The words "we're putting the band back together" always provokes a warm, fuzzy feeling in me.

When there were seven or eight organizations that could win on any given weekend -- instead of four -- assembling the right crew chief, chassis guy, shock engineer and driver could provide instead results.

That's not the case with the new car. Finding the sweet spot on this car is similar to hitting a moving target.

Even if the best band of racers -- and we're talking the equivalent of the Mount Rushmore of the garage - tried to build the perfect car under these conditions, without the resources of a Roush Fenway Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing or Joe Gibbs Racing any attempt would be futile.

So when someone suggested the possibility of Rusty Wallace returning to competition, I became nostalgic. Rusty was my first NASCAR interview way back when. The initial buzz had Wallace, 52, driving for Dale Earnhardt Inc. or Chip Ganassi Racing -- both teams in need of sponsorship. I asked around. When I tracked down Kenny Wallace for quotes for a story that he'll be driving the No. 00 this weekend for Michael Waltrip Racing, I had to ask: C'mon Herman, inquiring minds want to know. Well, my homey from The Lou (St. Louis, our hometown) swore me to secrecy.

So imagine my surprise when I was sent this link

Well folks, there it is. Rusty wants back in a car. While my conversation with Herm was off the record, and we will keep it there, I will weigh in on the obvious: Rusty the driver was a success. Rusty the owner has struggled. I can't imagine what his fabrication bill must be a month with son Steve behind the wheel. It's painful to listen to the Nationwide Series race when the No. 66 Chevrolet is involved in an altercation. It's as if broadcasters that get paid to speak are suddenly at a loss for words.

Certainly, a former champion such as Rusty still has broad appeal. Even in an economy this dire, it's likely he could attract sponsorship - if he hasn't already. Over the coming weeks, Wallace's plans will become clearer.

You might have to find Herman for the answers though...

Now that you've had a chance to read about NASCAR's top drivers, I'd like to hear from you.

What do you think about NASCAR's "Rock Stars"? If you were creating the criteria, what makes a certain driver "NASCAR's Royalty,"and which drivers are on your list?

In case you haven't yet, be sure to check out the story about the top drivers in the sport as well as Don Hawk's analysis and the photo gallery of the sport's superstars.

It's your turn to speak up, let us know what you think.

It is amazing how calm and cool (some would wrongly say Robotic) the guy to the right of these words is right now.

Just 10 races ago, this man had built up an insurmountable 300 + point cushion on the rest of the field and could very easily have coasted to this season's championship had the often dreaded "Chase for the Nextel Cup" never been created.

However, as anybody who followed along with our coverage this season knows, his lead was erased because of the Chase championship deciding formula (as a matter of fact, not only did he lose his advantage, he lost the overall top spot in the standings to teammate Jimmie Johnson because he had won more races in the 'regular season' in just a matter of minutes)

All throughout these 10 weeks, from the time the Chase started to when he regained the lead to the time he lost it for good as Johnson recorded his third and then fourth consecutive victories, Gordon has been given ample opportunities to voice his displeasure and trash NASCAR for costing him a title (make that two, as he would have won another one a few years back had the point system remained the same).

He never did.

Oh sure, he made a suggestion here or there - but this gentleman of the sport never once challenged NASCAR for "cheating him out of a crown" as many fans on our message boards and across the internet have said.

Was he upset that he didn't win the 2007 Nextel Cup Series championship? You bet, but guess what - this guy isn't giving up on his "Drive for Five" just yet.

So if he doesn't feel cheated.....could he really be the biggest loser of this year's Chase?

These are just my thoughts, what are yours?

Sound off below

While the main focus of everybody this weekend will rightfully be on the championship battle (or coronation, since everybody appears to be conceding the title to Jimmie Johnson), there are multiple storylines to follow during NASCAR's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

One I find intriguing is the one concerning Denny Hamlin.

Just one year removed from a magical freshman campaign, one that saw Hamlin finish an unexpected third in the standings, the driver of the No. 11 FedEx Chevrolet has come back down to earth.

Sure, it was incredible that he qualified for the championship deciding Chase for the Nextel Cup for the second consecutive season, but he has yet to produce (or to name drop the sponsor, deliver....) in the postseason. Since the Chase began at Loudon, Hamlin has scored a mere two Top-10 finishes while scoring three finishes of 25th or worse.

He has one last chance at redemption this weekend at Homestead though, where (ironically) he finished third last season as well. Not only does he have the motivation of ending the season on a high, but he also turns 27 on race day. And oh yea, it is also his last race in a Chevrolet before the Gibbs organization goes to Toyota in 2008.

Do you think Hamlin can turn it around, or will he continue his postseason slump?

Let us know your thoughts,

 It's tough to be the king.

Just ask recently crowned Busch Series champion Carl Edwards.

Not 24 hours after getting his hands on his first major NASCAR season title, Edwards found himself struggling at Texas as a sway bar problem kept his team from making his No. 99 Office Depot Ford driveable.  As a result, he finished 26th, 3 laps down.

Can he turn his luck around this weekend? Looking at past performances, it looks likely. In six starts at "The Desert Jewel," Cousin Carl has recorded two top-fives, four top 10s and an average finish of 11.7.

No, Carl won't be able to establish history by winning both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series titles in one season, but a triumph this weekend would go a long way to establishing momentum for next year....and making him feel like a king once again.

But what do you think?

Let us know your thoughts,

Sound off below