Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created one of the world's most famous fictional detectives in the late 1800s. Despite the passage of time, people still make references to Sherlock Holmes and his amazing abilities to figure out the most puzzling mysteries; or, on the other hand, how he could figure out the most obvious things that the average person misses. Hence the famous expression: 'No kidding, Sherlock', or something like that.

It is my opinion that many NASCAR fans have these incredible powers of deduction as well. Lay any racing controversy before them, and they can weed through the clues and sift through the evidence, and quickly come to the correct and perfect conclusion in the blink of a lap at Bristol. Whether the subject is as controversial as Buschwhacking or as trivial as hair pieces, some NASCAR fans have all the answers, and are enthusiastically waiting to be asked for them. Just visit any racing message board and feel the deep intensity of which some of these fans share their keen observations to see what I mean.

Recently, as part of my research to support my notions about the skills of these NASCAR sleuths, I gathered a few friends around me that share a love of racing. After everyone was settled in and comfortable, and had unanimously agreed that Mark Martin's frown lines have disappeared and been replaced by cheerful crinkles, I nonchalantly threw out my challenge.

I asked with a face as straight as the frontstretch at Pocono, "So just what is the deeper meaning of the Best Western commercials with Michael Waltrip anyway?"

The silence was deafening but only lasted a moment. After assuring them I wasn't kidding, and that this was indeed a topic that needed debated but so far hadn't been, they were off.

Tentatively at first, it was stated that the ad was nothing more than the time-honored tradition of a driver being the pitchman for one of his sponsors. As I suspected, however, this explanation was much too simple for the esteemed minds present, and then the first clarification was made.

"It's one business scratching the back of another. Big companies utilizing advertising space, the surfaces of famous racecars."

One gentleman pulled on his earlobe thoughtfully, and then offered, "The boy in the ad. He's a representation of the young people that are becoming fans of NASCAR."

"And the laptop the father uses to show the son the website with Michael's picture on it… That's the recognition of modern use of technology by even those dumb NASCAR fans…" was offered and met with chuckles of agreement.

Thus began a discussion that became a deliberation, and by the time they reached the deeper meaning of 'the whites of Michael Waltrip's eyes' (theorized to be a reference to the sobriety of most NASCAR drivers everywhere) it was a complete confabulation.

Do you not believe this conversation ever took place? That it would take such turns? That people would spend so much time debating topics that are seemingly so simple? That so many 'simple' subjects have such deep and life-altering meanings?

Research it yourself. Gather some NASCAR fans and see if it isn't true. Better yet, join a racing message board and post the wildest, most mysterious question about racing you can think of, and ask for the answer.

Then step aside, Sherlock, and let the professionals take over. It's anything but elementary.