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JENSEN: The Answer Man
Written by: Tom Jensen   
05/22/2008 - 12:34 PM
Charlotte, N.C.
 
The Answer Man on SPEEDtv.com - the Online Motorsports Authority ยป More Photos

Note: By popular demand, The Answer Man is back at SPEEDtv.com. I will be answering questions during every race week and look forward to hearing from you as the season goes on.



If you have a question, please e-mail it to – Tom Jensen

Why are the Toyota Camrys allowed to use 358 cubic inch engines and the rest of the competition are using 350 cubic inch engines? Isn't that a little unfair to GM, Ford and Dodge? — Carl Lillis

Hello, Carl. All NASCAR Sprint Cup engines, regardless of manufacturer, are the same displacement, 358 cubic inches. No automaker gets to run bigger engines than the others. In fact, NASCAR closely regulates variables like cylinder bore spacing, cam-to-crank distance, valve angles, etc., to make sure the engines are as close to equal in power as possible.

There are three non-point Cup races during the year. After (and before) these races are the cars inspected as in the regular races? — Patrick Wilster, Brookfield, Ohio

Patrick: Thanks for the question. Yes, indeed, all the cars are inspected in the same fashion at the non-points races as the points races. If they didn’t, cheating would run rampant, and you’d see guys show up at those races with all manner of illegal and expensive trick cars.

Why does NASCAR use carburetors instead of fuel injection? — Jim Rueff, Shelbyville, Ky

Excellent question, Jim. There are several reasons, actually: Keeping
costs down is one, but the bigger reason might be that carburetors are much, much easier to inspect and police than fuel injection systems are. Fuel injection would dramatically increase the cost and complexity of NASCAR racing.

On the subject of fan complaints about the lack of close racing, one driver on his radio show said, “What do the fans actually think the emails will do?” blowing it off and actually insulting the intelligence of the race fans. We know it will do no good, but we like to vent and hope it might raise an eyebrow to some of the issues. I would like to remind these folks that if not for the fans there would be no NASCAR as we know it today. — Chris, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Chris: I’m all for fans sounding off on the issues. Let’s hear you out there! One of the many great things about America is we have freedom of speech on any issue we want, including NASCAR racing.

Tom Jensen is the Senior NASCAR Editor for SPEEDtv.com, the former Executive Editor of NASCAR Scene and a contributing Editor for TruckSeries.com. He is the author of “Cheating: The Bad Things Good NASCAR Nextel Cup Racers Do In Pursuit of SPEED,” and has appeared on numerous television and radio shows to discuss NASCAR racing. Jensen is the President of the National Motorsports Press Association. The Answer Man is back at SPEEDtv.com. Tom Jensen answers your questions during every race week and looks forward to hearing from you - please e-mail it to
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