Track Smack: How bad is it for guys below the top 35?

1. Guys, it's a tale of two 1.5-mile tracks on consecutive weekends, so what do we have to look forward to this weekend in Atlanta, versus what we saw in Vegas?

Dave Rodman: There is a specter looming over every doggoned event in the series these days -- that being the top 35 or fear of being out of the top 35 -- but with the performance the best drivers in the world put on in Vegas, I think the race in Atlanta will be spectacular.

Mark Aumann: An older surface and cooler temperatures should make for a less slippery surface. Atlanta's one of those places where the racing is good all the way from the bottom to the top.

Joe Menzer: Well, for one thing, you will hear a lot less complaining. The combination of the reconfigured track and the hard tire in Vegas had guys sliding all over the place -- more so than you could see on TV -- and pretty darned upset!

Dave Rodman: Scaring the crap out of yourself, lap after lap, will do that. I bet some whiter men got out of those cars than got into them for the pace laps.

Joe Menzer: Dale Jr. raved about all the "world-class saves" that were being made left and right all day long. Sometimes they just make it look too easy.

Mark Aumann: Even on TV, Joe, you could see some pretty impressive slide jobs.

Joe Menzer: I was just trying to impress upon you guys that I was there, with all the bright lights of Vegas.

Dave Rodman: Bottom Line: Did you come to the track in a barrel, or what did you win?

Joe Menzer: No comment.

Dave Rodman: I'm tickled you even got to the track. But anyway, we were impressed with Juan Montoya, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Burton. Those were a few of the saves that made multiple highlight reels. But I think we'll have a better tire combination and a more forgiving surface this weekend which equals great racing.

Mark Aumann: Yeah, but why doesn't anybody show up for the races here? I know the traffic's bad -- but it's no worse than a normal rush hour. As Mike Joy mentioned at least twice last weekend on the telecast, 'good seats still available.'

Joe Menzer: You know, Atlanta has always been a very quirky sports town -- no matter what the sport.

Mark Aumann: Didn't it snow out one time when the date was right after Daytona? (Continued)