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.

Joe Menzer: What you guys should ask Junior is if he's got any of that new Catdaddy Moonshine on hand to share with you ... I hear it's pretty good -- and legal!

David Caraviello: Larry Foyt is one of the best guys in racing -- and a pretty good bartender if you're ever in a pinch.

Joe Menzer: There you go. He could pour you a little Catdaddy Moonshine!

Dave Rodman: Joe, are you still miffed you got aced out of a snifter at Lowe's?

Joe Menzer: Seriously, I am jealous that you have this race and I don't. I think it's going to be a fabulous time, especially leading up to it and mingling with all those guys.

David Caraviello: Hey Joe -- I'm not at this race, brother.

Joe Menzer: Well, and yes, Rodman -- I'm still a little miffed I didn't get in on any of the Catdaddy at Lowe's.

Dave Rodman: I'd like to ask Jimmie Johnson about refusing to let diversity die -- by competing in the Grand Am race. But he'll be competing with the Grand Am car and skipping the 500 reunion.

David Caraviello: I'll be watching this one like everyone else, through the magic of Kylevision. Earmuffs!

Dave Rodman: Well, he's only in the booth this weekend, so our ears -- and those of everyone across the country -- are relatively safe. He should have some great insight into Daytona, too, BTW.

David Caraviello: You know, this was the first NASCAR event ever to be broadcast in primetime on a national network, and now it's on cable. Does that say something?

Joe Menzer: DC, are you saying you don't like Kyle's analysis so far? I thought his immediate insight into the first-lap wreck he was involved in at Sonoma was, um, quite entertaining.

Dave Rodman: It was heartfelt and from the hip, at least. You got to appreciate that.

Joe Menzer: But then, I'm still kind of immature and think swear words are pretty funny in some settings -- especially when they're totally unexpected!

Dave Rodman: And I don't like putting these guys in glass houses. That's reality, y'all.

David Caraviello: Hey, they wanted to give us the view from the driver's seat. We certainly got it.

Joe Menzer: Agreed. Glass houses? Go ahead and throw the first stone. Listen, it was a slip of the tongue and it was kind of funny. Too many PC-types get too worked up about that kind of stuff. I got way too many e-mails about how we should have been outraged, which is ridiculous.

David Caraviello: Agreed. Ooh, here's a big secret: Athletes cuss. My word!

Joe Menzer: Guess what? So do sportswriters. We've been around locker rooms and garages for way too long!

David Caraviello: Ever watch Tiger after he missed a par putt? Sailors wince.

3. Junior reunites with Junior this weekend: All bets off on the competition side?

Joe Menzer: As you know, I cannot reveal my pick of the week yet. But it might involve someone nicknamed "Junior."

David Caraviello: Props to Bud PR man Jade Gurss for the radio chatter included in this week's post-race release about the "familiar face" Dale saw on the hill at NHIS.

Dave Rodman: Well, as Junior himself said, maybe the most impressive part of the last six race weekends was how cool, calm and effective Tony Gibson was. TG's a good man, but was none too comfortable in his former crew chief's role.

Joe Menzer: Yeah, that was funny. It was interesting afterward when Junior took a few good-natured digs at Tony Jr., while heaping the praise on Tony Gibson for a job well done in Tony Jr.'s six-week absence.

Dave Rodman: Not this time. He had everyone's confidence and delivered with an average 10th-place finish on some diverse tracks, with diverse cars. Very effective -- and only makes that gang even more effective when they're reunited.

David Caraviello: The depth at DEI is often criticized. It happened a lot after the crews of Dale Jr. and Waltrip were swapped a few years ago. But Gibson shows they've got some top-notch people playing behind-the-scenes roles.

Joe Menzer: The depth at both DEI and Hendrick was evident at New Hampshire. Three of the top five finishers did so with interim crew chiefs -- Dale Jr. and, of course, the Gordon-Johnson Hendrick tandem.

Dave Rodman: DEI's whole situation is pretty hopped up. They could easily get at least two top-fives this weekend, again. But what would you say about either a Busch or Stewart victory? In fact, I think a fence climb is long overdue ...

Joe Menzer: You have to give it to DEI. Martin Truex, the "other" Junior there, has stepped up into a leadership role since the day Dale Jr. said he was leaving.

David Caraviello: Truex has been like a different driver since Dover. It's almost like DEI told him, "It's your time to be the man."

Joe Menzer: Top management has not panicked when they could have. And they are proving there are solid parts around the teams currently running -- which kind of makes you wonder about Dale Jr.'s stated reasons for leaving.

Dave Rodman: Which only reiterates my take a few weeks ago -- whomever steps into their third car, will by necessity be a subordinate to Little Martin for a while.

Joe Menzer: As in maybe DEI is giving Junior better stuff to run in than it appeared, but he just wants a fresh start away from step-mom.

Dave Rodman: If I was looking for a job, it would make me comfortable in making DEI a serious consideration.

Joe Menzer: What? You're looking for a job?

David Caraviello: Junior is leaving because they can't contend consistently for championships. There's a difference between salvaging a top-10 finish at Loudon and doing what Jimmie Johnson's done the last few years.

Dave Rodman: And leave you guys -- never.

David Caraviello: Yeah, but do it every year, Joe. Heck, Junior has finished fifth and third in final points in recent years. But he can't do it every year. At Hendrick, they can. That's why he's leaving.

Dave Rodman: True that, DC.

Joe Menzer: Are you telling me that Martin Truex Jr. isn't putting himself in position to contend for a championship this year?

Dave Rodman: They haven't done it yet, consistently, but they have to start somewhere and this could be it. Putting four out of the last five in the top three? I think Martin's making a case for himself as a Chase contender starting now.

Joe Menzer: For once I agree with Rodman. Write it down.

Dave Rodman: But with the new engine program about to take off and run -- let's check 'em in 2009.

Joe Menzer: If Truex does truly contend for a title this year or next, and Junior doesn't get up there, that's going to be fodder for future Track Smack sessions for sure!

The opinions expressed are solely those of the participants.