Filling seats to see Kyle vs. Carl ... and everyone else

1. NASCAR has allowed California and Atlanta to switch fall dates for 2009. Can Atlanta re-ignite the core fans' passion for racing on Labor Day weekend?

Joe Menzer: The better question might be: Can the switch to Labor Day re-ignite Atlanta-area fans' passion for racing? I don't know, but let's hope so. They needed to try something.

David Caraviello: The first thing is, a move like this had to happen. There remains a lot of opposition in the core fan base to California having the Labor Day date. And given that track's underperformance, a switch was needed. But that doesn't mean you're going to have an automatic sellout in Atlanta. That track has some work to do to get people back in the seats.

Raygan Swan: Seemingly at this point, it's time for both tracks to do some major marketing and strategizing for both dates to be successful. They got the change they wanted, now they have to make it happen. I think Atlanta will have the easier row to hoe, given that night racing has proven extremely successful at Bristol and now Chicago.

Joe Menzer: Plus, Labor Day in California obviously was a bad idea from the start. Man, last year when we were out there, that is as hot as I've ever been in my 47 years on this planet. You could have fried an egg on my forehead ... or my stomach if I had been in the stands with my shirt off.

Raygan Swan: To quote your fave Paris Hilton, Joe: That's hot!

Joe Menzer: Well, thank you, Raygan.

David Caraviello: Yeah, Joe, it was roasting. My digital recorder got too hot to hold onto. You couldn't be outside for more than like 10 minutes. I'm sure that accelerated this move.

Raygan Swan: I lucked out with the earlier date, but still, weather was a major issue this season with the rainout.

Joe Menzer: I mean, you can't blame fans for not coming when you schedule an event during the time of year when being outside is like walking into a heat-blast furnace.

David Caraviello: California has received no help from the schedule. For NASCAR's biggest market, they've gotten crappy dates: rainy season and hot. Certainly that hasn't helped their cause.

Raygan Swan: So Cal in October should be nice, but I hope better weather isn't the only thing the track is banking on. The excitement of the Chase race will help the track in October, though.

Joe Menzer: Look, California is a nice track. But pick ONE date and get one date working there first -- and after that happens, and only after that happens, should they have a second date. (Continued)