Track Smack: Some teams ready for a full COT docket

1) NASCAR made a late-breaking announcement Tuesday the COT would be fully implemented in 2008, so who's ready and who ain't?

Joe Menzer: It's pretty obvious who's ready. Hendrick, despite the constant complaints about the COT from both Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch, is ahead of the curve -- and so is Joe Gibbs Racing, particularly with Denny Hamlin.

Raygan Swan: Evernham needs to catch up and Ganassi is getting there quicker.

Dave Rodman: Obviously, Hendrick and Gibbs are a few steps ahead of the rest, but as we suspected, the rich aren't gonna lose any of their advantage with "everyman's car" in place.

Raygan Swan: For the teams trying to catch up, it's going to be like trying to catch up to someone that's older than you. Big sis always wins.

Dave Rodman: Ain't gonna happen, true.

Joe Menzer: In fact, they've gained more advantage -- at least for now. They have tested the COT more, simulated more stuff on their 7-post shakers, which not all teams have -- so they have more data on it.

Raygan Swan: So until something changes, we'll see the same drivers out front and it's going to get old.

Dave Rodman: Well, unless someone can really challenge Hendrick's panzers, it will get a little, shall we say, dry.

Joe Menzer: Look, Hendrick has earned all the kudos they're reaping these days -- plus Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are two of the best drivers out there. But from a fan interest standpoint, when is enough, enough?

Dave Rodman: Gas prices might have more to say about day-to-day race attendance than Hendrick domination, at this point.

Joe Menzer: What surprises me a little is that the Penske cars haven't been better in the COT races. I thought they would be right there with the other big teams.

Dave Rodman: Penske, more than anyone else, I believe, is really showing some progress. Unfortunately, they can't race in a brother-safe bubble. Hey, Ryan Newman doesn't have a sibling who races, does he?

Raygan Swan: These under-funded teams just don't have the resources and the people to do the research and produce the chassis. And the certification process with NASCAR takes a while.

Joe Menzer: It was good, I think, for the sport that Harvick held off J.J. to win the All-Star race. (Continued)