Smack: Wing and a prayer

1. With seven of the last 13 races with the COT, does that give an edge to anyone in particular?

Raygan Swan: Not to state the obvious, but Hendrick and Gibbs, don't you think?

Dave Rodman: Jeff Gordon's the title favorite because of the number of races he's won, which gives him an edge going in -- and his success with the COT. JJ is next, because he's the defending champion. But check me in three weeks, because the Gibbs guys are not only creeping up on 'em, they're taking huge chunks out of whatever advantage was in place.

Joe Menzer: Earlier in the year, I said that I thought the Penske guys would do well in the COT races and they made me look like a liar. But now, with what they've learned and the momentum Kurt Busch is building, I think they are going to start making the noise I talked about earlier.

Dave Rodman: Joe, I hear ya on Mr. Busch the Elder. With the "Big Mo'" he's currently got going on, he's like the championship Kurt of 2004 -- he can win anywhere, anytime, anyplace.

Raygan Swan: Toyota could get an edge after the progress they appeared to make in Michigan but it's too late! See ya next season, Toyota teams!

Joe Menzer: Toyota? Toyota? Are you kidding me? Actually, they ran pretty well at Michigan and deserve a nod for putting two guys in the top 10.

Dave Rodman: Well, obviously they've been building for next season all of this season -- and they knew that. They could have an impact because they are starting to run better and take top-10 spots.

Joe Menzer: Come on, guys. Think outside the usual box. It's been Hendrick and Gibbs in the COT races so far, but the other teams are catching up -- Penske and Roush Fenway included. But you're right, Raygan. It's too little, way too late. See you next year!

Raygan Swan: That's what I was saying, Joe. See ya next year at Gibbs! Tony the Toyota instead of Tony the Tiger! Yipes!

Dave Rodman: Blaney and Vickers, in particular, are beginning to impress a little bit -- particularly when you look at the way Mr. Blaney navigated MIS and knocked its former king, Bill Elliott, back out of the top 35.

Joe Menzer: Let's not get too carried away with them "taking top-10 spots." I think they've taken a total of six of those all season long, and two came at Michigan.

Raygan Swan: And a pole Joe, don't forget the lone pole! Dave Blaney's pole.

Joe Menzer: As an Ohio guy, I can never forget "the Buckeye Bullet." Unfortunately, he's like a guy from the Old West packing a six-shooter most of the time -- and fighting against guys with automatic weapons!

Dave Rodman: Yeah, but let's hope Junior doesn't rue those 10 points Blaney and Vickers usurped from him. Of course, his "cross-eyed entry" into the pits cost him the most.

Raygan Swan: Good description, Dave.

Joe Menzer: True enough on Junior. But what I like is that, as usual, he owned up to his own mistake and admitted it was totally his fault.

Dave Rodman: Once again, you got to like a guy who said he was distracted by the lady walking her poodle and he drove through a storefront -- whoops -- saw another car and drove through his pit box!

Joe Menzer: I won't say the lady and the poodle deal was a good description.

Dave Rodman: But the "point" is -- the guy he's racing won the race and even though he picked up a spot, he lost 63 points and Team Penske has not been running lately like they're gonna throw piles of those things away.

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.

Joe Menzer: And you mention Riggs at Evernham. Another guy I like who sometimes qualifies well (like at Michigan) but hasn't done much on the track in a long time is Elliott Sadler. How long does he keep that ride?

Dave Rodman: Joe, Gillett Evernham is in trouble across the board with their cars, but the organization is committed. I don't think any of those guys are going anywhere, unless Scottie goes to the 8 -- and he IS a good qualifier.

Raygan Swan: Not as good as David Stremme.

Joe Menzer: Yeah, I think you're probably right there, Dave -- and you know how I hate to agree with you in these Smack sessions. Evernham has admitted they just messed up this entire year as far as setting up their program -- and you can't blame the drivers for that.

Raygan Swan: OK, what about J.J. Yeley? Or Joe, call the step-monster and ask if you can drive the No. 8. It won't matter; whoever is in the car is going to be hated on by Junior Nation.

Joe Menzer: You got that right! It will be a no-win situation for whomever.

Raygan Swan: Out with Riggs, in with Stremme! That's my prediction. If I'm right, Joe, buy me a poodle!

Joe Menzer: I would take the job if all it involved was driving the No. 8. But not if I have to deal with Teresa!

Dave Rodman: Well, now that you mention it, J.J. is certainly a potential candidate for the 8, as well.

3. Michael Vick fell into the wrong crowd with his dogfighting habit. So in your opinion, what are some NASCAR drivers' worst habits?

Raygan Swan: Carl Edwards! If he says getting wrecked is "awesome" one more time, I'm gonna scream. How can one human be that positive -- consistently positive -- and politically correct?

Joe Menzer: I love the backflip with Carl Edwards. And he's got that Hollywood smile. I enjoy talking with him from time to time. But he does have an annoying habit of saying every track is "one of his favorites."

Dave Rodman: Good upbringing. Good attitude. Respectful. What's that word for "not full of oneself" -- oh yeah, modest. He's just got it -- and people should not be jealous of that.

Raygan Swan: 10-4 Joe! When you see Carl in Bristol, give him your thesaurus. Carl is one of my faves, but lately he's appeared a bit robotic in front of the camera and that's not his real personality. He's so funny. He quotes Too Short -- the rapper!

Joe Menzer: And is it just me, or does Kevin Harvick believe he's never made a mistake on the track? He gets all high-and-mighty on anyone who does.

Dave Rodman: Well, unfortunately, those people's mistakes have cost him a lot of ground at a critical point in the championship. He's entitled.

Joe Menzer: I thought Harvick was over the top not just with Montoya recently, but with Stewart when they bumped down the stretch at Indy. Those were what we used to call "racing deals."

Dave Rodman: Well, Kevin might have an extreme case of that racer's disease -- over-control syndrome -- and he has witnessed and been party to a number of Juan-outs. And yes, Kevin's certainly opinionated.

Raygan Swan: Blah, blah, blah ... Kevin Harvick. I like Kevin but let it go already!

Joe Menzer: Now it's like baseball. Where it used to be that throwing some high heat inside was a pitcher claiming the inside part of the plate, now everyone wants to charge the mound when he does it.

Dave Rodman: Yeah, the thing with Tony at Indy was certainly a "which shoe is the foot on today" comment -- but again, frustration rules in those situations, and I can't fault them for that.

Joe Menzer: You can't have good racing without a few "racing deals."

Dave Rodman: Absolutely. You ready for a few dozen this weekend?

Raygan Swan: Spewing all that anger is not healthy and leads to premature aging. Wait, maybe that's what happened to his hair [wink]!

Joe Menzer: Speaking of Tony, the time with Harvick was the only time recently where he's seemed contrite about anything he's done on the track.

Dave Rodman: He was contrite at The Glen -- but then again, he won. Speaking of which, he won at Indy too, didn't he?

Joe Menzer: I detect an annoying pattern here. He's nice when he wins!

Raygan Swan: Another bad habit I hate is when drivers do interviews with their sunglasses on and it's not sunny!

Dave Rodman: But hey -- back to habits. I shouldn't confess this, but I wish Biff used a jet pack instead of a helicopter.

Raygan Swan: Huh?

Dave Rodman: Sorry, I like working with the guy and I have bad memories of Davey Allison.

Joe Menzer: Besides, I'm not sure a jet pack is safer than a helicopter.

Dave Rodman: But in talking to him about it, you can easily tell the thrill and challenge of piloting that chopper is a big deal for someone like a race driver.

Raygan Swan: OK, here's another: JPM, please get that man a fire suit that fits his backside! He looks like a Teletubby in that thing! Chip, get him a size that fits, the female fans want to see the goods. Trust me!

Dave Rodman: I hear there is a certain amount of snickering in the F1 ranks over Juan's current girth. I thought he looked a little, uh, portly when he scrambled out to defend himself at The Glen -- and when I was told that, I flashed back to him at the pot of spaghetti in his coach on TV at Michigan! But hey, if he was a pocket A.J. [Foyt] you could have worse bad habits, no?

Joe Menzer: Oh, man. I forgot about my Spencer lines. You want me to throw a few out there?

Dave Rodman: And the worst bad habit of all -- golf carts! They should be banned from all racetracks.

Raygan Swan: Why?

Dave Rodman: Idiot drivers, I guess.

Raygan Swan: Yeah, they think they're pretty cool on their carts.

Dave Rodman: Unlike cigarettes, which do kill people, golf carts don't, but the drivers have certainly come close on innumerable occasions.

Joe Menzer: Well, my favorite driver back in the day was Jimmy Spencer. His only bad habit that I can recall was punching Kurt Busch in the face after a race.

Dave Rodman: Joe, if you're going to go there, Kurt used to have a bad habit of acting like a brazen fool, but thank God he's long over that.

Joe Menzer: But I do have a beef with ol' Jimmy. What has he done with his hair since getting into broadcasting?

Raygan Swan: Whatever happened to Spencer's hair happened to Kenseth's as well.

Dave Rodman: Gotten it trimmed, probably.

Raygan Swan: Dave, you and I should wear Heelys -- or whatever those shoes the kids wear with the wheels on the bottom. Joe, your kids have them, right?

Joe Menzer: Nope. But lots of their friends do. They look like fun, but until they ask, I'm not bringing up getting 'em.

Dave Rodman: Now, those are made for Morgan Shepherd. Was nice to see Tony give Morgan props on Saturday at Michigan, even though ol' Morgan was trying to steal his car!

The opinions expressed are solely those of the participants.