Smack: Hendrick, M'ville and ... the Octomom?

1. Jimmie Johnson has won four of the last five races at Martinsville, but Hendrick Motorsports -- in fact, no Chevrolet team -- has yet to win this year. Odds of Johnson breaking through in southern Virginia on Sunday?

Joe Menzer: I certainly wouldn't bet against Jimmie Johnson at Martinsville. But Jeff Gordon has been pretty good there, too, and is knocking on the door of Victory Lane. I'll say the odds are pretty good one of the two will win.

Raygan Swan: I think the odds are very good for Johnson, but the odds are just as good for the points leader Jeff Gordon. This weekend will be a battle of who will wear the Mr. Martinsville crown.

David Caraviello: Even money. He's good there, and although Joe Menzer recently chronicled how they think they have everybody right where they want 'em, that group isn't quite at the top of the heap yet. I might be inclined to go with the crowd and pick Gordon as well. But I'm not. Those Gibbs guys are rolling right now. Denny Hamlin would be my choice.

Raygan Swan: If I had to pick one, I'd go with Gordon. Joe is right, he's close to a win. And hopefully, he won't have sleet and snow to contend with on Sunday, like last spring.

Joe Menzer: I think Gordon is close to ripping off several wins -- say something like three in an eight- to 10-race stretch. They can taste it, and they've got their act together. It's only a matter of time now. Of course, I think you could say the same about Jimmie as well.

Raygan Swan: One of the only things Gordon is doing differently this year that Jimmie was already doing is working out. What do you think of that?

Joe Menzer: To answer Raygan's query, what I think of that is that maybe they ought to start getting Junior to join the workout party. But that's another story...

David Caraviello: I don't think it's a coincidence that it came down to the two most fit guys, Johnson and Edwards, last year. I will say that Gordon and Kyle Busch appear to be the drivers to beat right now, but as we saw last year, a lot can change in a short period of time. Hard to believe that Johnson has back-to-back top-10s for the first time this season.

Johnson or Gordon?

Jeff has seven wins at Martinsville, Jimmie has five. Together they have nine of the last 12 wins at the track. Their numbers at Martinsville are mind-boggling.

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Joe Menzer: As for Jimmie just now posting back-to-back top 10s, as he said the other day, they are light years ahead of where they were a year ago. They've actually had a little bad luck and made a couple uncharacteristic mistakes to hold them back.

David Caraviello: Oh no question, they didn't dig nearly as deep a hole for themselves. Maybe they get to Martinsville, everything clicks, and they start leaving people in their dust the rest of the year. I don't think it happens, but it's not outside the realm of possibility.

Raygan Swan: I hope it doesn't happen. That will make for a really long season. Besides, I want to see Gordon win again, to see if he can stay on top.

Joe Menzer: Here's the thing: They're ready to get rolling, but Kyle Busch already is. We've pointed out how Gordon is better and more determined than ever to start winning again. Then there are the Roush Fenway guys and Kyle's JGR buddy, Hamlin. The competition is ramped up and ready. It won't be some kind of cakewalk for Johnson to go get his fourth championship. But I do think he's poised to give everyone a run for the big money.

David Caraviello: I have a nice, kind gentleman who e-mails me all the time claiming that Hendrick and Chevy haven't won yet because of the troubles at GM. I don't necessarily buy it, because Rick Hendrick has said that manufacturing money makes up only a small percentage of their budget. Seems to me that small teams might feel the pinch a little more. But the longer we go without Hendrick or Chevy winning, the longer those questions linger.

Joe Menzer: If Gordon and Jimmie were falling off the map, or if Mark Martin hadn't won two poles already, your "gentleman" might have a valid point. As it is, he doesn't have a leg to stand on with that conspiracy theory.

Raygan Swan: Yeah, and Dodge has won, and they are certainly in worse shape among the Big Three.

David Caraviello: Oh, I completely agree, Of course, try telling him that. The fact that Gordon has led the points all but one week this year is lost on him too.

Joe Menzer: I can't believe Bill Kimm is that clueless.

David Caraviello: Shhhh!

Joe Menzer: Whoops. I'm sorry. You wanted the e-mailer to remain anonymous? (Continued)