doesn’t pay prize money if you don’t make the race.  Teams get owners points, but no money.  And the reason some drivers make more then others depends on what contingency programs a team is involved in, and in what payout plan a team is in.  I believe NASCAR has four different plans setup, and each team fits into one of those plans.  I don’t know specific details, but the plans award prize money based on not only where you finish, but also past performance and longevity. – T.C.

3. From Eddie:

How many people involved in NASCAR are still unemployed?

I can’t give you a specific number, but the answer is a lot. There were unfortunately far more positions lost than positions available and added. Contractions like this are bad for everyone involved. – Journo

4. From Ric:

Do teams use different pit boxes at different tracks? If teams only have one pit box do they have backup pit boxes in case something happens to it?

No, teams use the same pit box at each race.  A backup pit box really isn’t necessary, because I don’t know what would happen to a box that would warrant a team needing to have it replaced.  The only exception being if the box was destroyed in transit. – T.C.

5. From Mike:

I understand when the drivers choose the ball from the fish bowl, they are choosing there starting order for qualifying. Joey Logano not being 21, his crew chief will pick for him. Is this policy in effect because of driver age and being possible gambling?

I’m not aware of a rule that says one must be 21 to select the ball for the qualifying draw.  I do know that it doesn’t need to be a driver who selects the ball, just a representative from the team. – T.C.

6. From Sue:

Was wondering whatever happened to Fatback McSwain?

Fatback is running an auto repair shop in Dallas, NC. – T.C.

7. From Michelle:

What is going on with Ryan Newman’s team and Tony Stewart being the successful team? Do you think that the #39 team will be able to rebound and battle for the championship?

The first two races were things beyond the team’s control. There isn’t much you can do about a wreck and an engine failure. I wouldn’t worry about it too much at this point. If you remember last year he wasn’t great through the first four races, and then made the Chase. Give it a few more races here. – Journo

8. From Marc:

Any ideas as to why the #26 has performed so poorly? I thought they got cars and engines and perhaps even some technical help in addition to the 2009 #26 points as part of the ?comprehensive services agreement with Roush Fenway. Based on their poor performance both qualifying and running, I really wonder if they got the worst from the Roush shop. Boris Said did a lot better with the old Mark Simo #60, which also had support from Roush.

It all comes down to funding.  Yes, the team did buy old equipment from Roush, and they do get engines from Roush Yates Engines.  But you only get what you pay for, and this team is severly underfunded.  They have very little, if any sponsorship, and they have a bare bones crew and operation.  If this team makes it past the first five races of the season, they will most likely be just a start and park entry. – T.C.

9. From Margaret:

I’ve noticed on Preliminary Entry Lists that there is a section that appears to list the vehicle manufacture date. Most list 10 as the year, but some list 09 and Brian Vickers car is listed as 08. Does this have anything to do with the date that the car itself was built or does it deal with what nose they run? What is the difference? Thanks!

I believe the model year designated refers to the body style being run, not the date the chassis was built.  I’m not sure how an ’08 model car could be run by Vickers though, as the rulebook specifies that only 2009 and 2010 models are eligible this season. – T.C.

10. From Measure:

Start N Park cars, causing a bit of concern to NASCAR. Why doesn’t NASCAR implement a rule that says if you don’t finish 80% of a race, your team is suspended for the next race? Exceptions could be made for cars involved in wrecks and for those in the ‘top 35′.

It’s not necessarily a bad idea, and I believe a similar rule has been talked about. In lieu of suspending teams, I think a more powerful tool is to cut the purse; that is, after all, why some of the teams are there. I think NASCAR doing further inspection of the last place car is a good first step and I foresee them trying to curtail this as much as they can as the season moves along. – Journo

11. From Tim:

I literally stopped watching NASCAR because of Jimmie Johnson. Now I know how people felt about Earnhardt Sr. and Gordon. Will the spoiler make any difference in the 48 team’s dominance?

It might. There has been a lot of discussion about the effect of the spoiler on the racing. Some think it’ll make a difference, others don’t. I know Jeff Burton thinks we’re going to have a pre-spoiler/post spoiler season. Carl Edwards disagrees. We’ll definitely have to wait and see. – Journo

12. From Kevin:

What is going on with AJ and the rest of RPM

I don’t know what to tell you. It would appear to be an issue throughout the RPM camp as none of their drivers have been running particularly stellar. Paul Menard’s been the most consistent and Kasey did finish 9th last week, but it’s hard to say. It’s still early in the season and with the changes at RPM it could take some time for everything to come together. – 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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