Smack: Pettys make news and Pocono was a snooze (cont'd)

3. When we last saw Michigan, it was raining -- and raining, and raining, and raining. Kurt Busch won the Tuesday race to vault into the Chase. Can the driver of the Blue Deuce do the same thing this time?

Mark Aumann: Kurt showed some impressive resiliency Sunday. That was a great finish after a rough start.

Raygan Swan: I'm going with a Roush Fenway driver in Michigan. I'm not really confident with Busch, even though it would be nice to see him win this season.

Mark Aumann: The guy who seems to be on the charge right now is Matt Kenseth. Four consecutive top-10s ... and he's been awesome at Michigan.

Autostock

Last year was more boat than car.

More from Michigan

• By the Numbers
• Power Rankings
• Crew Chief Corner

David Caraviello: Kenseth should be a threat this weekend, continuing his rebound. Amazing how that team has bounced back. They looked doomed a month or so ago. As for Busch, he's still down there, 21st in points. But Pocono was a good start, and he's very good at Michigan. Of course, he also has a much deeper hole to dig out of.

Raygan Swan: Mark, have you checked the forecast?

Mark Aumann: I'm just hoping that the only swimming I do this weekend is in the hotel pool.

David Caraviello: I believe Sunday is 85 and partly sunny which is surely welcome news to the folks at the racetrack. That second race last year was a trial for everyone involved.

Mark Aumann: Well, we had similar forecasts last summer, David. The sun was partly behind those rain clouds every day.

David Caraviello: We knew the rain was coming. I think back to that weekend, and I still can't believe the amount of rain. I remember waking up every morning, peeking out the window, and seeing a typhoon. It just didn't stop. Fans were leaving early, angry they couldn't get money back. It was a tough situation. By Tuesday, the race was almost an afterthought. Everyone just wanted to get it over with.

Raygan Swan: It's amazing to see how dedicated fans can be though. Fontana was a good example of how fans will show up come hell or high water

Mark Aumann: Hey, you and I had the high water there this spring.

Raygan Swan: We sure did.

Mark Aumann: Yeah, every time I pack the Coppertone, I get a Morton Salt commercial instead.

David Caraviello: Mark is a magnet for the wet stuff. But last year's first race at Michigan was run under sunny skies and won by Carl Edwards. I'm sure track officials will take those conditions, and Jack Roush would take the result.

Raygan Swan: How many wins does Roush have in Michigan? 10. That was the win that allowed Carl's coach driver Tom to shave his mountain-man style beard that literally had creatures living inside.

David Caraviello: So if Carl wins this time, does the coach driver have to shave his head?

Mark Aumann: Michigan can be a hair-raising experience.

David Caraviello: So bring a pair of shears, Mark. And a raincoat. Just in case.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writers