Track Smack: Junior, Kyle and ... um, Matt Kenseth? (cont'd)

Dave Rodman: I thought that, too -- RE: Martin -- but I think I almost passed out when half my fantasy team got wiped out. But Juan could have tried for 10 years and he still would not have made that corner, even if Martin wasn't behind him.

David Caraviello: And at the bottom line, that's what it's all about -- Dave's fantasy team.

Joe Menzer: So we agree: It was a racing deal -- another one I like.

David Caraviello: Yes, it was. Can we still have racing deals? Or does someone always have to be strung up?

Dave Rodman: And as Chip Ganassi pointed out, depending on which foot the shoe's on, you're going to have a corresponding opinion -- like KH blocking Tony Stewart at Indy, punting Scott Pruett at Montreal, JPM dive-bombing Pruett at Mexico City and on and on.

Joe Menzer: Amen, brother. BTW, who did you have in your fantasy deal at Mexico City?

Dave Rodman: It was a Busch race. That's pure reality, man.

Joe Menzer: There was a time, not long ago, when a race of any NASCAR variety in Mexico City -- or Montreal -- would have been pure fantasy.

3. It's on to Michigan, where Ford has won seven of the last 11 races, including Carl Edwards in the spring. Is Roush Fenway the team to beat in Brooklyn again?

Dave Rodman: It's been their house, and I really can't see any reason why they wouldn't seriously challenge. Carl Edwards or Matt Kenseth goes to Victory Lane.

Joe Menzer: Without question. The truth is in the numbers. Drivers often accuse us in the media of putting too much faith in them, but the fact is that Roush Fenway is tough to beat at Michigan.

David Caraviello: Strange place, Michigan. Chevy does all the marketing there, and the Dodge proving grounds are right around the corner, but Ford owns the place. You ready to see Matt Kenseth back in Victory Lane?

Dave Rodman: While I hope there are no red flags to incite the behavior, I'd like to see what fans' strategies for getting Matt Kenseth's autograph are there?

Joe Menzer: Loved Kenseth's line to the dude who ran onto the track during the red flag at Watkins Glen. "I'm a little busy here, buddy!"

David Caraviello: We ought to do a What's Your Job? with that guy -- assuming that he has one.

Dave Rodman: Hmm. He might not, after he gets out of jail. And for everyone who's a Matt Kenseth fan, the neatest aspect was that Matt actually said he regretted not giving the guy the autograph, considering how much trouble he was probably going to be in.

David Caraviello: Class act, that Matt Kenseth.

Dave Rodman: And you got to hand it to the guy. He might have been out of his mind, but he had enough brain cells left to carry his own Sharpie with him.

Joe Menzer: Speaking of Ford drivers, Roush Fenway Racing and Michigan, how is it that Kenseth so quietly keeps right there in position at the top of the Chase? If he wins Sunday, look out.

David Caraviello: He's kind of the forgotten man in this whole thing. Something tells me he likes it that way.

Dave Rodman: They're a good team. If you believe they're due to break out, I don't know if it would be better for anyone if they did it sooner or later. Either way, I think you can expect them to be there until the end of things.

Joe Menzer: I like how he goes about his business. Sometimes I wish he was a more colorful quote, but that's not him and that's OK. On the track, he's smooth and remarkably consistent.

Dave Rodman: Matt's dry, low-key sense of humor is a delight to me -- it keeps you thinking.

David Caraviello: And Joe, please no cracks this time about Michigan's much-improved traffic pattern. Sammie from the PR office still gives us grief over that one. She's still waiting on your apology.

Dave Rodman: When you've been about in the center of the earth in terms of traffic egress, any progress is appreciated. (Continued)