Tuesday, November 1st 'What If' Question

It's never smart to count out the master of the Camping World Truck Series, Ron Hornaday.

The four-time champion entered the 2011 season looking to join Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson as a five-time title winner. But things got off to a rocky start and Hornaday and his No. 33 team have been fighting to get out of a hole ever since. Before the month of September he was sitting outside the top five in points, ninth, and was 68 points behind leader Johnny Sauter.

Even though he had a victory, which came after leader Sauter was black flagged on a green-white-checkered finish, it seemed that it might be time to remove Hornaday from championship talk. A fuel mileage win in Atlanta helped him climb to fifth in points and 48 markers out of the lead, momentum starting to swing. Except next two races Hornaday finished 10th and fifth and had only gained one point in the standings.

Then team owner Kevin Harvick made the decision to put Hornaday in the No. 2 truck in order to help that team win the owner's championship. Hornaday would still get the driver points during his stint in the 2 truck. Suddenly, Hornaday was unbeatable. He won back-to-back races in the 2 at Kentucky and Las Vegas. In Talladega he finished second to teammate Mike Wallace (who was driving the 33 in Hornaday's absence) before he took back over the No. 33 at Martinsville where he finished second.

Hornaday now sits third in points only 15 behind Austin Dillon. The season only has two races remaining, Texas and Homestead, and Hornaday has gone from longshot to one of the favorites. Don't look now, but that veteran might just school the young guns in front of him.

But ...

What if Ron Hornaday hadn't been put in the No. 2 KHI truck at the start of September, would he still have fought back into title contention? (He has two wins and second place finish in the No. 2 and went from 68 to 15 points behind in the standings...) #NASCAR

@Talon64 The way he was running with the #33 crew, never. CC Bruce Cook brought his season and title hopes back to life

@chuckallen2 It's Hornaday, so he definitely could've done it with his 33. This worked out well,whatever the reason.

Wednesday, October 26th 'What If' Question

A popular opinion in the NASCAR world currently is that the new style of drafting at Daytona and Talladega does more harm than good. In both racing and entertainment and now added to the list is competitiveness.

This past weekend at Talladega rumors circulated that there had been team orders in the garage that Ford drivers were only supposed to work with other Ford drivers on raceday. Roush Fenway drivers Greg BIffle and Carl Edwards teamed together while Matt Kenseth and David Ragan did as well. Even Chevy drivers and teammates like Clint Bowyer and Jeff Burton stayed committed to each other all day.

Things were going smoothly and according to plan until the final two laps. Chevrolet driver Jeff Gordon was left without a partner and Ford driver Trevor Bayne said he would work with him. On the restart however, Bayne bailed on Gordon and went to work with Kenseth who also needed a partner. In another twist, Tony Stewart said that Paul Menard was told to dump him so that teammates Burton and Bowyer could go on to win the race.

Fans and drivers have been unhappy about the race all week. Team orders have no place in NASCAR they say. The problem though is not that there were drivers dumping each other at the race, the problem is that it was being categorized as team orders. See, drivers have always hung each other out to dry in plate racing. It's common knowledge that over the final few laps it is every man for himself and you go where you will be fastest and with whom you believe will give you the best shot to get to the front.

Except when fans and drivers heard that there were "team orders" of who could work with who, suddenly it became a sin to be dumped by your partner. Now going forward drivers are going to remember that day in Talladega and as long as the new stye of drafting is around, someone is going to be left without a friend.

But ...

What if there was no public knowledge of 'team orders' @ 'Dega, would fans really care as much about drivers being dumped @ the end? #NASCAR

@philenespanol I think if it hadn't been said on friday that people heard ford drivers were told to work together, no one would have found it suspicious when Bayne went with Kenseth. People get dumped all the time at superspeedways, but it's what surrounds the whole thing with sort of a black cloud.

@JoJo_6040 No. Before the tango, drivers were always movin n dumpin and prob with little orders. Let the drivers drive!

@NancyatStudioN Nope! The team orders are what makes it cheating. We might be mad at a driver for dumping our driver, but we would think they did it as "every man for himself" and we'd get over it. I agree with @TerryBlountESPN who said it has become a Jersey Shore episode on wheels.

Jose L Acero (via Facebook) Fans do not react the way we did if we have no knowledge of team orders BUT we would have had a said to the issue!

Wednesday, October 19th 'What If' Question

There's an age old debate that continues to rage on: Cup drives competing in the Nationwide Series.

This debate though isn't about should they run in the lower series but why would they. This past August when Brad Keselowski broke his ankle testing his NSCS car it forced him to sit out of his No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge on Saturday's. Incredibly though, Keselowski won two Cup races in August and skyrocketed from 21st to 11th in points and made the Chase.

His performance made yours truly and others again state that Cup drivers concentrating solely on Cup perform better than those who pull double duty. For instance: Jimmie Johnson has won the last five straight Sprint Cup Series championships, not just because he's a good driver and has a good team but because no one has tunnel vision like he does. Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch and Jeff Gordon all won titles before Johnson and they too run very limited NNS races if none at all.

Focus, it's all about focus. Winning a Cup title should be a driver's main focus, not just winning races in any series. Sure, drivers like Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch have competed and contended as threats for the Cup title while running the NNS, but they haven't won the title. And almost doesn't count in NASCAR. Ironically, Edwards, Harvick, Busch and Keselowski haven't won the Cup title but have all won a NNS title over the last few seasons.

Keselowski, even with a broken ankle, was on fire during the weeks that he was able to worry just about his Sprint Cup effort. Now that he's made the Chase and has gone back running on Saturday's, he's remained in the top 10 in points but hasn't won a race since and time will tell if he'll win the championship.

But ...

What if Brad K. hadn't broken his ankle & didn't sit out NNS, would he still have had month of August he did & made the Chase? #NASCAR

@RobBlount Wow. Tough question. I think he still could have had that August without the broken ankle though, but no way to tell.

Jennifer Lynn Tobin (via Facebook) For sure! :)

Jose L Acero (via Facebook) I still believe that BradK has the August he had regardless of the injury happening or not! It made it that special by having is ankle broken.

Dustin Parks (via Facebook) I'm not sure, that's a really tough question to answer. Could we have anticipated Denny Hamlin to have the season he had last year following ACL surgery? It's along the same lines. We didn't expect Hamlin to have that success, and certainly didn't expect Keselowski to have his success. My answer is simply no answer, because like Hamlin in 2010, it was the card he was dealt, and he dealt with it the best way possible...bring all the attention to him for good reasons, and not because of his injury.

Nancy Nuce (via Facebook) I think it's possible that the ankle injury woke BK up to the fact that if he didn't perform, he could be on the way out. I think it focused his attention and made him put forth a better effort. That combined with the fact that they started going back to tracks they had been to once already and had notes to go by, worked to improve his performance. It also didn't hurt that Kurt threw a fit over improving the equipment till Penske did something about it. I don't think sitting out NNS had much to do with it other than I think Brad realized that he needed to perform in Cup more than he needed to perform in NNS.

Tuesday, October 18th 'What If' Question

When Kevin Harvick made the announcement that he would be merging his Nationwide Series program with Richard Childress Racing and disbanding his Camping World Truck Series operation, it put Nelson Piquet Jr. and Ron Hornaday on the market.

Both are now searching for rides for 2012, with Piquet Jr. a hot, young talent with sponsorship and potential. And Hornaday is the wily old vertan who just happens to be a four-time champion and the winningest driver in CWTS history. However, Hornaday hasn't been snatched up by a team yet and said last weekend in Vegas that part of it is because everyone is waiting to see where Piquet Jr. goes.

Said Hornaday, "You ain't going to do it on your talent," about owners calling him, knowing that needs to bring something more to the organization. Like money and sponsorship, which Piquet Jr. has but, "Nelson thinks it's a big game, he's going to learn that this isn't open wheel anymore. People are depending on jobs and everyone's waiting for Nelson to take his $3 million and see what he's going to do to land a job."

It leaves Hornaday waiting as well as he tries to win more races this season and contend for his fifth championship. Time might be running out and when the 2012 seasons starts many hope that the driver who has been with the series since it was born, will be there behind the wheel. While there will be plenty of young drivers to watch and even veterans like MIke Skinner and Todd Bodine to cheer for, the CWTS needs Hornaday.

But ...

What if Ron Hornaday doesn't have a truck ride next year, a) how would you feel and b) who becomes the face if the series? #nascar

@ARosser14 If Ron doesn't have a ride, it is a huge, huge blow to the series. Hard to imagine anyone taking over for him as the "face."

@HarpAmyStabler I would be sad. I think that maybe Ty Dillon or Parker Kligerman might become that face. Or, Todd Bodine? Johnny Benson?

@CCaldwellSM It's interesting how Harvick has him in the 2 truck now. He has a shot at the Championship in that truck! 2 for 2!

@Talon64 It'd be a shame that Ron would be out after proving he's still got it. There's nobody else to replace him as "the guy" either

Jason Remillard (via Facebook) Unfortunately, I think Kyle Busch becomes the face to the uneducated public. To the racing community, it's gotta be Todd Bodine.

Dustin Parks (via Facebook) It would be a crime if Hornaday doesn't have a ride for 2012 in the Trucks. He may find some success in Nationwide, as he's been competitive there before, but Trucks are where he's comfortable. If not, the lead "driver" to this series is Kyle Busch, despite not getting any points for wins. The lead driver that does earn points, well that's a toss up. I'd say Todd Bodine, then even Austin Dillon possibly. It's hard to say right now.

Nancy Nuce (via Facebook) Todd Bodine might not have a ride either. Sponsors don't care what you've done in the past. If they did, Johnny Benson would have a ride. Kyle can't even run a truck the full season cause the sponsors won't pay if he's not in it. As much as I hate to see it, I think both the truck and nationwide series have major problems and will be gone soon if something doesn't change.

William Hildebrand (via Facebook) The series would die if no Hornaday. Hornaday to Trucks = Dale Jr to Sprint Cup.

Monday, October 17th 'What If' Question

Reed Sorenson's bid for a Nationwide Series championship ended earlier and differently than he had expected. Sitting third in points behind Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Elliott Sadler, Sorenson was released from his ride, the No. 32 Dollar General Toyota for Turner Motorsports, before the Kansas weekend.

No exact reason was given by either team owner Steve Turner or Sorenson. The dismissal shocked many in the NNS garage as it appeared out of nowhere and with no immediate reason. Sorenson has won a race this year and was only 49 points behind in the championship with five races left before the end of the season. At Kansas and Charlotte Sorenson drove for MacDonald Motorsports.

Had the release come at the end of the season the backlash might not have been as severe. Many have expressed displeasure with Turner for releasing the championship driver without warning or explanation. And when he's in the middle of the championship fight and the highest running Turner car, it seemed some were wondering why a different driver wasn't released. But, it's also no secret that sponsor Dollar General isn't returning to Tuner next season and many more layoffs at the company are expected.

Perhaps the Sorenson would have been released anyway. The timing though just knocked everyone for a loop as Turner looks towards getting ahead for next season and Sorenson looks for a decent ride for the future.

But ...

What if Turner Motorsports had waited til end of 2011 to release Reed Sorenson, would you have agreed w/ it or felt better about it? #NASCAR

@betseybydesign i think i would have felt a little better about it!!

@antsgirl97 I Know what i want..I want to know why reed was let go like that.

@RobBlount Had Turner announced he was being let go at the end of the year it would have made sense because Dollar General is leaving his team. But firing him with 6 races left just didn't make sense and it left many people confused.

@rcracer20 Reed would have drove for free if he could finish out the year.only looks bad for Tuner .need more drivers like reed,

@hotdog388 would of have agreed with it more if it had happened after the season especially if he didn't have any sponsor lined up for next season or if Reed had finished way down in the points, it was not right to let Reed go this late in the season especially when he was the highest in the points of all the Turner cars

@chuckallen2 They volunteered to give up a possible drivers title. Lots of prestige there. Must've been a bad situation for both.

@denver2u I would have still questioned Turner motorsports for their decision to release a 3rd pl guy... but would have not thought him as much as ass as I think Turner is now... but I guess business is business ...

Nick Brincks (via Facebook) Definitely

Dave Zimmerman (via Facebook) Absolutley

Monday, September 12th 'What If' Question

(This question was a fan submission)
Last week in Richmond Kevin Harvick made what some view as a shocking announcement.

Starting in 2012 his Nationwide Series team, Kevin Harvick Inc, will be merged with Richard Childress Racing, his Sprint Cup Series car owner. Further, there would be no more Camping World Truck Series teams out of KHI, they're shutting down. Harvick and wife DeLana would be stepping back and focusing on other opportunities and areas.

KHI has been a fixture in the CWTS for years with wins and championships collected like state coins or memorabilia. Ron Hornaday has become the driver with the most championships in CWTS history while at KHI and drivers like Elliott Sadler, Clint Bowyer and others have all won races behind the wheel of a KHI truck. No matter who or where they are, KHI has been a company to contend with.

Lately though they've had stiff competition from another Sprint Cup Series driver who has a CWTS team of his own, Kyle Busch. Last season it was the Kyle Busch Motorsports team that took home the owner's championship in just their first year of competition while a non KHI or KBM driver took home the driver's championship.

In the win column, that was KBM with eight and KHI with seven and most notably Hornaday struggled a year after winning his fourth championship. When KBM was formed, Busch hired Rick Ren who before then had worked for years with KHI and became the winningest crew chief in CWTS history as well as a champion. Ren left his crew chief duties for a management position with KBM.

The two teams have put on a show the last two seasons, going head-to-head nearly every weekend. They've made no bones about wanting to beat each other and drivers want to be behind the wheel of either team's trucks. Now, that won't be the case next year, as KBM will be front and center without their rival and current KHI drivers like Hornaday and Nelson Piquet Jr. are searching for rides.

But ...

What if Kyle Busch hadn't started a truck team, stole Rick Ren & regularly beat KHI trucks - would KHI still be disbanding? #NASCAR

@ARosser14 I doubt KBM has anything at all to do with the Harvicks' decision. If anything he'd be reason to keep going.

@zebmonkey idk what caused KHI to disband. Or if it was abt Kevin putting more into Cup and maybe he & Delana having more private time

@wijrsmokefan I think Kevin's focus is on championship; costs going up; and...I think they may feel it is time to start a family!

@ladybug388 probably not as they'd still probably be a total front running package team & not have the sponsorship issues. Also, there'd be sponsors available in the pot as Kevin could've picked up the people who r choosing to sponsor Kyle #NASCAR

@TJIngerson Yes - Hornaday is a champ and had trouble drawing sponsors. Sponsors want Harvick, but Harvick's time is valuable to him as he wants to win Sprint cup and wants all focus to be there. Ren was just a piece of the overall puzzle, but his departure didn't have any impact in this decision, in my opinon.

@cruetten K&D aren't people to accept failure&trying to beat KB would be a reason to stay-not quit. KB can't be the reason for selling.

@Racetake Ahh, Kyle's team is struggling for sponsors too. The future will tell just how hard that will be on the team.

@jlaracefan14 I doubted that KHI would be disbanding if KBM wasn't around! Let's face it KBM is on a level of their own that has KHI doing what is best, leaving the series to prevent more humilliation from KBM!

Dustin Parks (via Facebook) Whew. Tough call honestly. My mind is saying yes, but it still would be a hard decision no matter what. Maybe it could be the fact the KYLE is beating KHI and not Kyle Busch Motorsports. We know Harvick hates losing to him, so that's my thinking.

Jeff N Amy Stabler (via Facebook) I think that that is a tough one to answer. Who knows really.?. I tend to agree with what Dustin said too. But, I also think that maybe Kevin wanted out cause he wanted the focus to be on a championship too. That question is a very tough one to answer.

Nancy Nuce (via Facebook) Thanks for using my question! My short answer is "No". I think KH is all smiles and fun as long as everything is going well, but can't handle it when the going gets tough. He's in it for the fun and Delana gets stuck with the hard work. I think she got tired of doing it all while he & "Mother Function" acted like irresponsible schoolboys.

Thursday, September 1st 'What If' Question

It may be hard to believe but Jimmie Johnson only has one win thus far this season. That's one, single, uno, coming at Talladega in April when teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. pushed him past their other two Hendrick teammates and a Richard Childress duo on the last lap.

This time a year ago Johnson had five wins heading into the Chase and he would pick up his sixth victory at Dover on his way to a fifth straight championship. Such has not been the case this season as the anti-Johnson fans have been pleased with his shutout of victory lane. Although Johnson is currently tied for the point lead his overall performance hasn't been very Johnson-like.

It's almost like his golden horseshoe, which Kevin Harvick alluded to last year, is gone. Johnson hasn't been dominating races, he's experiencing more bad luck during races, some of which he wasn't able to overcome and at racetracks that he has become known for his performance, he wasn't even on the map. He's appeared more frustrated this year and has gotten into spats with the likes of Kurt Busch and Juan Pablo Montoya.

When the Chase starts however, Johnson will be the favorite to take home yet another title. Yet, right now it's Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch that are mentioned as the favorites. They're the ones with the most wins this season and who are climbing in the point standings. Winning has been great to them and they hope to continue to do so right into the Chase.

Should they or any other driver win races in the Chase, they could take home the title. Many drivers have already said that winning races will be what wins the championship. If that's the case, Johnson and company need to get going because once the Chase does start they'll be amongst the lowest seeds.

But ...

What if @JimmieJohnson doesn't win another race this year, only win being at Talladega in April, can he still win the championship? #NASCAR

@ARosser14 Absolutely. That team can win titles in just about any scenario. Even if he didn't have that inch on Bowyer in Talladega.

@canebrake_123 i hope not we need a new driver to win cup like Carl Edwards

@Talon64 he's won the championship every other way imaginable, just needs to do it with 1 win. So yes!

@VerloreneSohn32 Yes. Of course he can.

@cruetten just saw this. I have to say yes as well.

@14Patti14 He's superman! He can do anything. No really, if he wants it bad enough it will.come

Billy Fellin (via Facebook) I think he's proven that no matter how he does during the regular season, he's capable of winning a championship

Melissa Bauer-Herzog (via Facebook) I believe he can. Even with his "bad" season he's still tied for 1st and they really know how to turn up the heat when the Chase comes around.