Track Smack: Caution no means to this end (cont'd)

David Caraviello: That's because fuel additives are a completely different animal than everything else. Remember, those penalties assessed to Mayfield's team in 2000 were the beginning of the end for Penske-Kranefuss Racing.

Dave Rodman: I think it's probably more significant that less was made of the 24 car's problem in the 150. Did anyone else notice that Gordon's progress in the 500 was never particularly significant -- at least compared to that last-lap move in his 150, which I don't know that I can remember seeing in those circumstances at Daytona in quite a while.

Ryan Smithson: You could say the same about the 55, Rodman -- fabulous car in the 150s; crap in the 500.

David Caraviello: Fabulous car in the 150s with half a field.

Ryan Smithson: You got me there. Not half the field, but a weaker field. The 150s still has 28 cars.

Dave Rodman: Well, I have to admit I don't rightly know what happened there. You think Mikey got that car into the 500 on willpower alone?

David Caraviello: I think the 150s were their 500. Everything went into that race.

Ryan Smithson: Mikey is obviously a fabulous drafter. I forgot how well he could manage a plate race.

Dave Rodman: And they tore the heck out of that car for two days after the 150. You saw my blog entry -- Saturday afternoon about 50 percent of the car was in primer.

Ryan Smithson: I didn't see your blog entry. What did it say? I saw the part where you said David Green was the greatest driver without a Cup win.

Dave Rodman: Why do you like dislike the Green brothers? Aside from being quality individuals, they are great drivers.

David Caraviello: Why did they do that, when the car seemed more than serviceable in the 150s? You wonder if all that work did more harm than good?

Dave Rodman: After the 150 they ran one practice of the two -- and not that many laps. And the car was in pieces for much of the two days. I don't know. When you consider he was in the same race with Junior and was competitive enough to race up to a qualified spot, twice, I guess I ain't smart enough to figure out why they'd reinvent the car -- or try to.

David Caraviello: That 100-point penalty really starts to hurt Friday. There are no qualifying races at California.

Ryan Smithson: It hurt way before Friday, David.

Dave Rodman: Well, he was hurting anyway. Where it's going to hurt is if he either misses one of the next four -- or he runs badly in any of them.

Ryan Smithson: I saw that from way up in the luxury suite.

Dave Rodman: Glad you could take a break from the Veal Francaise.

Ryan Smithson: I ate my Daytona 500 lunch at Checkers -- two burgers and fries. $16.

David Caraviello: I believe Mr. Rodman is a connoisseur of the Space Coast's finer French restaurants.

Ryan Smithson: Is Daytona the First Coast or the Space Coast?

David Caraviello: Where's the dividing line? Flagler Beach?

Dave Rodman: If you have ever been down near the Boardwalk, you would know it is probably more like the Coal Coast.

David Caraviello: What, lot of guys walking about with miner's helmets?

Dave Rodman: Naw -- I got nothing against miners. It's just kind of scruffy -- like a coal mine.

David Caraviello: I used to stay in a wonderful bed and breakfast in Flagler every Daytona race week. Let's just say the place has an earthy charm.

Dave Rodman: And I'll just say that's a little north of Daytona Beach.

The opinions expressed are solely of the participants.