Stewart dealing right now, but oh how things change (cont'd)

2. He has a top-20 standing in points, and a runner-up finish on the Sprint Cup tour. Is Marcos Ambrose for real?

Joe Menzer: He is as for real in NASCAR as Vegemite is for real in Australia, if that makes any sense. Yes, this guy can drive. And not just on road courses. He's getting better everywhere he goes, all the time.

Dave Rodman: He definitely is, but he's been proving that since the beginning of the season. They're not in the top 20 by accident and, for a first year team, their performance is downright stupendous.

Marcos Ambrose

2009 Results

Wins	0
Top-5s	3
Fin. 6-10	3
Fin. 11-15	4
Fin. 16-20	3
Fin. 21-30	4
Fin. 31-plus	5
DNFs	2*
Lead-Lap Fin.	15

* Engine

David Caraviello: He's still a little all over the place in terms of his finishes -- 34th one weekend, second the next -- but I'll tell you what makes me think Ambrose is going to make it: 10th at Bristol, 11th at Richmond, sixth at Pocono, sixth at Daytona, 11th at Chicago. He is really, really getting the hang of these oval tracks. They need to get better on 1.5-mile intermediates, but they're definitely getting there.

Joe Menzer: And here's the thing to remember, too: he isn't driving a Hendrick-assisted car. Granted, Michael Waltrip Racing has gotten better -- but in many ways, JTG Daugherty Racing is its own one-car deal. That's what makes his performance this season remarkable. There definitely is that "it" chemistry between Frank Kerr and Ambrose -- sought by so many in the garage, and so elusive as well. Very important in this equation.

David Caraviello: Now, no question, his best shot to win is still on a road course. I think they were more disappointed than they let on with that runner-up finish Monday at Watkins Glen. That pit strategy pays off, they had the car to run away from people, and they knew it (read more).

Dave Rodman: Well, there are some better teams than theirs who are saying they're just getting their intermediate programs figured out. Didn't Jeff Gordon this weekend talk about how strong theirs had become? Ambrose and Frank Kerr have become so committed to each other, and so consistent -- and with their continuing their deal at MWR, I see a real Chase challenge next season.

David Caraviello: Well, I don't know about the Chase. There's a big difference between 17th in points, where they are now, and 12th. But go back to Montoya -- it took him three years to get this thing figured out. Next year is Ambrose's third season. For him, 2011 may be the true breakthrough year, if everything stays in place. But it is kind of wild to think that this former Supercar driver is ahead of guys like Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the point standings.

Dave Rodman: Priceless. It will be very interesting to see what develops with MWR next season. I know, at the beginning I predicted that Michael Waltrip would not be the one to fall like a stone, but I was wrong. If Little Martin [Truex] can get Bono to come to MWR with him, they could very easily have three top-20 teams next season.

David Caraviello: I don't disagree, Dave, although Truex's crew chief, Kevin Manion, has been rather coy about his future to this point. But as far as Ambrose goes, the guy is committed, and he seems to have sponsors behind him. That goes a long, long way.

Hard at work: David Caraviello and Joe "Bright Idea" Menzer

Writer's Block

Our writers can do more than ... well, write. Watch what they do and say when given a video camera and a little leeway.

• David Caraviello
• Joe Menzer
• Dave Rodman

Dave Rodman: Third year in what, DC? Cup? He raced a year in Trucks; what, two in Busch/Nationwide; and now this is his opening year in Cup. He took a beating in the lower formulae, but he's erasing the lumps this season and I don't see him looking back.

David Caraviello: I don't know how much all that Nationwide and Truck stuff helps him with these Cup cars, which are a completely different animal. But he more than got his feet wet last year with the Wood Brothers.

Joe Menzer: I think it was important also for JTG Daugherty to get it worked out so the alliance with MWR stays in place. The best thing for Ambrose/Kerr right now and that entire team will be continuity. And Marcos is an engaging guy. I mean, back at the beginning of the season, he invited me into his hauler and prepared a tasty Vegemite on English muffin breakfast for me! He even gave me a glass of milk to wash it down.

David Caraviello: Dang, between the Vegemite and the Colombian coffee, Joe is becoming quite the connoisseur of world cuisine.

Joe Menzer: I'll take a glass of cold milk -- or depending on time of day, a cold Coors Light -- over any kind of coffee, any time.

Dave Rodman: You and Juan both, though I don't know about his affinity for Coors Light! Juan said last weekend he does not drink coffee, despite being Colombian.

David Caraviello: Well then, he and Joe have that in common. The coffee part, I mean, unless the Menzer clan is originally from Bogota.

• Ambrose: Tranformation from outsider to contender
• 1on1: Like most Aussies, Ambrose eats Vegemite (Continued)