From NASCAR’s largest oval, to it’s smallest…  The Trucks and Cup cars are making the short trip up to Martinsville this week, while the Nationwide Series is off for another week.  We aren’t off though, as we have the 149 edition of 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…

1. From Von:

Guys, I am a huge NFL fan and my Sundays are split (DVR wise) between the NFL and NASCAR. That being said, I was watching Monday Night Football and I liked the fact that each team member got some recognition on the first series of each team’s possesion (not just the quarterback). I may be crazy, but would it be possible to do that for crew member in NASCAR? Even if its a short intro with the drivers pick and abbreviated bios, I think it would be great to give the guys their due credit and attention. Thoughts?

I think it was TNT years ago that used to do pit crew lineups (much the way you’d see a starting lineup get announced in any of the big three leagues). It was a cool feature – I think crew guys definitely deserve some recognition. It is a team sport after all. – Journo

2. From Mark_O:

There have been a lot of stories lately about the switch to EFI. What I never seem to hear is whether the Nationwide or Camping World Truck Series are also making the switch. Will they remain the same or do they make the switch next year as well?

It is my understanding that only the Cup Series is making the switch to EFI for the 2012 season.  Don’t expect the other two series to get it until at least 2013, and maybe even 2014. – T.C.

3. From Tomm H:

During a race when a car has handling problems and the pit crew raises the hood, what suspension adjustments are they making? What parts of the front suspension can they adjust during the race?

They could be making a number of adjustments including changing cambers by adding or removing camber shims, changing shocks, or adding or removing rounds (like they can do in the rear).  Teams can also change sway bars, or if there is damage, fix the toe. – T.C.

4. From Andrew:

Why did NASCAR ban lubricants on rear bumpers at “Dega but allow some kind of slippery tape? I always get a chuckle out of the simplest ways crews come up with to help their cars.

I don’t know anything about slippery tape.  The teams were allowed to lubricate the bumpers at Talladega, but it had to be done before the race and I believe only with aerosol based lubricants.  That’s why you didn’t see teams smearing axle grease or other lubricants on the bumpers during pit stops. – T.C.

5. From Shawn:

Is it common practice for drivers to throw water bottles out onto the racing surface as Carl Edwards was seen doing at Talladega? thanks guys great site

Thanks Shawn! It happens every week. – Journo

6. From Craig:

Is there anything NASCAR can do short of a radical aero redesign to end this two-car drafting once and for all? Can they make bumpers not line up again on the 2013 car to end it? I think as a fan I’ve given it a fair shot. It’s exciting at the end, but it cheapens the win and competition too much.

I’m not an aerodynamics expert, so I’m not really sure what it would take to end the tandem racing.  And I don’t know if NASCAR even knows how to change it.  They continue to make small tweaks to the cooling systems, but they clearly don’t work.  I definitely don’t believe changing the bumpers so they don’t line up is the answer.  We’d see even more big crashes than we have now.  The COTs are due for another big change for the 2013 season, so the answer may lie there… – T.C.

7. From Derek:

Why is it that a big name sponser like Geico can’t sponser a full season for Casey Mears but when he doesn’t run the full race they still get to put their name on his car.

The Geico sponsorship isn’t worth much. And clearly the company’s not interested in increasing it – if they were they wouldn’t be with Germain. Germain keeps the company’s name on the car when Casey start-and-parks as a sweetener for the deal. It is what it is. – Journo

8. From Ben from Philly:

I heard that at the recent fuel injection test, teams were using smaller spoilers. Can you elaborate on this and do you think these smaller spoilers will help improve racing?

I think NASCAR and the teams may have just been experimenting with the smaller spoilers to see what they would do to speeds and the cars’ handling.  Those test days provide NASCAR with a way to see how changes actually affect the cars on track, and in traffic.  But I don’t believe a marginally smaller spoiler would dramatically change the racing. – T.C.

9. From Todd:

On Tuesday it was announced that MWR & JTG were fined severely for having illegal windshields in the #00, #56 and #47 cars. The typical violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) was used. But what I would like to know is what exactly was illegal with the windshields? I heard prior to the race that NASCAR confiscated them, but they never said on TV the exact reason. Then in Tuesdays announcement NASCAR didn’t explain what made them illegal. Do you know and can you explain what was done to these 3 cars windshields?

The windshield did not meet the specified thickness. We heard it was too thin. NASCAR also found the team’s violated rule 12-4-J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20 of the rule book, or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the event) and 20-3.2.1A (unapproved modification to an approved windshield). – 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!