Track Smack: It's all stars at Hendrick, not so at DEI (cont'd)

Dave Rodman: I don't think there is any question they support each other, and Denny's comments obviously were very much heat of the moment and not designed to be unsupportive. But facts is facts and they probably would have two wins if they had Gordon or Johnson's over-the-wall crews.

David Caraviello: No question. They almost certainly win at Martinsville and Darlington.

Raygan Swan: Agreed

David Caraviello: But if you can win a race on old tires and with steam belching out of the hood of your car, you've earned it.

Dave Rodman: I don't want to wrack my brain hard enough to remember if the season Steve Letarte and Gordon are having even begins to parallel anything in any of Jeff and Ray's three championships.

David Caraviello: Darlington is the perfect example of just how good Hendrick is. Even without the best car, and in quite dire situations, they beat you.

Dave Rodman: But if I was a competitor I would either be getting a little nervous, or buckling down a little harder.

David Caraviello: That, my friends, is scary.

Raygan Swan: How long is it going to take for other teams to catch up, and will it happen this season?

Dave Rodman: I don't see J.D. Gibbs or Chip Ganassi or Roger Penske running away screaming -- but their think tanks are certainly at full percolation mode.

David Caraviello: Obviously. The Gibbs boys aren't that far off. Neither, it appears, is RCR. But they just don't have that across-the-board depth that Hendrick does. If they do, it's not showing.

Dave Rodman: Well, Gibbs is only a hair's-breadth behind. Between Tony and Denny they could easily have halved Hendrick's win total for the season. And J.J. Yeley has stepped up his game (see Luck, or lack thereof).

David Caraviello: Just imagine if we didn't have the Chase. With the lead Gordon has now, the season would almost be a foregone conclusion.

Dave Rodman: David, I think that's why we DO have the Chase, and are damned glad of it.

Raygan Swan: You can say that again.

Dave Rodman: And what does everyone do when Casey Mears get up-and-running?

Raygan Swan: Or if Junior replaces him in the No. 25 next year?

Dave Rodman: Rick Hendrick has worked long and hard, and paid an indescribable price for what his teams are achieving, so I say "all hail to him and his gang."

David Caraviello: Dave, if Casey Mears' squad reaches the level of his three Hendrick teammates this year, then it's time for everyone else to see if the World of Outlaws has any openings.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the participants.