Track Smack: Dodge needs a big Talladega weekend

1. Dodges took six of the first eight spots in the Daytona 500, and have hardly been heard from since. Will they return to prominence in this week's plate race at Talladega Superspeedway?

David Caraviello: I've said this before, I'll say it again: Daytona is great, but it's an anomaly. It's no indication of the season as whole. I'm not surprised at all that Dodge has barely made a dent since February.

Dave Rodman: If Ryan Newman does, I'd say "here, here" to Team Penske, since his Daytona-winning car is sitting in the Daytona 500 Experience. But I actually think Toyota may put an even bigger hurt on people there. The Gibbs boys were pretty damned nasty last fall, and that was in the pre-Toyota days.

Joe Menzer: Dodge sure needs it. Whatever happened to Kurt Busch, by the way? Remember when it used to be that Kyle Busch was referred to as Kurt's younger brother? Now it's the other way around.

David Caraviello: I think that's an indication of how Dodge is struggling right now, Joe. Their best driver is nowhere to be seen. They talked big with all that "Dodge boys are back" stuff in the preseason. They backed it up for one week.

Joe Menzer: Agreed. And you're right about Daytona being an anomaly, but I still thought that maybe with the way they finished there that this might be a year when Penske was more of a force. It doesn't look that way now.

Dave Rodman: Considering the way they ended 2007, and then started at Daytona -- anomaly or not -- I thought they would truly step up across the board. Still, Dodge has five cars in the top 20, so statistically, that means they are holding their own, doesn't it?

Joe Menzer: But now it's getting back to the same old sad story. With all the resources Penske has, why in the heck aren't they more consistently good?

Dave Rodman: Good question. Daytona and its lead-up seemed to indicate they really had their stuff together as a team, so now it's odd they have slipped some.

David Caraviello: Maybe they have trouble finding one another in that monstrous race shop. I think this is a big week for Jeff Gordon. That No. 24 team has been struggling to hit it as of late, and they need the kind of run he turned in last year on the big track.

Ryan Newman hopes to win again, not for the points, but for the Victory Lane smooch.

Joe Menzer: No question Gordon needs a good run this week. His season is slipping away (even though I thought we were talking about Dodges).

David Caraviello: Please, Joe, continue your dissertation on the Dodge -- didn't mean to interrupt.

Joe Menzer: So it sounds like there are going to be some pretty desperate drivers for some pretty desperate teams going at it this weekend -- that's a recipe for The Big One if I've ever heard of one.

David Caraviello: And then we have Junior's first Talladega ride in his new car. Boy, wouldn't this be the place for him to end that winless streak. Remember, these poetic finishes have a way of happening in NASCAR.

Joe Menzer: I'm looking forward to going. It will be my first trip there!

David Caraviello: Do you have all your shots? Or was that Charlotte? Can't remember which track that Congressman had his interns vaccinated for.

Dave Rodman: DC, can you tell me what would be poetic about a stream of Amp cans sailing over the fence?

Joe Menzer: Dude, those fans are STILL drinking Bud!

David Caraviello: Talladega has done a better job of cracking down on that stuff. There were still projectiles last year after Gordon won, but much fewer than in past years.

Dave Rodman: I didn't get any shots for Mexico. The locals didn't even notice.

David Caraviello: Joe, be prepared for an array of fish camps and the biggest campground you'll ever see. It's easy to find. Just look for the bonfires at night.

Joe Menzer: I've been told to be careful. I will watch my step. (Continued)