Albert: And even if you do penalize with points deductions, a victory this weekend would advance a penalized driver to the Chase’s next round, no matter how many points you take away.
Bruce: Good point, Zack. It could impact a driver trying to advance without a win, but if they take points away and the guy wins, where’s the penalty? … I was surprised that Kenseth wasn’t at least fined for his role in the altercation with Brad. Would have liked to have had a better explanation of how they came to that determination.
Cavanna: No punches thrown, Kenny. I think Matt inched up to the line, but didn’t cross it. The Ambrose/Mears conflict at Richmond in the spring featured a direct punch and left another competitor with a black eye. Once Kenseth got a hold of Kez, I think he just wanted to talk.
Albert: Is giving a noogie a P1 violation? If we’d had a Kermit Washington impersonation by Kenseth, maybe there’s more to it, but I think it falls under the heading of a shoving match with no blood spilt.
Bruce: Oh, he wanted to talk, all right. But Mears threw no punches and was fined. Of course, he was deemed "the instigator." Should have a T-shirt made up with that on it.
Albert: I know we dealt with a good amount of unhappy fans Tuesday, but had there been a suspension, the howls would’ve been about NASCAR officials hand-picking a champion whose name doesn’t rhyme with Reselowski.
Cavanna: Gad Reselowski? I think he raced in the ’50s.
2. Brad Keselowski, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. rank as the bottom three in the Sprint Cup standings. Who has the best chance of staving off elimination in the Contender Round finale at Talladega?
Cavanna: Tough question to answer. I picked Dale Jr. to win the race in this week’s NASCAR.com Preview Show. So by that logic, he has the best shot.
Albert: By that logic, he’s jinxed beyond all hope.
Cavanna: But in terms of points, Kes can at least see a light at the end of the tunnel. If he avoids a big wreck that takes out someone like Kenseth or Kahne, Brad advances.
Kenny Bruce: I think Mr. Reselowski, I mean Keselowski, has the best shot. Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. are tied, and eight points or so behind Brad, so that’s eight positions they need just to finish ahead of him — not including all those ahead. Plus, teammate Joey Logano made no bones about helping his teammate this weekend. Also, Ryan Blaney, who will be in a third Team Penske car, mentioned helping BK out.
Cavanna: Hey! I’ve picked a few winners, Zack!
Bruce: Isn’t that our version of the SI cover jinx, Alan?
Cavanna: I don’t need the Nation mad at me. … I like your point about the Penske cars, Kenny. Logano and Blaney need no other agenda than helping out the 2 car.
Albert: That said, I think Brad is going to need all the aero help and/or reinforcements he can get after last weekend. But to your point, Alan, I think Dale Jr. finds some of that ‘Dega magic from days of old.
Bruce: Correct, Alan. Hendrick guys and the Joe Gibbs Racing bunch have enough on their own plates without worrying about a teammate; Harvick, Edwards, Newman … they’re lone wolves out there.
Cavanna: This format is so odd. Who’s more nervous on Sunday? Kes/Junior/Jimmie or Hamlin/Edwards/Newman, etc.?
Albert: It’s going to be crazy. The live standings might resemble a roulette wheel. … Funny that there’s this guy we haven’t been talking about — Johnson. How does a six-time champ fly under the radar like this? In years past, I don’t know that I’d have bet against the 48 camp come Chase time. Now? Just not seeing the bulletproof aura around them.
Cavanna: Radar only extends so far. Jimmie is barely within striking distance.
Bruce: Right about the 48, Zack. Who would have thought we could have described them as average? But truthfully, that’s where they’re at right now. They need to change the Lowe’s slogan from "Never Stop Improving" to "Improve Faster."
Albert: Maybe they surprise us, but there’s room for (home) improvement.
Bruce: Nice.
3. The last few Talladega races have given us surprise winners, major multi-car crashes and stunning finishes. Will we see more intensity in Sunday’s Chase elimination race? Is that possible?
Bruce: I think so. The racing there has gotten so crazy the last few years. If they come across the start/finish line six-wide with half of them upside-down, I wouldn’t be surprised.
Cavanna: It’ll all depend on the situation and who is running where and when. If the "bottom 3" are in the back half of the top 10 with two to go, I predict chaos.
Albert: The only two drivers sitting pretty right now are Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick, who have already punched their tickets to the next round. The rest? Who knows.
Cavanna: If it’s a guy like Edwards/Newman/Hamlin, etc., I think they do all they can to bring it home in one piece and advance.
Bruce: I’ve wondered all week if there was a chance that we "over-sell" the race, but honestly I just don’t see that being the case. Heard someone say the other day that even with the multicar incidents in the spring race, there were still 20 or 21 cars on lead lap at the end of the race. So more than half the field still had a shot. How often do we see that?
Cavanna: It’ll be interesting to see if someone advances because his team makes quick repairs from an early wreck. Every position is going to matter.
Bruce: I don’t think we’ll see shades of Benny Parsons’ team rebuilding his car to get him back out and win the title, but you’re close, Alan.
Albert: Not only that, all the alliances and grudges will come into play. And even if crews tell you they won’t pay attention to the standings as they run, here’s betting they’ll have it in view out of the corner of their eye.
Bruce: I more expect pit-stop calls of "So and so stops for four fresh Goodyear tires, two cans of Sunoco fuel and a shot of Mylanta …"
Albert: Will officials allow an extra crewmember over the wall for antacid relief.
Cavanna: What would Gad Reselowski do?
Kenny Bruce: Drive it like he stole it?
Zack Albert: Someone stole the pace car during pre-race at Talladega several years back. He also drove it like he stole it (fans, don’t get any bright ideas).
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