1) Jimmie Johnson's roll has erased a 70-odd-point deficit and turned it into a 30-point plus. Is this his title to lose?

Duane Cross: Well yeah -- he's the point leader. Even when Jeff Gordon had the lead, it's always someone else's to gain; it's not like Gordon has been chopped liver in the Chase.

Dave Rodman: Yeah, Gordon's been a rose, albeit a little wilted. I can't believe I actually called this back in January (yeah folks, he really did). The 48 is a machine. I don't want to put the hex on those guys -- not that I think it would affect them -- but I think Cale Yarborough's mark is in jeopardy.

Joe Menzer: When you're in the lead with two to go, it's absolutely yours to lose OR win. All he has to do is finish ahead of his teammate twice and he's the champ. No apologies necessary to the Gordon folks who think he's gotten screwed this year. Sorry, Duane.

Duane Cross: What?!? Dave, put down the crack pipe. No one -- Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, GOD -- is going to win more than three Cup titles in a row. C'mon, dude -- that ain't happening. Not in today's NASCAR.

Joe Menzer: And BTW, do we have documentation that Roadman actually called this back in January?

Duane Cross: I'm sure Dave does. He's still got a copy of the Magna Carta that he transcribed.

Dave Rodman: Hmm. I wish I had the link at my fingertips, but Smithson I am not. I said Johnson was best positioned to win multiple and consecutive titles. I won't back down from that.

Joe Menzer: Let's see, "he is best positioned ..." What? You're calling that a prediction? Sounds pretty vague to me!

Duane Cross: Multiple and consecutive don't add up to "four or more in a row." That's out there, dude -- even for you!

Dave Rodman: Tying Cale would be putting him in jeopardy, in my book. And not to take the air out of Ford Championship Weekend, but I think Phoenix is gonna be Gordon's D-Day -- or Waterloo. I am gonna get in trouble with the history buffs, but this is the most critical outing for Mr. Gordon in quite a while.

Joe Menzer: I will give you credit only when I see where you predicted "Jimmie Johnson will win the points championship this year, in 2007."

Duane Cross: And let's not get the cart before the horse; Jimmie still has to drive Phoenix and Homestead. I still like Jeff's chances; I wouldn't begin engraving that trophy just yet.

Dave Rodman: Too bad Clint Bowyer's high-wire act finally hit the nets. How much do you think he'll end up ahead of Kyle Busch after Homestead?

Joe Menzer: The thing about Gordon at Phoenix is that he'd better make up ground there because he doesn't like nor has he ever been very good at Homestead. On the other hand, he has been great at Phoenix.

Dave Rodman: Actually, I could see JG winning this weekend, but I seriously doubt JJ will fall much behind him. And if they go to Homestead with Johnson ahead, mail it in. I don't see Jimmie making another tire error.

Joe Menzer: In fact, let's make a real prediction here: I think Jeff Gordon is best positioned to win at Phoenix this weekend.

Dave Rodman: If Dale Jr. somehow figures out a way to blow another leg off, I'd agree with that. If Tony Gibson and the boys give him another good car, look out.

Duane Cross: I'll do you one better, Joe -- Gordon wins, cuts the deficit to at least 15 points and out-points Johnson at Homestead.

Dave Rodman: Speaking of losing streaks, this is Junior's best place to get a win before he heads down the road.

Joe Menzer: I think these last two weeks are going to be REAL interesting.

Duane Cross: Whatever the case, Clint still ends up third and Kyle fourth. They both have a seat at the table in New York. Neither won the championship -- that's what they will be lamenting.

Joe Menzer: And you know what? All this talk about Gordon being crap at Homestead could go out the window. He's good enough and his team is good enough that they could surprise us all that last week.

Dave Rodman: As you say, verrry interesting.

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.

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.