Track Smack: Four weeks of contenders, pretenders (cont'd)

3. Who'll be sweating the most through the off week about possibly having to qualify on speed after Bristol: David Gilliland (34th in owners' points), Mark Martin (35th), Aric Almirola (36th) or Scott Speed (37th)?

Joe Menzer: I'm not sure who will be sweating the most amongst the other three, but Mark Martin will be sweating the least. They are confident they will not only get it done, but go on to have a solid year.

Sprint Cup Series

Owners' Points (Pos. 33-38)

Pos.	Driver	Points	Behind
33.	Joey Logano	321	-313
34.	David Gilliland	301	-333
35.	Mark Martin	286	-348
36.	Aric Almirola	277	-357
37.	Scott Speed	256	-378
38.	Paul Menard	238	-396

• Complete Standings

David Caraviello: Almirola. Let's face it, Speed and Martin, for all their expectations, have sure-thing rides. Gilliland's not supposed to be there. But Almirola has a tenuous sponsor situation, and can't afford to miss any races if Earnhardt Ganassi wants to keep that No. 8 car funded.

Duane Cross: Scott Speed -- hands down. Gilliland, he wasn't even supposed to be in this position; he's happy to have a ride. Martin, he'll be just fine at Bristol. Almirola, is there anyone who didn't see this coming? Now Speed ... he's looking up at A.J. Allmendinger, the guy he replaced.

David Caraviello: Well, you would hope Red Bull would cut Scott a little slack because of his inexperience, like Joe Gibbs Racing is doing with Joey Logano. But Red Bull isn't going anywhere, regardless of where Speed ends up. Almirola doesn't have that luxury.

Joe Menzer: I have to agree that Speed and Almirola are feeling the heat the most. Plus right now they are on the outside looking in, and I'd be willing to bet the house that Martin will do whatever it takes to pull off a solid finish at Bristol. But there are others who are feeling the heat, too. What about Joey Logano, who sits in 33rd, and will be driving his first Cup race at Bristol? Now there's a Fantasy pick for you. Who in tarnation took that kid?

David Caraviello: Yeah, boss? Newman and Logano aren't exactly out of the woods here, but at least they don't have to climb over people. Almirola and Speed have to make some things happen. There are a lot of people in that danger zone right now.

Duane Cross: Not to throw a sponsor under the bus ... but Red Bull deserves what it gets. This isn't a sport where you can stick a driver behind the wheel and have success (name an open-wheel driver, anyone?). However, 'Dinger was on the right path but the pieces hadn't come together when the plug was pulled. And now, Red Bull is starting over at square one. It happens -- but it didn't have to.

David Caraviello: Well, in Red Bull's defense, that was maybe more of a mutual situation than people realize. But yes, it does pay to be patient with young guys every now and then. A.J.'s clearly getting better the more time he has behind the wheel.

Joe Menzer: If you look at the current point standings, there is a big group of guys there together, separated by only a handful of points, from Robby Gordon in 29th on back. It includes Hornish, Newman, John Andretti and the rest we've mentioned. None are out of the woods, and as everyone knows, anything can happen at Bristol -- and usually does.

David Caraviello: Red Bull has a lot invested in Scott Speed. In many ways he's the embodiment of their "lifestyle." I find it hard to believe they'd pull the plug on him if he misses a few events early in his rookie season.

Duane Cross: True, David -- but things spiral out of control when, in fact, the issues could have been or should have been addressed long before. Red Bull came in with a huge splash and didn't give its program enough time to mature, or its driver. And now it's back to basics for another driver -- and the team (again) is not a factor. Thank goodness for Brian Vickers (yes, another of my fantasy guys), who is saving Red Bull.

“

I predict that Allmendinger eventually will drive the No. 43 at RPM. If not this year, then down the line.

”

JOE MENZER

Joe Menzer: As for Red Bull, not sure what conspiracy theories you're hearing, Caraviello, but from where I was standing, it looked like A.J. got the shaft. I agree with Duane that they pulled that plug prematurely and now are paying the price. Allmendinger did everything they asked of him last year. When he got pulled for five races so Mike Skinner could help get them back up in points, he didn't pout. He watched and learned. Then he came back and was driving much better, more consistent, more patient. And they pulled the plug. It made no sense.

David Caraviello: Well, A.J. thought he had something lined up that never materialized, which made it easier for Red Bull to let him go. Now he needs more sponsorship to come through if he wants to run a full season at RPM.

Joe Menzer: I predict that Allmendinger eventually will drive the No. 43 at RPM. If not this year, then down the line. I'm sorry for all those out there who think I have something personal against Reed Sorenson -- because I don't. But the guy doesn't provide the results, and hasn't for going on three years now.

David Caraviello: The King does love Allmendinger. I predict that cracks will soon be visible in Duane Cross' a-bit-overconfident fantasy racing team.

Duane Cross: To Red Bull's credit, the program will be just fine, eventually, with general manager Jay Frye; in his time, that dude has done more with less than anyone else in the garage. If they can get Speed to focus more on the car and less on color coordinating his toenails, they'll be OK -- in a couple of years.

Joe Menzer: And you said it, the King is beginning to look at A.J. as the Prince. I guess I just didn't understand why last year Red Bull didn't keep A.J. and run Speed in a third car.

Duane Cross: Red Bull gives you wings -- but it doesn't give you cash, which is what would be key for a third car at this level. And as for any cracks in my team ... can we leave my crack out of this? Being in first place does not make my butt look big. Eating at Harold's BBQ, that does!

Joe Menzer: Maybe if Duane captures the fantasy title this year, he can fund a full-time ride for A.J. next year!

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writers.