Martin, Hornaday proof age just number even as racers (cont'd)

3. Back to Martin. Does his victory at New Hampshire make him the championship favorite as the Chase heads to Dover?

Joe Menzer: I still believe that the odds-on favorite is three-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson. Until it is proven otherwise, the 48 team is the best and the most consistent in the Chase setting. And they're sitting right there on Martin's tail. But Martin and a couple of others have made it mighty interesting.

Dave Rodman: Mark has a lot sportier history at Dover than he did at New Hampshire, that's for sure. Whether he wants to talk about it or not, he's racing neck-and-neck with Johnson for it right now. First man to blink drops. That's the way they're apt to run from here on out.

David Caraviello: Yes. Absolutely, unequivocally yes. Loudon was perhaps Martin's worst track in the Chase. Now we go to Dover, where he's very good. Oh, and the points leader leaving New Hampshire has won the Chase in four of the past five years. History is on Martin's side.

Joe Menzer: I say you can't rule out Denny Hamlin or even Juan Montoya. They have positive momentum going, too, and believe they can do it. That's half the battle right now. And it's so early, someone else might yet jump up there to contend, too.

Dave Rodman: This could be one of the most fascinating Chases -- and as much as the lead up to this was the best ever, I think -- the most competitive, as well. Johnson's still in a position to have to get the title ripped out of his hands, and he won't release it easily. But considering what Montoya said that Martin did to him to win at New Hampshire, the guy is crafty enough, benignly ruthless enough, and has certainly lost enough to know exactly what he has to do to win this championship.

Joe Menzer: Let's be honest, though. As much as I respect the No. 48 team and Jimmie's driving ability -- as much as I like Johnson personally, and I do -- I believe it would be better for the sport to at least have someone give him a run for the money right to the end, and maybe even beat him this year.

David Caraviello: Goodness, the natives would be hanging from street lights in celebration if Martin were to win the title. That would go over like free money. People would eat it up, especially those more traditional fans who have felt alienated by the sport in recent years. They'd go crazy over an "old school" driver besting the kids. But we're still nine races away from that happening.

Joe Menzer: Then again, Johnson becoming the first driver to win four championships in a row is a pretty good story, too. As would be Montoya or even Hamlin. To me, it's good stuff and will stack up better against the NFL than the old format would have. So bring it on. Can Dave "Emeril" Rodman cook up some Chase tailgate food for us?

Dave Rodman: Sure thing, Joe. It's impossible right now to tell what a rock 'em, sock 'em Chase will do for anything. No. 1, it's stacked against the NFL, and that's a no-win situation. The race at New Hampshire was great, but after a stretch of ratings improvement, I guess ratings were down. So it's impossible to figure this stuff out. But Martin, at least, looks to be in 'til the bitter end.

David Caraviello: I think that's two consecutive weeks of down ratings, no surprise given that the sport is now head-to-head with football every week. But you can't argue with the product on the race track right now. New Hampshire was riveting stuff. And the longer he stays in it, the more Martin will attract national attention. We get to Homestead and he's still leading, it will be a very big story everywhere. Now, all that said ... I'm sticking with Johnson to win the title. He's the only guy who wasn't leading after Loudon and came back to win. He still has favorable tracks coming up. I'll believe he gets beat when I see it.

Dave Rodman: In a relative sense the Chase will play better, but it still loses to football, even on the college level. When you're in a media center on a Saturday, the Truck race is live and 10 TVs are on football and one of the dinky ones is playing the Truck race, you know you have a problem. When the Chase opener is running and media people at the track have their fantasy football teams up on their tubes non-stop, you know racing will never overcome the margin. Now mind you -- I'm not saying it's a bad thing -- but to quote our pal Robby Gordon, "it is what it is."

David Caraviello: Dave, thanks for reminding me. I need to set my fantasy lineup for this week! Anyone spare a quarterback?

The opinions expressed are those solely of the participants.