Smack: Too pricey or priceless? (cont'd)

3. It's the last race for the "standard car" at Talladega. Will anyone notice the difference between April and October?

Joe Menzer: That's a very good question, but you have to have been impressed by the finishes and the quantity of side-by-side racing in the first three Car of Tomorrow races.

Raygan Swan: Yes, because the drivers say the new cars are hard to pass in -- but I really don't think there will be a big difference.

Mark Aumann: Yes and no. I think there's always the possibility of the big crash, no matter what vehicles are out there. But I don't know if there will be more cars running in packs or fewer.

Joe Menzer: The drivers can gripe about the COT all they want, but I think the fans are starting to like it. Or at least ignore it, which means it is being accepted.

Mark Aumann: Well, Joe -- the finish at Phoenix was good, but I didn't see a lot of side-by-side. There were exactly four green-flag passes for the lead in 312 laps.

Raygan Swan: Especially when 'Dega has the record for three caution-free races: 1997, 2001 and 2002. Mark, I looked that up for you last night, pal.

Mark Aumann: If Raygan looks it up she'll find that Talladega has had some most unusual winners -- Richard Brickhouse, Bobby Hillin Jr. and Lennie Pond, for starters. So I wouldn't be surprised if we see someone in Victory Lane who hasn't been there before.

Joe Menzer: Wow, you guys are loading up the facts on me. Now you know that I only paid real close attention to the last 40 or 50 laps at Phoenix! The end was good, though, you have to admit.

Mark Aumann: Of course, she doesn't remember any of those guys, but her dad might.

Raygan Swan: Not as good as some of the endings in 'Dega -- some of the closest and controversial. Remember Vickers?

Mark Aumann: Yeah, that was the first time I had seen the COT up close. It's not that big of a deal now. Except it looks like it has the gracefulness of a rhino.

Joe Menzer: Or Dave Rodman. Sorry, that was a cheap shot. Dave's not even here to defend himself. Plus, he's more like the Car of Yesterday -- or the Car of Long Ago.

Mark Aumann: COLA. I like that, Joe.

Raygan Swan: You guys are killing me!

Joe Menzer: We have a new nickname for Rodman, for next time he's on Smack. We have accomplished something useful today!

Raygan Swan: Let me backtrack to Kyle Busch for a minute. I like Kyle, but don't use our bathroom in the media center anymore. It's bad enough sharing it with Aumann. Special K, use your motorhome pot!

Mark Aumann: That's a good one.

Raygan Swan: Remember when he came in there? Weirdo.

Joe Menzer: Is she ready for Talladega, Mark?

Raygan Swan: No.

Joe Menzer: Sharing the women's bathroom might be the least of her problems there! You ought to show her the jail, Mark.

Raygan Swan: I want to do an insider's piece from the jail.

Joe Menzer: No, you don't.

Mark Aumann: One tip, Raygan. Don't ask to use the public restrooms in the infield at Talladega.

Raygan Swan: Cool. Thanks. We done? All of this bathroom talk ...

The opinions expressed are solely of the participants.