1. Martin Truex has announced he's joining Michael Waltrip Racing as of next year. Can Truex expect to enjoy greater success at MWR than he did at Dale Earnhardt Inc.?

David Caraviello: Well, if "greater" means equaling or surpassing his one career race win, maybe. It's a step up, no question. The Waltrip team has made some moves in the right direction, and this was one of them. But given the somewhat stagnant situation at Earnhardt, it would be difficult for him to do worse than where he was.

Duane Cross: Overall success -- yes. I think MWR is moving forward (no pun, Toyota) while Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's pace has slowed considerably during the past few years. The fact that Michael was able to sign Martin to a multi-year deal speaks volumes for the team.

Joe Menzer: I think so. Even though he only won one race in his time at DEI -- and made one Chase, in which he finished 11th in 2007 -- he could be a fairly consistent challenger for wins and a Chase spot if MWR continues to improve.

David Caraviello: Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves. No question, we saw when DEI was at its height what Martin was capable of. No question, MWR is better. But a lot of things need to work out. I'll take a wait-and-see attitude on this one.

Joe Menzer: The thing about Martin to remember is that he won the Nationwide Series in '04 and '05. The dude was poised to take a step forward in Cup just when then-DEI imploded, more or less.

Duane Cross: MWR needed to get a young driver in the seat. Michael proved, in this case, he's a shrewd businessman. Now it's a matter of keeping the momentum that David Reutimann and Marcos Ambrose have. It's a long-haul venture, not a sprint.

David Caraviello: Again, we know, given the right combination of factors, that Truex can drive. No one is doubting that. But the guy kind of got rooked by timing. You wonder how he would fare in a top-level ride like, say, a fourth car at Richard Childress Racing. But the timing didn't work out for that.

Duane Cross: I'd also contend DEI/EGR is a long-haul venture. The folks over there -- specifically Teresa Earnhardt -- are going to continue to catch crap for "letting Driver X go" in the wake of Dale Jr. -- but they have business-savvy folks in place and will rebound eventually. One thing we should not lose sight of is that Martin is joining a team with factory support -- something the Chevy teams do not have right now.

Joe Menzer: Interesting that you mention Marcos Ambrose. I sat next to Jody Geschickter of JTG/Daugherty Racing at the MWR luncheon announcement Tuesday -- and even though the MWR folks talk like it's a done deal, there are still some details to be worked out to make sure Ambrose and JTG/Daugherty run out of the MWR shop next season and perhaps beyond. I think they will, but it's not quite a done deal yet.

David Caraviello: Joe, what are their other options? I don't think they can exactly field that Cup operation out of their own shop. And their Nationwide team is struggling for sponsorship. They clearly need to align with somebody, and the MWR thing is working for them.

Another brick ...

By signing Martin Truex Jr. to drive for his team, Michael Waltrip is proving one thing as a car owner: He's pretty smart from the business side.

• Complete story, click here
• Truex to drive for MWR in '10

Duane Cross: Again, I believe MWR is business-savvy enough to realize Ambrose's value. The deal will get signed, though maybe with a few more dollars in the JTG/Daugherty column.

Joe Menzer: Like I said regarding Ambrose, they're fairly sure they'll be back at MWR and the MWR folks certainly talk that way, but the way Ambrose is driving the wheels off, they might just be marketable enough to have other options. And um, David, did you just imply that the fourth car at RCR is "a top-level ride" right now? Not so sure about that.

David Caraviello: Historically, Joe, it is. Richard hasn't won all those races by accident. A one-year dip doesn't obscure the fact that RCR is one of the top organizations in the garage. MWR isn't there -- they may get there, they may not. That's what I meant.

Joe Menzer: I think you could open a legitimate debate and say it's it better to be in car No. 2 at MWR vs. car No. 4 at RCR right now -- and I think I'd take car No. 2 at MWR.

David Caraviello: Oh boy, Joe's drinking before noon again.

Duane Cross: The car-owner pecking order will not be shuffled for another 12 to 18 months, but certainly MWR is making inroads on chipping into the upper echelons of the sport. I'd take the Nos. 1 or 2 rides at MWR over the No. 4 car at RCR 24/7. In the long run, I mean.

David Caraviello: OK, this is not meant to be a shot at MWR. They really are doing everything right over there right now. But you've got to show me more than one rain-shortened race win before you start ranking MWR right behind Hendrick and Roush in the garage pecking order.

Joe Menzer: David, things don't always stay the same in the Cup garage. In my crystal ball, which isn't clouded by alcohol (at least not this early in the day), I see the Toyota-funded teams rising over the next two years. Last time I checked, MWR was not only backed by Toyota but has solid sponsorship in place for their two teams -- plus assuming the arrangement continues with Ambrose, that team is solid, too, both on performance and sponsorship. I'm not saying MWR is there already -- but they're coming.

David Caraviello: Did I miss something? Did MWR just hire Richard Petty, circa 1968?

Duane Cross: Dude, clean your glasses, wipe the sleep out of your eyes -- we're saying the signing of Truex is another brick in the foundation. It's going to be another 12 to 18 months, but MWR is on the move up -- and Toyota's backing, combined with GM's problems, will lessen that gap considerably.

Joe Menzer: Thank you, Boss Man. Sometimes David likes to pick on me. He's cranky after 18 hours in the Akron-Canton Airport earlier this week.

Duane Cross: Ha -- I guess I would be, too! But I have to draw the line at picking on the elderly.

David Caraviello: I'll give you the brick-in-the-wall bit. I'll give you that Truex is a driving talent who has been underused, that MWR has made great leaps forward, that manufacturer and sponsorship support are all in place. Not arguing any of that. But over the next five years or so, I still think it's going to be tough for MWR to trump historically successful teams that have been in the garage for decades.

Joe Menzer: The Toyotas are coming, man. The Toyotas are coming.

David Caraviello: Joe Menzer has been inhabited by the ghost of Jack Roush.

Joe Menzer: Well, we are about the same age -- or at least you guys seem to think.

2. NASCAR has announced the 25 finalists for its inaugural Hall of Fame class. Who are the five who get in next year?

Duane Cross: Bill France and Richard Petty are unanimous -- after that, the debate begins.

Joe Menzer: OK, this one is easy: 1. Big Bill France. 2. Lee Petty. 3. Richard Petty. 4. Bill France Jr. 5. Duane Cross. Now can I have that raise, please?

Duane Cross: Ha! Umm, I'll submit it to HR ...

Joe Menzer: Actually, in all seriousness, I think the fourth and fifth slots come down to David Pearson and Dale Earnhardt. And I guess you could consider pitting Bill Jr. vs. Lee Petty for the other available slot, and move the losers of both those matchups to class No. 2.

David Caraviello: OK, let me say this, right off. I don't like this "25 finalists" thing one bit. It's way too many, and given that so few guys are actually going to be inducted each year, it's wrong to get fans' hopes up. I mean, look at a guy like Red Byron. There's somebody who clearly deserves to be in, who overcame more than maybe any other elite professional driver ever, but he has no shot. No shot. And putting him on a list of "finalists" is a little unfair. It may take the dude a decade to get in. Let's cut the finalist list to a more manageable 10, and so at least those in the running have a realistic shot to make it that year.

Duane Cross: At least Red drove in a national touring series race. Richie Evans did not, and made the list.

David Caraviello: Be careful, Duane. You don't want to tick off the modified crowd. I learned that the hard way. They think every driver in a mod car has the talent of Michael Schumacher.

The nominees are ...

The 25 nominees for the 2010 NASCAR Hall of Fame Class have been announced. NASCAR fans collectively will represent one of the 51 ballots on the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Committee through voting on NASCAR.COM.

• Hall of Fame nominees
• Sign up to vote!

Joe Menzer: I want to know how you can have 25 finalists and not have Bruton Smith, Harold Brasington or some media type -- I've always said Barney Hall should go in early -- represented.

David Caraviello: Don't get me started on Harold Brasington, Joe. I really believe the industry has forgotten the man existed.

Joe Menzer: Whether you like him or not, Bruton Smith certainly should have been on that list of 25 "finalists." Although I agree with David that a list that long is too bloated to begin with.

Duane Cross: I was surprised no one from the media was included on the list -- Barney Hall being 1A. And as much as I liked Benny Parsons, I could more so make the case for Bruton Smith or Humpy Wheeler.

Joe Menzer: Yeah, that's not right. Barney definitely belonged on the list of 25.

David Caraviello: Maybe they'll have a media wing one day, like baseball does. That's not an issue now. Fans aren't going to make the pilgrimage to uptown Charlotte to see a media guy get inducted.

Duane Cross: No, they won't -- but they will hear the voices, and there should be something that tells their stories, too.

Joe Menzer: I would perhaps argue that Barney Hall should be up there at least in the top 15, in fact. And I think you are wrong, David. Fans don't care about guys like you and me in the media, but guys like Barney Hall are a different animal altogether. The guy is an icon. NASCAR fans everywhere love and identify with him. By the way, basketball also has a media wing. I'm not certain, but probably football, too.

David Caraviello: Sorry, in the inaugural season at least, this thing is about competitors first. I was at the football hall of fame on Monday afternoon -- had some time to kill in the greater Canton-Akron area -- and all they have is a plaque in the front lobby naming annual media award winners. That's all they need.

Joe Menzer: Well, if it's about competitors first, then you'd have to say that aside from Big Bill, they should put in Richard Petty, David Pearson, Dale Earnhardt, Bobby Allison and/or Darrell Waltrip. They won the most races and titles. So David, are you saying a guy like Will McDonough shouldn't be honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? I disagree. They are part of it, just as in baseball the writers and broadcasters become part of it.

David Caraviello: Joe, Will McDonough is not "honored" in the pro football hall. His name is one of many on a plaque near the ticket booth. As for the NASCAR hall, I think right now Bill France Jr., Richard Petty and Earnhardt are the only locks. The other two are going to be wild cards. Pearson and DW would probably be my picks, with the influence Darrell has had in his TV role giving him a slight edge over Allison.

Duane Cross: It cannot be about who won the most races or titles -- the sport is vastly different today. David, I can guarantee you that Earnhardt will not be unanimous. And D.W.'s announcing career will not be a factor in my decision. Now, Earnhardt most likely will get in this year -- but it will not be unanimous.

Joe Menzer: One minute Caraviello says the media doesn't matter, and the next he's saying it's a tie-breaking factor in getting D.W. in! Who's been drinking this morning?

David Caraviello: Duane, then people need their heads examined. This sport has two seven-time champions and two icons, the King and the Intimidator, and they are no-brainers. And if you don't think Darrell's post-racing broadcast career has played a role in expanding the popularity of NASCAR, you're kidding yourself.

Duane Cross: Then get me an appointment; I am of the mind-set that the inaugural class should be about those who built the sport from the ground up.

Joe Menzer: But David, earlier you said that the media, which plays such an important role in expanding the popularity of the sport, should not even be considered for anything. Which is it? Or are you saying only guys who were former competitors and then went into the media should carry more weight than media members who popularized the sport? I'm sorry, but that's ridiculous.

David Caraviello: Joe, please. DW is an ex-driver in the booth. I don't tend to see Darrell in the chow line with you and me. If you don't think Waltrip's reach as the best racing color man ever greatly extends beyond anything else almost anyone else in NASCAR does from a media perspective, you guys are living in denial.

Joe Menzer: The only thing I'm denying is that I've been drinking. I have not!

Duane Cross: I'll let you tell Tom Higgins that he doesn't have a place in the Hall, which should be a place where the entire sport is represented. And I'll argue Ned Jarrett vs. D.W. any day of the week. Ned never pimped a rodent, dude. That alone puts him ahead of the caricature that D.W. has become.

Joe Menzer: Amen, brother. And there are many others.

David Caraviello: My goodness, you guys are hitting the Old Style hard already. Have you watched any NASCAR on television since 1985?

Joe Menzer: Did you go back and watch any tapes of races before 1985?

David Caraviello: What's a tape? Do they have it on Blu-Ray?

Duane Cross: Again, this is why the Hall needs a media wing -- to educate the young'uns!

3. Halfway through the Sprint Cup season, is it a surprise that the series leader in wins has been to Victory Lane only three times? And what are the odds of Tony Stewart matching that mark Saturday night at Chicagoland?

David Caraviello: Given that we had two guys each rack up a bunch of wins last year, I'd say yes, it is a surprise. Even more of a surprise is that one of the guys is Mark Martin! But seriously, I expected somebody to have at least four or five by now. Shows you just how tough it is to stay on top in this sport.

Joe Menzer: I guess it's not a great surprise. Usually someone jumps out there like Kyle Busch did last year and wins a bunch of races early, but that hasn't happened yet. Two years ago, though, didn't Jimmie wait until late to win four in a row -- and same with Carl Edwards last year. He caught fire late. Someone will jump out there at some point and go on a bit of a tear.

Duane Cross: Doesn't really surprise me that three is the magic number -- that's two guys combining to win one-third of the races. The new car was supposed to even the playing field; I guess it has. And if it weren't for some unfortunate final laps, Kyle Busch could have four or five wins.

David Caraviello: Even so, in that "new car," this time last year Kyle Busch was on the brink of getting win No. 7. That's the thing about this vehicle -- somebody hits it, and they really hit it. The potential is still there for that to happen this year.

“

Wasn't it at Chicagoland last year when Tony announced he was becoming a partner in the Haas-CNC operation? Reaching Victory Lane would seem an appropriate way to celebrate that anniversary.

”

DAVID CARAVIELLO

Duane Cross: Maybe a lot of other folks "hit it" this year and the competition is leveling out? I still think Kyle is a bit ahead of the curve.

Joe Menzer: As for Tony winning at Chicagoland, well, he obviously likes the place. He's won there twice, hasn't he?

Duane Cross: Yep -- and so has Kevin Harvick, who desperately needs a good run.

Joe Menzer: Just looked it up. Stewart won there in 2004 and in 2007. That was when he announced he was going to put a 12-pack of Schlitz beer on ice and celebrate in style!

Duane Cross: Happy has six top-10s in eight starts there, so he's gotta be giddy.

David Caraviello: I don't think anybody's really hit it this year. I think people are struggling to hit it. I think you have a lot of teams -- Kyle Busch and the RCR guys come to mind -- that made changes thinking they were making their cars better, and instead they got worse. I think the "balance" we see this year has more to do with the fact that crew chiefs are still trying to figure out this vehicle more than anything else.

Joe Menzer: I would say Stewart is as close to hitting it as anyone. That's why he's tops in points. Talk about a guy who could have even more wins, that's him. He's finished second like three times, right?

Duane Cross: Hasn't taken Grubb & Co. long to "hit it."

David Caraviello: But the stars do kind of line up for Tony in Joliet, which seems like a Schlitz kind of town. Wasn't it at Chicagoland last year when Tony announced he was becoming a partner in the Haas-CNC operation? Reaching Victory Lane would seem an appropriate way to celebrate that anniversary.

Duane Cross: Joliet, Milwaukee ... yeah, one in the same.

Joe Menzer: You are right. He did make the announcement in Chicago. More good karma for the No. 14 guys this weekend! And Harvick's wins at Chicagoland came the first two years they ran there in 2001 and 2002. Not sure that means much now. Then again, maybe Stewart's past wins don't, either. Were they running this car there in '07?

Duane Cross: Joe, Harvick has finished fourth, fourth and third at Chicago the past three races. I think he's got a handle on it.

Joe Menzer: I stand corrected on Harvick, sir. Man, one of those RCR guys needs to break through and win some time, don't they?

David Caraviello: Well, given how far they rank below MWR on Joe's totem pole, I would suppose so.

Joe Menzer: Ah, that's it. Maybe if Harvick was driving a Toyota!

Duane Cross: Again, picking on the old guy ... David, this could be an Olympic sport for you!

Joe Menzer: I'd better be careful. I don't want Richard Childress and NRA Nation coming after me. But don't think he's not worried about the Toyotas, either.

David Caraviello: Did Joe open a Camry dealership I was unaware of?

Joe Menzer: Come on, man. Everyone knows I drive a Ford Windstar minivan!

Duane Cross: Common-template car, common engine -- forget the manufactures ... let's go racin', boys!

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writers.