This week's Motorsport.com NASCAR mailbag

1. Do you think setting up drama takes NASCAR from being a sport to being entertainment?

From - Corina

Lee Spencer – Well, Corina, there are competitors in other series asking the same thing. From the moment I started covering NASCAR in 1993, I’ve always believed the series was more entertainment than sport. I say that only from the standpoint that I believe that NASCAR was the original reality TV. Producers concentrated on the personalities in addition to the contest. While I’ve always enjoyed the speed and strategy, it was always the individual stories that drew me to the sport. 

However, I have seen an evolution in the sport over the last two decades. While Mark Martin was the first driver to incorporate a serious fitness routine into his program, training among drivers is more prevalent today — and necessary. Current Monster Energy Cup champion Jimmie Johnson is a perfect example. Since he came on the scene, his workout out has changed from 12-ounce curls to triathlons. Clearly seven-time’s investment in physical fitness has paid off.

2. Any idea when the TBA NWMT date track info will be released?

From – Steve

Tim Southers – Steve, at this time NASCAR is still working with several possible locations and will announce the TBA as soon as it can confirm the host location is prepared to announce the date. All NASCAR races are agreements with specific tracks and NASCAR usually doesn’t release the date on the schedule until it’s been signed and confirmed. My sources have indicated to me the date could be announced within the next two weeks.

3. I’m concerned about the fact that NASCAR is changing the championship format "too often" (I think that kind of changes -with short periods of time- don't give credibility to the sport), NASCAR wants to attract more fans but, is that the right way?, I mean, is a complicated pts system to understand, will be harder to understand for the new fans. 

From – Garcia

Jim Utter – NASCAR's changes aren't nearly as dramatic as some make them out to be. Most of what has changed will not even be noticed until the races are offer - and you find out how many points and bonus points have been awarded to a particular driver. Few people I know keep track of a points situation throughout an entire race - they are generally more interested in watching the race. In the end, what new fans or old fans will judge NASCAR on is whether they are entertained by what they see when the spend 1, 2 or 3 hours watching a NASCAR event. And that determination will have little to do with how points are awarded, but the action that takes place on the track. Are the rules changed too often? Probably, but if they work, no one will care.

4. What do you think will be the biggest news coming out of Speedweeks in Daytona?

From - Kim

Jim Utter – Generally, the winner of the Daytona 500 is the biggest news coming out of Speedweeks but we have been surprised in recent years with other stories, including Kyle Busch's injuries, Kurt Busch's suspension and Tony Stewart's injury outside of NASCAR. Right now, without the benefit of knowing the future, I would suspect how the new race format is perceived by media, drivers and fans alike in the season's three season openers will generate a lot of interest and feedback.

Do you have a question?

Fans remember to 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.