MBNA America 400

New NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France isn't wasting any time getting his message out. He'll be Bill Weber's guest on the War Wagon this week before Sunday's MBNA America 400 at Dover.

	Brian France

France took over the job from his father Bill last weekend. As you might expect, there's a lot of talk about what direction the younger France may take the sport. He's had a hand in many different facets of NASCAR's growth, from its television contract to the creation of the new research and development center.

With so many different competition issues facing NASCAR, (like the "gentleman's agreement" and the new concerns about pit road), it should be interesting to hear the new CEO's views.

Also on "the wagon" will be Jimmie Johnson, the winner of last week's race at New Hampshire and the defending champion of Sunday's MBNA America 400. What does he think about last weekend's incident on pt road, where three of his crewmembers were injured? Is he among those looking for rule changes? We'll find out Sunday.

Incidentally, the "big red truck" feature that was scheduled for last weekend's pre-race show got bumped thanks to the threat of rain at New Hampshire. The piece will be used at some point during the season.

	Benny Parsons

Thoughts from Loudon: Benny Parsons isn't known for going out on a limb very often, but he certainly did Sunday when reacting to the Ricky Rudd/Kevin Harvick incident the previous week at Richmond.

"In the sport today you are going to bump each other," Parsons said. "What are we going to say 'don't race, don't bump each other?'"

Wally Dallenbach's follow-up comment was nearly as impressive.

"I think it depends on who you are racing with. With guys like Ricky Rudd, you think he just made a mistake because he doesn't race that way. Then there are others that you think it is intentional."

It may have taken a while, but the chemistry in the booth is starting to come.

ALSO  It's raceday at New Hampshire International Speedway -- and the TNT/NBC production crew is running wide open.  •  Complete story, click here  •  Production meeting key for Sunday success

Equally as impressive was the job done to get quotes from all involved in the unfortuante accident on pit road between Michael Waltrip and Jeff Gordon that injured three of Jimmie Johnson's crewmembers.

Marty Snider was able to capture Michael Waltrip's frustration at the situation.

"NASCAR could fix this problem by making no passing on pit road once you cross the speed limit line," said Waltrip. "That is why you see good cars like the 15, 24, and 48 down at the end of pit road because they know they can speed to their pit... they can shoot right to their pit, while everyone else is waiting in line.

"They (NASCAR) need to address it and today was good warning for them."

ALSO  CNN Headline News anchor Robin Meade had the chance to do a ride-along with TNT/NBC analyst Wally Dallenbach before Sunday's Sylvania 300. While she expected just a lap around the racetrack, what she got was an insider's look at the world of NASCAR.  •  Complete story, click here

Matt Yocum's interview with Jeff Gordon really drove home how the incident was affecting Gordon.

"I have never felt as horrible than I did today," Gordon said. "Not only hitting crew members ... my fault ... but to see guys that are on my team fly up over your hood, that it's not a real good feeling."

Great stuff all around.

Quote of the week: "Wally Dallenbach is my hero." -- An unidentified youngster showing his appreciation for Dallenbach during the pre-race show at Loudon.

The youth of America, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Ask The Producer: This week's "Ask The Producer" question comes from several users wanting to know when Winston Cup races will start being shown in high definition.

EMAIL Send Mark a note or a question for Ask The Producer

"We are in conversations constantly to try to make this economically feasible. It's just a question of economics. There are few sports better to go high definition than NASCAR. It will happen."

Each week, we'll pick one question to ask the producer of the NBC/TNT telecast. Why did they do things this way? Why did they talk to that driver? Any question that eats at you could be answered right here in the Viewer's Guide.

You may even bring about change. Results were shown during the post-race on TNT for the first time at Loudon, the direct result of an Ask The Producer question.

Send your questions to the e-mail box in this piece.

On to this weekend's schedule...

Winston Cup Series: MBNA America 400

Site: Dover, Del.

Track: Dover International Speedway (1-mile oval, 24-degree banking in turns, 9-degree banking in straightaways. Frontstretch: 1,076 ft. Backstretch: 1,076 ft.)

Last year Johnson completes the season sweep at Dover Play video Rusty Wallace cuts a right front tire and hits the wall Play video Wally takes Hideo Fukyuama for a lap around Dover Play video

Race distance: 400 laps, 400 miles

TV: Race: NBC, 12:30 p.m. ET Sunday.

Last year: By winning the MBNA All American Heroes 400 at Dover International Speedway, Jimmie Johnson became the first rookie in Winston Cup Series history to sweep both races at a single venue -- not to mention becoming just the second pilot to ever record three wins in his inaugural campaign.

Last race: For Johnson, who won the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire, Sunday was all about pit road activity. First, a couple of his pit crew went for a ride on Jeff Gordon's hood. Then he had the right amount of fuel left when his competition ran dry.

Potential storyline: Ricky Rudd, Jeff Gordon and Bill Elliott each have four career victories at Dover, more than any other active driver. The record for wins at Dover is seven, shared by Richard Petty and Bobby Allison. Rudd is also tied with Petty for the all-time lead in top-10 Dover finishes with 26.

Point to ponder: Michael Waltrip remained in the NASCAR Top 10 after New Hampshire, but is only 48 points ahead of 11th-place Tony Stewart. Waltrip and New Hampshire victor Jimmie Johnson are the only two drivers to hold a spot in the NASCAR Top 10 all season. Johnson is in fourth this week.

Next race: EA Sports 500, Talladega Superspeedway, Sept. 28.

Busch Series: Stacker 200

Site: Dover, Del.

Track: Dover International Speedway (1-mile oval, 24-degree banking in turns, 9-degree banking in straightaways. Frontstretch: 1,076 ft. Backstretch: 1,076 ft.)

Race distance: 200 laps, 200 miles

Last year Wimmer dominates the final 50 laps to get his first win Play video Greg Biffle is not happy following his 17th-place finish Play video Wimmer takes the lead and Biffle has trouble Play video

TV: Race: TNT, 1 p.m. ET Saturday.

Last year: Unsponsored and undaunted, Scott Wimmer won his first Busch Series race in the MBNA All-American Heroes 200.

Last race: In one of the wildest Busch Series finishes in recent memory, Johnny Sauter used his bumper to pass Matt Kenseth on the final lap to win the Funai 250 at Richmond.

Potential storyline: The only time a driver has ever swept both ends of a NASCAR Busch Series/NASCAR Winston Cup Series weekend doubleheader at Dover was in September 1991, when Harry Gant accomplished the feat.

Point to ponder: Chevrolets dominate NASCAR Busch Series competition at Dover, with 17 wins in the 21 races. In all, Chevrolet drivers have won 20 races to five for Pontiac and three for Ford.

Next race: Mr. Goodcents 300, Kansas Speedway, Oct. 4.

Craftsman Truck Series: American Racing Wheels 200

Site: Fontana, Calif.

Last year Musgrave gets another victory at Fontana Play video Pressley and Musgrave battle hard for the lead Play video

Track: California Speedway (2-mile oval, 14-degree banking in turns, 11-degree banking in frontstretch, 3-degree banking in backstretch. Frontstretch: 3,100 ft. Backstretch: 2,500 ft.)

Race distance: 100 laps, 200 miles

TV: Race: SPEED, 4 p.m. ET Saturday.

Last year: Ted Musgrave came from the back of the field and pulled away to an easy victory.

Last race: Jimmy Spencer held off Carl Edwards on Saturday, bouncing the rookie off the wall on the way to a victory in just his second NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.

Potential storyline: Andy Houston, a two-time Bud Pole winner at California Speedway, moves into the Ultra Motorsports No. 2 Dodge for this week's American Racing Wheels 200. Houston has led three of the track's four races in which he's competed

Point to ponder: Spencer, at New Hampshire, became the season's 11th different winner. He's the seventh competitor to score a victory in NASCAR Winston Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Craftsman Trucks, NASCAR's national 'cycle.'

The 46-year-old also kept intact a nine-season streak: each driver who's occupied the seat of Ultra's No. 2 truck ? Spencer, Leffler, Mike Bliss, Mike Wallace and Scott Riggs ? has won at least one race.

Next race: Las Vegas 350, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Sept. 27.

Mark Spoor is an associate producer of NASCAR.com. The Domino's Viewer's Guide appears each Thursday.

The opinions expressed are solely of the writer.