Track Smack: Collecting titles, signed and engraved (cont'd)

2) What are the ramifications -- maybe short- and long-term -- of the purchase of NHIS by SMI?

Duane Cross: I think it affects at least four tracks: New Hampshire, Las Vegas, Texas and Atlanta.

Joe Menzer: Well, Las Vegas ultimately is going to get a second race date. Whether or not that ends up coming at the expense of the New Hampshire track remains to be seen.

Dave Rodman: Speaking of being on pins and needles -- that's me and about 100,000 of my best racing buddies -- or Bob Bahre's best racing buddies, at least -- up in that neck of the woods.

Duane Cross: Who's to say Loudon keeps two and Atlanta loses one to Vegas?

Bahre speaks

Former New Hampshire track owner Bob Bahre believes new owner Bruton Smith will leave both races at the track.

• Complete story, click here
• Caraviello: N.H. deserves it
• Menzer: Vegas is the winner

Joe Menzer: What do you think: Texas or Vegas to kick off the Chase by 2009?

Dave Rodman: It's a tough, tough call. My heart says this would finally be the excuse to chop a race off Atlanta's docket. As awesome as the racetrack is, no one seems to care, so deep six one of 'em.

Duane Cross: I'd start the Chase at Homestead and end it at Vegas -- that's how NASCAR can get the most bang for its buck. However, I doubt ISC will see it that way.

Joe Menzer: I think you've got a good point, Duane. Atlanta is having trouble putting people in the seats for two races a year. Loudon isn't, so logic dictates that maybe Atlanta is the venue that will eventually cough up one of their dates.

Dave Rodman: Open the Chase in Vegas. Go to N.H. third or fourth Chase race, end of September. I think Homestead has done a good job of positioning itself as the closer. Then again, NASCAR may have a bigger idea.

Duane Cross: Trekking from Richmond to Vegas ... yeah, way to put the crews in a hole before the playoffs even begin.

Dave Rodman: I'd love to see Bruton put some banking on the place, a la The Rock. Add some seats, which if he does it in moderation, will no doubt sell.

Joe Menzer: Nothing is bigger than Texas -- at least in the minds of Texans!

Duane Cross: I know Eddie Gossage said deer-hunting season hurts Texas' attendance for its Chase race, but I'd venture that SEC and ACC football hurt Atlanta even more (not to mention, Atlanta's fall date also comes during hunting season).

Joe Menzer: Ah, you've gotta love this discussion. You never hear the NFL talk about the deer-hunting season hurting their attendance.

Dave Rodman: If you buy that hunting hyperbole, put Texas a week or two earlier, or the penultimate date. Or even the Chase opener.

Joe Menzer: Or how about the NBA? Nope, I never heard it there, either.

Dave Rodman: I'm wondering if the famous backstretch seat cover / advertising billboards will be in effect at Texas next year. That TV view was damned sad, man.

Joe Menzer: Did the TV guys say it was a packed house again? I didn't catch it if they did. But that has been a habit they need to break. Makes them look foolish when they say stuff like that and the viewer can see all the empty seats!

Dave Rodman: I'd like to see Bruton do something radical with the track design at N.H. -- then bump up the seat count. I think they would do a better job of filling them with a better venue, though that is a fine line to walk, or actually to build to.

Duane Cross: You think a shot of sparsely-populated grandstands was the worst TV shot that ABC had on-screen? It was sad, but not the saddest thing shown by The Ocho.

Joe Menzer: Or maybe the deer hunters are going disguised as empty seats. Those guys are pretty good with camouflage.

Dave Rodman: Well, they never did say it at Texas. They knew -- or could see better -- than to try to get away with that.

Duane Cross: I like the New Hampshire track design. It's unique, which is something the sport needs more of within its track ranks.

Joe Menzer: Well, they said 'full houses' at Martinsville and Charlotte and a couple other places recently -- when clearly there were thousands of empty seats.

Dave Rodman: Are you counting the ones at Charlotte under the sign boards?

Duane Cross: Whatever Bruton does, you know one thing: It will be for the betterment of putting on a good show.

Joe Menzer: I was counting the ones on the backstretch. (Continued)