Q: What will happen to the wood from the Toomer’s Corner oaks? Will it be available for purchase?
—Mark Tolbert, Buckhead
A: Auburn University is planning to use the wood from the oaks in memorabilia and jewelry, which will be sold to fund scholarship programs. The memorabilia likely will include branches or leaves, and other parts of the trees will be carved into keepsakes, according to media reports. "It's an attempt to get pieces of the trees into the hands of our fans," Auburn spokesman Mike Clardy told The Associated Press. "That's the one good thing that's gonna come out of this." The oaks, which were rolled with toilet paper after Auburn football victories, were removed April 23. Horticulturists couldn't save the oaks after Harvey Updike Jr. poisoned them in 2010.
Q: What is the criteria that NASCAR uses to determine how each driver accumulates points?
—George Cole, Smyrna
A: NASCAR simplified its points system three years ago. Drivers earn one point depending on where they finish in a race, NASCAR.com David Caraviello senior writer told Q&A on the News in an email. If a driver wins a race with the maximum 43-car field, he wins 43 points. The second-place driver would earn 42 points, the third-place finisher would earn 41 and so on. Drivers earn three bonus points for winning a race and can earn one point for leading a lap and another point for leading the most laps.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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