Track Smack: Someone's streak is coming to an end

1) Which is more plausible: Greg Biffle gets four-in-a-row at the Ford 400 or Jimmie Johnson gets five-in-a-row to end the season?

Dave Rodman: I believe in Biff and Greg Erwin -- but it's hard to bet against that Johnson-Knaus juggernaut. Then again, Biff has been building up to it, so who knows?

Duane Cross: I'd give the edge to Biffle; he's got this track knocked. Johnson certainly has Big Mo' in his pits, but with the cushion he has I don't believe he'll go out of his way to push for five wins in a row. The 48 crew will big-picture race on Sunday.

Joe Menzer: I'm going to go with Biffle. As much as JJ talks about wanting to go out with a win and all, I think his focus is going to be on merely finishing the 400 miles -- as it should be.

Dave Rodman: Joe, as usual you are an adept master of the psychological, as opposed to borderline psychotic -- which anyone could be excused for at this point in the season.

Joe Menzer: Psychotic? That's purely your field of expertise, my man!

Duane Cross: At this point in the season, we're all psycho.

Dave Rodman: How much do you think teams want to win the last "real car" race in NASCAR history?

Duane Cross: I don't think any team could care less; it's a race -- "real car" or COT, doesn't matter. Still pays the same points -- and money.

Dave Rodman: How fine a line do you think wanting to compete and doing what's necessary might be? Johnson and his bunch have done a pretty good job of competing, lately, no?

Duane Cross: Yes, the 48 team has done an excellent job of putting itself in position to -- and you know it's coming -- points race on Sunday. We're basically talking about a middle-of-the-pack-finish and Johnson has back-to-back titles.

Joe Menzer: But Jimmie would have to be a borderline psycho to push too hard and risk all that is at stake for him. And one thing to consider if I may continue my psycho-babble, uh, psychoanalysis of the situation: In any sport, you never want to play not to lose because that oftentimes keeps you from winning.

Dave Rodman: So that's what will make the beauty of this race: Even though Johnson "should" win -- he still has to make it happen.

Joe Menzer: So if Jimmie alters what has been working for him so well, too much in an effort to be conservative and drive not to lose, it could backfire on him. But I doubt it. I think we all do, in fact. As Jeff Gordon said after Phoenix: "It's over."

Duane Cross: It could backfire, yes -- but I think if Jimmie has a fifth-place car, he'll settle in and make laps; no need to ride the ragged edge just for a fifth consecutive win.

Joe Menzer: The rest of the field has absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain by taking as many chances as they think they need to get up front.

Dave Rodman: I think by the very nature of what they have to win or lose, Greg gets the nod over JJ as far as going for the win. But I think Matt Kenseth will dust both of them.

Joe Menzer: As far as Biffle vs. Johnson, Biffle is going to drive the wheels off the 16. I say he'll be fighting some others in a similar situation, maybe Tony Stewart or Kyle Busch or even Dale Jr., for the win.

Duane Cross: Kudos to those guys on the 48 for making the most of the rules changes this year. Take nothing away from Jimmie, Chad and all those guys. They have earned this -- if it comes to pass.

Dave Rodman: To this point, they've taken the best everyone could dish at them and, while not exactly laughing about it -- they've taken it to the bank. But they've got to get through 400 more miles, or it doesn't matter.

Duane Cross: Jeff seems content -- in public, at least -- with not getting another title this year. Fact is, he's gotten hosed when it comes to comparing drivers for the ages. For my money, he's on the Mount Rushmore with The King and The Intimidator -- forget the number of titles, which is moot (and has been rendered so since 2004 and the advent of the Chase).

Joe Menzer: Jeff touched on that in Phoenix and, of course, Brian France defended NASCAR's position. And Richard Petty mentioned that they had five different points systems when he won his championships.

Dave Rodman: Well, he masks that pretty well, and I think he would severely like to get another title. But Jeff's love of his current life and the place of his Nextel Cup competitiveness in it is no charade.

Duane Cross: And that's my biggest gripe with the sport -- loss of perspective. Most of the initiatives are a money-grab, and so be it if history, tradition, etc. fall to the wayside. It's a narrow-minded perspective, and the sport will suffer in the long run; or maybe even now, judging by the less-than-robust TV ratings.

Dave Rodman: That's kind of hard to get a grip on, because you can't run a championship the "old way" -- in which case Gordon would have clinched a couple weeks ago -- and compare the ratings to the current Chase.

Joe Menzer: The other thing is, back when the King raced, they would run two or three races in a single weekend sometimes. So when you start talking about not being able to compare eras, it's not just a Chase-bashing thing. It's apples-to-oranges in other areas, too.

Dave Rodman: We're much better off if we don't go down that road.

Duane Cross: But the thing is, when Petty was winning under different point systems, they didn't take away points, like now with the bonus points for wins and resetting the field.

Joe Menzer: True enough. But as he said, everyone knew what the system was at the start of the season. And everyone played accordingly.

Duane Cross: I just don't believe motorsports should have a playoff system like stick and ball sports; it's apples and watermelons.

Dave Rodman: Or apples and orangutans -- worlds different.

Joe Menzer: You guys have got to get over it. The Chase is not going away.

Duane Cross: True, it's moot to argue -- but it's not moot to say that this system just ain't cutting it. The fans will drive home that perspective. Mark my words, Cartman.

Joe Menzer: I love history as much or more than the next guy, but the fact is at least the Chase kept it close enough that it was more interesting down the stretch than it would have been.

2) Who's going to New York City as the "winners" of ninth and 10th in the championship -- and who'll be watching on TV after finishing 11th and 12th?

Duane Cross: Again -- stupid! Make the playoffs but don't get to go to the ball. Genius move, leaving Nos. 11 and 12 back at the farm while everyone else goes to the big city. It's a crock.

Joe Menzer: I agree. This is stupid. Let 'em all go. If they are trying to create some drama, no one is paying attention to who finishes 10th vs. 12th after Homestead. I guess maybe they're trying to save a little on airfare and hotels, which can be quite pricey in NYC. Just a note, but they're a lot cheaper in Vegas!

Dave Rodman: Obviously, that is kinda dopey, considering they used to allow 11 to go -- and that's only one fewer than 12. So can you consider this as a penalty for making the playoffs rather than a "bonus" for being the first loser?

Joe Menzer: Let's see. Less than 100 points separate the guys currently in eighth through 12th -- Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch, Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin.

Dave Rodman: Uh, I think no one is considering who is finishing fifth to 12th before Homestead. The attraction of third and fourth is, Can Hendrick get a one-two-three sweep?

Duane Cross: No way Clint can lose 146 points to Kyle and HMS gets Nos. 1-3. ... I'll go with Denny and Martin being on the outside looking in. And good for them -- vacation beckons. They can spend a few extra days on South Beach.

Dave Rodman: Again, depending on your family situation, most people might be considering a couple days on South Beach. Except for those rookies of the year who have a Raybestos function -- or the Truck Series' top 10.

Joe Menzer: I say Hamlin's out for sure; and probably Martin as well. But really, who cares? I'm not even sure how much those two care.

Dave Rodman: I'd say they care, and their teams care.

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.

• Complete story, click here

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.