NOTE: This is a transcript of the 05/18/07 Chat


David Smith (12:02 PM) >> Hey everybody, thanks for turning in on a Friday afternoon. Busy weekend ahead...let's get started.

Mark M. (12:03 PM) >> What’s the deal with Tim Andrews and DEI?

David Smith (12:05 PM) >> Ok, actually about 15 people sent in some variation of this question. Here's the low-down. This has been in the works for a little while. Right now, Andrews is just doing some testing work while regular test driver Kerry Earnhardt tends to son (and DEI development driver) Jeffrey. It shouldn't be a surprise--remember, Tim's dad, Paul Andrews used to wrench for Steve Park and the DEI No. 1 car.

David Smith (12:07 PM) >> The word is, that there is a certain 16 year-old with a powerful parent in the racing industry who is about to join DEI. Stay tuned.

Jerimy S. (12:08 PM) >> If Chase Miller is gone does that mean it’s over for the Dodge development program?

David Smith (12:10 PM) >> Miller is definitely done with BHR. Dodge is too proud of their future to just do away with the program altogether. I would expect some more drivers being placed into either the Truck Series or the ARCA Series.

Larry F. (12:11 PM) >> Have any other names come up in the rumor mill for being in the Roush ARCA car? Are they ever going to have another Gong Show?

David Smith (12:13 PM) >> Aside from Erik Darnell and Colin Braun, no. I wouldn't be totally surprised to see Pete Shepherd in the mix, but the ARCA team supposedly takes the place of the Gong Show. Hallelujah!

John T. (12:15 PM) >> Good call on Ryan Lawler from the last chat. Who do you see potential cracking the Blackboard before the end of the season?

David Smith (12:17 PM) >> Well Darren Hagen was the driver on the move and he finally cracked it two weeks ago. Michael McDowell, Chris Windom, and Derek Thorn are seeing their stocks rise.

Taryn M. (12:18 PM) >> When will Landon Cassill make his debut with Hendrick?

David Smith (12:20 PM) >> I spoke with him about this but he refuses to tell me. He thinks I spread rumors for some reason. But others tell me that his first foray in a Hendrick car is coming pretty soon. He is certainly a lock to run in the ARCA race in Talladega behind the wheel of the car Kyle Busch manned in the Bud Shootout this past February.

Jonas W. (12:22 PM) >> Santos is for real anyone who saw the Busch Series race from Richmond knows it. Will there be another break out performance in Busch or Trucks this year?

David Smith (12:24 PM) >> I think once Bryan Clauson climbs aboard the Memorex Dodge, especially since he'll now have Brad Parrot as a crew chief, then he'll be fun to watch. Also, Josh Wise as he develops, will be pretty racy in a Truck.

David Smith (12:25 PM) >> There will be some more Santos-like surprises in the NBS and NCTS in the next two years for sure.

Michael R. (12:26 PM) >> Any predictions on first Nextel Cup driver fired in 07?

David Smith (12:29 PM) >> Wow Michael, ballsy question for sure. I really don't know because it depends on the driver's relationship with the team more than anything but I think pretty much everyone here in Mooresville has placed a bulls-eye on Casey Mears in the No. 25. With all the success Hendrick is having and the stuff surrounding Dale Earnhardt Jr., he really needs to step up here in short order.

Ryan T. (12:30 PM) >> Is there any way that Joe Gibbs Racing could land Ricky Stenhouse Jr. now that he is with Tony Stewart’s USAC team?

David Smith (12:32 PM) >> I think it's too packed of a house at Gibbs, plus their development roster is pretty solid as it is right now. But, wow, Stenhouse is a candidate to be next year's top-ranked driver on the Blackboard. Someone is going to snatch him up. He's an exceptional talent and last weekend's USAC win in TSR equipment was like his 10th midget dirt start.

Keith Y. (12:34 PM) >> Best short track in America?

David Smith (12:36 PM) >> From a competition standpoint, I'd say Southern National in Kenly, NC. As far as racing excitement goes, I'm partial to USA International in Lakeland, FL. South Boston always puts on a fun show as well and allows drivers to prove their prowess.

Eli S. (12:36 PM) >> Is Alex Yontz the four-star prospect that you hinted at as signing with RCR?

David Smith (12:38 PM) >> Yes. The deal wasn't 100% complete and I'm not in the business to start rumors, just evaluate prospects. And for what it's worth, this has been an awful year for him thus far, but I think he will get some more seat time in an RCR car, whether it be ARCA or NBS.

Chris A. (12:40 PM) >> What’s the more competitive series, ASA or Hooters Pro Cup? Where do the best prospects come from?

David Smith (12:43 PM) >> Hands down, it's Pro Cup. There's way more young talent, more veteran benchmarks, and more competitive cars. The ASA, especially the Challenge Series, has dropped off in talent from '06 to '07. I think the equipment might be more even amongst the ASA/Crate crowd, but the talent pool is pretty shallow this year.

Randy K. (12:44 PM) >> Can you give us some more hints as to who the new DEI development driver will be?

David Smith (12:46 PM) >> I think what I wrote in the beginning of the chat will suffice. I'll add this: he'll be a crowd favorite. How's that?

Gregory H. (12:48 PM) >> What is the most important thing you look for when scouting a race car driver?

David Smith (12:50 PM) >> The same thing teams look for: a) how you're doing and b) who you're beating. Those are the most important. Aside from that, I focus on character, discipline, consistency, and ability to win and adapt to any car or any track.

Bob L. (12:50 PM) >> Which Hooters Pro Cup rookie do you see having the best overall career?

David Smith (12:53 PM) >> Hawkins or Buescher. Those two look to be on track to something bigger. Both have marquee wins this year already and have the support within the racing industry that is needed to champion them to a higher profile ride.

Janet E. (12:54 PM) >> Is there a bias against the Modified community? I see that Civali, Seuss, and Hirschman are highly rated but there is no current former Mod driver in any of NASCAR’s televised series.

David Smith (12:56 PM) >> No, absolutely not. Steve Park went the farthest out of any Mod driver in the last decade but the young crop, and don't forget to include Bobby Santos in this conversation, that's coming out right now is uber-talented and each driver has a high ceiling for potential.

David Smith (12:58 PM) >> Ok everyone, thanks for all of you who wrote in! Sorry I wasn't able to answer all of your questions, but we'll make this a more frequent feature. Have a fun All-Star Weekend and stay tuned to DSM for At-Track coverage.