Track Smack: Spoiled plans

1. This is the last "standard car" restrictor-plate race -- any feelings of nostalgia?

David Caraviello: Nostalgia, no. Concern, yes. Do we really know what the COT is going to be like on the big tracks?

Dave Rodman: Ask me that question after Talladega, later this season. It's been a neat period, but after seeing the "assault on 200," then BA's near disaster in '87 and all of the current plate era, let's move on.

Joe Menzer: I just remember being at testing last January when Kurt Busch ran like 900 mph in a COT -- although I realize it wasn't a "legal" setup or anything. So yes, I'm wondering what the COT will be like at Daytona, too.

Dave Rodman: The guys that have weighed in are terrified of what it's going to mean on the intermediates. And it will really come into focus whether the adjustability is there to eliminate aero dependency.

David Caraviello: That's true, Dave. We don't even really have a handle yet on how this thing is going to perform at say, Charlotte. Everyone is going to be holding their breath at Talladega in the fall.

Joe Menzer: You know what? Here we go again, though. I'm kind of getting tired of all the complaining. It's a racecar. These guys get paid big bucks to drive it and work on it to make it better. So do it and stop complaining so much.

Dave Rodman: Actually, on the biggest tracks, it will probably be no different than it is, now. So that means more massaging by the engineers, money spent by the owners and white-knuckle racing by all the boys.

David Caraviello: As for nostalgia -- I don't imagine folks will shed tears and say, "I wish momma would have been here to see the spoiler take Turn 2 at Daytona for the last time!"

Joe Menzer: No one said that the No. 1 priority in NASCAR is for the drivers to "have fun" driving their cars. Great, if they do. But the point is to put on the best show for the fans -- and keep the drivers safe.

Dave Rodman: If they act like trucks, actually that will be one of the bigger breakthroughs of late. And if you remember not only Mike Wallace winning the first Daytona Truck race -- but also the finishes involving Rick Crawford and Jack Sprague at Daytona -- then it will certainly be a good thing.

David Caraviello: Drivers do foster something of a cry wolf syndrome by complaining about nearly everything. But the events of February 2001 made it clear that complaints about the car sometimes have merit, even if we don't see it.

Dave Rodman: Keep an eye on the intermediate aero, though.

Joe Menzer: I would, if I knew exactly what you meant by that.

David Caraviello: Intermediate Aero is the darling of the indie punk scene.

Joe Menzer: I thought it sounded like the name of a punk band or something.

2. Can you believe the 2008 Daytona 500 hype is already well in play? How cool is it gonna be to have all the living Daytona 500 champs on display this weekend -- and what questions would you like to ask 'em?

Dave Rodman: Mario: Would the COT run as loose as your Fairlane did?

David Caraviello: A.J.: What the heck happened to your NASCAR team?

Dave Rodman: Junior: What kind of 'shine hauling ride would the COT be?

Joe Menzer: I think it's obviously going to be cool. There is nothing like hearing old war stories from guys like Richard Petty, Bobby Allison and the like.

Dave Rodman: Speaking of which, it will be cool to have A.J. and Larry Foyt both back in the garage. Glad there is no Indy Car show this weekend, or at least not one to tear them away. (Continued)