CUP: SPEED Crew Heads From Texas To Kansas

Sprint Cup

CUP: SPEED Crew Heads From Texas To Kansas

The SPEED crew breaks down the latest NASCAR news and looks ahead to Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway...

SPEED Staff | Posted April 19, 2012 Charlotte, NC

Kansas Speedway is up next for NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

SPEED CREW HEADS FROM THE LONE STAR STATE TO THE MIDWEST

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers have caught their breath following the surprisingly long green-flag runs in last Saturday’s race at Texas Motor Speedway, and now are headed to Kansas Speedway.

Below, the SPEED crew breaks down the latest news and looks ahead to Sunday’s race:

Q: Sunday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Rockingham Speedway has been called a huge success on many levels. What was your overall “take away” at The Rock last weekend?

“NASCAR being back at The Rock was nostalgic for any race fan. Andy Hillenburg and his staff did a fantastic job in welcoming everyone back. The Rockingham area took a big economic hit when NASCAR left, so it was great to see NASCAR return to a traditional track with old-school racing.”
--Bob Dillner, SPEED reporter

“I was inspired as I drove out of Rockingham on Sunday. NASCAR back racing at The Rock provesthe classic adage ‘If there's a will, there's a way.’ What Andy Hillenburg did for the fans and the sport should be applauded. I’ve covered many sporting events, but Sunday at The Rock was one of the most poignant and definitely one I'll never forget.”
--Danielle Trotta, NASCAR Race Hub co-host

“Andy Hillenburg did a great job and I hope NASCAR takes a good, hard look at taking the Trucks back there and possibly more NASCAR events. There’s a nostalgia associated with Rockingham and everyone wants to see it succeed. Tracks like Rockingham belong on the schedule because they are the heart and soul of where NASCAR started.”
--Wendy Venturini, SPEED reporter

Q: Can we use teams’ performances last week at Texas as a gauge of how they might run at Kansas, another mile-and-a-half track?

“We can’t use Texas as a comparison for Kansas because there were so few cautions at Texas that if a team was off just a bit, they weren’t able to make adjustments like they normally can during caution periods. Kansas is a wild card, although we probably can look to Las Vegas for a baseline.”
--Tom Jensen, SPEED.com Editor-in-Chief

“Texas is the best gauge we’ve had so far this year as far as mile-and-a-half tracks are concerned, but Kansas is different mainly because of the banking and transitions into the corners. But it’s a pretty good guide as to where teams stack up, and it lets the ones struggling know they have some work to do with other intermediate tracks coming up.”
--Hermie Sadler, NASCAR driver and SPEED reporter

Q: There has been talk about whether Goodyear’s tires are providing durability at the expense of on-track passing and competition. Where do you weigh in on this debate?

“Harder tires will last but they sacrifice some passing. Drivers love softer tires because they can pass, but car owners don’t because blowouts cost them money in wrecked equipment. I assume Goodyear is looking at how to soften the tires without giving up much durability, but they’ll have to give up some to get the competitiveness back.”
--Bob Dillner, SPEED reporter

“The tires are too good at some tracks. Goodyear probably can build a safe tire that also gives up a little speed during a run. When tires fall off and cars slow down, the racing tends to get better. I think people liked what they saw at Rockingham because the trucks slowed down, they slipped around and drivers really had to drive them. We need a safe tire, but not one so safe and durable that it hurts the racing.”
--Hermie Sadler, NASCAR driver and SPEED analyst

Q: What is plaguing Joe Gibbs Racing this season?

“JGR has some new pieces they are trying to fit into a 21-year-old puzzle. Losing Greg Zipadelli and the wealth of knowledge he brought to the table both as Joey Logano’s crew chief and an overall leader was a big blow. Denny Hamlin has a new crew chief in 2011 champion Darian Grubb, and although they’ve won a race already, perhaps it's just going to take some time for everyone to settle in together.”
--Danielle Trotta, NASCAR Race Hub co-host

“Since JGR switched over entirely to TRD Engines, I think they’ve been better able to put their finger on where their struggles lie because they can compare apples to apples now that they and Michael Waltrip Racing share the same engine program. MWR obviously is doing something differently with their chassis and setups than JGR, but there is no doubt MWR has stepped up their game.”
--Wendy Venturini, SPEED reporter

Q: Who is your favorite for the win Sunday at Kansas Speedway?

“I predict Jeff Gordon will win. He has scored top-five finishes in five of the last six races at Kansas, and he blew an engine in the other one. I think Gordon has shaken his bad luck and is poised to give Rick Hendrick his 200th win.”
--Tom Jensen, SPEED.com Editor-in-Chief

“Carl Edwards and his team are due to break out and win. Kansas is a good track for Ford and for Carl, and while he’s been decent this year, he hasn’t been outstanding. We’re seeing Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth steal the spotlight from Carl, but I think this is his weekend.”
--Hermie Sadler, NASCAR driver and SPEED reporter

“Look at the numbers. How could you not go with Jimmie Johnson? If you need more proof, look at how he ran at last week’s mile-and-a-half track at Texas. The No. 48 wins at Kansas and gets the 200th win for Mr. Hendrick this weekend.”
--Danielle Trotta, NASCAR Race Hub co-host

“Clint Bowyer is my pick to win at his home track. MWR has displayed early-season consistency, and if Bowyer can contribute a win at Kansas, it would solidify MWR as a highly-competitive organization. The Nos. 55 and 56 have posted some great runs this year, and an MWR car will be in Victory Lane soon.”
--Wendy Venturini, SPEED reporter