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

3. There's been plenty of talk in the garage about teammates potentially swapping points -- at Petty, at Penske, even at Roush Fenway. Isn't this circumventing the intent of the top 35 rule?

Raygan Swan: Yes! read Dave Rodman's column, 'nuff said.

David Caraviello: When are the folks in Daytona Beach going to learn -- you come up with a rule, the guys in the garage are going to find a way around it. The top 35 is no different. This point swapping is a ridiculous unintended consequence.

Joe Menzer: I think this is one of the things that makes those who look at this sport a bit from the outside, maybe thinking of dipping their toes in it as fans or possibly even sponsors, and wonder what in the heck is going on. It's a ridiculous practice.

Raygan Swan: It's sad, and could in theory put drivers like Kurt Busch in bad positions.

David Caraviello: But how can NASCAR crack down on it now, after allowing it to go on to this point? They've opened Pandora's box here.

Joe Menzer: I was very glad to see that they are going to do the right thing at Petty Enterprises (read more). To even think for a moment about having their drivers switch cars was dead wrong.

Raygan Swan: Sponsors don't pay millions in branding to put in a different driver.

David Caraviello: It's incredibly unfair to guys like Busch. The sponsors are absolutely right to take a stand here. If I'm Dewalt, I'm not giving Matt Kenseth's points to Jamie McMurray and starting races in the back. No living way.

Joe Menzer: It's simply not right. McMurray drove the car to get it in the precarious situation it's now in, same as Kyle Petty and others. Now let them see if they can drive themselves forward in the standings. No gimmicks should be allowed.

Raygan Swan: Or they don't drive!

Joe Menzer: Right. Or they go home. It's that simple. This is a sport. You are supposed to have to compete. And when something doesn't go right, you don't get a do-over.

David Caraviello: It's like, where's the emphasis on personal responsibility? You tanked it early and can't make the top 35? Oh well, please take the points from your teammate who worked his butt off to get there. No way.

Raygan Swan: It takes the sporting nature and competition right out of NASCAR, and can become a crutch for a handful of drivers who ride around in the back. Hard work and results should be awarded, not mediocrity.

Joe Menzer: But then, this is why the whole top 35 rule should be banished forever. They need to come up with a new system that won't allow for ridiculous loopholes like this.

David Caraviello: Agreed. This is all another reason why the top 35 rule needs to go. It's outlived its very brief period of usefulness.

Joe Menzer: The thing is, I think everyone agrees on that. The key is getting NASCAR to admit it -- and working together with the race teams to come up with a new system that is better and more fair for all.

David Caraviello: How about qualifying on speed?

Joe Menzer: If they want, they can consult us Track Smackers as well. I get about 100 e-mails a week with readers offering various ideas about how to change it. The fans all hate the top 35 rule.

Raygan Swan: I have an entire presentation in a PDF from a reader, I'll send it over to B. France right now ...

David Caraviello: The old provisional setup was a little clunky, but it was better than this. These smaller teams face way too much stress on Fridays.

Joe Menzer: Well, I like the speed idea. Just letting the top 43 each week get in -- but the fact is, you do have to have some sort of mulligan system in place for the top drivers.

Raygan Swan: And wasn't the top 35 rule also made to protect sponsors in a way?

David Caraviello: Correct. Ask Little Debbie and Red Bull how they feel about it. And we forgot to mention the most important thing this week: who do you have winning the NCAA basketball tournament? Maybe Raygan can peek into the future again to give me a heads-up on that. But please don't give me Butler or Indiana.

Joe Menzer: You need her for that, DC? Come on. I have my bracket filled out already.

Raygan Swan: I watched Glory Road last night to get me warmed up!

Joe Menzer: Glory Road, a great movie! I own it.

David Caraviello: Sorry, but Glory Road is about as bad as the top 35 rule. When it comes to college basketball movies, there's Hoosiers and everything else. And in this tournament, take UCLA.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the participants.