Kansas providing a tiny glimpse of what's to come

1. Can Greg Biffle keep this up?

Mark Aumann: Perhaps not for the entire 10 races, but I expect more of the same this weekend at Kansas. He's been very good there in the past. The big stumbling block may be Talladega.

David Caraviello: The head says no, absolutely not. But then you look at the record book -- he's won at Kansas. He's won at Homestead. He's won at (I think) Texas. Everything really sets up well for him to make a big run.

Raygan Swan: I think there's a lot to be said about momentum during the Chase. I think he can keep it up until Martinsville. He has a love-hate relationship with that track. His average finish there is 24th, and in the spring he blew up during qualifying. Everywhere else, I don't worry about him.

David Caraviello: Yeah, it's not like the guy is going to rip off 10 wins a row here. But he doesn't need to. He's done a phenomenal job of coming out of nowhere to put himself in position.

Mark Aumann: This is very similar to what Clint Bowyer did last season, where Biffle has gotten unexpectedly hot. The big difference? Biffle is a veteran driver with a winning background.

David Caraviello: Exactly, Mark. Biffle finished second in final points in I believe 2005, and might have won the thing if he hadn't had loose lug nuts at Texas. So he's been here before.

Raygan Swan: He was only 35 points from winning it in 2005, and the only thing that is going to keep him from the Cup this year is Carl Edwards.

Mark Aumann: I still have to give the advantage to Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson, based on the full season. But yes, Biffle was second in the 2005 Chase, so he knows how to get there.

David Caraviello: I'll tell you, it's getting tough not to jump on the Johnson bandwagon right about now. Nothing against Edwards, but the way that 48 car is running right now is very impressive.

Mark Aumann: I think the most surprising thing after two races is how the Toyotas have basically eliminated themselves from the championship. Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin almost have no chance, and Tony Stewart hasn't yet been able to match the Fords and Chevys on a consistent basis.

Raygan Swan: Another thing guys, did you hear how focused Biffle is, what he has done to change his routine?

David Caraviello: What, did Greg switch from Special K to bran flakes in the morning?

Roush vs. Roush

Which Roush Fenway driver is most likely to win the Cup title? Mark Aumann says Greg Biffle, while Bill Kimm says Carl Edwards is the winner.

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Raygan Swan: He said, "I've changed the way I live completely -- just what I do everyday and what I eat when I work out. I've changed it so that I've made a reason to change my focus -- I got myself out of my normal habit." I guess that could make a difference, who knows.

Mark Aumann: So would that be Biff getting buff?

Raygan Swan: Absolutely.

David Caraviello: You know, Raygan, I've often wondered if some of these drivers would be better at the end of races if they kept themselves in better shape. I mean, look at the two guys at the top right now: ripped Carl and runner Jimmie.

Raygan Swan: David, I couldn't agree more. Racing against The Carl, you have to be on your fitness game. For months, people have told me it doesn't matter, look at Tony, he's chubs and still wins, but not with the new car. You have to be in shape to handle the new car's demands.

Mark Aumann: Until they have to carry the car across the finish line, physical fitness is overrated.

David Caraviello: But the way some of these guys fade late in races ... man, hit the iron or the treadmill. Or both. You're supposed to be a professional athlete, right?

Raygan Swan: Right. Junior almost needs oxygen after some of his races, and we all know he's no gym rat. If Biffle is hitting the gym, it's certainly helping his mental focus.

Mark Aumann: So would that be mental gymnastics, Raygs? I still think it's the style of driving that fits the chassis, and it's more of a coincidence that Carl and Jimmie are two of the best at that.

David Caraviello: Not to completely change the subject, but I've often thought of drivers like golfers -- not all of them are athletes, but the best of them usually are. And physical fitness can be an edge over the competition, whether you're Tiger Woods or Carl Edwards. Even Jeff Gordon mentioned earlier this season how the new car forced him to train more. That's the future. If Biffle has figured it out before most others, good for him.

Raygan Swan: And maybe Tony wouldn't have lost Subway to Carl Edwards if he had kept his part of the bargain! Now I hear he's stuck with Burger King! Yuck!

David Caraviello: Hey don't knock a BK double cheese. I'll send the King over there do deal with you. And I don't mean Richard Petty.

Raygan Swan: That man creeps me out!

2. NASCAR will implement a random drug testing policy beginning next season. Is such a step really necessary?

David Caraviello: I've said it once, I'll say it again -- where's the problem here? Aaron Fike follows a court order to speak out about drugs. Ron Hornaday is busted by an overeager journalist for what turns out to be a medical issue. And suddenly the sport has a drug problem?

Mark Aumann: I don't know that it will uncover any major drug scandals, but it shows the league is being proactive and responding to criticism.

David Caraviello: I feel like NASCAR is bowing to public pressure a little bit here. Now that even the PGA Tour has a testing policy in place, they don't look good being about the only major sport not to have one. So the heat was on a little bit.

Raygan Swan: Regardless of public pressure, following other leagues, etc., any measure taken to create a safe, drug-free environment is great. It's gonna cost NASCAR some money, but I'm all for it. Who cares about the motivation? NASCAR is doing it, and I believe the preventative measure will make an impact. What I especially like is that it applies to NASCAR officials and crew members, not just the drivers.

Heavy dose

NASCAR announced it is increasing its drug policy to include random testing for all drivers and team members.

• Complete story, click here

Mark Aumann: Will it do enough to find cases like Aaron Fike? I don't know. The assumption is that Fike was the exception rather than the norm. And I hate to say it, but the kind of money that's being paid to young drivers could very well steer people down the wrong path. Perhaps this is a pre-emptive strike, where NASCAR's saying, "Don't screw up this good thing."

David Caraviello: Hey, this new policy is not a bad thing. It is a preventative measure. I just wonder if it's necessary. And the drivers all seem to be for it -- at least until they find out that "random testing" sometimes means going in a cup in front of somebody to ensure the sample isn't faked. At least, that's how other sports do it. I'm not sure if NASCAR is going to that extent.

Raygan Swan: That's unpleasant, but they strip out of their firesuits sometimes in front of people after races in their haulers. So what's the difference?

David Caraviello: Oh, there's a big difference.

Mark Aumann: Well, the obvious next step is to name an official urine sample collection sponsor. And then have replica bottles available in the Superstore.

David Caraviello: Hey, this is a sport where you can find NASCAR-sponsored onions in the grocery store. I wouldn't be surprised.

Raygan Swan: Ryan Newman made a good point about this policy last weekend. How is NASCAR going to prevent false positives from cold medicine and antibiotics? There is still a lot to be determined regarding this policy and the list of drugs to be tested for.

David Caraviello: Yeah, Gordon was asked about the same thing this week. He feels like everything will be evaluated case-by-case so we don't have a guy parked for taking Sudafed.

Mark Aumann: Or Prilosec.

David Caraviello: Jeff Burton would not appreciate that, Mark.

Raygan Swan: I feel like that happened in the late '70s or early '80s to a driver ... do you recall?

Mark Aumann: Are you talking about Tim Richmond? That's a whole different can of worms, Raygs.

Raygan Swan: I thought Tim had taken cold medicine. Didn't they find cold medicine in his system?

David Caraviello: Actually, I think they suspended him for what turned out to be Sudafed. So let's hope history does not repeat itself.

Raygan Swan: Bottom line: NASCAR in my opinion has been so reactive in the past, they need disasters or on-track mishaps to make changes. Finally they are being proactive with random tests, and it's a good thing.

David Caraviello: But again, you have to go back to 1988 to find a Cup driver under suspicion for using anything. Another example of why I feel like this policy really isn't necessary.

Raygan Swan: Yeah, maybe, but you can't tell me that drivers don't dabble in their off time. Come on, these guys are so-called "rock stars," and certainly they are exposed to the lifestyles and habits of rock stars

David Caraviello: Cup drivers, who test every week and are doing sponsorship and hospitality all the time? They're around so many people so often, I believe somebody would notice. No wonder virtually all of the guys to get busted have been lower-level series drivers, who have a lot more free time.

Raygan Swan: That's a good point. Who was the other Truck Series guy nabbed? Not Fike, but one who was put in a recovery program and since reinstated.

David Caraviello: Tyler Walker?

Raygan Swan: Yes, thank you. I've been doing some drugs myself, apparently, because I have no memory today

Mark Aumann: Well, you're proof that you can suffer immunity to caffeine, Raygs.

3. Kansas Speedway has received the go-ahead to build a new casino hotel, and wants a second race date no later than 2011. Should that happen, and if so, where does the date come from?

Raygan Swan: Well, it would give California enough time to prove whether or not their date change makes a difference. If not, take California's second date and give it to Kansas. I love casino hotels!

David Caraviello: I'll tell you what, the folks at Kansas have done just about everything right to this point. They didn't overbuild the facility, and they have a nice commercial area around the racetrack. They keep this up, they'll deserve a second date.

Mark Aumann: I would hate to see one of Martinsville's dates go out there. That would really be the end of an era.

Raygan Swan: If not California, then hit up Pocono. But you'll have to take on the family that owns it, first.

David Caraviello: Kansas says they want a second date by 2011. The brass at ISC loves that facility, so it's hard to imagine them not getting it. By then, we should know if California's new dates work out.

Raygan Swan: Yeah, that would make the most sense. Pocono still has good numbers.

David Caraviello: And you are Miss Pocono, aren't you, Raygan?

Raygan Swan: Yeah, and I have no idea how that happened, but I'm trying to embrace the title.

Mark Aumann: I hate to say it, but I'd rather see how Iowa's Nationwide date works out before going twice to Kansas. And if I'm Las Vegas, I'd like a little more love.

Raygan Swan: As for Vegas, David tell 'em about the cautionary tale.

David Caraviello: I'll tell you what, I went to Kansas the first time prepared to not like the place, with all I'd heard about eminent domain and the sweetheart deals they used to secure some of the land for that racetrack. But then I got out there, and it blew me away. It really is a blueprint for the future. A Chipotle within walking distance from a racetrack! Amazing!

Mark Aumann: The restaurants in Kansas City are outstanding.

Raygan Swan: Umm, I've never been there, thanks guys. I'll just go watch Ellen now if that's OK.

David Caraviello: And Raygan, as for that Las Vegas cautionary tale ... everything looked swimmingly in California until they got their second date, too. Las Vegas has a looooot of seats. Kansas, from a seating capacity standpoint, is smaller than many SEC football stadiums. They did it right out there. Though I believe they make people buy season ticket packages, which many fans don't like. Yet that's no different than in other sports.

Mark Aumann: That's the real caveat for me. I saw a lot of empty seats at Daytona in July, California in September, and wonder -- is two races just too many in this economy? Can the fan base support it?

David Caraviello: Yeah, Mark, you wonder if it's the economy, or a permanent turning of the tide. Maybe some of these overbuilt megatracks are never going to see sellouts again.

Mark Aumann: The advantage Kansas has is a lack of other nearby tracks and competition for the public's money.

David Caraviello: Correct, though K.C. is a big-league market. But as for other major racetracks ... you have to drive a while to find one.

Raygan Swan: Yeah, unlike California, which has a million things to do.

David Caraviello: Hey, I thought you were watching Ellen?

Raygan Swan: Commercial.

Mark Aumann: Well, you could dispute your argument with the Royals and Chiefs right now, but I'm all for a second trip to stock up on K.C. Masterpiece. And Arthur Bryant's.

David Caraviello: That's true, Mark. They are stretching the definition of "big league." All right, time for us to close it out. It's almost time for Extreme Akim, and you know Raygan doesn't miss that.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.