Smack: The good, bad and the driver on an ugly slide

1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. fell to fourth in Sprint Cup points after a blown pit strategy sent him to a 22nd-place finish at Watkins Glen. Is NASCAR's most popular driver still a title threat?

Raygan Swan: As I see it, the drivers in contention to win the championship have to have wins. I know Junior won in Michigan and has been extremely consistent this season, but he needs wins.

David Caraviello: I'm beginning to think this is a three-man race between Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson. Junior just doesn't have that spark right now. Since he won at Michigan, he has just one top-10. That consistency he had earlier in the year seems to have gone away.

Joe Menzer: To be brutally honest, I'm not sure. He needs to get a little more aggressive out there in terms of strategy and driving when he's running in the top five or so, and go for wins and not just good points days. I think that team has fallen victim a little bit to playing it safe and worrying too much about making sure they're in the Chase, rather than going all-out aggressively for wins.

David Caraviello: I feel bad for crew chief Tony Eury Jr., who's taking all kind of heat for the pit strategy at The Glen. But if it worked out, he's a hero. The guy's done a good job for much of this season, and doesn't deserve to get hammered.

Joe Menzer: I actually like the fact that Tony Eury Jr. took a chance at The Glen. So in a way, that's encouraging for them. He was trying a strategy that would have put them in position to win. That's what they need to do.

David Caraviello: That's true. If Tony gets ripped for anything, it's that he's too conservative. Junior Nation usually wants him to take chances. Well, in this case, he did.

Raygan Swan: I agree with that, because the chemistry between Eury and his driver is excellent, and yes they take chances. But it does seem that the team needs to be a bit more aggressive.

Joe Menzer: I think they need to. They need to be winning more races. They obviously now have the equipment that can get it done. But too often they're like an NFL team playing prevent defense, trying to protect a good points finish. How does that usually work out?

David Caraviello: Maybe they're biding their time, just making sure they get in, and then hoping to flip the switch. Because history shows us that top-10s aren't good enough to win the Chase once you're in there.

Joe Menzer: Interesting point. But again, I'll go back to my days of covering the NFL. Teams that start seasons fast, clinch the playoffs early and then try to rest up for the playoffs thinking that they can flip a switch, usually get burnt. Badly.

Raygan Swan: I realize Junior and his crew chief are experienced veterans in this sport, but its a new team, a new organization and something has to be said for their successful transition.

Joe Menzer: But this is a bad time to be biding your time. Say that fast five times.

David Caraviello: True, Joe. You don't want to peak too early. And nobody is saying that Junior can't win the title. Nobody is saying they haven't had a good season. It's just that the No. 88 group seems to be standing a little pat right now.

Joe Menzer: And it's the wrong time to be doing it. Listen, all of these teams -- especially the ones in the top five or six in points -- need to think about getting some wins and bonus points for the Chase now.

David Caraviello: I mean, this is a guy who had top-10s in seven of his first nine races. He's now had one top-10 in his last seven starts. You have to go back to Daytona to find the last one.

Joe Menzer: But he has run near the front for many of those races, even if the finishes don't reflect it.

Raygan Swan: It's no time to rest on your laurels, but I think I'm going to be patient with Junior right now. He's had a lot to digest. I don't think he'll be a huge threat in the Chase, but he'll continue to perform and build into next season.

Joe Menzer: He's had a lot to digest? He needs to build for next season? Listen, girl, you are WAY too nice! This is NASCAR Sprint Cup racing. You think Rick Hendrick is going to be happy with Junior building for next year because he's had too much to digest?

David Caraviello: Junior's had enough of "next seasons." As well as this team started, with the people he brought with him, this group was built to perform now. Nobody knows that more than Dale himself.

Raygan Swan: I know, but I just feel for the guy.

Joe Menzer: What does Raygs think this guy had for lunch anyway?

Raygan Swan: Something heavy!

Joe Menzer: I think your new puppy has made you go soft!

Raygan Swan: Clearly, I have a new attitude now that I'm a mother!

Joe Menzer: That puppy has had a lot to digest ... like your lamps, computer cord, hairbrush.

Raygan Swan: Don't forget my shoes.

David Caraviello: Oh, brother. Clearly, it's time to move on to ... (Continued)