Andrew, PA
Twitter Account: @montymorris
Matt, TN
Twitter Account: @Matt_Kacar
Jason, Idaho
Twitter Account: @StrockerAceKid
Katie, VA
Twitter Account: @Katie_2835
With the council being introduced; let’s get to the Questions and Answers!
1. What has been the highlight to the NASCAR season?
Andrew: I will have to go with Darlington. Smith winning for the second time in his career, (He won Talladega, no matter what the ‘official’ results say!) The Montoya/Newman fight on Friday started a rumor filled weekend and Harvick/Kyle Busch dust up capped the race. There was some passing and towards the end it looked like a Bristol race, not a race at The Lady in Black. The race showed that most of the cars in the field can win if the proper circumstances work out for a team, as Smith held off Edwards for the win. Great race.
Matt: All the different cup winners this year have been a highlight for me. Shows that there seems to be lots of parity in NASCAR and the chase could be very competitive. As far as favorite race i would go with the Daytona 500 and Trevor Bayne winning it. It was such a shock to see him win it but great to see the Wood Brothers back in victory lane.
Jason: going to the All-Star race this past May, but found the truck race was much better..All-star was a little boring
Katie: My favorite race was Martinsville because I was there. Tons of action and all the huge wrecks happened right in front of me. I also like how interactive the drivers are this year it seems like they’re connecting with fans more than last year.
2. Do you think that the new points system has improved performance/leveled the playing field?
Andrew: I was not a fan of the new system when it was announced but it is growing on me. The spread between first and fifth is 20 pts making a change in the top 5 almost every week since the start of the season. It is harder to overcome large deficits in one week, and makes finishing in the top ten every week VERY important. Consistency is still the key and wins have added weight like NASCAR wanted.
Matt: In regards to the new points system I don’t think we will know what effect it has had till the Chase comes around. One thing’s for sure it has made bad finishes hurt you a lot more than under the old points system.
Jason: I love the new points system! This is how I would have done it in the first place…way easier for everyone to track and follow.
Katie: I think it’s put an emphasis on winning and consistency. So that’s always a good thing. Drivers are more determined. But then it’s also a bad thing because then you have guys intentionally wrecking people just for a point or two or the win. But that parts always there. Just more present now.
3. If you could bring one race or track back which would it be and why?
Andrew: North Wilksboro. I loved watching that short track beat-em-up, and think NASCAR did a dis-service to its base taking that race away from the fans of the south east. Take that snooze fest Michigan race and give one to North Wilksboro, and one to Rockingham!!
Matt: I would bring Rockingham back to the Sprint Cup schedule. That track is unlike all the cookie cutter tracks we have now and it had some of the best racing too. Still sad that it’s not on the cup schedule.
Jason: Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, the Midwest needs more NASCAR and its closer to me.
Katie: I would put Rockingham or Virginia International Raceway in. I never saw any racing at the Rock but heard it was awesome. I would put VIR in because I think we need more road racing in the series. It would really help show case champions.
4. What are your thoughts on the crew chief swaps?
Andrew: I don’t think it matters for a good driver who his crew chief is. If he knows how to communicate what his car is doing, a crew chief that has made his way up through an organization should be able to put a driver in a position to win. I think organizations use the crew chief as a scape goat when a driver does not perform up to par. Prime example is Jr. He has had 3 crew chiefs since he has been at Hendricks Motorsports and only one win on a fuel mileage gamble, while Martin, Gordon, and Johnson all have multiple wins with the same equipment. Now is that a crew chief problem or a Driver problem…….you tell me.
Matt: I think the crew chief swaps were probably needed to try and jumps start the Biffle and Montoya teams to try and make the chase. Time will tell if the swaps were a good idea.
Jason: I can understand the crew chief swaps, drivers no clicking with them or the team just needs a fresher perspective…good for getting the best out of a chief, and if u don’t perform u can be replaced
Katie: It’s probably stressful for the teams because they have to get readjusted to how every crew chief works because they’re all different. The teams seem to be adjusting well. I just think crew chief/crew changes should be saws till the off season so it’s not too stressful on teams.
5. Do you think NASCAR should look at their TV Coverage and change something?
Andrew: The TV is what it is. NASCAR and the fans are at the mercy of whatever director is running the show for the respective networks. Some of them are good, and some of them are downright horrible. I think there is a fine line of trying to please the old school race fan and trying to bring in new younger fans. The network that has done the best with this is ESPN. Their long standing history with the sport helps their broadcasts and the capture most of the racing action. The broadcasters all leave a lot to be desired. ESPN has made a great choice with Alan Bestwick going back in the booth, and I think Mike Joy runs a close second on the lap by lap announcing. DW needs to retire; McReynolds needs to learn how to speak English, somewhere other than a broadcast booth! The only people I can stomach on-air at FOX are Joy and the pit reporting crew, who seem to have a good relationship with the crews and don’t seem to be bothering them when interviewing them during the race. Wally Dallenbach is serviceable and not too bad, as is Kyle Petty for TNT. TNT also has the limited commercial Coke 400, but only uses that feature for one race. The side-by-side is a must for the future of the sport and broadcasters should look seriously at that option down the road. ESPN, I will reserve for the end of the year before I pass judgment.
Matt: I think it should be mandatory to have side by side commercials for every race. Also they should not allow anyone that owns a car in any NASCAR series to be part of the race broadcasts. Its such a conflict of interest.
Jason: first off I hate TNT, they show way too many commercials, the split screen idea for the breaks is awesome, wished all networks would do the split screen, as a consumer I am more inclined to watch the ads on a split screen rather than taking a snack/bathroom break.
Katie: Yes, definitely. I don’t like TNT’s coverage. I think that they get off topic and dwell on some topics for too long. They’re camera men aren’t that good at keeping up either. ESPN is the best in my opinion. Not too much of glaring problems from them. Good broadcasters and camera men. Fox in my middle one because they’re broadcasting is good and I always know what’s going on.
6. Who do you think will win the championship this year?
Andrew: Tough question. Hard not to pick the 48 winning again, as so far they have not shown too much in the way of slowing down. Even with them lurking I will go with the 29 team, who have shown quiet consistency, winning 3 times and 10 top tens. I think it is Harvick’s year. (But I am still hoping for the 24 to get his 5th!!!!!)
Matt: Denny Hamlin?
Jason: Carl Edwards will win, he has been very consistent during the last races of the past years….Jimmie is going down
Katie: Carl Edwards looks pretty consistent to me and that’s what it takes to win. Although this wild card thing could shake things up…
The council has spoken! Many want to see the Rock back or think Edwards is going to win this year? Do you agree, disagree, and want to add your input? Be sure to leave your comments and e-mail me if you want to join the council!
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