Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards are currently leading the Justice League point standings. Credit: Autostock

Track Smack: Bristol

Guys, how critical would you say the recent spate of Hendrick engine failures are, particularly for Jimmie Johnson?

Elliott Gordon: Not at all. The 48 team is making a mockery of the Chase. They are testing parts and engines and figure if they lose a few points, who cares? These races are test sessions looking for an edge in the Chase.

Dave Rodman: If they know why they are poofing, I would say not at all. If they have no idea, the timing couldn't be worse. And I think the mental aspect of it is much worse than any part failure could ever be. You don't need to be hurting your momentum, or your confidence, now.

Lee Montgomery: If spate is a bunch, then yes, they should worry. You can't simply snap your fingers and have everything magically back together. It's like a pitcher in baseball after an intentional walk. Sometimes he can't find the strike zone.

Mark Aumann: If they're really just out trying new stuff to see if it breaks, that's fine. But if they can't come out strong for the bell in week 27, they'll be in trouble. Hey -- wasn't Spate a great left-hander with the Senators?

Elliott Gordon: I would hate to agree with Ryan, but don't be surprised if the 24 starts blowing up instead of the 48 as they test stuff.

Lee Montgomery: Ryan isn't here.

Mark Aumann: Yeah, Enos Spate.

Elliott Gordon: Senators? I wasn't even born then.

EMAIL Lee Dave Ryan Elliott

Lee Montgomery: Don't bring the government into this.

Mark Aumann: Well, they can't find the strike zone, either.

Dave Rodman: Well, the 24 -- if you listen to Jeff -- was on the verge of blowing at Michigan as it was... So I would try to get back to what you knew worked, if I were they.

Elliott Gordon: Why isn't Hendrick testing parts on the 5? He is just trucking along.

Lee Montgomery: Or the 25. That's a good question.

Mark Aumann: Or those new bumpers on the 25?

Elliott Gordon: Those bumpers won't last at Bristol.

Lee Montgomery: Johnson's team is probably fine, but Jimmie looked awful worried Sunday.

Robby Gordon treats his new teammate the same way as all the rest. Credit: Autostock

Dave Rodman: Heck -- you could argue that when they had it goin' on, they had a 232-point lead... I know you say if you aren't trying, you're falling behind -- but three poofs in a row have to be troubling. Or at least telling you you're going in the wrong direction.

Lee Montgomery: I hate to agree with Rodman. Well, actually I don't hate it. But I agree with Rodman.

Elliott Gordon: Talk about going in the wrong direction?!? Rodman, who LEFT the track during driver intros at Michigan?

Lee Montgomery: Traffic in Michigan is murder.

Elliott Gordon: I give Rodman a bronze medal for getting back before 50 laps. Good effort.

Dave Rodman: I know it was bad logistical planning, but I wouldn't have caught the pharmacy any other way. Leave it alone. I made it 48 miles in 63 minutes -- PLUS taking a wrong turn, socializing with the pharmacist and getting gas. All I missed were two debris cautions and a harmless spin.

Lee Montgomery: It's a new track record (in Tom Carnegie voice)!

Elliott Gordon: NASCAR is sensitive about debris cautions these days. Hot dog wrapper in turn 2!

Dave Rodman: Michigan gets a bum rap on traffic, if you ask me. How else would you experience the joy of driving on dirt -- short of getting together a World Rally Championship team?

Lee Montgomery: Dave! Be quiet! You don't want everyone using that short cut.

Elliott Gordon: Dave will make a mint when he retires and writes a book.

Mark Aumann: You know, they need a racetrack in downtown Detroit. There's an idea. At least Michigan seems closer to Detroit than Atlanta Motor Speedway is to Atlanta.

What is up with Roush Racing? Jeff Burton leaves and Jack gets five cars in the top-10 at Michigan!

Elliott Gordon: Chemistry?

Allen Bestwick's hair dryer arrives at Michigan. Credit: Autostock

Lee Montgomery: I guess we can expect Jeff Green to win the Busch race, eh -- that's the case?

Dave Rodman: The Justice League had to have the answer. Jack went around behind everyone's back and promised each of them a date with Wonder Woman if they got in the top-10 -- even though he denied it afterward.

Mark Aumann: Plus, you wonder if Jack might have brought out all his best arrows with the Ford guys watching. It was a pretty good day for the Fords all the way around. Six in the top-10 and all Yates/Roush powered.

Dave Rodman: I think as much as a lot of other places have been Chevy playgrounds -- Michigan seemed to favor the Fords and Dodges.

Lee Montgomery: Just one of those coincidences. Jeff certainly wasn't the bad apple at Roush. Although it was odd for Roush to say he had a sponsor for the 99 after Jeff left.

Dave Rodman: That thing with the 99 is a two-pronged deal for sure. It lies in line with what Richie Gilmore was saying a few weeks ago: Everyone who talks to them about sponsorship wants Martin Truex. If a sponsor jumped on board to hook up with Carl -- good for them, him and Roush. I just hope it's a solid deal, unlike some of the other debacles they've experienced of late.

Elliott Gordon: I would never say Burton was a bad seed, but you have to admit, the smell of frustration must have been in the air. Or was that Jimmie Johnson's motor?

VIDEO Victory Lane Biffle earns his second career win Runner Up Martin overcomes a pit penalty to finish second Spin Cycle Wimmer and Busch spin, avoid hitting anything

Dave Rodman: Don't forget, Jeff Burton scored the AOL car's best finish of the year and he barely knew where all the doodads were in the cockpit!

Elliott Gordon: In any event, at least AOL has a solid driver behind the wheel for what is rumored to be their last season on a car. They might even win a race!

Mark Aumann: Fantasy is on Thursdays on this site.

Lee Montgomery: What are you eating, Elliott?

Elliott Gordon: Blimpie.

Lee Montgomery: I want some of that if you think the 30 car will win this year. Is there some special sauce on that sub?

Dave Rodman: I'll put a five-spot on it right here and now, Lee. EG -- write it down!

Elliott Gordon: Wait, let me look up stats on Jeff Burton, Ryan-Style.

Lee Montgomery: Stat Boy Jr.

Elliott Gordon: Average finish at Loudon since 1996: 10th, including 4 wins.

Mark Aumann: Burton led every lap there in 2000, but he's only won twice since then.

Lee Montgomery: You do that math in your head?

Elliott Gordon: No, used Super Stats in our fantasy product. The same thing I use to beat you and Rodzilla every week.

Giant hot dog wrappers were a problem both on and off the track. Credit: Autostock

Dave Rodman: Ouch -- that hurts!

Lee Montgomery: You wish you could beat me every week

Elliott Gordon: Scoreboard. I lapped you like Jimmie did the field at the Coca-Cola 600.

Lee Montgomery: Yeah, while I'm writing stories, you're doing Fantasy stuff.

Dave Rodman: So Lee, you taking me up on that bet?

Lee Montgomery: No more bets!

Predictions?

Mark Aumann: Someone will throw a helmet.

Lee Montgomery: Jeff Burton won't win.

Elliott Gordon: Rusty blows up again.

Mark Aumann: The fans will boo Kurt Busch.

Mark Aumann: The fans will boo Jeff Gordon.

Lee Montgomery: Those the kind of predictions you want?

Elliott Gordon: How about this stat. Jeff Gordon, since 1996, has started outside the top eight at Bristol once.

He would have worn the cape but couldn't find a phone booth. Credit: Autostock

Mark Aumann: There will be several shirtless men in the stands with No. 8 caps on.

Dave Rodman: Jimmy Spencer will get a standing ovation.

Elliott Gordon: Ryan Newman's luck will turn around this weekend.

Dave Rodman: How about winners? I will call it a toss-up between Kevin Harvick and Elliott Sadler. No. 201 might be the charm.

Lee Montgomery: Maybe, but he won't win either. Mark Martin is on a roll, and he's usually good at Bristol.

Elliott Gordon: Martin hasn't had a top 10 at Bristol since 2000, Lee.

Lee Montgomery: It's like Ryan is here.

Elliott Gordon: No, I don't play golf.

Dave Rodman: Lee, that's a good call. I was gonna say Dale Jarrett might make a break there, too. But as soon as I think of how good these guys have run there -- I see images of them getting splattered at Bristol.

Mark Aumann: This is a real interesting spot for a guy like Kahne. His Chase may depend on staying out of trouble on Saturday night.

Dave Rodman: Mayhem at Bristol brings to mind one of my favorite post-wreck images. Bobby Labonte after he stuffed his Interstate car into the fence. Then stuffed his helmet through the window. Though I hate it for Bobby, cause he's a good guy.

Elliott Gordon: No way man! Ward throwing stuff at Junior.

Lee Montgomery: Someone ripped us for not mentioning the winner in last week's Smack. So I'll fix that. Greg Biffle. There.

Dave Rodman: You know what, think about that other great Bristol memory -- Harvick and Biffle's high hurdles routine -- didn't Biffle run pretty good that day? On the track -- Kevin had too much of a grip on him for Greg to run away.

Lee Montgomery: Well, I didn't say Biffle would win.

Dave Rodman: Yeah, but they're on a roll -- and if he wears that Flash suit... Why wouldn't they?

Mark Aumann: As long as he doesn't start flashing the crowd. That could get ugly.

Elliott Gordon: Someone named Gordon will win that race. And if Hermie Sadler would return my calls, maybe it could be me!

Dave Rodman: What? Hermie said he was gonna hook you up to dress up as the Zapf Creation poster doll this weekend...

Mark Aumann: If I put three names on my list, they'd be Busch, Jeffy and Kenseth. It's surprising how good Kenseth's done there.

Elliott Gordon: Five top 6 finishes in a row, Mark.

Dave Rodman: Man, we are gonna call you Super Stat.

Elliott Gordon: Maybe I should buy a Mini. Man, I AM Ryan.

Dave Rodman: Face it -- impossible to call -- so let's just sit back and enjoy it.

Mark Aumann: As usual, lots of dented body parts on and off the track!

Elliott Gordon: Only if Lee gets to the track before the race starts.

Lee Montgomery: That would be a good one, SINCE I'M NOT GOING!

Elliott Gordon: I am talking about 2005. I know you need a head start.

Lee Montgomery: Nice save. Now go back to your fantasy team.

Track Smack appears every Wednesday at 11:04 a.m. ET. The opinions listed here are solely those of the participants.