One of NASCAR's shortest drivers walks with one of its tallest. Credit: AP

Track Smack: Pocono

Who is the top team right now?

Lee Montgomery: I always love this question. Well, not really. Right now, you'd have to say Kurt Busch's, since he won last week. But I know what the question is really about, so I'll vote Jimmie Johnson.

Ryan Smithson: The obvious pick is the 48 bunch, but the 24 team has been sharper over the past six weeks and I think that they are the team everyone's going to be watching when the points are reset.

Marty Smith: At this moment it's the 24. They have the most wins and poles in the series. It's pretty cut-and-dried. The 48 is unstoppable, but had a setback (by their standards) at Loudon, while Jeff wheeled her to a runner-up finish.

Dave Rodman: Jeff Gordon, No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet, led by Captain Robbie Loomis. Of course, you said right now -- and that means he gets the decision after out-pointing his teammate, who obviously still rules the roost.

Lee Montgomery: That's three 24s and one 48?

Ryan Smithson: You got it.

Marty Smith: So the answer is Hendrick Motorsports.

Lee Montgomery: And half of a 97.

Track Smack Audio Time: 4:55 More discussion from the Track Smackers about the Dale Jr. media blitz at Loudon

Ryan Smithson: Hendrick's on top of their game now. Even the 5 is running really well. But I am surprised the 25 hasn't been in the top five any. I am sure he is too.

Dave Rodman: Now you know, this is a top-o'-the-noggin pick -- we all know NASCAR.COM has got great stat packages for "last six races" and all that. But in my estimation Jeff's run from 24th to second spoke volumes.

Lee Montgomery: Really, it doesn't matter who is the top team right now. It only matters once the final 10 races start. That could be anyone, including Busch.

Ryan Smithson: Lee, you really think Kurt is consistent enough to make a splash? I know he had that run in 2002, but that was awhile ago.

Email us Dave Ryan Marty Lee

Dave Rodman: Doggone it Ryan -- didn't we beat you up on this a few weeks ago? Why do you hate Kurt Busch? The kid will be top-three in the end -- unless they completely fall apart, and out of the chase.

Ryan Smithson: Nice job covering your butt, Rodman. You just entailed the whole thing. "Well, he could win, unless he blows up."

Marty Smith: Smithson, you're one to talk about idiotic statements.

Ryan Smithson: Geez, Marty, you too man, but come on, I am sick of y'all refusing to make a solid prediction. Instead, you say "could" and "might."

Lee Montgomery: Ryan, this sport changes so much that it's foolish to make a solid prediction. Solid prediction. Isn't that an oxymoron?

Uh, Ricky, I've got some bad news about 2005.

Dave Rodman: You lame brain, I didn't say that. I said he's shown a propensity to blow up at inopportune times. By the same token -- he's shown the ability shake off some horrendous stuff -- like his guys getting candle-pinned at Loudon last year, or that pit flag fiasco at Pocono in June.

Marty Smith: It really is somewhat shocking just how far and away better the 24 and 48 are than everyone else. No one's even close. That said, Kurt does have some great tracks coming up.

Lee Montgomery: Who knows if Busch can do it? They've been pretty solid all year, and right about now is the time to get hot.

Marty Smith: He won at Michigan last year and is the current King of Bristol, Tenn.

Dave Rodman: I don't think JJ is any lock for anything, either. He has shown a propensity to blow up, here and there -- and I don't mean motors, either.

Jeff, are there any vacancies over there at Hendrick?

Marty Smith: You don't think Johnson is a lock to qualify for The Chase, Rodman?

Dave Rodman: Gordon and Stewart are the favorites, once the big bullets come out of the arsenals in the final 10.

Ryan Smithson: Rodman thinks Johnson "might" qualify for the Chase.

Lee Montgomery: Clearly, the favorite is Johnson, since he's leading the points. And perhaps Gordon is second favorite. After that, it's a guessing game.

Ryan Smithson: Rodman, the 48 team never blows up.

Dave Rodman: Hmmm. How much plainer could I be. Do you remember pit road in the Coca-Cola 600? Or spinning out twice at Talladega?

Fans seem to think so -- so we'll ask you -- is Newman the most likely driver to make a huge rally?

Lee Montgomery: Rally from what? I'll bet Junior makes a pretty good rally from getting burned. Does that count?

Ryan Smithson: Yeah, I think so, and he really shut down all the guys that are not in he top 10 right now.

I can see the Chase from here. Credit: Autostock

Dave Rodman: I would say he would also be a co-favorite for the championship. My bad, Ryan (Newman, of course). He ain't going to rally from anything, right now. And remember, we're only racing until Richmond -- then we have the second season.

Lee Montgomery: So, Ryan, you're saying Mayfield has no chance of making the top 10?

Ryan Smithson: Good question, Lee. Won't be easy, don't you think?

Lee Montgomery: He's what, 100 points back? No, not easy, but he can do it.

Ryan Smithson: 100 points is a lot, Lee.

Dave Rodman: I thought we had buried this. There is no rallying. There is no contention in the top 10. There is simply maintenance, positioning and arming yourself for the playoffs... Errrr, The Chase.

Lee Montgomery: Amen, Rodman.

Why's everybody always pickin' on me? Credit: Autostock

Dave Rodman: Loudon was a terrible blow, on the one hand. But on the other, it was classic racing. Every guy in the contending positions: seventh-14th -- finished in the top 15. When that happens, it's tough to make up ground. But if someone blows up on the second lap and finishes 42nd or 43rd, look out. There's how you get a 100-point swing in one week.

Ryan Smithson: When it's all said and done, Mayfield's going to want back Texas and Martinsville, when he went from 8th to 15th in the points.

Dave Rodman: Ask poor Mark Martin about that. Or Kasey Kahne. Heck, Ryan Newman himself has seen some of that stuff.

Marty Smith: Smithson and his concrete predictions, boys. He's sick and tired of might and could. Damn it, predict something!

Ryan Smithson: Man, Martin's had a great year and has zip to show for it except the Dover silver.

Predictions for Pocono?

Dave Rodman: I know you don't like splits, but tough... I am going to say either Dale Jarrett or Jeremy Mayfield will win -- of course, out of necessity. But they have both run well there, so I'm going that direction.

Ryan Smithson: I like Jarrett too, Dave. He's got to get it sometime.

Lee Montgomery: If Johnson and Knaus don't use it as a test session, I'll take JJ. If they do, I'll take Stewart.

Dave Rodman: They have been pretty consistent lately, as well, so all in all I think that bodes well for them in Pennsylvania. Gordon and Stewart will be tough to beat -- but they can be had.

Marty Smith: I'll go with the 19. He's been knocking on the door too long, and this is his track.

Dave Rodman: Yes sir, Lee. Way to go with the frontrunner, but it's hard to argue with success. So I can't gig you too badly for that.

Track Smack appears every Wednesday at 11:08 a.m. ET.

The opinions listed here are solely those of the participants.