Filling seats to see Kyle vs. Carl ... and everyone else (cont'd)

2. Carl Edwards won for the fifth time this year Sunday at Michigan. But is he too far behind leader Kyle Busch to mount a serious charge for the title?

Joe Menzer: No way. Even with the 10 bonus points he lost via a penalty earlier in the year, he would only be 40 points behind if the Chase started today -- and he's building confidence and momentum.

David Caraviello: I say this: Until Kyle loses the lead, or at the very least we start to see serious missteps out of him, this deal is his to lose. He has a penchant for turning it up when he needs to.

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Kyle is the favorite, blah, blah, blah. No question about that. But Carl and Jimmie and maybe one or two others could end up giving Kyle a run for the big money.

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JOE MENZER

Raygan Swan: No, no and no! Carl thinks he has super-human powers right now, an unstoppable ego! He's peaking at the right time and he will be a major threat.

Joe Menzer: The Carl will be right there, and he even predicted that this Chase could be "spectacularly competitive." Just what NASCAR wanted to hear.

David Caraviello: Hey, no one's saying Carl doesn't have the ability to win it. Sure he does. But it's like they say in racing: Getting to the guy is one thing, passing him is another. And right now, I don't see Kyle letting anyone by.

Joe Menzer: Kyle no doubt is the favorite. But once they get to the Chase and the points are evened out somewhat, I think Carl and anyone else who might get on a hot streak has a chance. Don't rule out Jimmie Johnson, by the way.

Raygan Swan: Nice "The Carl" reference, Joe. I was The Carl for Halloween last year. I hope Carl channels his angry side and opens a can of you-know-what on Kyle ...

David Caraviello: You hope? What did Kyle ever do to you?

Raygan Swan: Nothing, I just want to see the Crazy Carl come out! Personally, I like Kyle and his little white Westies as well. I'm just ready for some drama!

Joe Menzer: Carl has been growing on me lately. Maybe it's all the "feel-good" stories I've been writing lately about Roush Fenway Racing (read Joe's "feel-good" piece on Roush).

Raygan Swan: Aww, Joe, did you get a puppy? What's with the softer side?

Joe Menzer: Um, no on the puppy. Don't want to risk the dreaded Mutt Rage -- but I am now wondering what in the hell "White Westies" are?

David Caraviello: Until Jimmie Johnson proves he can win races in bunches, as he did last year, then it's a two-man race. And until Carl can overtake Kyle, the guy in the lead is the clear favorite.

Raygan Swan: Kyle has two Westies: Susie and something else. It just surprised me to see Kyle have ankle-bitters and not pit bulls or some other massive type dog.

David Caraviello: I prefer Easties myself. But if the girl wants Westies, they get Westies. That's how it works.

Raygan Swan: Agreed!

Joe Menzer: OK, you two. Can we get back to racing now? I agree with you, David, that Kyle is the favorite, blah, blah, blah. No question about that. But Carl and Jimmie and maybe one or two others could end up giving Kyle a run for the big money.

David Caraviello: Joe, do you really think once the Chase begins and the point deficit is reset at 30 or 40, that Carl is going to whiz right by?

Joe Menzer: I didn't say anybody was going to whiz by Kyle and his Westies. The question was can he make a run at him, wasn't it? And he can and I think he will.

David Caraviello: Kyle has given us no sign -- absolutely no sign -- that he's going to lose his grip on this. If anything, he runs better when he's challenged. Until that changes, it's Kyle's world, and everyone else is living in it. Including the Westies.

Joe Menzer: Geez, there are Westies running wild everywhere!

Raygan Swan: OK, taskmasters. Yes, Joe, Carl can make a run and Kyle is not super-human. Yes, he thrives under pressure, but you never know. (Continued)