Smack: Penske move has Keselowski on fast track (cont'd)

2. Which is more to blame for all the crashes last weekend at Montreal: the rain, or the reign of impatience?

Joe Menzer: Man, before we get into all that, I really felt bad for Marcos Ambrose losing the race like he did by making one mistake on the last turn. Not that I'm hating on Carl Edwards or anything. But that would have been huge for Ambrose, and instead it was a huge heartbreak.

David Caraviello: If I read one more time that "this is why NASCAR drivers shouldn't compete in the rain," I'm going to lose my religion. That wreckfest wasn't about rain. It was about guys not driving smart and slamming into one another. Even on dry pavement, too many guys were way too impatient on that tight road layout. Maybe they should have a mandatory driving school before road races now on the Nationwide side. Sure looked like they needed it Sunday.

Foreign intrigue

NASCAR has made that bona fide international past time, road racing, an integral part of stock car lore -- and many of its regulars have excelled at it. But Sunday was a high-water mark even as the race itself, at many times, appeared to be a true comedy of the absurd, says Dave Rodman.

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Joe Menzer: Funny, but I didn't know you were religious, David!

Raygan Swan: Amen!

Joe Menzer: Yeah, can we get an Amen, brother?

Raygan Swan: Is that Madonna he's quoting, Joe? Losing My Religion? No, REM! Ha! She was Like a Prayer. I need to dust off my halo!

Joe Menzer: I don't recall ever seeing a halo around your head, girl.

Raygan Swan: That's because your glasses are too old. Anyway, I think this might have been a combination of inexperience and rain, but more about rookie drivers. And yes, the Ambrose bobble was sad but I was happy to see Carl freakin' win for a change. But he didn't seem to think racing in the rain like that was "awesome" or anything. Maybe insane was the word he used, I forget. Rain or shine, I'm indifferent. I just like to finish a race.

David Caraviello: I will tell you this: when the race stayed green, the action on wet tires was some of the best racing we've seen in NASCAR all year. The shuffling at the front of the field was fantastic. Those guys were really going after one another. It was very entertaining to watch, until somebody in 23rd spun to bring out a caution. And "losing my religion" is an old Southern expression for getting angry.

Joe Menzer: Father, I have a confession to make. I am beginning to rethink a column I wrote a few weeks ago -- and not only because of what you say about the latest rain racing in Montreal. I wrote then that I thought racing on rain tires was a bad idea. About 15 minutes after I filed that piece, I did an interview with Humpy Wheeler, who knows a whole lot more about it than I do, and he completely disagreed with me. Along with several dozen e-mailers who had lost their religion (they were angry with me) and said I hadn't done my homework, was an idiot ... you know the routine. So maybe, just maybe, I was wrong.

Raygan Swan: So what you're saying is, maybe the Cup Series should consider rain tires? Might be nice considering all the Monday racing we've done this season.

David Caraviello: Well, they'd only be able to do it on road courses. But this isn't the first time we're seen a glut of impatience on the Nationwide side, in wet or dry weather. Heck, one of those last cautions was brought out by a crash caused when Edwards shoved Andrew Ranger out of the way, and cars stacked up behind them. But when it was green, it was great stuff.

Joe Menzer: Actually, Humpy seems to think they could start on road courses, then try it on short tracks, and eventually run them just about everywhere except the biggest superspeedways. And he said he thinks it's inevitable.

David Caraviello: I love Humpy, but I'll believe that when I see it. As for Montreal ... my jaw dropped when Ambrose popped over that rumble strip and lost the race. Couldn't believe it. And watching Ranger and Edwards go at it was great. Made me wish for more rain!

Raygan Swan: So as far as racing in the rain, are we just waiting for the technology or R&D to be completed?

Joe Menzer: Well, last time I checked, Humpy has said a lot of things -- and NASCAR hasn't always been on the same page. (Continued)