Smack: 'Dogs, favorites and real bracket-busters (cont'd)

2. Is Richard Childress Racing really as strong as its 1-2-3 finish at Bristol might suggest? And can we finally agree that everyone has caught up to Hendrick?

Raygan Swan: I think it's clear by the manufacturer's standings that everyone has caught up. Ford has two wins, Dodge, Toyota and Chevrolet one each. The competition has leveled out.

Joe Menzer: The thing about the Childress guys is that they usually are there at the end. Other than that one major hiccup last season, shortly after they went to the new engine, these guys finish races and are amazingly consistent.

David Caraviello: I think the results thus far show the championship field is wide open. Not only has everybody caught up to Hendrick, I wouldn't say Hendrick is among he favorites right now. Not based on what they've done to date.

Autostock

"So you're sayin' there's a chance."

Joe Menzer: Not to get too caught up in last year, but Harvick and Bowyer were the only two drivers last year who did not have a single DNF. Burton had three. That's a big reason why all three made the Chase. And why they're sitting there in the top 12 again this year. Consistency.

David Caraviello: I'm still not completely sold on RCR. Bowyer's results have been a little erratic, and Burton isn't exactly in the top 10 every week. The depth is there, sure, and all three guys should make the Chase again, but I still think Harvick is the guy in that camp you point to as the real title threat.

Joe Menzer: The thing with them is they need to win more races. One each won't get it done -- not if they want to put another points championship trophy on Richard's mantle, next to the lion's heads or whatever else he's shooting in Mongolia.

David Caraviello: High Altai sheep.

Raygan Swan: And don't forget the vineyard. Must be nice. Do you guys hunt? Hunting seems to be pretty big in NASCAR. I bet Elliot Sadler will go shoot something or other this weekend. First off weekend and all.

Joe Menzer: Well, the vineyard will help if they end up needing to throw a big championship party. But it's way too early for that and there are too many others in their way at the moment. And the only thing I'll be hunting this weekend is Easter eggs, of the Reese's Cup variety probably.

Raygan Swan: Nice! Pass the marshmallow eggs please!

David Caraviello: Joe does not part with his marshmallow eggs easily. His prison time in Colombia taught him that.

Raygan Swan: Now he'll be hunting you, DC!

David Caraviello: If you had to rate the teams right now as championship favorites, I'd say: 1. Gibbs, 2. Roush, 3. RCR, 4. Hendrick.

Joe Menzer: Geez, DC, what did you do? Just go down the current standings and list 'em? How about a gutsier prediction, like going out on a limb and saying Dale Jr. could still get on a roll and do it for Hendrick? Or Jeff Gordon is still going to get there and do it for Hendrick?

Raygan Swan: Oh let's just admit, Jimmie Johnson will come back for a freakin' three-peat and that's all I get to hear about again this season! Unless he has a baby or something. I think Chandra should get preggers, maybe that would change his luck. It did Gordon's. And damn that baby is soooo cute.

David Caraviello: Dude, I didn't even look at the standings. And that's not saying Jeff or Junior can't get it done. But right now, Gibbs is the favorite in my book. I think Stewart is as strong as anyone, just not with the results to show it.

Joe Menzer: Honestly, it's way too early to make a good call. But it looks like Roush Fenway has staying power. I think I'll pick Biffle to win it all. And I agree with you on one thing: in the long run, I would pick Stewart to carry the Gibbs banner over Kyle Busch. Stewart will win more races over the long haul.

Raygan Swan: I pick David Ragan! How's that for a limb, Joe?

David Caraviello: That's one thin limb. Straight off Charlie Brown's Christmas tree.

Raygan Swan: Easy Turbo, he had one third-place finish last year, at Richmond. It's a start. Maybe. Not really.

David Caraviello: Turbo?

Raygan Swan: I have no idea. It just came out. Way too much coffee this morning.

David Caraviello: That's OK, Oil Can Cover.

Joe Menzer: Well, I did just study the standings. And guess what? David Ragan is 21st -- not far behind Brian Vickers, who is 17th (and whom we earlier touted as "being in Chase contention"). JPM is 19th, by the way, after moving up four spots. (Continued)