NASCAR Mailbag offers answers to your questions

How crucial is it that Truex Jr. or Larson wins the title this season? Also, how would the fanbase react to an eighth Jimmie Johnson title? Unseating Dale Earnhardt Sr. & Richard Petty at the top of the NASCAR pyramid could be a death blow to any NASCAR revival hopes. - From Kyle

Hey Kyle, I’m not sure it’s crucial that either Martin Truex Jr., or Kyle Larson win the title the season. Larson might have a bit more pressure on him with his primary sponsor Target leaving at the end of the year. However, Larson doesn’t have to worry about job security since he’s the future of Ganassi Racing’s NASCAR program. Truex’s contract runs through 2018. With the relationship he’s developed at Furniture Row Racing — and with crew chief Cole Pearn, I don’t see Truex leaving the No. 78 team any time soon. As for Jimmie Johnson, I’m not sure the fanbase would be thrilled initially — unless they are No. 48 team fans. However, let me suggest embracing the moment. We have the opportunity to witness history being made. – Lee Spencer 

Due to the fallout of BKR after 2017, Do you think NASCAR will try and aim for Spec Engines and Composite bodies as their main goal in the future to cut costs? - From Aaron

Hey Aaron, let’s look at the two projects individually. First, the spec engines introduced in trucks are only economically feasible for the top to mid-level teams in the garage. And in some cases, if the factory supported teams that have engine budgets/deals from their manufacturers, they could lose that money. For mom-and-pop teams that rebuild their own engines just to make it to the race track, the crate might only be a pipe dream. GMS did the initial test and was pleased by the results. The second test wasn’t nearly as favorable. 

Moving on to composite bodies. Cost containment was considered throughout the development of the project. NASCAR used the same body shape so teams didn’t have to buy new templates. Teams will save on fabrication because the 13 composite manufactured will be flanged fit onto the car. We’ll get our first look at the car under competition at Richmond in two weeks. – Lee Spencer

NASCAR has all these rules so why did Kyle Busch get away with standing on the car? I thought that was a rule that they couldn't do that. - From Karen

Karen, there is no rule per se regarding drivers standing on any part of their car in Victory Lane or during post-race celebrations. However, what NASCAR did say is that those actions would not be considered a viable excuse if the car subsequently failed inspection. So, if Kyle Busch had done that, and his car then failed inspection, claiming he was only celebrating would not reduce or eliminate any penalty received. – Jim Utter

If you have a specific question for one of us feel free to send it in. Did something happen at the track that you want to know more about but couldn’t find the answer anywhere? Send us a question.

Questions can be sent any day of the week and we’ll post answers in a timely fashion in our NASCAR section at Motorsport.com. 

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Do you have a question?

Fans submit your questions each week to NASCARmailbag@motorsport.com. Responses will be reported generally once a week during the NASCAR season (Usually on Thursdays) Please submit your questions to the above email address.

You can also reach Jim Utter, Lee Spencer, Nick DeGroot and Tim Southers on Twitter at @jim_utter,  @candicespencer, @ndegroot89 and @TimSouthers, respectively. Use the hashtags #AskJim, #AskLee, #AskNick or #AskTim when submitting a question through Twitter.