NASCAR Roundtable: Tackling hot topics and wrapping up Phoenix

1. How big a win was it for Richard Childress Racing and Ryan Newman last Sunday at PIR?

Jim: Timing, as they say, is everything. While it has been clear that the performance has been getting better at RCR over the last year, as Newman's crew chief, Luke Lambert, pointed out, it's hard to keep selling people on the fact you're improving without being able to show tangible results. A trip to Victory Lane is certainly that. While Newman may not have won without the final caution, he had been running in the top-10 most of the race and this season, at least, that gives you a shot to win when the race winds down. Surely, it's a shot in the arm for all of RCR.

Lee: Newman’s win could be a game changer for RCR — and Newman. At 39, Newman’s years in the Cup Series could be numbered, particularly with the latest wave young guns and gentleman drivers willing to buy rides. Newman’s experience and patience paid off on Sunday as he passed Chase Elliott before the last caution and on the final restart, when he held off Kyle Larson. If Newman’s sponsor Caterpillar has issues down the road, the driver will have to be marketable. Winning cures a lot of ills.

Nick: It is such a triumph for them. Not since 2013 has Newman or RCR won a race and this puts them in a relaxed position heading towards the Playoffs. They now sit in the advantageous position of having not to worry about anything aside from improving their program.

Tim: I think this just might have been what the veteran team needed to boost confidence for all three teams. Austin Dillon has been fast at times and could get a win this season very easily. At worst, it gives long-time RCR fans a reason to celebrate again. I still can’t believe it had been since 2013 when the team last won.

2. It was reported on Monday that NASCAR will use restrictor plates at Indianapolis. What are your thoughts on this and is it good or bad?

Jim: Not sure it would make any difference. Many fans forget, the Xfinity cars already use tapered spacers - it's just a more modern version of a restrictor-plate. I'm not sure actually using a plate would make all that much difference without some additional aerodynamic changes to the cars. My solution remains the same as last year - give the road course a try and if that doesn't work, it may be time to find another track to replace Indy on the NASCAR schedule.

Lee: I’d rather see a road course. The Brickyard was not built for stock cars and that becomes increasing clear with each passing year.

Nick: Although anything is better than the current situation there, I don't understand why they wouldn't run the road course instead. It would make the event unique and potentially boost interest, far more so than a race full of manufactured passes.

Tim: I know why NASCAR moved the race to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but it should have never left Indianapolis Raceway Park, but there is plenty of blame to go around on all sides to letting that race move from the entertaining short track. As for restrictor plates, I’m all for trying anything to make the racing better, but with tapered-spacers already used, will it really make much difference?

3. It appears that NASCAR is continuing to look at ways to improve competition on the track. What is the one thing you would change if you were in charge right now at NASCAR?

Jim: We need big swings now - yearly rules changes just aren't cutting it. By the time we get to the actual racing, teams have already figured out ways to circumvent the effect of the rule changes. My first step? Get rid of the splitters and get air flowing back under the cars. NASCAR may not have liked the days of each manufacturer arguing for rule changes to make their cars more competitive, but I have to say the racing on the track was certainly much better.

Lee: I’m quite fond of the new stages. Breaking up the race into segments adds a little electricity to the mid-sections of the race. Given a choice, I’d divide races into quarters. Anything to keep the drivers up on the wheel.

Nick: Overhaul the schedule completely. Realistically, this can't happen, but if I was in charge and didn't have these sanctioning agreements to deal with, I would cut intermediate tracks left and right. I would replace them with road courses and short tracks. You do that and you will see an instant improvement in the racing.

Tim: Yes I’m probably considered an old-school NASCAR guy, but bring back the boxier cars and make them look more like the manufacturers instead of just using decals. I know it was a pain for NASCAR back in the day, but I think part of the attraction to the sport for fans was pulling for their car make and all of the lobbying that took place. I think that would be the first thing and then I would shorten most races to no more than 300 miles. Truck races have proven shorter distances can help the show more than hurt it. And take away as much downforce as possible.

4. Justin Allgiaer's win was a popular one in the NXS garage on Saturday. Who do you think will be the next surprise winner in that series and why?

Jim: I'm not sure it would classify as a "surprise," but I fully expect rookie William Byron to find his way to Victory Lane in the not-too-distant future and I don't think Brennan Poole will be very far behind him. Both are very talented and should at least make the playoffs this season.

Lee: I don’t think it will be a surprise when William Byron wins his first race. It’s just a matter of time. Allgaier’s Jr Motorsports’ teammate has top-of-the-line and the support of Hendrick Motorsport. Although he’s still a rookie, Byron is a quick learner and it won’t be long until he’s in Victory Lane.

Nick: Darrell Wallace Jr. He has shown a lot of strength early in the season and I only expect him to get better. He heads to Fontana on the heels of three straight sixth-place finishes and has been mixing it up with top regulars and Cup drivers alike this year. He keeps that up and a win will eventually come.

Tim: I agree with Nick, I think Darrell Wallace Jr. is just a step away from his first NXS win. Although it wouldn’t really be a surprise to see Wallace win as he’s good enough to get it done, I think it would be a popular win in the sport. William Byron winning as a rookie wouldn’t be a big surprise either, but I think he can win multiple races later this season and that’ll probably surprise some.

5. Daniel Suarez picked up his first NASCAR national series win at Michigan, a track very similar to Auto Club Speedway. Do you think he could score a surprise Cup win this Sunday?

Jim: This could be a big weekend for Daniel. I'm not certain is can win yet but his persistence and patient certainly showed in last week's race at Phoenix and came away with his first Top-10 finish. I think he will certainly feel more comfortable at Auto Club and he's already shown he's a quick learner. A win? Probably not but another top 10 is certainly possible.

Lee: No. Suarez won the pole and finished fifth at Fontana in his last Xfinity Series start on the two-mile track. Although Suarez has rose quickly through NASCAR’s ranks — and won at every level — he will likely have to lose a race or two before he breaks through with his first Monster Energy Cup win.

Nick: I don't think he's quite there yet. He will win a Cup race eventually and maybe even this year, but not yet. Although, I do think Erik Jones could be a threat at Auto Club. As for who will actually take the checkered flag, I'd place my money on Kyle Larson.

Tim: Not this weekend, but I expect him to run well at Auto Club and a win this season is certainly not out of the question for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series rookie.