Track Smack: Atlanta

This week's Track Smack is only 1,409 words, or 50,145 fewer than the average Dave Rodman column.

What's up with the driver changes so early this year?

Tim Packman: Seems team owners are wanting success a little quicker than usual, to me. Kelly Denton had a feeling he was going to get let go after the Vegas race. Turned out to be the night before instead. Now, Andy Houston is out of the ride that was supposed to be his ticket to success just three races into the year.

Ryan Smithson: It's economy-related, and it will only get worse. With all the sponsorship woes, it really leads to a large domino effect, and it will only increase. Sponsors are demanding immediate results, which means owners demand immediate results.

Dave Rodman: The pressure is always on -- but this is absolutely ridiculous. When a guy with as much potential as Andy Houston can go only three races with a brand new team, be 11th in points when at least one of the guys in front of him isn't even running the whole series, then get fired -- someone is way too quick on the trigger.

Marty Smith: I don't know, but it's unsettling. Andy Houston is an awesome guy, so I don't know what went wrong there. Now I don't know the situation, not at all, but he had one top-10 and was 11th in the points after three races. That's no chump change, if you ask me.

Tim Packman: The question, which we won't get answered, is whether it's talent, personality conflicts or lack of chemistry?

Marty Smith: I'd have to say chemistry, Packy. That's got to be the underlying culprit here. I just hate it for Andy. He's had a tough couple of years.

Ryan Smithson: Well, it's like this. A guy like Todd Bodine in a good Busch car is good for 1-2 wins. A guy like Andy Houston will finish eighth in points, but I didn't think he would win this year.

Dave Rodman: Boys, it's a given that at any of the three national series, talent is a given. Packy's latter two points are bigger than most people would give them credit for being.

Poor Andy Houston is in search of another ride. Credit: ASP

Marty Smith: That 92 is a great car, too. He would have won races in it, Ryan.

Tim Packman: Many teams would be happy to be 11th in points three races into the season. Chemistry is a tough thing. I could never get those damn symbols right in school. Now, if they would put numbers on the side of them like race cars.

Ryan Smithson: I do not think so, Marty. Andy's still relatively inexperienced outside the Truck Series. Bodine's been Busch racing for 10 years.

Marty Smith: Yeah, my best friend is a chemical engineering Ph.D. at Virginia Tech. He shows me his papers. I laugh.

Tim Packman: It's some tough stuff, huh, Marty?

Marty Smith: Understatement of the century, Pack.

Marty Smith: I see your point, Ryan, but I still think he would have been in contention at places like Bristol.

Kevin Grubb (left) with Bobby Hamilton Credit: ASP

Ryan Smithson: I wonder if the team's owners called Bodine, or if Bodine called the team's owners looking for a ride.

Tim Packman: This whole season has been a weird one, so far. Bodine said in Vegas that he has not called any team to say he was available, if his Cup deal goes away.

Ryan Smithson: This business is so cutthroat. Only the strong (or shrewd) survive.

Dave Rodman: You're right on the economic effect, Ryan. You have got to be a salesman -- and that means you have to sling a certain amount of bull. Then, when your driver can't fill the enormous bill you created, he's the one out the door -- that's just pathetic.

			Todd Bodine Credit: ASP

Tim Packman: It's either the crew chief or the driver that gets the ax first. So much for all those pre-season, "I'm so excited to get this opportunity" press releases, huh?"

Ryan Smithson: You better perform. There are a lot of good drivers available.

Marty Smith: It's annoying, for sure. And don't think it's not taxing on the drivers, too. Those boys worry like hell about whether or not they're stable.

Tim Packman: Do we get the, "I'm so excited to be able to drive for another team now" press releases now?

Marty Smith: I bet the Herzogs talk to Kevin Grubb, too. Bodine's an obvious choice, but lil' Grubb can wheel it if he has good equipment. He finishes third a lot.

Ryan Smithson: Marty, have you talked to Kevin Grubb since he was hired to drive the 54 car?

Marty Smith: Nope, he changed his cell phone number on me.

Dave Rodman: Todd is probably the best commodity on the market right now, with his fabricating skills and chassis knowledge. However, I think he does not want to go so far as saying he's leaving Haas/Carter -- they have at least one good deal hanging on the edge of the table -- they haven't said "uncle" yet, by any means.

Does Chevrolet need a break?

Marty Smith: If you ask the fans, yes. I bet I've gotten a thousand emails on that very subject.

Ryan Smithson: I doubt it. They've been in a lot of crashes already. They've had terrible luck.

			Dale Earnhardt Jr. Credit: ASP

Marty Smith: It's a never-ending cycle, this aerodynamic stuff. I'm glad I'm not Mike Helton or John Darby. Those boys simply can't please everybody. It's impossible.

Tim Packman: If someone told me there would be only three Bow Tie Boys in the top-20 on points three races into the season, I'd have laughed.

Ryan Smithson: Dodge has stolen their thunder.

Marty Smith: Had? They've got two of the first three wins, bro

Tim Packman: Jimmie Johnson and Jerry Nadeau led the way in Vegas with finishes of sixth and 15th. That's not too good.

Marty Smith: Represent, Jimmie. I love that guy.

Tim Packman: He's a pretty cool cat.

Ryan Smithson: Flyin' Ryan Newman. He needs to do something like throw a helmet, scream at someone. He's too mild-mannered.

Tim Packman: He is a very-laid back individual, as well. He just likes to race cars then fish and hunt in his off time. Can't be too much more down to earth than that guy is.

Ryan Smithson: Still, I am talking PR here.

Michael Waltrip (left) and Tony Stewart Credit: ASP

Tim Packman: Oh, didn't recognize PR talk coming from you.

Ryan Smithson: I am very excited to come to work today. I hope I can do well.

Marty Smith: Naw, Jimmie's mad cool -- one of the most genuine guys you'll ever meet. As for Newman, he's quiet but he's got serious game. He'll liven up, man. He's a rookie, trying to keep his nose clean. That's respectable, I think.

Dave Rodman: Racing is politics. Y'all didn't know that. I really had to laugh the other day when I was talking to Marc Reno about what kinds of cars he was gonna build for Indy.

Ryan Smithson: Marc Reno? The former Attorney General?

Dave Rodman: Her husband. Helluva wrench and a damn good cook, too.

Ryan Smithson: He cooks for you? Wait, don't answer.

Marty Smith: I'm a good cook, boys. I made some killer stromboli for my wife and me last night.

Ryan Smithson: Killer, huh. Nice metaphor.

Marty Smith: From scratch, too. I rolled the dough like Betty, son.

Tim Packman: There you go, Marty's personal life update. Track Smack is now complete.

Who will win at Atlanta this weekend?

Dave Rodman: I woulda said Jerry Nadeau if the Chevys weren't so hamstrung.

Tim Packman: Will it be another Chevrolet? Would hate to wager on that one with the way things are going. But, if I had to pick someone I might want to go with Tony Stewart.

			The Danbury Delight Credit: ASP

Marty Smith: Tough call, but I'm gonna go with Bobby Labonte or Harvick. I know the Pontiacs and Chevys are crying for aero help, but I think they're gonna be the boys to beat.

Ryan Smithson: Carl Long. I am putting $5 on him this weekend. When he dodges the 42-car wreck and wins, I'll be a billionaire.

Dave Rodman: I would have to go with Bobby Labonte myself. He tends to go a little stagnant, and just before he really starts to stink he pulls a little "W" out of his hat. Actually, I change that wager. Nadeau and Furr will get their fuel calcs right and the "Danbury Delight" will edge Labonte -- but by a couple cars, no fender job this time.

Track Smack appears every Wednesday on NASCAR.com and the opinions expressed here are solely those of the participants.