Tony just being Tony, but Bristol has not been Bristol (cont'd)

3. It's been a while since we've seen the kind of helmet-throwing histrionics for which Bristol is known. Have the new car and the Chase forced drivers to tread more lightly around the place?

Dave Rodman: This will be the telling weekend, I think. Michael Waltrip had some good insight into it the other night, when he said the new configuration enabled guys to properly "race" instead of just rooting and gouging. Which in turn enabled fans to show their true colors by turning their backs on it. That was a year ago, now.

"Raygan, take me to your leader."

David Caraviello: Hard to believe it, but the place seems to need the help. Everybody seems to get conservative for that fall race, with the Chase looming. And last spring everybody was careful trying to figure out the new car.

Dave Rodman: Someone else said that when the guys get more used to it, it might create an atmosphere where there will be more fireworks. I'll tell you this -- a nice mix would be interesting.

Raygan Swan: I just wanna know what adjective Kyle Busch will use this time to describe the new car if he wins this year.

Dave Rodman: "Still sucks," I'd bet.

Raygan Swan: Ha!

David Caraviello: Yeah, a mix would be nice, Dave. One of the more enjoyable races I've ever watched on TV was a few years ago when Ward Burton threw his heat shields at somebody, Elliott Sadler threw his helmet, and there was craziness all night long. That's the kind of night Bristol was built on. Nobody expects that week after week there, but things have been awful tame lately. Too tame.

Dave Rodman: Yeah, but you know what one of my favorites was? Bobby Labonte "trying" to throw his helmet into his own car after wrecking out. Of course, that's because Bobby is a classy guy and would not bounce it off someone else's windshield.

Raygan Swan: Fans have grown to expect drama at Bristol, and so have the drivers. I think the drivers will keep that in the back of their minds. To an extent, drivers have their own way of putting on shows.

David Caraviello: Jeff Gordon going after Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick going after Greg Biffle, girlfriends going at it -- wasn't that all at Bristol?

Dave Rodman: Absolutely. Shane Hmiel's finger wag. Priceless. Everyone has to show their a-- every now and then.

David Caraviello: Oh, forgot about that. That was a good one.

Raygan Swan: Gordon really needs to take his helmet off first before he goes after anyone; he looks like a crazy little spaceman!

David Caraviello: Raygan, have you been seeing crazy little spacemen lately?

Raygan Swan: Yeah, I do every time I have to do Track Smack!

Dave Rodman: Bristol ought to be a series on Cartoon Network. If you put it in that context, helmets are apropos.

David Caraviello: It would be perfect for Adult Swim. Right after Robot Chicken. Somebody get the boys at Williams Street on that.

Raygan Swan: What else could a driver throw aside from his helmet, guys? Gloves wouldn't be that effective.

David Caraviello: I'm just looking forward to being there with Dave, who will gladly show me all the good places to scrounge food at the racetrack.

Raygan Swan: David, in Richmond last season I ate Rodman's cookies he had neatly tucked behind his computer. Word of advice: never eat Dave's cookies!

David Caraviello: Not sure if Dave and I have been on the road together since that time he saved my life outside Anniston, Ala. Still owe you for that one, buddy.

Dave Rodman: You're lucky it wasn't cold enough for gloves that weekend, Raygs. You woulda been ducking. As I told Jimmy White, the Raybestos Rookie of the Year rep, who worked aside me -- anything I got is yours, pal. Just let me know you ate it, so I don't go looking for it when I'm starving.

• Also: Bristol slugfests part of NASCAR since 1961

The opinions expressed are solely of the participants.