Daily NASCAR

We are hearing today that Randy Moss Motorsports has shut down its #81 Camping World Truck Series team effective immediately due to lack of funding.  The team, which has been running with David Starr this season, had only partial sponsorship to begin the season.  We are also hearing that several employees have been laid off, including crew chief Doug Wolcott.

There have been a ton of rumors floating around about RMM in the last several weeks, many of them mentioning a possible merger or sale of the team.    Mike Skinner’s #5 truck has full sponsorship for the season from International Trucks, Monaco Coaches, Exide, and PC Miler but Starr only had a partial deal with Zachry.

Through 16 races this season, Starr is ninth in CWTS points with 6 top tens and has an average finish of 13.2.   We’ll keep you posted if we hear any more.

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It’s back to the Irish Hills this week as NASCAR rolls into Michigan International Speedway and inches closer to the start of the Chase. But before we head to Brooklyn (Michigan that is), it’s time to answer your questions! 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 Michael:

“Fortunately for Pattie and Montoya, Chip Ganassi isn’t Jack Roush.” …..What do you mean?

Jack Roush has an affinity for not letting driver/crew chief relationships run their course (though Bob Osborne has made it longer, his second time around, than some of his peers). Jack’s not a patient man – he wants fast results, and if things aren’t happening within his time frame he tends to quickly make changes (ask Jimmy Fennig, Drew Blickensderfer, Todd Parrott etc.). My point was to say driver/crew chief relationships take time to develop – if Montoya and Pattie were at Roush there is a chance they wouldn’t have made it. – Journo

2. From Rob:

What is the proper etiquette in the garage w/ hot passes?? Thanks guys love the site..

The most important thing is to make sure you’re wearing the proper attire. Long pants, closed-toe shoes, and sleeves (short ones are fine) are a must. Beyond that, just make sure you’re always paying attention to what’s going on around you, and try to stay out of the way of those at work. Oh and have fun! – Journo

3. From Franq:

What would it take to make the Brickyard race into a road race using the excellent F1 course. I think this would put some life into an ever increasing boring race?

An act of Congress maybe? Seriously though I don’t think NASCAR has any interest in turning the Brickyard into a road course race. I don’t think it’s a bad idea; certainly the folks at IMS need to do something to bring life back to the race. I think though making it a road race would diminish NASCAR’s role at IMS – that is to say it would put them on different footing than the IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500. It would send the message that NASCAR can’t cut it on the big track, so they’re experimenting. Just my two cents. – Journo

4. From Sam:

I may be in the minority, but I really enjoy the road course races. I’ve noticed many oval tracks with two races also have road courses which use most of the oval but add some infield twisties. Has nascar ever considered using the oval for the spring race and the road course for the fall race, or vice versa. It would be an interesting way of introducing “new” tracks without really changing the schedule at all.

I’m with you, I love the road course races. They provide such a nice change of pace. Remember though NASCAR is primarily an oval racing series. Changing that changes the spirit of the sport. It would be interesting, but as you said there are a good number of people who don’t like seeing NASCAR go left and right. I think they would risk alienating a large segment of fans. – Journo

5. From Dwiltone:

I know that the teams use road race cars at Watkins Glen and Infineon. That aside. In my feeble mind I think that in some ways , setting up a car for a road course would be easier than for an oval track. One situation where lefty righty tighty loosey would equal out.  Any insight on my theory? Keep up the good work on the Web site. I read it every week.

I’m not really sure you can say setting up for one is easier then the other.  Both styles of tracks have their challenges that must be overcome.  For NASCAR teams, road courses may have a slight edge just for the simple fact that we only race on them a few times a year. – T.C.

6. From Doug in CA:

As I watched the Busch race from the Glen today, I noted that some cars are listed as being “out” of the race, while others are merely “off.” Are teams supposed to notify NASCAR when they have decided to pack it in for the day? P.S. LOVE that road racing!

Yes, when a team decides to retire from a race, they have to let a NASCAR official know.  The official will then let race control know the team is out of the race.  When a team is listed as “off” they are just in the garage working on the car. – T.C.

7. From Garry:

Is it my imagination, or are pit stops backwards at The Glen? It looks like they are coming in and going out the wrong direction. If this is true, how does that affect the way you guys operate..(if i am imagining this..then never mind; )… And could you please explain what the heck was the deal with Kyle Bush having to fix something at the start? Why wouldn’t this be something they had taken care of already? I tell ya…. following along at home by picking a fantasy team each week really makes it more personal … DANG IT!!

Yes, the teams pit the cars backwards at Watkins Glen.  I wrote a post all about it in 2008 (click here).  Kyle Busch’s team had an issue with their right side weights before the race at the Glen.  They were not secured as they should have been, and the weights were sliding back and forth in the tube.  Incidents like this can get guys fired. – T.C.

8. From Mark:

How does the pit crew line up stud holes on wheel and stud so quickly? What is the I.D. of hole compared to O.D. of stud?

The tire carriers use a piece of tape as a reference point that allows them to know exactly where the stud holes are on the wheel.  Check out this classic TNI blog post for more info.  And to be honest, I’m not sure what exactly the difference is between the stud and the stud hole.  It’s not much, whatever it is. – T.C.

9. From Steve:

If a driver goes into the pits during the pre-race pace laps (like Kyle Busch at the Glen), does he lose laps if he doesn’t come out before the pace car completes each lap? Or does he simply start at the back on the same lap as everybody else?

Pace laps are not official race laps, so a team would not lose any laps.  They will however have to start at the rear of the field.  Also, teams are not allowed to add fuel during pace laps. – T.C.

10. From Eddie:

Wasn’t Mark Martin supposed to retire after the 2005 season? Will he finally retire after 2011? I like Mark Martin, but what motivated him to come back to race full time after making retirement announcements like Brett Farve?

Hahaha, Brett Favre. Well that’s a new one. There was an announcement (from Mark) though. I think he just realized there was still a lot of fight left in him, and he wouldn’t be content sitting on his couch watching races. Will he retire after 2011? That’s something you’d have to ask him. I honestly don’t know. At least he’s not waffling like Favre. When he got back in, he got back in. – Journo

11. From Marcus:

When GE Reveal, Philps Norelco, Suave, and AXE Twist sponsor Jamie McMurray are thay really sponsoring him or is it Target “showcasing” their different brands they offer? Jayski put it as “Philips Norelco sponsoring McMurray at Michigan”. Ganassi also does this in Indy Cars with Franchitti. Being he is sponsored by Target, I am asking this. I know it’s kind of a weird question but I am just curious.

Not a weird question at all – in fact I’m impressed you even noticed. Those deals are facilitated through Target, but those sponsors pay EGR to be on the car. It’s like Target provides Ganassi a marketplace of sponsors. Beyond those one-race deals though Target does have a very successful affiliate program with EGR and CGR (that’s why you’ll see Kimberly-Clark or Unilever products on JPM’s quarter panels when they’re running Target colors). Companies pay Target to get better placement in store and in advertisements and they also get the perk of Target’s motorsports program. It’s a win-win for all involved. And from what I’ve heard, Target’s affiliate program more or less pays for the sponsorship.  – Journo

12. From Billy:

What are your thoughts on Bill Jenkins and Latitude 43 Motorsports?

I’m guessing you are referring to the recent revelations that Bill Jenkins doesn’t seem to be paying his drivers.  This is a very small team, with extremely limited resources that is just trying to make it to the next week.  You can’t really fault their efforts, as at least they aren’t start and parking.  But when money starts running out, the first people to suffer are the drivers and employees.  This is a very common tale in racing.  The list of drivers and crew guys that have been screwed out of money by a team owner would probably circle the earth.  If Jenkins can’t afford to pay his drivers however, it’s probably easy to assume the end is near for the team. - T.C.

13. From Rowan:

How good is Marcos Ambrose rated as a serious Cup racer by other teams and fans and what is the likelyhood of him having a Cup drive for next season? I think his Cup drive at Watkins Glenn was awesome and probably his best performance I have seen. Thanks and regards…. an aussie Marcos fan

Marcos is certainly regarded as a legitimate driver in the Cup Series.  He showed flashes last season that he could get it done on ovals, but he’s just been the victim of a lot of bad luck this season.  I think it is very likely he will land with another Cup team for the 2011 season and beyond, with the most likely candidate being Richard Petty Motorsports. - T.C.

14. From Tom Skaggs:

I read this article a few years ago. The question I have is that it appears that Jamie McMurray is paying team expenses (payroll) out of his own pocket. I can understand paying agents, handlers et cetera, but is it common for drivers to be paying for team expenses? I’d assume that team owners would be paying these expenses.

I’m not sure what you read in this article that makes you think McMurray is paying team expenses.  This article is referring to some savings that McMurray had frozen for a time due to a bank fraud investigation.  Drivers don’t cover any team expenses with their earnings.  Many drivers have their own companies and organizations to help manage their careers, and they are obviously responsible for those expenses, but not for the teams they drive for. – 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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Two weeks, two problems and frustrations again boiled over on the radio between Juan Pablo Montoya and his crew chief Brian Pattie.

With the four tire stop that cost them the race at the Brickyard still fresh in their minds, Montoya entered the pits for a late race stop at Pocono. As he pulled in his box he rolled just ever slightly forward screwing up the teams rhythm and costing them time and positions.

What resulted was a 17 second pit stop and a profanity laced tirade that included Pattie telling Montoya he needed to go to Charlotte and practice pit stops, and Montoya telling Pattie, “Screw you!” He further blamed Pattie for making a bad call.

On the surface this appears to be the beginning of the end for the Pattie, Montoya relationship. Tension is building and that is evident in these select interactions between the two. Still, despite all the trouble the two have had this season I don’t think things aren’t quite as bad as they seem.

Juan Pablo Montoya is known for his temper, and his spectacular (I say sarcastically) ability to express his opinion and frustration – normally it involves an ‘f’ and a ‘you’.

Brian Pattie on the other hand is about as cool, calm and collected as they come. The difference in their personalities is one of the reasons I believe they have had such a productive (though not as successful as they would have liked) relationship.

It can’t be denied this hasn’t been a great season for team #42. They’ve had just four top-fives and sit 21st in the points. Most damaging of all, Montoya has had seven DNFs. On top of that it doesn’t look very good that his teammate Jamie McMurray has already had two wins in his inaugural season with EGR.

This was Montoya’s season to shine. Now he’s being outshined. Add that to some missed opportunities because of what turned out to be wrong decisions and Montoya is not very happy with his racing – and that’s translating to frustration with Pattie.

That brings us to the million dollar question: what does that mean for Brian Pattie and JPM going down the road? Is this the beginning of the end?

I don’t think so. No doubt this is a rough patch in their relationship. But I think the progress that has been made and the relationship that has been built is too valuable to give up on.

Fortunately for Pattie and Montoya, Chip Ganassi isn’t Jack Roush. And through the rough spots there have been moments of near triumph. It’s a matter of consistency and good luck, and right now the #42 team is struggling.

Given the right circumstances this is a team and combination that can be successful – I think outside the fleeting moments of anger all parties involved know that.

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And in turn making Chip Ganassi, Johnny Morris and Kevin Manion look pretty good.

Since returning to his old home at Ganassi Jamie McMurray looks like a new man. Just past the halfway point of the season he has won (or almost won) the three most prestigious events on the NASCAR schedule. McMurray’s got two wins, three poles, six top-fives, seven top-tens, and has led 228 laps (the most of any year in his career). Despite three DNF’s, and some bad luck, McMurray is having one of the best years of his career.

The same can’t be said for the guy McMurray replaced.

Martin Truex Jr. was folded into the Ganassi organization at the beginning of last season, and quickly established his desire to be somewhere else. By July of ’09 he had announced his intended move to Michael Waltrip Racing.

Truex, with very similar equipment and team personnel to McMurray (same engines, same crew chief, though some differing chassis) was lackluster at best last season. In the same year his teammate made the Chase, Truex was only able to take three poles, one top-five and six top-tens. He finished 23rd in the points. This season he’s running just slightly better with an average finish of 19.3.

And how about Jack Roush? He gets rid of McMurray and the kid starts winning. In fact, McMurray started winning before he left Roush – he has the most recent Roush and Ford Cup Series win.

At this moment Roush has three drivers in the Chase, and one 24th in the points (McMurray is 16th). I’m not saying Roush should have gotten rid of David Ragan, but it’s gotta stink to see McMurray over winning big races while they struggle to get over their performance hump.

All the above about Roush said, I don’t think you’ll hear too many arguments that McMurray’s move to Roush wasn’t for the best – on the same token, not too many are saying right now his move away from Roush (as if he had a choice) was bad.

One guy who was a Jamie McMurray skeptic coming into this season was sporting goods mogul Johnny Morris (CEO of Bass Pro Shops). It took some convincing to get Morris to go along with the plan – and let’s be honest, outdoorsman is not the first word that comes to mind when you think of Jamie McMurray.

Though maybe not the best ambassador of the brand off the track, McMurray has shown he has what it takes to represent Bass Pro Shops on track. If you saw victory lane on Sunday, you saw Morris is a skeptic no more. He has even taken Chip Ganassi and McMurray out hunting (I’ll bet that was interesting).

You never know how things are going to turn out. That is a fact of life. And the story of Jamie McMurray and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing are a prime example of that. Just ask Ty Norris.

“I don’t think the stability to be able to compete against the Hendricks and the Roushes and the Gibbses has been (at Earnhardt Ganassi) because it has been something different for six months, and fortunately for him, we offered (Martin Truex Jr.) a safe haven” – Ty Norris – July, 2009

My how things change.

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We are off to the Circle City this week.  Friday and Saturday night shows at ORP for the Trucks and NNS cars lead up to Sunday’s Brickyard 400.  While we work through another hump day, here’s the 84th version of Ask The Insiders.  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 Zach:

During practice sessions, why are some cars allowed to skip past the line of cars that are waiting on pit road to get onto the track? While at Chicagoland I noticed several cars bypass the line and head straight to the track from the garage.

The higher a driver is in the points, the earlier they get to go out in practice.  So I’m guessing that what you probably saw was these drivers getting to blow past those who are lower in the points. – T.C.

2. From Dan:

Do you know what’s going on with Ray Evernham? Is he attached to RPM and if so in what capacity? What happened to the connection with Dodge? Just haven’t heard much about him lately. Seems to me with the talent he had shown as a crew chief years ago he would still be at the forefront of the sport or maybe he just wanted out. I do remember him doing some work for one of the networks at one time.

The last I heard he and RPM were working with lawyers to end his relationship with the team. He hadn’t had any real role with the team for quite some time. Not sure if that’s been resolved. Other than that he is working as an analyst for ESPN, he owns East Lincoln Speedway in Stanley, N.C., and he’s working with wife Erin on her Sprint car career. There has been some rumbling that he may be interested in getting back involved in NASCAR in some capacity, but I think otherwise he’s pretty happy where he’s at. – Journo

3. From Cinde:

During qualifying, why do the drivers go down on the apron and then back up on the track as they come across the start/ finish line? Thanks for your writing! Facebook, twitter, email!! You keep me informed.

Remember that the fastest way around a track is the inside line.  Some drivers think that by dropping down on the apron, they are actually cutting down the distance to the start finish line, which will result in a faster lap time.  Does it actually work?  Maybe a little. – T.C.

4. From Garry:

Sorry if this is a dupe question, but during the Chicago race ( I actually wrote several question that night but did not want to flood you) …..anyway.. I noticed on some cars on later pit stops that THE FREEKIN BRAKE PAD WAS ON FIRE!!! (I think it was the brake pad ) …anyway…something was on fire..and la-de-da…the badass tireman changed the wheel as if nothing was happening except… THE FREEKIN THING WAS ON FIRE!!! ….HOLYCOW TireMan!!!… Do you ever fire extinguish that thing? It seems the new tire rubber could catch if they dont haulass out of there… looked scary, but not even the commentators mentioned it.. WHAT IS THE DEAL?

A little flame from the brakes is certainly not uncommon.  During race conditions, brake pads, calipers, and rotors can reach 1,200 degrees or more.  And all it takes is a little rubber build up over the course of a run to give all that heat something to burn.  Unless there is actually brake fluid coming out that is causing the fire, you won’t see the flame extinguished.  Once the car is rolling again, and the rubber is burned off, the flame will go away.  That’s why tire changers wear gloves… - T.C.

5. From Marcus:

What is your guy’s opinion on the Carl Edwards vs. Brad Keselowski deal? As an Edwards fan I am definitely with him but I am just wondering what you guys think. You don’t need to pick a side I am just wondering what you guy’s think about it. Thanks!

Honestly, I see both sides of the argument.  Carl probably didn’t need to right-rear BK down the straightaway, but BK started it.  If he would have raced Edwards clean, he probably wouldn’t have gotten wrecked coming to the checkered.  Keselowski has shown that he isn’t against laying the bumper to somebody, and sooner or later it was going to catch up to him.  Does Carl deserve some sort of penalty?  Who knows?  I’d be really surprised if we saw something significant however, with NASCAR’s new stance.  A meeting with John Darby and Mike Helton is probably inevitable for both drivers though. – T.C.

6. From Steve:

In the Nationwide race, Ryan Truex, a MWR driver, ended up in a Gibbs car. It looked like Truex’s 99 car could have gotten back on track after his brush with the wall Did Gibbs borrow/buy/rent Truex from Waltrip, presumably to turn in laps and score some points? Has this been done before, where a driver has left a drivable car and started driving another owner’s car?

The #00 was not driveable (Trevor Bayne was in the #99). Even if it could have been repaired there was no point in putting him back out there – they aren’t running for points, just seat time. I can’t say with 100% certainty he didn’t get paid, but he didn’t get paid. He was available, and I’m sure very willing to jump in a car for Joe Gibbs. Dale Jr. did this a couple of years ago. Kyle Busch wrecked a car while he was still at Hendrick and was so angry he got out of his car and left the track. The team got the car repaired and Dale Jr. (who was also out of the race) jumped in it and finished the race. – Journo

7. From Kevin:

How much longer do you think NASCAR will continue to stick their head in the sand with ol’ Horse Face? Need I remind everyone that Kevin Harvick was once parked in a Cup race for actions in a lower series. But I would bet a pretty penny NASCAR’s golden boy from Missouri wont face the same punishment. But it has nothing to do with Jack Roush’s boy handing out the punishment, nothing to see here, move along…. Really it doesn’t matter anyway though b/c the 99 car is so far from being a championship contender he could miss 4 races and we wouldn’t notice him being one, other than Brad actually being able to finish a race and all.

I’m assuming by ‘ol’ Horse Face’ you mean Carl Edwards. Remember NASCAR instituted this new ‘boys, have at it’ policy this season that has loosened up their enforcement of things like on-track retaliation. It has nothing to do with the driver in question – it isn’t just Carl that’s gotten away with stuff this season. Remember Clint Bowyer during the Nationwide race at Dover, leaving pit road and wrecking Denny Hamlin under caution? He was only placed on probation. NASCAR has a different doctrine in place (I think for the better), then it did back when. Now whether Carl gets penalized because he is a repeat offender is yet to be seen. Expect news on that tomorrow. – Journo

8. From Denny:

I noticed on the Cup-Lite pre-race, last Saturday evening, right before the starting of the engines, they showed a close-up of the #99 and there was one guy with a Triad Racing pit suit, standing right behind, maybe the car-chief, who was giving Trevor instructions before the car moved down pit road. I think the 99 runs a Prism engine. Is this an engine tuner? BTW, I attended an ARCA race in Springfield IL, last season, and I also saw a couple of Triad Racing pit-suits around the Eddie Sharp Racing cars, as they pitted directly across the track from where I was sitting.

Triad Racing Technologies is the main engine supplier for Toyota.  So, except for the Gibbs cars, whenever you see a team with Toyota power, a Triad employee is not far away.  Part of the engine program for most builders includes the builder sending a tuner to the race track.  So you will see guys in Triad firesuits in every series from ARCA to Cup supporting the Toyota teams.  And Prism doesn’t build engines, they actually use Triad power as well. – T.C.

9. From Dave:

I think Carl Long just ran the truck race at Gateway. Does that mean that he paid that huge fine to NASCAR?

You saw correctly. He was suspended, but he wasn’t fined. The fine was imposed against his crew chief Charles Swing – I believe if he wasn’t able to pay it, it then it fell to Long’s wife as she was the car owner (it was never Carl’s responsibility). As far as I know the fine was never paid. – Journo

10. From riterchick:

How do crew members view rivalries? Do they want their driver to go for blood, or is it more a “don’t wreck the car, nitwit!” feeling. I should think it’s hard to see all your work destroyed just because of a testosterone surge on the race track.

Well that depends.  If your car is already wrecked anyway, a little revenge certainly wouldn’t make it worse.  I am personally of the mind that confrontations should stay on the race track and crew guys don’t need to get involved unless absolutely necessary.  Fixing a ton of wrecked race cars will definitely wear on the guys at the shop though. - 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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