Track Smack: Merging, Chasing and laying bricks (cont'd)

This weekend the boys head to famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400. Just how big of a deal has this event become for NASCAR?

David Caraviello: It's huge. Drivers know and appreciate what the place means. Just as many of them were in awe of former F1 ace Juan Montoya, many are in awe of Indy.

Duane Cross: It's not the Daytona 500 -- and I don't think it will eclipse the Bristol night race. Indy is a big race; nothing wrong with being one of the Big Three. But it's like Kyle Petty said: "Everyone wants to win at Indy, sure, but it's not Daytona and never will be -- at least for us. For us, it's always going to be Daytona. Indianapolis will be the place for open-wheel racers."

Head2Head

Does Indianapolis deserve to be held in high regard in terms of NASCAR's historical tracks?

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Joe Menzer: Don't forget the Coca-Cola 600, guys. (I could be imagining it, but I thought I heard Humpy Wheeler just whisper that in my ear!) Seriously, though, who would have thought 20 years ago that the Coca-Cola 600 would get as much attention, or more, than the Indy 500 when they ran on the same day.

David Caraviello: Bristol night race? Are you serious? Hey, it's great TV. And it's a great place. But it's not Indy. A.J. Foyt didn't win at Bristol.

Duane Cross: Richard Petty never won at Indy ... so what makes it the place in stock-car racing lore?

Joe Menzer: Man, you're always knocking Bristol. I told you last week, DC, it's the Wrigley Field or Fenway Park of NASCAR. Jimmy Spencer once said so himself! I think I read it in a book somewhere.

David Caraviello: I'm not knocking Bristol! I love Bristol. It can provide the best racing on the circuit. But it's not Indy.

Duane Cross: Yes, Indy is a landmark -- but it's still an open-wheel joint.

Joe Menzer: As I stated last week, Indy doesn't yet have enough NASCAR history behind it to lay claim to any great stock-car racing legacy there. But they are indeed building it.

David Caraviello: It's not about stock-car racing, but racing in general. The sense of history is palpable when you walk through the gates. It's the Augusta National of motorsports. At no other track do you get that feeling.

Joe Menzer: Now wait a minute. In golf you have the Hooters tour or whatever you call it, and then you have the PGA Tour. They don't let the Hooters guys on Augusta. ... Are you saying that NASCAR at Indy is like the Hooters tour being allowed on Augusta?

Duane Cross: Wanna talk palpable -- walk into the Bristol bullring about 8 p.m. Aug. 25. That is palpable; you can feel it in your toes!

David Caraviello: Hey, nobody's questioning that. Bristol is awesome. But walk into Indy when it's empty, and you get the same feeling.

Duane Cross: I do at Bristol. Of course, I prefer Cheerwine to chardonnay ... but that's just my raisin' coming into play

Joe Menzer: The racing is better at Bristol for these guys, no question. And that's the bottom line. I happen to think Bristol is pretty cool even when it's empty, too.

David Caraviello: Admittedly, Indy can produce some dog stock-car races. But strategy at the end is always interesting. And the place itself makes up for it.

Duane Cross: I want part of my ashes spread at Bristol.

Joe Menzer: Duane, don't you mean you prefer Cheerwine mixed with, um, something? Something maybe a little stronger?

Duane Cross: Nah, I don't cut my Jack with anything!

The opinions expressed are solely of the participants.