Track Smack: Better than ever and worse than ever

1. Jeff Gordon, with two victories in nine starts, appears to be at his best since the years of winning double-digit races in the late 1990s, so how does the current Gordon, and the sport he competes in, compare to the racer and the series back then?

Mark Aumann: He may not be as aggressive but he's a much smarter driver than he was a decade ago. I think that accounts for his resurgence as much as anything.

David Caraviello: If anything, the competitive field now is much tougher. Look at all the fully-sponsored teams going home every week. I don't think Nextel Cup was quite as deep in 1995 or 1996, when Gordon was at his previous peak.

Dave Rodman: Mark, I think he is by God no less aggressive -- but he is just as much more experienced and that experience brings additional smarts -- so that is a pretty daunting obstacle for anyone else who wants to win.

Mark Aumann: Oh, I don't know that he takes the same kind of chances he did a decade ago. I think his race strategy is so much better.

David Caraviello: I think Gordon's aggressiveness has been rekindled. I think he's tired of playing second fiddle to Jimmie Johnson in his own shop. I think his competitive fire is burning hotter than ever. Which is ironic, since everyone thought the changes in his personal life might soften him.

Dave Rodman: To your competition point, this is the gold standard for Cup competition. Obviously, there has never been this depth or number of competitive cars. I don't think the number of potential winners matches the number of good teams -- but the margin from first to 43rd ain't great.

David Caraviello: Totally agree. There's a difference between the number of cars trying to make races and the number of cars trying to win races.

Mark Aumann: Plus, sometimes success goes in peaks and valleys. It's not a surprise that Gordon couldn't keep up a torrid pace, especially as other teams began to show strength.

Dave Rodman: I got one thing to say about that. Actually, two: Terry Labonte. I know Gordon's recent history is probably not as extreme a comparison as Terry winning titles in 1984 and 1996.

Mark Aumann: Dave, Terry Labonte has 22 career victories. Jeff Gordon had 23 over a 65-race span in 1997 and 1998. (Continued)