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

Joe Menzer: And speaking of Michigan, I like how Sammie goes about her business up there. Traffic in and out of that track was indeed much easier last time than I had envisioned prior to the event. Does that count as an apology for my crack before the last race?

David Caraviello: You'll have to ask her. It's not the track's fault that you couldn't resist the lure of all those "Irish" bars on the way to the speedway.

Dave Rodman: It's not so much the track's fault as it is the road system that fits the area perfectly -- but just doesn't really accommodate an event of that magnitude.

Joe Menzer: Seriously, though, the traffic wasn't that bad at the last race. And I thought the drive in from Ann Arbor was absolutely beautiful. But we digress. Weren't we talking about Matt Kenseth?

Dave Rodman: Anyway -- how about a Carl Edwards sweep on Sunday? He's been a little erratic lately, but Michigan is kinda his house lately.

Joe Menzer: Edwards obviously has a chance, but I want to talk about Matt Kenseth. Do you guys realize he has finished eighth or better in points every year since 2002?

Dave Rodman: Matt will challenge. But so will Stewart, Gordon, Johnson, the Busches and Denny Hamlin -- coming off that spectacular road-race run.

Joe Menzer: You just named a bunch of Chevy drivers, Rodman. This is a Ford track! I thought we established that.

Dave Rodman: And you want a dark horse -- try Ryan Newman. They've been coming on and if some people aren't careful, as Pat Tryson keeps pointing out -- both those Penske cars could make the Chase.

David Caraviello: A Chevy hasn't won at Michigan since 2001.

Joe Menzer: Now you're talking about Dodges! It's Michigan. That means Ford, Ford, Ford!

Dave Rodman: Edwards will win. I don't think anyone could sanely say he won't be challenged. And I did drive a Ford Escape last weekend -- it was a darned nice little truck.

Joe Menzer: No one ever said you were completely sane, my friend.

Dave Rodman: True that, Josephus.

David Caraviello: Dodges are traditionally pretty good there, too; and it might be a good place to see if that revamped Evernham team can make some strides.

Dave Rodman: I still remember Sterling Marlin winning in a Dodge at Michigan. That was a beautiful day.

David Caraviello: Why? Was he on your fantasy team?

Dave Rodman: No, he wasn't. And the results he put up that year were nothing but hard-core reality. But that was a season that everyone should use as the poster for "no guarantees."

Joe Menzer: Sterling Marlin? Winning at Michigan? That just shows that not only are you not completely sane, but you're old, too!

Dave Rodman: I hope no one ever forgets how Sterling should have won the title that year -- but shades of "Awesome Bill" in 1985 -- he didn't.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the participants.