Track Smack: The COT, Watergate and Nation rides

1) How significant was it that 11 drivers tested the COT at Atlanta with their 2008 teams, but that the Hendrick duo of Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson sat out?

Joe Menzer: Don't worry about the 24 and the 48 getting caught up on COT knowledge -- they will. They also are focusing on this year, and rightly so, while the others all are already into 'wait 'til next year' mode.

Dave Rodman: I think it proves how much focus these guys have. They can work with one team last weekend, test with another for two days and then business as usual at Texas. That's pretty impressive.

David Caraviello: I think we can engrave Kyle Busch's name on the 2008 Sprint Cup trophy right now. The cat was fast both days in the car they're going to use in every race next year. Bank on it.

Dave Rodman: David, you stole my thought, which was, if you want to talk about real impressive -- or real scary, if you're the competition; Kyle Busch was top three every session in a Gibbs car.

Joe Menzer: Wow. You guys are jumping the gun a bit, aren't you? I don't think we can just hand Kyle Busch the trophy now -- especially when you haven't seen the likes of the 24 and 48 test the COT yet at all the tracks.

David Caraviello: OK, maybe not.

Dave Rodman: Talk to Mr. C. I just said he was scary fast and he will be eminently competitive.

Joe Menzer: Eminently competitive? Now there's a term you don't often hear to describe a NASCAR competitor!

David Caraviello: But it gives us an idea who's going to be good out of the box, and who's going to struggle.

Dave Rodman: It appears Kyle and Steve Addington hit the ground running like scalded cats or dogs. And I appreciate no one mentioning they'll be racing Toyotas next year -- not Impalas. Not that I think it will make much difference.

Joe Menzer: It was funny though, how all the buzz out of the Atlanta tests was about Junior -- not really Kyle Busch. I guess we should have expected that.

David Caraviello: But a test like this does show us who has a handle on the thing early, and who doesn't. I mean, Tony Stewart was near the bottom a few times, and no one is going to put any credence in that.

AMS Test

For Dale Earnhardt Jr., Monday's tire test at Atlanta was like being the new kid in town on the first day of school.

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Dave Rodman: And on the flip side, it appears Junior likes his Hendrick stuff just fine, thank you very much. He and Tony Jr. were top 10 three of four sessions and 13th in their worst. That's sporty.

Joe Menzer: Look, guys, there were 11 new teams -- or teams that were together for basically the first time -- at the test Monday. And Junior had a severe headache. I don't think we can put too much into the results of one day of testing at one particular track.

Dave Rodman: But for the most part, those that were good, were good for two days. And as far as Jeff and Jimmie taking a pass: I think this is the best and the worst of having a top shelf four-car team. I am betting Junior and Casey Mears put plenty of data in the bank, while the two lead HMS teams got rested.

David Caraviello: No problem with Jeff and Jimmie sitting out. It's like a World Series team telling the guy who's going to pitch Game 3 to stay home. They're keeping their focus on the big picture, which is the Hendrick way.

Dave Rodman: And as Mr. Johnson said on the eve -- or maybe it was in the aftermath of victory No. 8: His guys need, and deserve a break as they head into this three-race stretch. This is really, really going to be maybe the best Chase finale yet -- though Kurt Busch's Homestead 2004 will be hard to top.

Joe Menzer: Clint Bowyer is still lurking just within reach, too, isn't he? That's surprising. But he will need one or both of the guys in front of him to screw up at least once each, while maintaining his consistency. Not likely to happen at this stage, but you never know.

Dave Rodman: Joe. Joe. Joe. When will you believe? During the Atlanta race I thought Clint and company were in some trouble. Then, I am sorry to say, I fell asleep and missed a phenomenal comeback. The only problem is, he only beat Gordon by one position and Johnson won the race. Clint will have to do better -- or those Hendrick boys, worse.

David Caraviello: It was cool to see Junior in the Hendrick car. I know it was a die-cast stunt, but I liked the idea. Junior's a history guy. He gets where he came from. Not everybody does. (Continued)