Smack: Wing and a prayer (cont'd)

Joe Menzer: Neither is his DEI teammate, the other Junior. That's what is going to make it tough for Dale Jr. to get into the Chase with only three to go.

Dave Rodman: Little Martin is Driver of the Year, "Most Improved" edition -- no doubt. Since I hibernated part of the weekend, I almost freaked when I found out he had to start at the back -- and he was on my fantasy team. And look what he did with it.

Raygan Swan: Junior, Junior, Junior. I think it's fine. He seems like a guy that would be distracted by a lady with a poodle!

Dave Rodman: I'm trying to put it in our context, pal -- what distracts you going down the road? It would be women and dogs, without a doubt.

Joe Menzer: Women and REAL DOGS. I'm not a poodle guy.

Raygan Swan: Yeah -- the bark of any dog under 10 pounds drives me up a wall. No offense to my favorite dog Peebles, Erin Crocker's little squirt -- but you know what I mean.

Joe Menzer: I'm surprised they let pets live in that swanky home you call Birkdale Village!

Raygan Swan: True or False: Ratings drop when Junior doesn't make the Chase?

Joe Menzer: The beauty of the Chase is that even if Dale Jr. is not in it, he's still racing at the events they're running. And to be brutally honest, it's not like he's won enough to be the Tiger Woods of racing yet.

Dave Rodman: I'd like to think they would not drop -- but who knows. And that's a good point. You'd like to think people would still wanna watch to see Junior go all blood 'n guts for wins.

2. Guys, many of the big Silly Season signings have occurred. So who's on the hot seat in the stretch and what's the next big domino to fall?

Joe Menzer: All the really big signings seem to have taken place, right? Now it's just a matter where the smaller dominoes, like J.J. Yeley and the like, end up.

Raygan Swan: I want to say Scott Riggs. Even though Evernham said he wanted to keep him, I just feel like they need to bring in a strong qualifier.

Joe Menzer: And what happens to a guy like Regan Smith, who thought he was getting a full-time Cup ride from the mythical Ginn Racing team next year?

Dave Rodman: The Toyota story is probably the big one, because if they're able to land JGR, that would be huge for their credibility. You knew that's probably where they wanted to go, but someone had to be the first to bite -- and Joe Gibbs Racing is a damned big fish.

Joe Menzer: As I've stated publicly in a column, I think JGR would be crazy to ditch Chevy to go with Toyota. And I don't think it would sit well with Tony Stewart at all!

Dave Rodman: It's interesting if you consider JGR might simply be fronting Toyota to squeeze a better deal out of GM -- though it hardly seems like they should have to do that, given their record for GM.

Raygan Swan: Or what about Brad Coleman! Why hasn't someone snatched him up for a full Busch ride next season? (One-on-One: B. Coleman)

Joe Menzer: Easy on pushing the Birkdale dudes, Raygs! Does he have a poodle, too?

Dave Rodman: I think ol' Brad will probably be in one of JGR's full-time Busch programs next season -- probably with Joey Logano.

Raygan Swan: I would hate to be a NASCAR driver. The job security stinks. Dude, Birkdale rocks! I was there last night. I saw Robby Gordon, Reed Sorensen and Kasey Kahne.

Joe Menzer: Now there are three guys really kicking butt on the track this season! Actually, Robby Gordon has done pretty well for running on his own -- although for the life of me I can't figure out why he stayed out on the track instead of coming in like everyone else on Lap 25 at Michigan.

Dave Rodman: Actually, on the driver front, the DEI No. 8 is gonna be the big one. If David Stremme gets into that seat, that kicks open another whole round of dominoes -- if maybe on a slightly smaller scale -- though those are still primo rides.

Raygan Swan: Yeah, I forgot about Stremme. It's an option year for him and I haven't heard that Ganassi has signed him for more seasons.

Dave Rodman: David himself said the ball was in Chip's court, recently.

Joe Menzer: Listen, I really like David Stremme. He seems like such a genuinely nice guy. But let's be brutally honest here: What has he done to deserve that ride? I'm talking about the No. 8 at DEI.

Dave Rodman: David has oodles of potential, so if he gets with the right people, look out. But the big issue for Chip might be replacing a sponsor, if he has to, with Coors Light. Of course, that's something Bill Davis might be battling, as well. (Continued)