Track Smack: California

Marty Smith was nearly late for Track Smack because of his hair-bleaching appointment. (He is going to California, after all).

It's been a year since Rusty Wallace has won. Why is that?

Dave Rodman: Too much turmoil. Not that he and Robin were at each other's throats -- or that he and Billy haven't meshed... It just shows what a fine line you have to be walking to win in Winston Cup.

Ryan Smithson: I really wish I knew. I am not gonna pretend I know. But I think a big thing is that you aren't seeing Rusty dominate where he usually should, like Sonoma and Bristol. He got screwed at both Richmonds last year, and that hurt.

Tim Packman: Rusty certainly hasn't lost his edge or his talent. When he was kicking butt winning 10 races a year, there were only about seven guys winning races. Now, we have 16 guys winning races and the level of competition has increased. Nobody is a sure bet at a track like they used to be.

Marty Smith: Rusty's often said luck, and it's tough to disagree with him. It's not like he's been running 30th every week. I think they've fallen off a bit on their qualifying.

Dave Rodman: He hasn't forgotten anything. But why did it take Jeff Gordon 14 races to get a top-five since his last win, for God's sake? Some things are indescribable - or not easily possible to figger out.

Dave Rodman: To a degree, I wonder how much of an unsettling experience it has been to get Ryan Newman in the camp as his teammate? The kid is obviously bad fast -- and he is a legitimate threat to win at most places. That puts unneeded pressure.

Marty Smith: I'm not sure it's pressure from Newman, Dave, though it could be. A lotta times when a young buck comes in guns-a-blazin' like Newman has it'll ruffle some feathers among the old guard. That could be a legitimate point, bro.

Rusty spins at Martinsville in 2001. Credit: ASP

Ryan Smithson: I'll bet he is really digging to win a race before Newman does though. Hey, I don't blame him. It's certainly understandable.

Tim Packman: Rusty was third in points for a few weeks before he even led a lap. Just imagine where he'd finish if he didn't have to pass all those dudes for a top-10 finish?

Ryan Smithson: Doesn't seem to bother Jeff Burton, Packman.

Ryan Smithson: I saw in a magazine that picked Newman to finish in the top 10 and didn't pick Wallace. I wonder if he noticed that.

Marty Smith: If he did, it pissed him off.

Ryan Smithson: But Marty, you know as well as I do that it will be tough for Rusty to finish in the top 10. Especially with four Roush cars right up there.

Jack Roush (left) with Kurt Busch Credit: ASP

Marty Smith: Probably so bro, probably so. But I swear he's still one of those cats that could reel off a couple in a row, Ryan. Do that, and you're in the hunt.

Dave Rodman: Hey, I think the fact that Rusty is where he is despite not winning, etc. etc. -- indicates he will end up top-10... if not better.

Ryan Smithson: Right, but Rusty does not have a top-five finish in 2002. But, I think he's completed every lap but one this year. I guess I am thinking that Jarrett, Bobby Labonte will rally, and a few of the current 10, like Rudd and Busch, will stay there.

Tim Packman: Speaking of Roush...Get better Jack!! Track Smack is pulling for you.

Marty Smith: Totally. We're all behind ya Jack. That dude will be back, y'all. He's tougher'n woodpecker lips.

Ryan Smithson: Speaking of Roush, I got a feeling that Busch might win this week.

Marty Smith: Busch very well may win California, son. He amazes me. He's one of the most indomitable young'ns I've ever seen. He's fearless, and well spoken, too. Killer kid, that guy.

Ryan Smithson: I guess I will admit fully that I didn't think Busch would do jack this year -- maybe a top-20 points finish. He has amazed me. I was wrong. Again. Life goes on.

Ryan Smithson: Now, if I can just get that $50 from Marty....

Marty Smith: For the love of Donald Trump son, get over that friggin' $50.

Tim Packman: Get over it??!! You were the one encouraging the bets that night. You just had the wrong superspeedway that Jr. would win on.

Marty Smith: Easy Packman. This doesn't concern you son. It's between me and Hawaii 5-0 down there in Atlanta.

Speaking of money -- are Terry Labonte and Kyle Petty back?

Dave Rodman: Back? Where were they ever gone to?

Terry Labonte Credit: ASP

Ryan Smithson: Dave, they ran in the back for say, uh, two solid years.

Tim Packman: If there is one guy I am truly happy for it would have to be Kyle Petty and how he has done, as of late. That whole organization could use some bright moments.

Marty Smith: A couple good finishes doesn't mean you're back, dude. Look, I'm as happy as anyone for Kyle, but you've got to remember he was GREATLY assisted by a 24-car junkyard.

Ryan Smithson: I saw a horrifying headline the other day. It said, "Petty gets first top-10 since 1999." Ouch.

	Kyle Petty Credit: ASP

Dave Rodman: Again, the fine line between competitive and mediocrity. They didn't forget anything. Where they, maybe in Kyle's case, preoccupied? But with Kyle hooking up with Steve Lane and getting Robin Pemberton in the house, and Terry getting Jim Long, they are like dogs on hydrants.

Ryan Smithson: I hate it when people say "hooking up" when it means "working with." Sounds a bit too raunchy.

Marty Smith: How old are you Ryan?

Tim Packman: You can tell Ryan hasn't "hooked up" much; otherwise it wouldn't have sounded raunchy.

Ryan Smithson: Not with crew chiefs, anyway.

Tim Packman: Haven't gotten to that level yet, huh?

Marty Smith: Smithson's hookin' up days are history. Homeboy's getting hitched...

Ryan Smithson: But again, not to a crew chief.

Dave Rodman: Kyle is dramatically better, Dawg -- he hasn't missed a race yet this season... And Terry led his first lap in more than a year at Texas -- he has been startlingly better just about everywhere...

	Buckshot Jones Credit: ASP

Ryan Smithson: Dave, you are so off track. We are talking about hooking up with crew chiefs, not racing.

Marty Smith: I hear ya, Dave. And believe me, I'm stoked that Kyle's back to competitive form. It was tough seeing him go home early so much.

Dave Rodman: Now he fires Buckshot to make him look like a whipping boy.

Ryan Smithson: Whoa! Big accusation from Rodman!

Tim Packman: Buckshot earned his release. It's not like it was a big shock to him or anyone else.

Dave Rodman: Are you gonna sit there and tell me Buckshot was the worst Petty car this year, so far?

Marty Smith: A fan wrote me and said if I picked on Buckshot one more time he'd whoop my ass. I about died laughing.

Ryan Smithson: A fan wrote me and said I picked on Stricklin too much -- that he was about to go off and win a bunch of races. I about died laughing.

Ryan Smithson: Buckshot has a cult following. I know. My dad is one of his fans. When he wrecks, he always calls and screams "Buckshot!" Then he hangs up.

Marty Smith: I bought Kenny Chesney's new CD today. It's the shizzle.

Tim Packman: Who cares?

Marty Smith: Those who didn't grow up in Buffalo.

Tim Packman: Hey, he got busted in Buffalo for attempting to steal a sheriff's horse. It's the only way he could make news up there.

Ryan Smithson: What does this have to do with Terry Labonte running really well?

Marty Smith: I bet Terry Labonte is a Kenny Chesney fan. He's from Texas, after all. Texans like country music.

Tim Packman: Well, Terry is from Texas and people like country music in Texas. There, there's your connection.

Ryan Smithson: Well, that explains it.

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