Smack: Kyle's no surprise, Carl's prize and clear skies

1. Kyle Busch came close to leading all three NASCAR national tours after California, which would have been a historic moment. Are you surprised?

Raygan Swan: I think Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson secretly miss Kyle. And no, I'm not surprised. Watching him in the Truck race in Daytona and this weekend in California -- he puts the car or truck where he wants it!

Joe Menzer: I can't say I'm surprised that he's enjoying immediate success. But anyone who says he or she isn't surprised by HOW MUCH immediate success he's having is probably lying.

Dave Rodman: Chip Ganassi talks of how Reed Sorenson has matured, and he has -- but over the last couple years, Kyle has really shown more of that. And since his driving talent was never in question, and he's still in front-line stuff, look out.

Joe Menzer: There has never been a question about Kyle Busch being immensely talented as a driver. And Felix Sabates said Rick Hendrick told him that if Kyle had acted earlier like he did over the last part of last season, he never would have parted ways with him.

Dave Rodman: Kyle proved in the last half of 2007 he had an equal amount of intestinal fortitude and focus to go with his driving skill. This could be a year-long occurrence in Cup. The only thing that will stop him in the other two is partial schedules.

Raygan Swan: At times Kyle was his own worst enemy last season but this season is different.

Joe Menzer: At the same time, I don't think Hendrick is upset that they ultimately made the Kyle-for-Junior swap. Junior was off to a great start before bad luck struck in California. And I still say Junior is the far more stable person.

Dave Rodman: But they did what they did; and it just shows you how discomfiting this level of NASCAR racing is. There was a time when guys could get recycled and stay in the sport -- now, you better produce, or in a couple years or less, you're gone.

Joe Menzer: Discomfiting? I think I find that statement discomfiting!

Dave Rodman: Uncomfortable is probably a better choice there, so thanks for wrinkling your nose. I was thinking the new age meaning: "To disconcert or make uncomfortable."

Raygan Swan: Yeah, does the name Jacques ring a bell for anyone? Geez, that was fast.

Dave Rodman: A few bent fenders make Jacques' start look worse, but I think his temporary demise was way more financially driven. The problem is, sponsors aren't jumping up all over the landscape, and that's discomfiting to owners.

Joe Menzer: Again, though: Bill Elliott is still driving, and Ken Schrader, and Joe Nemechek. And wasn't that Kenny Wallace in the Daytona 500 for a few minutes?

Dave Rodman: Hey -- Herman did some damned good work to get into the 500. But as much as it hurts to say it -- you still haven't mentioned a proven, front-running team. And there's the rub.

Joe Menzer: Some of the guys are still getting recycled. But for guys like David Stremme and Johnny Sauter and Tony Raines, it was pretty much one and done, wasn't it?

Dave Rodman: Right now, Johnny and David have great opportunities to make some noise in Triple A and get back to The Big Show. Johnny might get a shot with the Wood Brothers this weekend, but that's immense pressure. Tony needs to be racing somewhere. In the right situation, he could make something happen -- but they've got to find each other.

Raygan Swan: Each situation is different, yes; but at the end of the day, it's performance. The driver has to make it happen, especially for those teams outside the top 35 in owner points.

Dave Rodman: Hello, Johnny. I think that top 35 is a discomfiting situation to people in every corner of the sport.

Raygan Swan: And well, I have my opinion about the Stremme decision. I think Ganassi has an affinity for big names and open-wheelers who he thought would attract big sponsor dollars.

Dave Rodman: Hasn't paid off so far in this tough sponsor market, has it?

Joe Menzer: And right now, no driver is making it happen more than Kyle Busch. He hasn't won a Cup race yet, but it's only a matter of time. Who gets one first for Gibbs in a Toyota -- him or Tony Stewart?

Raygan Swan: Well, Tony -- but Kyle put Toyota on the map for leading the points in the Cup Series for the manufacturer's first time.

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

After Cole Trickle subbed for Rowdy Burns at Daytona, he went on to a successful football career.

Dave Rodman: Right now, with Blaney struggling as badly as they felt they might at California, I'd say it's Busch and Stewart basically neck and neck -- and don't dare count out Denny Hamlin. I'd say for the next two weeks, they are dead even with a shot to win.

Joe Menzer: Well, Kyle Busch has three consecutive top-10 finishes in Vegas, including a second in 2005 and a third in 2006. I think I might like his chances this weekend.

Dave Rodman: And I think I said before, I'd be real surprised if Toyota hasn't won by the time five races are up.

Raygan Swan: Good call, Dave -- and for the record, it will be Stewart. And speaking of Mondays -- racing on Mondays is horrible!

Dave Rodman: I'd rather leave Mondays where they belong -- after Sunday -- but I hear you.

Joe Menzer: Better you covering for us on Mondays than us, Ms. Swan. I stayed nice and dry last weekend. How about you, Roadman?

Dave Rodman: Just toasty -- the cold snap hadn't hit yet. But to Raygs' point -- you get your hopes up for a race on race day, whether you're a fan, a racer or a writer. Anything other than that is a big letdown.

Raygan Swan: Yeah, Dave. I feel bad for Carl. The race Monday was one big afterthought, something to check off the to-do list. The excitement was completely sucked from the event.

Dave Rodman: You're right there -- few winners, except the jet fuel vendors!

Raygan Swan: The racing was good, but the energy was not there. Everyone, and I mean everyone -- fans, media, drivers -- become deflated. I did see Tom Cruise at the track last weekend in California! Thought I was gonna die right there on pit road!

Dave Rodman: Was he approachable -- or surrounded by bodyguards?

Raygan Swan: Totally approachable -- he was there with his son, and he passed the football around with a crew guy on the No. 1 car.

Dave Rodman: Very cool. You should have stepped in for a pick. That's maybe not an entrée for an interview, but would be good for a laugh or two.

2. Carl Edwards won at California, Matt Kenseth ran top 10 all day and finished fifth, and two other Fords were top 15. Has Roush Fenway solved the new chassis -- and what about the other manufacturers?

Dave Rodman: Daytona and Talladega are critical to the championship, but as everyone says, performance-wise they are an anomaly. As I said on Tuesday, I think the even sprinkling of manufacturers through the top 10 after two races, both in the California results and driver standings, bodes well for everyone.

Joe Menzer: I thought you asked about Roush Fenway solving "The Car We Aren't Allowed To Call What Half the Drivers and Crew Chiefs and Owners Still Call It?"

Dave Rodman: There was never a doubt that Jack would get atop this chassis. I like that image: Picture Jack in armor, with a whip, pulled through the clouds by eight mustangs -- with each foot atop a ... new chassis.

Raygan Swan: Ha! Were you about to say the "C" word, Dave?

Dave Rodman: I know I was. And you know what, having to call it what I did rather than the COT kinda ruins the imagery for me. It's done the same for some of the fan base, from what I'm hearing.

Joe Menzer: You know, the car Roush Fenway got behind on last year when they supposedly tried to do the right thing and didn't test it as aggressively as others?

Autostock

Carl Edwards' victory may have shown that Roush has caught up in the CWAATCWHDCCOSCI.

Carl Edwards' victory Monday at California was a small part of the bigger picture for Roush Fenway, writes Mark Aumann.

• Complete story, click here

Dave Rodman: Great, Joe! The CWAATCWHDCCOSCI. That takes acronymity to an all-time low.

Raygan Swan: Yeah, Joe -- but Jack Roush apologized and is moving on, moving on into Victory Lane. No one had anything for that No. 99 this weekend!

Dave Rodman: Acronymity. Is that a word?

Joe Menzer: It's a better word than "discomfiting."

Dave Rodman: Ouch! Point -- Menzer! But anyways, Jack Roush was embarrassed last year -- and in this business, you don't want to have Jack Roush, embarrassed, going up against you.

Joe Menzer: Seriously, though, you've got to give Roush Fenway a lot of credit. They do seem to have caught up on "the new car."

Dave Rodman: There's no question about that. If you think about it, Carl won two of the last seven races with the car last season. It was only a matter of time before the rest of the Roush Fenway crowd caught up -- and ran up front.

Joe Menzer: And you are right, Roadman. You don't want Jack on a mission, if you're the other guys. And you could say he's on a double-mission now -- remember his rant against Toyota a little over a year ago.

Dave Rodman: Chevrolet was carrying the banner at the end of last year. The neatest thing, to me, is how Penske, Ganassi and even GEM have stepped up in their Dodges; and how JGR's arrival has indeed stepped Toyota up across the board -- but specifically with those Gibbs boys, particularly, kicking on the gate to Victory Lane.

Raygan Swan: So if Roush keeps providing excellent equipment, Carl and Matt keep performing, who will be out of a job in 2009 when NASCAR forces Roush down to four cars?

Joe Menzer: David Ragan.

Raygan Swan: Oh, man! I really like him -- such a nice guy, and funny!

Joe Menzer: Pretty simple, I think. Unless Ragan somehow gets on a roll and shows something -- or unless Carl starts throwing real punches at Matt!

Dave Rodman: This is a very discomfiting topic, since these guys are trying their guts out every week -- and in racing, so many elements have to come together for success to occur.

Joe Menzer: There he goes again with that word! He loves it!

Raygan Swan: No kidding, but I'm still laughing about the "real punch" comment, Joe!

Dave Rodman: Don't worry about Carl -- he's a Roush Fenway lifer. Then again, who wouldn't have said that about Mark Martin, back in the day?

Joe Menzer: Well, I have to add that the word "discomfiting" has made me flinch during this Track Smack -- more than once!

Dave Rodman: To get back on track, I think age and general development work in David's favor if he keeps making progress. Roush Fenway has a pretty good Nationwide program, and "worst case," I believe he would land there.

Joe Menzer: There is always the Yates operation, too, should they finally get sponsorship and survive. Ragan could end up there, much the same way J.J. Yeley ended up at Hall of Fame after getting pushed out at Gibbs.

Dave Rodman: But it comes down to getting it done, as we said before. Without knowing exactly whose contracts are where, you've gotta think it's between David and Jamie. Since Jamie has proven he can do it and bad luck can't keep dogging him, I'd see David possibly stepping back to Nationwide and the other four guys standing pat, but there are a few miles to go before that point.

Raygan Swan: I think Carl got bigger in the offseason! That Under Armour deal must keep him on the weights even more now!

Dave Rodman: Are you voting for body templates, Raygs?

Raygan Swan: Yep!

3. At California, we had weepers, empty seats and petitioners for Robby Gordon's salvation -- so what can we expect to see this weekend in Las Vegas?

Raygan Swan: Flying Elvi!

Joe Menzer: That sounds good.

Raygan Swan: Better attitudes. Weather permitting, that's what you will see! Oh, and the Robby campaign continues on to Vegas. Jim Beam is out for blood on this one!

Dave Rodman: God, this RG issue has me wishing I did more due diligence at Daytona. Seems like the critical point with Nosegate is who saw the part number on the unapproved nose. GEM, Robby and Frank apparently didn't; so Joe, was that piece "on display" all week at Daytona, as confiscated parts typically are?

Joe Menzer: I didn't notice, to tell you the truth.

Dave Rodman: I think I got distracted looking for blood splatters from Tony and Kurt's alleged fracas to pay much attention to spare parts.

Joe Menzer: More's the pity. But I'll tell you what I expect to see in Vegas -- lots of luck at the tables. I'm feeling hot! I know I said it last year, too, but I'm ready to go this time.

Fast Facts

What	UAW-Dodge 400
When	3:30 p.m. ET Sunday
TV	FOX
Radio	PRN / Sirius Ch. 128

• Track Page | Tickets | Travel

Raygan Swan: Joe, if you win, remember who gives you snacks in the media center!

Dave Rodman: LVMS has Cup tickets and Neon Garage passes for sale, and it's race week. With Atlanta being the California of the East, is this gonna be a tough early season for Cup tracks on the ticket front?

Joe Menzer: Ticket sales may be a problem, and they shouldn't panic about it -- but they probably will. Gas is getting ready to go up to $4 a gallon. People are hurting. Traveling to races will take a hit.

Raygan Swan: Yeah, when tickets typically cost about $1,000 a weekend! That said, NASCAR fans are rabid and they will do anything to see their favorite drivers race. I learned that this weekend in California.

Dave Rodman: If Cali's track action was any indication, I think Vegas will be a rollicking good time -- if the guys can keep it out of the wall. Remember the testing "crash-fest?"

Joe Menzer: Isn't Kyle Busch usually pretty good at Vegas?

Dave Rodman: And it will be interesting to keep this front end geometry / suspension failure issue at least on the side burner. If Hendrick Motorsports, of all people, had a stress-related suspension issue at Daytona, what can we expect at Vegas and Atlanta -- two pretty quick 1.5s?

Raygan Swan: That is Kyle's home track, right Joe?

Dave Rodman: Yes, Kyle is good there. I remember the last time I was in Vegas for a race -- was probably Kyle's rookie year -- and he was hollering about Tony Stewart (yup, his current teammate) trying to kill him.

Joe Menzer: Yep. That's what I'm saying. Kyle's hot. It's his town. I'm not revealing who my Pick 'em choice is, but it might be the young Mr. Busch.

Dave Rodman: They were running top five at the time, Kyle ended up, I believe, third. But I bet neither one of them particularly remembers that.

Joe Menzer: What? Are you kidding me? I'll bet they both remember it -- and have since joked about it, now that they're teammates.

Raygan Swan: Busch for president!

Dave Rodman: And Kyle hates that acronyminal car, don'tch'a know? Sounds like a potential winner to me. And you thought I was gonna say the "C" word, didn't you?

Joe Menzer: Yeah, what were we calling it earlier? The WCHEO .... WCO ... ? How about That Car? Or the Whatever Car?

Dave Rodman: On another note, you know what will be the final nail in the coffin for RG?

Raygan Swan: What?

Dave Rodman: Everyone says NASCAR hates him and if it was Junior being penalized, Junior would get off. Well, Junior also has an appeal pending and here's a non-news flash: Junior's Nationwide crew ain't getting Chad Walter back before his five- or six-race suspension is up, either.

Joe Menzer: But word on the street, though, is that this time NASCAR might just let Robby win his appeal. The whole thing has gotten a little silly, in my opinion.

Dave Rodman: Well, wouldn't that be cool as hell? I think NASCAR has painted itself into a somewhat inextricable corner with its standardization of penalties for the new car. I think they should have issued a new part number decal to Robby at Daytona and swept this one under the damned rug.

Joe Menzer: I actually think I agree with you. Imagine that?

Dave Rodman: Frightfully discomfiting.

Raygan Swan: Speaking of that, problems are going to arise when any organization operates on a black-and-white, zero-tolerance policy, because life is gray!

Dave Rodman: Definitely. All the factors in Robby's case don't add up to the penalty he got. Who knows? He may catch a break. Circumstances certainly seem to indicate NASCAR could halve his penalties: $50,000, three races for Frank the crew chief and 50 points apiece for the driver and owner -- and they'd still make a point.

Raygan Swan: Yeah, well -- I doubt we will see Mike Helton wearing the "Rally for Robby" T-shirt anytime soon!

Dave Rodman: It's Vegas. We ought to put Paris Hilton in one and have her sidle up to Mike this weekend for a photo opp. If you thought his expression last year was priceless ...

Raygan Swan: I have two of them by the way -- $20 apiece but for you, Rodman -- $15!

Joe Menzer: Hey, what about me?

Dave Rodman: Thanks, Raygs. A dealer you always were. You should go to Vegas!

Joe Menzer: Easy, Roadman. That's MY turf!

The opinions expressed are solely those of the participants.