As many of you know, Miller Lite has sent me to the race this weekend in Michigan and I will be in the garages starting tomorrow (Friday) for qualifying. I know I am one of the luckiest fans alive to get this kind of access and want to share as much of it as I can with you...so I know you all might have questions for the Miller Lite Road Crew, the Pit Crew, Kurt or even other questions I might be able to ask around in the garage or the NASCAR officials.
Use this blog to leave any and all questions you might have and I will do my absolute best to ask them for you! I can't promise anything, but let me know what you want to know!
One last thing...if you have it in you, root for Kurt and the Miller Lite team this weekend because I would LOVE to give you all a report from Victory Lane!!
Look for my race reports from the garage and the answers to your questions on the blog and on the Miller Lite Racing Map next week: http://msn.foxsports.com/millerlitemap
Last week at Watkins Glen the TV anouncers made kind of a big deal about the cars pitting in the opposite direction. With the passenger side closest to the pit wall, instead of the normal way of the driver's side being closest.
My question would be for the over the wall guys...Is it that big of a deal? Did you practice pitting the car like that last week before the race? Have you ever made any mistakes because of pitting in the opposite direction? Thanks, kris.
Last year you brought a dominant car to Michigan, but that was the Car of Yesterday. Is there any way you can transfer that success from the Car of Yesterday to the Car of Today?
Ahh...Yes... Kristen, my friend. All I need you to do is have an awsome time. I dont think I am watching the race. I am planing on taking Noah to Sugar River gokart track and see if we can get a taste of more than flaging.
So have an awsome time. Enjoy the race. But If Jeff Gordon wins I will be happy and Kurt can be second...Lol... Have a great weekend.
Tyler- Your right, last year this time Kurt was on a roll winning at Pocono and MI in very dominant form...Happy to ask Pat but based on the Pocono car I would guess the answer is no so far! LOL I do need to find out more about what changes they are throwing at the car...good one!
3fan- Clear sky this am too! I'll ask Kurt about the teammates, Stremme is their test driver already so he has some sort of relationship with him. Thanks
GOKYLE- Thanks for the rootin! LOL Stremme isnt a done deal, but a likely candidate and Kurt and Ryan got along well as far as I could tell.
Noahspop- Enjoy your races too and get lots of pics of Noah flagging!! I am on the lugnut hunt for Kenseth and Gordon for him...all depends on the pit selection! Thanks!
My question is does the pit crew need someone to livin up the manotany of their jos you know someone whos quick with a joke or two and someone who will be there to share Miller Lites with them after the race is over or to run to the Pizza Shack for them.
I know its a-lot to do but im willing to sacrafice to do these things for the # 2 team..
I can envision the answer, but how about a response to this one...
Kurt's No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge going through prerace inspection...
With NASCAR's stringent rules and enforcement, do the technical people think they are holding back new research? Seems to me in the past auto racing was the proving ground for innovation and yet today NASCAR seems to be doing everything they can to squelch independent innovation.
JW-Since Miller Lite is the sole beer sponsor out here in lovely Irwindale,California. Miller also sponsors a few races during the season and I'm sure they would love to have you help out. You have to start somewhere. From here you can work your way up.The same way the drivers do it. Who knows maybe by next season you and Kristen will be working side by side. Just a thought. Have a good one.
I have a question, klvalus. First, to piggyback off my article this week, how does Kurt Busch feel about his career in terms of number of years before retirement. I know its still a long way off, but I also remember an interview with Jeff Gordon several years ago, when he was still in his 20's. Even then, he alluded to the fact that he may not go much more past 40 years old before calling it quits. He wanted to be able to enjoy the "good life". How does Kurt feel about that? Does he foresee himself as retiring at 40?
Second thing? How come I can't save your blog as one of my faves?
klvalus.....I am so hoping Kurt will bring home the win this week-end for ya. Have a great time!
I do have a question for Kurt, it's not racing related, but I am curious.
When Kurt first started with Rousch he once said that Metallica was one of his favorite bands, yet on his old web site, no mention of this fantastic cruising music band.
My question is this, Does Kurt still listen 2 Metallica, or is he mellowing out in his old age?
(If you can call 30 old)LOL...Thanks klvalus
Go Kurt and that Pat Tryson led Miller Lite Dodge!
Kristen,
First off I hope you have a blast...which I'm fairly certain you will.
secondly I have two questions: 1. From a Drivers perspective what's the biggest difference between the COT and the car of the scrap yard during a race?
2. Do they fell that the COT is better suited for certain tracks and the old cars were better for others?
Since I'm new to this these are questions I never heard answered before. I understand if you can't get both questions in though.
Take care,have fun and be safe.
p.s. Try to Get some pics of yourself so I can make you a new graphic with the Miller-lite team.
Oh Kristen, this is really going to kill me. But, ...
no, I just can't do it ------
yes, I can do this,
No, No ...
OK - Go Kurt.
HAVE A BLAST SWEETIE. Hey, will you try to get a picture of Cale Gale for me? please please please?? He'll be in the #33 car again this weekend in the NNS race. Be safe!
Tyler- Answer to your question. No there is no transfer of info from the old car to the new car at all. They are all collecting new data since the inception of the COT and "surmising" best guesses based on old info. Main problem is the right side of the car is 300 lbs heavier.
Only had a moment with Kurt today so will have to ask him about teammates later. I do know Yahoo NASCAR folks were interviewing him about that very thing this AM so you might check there.
JW- Thats MY job! LOL Keep working on that PR job!
Dwindy- That is a great pic. Car Chief Corey Tucker is on the left and Eric "Stretch" Bailey on the right. I can answer your question based on my convo with Corey Tucker today. Yep...they have very little wiggle room these days and the Penske teams are a bit hampered by the fact that Roger Penske will not stand for any sort of cheating at all so they dont push the boundaries quite as far as ahem, some of the teams. As Corey puts it, "we know we can win without cheating so we will".
Rapid- Not much time with Kurt today so I will ask him that one too when I can! Are you trying to save *this* blog as a fav or my klvalus one? I'll get on it...
rebell- me 2! They were fast in practice today! I know Kurt still likes Metallica but will double check with him...
Gambit- Having a blast!! I will ask your questions, I am fairly certain they will answer #2 as no, the old car was superior at every track but the new car is safer in big hits and can be saved when it gets out of sorts easier...but it doesnt drive better anywhere, yet.
Ah, your the best Lori!! Your boy Smoke held his press conference today but I didnt have media passes so...I will work on a pic of Cale for you, the NW garage is way far away from the Cup one at this track, but I will try!! In fact the entire garage area is prety screwy.
Photo- I have your engine questions to ask...we have a new engine guy this week, Darin, our usual guy just ruptured his ACL and had surgery this week. The new guy, JP sets up the engines at the shop...and so far seems to like me well enough! LOL
Gerrel- THanks for telling me about Kurt's blog! I would have missed it! Cant wait to meet up on Sunday!
