Smack: The blame game (cont'd)

2. The Lady in Black has been repaved. Cars were going 200 mph at tire testing. What are we in store for this weekend at Darlington?

Joe Menzer: Well, the last five races there have been won by Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle and Jeff Gordon. I expect all three to be strong, regardless of whatever the new track conditions bring. Gordon had one of his best driving efforts of the season at Richmond, considering the fact that his crew chief thought they were going to be in for a very long night at the beginning of the race.

Uncertainty

As the teams unload the haulers for this weekend's race at Darlington, questions loom about the newly repaved track.

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David Caraviello: If Gordon is going to break through, this is going to be the place. He has the benefit of the extra track time from the two tire tests, and proved last year he can win there when he has no business doing so. But the place is going to be unbelievably fast.

Raygan Swan: Well the drivers who aren't patient enough to save their tires, like needed before on the old surface, won't have a problem. A new surface puts everyone on equal footing, I suppose. But what about the speeds? The pole record by Ward Burton some years ago was 173 but now they are talking speeds much greater.

Joe Menzer: Well, not everyone. I still don't like A.J. Allmendinger's chances.

Raygan Swan: I never like his chances.

David Caraviello: Hey, what did A.J. ever do to you guys? I suspect that Ward's pole record is a goner. I'm getting the sense that the place is a lot faster than it was in 1985.

Raygan Swan: I'm going to pick Denny Hamlin for this one. At least he shouldn't have tire issues again, but I certainly don't want to watch 200 laps with him out front like last weekend in Richmond. He finished second to Gordon last year I believe

Joe Menzer: Shoot, I think it was 381 for Hamlin in the lead at Richmond!

Raygan Swan: That was a nice win last year for Gordon. His mom came into the media center and chatted about Ingrid and possible baby names. Lord, way too many.

Joe Menzer: We should defer to Caraviello on this subject. He's Mr. Darlington on our staff.

Raygan Swan: True.

Joe Menzer: I meant on the subject of what's going to happen at Darlington, not on the subject of babies and potential names, etc. (Unless something is going on that we don't know about!)

David Caraviello: Now, now, not yet. I have a wedding to get through first. As for Darlington, Raygan was right about the tires. It's going to be a whole different ballgame than it was before. The tire runs are going to be much longer, and guys are going to be able to stay out on old tires, something they couldn't do before. But it's so fast, expect a lot of single-file racing at least until the pavement weathers a bit.

Raygan Swan: Joe do you have your Mother's Day gift for your wife picked out yet? I wonder what Gordon gets Ingrid.

Joe Menzer: Nice segue, Raygs. And I have the "concept" picked out, if not yet the actual gift, if you know what I mean.

Raygan Swan: 10-4!

Joe Menzer: I can't reveal the actual gift at this time. (Like she is actually going to read Track Smack!)

David Caraviello: Watch it, Joe. I hear she's a big fan of A.J. Allmendinger. (Continued)