Track Smack: Someone's streak is coming to an end (cont'd)

Joe Menzer: Sure, they want to win the race if they can. But they will not be sitting in their cars sweating it out if it comes down to the final laps, and they're still 11th and 12th; and a trip to NYC is on the line for them. It's ridiculous.

Dave Rodman: I think their boys will keep their heads in the game, thank you very much.

Autostock

Mike Skinner

Numbers: Truck

Eleven of the 12 previous Truck Series seasons have come down to the final race and that's the case this year as 29 points separates Mike Skinner and Ron Hornaday for the title.

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Duane Cross: I wonder if ESPN on ABC will show a graphic throughout the race keeping everyone informed of who's got a seat in NYC?

Joe Menzer: It will be hard for Edwards to give up, what, 90 points to Hamlin or whatever it is to Truex, too? I mean, Gordon is 86 behind JJ and already has given his concession speech.

Dave Rodman: I have not looked at the points since I battled my way back from Phoenix on Monday night. And without even looking, I'll say whoever's out going in is gonna stay out. Chasers is Chasers for a reason, and with one-to-go they won't fall.

Duane Cross: There will be some jockeying, but for the most part these guys know where they're gonna finish, unless something drastic happens and engines start grenading or there's a Big One.

Joe Menzer: Hey, Roadman, next time you participate in one of these, how about at least taking 90 seconds to look at the point standings before signing on.

Dave Rodman: A thousand pardons, monsignor. And per that point note -- I didn't realize Shrub was 146 out, Duane -- so Bowyer is safe in third, just like Dave Blaney and Bill Davis are safe in 35th -- and kudos to them for that.

3) What do you think the overall highlights of Ford Championship Weekend will be?

Dave Rodman: It starts right at the beginning: Who wants to get the final "real car" Bud Pole; and get into what might be the last Bud Shootout?

Duane Cross: Again with the "real car." What, you think NASCAR is gonna put the car for the pole winner, the race winner, the most laps led winner, the most passes under green flag winner ... whatever, in some museum? It's the last race of 2007, move on. Get excited: It's Car of Today time, baby!

Joe Menzer: Well, it's sure not going to be on the Cup side. I will be shocked if Jimmie doesn't cruise to a finish somewhere between 10th and 15th to easily secure his title.

Dave Rodman: And you know what, Dr. Menzer, I could have sworn you were advocating them doing nothing different than they have been, which would seem to lock in no less than a top-seven.

Joe Menzer: Ah, I see I now have had a doctorate in Psychobabble bestowed on me by you, Professor Roadman.

Dave Rodman: Now Joe, we already covered that in topic 1 -- and on the Cup side, I'm sure you will be riveted on whether or not any of the newcomers eclipse Montoya's "blaze of glory" debut at Homestead.

Joe Menzer: You may find who wins the pole riveting. But I'm not sure much of the rest of the world will. I say the best excitement -- the best highlights -- may come from the Craftsman Truck Series finale.

Duane Cross: Thanks, Joe, for that moment of clarity. Yes, the Truck Series is going to provide the most bang for the buck. Fans should eat up that race ... and you know what, it doesn't have a Chase format -- but it does have fewer races, fewer laps. Maybe that's a better place to start tweaking the Cup Series.

Dave Rodman: The Truck Series is shaping up as another great one. "Jam trucks" entered by both sides contending for the championship, Jim Harris debuting his 2008 driver. I'm glad he has no connection -- other than both using Toyotas -- to BDR.

Joe Menzer: You know, the Truck Series has been underrated. It's had loads of fun all season, really. Back and forth between Mike Skinner and Ron Hornaday, lots of side stuff -- so very entertaining, as always.

Duane Cross: Well, I went on the record saying Travis Kvapil would win the Truck title. Missed on that one. But I did correctly pick Carl Edwards in the Busch Series (thanks, Kevin Harvick for stepping out). And then I blew on Junior winning the Cup; maybe I missed that by only a year.

Dave Rodman: You can darned sure swear that Mr. Hornaday might tell Bill Davis to kiss his ... rear, if Donny Lia crashed and took him out, a la Brendan Gaughan and Jim Smith in 2005.

Joe Menzer: These guys still race with a real chip on their shoulder. And you gotta love all the side drama last week in Phoenix, with Harvick driving through Skinner's pits to mess 'em up, which was legal, but still borderline bush-league; and then Benson passing Skinner for position at the end, when Skinner thought his teammate would cut him some slack!

Dave Rodman: That was payback, I guess for Mike kinda doing the same thing to Johnny last year. And the Truck Series is the best racing in NASCAR and consistently has been, for years now.

Duane Cross: Yep, it's good racing -- not a lot of Buschwhackers, not a lot of a lot of things, except good racing.

Dave Rodman: It's too bad the last Busch race for all time is going to only be the lull before Sunday's storm, after Friday's Truck Series tornado.

Joe Menzer: Please go to the blackboard and explain, professor. You lost me.

Dave Rodman: Well, Cousin Carl clinched the title two weeks ago, and RCR has all but clinched the owners' title -- so what else is there to race for? I'd like to see Bobby Hamilton Jr. win the Ford 300. If Li'l Bobby won, I'd like to go to his diner in Nashville and eat a celebratory meal. That's the biggest reason I'd vote for a Cup date in the Music City!

Joe Menzer: If they let us fix the schedule based on our ample stomachs, they really would be racing 52 weekends a year!

Dave Rodman: Let's meet at Li'l Bobby's the next time we're traveling cross country and talk about it over sweet tea and lunch.