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This week's NASCAR Inbox: Crew chief salaries, 2015 schedule and more!

“I would like to know what crew chief salary are.” – Paul (Lakeland, Florida)

Hey Paul. Crew chief salaries are all over the place. It all depends on what team you’re on, your years of experience, and how much you’ve accomplished over this year. Whoever crew chiefs for BK Racing wouldn’t make as much as someone on Hendrick Motorsports.

While no specific answers are ever given, on average, crew chief salaries range from $75,000 - $140,000. However, there are instances were some make less than that amount, and of course, more than that amount.

Guys like Chad Knaus could easily be racking in $250k.

“Have not heard the names of the "LaBonte" nor the "Burton" brothers mentioned in 2014. Have they retired or are they involved in other aspects of NASCAR?” – Dick Fritz (Omaha, Nebraska)

As the years go on, the popular names fade. Here's what these guys are up to:

  • Bobby Labonte will be joining the NASCAR on NBC starting next season when NBC takes over the broadcasting rights from ESPN.
  • Terry Labonte still drives part-time, but for Go FAS Racing, a much smaller team. He’ll only participate in the superspeedway events (Talladega and Daytona). Look for him this weekend!
  • Jeff Burton drives part-time for Michael Waltrip Racing in the No. 66 car, and also serves as a research-and-development driver. Just like Bobby Labonte, Burton will be joining the NASCAR on NBC crew next season.
  • Ward Burton is at Turner Scott Motorsports as a driver coach, assisting young drivers with driver development in the Nationwide and Truck Series’.

“When a car is tire testing and crashes, who pays for the damages?” – Chris (Cochrane, Alberta)

Great question Chris. The team pays for the damages.

“Where are the Nationwide standings & truck standings?  You show the cup drivers only. What about the IRL standings also?” – John Jesus (Berlin, CT)

Hey John, the Nationwide standings are there. In the standings section, look at where it says “Sprint Cup”. Right beside it, click on the “Nationwide” section and there you are. In terms of the Truck series, we’re currently in the process of going through a NASCAR section redesign. While I can’t promise anything, I’ve passed along the Truck Series implantation to our devs.

“Why doesn't NASCAR make major changes to the schedule? It seems like they have been using pretty much using the same schedule for the past few years now.” – Theron Bloom (Clarksville, AR)

A lot of things come in to play when making the NASCAR schedule: contract agreements, logistics, competition with other leagues, etc. I would say that more race fans than less want the schedule changed going forward. Never say never. Maybe when FOX and NBC take over next year we’ll see some changes down the line.

“My son and I have been going to both Dover races for at least 15 years now. Every year the stands get emptier. While it's a good track it can get kind of monotonous at times. Why won't they have at least one night race. Guarantee the place would be packed.” – Alvin (Frederick, MD)

Hey Alvin, it’s not just Dover, unfortunately. The stands are emptying at a lot of tracks, due to a number of things (cost, travel, race excitement, wait times, etc.) But Dover doesn’t have lights, right? Don’t think they’re gonna put any up for 1 night a race a year, which sucks because that’d be cool.

“It seems to me that TNT is a bit obsessed with Kevin Harvick. They kept praising him on Sunday and mentioning that he has been so fast this year at every type of track. I know Kevin is always a championship contender, but is there any reason to believe that this is his year? Or is TNT just getting a little too excited?” – Ari Frydman (Toronto, ON)

Nope, it’s not just a TNT thing. Kevin Harvick has been stout at the majority of tracks that he has been to this year. What’s killing him is his pit crew, and his equipment. If both of those were in working order, Harvick would have many more wins this season, guaranteed.

“I wear my MUTE button out trying to enjoy the race and muting everything DW says. I also hate that boogity boogity crap. He also has "favorites" where none of the rest of the announcers do.  I wish he'd just go away.” – Maggie Kapp (South Charleston, WV)

I agree, the openly rooting for drivers is a little bothersome. But at the end of the day, DW means well. If you’re sick of him now, you’re gonna be seeing a lot more of him next year. FOX broadcasting half the season! That probably isn’t music to your ears.

“Watched the race on TV and when the third caution went out, never heard the commentators explain why the caution came out. It happened during a commercial and just curious what caused that caution.” – Zach (Houston, TX)

Third caution of the day for the Sonoma race was for debris in turn 10.

“PLEEEEZ save my sanity and get rid of DW.  He ruins the season for me.  I can't tolerate more than about 4 or 5 races and I wear out my Mute button silencing him.  His Boogity Boogity sends me over the edge along with all of his "favorites", Danica, Carl, Denny, Kyle Busch and anyone who drives for Michael or drives a Toyota.” – CJ Kapp (St. Albans, WV)

I guess the same response 2 answers up applies to this one, lol. BTW – you’re also forgetting Dale Jr. in that list of favorites.

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