David Gilliland, driver of the #38 FreeCreditReport.com Ford, comes in for a pit stop during the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 at the Pocono Raceway. (Todd Warshaw/Getty Images Photo) » More Photos

During February's Speedweeks at Daytona, Doug Yates and Jack Roush both mentioned that Ford would have a new Sprint Cup engine for 2009.. I haven't heard much about it since then. Is it still on track to be submitted in September & used in '09? — Jerry

Yes, both Ford and Dodge will have new engines next year that will conform to NASCAR’s “common-template” engine spec rules. The Ford and Dodge engines are being tested now and you could see one or both in Cup races late this season.

Hi Answerman Tom. I was wondering if the selection process for the Bud Shootout will remain the same now that Coors is sponsoring the Pole Awards for each individual race? I always thought that you had to qualify for the Shootout by winning poles or being a past champion of the race. Thanks for your insight. Cheers. — Calvin Reynolds, Toronto, Canada

Great question, Calvin! The Bud Shootout will return in 2009 with a new format, details of which have not been finalized. As soon as we know, we’ll let you know.

What is the difference in a restrictor-plate race and I guess a normal race? Thanks! — Mary Konduros

The opinions reflected herein are solely those of

the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEEDtv.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or Speed Channel

Happy to answer this one, Mary. A restrictor plate is a machined spacer that fits between a carburetor and the intake manifold atop the engine. As the name implies, it restricts the flow of the air-fuel mixture from the carburetor to the engine. On a modern NASCAR Sprint Cup engine, it cuts horsepower from approximately 800 to about 480 and as a result, lowers speeds substantially. It is used only at Talladega Superspeedway and Daytona International Speedway, the two longest ovals on the NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit.

Tom Jensen is the Senior NASCAR Editor for SPEEDtv.com, the former Executive Editor of NASCAR Scene and a contributing Editor for TruckSeries.com. He is the author of “Cheating: The Bad Things Good NASCAR Nextel Cup Racers Do In Pursuit of SPEED,” and has appeared on numerous television and radio shows to discuss NASCAR racing. Jensen is the President of the National Motorsports Press Association. The Answer Man is back at SPEEDtv.com. Tom Jensen answers your questions during every race week and looks forward to hearing from you - please e-mail it to