Smack: If this is Pocono, then Pocono just got good (cont'd)

3. It's on to the road course at Watkins Glen, N.Y., which begs the question -- which road layout is better, Watkins or Infineon Raceway? And do any of the ringers stand a chance this week?

David Caraviello: OK, I love Infineon. Love it. Best trip on the circuit. I could go out to those dusty hills --and wine country, and San Francisco, and the spectacular Pacific coastline -- once a month. And Infineon is great on TV, given all the elevation changes. But Watkins is a superspeedway with a few kinks thrown in. It's spectacularly fast. It's a whole different animal, and a much better race track, I think.

Raygan Swan: Well, I may be totally wrong but when was the last race won by a ringer? Late '70s? I don't know. I get sick of hearing about ringers. The regular Cup guys know how to drive these things on road courses by now. And I like The Glen far more because of its speed.

Montoya mania

Mike Bell says this Watkins Glen is the place Juan Montoya breaks through and captures his first win of 2009.

• Fantasy Report: Watkins Glen
• Track Facts: The Glen
• At the Track: Watkins Glen
• Fantasy Preview: The Glen
• By the Numbers: Watkins Glen

Joe Menzer: I guess I'm partial to Sonoma, but probably only because I've been a regular the last few years working that race at Infineon. I really like that layout and think the races there have been great. And anytime I can make a trip to the San Fran area -- I'm partial to Fisherman's Wharf over wine country, but then I'm a beer drinker -- I'm all for it. Dinner at Scoma's, followed by a stroll down the Wharf. Doesn't get any better than that.

David Caraviello: OK, Joe, but what about the race track? You forgot to mention that part. One pace car ride around Watkins Glen -- with the tires squealing in the curves, hitting 100 mph at the end of those long straightaways -- made me a believer.

Joe Menzer: Ah, yes. The race track. Maybe we should get back to that ... I think Watkins Glen is very interesting with its long straightaways and yet 11 turns mixed in. No doubt about it. I haven't yet had the pleasure of working a race at the Glen -- I think it's one of only three tracks I have yet to visit in my three years on this job -- so that probably taints my vote in this case.

Raygan Swan: Um, I hate California and love the lakes up north. I stayed in a bed and breakfast last time at Watkins Glen, Tony won the race, and I had organic breakfast every morning.

David Caraviello: Wow. Tony Stewart and clean eating. That's a dream weekend for Raygan Swan.

Raygan Swan: I know, and as for the Glen over Sonoma, I think the Glen is more of a team track whereas Sonoma is more in the drivers' hands. Jeff Gordon says you really have to know how to finesse the throttle there. And guys, Sonoma and wine country are useless to a pregnant woman.

David Caraviello: I know this is off-topic, but how can you hate California? I know it's broke, and can be struck by an earthquake at any second, but the place is beautiful. Of course, so is the Finger Lakes region of New York. Ithaca, though, is no San Fran.

Raygan Swan: Ithaca! Amazing, and smells clean and looks green. And I had amazing pizza on the campus there.

David Caraviello: Well, I've never smelled Ithaca that closely, but I'll take your word for it.

Joe Menzer: Not surprising that the Pizza Queen enjoyed an amazing pizza on the campus of Ithaca College now, is it? It doesn't matter that much what we think on this topic, compared to what the drivers think. We get off too easily on the off-the-track amenities. They actually compare the quality of the two tracks for the racing they produce.

David Caraviello: Yeah, but you know what? We don't live in a motor home lot for four days, either. I really think race fans would get more out of their trips if they struck out a little to see what some of these places had to offer. I mean, I know they're there to watch racing. But how long can you sit on top of an RV?

Joe Menzer: There we go again, getting off the track. But I hear you, buddy. You gotta live and branch out, even when you're in town for a race. Then again, some of those folks have everything they need right at their campsites!

David Caraviello: As for the ringers, I don't know how much of a threat they'll be, given that they're not exactly in top-notch cars. This one could come down to two former ringers, though, in Montoya and Marcos Ambrose. Ambrose was third there last year and JPM is always a threat on a road course.

Raygan Swan: Branching out is the best part of the race weekend. I do some of my best shopping on race weekends! And as for ringers, I agree David, though maybe Patrick Carpentier will show us something running for Michael Waltrip Racing.

Joe Menzer: Ambrose and Montoya really went at it in Sonoma. But in the end, Ambrose was driving far more aggressively going for the win and put a couple of great moves on Montoya, who backed off and settled for sixth. They'll be in the mix at the front again at The Glen.

David Caraviello: And I will be in the mix to find some of that legendary organic pizza!

Joe Menzer: If Montoya and Ambrose are toward the front again this weekend, it will be interesting to see if Montoya backs off in search of protecting a good points day again this time. I say no, that he's too hungry for a win and will go for it. I hope so, anyway. Ambrose probably would celebrate a victory with a Vegemite Pizza from Down Under.

David Caraviello: Yeah, what would you think of that one, Pizza Queen?

Raygan Swan: Um, I'm open minded, but no Vegemite please.