Track Smack: A rougher bump-n-run, Chase style

1) If it comes down to the 24 and 48 at Martinsville this time, how much harder will Jeff try to move Jimmie?

Dave Rodman: It's interesting, but this time, with the championship truly on the line, and Jeff having a comfortable advantage, I think he would try just as hard, but no harder -- and he tried mighty damned hard in April.

Raygan Swan: Move over -- baby on board! Coming through, Ella is behind the wheel of this ship! That said, I guess in the Spring race, 10 extra points for the Chase were on the line but I wanna see Gordo move him like bacon! Move over bacon, here comes something leaner!

Duane Cross: I think Jeff would spend a nanosecond making that decision: JJ would be "moved" in a heartbeat. Car owner, teammate -- all that goes out the window. The bump this time, I believe, would be a lot more effective on Jeff's part.

Dave Rodman: DC, he tried pretty hard to move him in the spring, remember. These COTs at Martinsville are kinda like racing battleships in a bathtub. I don't think he'd risk it any harder.

Duane Cross: Jeff tried to push the envelope in April, tried to see how hard he could bang on Jimmie. This time, if it presents itself, I think Jeff has a better idea of how he could approach the back bumper to be more effective.

Raygan Swan: Remember Jeff's interview after the race? He was pretty upset that he didn't win with the better car. After all these championships, it's still about wins for him.

Dave Rodman: There's no way Gordon needs to wreck his stuff, or wreck his teammate, to gain five points. Of course, with Martinsville being the site of maybe the greatest on-track HMS debacle ever, Ricky Rudd and Ken Schrader in 1990, it would be great if they did -- but I don't see it happening.

Raygan Swan: There is a difference between moving someone and wrecking someone. Jeff won't wreck Jimmie but he won't hesitate in moving him.

Dave Rodman: Of course, there is such a thing as "heat of the moment." And that won't be a case of Tony's famous "ask for forgiveness rather than permission" deal. It would be what it would be -- classic red mist.

Duane Cross: Yep, Gordon wants the wins -- which lead to championships. He knows that, which is why I think in the Chase his late-race bump would be a very hard "get out of the way."

Raygan Swan: Jeff's crafty enough to move him just enough for JJ to finish second and another HMS 1-2.

Dave Rodman: But that's why I say heat of the moment would determine it. If they are in the same position this weekend, Jeff absolutely doesn't need to win more than he needs to finish second, in the current scheme of things.

Duane Cross: Yeah, the "current scheme of things." Wins are worth more in the regular season than in the Chase. Brilliant. This is the time of the year when finishes really matter, in the "current scheme of things."

Dave Rodman: But don't forget that Jimmie has much more to gain, and in effect would be much less apt to give up the position. Even though this race ain't on TNT, for drama's sake, I hope they get the chance.

Duane Cross: I know the focus is going to be on the top two Chase drivers, but this is Martinsville and there are other short-track drivers out there. Tony Stewart could make this really interesting, as well as Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch ... it won't be a two-pony rodeo.

Dave Rodman: Does the durability and squareness of these cars make it too much of a gamble, to hit someone hard enough to get them out of the way -- because by God, he tried in the spring and could not do it and just how pissed he was afterward, proved he tried. In the same position, I don't think he'll try as hard this time.

Duane Cross: Totally disagree, Dave. Jeff will not take a backseat this time, or at least will beat on Jimmie even harder -- if that's possible, considering how hard Gordon said he banged on him the last time.

Raygan Swan: Totally.

2) OK, if we're saying those Hendrick cats might take each other out, then -- does that project Clint Bowyer into the lead in what, for all intents and purposes, has become a three-man race?

Dave Rodman: NASCAR doesn't have a "Most Improved Driver" category, but if they did, Clint would win it, hands-down -- in a vote of fans, competitors or anyone else. You only have to look at what he did at Lowe's to know that.

Raygan Swan: 10-4! It's really impressive he's been able to stick around. His best Martinsville finish is 11th but he'll do better -- I'm sure of it!

Dave Rodman: Clint and his team have become the consummate championship contenders this season. His finishes had basically been not too good there previously, and with everything on the line he just delivered.

Duane Cross: No doubt it's a three-driver Chase, and Clint deserves a lot of props for his improved results this year. Still, Tony Stewart is not out of the picture, though he's certainly on the fringe.

Raygan Swan: Yeah, let's not forget Tony -- but he's 198 points out. I'd say it's a three-man race as much as I would love to see those dark curls win another championship! Ha! The fans love Tony's new hair and say not to cut it!

Dave Rodman: Well, I still say those guys won't take each other out, so if that's the case, the dynamic has already been proven these last couple weeks and it will continue: It's impossible to make up that much ground barring sheer excellence, a la Jimmie Johnson 2006; or a complete collapse by a competitor, a la Jeff Burton, Martinsville 2006.

Duane Cross: Smoke is the wild-card driver. He's capable of making a run -- but he has to keep his composure. It'll be interesting to see how Tony races with Paul Menard at Martinsville. There isn't a lot of room for give-and-take at that track.

Dave Rodman: Totally -- and I think he'll keep his head straight. But my point was, those other three aren't going to give him a chance to make a difference.

Raygan Swan: Tony will be at the front and old Elvis side burns will be bringing up the tail end, hehehe. So they won't be racing together DC, ouch baby, very ouch! Sorry Paul.

Dave Rodman: I'd have to say that Tony and Paul are back to square one -- at least I hope so. Tony's gooberish behavior at Dover might have prompted Paul to not cut him a break at Lowe's -- who knows? But it's a lot to ask someone to think about letting someone merge when you're in that melee on pit road.

Raygan Swan: You have to think that even if Tony wins races that JG and JJ are going to be right there and that point difference is going to be tough to make up.

Dave Rodman: Exactly. Either of them won't screw up more than once the rest of the way in, in my opinion.

Duane Cross: Won't argue that; the HMS guys have the field covered each week. It's been a tremendous year for Hendrick. It ain't over yet, but if it's going to happen -- Bowyer, Stewart making up ground -- this may be the weekend for it to happen; I don't see Gordon and / or Johnson having a hiccup on a 1.5-mile track, and those dominate the latter half of the Chase.

Dave Rodman: Well, they've had plenty of hiccups on just those tracks the last couple years, even. So we'll see. But I'll say this: The longer they let Clint lurk, the more a single disaster might do them in -- and a singleton can happen.

Duane Cross: Jeff Burton lost the Chase last year at Martinsville. If it happens again, maybe Martinsville should come up with a catchy nickname to help market the track.

Raygan Swan: Hey Dave -- I dare you to call Tony a goober this weekend in Martinsville!

Dave Rodman: He acted like a goober at Dover. Paulie had every right to use his pit box the way he did, there. I wouldn't have any reason to do it this weekend because by and large, Tony is cool.

Duane Cross: He'd stick a hot dog in your ear.

Dave Rodman: I don't think he'd make that choice, over eating it -- unless he had two or three of 'em in his possession. ... That is a possibility, isn't it?

Duane Cross: You know if he's got one, there's at least one more.

Dave Rodman: Sheesh! That might be one in each ear and another in his gut. Depends on whether or not he considers them expendable.

Raygan Swan: Tony is not fat; he's big boned, to quote Eric Cartman! And duh, it's the Subway 500, Tony won't be eating nasty nitrate-laced hot dogs, he'll be mealing on 6-inch clubs!

Dave Rodman: This is not TV, Raygs. Red dogs rule.

Duane Cross: Yeah, "big boned." When was the last time you saw a fat skeleton?

3) Martinsville will be the latest chapter in NASCAR's "international swing," and with the announcement of Patrick Carpentier's signing by Gillett Evernham, there may be more this fall. What's it all mean?

Raygan Swan: It means NASCAR is damn cool!

Duane Cross: Or it means the teams have succumbed to the sponsorship pressures of not riding it out with a young talent in favor of cashing the check right now.

Dave Rodman: I'm hoping, and figuring NASCAR's considering that all part of the diversity initiative. It will be very interesting to see how Jacques Villeneuve and Dario Franchitti do at Martinsville. It was a rough entree for Marcos Ambrose in a truck, and he had stock-car experience.

If you earn it ...

Mario Andretti knows from experience that if open-wheel drivers earn respect, the Cup drivers will show it in return.

• Complete story, click here

Raygan Swan: But some say it's a travesty. Me, I think the more diverse personalities the better for the sport and TV. But let's not mistake diversity for foreign-born. These are still a bunch of white boys!

Duane Cross: These are "name" drivers who can pull sponsorship dollars. Let's see how they compete across each of the tracks and then let's decide if it's a wave worth riding into the future. For right now, I'd still be trying to build from the grass-roots level.

Dave Rodman: If they weren't the best drivers it would be a travesty -- but as far as I'm concerned, they are -- so end of story.

Raygan Swan: But what about Carpentier, does he really fit that description?

Duane Cross: Not mine. We'll see how patient folks are with him.

Dave Rodman: They are French Canadians. They speak another language. That's diverse in my book.

Raygan Swan: Not under NASCAR's definition for diversity.

Duane Cross: Yeah, there weren't a lot of French Canadian drivers in South Boston this week.

Dave Rodman: It would be a travesty if Milka Duno showed up at Homestead -- Citgo money or not.

Raygan Swan: Diversity is someone of color, a minority. And OMG, I would crack up if Milka showed up from the GRL, (Girl Racing League) -- I mean IRL!

Dave Rodman: At the risk of being ignorant, I don't think French Canadians are a majority many places, except Montreal.

Raygan Swan: This is a marketing gimmick, not diversity! Hello, where are Mr. Gillett's ties again? Canada! Duh!

Duane Cross: Again, it's back to having the money in the bank, the financial backing to keep showing up for the circus each week.

Dave Rodman: Since I wasn't under the impression there were many women of color in the program, I guess just plain women qualify as minorities?

Raygan Swan: David Stremme would drive circles around "Patrick the Carpenter!" And yes, women qualify as minorities!

Dave Rodman: Time will tell. I think those guys will do fine. And the feeder system is still in place, so if the kids who are currently in the diversity program have the talent, they should be able to make it happen.

Duane Cross: Once a kid comes to NASCAR from the diversity program, then NASCAR will have something to hang its hat on. It hasn't happened yet -- and if internationally famous drivers continue to fill the Cup Series seats, we're not going to see it happen for quite some time.

Raygan Swan: But internationally speaking, not diversity -- to quote David Stremme, "There's only one Juan Pablo." But I do like JV, the baggy-pant Frenchman! Love him! I think he'll be fabulous!

Dave Rodman: The guys would not have gotten the opportunity if they did not have ability. And if they don't develop it, their stay will be pretty short, because there's quite a waiting list these days.

Raygan Swan: Dave, I agree with you. At the end of the day, black, white, purple, foreign or native -- in NASCAR, it's all about ability.

Dave Rodman: At least it ought to be. And I don't see many money trees sprouting up in the neighborhood, no matter what color or flavor water you put on the ground.

Duane Cross: It's about money, first -- then ability. Don't lose sight of that. If you have the money, you can show your ability ... which leads to puling in more money. But when you knock on the door, don't do it with empty pockets.

Raygan Swan: Too much money is at stake and it's too competitive! ... I wish Patrick all the success in the world though, because he was a huge hit for NASCAR's debut in Montreal and I love that the sport is spreading its wings!

Dave Rodman: Which is why it's cool as hell that you have the Montoyas and Villeneuves and Carpentiers coming in to mix it up with the Loganos and Davises and Lias and the Wises and Clausons and McDowells.

Duane Cross: Yeah, if they were actually mixing it up. But they aren't!

Raygan Swan: Landon Cassill was over the moon to see Dario Franchitti at a drivers' meeting. They had a great exchange and Cassill enjoyed hearing different perspectives of racing and backgrounds.

Dave Rodman: There's getting to be no place for journeymen, it seems like -- though to a man they have the ability to get it done; so that does seem to indicate they'll never go away. A tough row to hoe just gets tougher.

Raygan Swan: Can I just say that Scott Speed, though American, cracks me right up! His fashion is off the charts! I want to see more of that in the garage! Get Tony some "True Religion."

Dave Rodman: Gawd! Old school takes another torpedo. Cap'n, Cap'n -- taking on diversity and listing hard to port. ... But seriously, it's all good -- or it will be, eventually.

Duane Cross: Your lips to God's ears. Or Brian France's.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the participants.