Smack: Three battle for 12th, three battle for title (cont'd)

3. Jimmie Johnson is starting to get that look in his eyes again. Can he challenge Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards for the title?

Joe Menzer: No doubt. Listen, I didn't do Smack last week because I had other, more pressing engagements. But didn't I tell y'all two weeks ago that J.J. would get back in it?

David Caraviello: It's Jimmie time, people. Remember, he took control of things last year by winning at Fontana and Richmond, and never looked back. Kyle and Carl get too caught up in one another, look out.

Raygan Swan: He certainly is back and so cool and collected, unlike Kyle and Carl. Kyle and Carl are in each other's heads, but Jimmie, he's on his own and poised for more dominance.

David Caraviello: Joe, what more pressing engagements could you possibly had?

Three's company

Twelve drivers may make the Chase, but Dave Rodman says this year's version is down to three.

• Complete story, click here
• Menzer: Three-peat possible
• Pate: Johnson Chase-ready
• Video: Richmond Preview

Joe Menzer: I had to paint my shed out back. Just don't tell the boss. Jimmie is the two-time defending champ eyeing what likely will be a once-in-a-lifetime shot at making history -- becoming only the second driver in history to win three titles in a row. That's motivation, man.

David Caraviello: You and all your projects. The shed. The full basketball court. The man garage. Where do you get the time?

Joe Menzer: To work, you mean? It's hard to squeeze you guys in sometimes, I'll admit.

Raygan Swan: He has lots of soldiers helping him out.

David Caraviello: That's why Joe has so many kids!

Joe Menzer: You talking about me? Or Jimmie with Chad Knaus and his crew?

Raygan Swan: You!

Joe Menzer: Yeah, well, I hope Jimmie is getting more work out of Chad and his No. 48 gang than I am out of my four kids lately!

David Caraviello: I will agree with what our colleague Dave Rodman wrote the other day -- this bad boy is a three-man race, barring anyone else making an unforeseen run. No one else has shown any ability to challenge Kyle, Carl, and Jimmie.

Joe Menzer: But Jimmie is squarely in the mix, and building momentum at the right time (that was for Carl, who doesn't believe in momentum but I know he reads Track Smack).

David Caraviello: Carl reads Track Smack? You know, I've always liked that Carl Edwards.

Raygan Swan: Yes he does, and has the memory of an elephant, that boy!

Joe Menzer: He likes it when I write "feel-good" pieces. Well, he can feel good about his Chase chances, but Kyle won't be easy to catch and Jimmie is coming. It's going to be great. Does anyone else have a chance, or will it be the three-man race everyone seems to think?

David Caraviello: Who else is going to challenge them? Burton and Earnhardt have tailed off after great starts. Gordon is clearly struggling. Guys like Hamlin, Stewart, Harvick and Kenseth have been all over the place. Only three teams in my opinion have shown that they have what it takes to win multiple races in the Chase, which is what it takes to win the title. And that's the three teams up front.

Raygan Swan: Yeah, Carl is my pick for the Cup championship, and he can eat all the damn salads he wants! Did you hear Kyle's remarks about In and Out Burger? He said he and Carl are BFFs and they were going to get In and Out Burger. Then he said no, wait, he doesn't eat that stuff, we'll get salads. He's just jealous. Kyle doesn't have visible abs.

Joe Menzer: Ah. Well, likewise I will take the salad over the burger every time. But I like a side of fries with that.

Raygan Swan: Like a Big-Mac with a Diet Coke, right Joe?

David Caraviello: Man, an In and Out burger sounds good right now. Maybe I should stock up on a few before the hurricane hits.

Joe Menzer: Yes, the diet of champions -- or at least journalists!

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writers