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

3) Chasers have done a good job of dominating the Chase -- so who can upset that applecart at Phoenix?

Duane Cross: Dale Jr. -- without question. He's had a remarkable year -- when he's had a car cross the finish line.

Joe Menzer: Ah, Phoenix: Never been to this track, so I'm looking forward to going, even if scorpions do occasionally wander into the media center. But I'm tired of riding solo on the Dale Jr. bandwagon. Every time I pick him to win, he makes me look more foolish than usual.

Dave Rodman: You know, initially I was gonna echo something a bunch of people have been saying lately: The guys in the Chase are there for a reason and they've shown it just about every race in the Chase.

Joe Menzer: But that makes you sound SO politically correct -- and boring. So what did you really want to say?

Dave Rodman: Junior wins -- we get another peep show at the front window. Yikes!

Duane Cross: Of the races Junior's actually finished (minus the eight DNFs), he's averaging an 11th-place finish. Lop off Dover and Daytona (where he finished laps down), and it's a 9.7.

Dave Rodman: NASCAR should figure out a way to add another cockamamey Loop Data stat: "Best potential finish." I bet Junior would dominate that category.

Joe Menzer: He just might.

Dave Rodman: Gordon, Hamlin or Tony Stewart are pretty good bets to win at PIR. But in a lot of ways, Junior will be the favorite of a lot more people than usual this weekend.

Joe Menzer: That's why I'm going to go against the popular grain and pick someone else. Can't tell you who, but you've heard of him.

Dave Rodman: Uh, Joe -- you'd have to make a pick from the English "banger" league not to have us recognize him.

Joe Menzer: Phoenix also is the place where I once raced, BTW. When I was covering the NBA, I went go-karting with Mark Price and Craig Ehlo, who were playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers at the time.

Duane Cross: Joe, you'll go with Burton or Harvick ... but it won't matter. We've all learned to take your picks with a grain (or six) of salt.

Dave Rodman: We're breathless -- who went over the tires?

Joe Menzer: I easily defeated Ehlo, who couldn't see because his knees blocked his view. And I was bearing down on Price when I realized it was the last lap -- and he had already stopped. I slammed into the back of him and almost put him out for that night's game against the Suns.

Duane Cross: Remind me never to let you drive when we're all together.

Dave Rodman: Was your driver's license confiscated at the exit gate?

Joe Menzer: I never did tell that story to coach Lenny Wilkens, who wondered why Mark had a stiff neck that night. It was because of a mild case of whiplash!

Dave Rodman: I thought that was what trainers were for?

Duane Cross: I'm sure Mark never mentioned it either, since you continued to follow the team.

Joe Menzer: Luckily the trainer was an old drinking buddy. I think he covered for me.

Dave Rodman: I'm most heartbroken no one's doing a gig with drivers at Bondurant's this time around. Chevrolet's deal last year was about a career highlight if you're a driving nut.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the participants.