Track Smack: AMS meets Jeff, Jimmie and The Carl

1) In light of the Carl Edwards-Matt Kenseth flare-up at Martinsville, and their subsequent comments on Tuesday, can these guys co-exist on the same team?

Joe Menzer: You know, typically these types of things blow over -- like with Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart earlier this year after their run-in at Daytona. But this one seems to have legs. I think they really dislike each other.

Duane Cross: I think the most telling aspect of this is what Geoff Smith said: Roush Fenway Racing isn't getting involved; these guys are adults and they can work it out between themselves (read more). RFR may be waiting a while for this peace treaty.

David Caraviello: Duane, that is interesting. I really expected Jack to sit them both down and force them to play nice. Evidently, he's talking to both individually, and they have to take it from there.

Joe Menzer: Furthermore, I think Greg Biffle truly dislikes Carl as well.

David Caraviello: I think we've known there's been a slightly contentious undercurrent running between the two, but I don't think anyone had any idea it had become as personal as it is. Barely speaking for six months? No wonder neither driver has a shot at the title.

Duane Cross: It's certainly more flammable than Smoke-Hamlin -- and yeah, Biffle was clear in his support for Matt. It's a strange situation, indeed.

Joe Menzer: When I came into this job in January, I expected Carl Edwards to be one of the best guys to work with -- just based on general public perception, etc. But most times when you talk with him, it seems, well, that his answers are more than a little contrived. Some might even say he's a little phony.

David Caraviello: See, I think Carl is one of the best guys to work with, which is why his actions Sunday were such a surprise. Now everybody wonders who the real Carl Edwards really is.

Duane Cross: I understand that sponsors should be assured that their driver will compete against 42 others on the track -- including teammates -- but this dust-up could cause issues for a team that is accustomed to smooth waters within the ranks

David Caraviello: And the bottom line is, they have to start getting along and communicating. They don't, one of them will go. That's the way it always seems to work.

Joe Menzer: Kenseth and Biffle are regular guys. I've found them to be far easier to work with than Carl, or at least more interesting. When asked questions, they always seem to try to answer them honestly. Kenseth isn't a great quote, but at least he will give you some thoughtful answers. Biffle is one of the best, hands down, that I've dealt with in the garage.

Duane Cross: I think Carl's a little bit of everything that we've seen. Everyone has a gregarious, smiling side -- but we also know that everyone can turn on a dime and show their fangs. I can't throw Carl under the bus for being a nice guy, real or perceived -- and also having a mean streak. But this is totally out of the norm for him, based off his past few years.

David Caraviello: I've gotten some great answers from Edwards too, Joe. But we can't characterize these guys only within the prism of how they deal with the media. We really have no idea what these guys are like in private.

Joe Menzer: I have heard that some of the folks at the shop have taken to calling him "The Carl." Take that for what it's worth.

David Caraviello: Well, we call you "The Joe." Ever since that time you bullied Rodman at Pocono because he wouldn't share his food.

Duane Cross: They also call Greg "The Biff," so take it for what it's worth.

Joe Menzer: And Trump is "The Donald." Cross is "The Duane." I just think there are more underlying problems here than meet the cursory glance. That much is obvious after what happened last weekend at Martinsville.

Duane Cross: Dave is "The Human Food Compactor," so Joe should have known what he was getting into at Pocono.

David Caraviello: I agree, Joe. This peace treaty may take a little while to work itself out.

Duane Cross: I also agree, Joe -- there's something boiling just under the surface. I don't think Martinsville will be the end of it -- even if they sit down and hash it out.

Joe Menzer: Yeah, and at Martinsville "The Human Food Compactor" went on TV and claimed he was a "finicky" eater. Go figure.

2) Speaking of teammates, is this now a two-man Chase between Hendrick Motorsports buds Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson?

Duane Cross: Without question -- and Kyle Busch has positioned himself to give us something else Hendrick to talk about: Can HMS sweep the top three?

Joe Menzer: It sure looks that way to me. I know Clint Bowyer is still lingering back there within striking distances -- and hat's off to Clint for doing what I thought he couldn't do. But one of the Hendrick guys is going to win it. And I'm not talking about Kyle Busch.

David Caraviello: Well, Bowyer at 115 back isn't out of it. Of course, we considered Stewart in the conversation at like 198 back until he faded this past weekend.

Duane Cross: Clint's gotta out-point Jeff by an average of 30 points over the next four races -- that ain't gonna happen.

David Caraviello: So in all probability, this is a two-man show. They've shown no signs of coming back to the pack.

Joe Menzer: One of the top two could have a bobble, but you just don't get the sense that they are going to at this point. And both would have to have at least one terrible race to bring the rest of the pack back to 'em.

David Caraviello: Even now if one of them has trouble, it's only going to allow one to gain ground on the other. Everybody else is too far behind.

Joe Menzer: Like Duane said, ain't gonna happen. So who wins it?

David Caraviello: Look at all Jimmie did last week. And he gained what, 15 points? That was so much effort, and so little gain. Of course, he keeps gaining 15 points a weekend, he wins the title. But he has to do that every weekend.

Joe Menzer: I say Gordon still wins it. Even though Jimmie now has seven wins to Gordon's six on the year, this has had the feel of being Gordon's year from almost the very start to now, the near finish.

Duane Cross: Jeff Gordon -- and it's his sixth title! (No, I won't give up the ghost; the Chase has skewed comparing "championships," and from where I sit, he won it in 2004 and should be one behind Earnhardt and Petty).

Joe Menzer: I think he will finish strong and hold Johnson off, but it will come down to the final race. But Boss Man, you gotta let go of the ghosts -- even though I know you love Halloween! These are the rules they play by now, and everyone is playing by them.

Duane Cross: It's robbed Gordon of a loftier place in the sport's annals -- and that blows chunks.

David Caraviello: Funny how this whole season has come full circle. It was Hendrick domination at the beginning; and Hendrick domination now at the end. They know when to come up big.

Duane Cross: Yep, they have the system knocked -- get ahead, idle, full throttle to the end.

Joe Menzer: I have a sneaking suspicion that before he's done, Gordon will even it all out by making a Chase when he's behind in points, and pulling it out in the end when he couldn't have under the old system.

Duane Cross: And you just know Dale Jr. is going to fall right into that blueprint and reap the rewards in '08.

Joe Menzer: But until that time when Gordon evens up, I guess we will have to listen to The Duane rant about his ghosts!

3) So with four to go in the Chase, it's on to Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend. What's in store for us there?

David Caraviello: A pretty good finish, in all likelihood. AMS has an iron grip on those. They turn them out like Frito-Lay turns out corn chips.

Joe Menzer: Well, I found it interesting when talking to crew chief Brandon Thomas about Atlanta last weekend. He said he "fears Atlanta."

Duane Cross: Not only this weekend, but next weekend at Texas -- a lot of speed, probably some dicing it up in the middle of the pack and a great finish.

Joe Menzer: When asked why, he said because they use "prehistoric" tires there and the No. 96 team has never been able to get a handle on them.

David Caraviello: I fear Atlanta, too -- because of the traffic.

Joe Menzer: Of course, I hear the cheap shots coming already ... the No. 96 team has had problems many places this year! But I like those guys and think they are going about things right.

Duane Cross: Atlanta's a bear. We did the Petty Driving Experience last year at AMS. I cannot imagine fighting that track for three hours at 185 mph.

Joe Menzer: For a single-car operation, they aren't doing badly. And Tony Raines deserves better than to be booted back to Trucks or wherever he's headed after this year.

David Caraviello: One of those weeks I wouldn't trade places with these guys. And let's not forget that engines can let go ant any moment.

Joe Menzer: I guess part of the problem with the tire is because the pavement there is so old. That place hasn't been repaved recently like so many other places. Of course, when they repave places like Charlotte, no one seems to be able to get any grip and they are spinning out all over the place.

Duane Cross: The COT will bring about repaving at AMS, I believe. With the speeds at AMS, dude, new pavement would usher in talk of plate-racing at Atlanta. We do not need that!

Joe Menzer: So it's always going to be something, no matter where they race.

David Caraviello: That and likely because of the high speeds. This week and next, with Atlanta and Texas back to back, make for two straight races of 200 mph entering the corner.

Joe Menzer: As long as I'm just watching, that sounds like fun!

Duane Cross: I think being more in control with the COT and new pavement at Atlanta are a natural progression.

David Caraviello: Qualifying at Atlanta is supposedly the most white-knuckle experience these guys have all year.

Joe Menzer: Well, for some guys like A.J. Allmendinger, even Michael Waltrip, it's been a white-knuckle experience all year -- no matter where they've been!

David Caraviello: "The Joe" strikes again!

Duane Cross: How 'bout The End? There's only so much Joe you can take this early in the a.m.

Joe Menzer: Now the new part-owner at Michael Waltrip Racing, there's a guy who has enough money to be called "The Rob."

The opinions expressed are solely those of the participants.