Smack: Has the field finally caught up with Hendrick? (cont'd)

David Caraviello: Has Raygan been hired by the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce?

Joe Menzer: Listen, Indy Girl, you're getting carried away now. No one said anything about the quality of the surrounding nightlife -- or I never would have brought up Bristol.

Raygan Swan: Wait I'm not done with Indy ... you also have the award-winning Brickyard golf course and the storied Brickyard Inn where so many of the greats stay. You can throw a rock at the track from the balcony, you're so close.

David Caraviello: The Brickyard Inn looks like it's about 90 years old. Norman Bates would be scared to stay there.

Joe Menzer: This is a NASCAR Web site, so we should keep it to NASCAR anyway. There isn't enough Brickyard history yet at Indy for NASCAR.

Raygan Swan: OK, fine. So how about those Cubs?

Joe Menzer: Ah, the Cubs. Well, let's just say we had a fine adventure trying to get to the ballpark. After doing our impersonations of Steve Martin and John Candy in Planes, Trains and Automobiles, we finally arrived there in the top of the 8th inning.

Raygan Swan: Nice.

David Caraviello: Note to self: Next time taking public transport in Chicago, bring exact change.

Joe Menzer: Luckily I found one concession stand where they were still selling beer -- Old Style, too!

David Caraviello: Best 22 pitches of baseball we ever saw.

Raygan Swan: Well, Joe, go to Indy with me for the Brickyard and I'll show you it's better than Daytona! Maybe it's not Bristol, but it's more fun than Daytona.

Joe Menzer: Well, don't forget Darlington or Richmond or even Martinsville, even if it's ridiculously hard to get in and out of -- or Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte. All of them are special in their own ways, too, and packed with NASCAR history! More than your beloved Brickyard, at least for now.

Raygan Swan: But the Brickyard has a museum! I definitely didn't see a museum at Darlington.

David Caraviello: You're right, Raygan. Darlington doesn't have a museum. Darlington has THE museum, the world-famous Joe Weatherly Stock Car Museum. It's full of real cars, not the ones with the big wings you find at Indy.

Joe Menzer: Indy also has the Slippery Noodle Inn. Don't forget that!

Raygan Swan: I know! I can't wait! I leave on Wednesday!