Track Smack: Pocono

The boys of Track Smack are on their way to the Pocono Mountains, home of rolling hills, stands of pine trees -- and heart-shaped honeymoon bathtubs!

What was all that Elliott Sadler/Ricky Rudd mess this weekend?

Dave Rodman: I find it hard to believe that Ricky and Robert Yates would not be in close enough communication to head off the rumor-incited mess that blew up this weekend to occur.

Ryan Smithson: If Ricky expects Sadler in the No. 28 next season, then I have to think that Rudd is going to retire. People talk about him going to another team for a year, but that won't happen -- Rudd won't hang on like Waltrip did. That taught a lot of people a lesson.

Marty Smith: A soap opera. I swear, this season has had more subplots than Days of Our Lives and General Hospital combined. The story changes every day. I don't think Rudd's ready to hang it up, Ryan. Even if he's not in the 28, he'll be in a good car. He can still compete, bro.

Tim Packman: Don't forget All My Children, Marty. The only thing missing this year is an Erica-related plot angle. However, the rumor mill and Silly Season silliness started three weeks into the year. Rudd out of the No. 28 car at the end of this year is hard to believe.

Dave Rodman: That's very true, Marty -- incredibly so. But if the 28 is the plum car -- if it's available -- then Ricky is without question the plum driver -- and since he could name his seat -- I don't see him retiring yet.

Tim Packman: Robert Yates said that Ricky is in the driver's seat -- literally and figuratively -- on this deal. That is a testament as to how Robert feels about Ricky and the position he is in, not too many drivers can claim that right now.

Ryan Smithson: Marty, I think Rudd wanted one more good shot to win the title. He got that last year. He has nothing else to prove or do.

	Ricky Rudd's straight-up way of talking has made him a Track Smack favorite. Credit: Autostock

Dave Rodman: I will guarantee you this -- this has got him more fired up than I have ever seen him. But I think that taste of the title has only made him even hungrier, which is why this has got him so rambunctious.

Ryan Smithson: Granted, I don't want Rudd to quit. He'll be one of those rare drivers you appreciate more after he is gone.

Dave Rodman: If I need a straight shooter on anything from the weather to Mike Helton's ties -- I can tell you I appreciate Ricky Rudd right now.

Tim Packman: Ricky Rudd is class when it comes to this sport. He came from little, worked to get his own team, struggled with that, sold it and became successful again just driving. He truly can say he's lived Winston Cup racing.

Dave Rodman: Like Harry Gant. Because I think once Ricky is gone -- he is gonna be long gone. You will see him on the rare occasion.

Marty Smith: I'm pretty impressed that he's been so vocal. He's usually pretty reserved, but in this deal he's going down swinging.

Tim Packman: A big 10-4 on that, Marty. Seemingly quiet most of the time, he can rise up when he needs to. Remember Dover last year when he confronted Rusty after the race and grabbed him. There's still plenty of fight left in that dog, for sure.

Ryan Smithson: I got a crazy idea in my head last night. Let me bounce this off y'all. I know Andy Petree would love to have Schrader back. Maybe Kenny can help line up a sponsor for the 33.

Dave Rodman: I am a little surprised M&M's would want to divest itself of Kenny. He's an M&M's kinda guy, y'know? Then again, Budweiser didn't stick and we know about Kenny and the Clydesdales.

Tim Packman : Wow, Dave. Did you get permission from Marty to be the one to give the traditional Track Smack, Budweiser plug of the week?

Marty Smith: I think that Jerry Jones deal is gonna drastically change that team, Ryan. I'm not sure they'd be after a veteran like Kenny. Dave Rodman: Yeah, but who in their right mind would want to work with Jerry Jones?

Ryan Smithson: Jimmie Johnson. Get it? Ha..

Tim Packman: Oh Ryan, the humor you put forth in Track Smack must leave you tapped out of funny lines for the week.

Marty Smith: Track Smack is complete. Smithson cracked a stupid joke. Oh wait, I haven't name-dropped just yet.

Ryan Smithson: And Rodman hasn't taken his Geritol yet.

Ricky Rudd saw a sure top-five turn into a mid-pack finish at Dover. And that sucks. Credit: Autostock

Marty Smith: I saw a crack on Harvick's message board about that. Smithson's now got people thinking I do that incessantly.

Dave Rodman: It's a sad day in this sport when someone as respected as Andy is would be compelled to go a route that -- if he surrenders control of his team -- would see it in the graveyard in three years, in my opinion.

Tim Packman: I don't know about another team owner in a different sport can come into NASCAR and get what he wants out of the deal. The Cowboys have made some big deals with corporate America (Pepsi) and players (Deon Sanders) that got a lot of attention.

Dave Rodman: You know, it's a sad individual that seeks to build his own self-esteem by belittling others.

Ryan Smithson: I am very interested to see what happens to Petree. He has a great operation and it would be sad to see him have to sell. He's a total racer.

Dave Rodman: I would support him doing whatever he needs to stay viable -- just don't give away the keys to the store. That way, you come to the door one day and the locks have been changed.

Tim Packman: If I was Andy, I would have a rock-solid contract that leaves me the majority owner in every detail of the team. Jerry could have his input, but do you think anyone would listen if he barked orders from a pit box?

Marty Smith: Petree deserves to win. Talk about a straight shooter -- that's your guy, Dave. He's such an enjoyable person, and he's not afraid to speak his mind.

Ryan Smithson: Hey Marty -- speaking of Harvick -- Rodman took me out in a go-kart race again.

Tim Packman: Dave, Marty and I will be forwarding the money to you for doing that, again. Nice job.

Dave Rodman: What is the relationship there, you Booboo? Are you saying Kevin doesn't use his brake pedal and hits people on purpose if they get in his way?

Marty Smith: That's what you get for racing at night. He's an old man -- suffers from night blindness.

Dave Rodman: You deserved whatever you got after you gigged me out of pure frustration for being unable to keep up in the Sprint karts.

Tim Packman: Dave, are you saying that Ryan pulled some road rage on you? Well, the problem is that he just can't hit the pause button like he does in his racing video games he thrives on.

Ryan Smithson: Rodman's just dirty. I tried to get out and fight him but he slammed me over the head with his walker. Marty Smith: Whatever it takes to win, son.

Dave Rodman: Whatever it takes, bro. Walkers are not as flexible in terms of weaponry as crutches are. That's why it's so impressive to see Jack Roush crutching it around.

Can Jimmie Johnson win the title? Seriously?

Dave Rodman: With what he has proven - consistently -- already, why would that be anything but a serious question?

Ryan Smithson: I really think he can. Anyone that conquers Dover in his first trip in a Cup car is plain scary. We'll know more at Pocono.

	Rumor has it that Jimmie Johnson couldn't even drink legally in 1995. Now he's pouring alcohol over his head to keep cool. Credit: Autostock

Tim Packman: I'll tell you what, I am waiting for the wheels to fall off this carriage ride he's on, but it just doesn't seem to be something that is going to happen. He is now second in points and on a tear. He and that team are doing just awesome.

Dave Rodman: With every race that goes by, and on every diverse race track that that boy excels on -- it makes you believe a little bit more each time.

Ryan Smithson: Well said, Rodman.

Tim Packman: Maybe that should be the No. 48's slogan for the rest of the year -- We Believe!

Marty Smith: There's no doubt in my mind Johnson can win it all. There is really no better team in the Winston Cup Series at this point in the season. If this continues, we're staring history right in the eye, boys.

Tim Packman: That would be an awesome piece of history to follow and cover, Marty. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Ryan Smithson: Jimmie Johnson is following the Tony Stewart path. Tony never won a Busch race but dominated in Cup. Johnson won only one Busch race -- and shouldn't have won that one, because Newman messed up -- and he is dominating in Cup.

Dave Rodman: If you rewind Smack to, oh, was it January? I thought JJ would be lucky to get more than a couple top-10s -- though I saved myself from being a total gink by saying he would at least win a pole.

Tim Packman: Gink?! What the hell is a gink?

Ryan Smithson: Doing well in the Busch Series is not important anymore. Not vital, anyway. Marty Smith: No, not vital -- but Busch is still a solid training ground. Look at Harvick and Junior.

Dave Rodman: Yup -- just like some guys show you they couldn't help but succeed in Cup, but then show they are miserably out of their level when they get there -- Jimmie has shown that he needed to get to this level to blossom.

	Ray Evernham Credit: Autostock

Dave Rodman: And he is in the perfect scenario to shine. Can you say Jeff Gordon and Ray Evernham?

Tim Packman: Add to the Evernham aura when you talk about Lee McCall. He's also a "graduate" of the "School of Ray's Way" and has led that No. 40 team of Sterling Marlin to more success than either have seen since last year.

Marty Smith: Sure, Stewart and Jimmie didn't set the world on fire in a Busch car, but sometimes equipment disallows a guy the chance to show his true mettle. No doubt JJ and Tony have that equipment in Cup.

Dave Rodman: I think it is too cool that Chad Knaus is one of Ray's -- I don't want to say disciples -- but he worked closely with him for years with Jeff. He's proved he's got his own system and it by God works.

Marty Smith: They just have so much confidence at the 48. It oozes from everyone on that team, and that's a product of Knaus. He expects to succeed, and you're right Dave, it works.

Tim Packman: One thing that does seem to be with the No. 48 team is that the "wow" factor has worn off when they do well. They don't seem so surprised at it anymore and are behaving like a team that is a veteran to success.

Ryan Smithson: Tony had good Gibbs cars in Busch. Weird.

This is one of the only known photographs taken of Steve Grissom since his return to the Winston Cup Series. Credit: Autostock

Marty Smith: It's not like Mike McLaughlin is tearing it up, either, Ryan. That's a Gibbs Busch car. Ryan Smithson: Yeah, he is. He tore up Chassis JG-14.

Marty Smith: Joke number two. Get this guy a mic and a stage.

Tim Packman: He'll be here all week, tip your bartenders and waitresses. Ryan Smithson: I need to play off the jokes today, I reckon.

Tim Packman: No, you just need to play off to stage left...and then exit.

Dave Rodman: Little Mike is a helluva lot more consistent than Tony ever was in a Busch car -- he's in the top-five in points and will win races this season. But he's found his level -- doesn't begrudge anyone else theirs. God bless him for that.

Predictions for Pocono?

Ryan Smithson: Rudd will make up for last weekend's pit error with a repeat of last spring's race. No question.

Dave Rodman: I have got to keep going to the well with Rusty. He has GOT to win sooner or later. He has dominated at Pocono in the past.

Bobby Labonte made a daring move to win at Pocono last year. Credit: Autostock

Tim Packman: I'll join you in the "Rooting for Rusty" category this week, Dave. He's a four-time winner at Pocono and it could be where he keeps the win per year streak alive.

Marty Smith: I really hope Bobby Labonte can break out of his funk and win that thing. That move he made on Dale Jr. last year was unbelievable. I hope he has the opportunity to do it again.

Ryan Smithson: You just don't pass on the outside in the Tunnel Turn.

Dave Rodman: That was pure campfire material, for sure.

Ryan Smithson: What? You can't start a fire in June.

Tim Packman: You say campfire material, I say barstool material. Either way, it sure was worth talking about for awhile.

Dave Rodman: Winston Cup racing is campground central. Of course you have to have fires -- responsibly, of course -- though in this case that strikes me as something of an oxymoron.

Marty Smith: Why wasn't that an instant classic on ESPN? What an unreal move that was.

Ryan Smithson: Cause ESPN ain't got the rights.

Dave Rodman says Rusty Wallace will win this weekend. Credit: Autostock

Tim Packman: They could set up a large screen and show it on the helipad. Marty Smith: So, they don't just show ESPN games dude.

Ryan Smithson: Rodman did it again last weekend, Marty. I made him walk to the track on Sunday. He's that dangerous.

Tim Packman: Ryan, the security guards at Kansas have Dave's picture up in ALL of the guard shacks there after his attempted one-lap wonder last year.

Dave Rodman: I don't know why. It hadn't rained so there weren't any puddles to allegedly splash all over people. Got be part of the uncontrolled mob instead of trying to decrease it by a few members.

Track Smack appears every Wednesday on NASCAR.com and the opinions expressed here are solely those of the participants, if you can call them that.