Smack: Former champs in danger of missing Chase (cont'd)

3. Dario Franchitti has run in the 30s for most of this season, yet David Stremme was among the leaders last Sunday at Talladega until he was swept to the back late. Does this tell us anything about the No. 40 team?

David Caraviello: It tells us that the No. 40 car probably has more potential than what we've seen thus far, and that Stremme is a capable driver who deserves a ride somewhere.

Joe Menzer: I think it tells us more about Stremme's ability in plate races. Hasn't he always been pretty good in them?

Raygan Swan: It tells them better not sell out for a celeb name and compromise results and performance. I'm pretty sure Stremme never had to qualify on time last season. .

Joe Menzer: The fact is that Stremme had that car solidly within the top 35 all of last year. Then he loses his ride.

David Caraviello: It is one race, on a plate track. And it wasn't even a good finish. But the way Stremme ran up front all day shows you something.

Raygan Swan: Don't get me wrong, I love Dario and admire his talents, but these open-wheelers are getting pushed along too quickly.

Joe Menzer: But sponsorship -- or car owner Chip Ganassi -- or maybe both, wanted more than what Stremme gave them. And they wanted a name.

Raygan Swan: Like Stremme said last season after being fired, "There's only one Juan Pablo Montoya." And there's only one Tony Stewart.

Joe Menzer: By the way, Juan had a very nice run to that second-place finish at Talladega (read more). And have you noticed who is now in the top 12 in points?

Raygan Swan: Chip thought sponsors would be salivating over Dario, but I still think sponsors want numbers.

David Caraviello: And you're right, Raygan, Juan's success has opened the floodgates. Car owners think any capable open-wheeler can do it. We're finding out that's not necessarily the case. I would have liked for that race to have stayed green to just see if Juan could have gotten around Kyle. Would have been a hell of a final lap.

Joe Menzer: Not only is it not necessarily the case, but you could argue that exactly the opposite is true. Hornish has struggled. Dario has struggled. Jacques Villeneuve is long gone.

David Caraviello: Carpentier has struggled. Juan is the exception, not the rule.

Joe Menzer: And you guys are right about wanting to see last Sunday's race stay green for that final lap (although I know they couldn't do it). It would have been a helluva finish.

Raygan Swan: Juan does well at the put-your-foot-in-it-and-steer tracks. He did great, just like the Brickyard last season.

Joe Menzer: Hamlin said he was going to push Montoya just so long, and then jump out of line and make it three-wide to the finish. Might have been incredible. And I guess I forgot about Patrick Carpentier. How could that happen?

David Caraviello: But Chip says they're going to give Dario time, like they did Juan last year. But if you're Franchitti, and you see that reunited open-wheel series, you have to be thinking ... hmmm. Might be tempting at this point.

Raygan Swan: If I were Dario, I'd go back. As for Stremme, I think he needs a full-time ride. He's showing major results in the Nationwide Series.

Joe Menzer: Raygs, you're just saying that about Stremme because you just did a 1on1 interview with him (read more). I'm sort of feeling the same way about Jimmy Spencer (read more). He's 51. But he looks good, and knows it.

Raygan Swan: Ha! Joe, you're right, because man I could hear the eagerness in his voice. It's scary how sometimes in interviews you can become so sympathetic with someone's plight. And don't be shocked, guys. Stremme is a Hoosier. Have to rally for my Indiana boys. And Jimmy Spencer looks good? Wow.

Joe Menzer: For 51, yeah. Not bad. Even though he admitted he could lose 20 pounds. Hey, who couldn't? (Besides you two, I mean). Speaking of old guys, though, Ken Schrader is in the No. 40 this Saturday at Richmond (read more). He's 52. Makes Jimmy Spencer look like a youngster. Let's see how he does!

David Caraviello: Between that and Menzer's court appearance, it shapes up as an action-packed weekend! Joe, will you go all Al Pacino on them? "You're out of order!"

Joe Menzer: "You can't handle the truth!" Wait, that was Jack Nicholson.

The opinions expressed are solely of the participants.