Track Smack: Pocono

The people of Track Smack really want to tackle some tough issues, so send your suggestions for questions by email, and we will use some next week. On to Pocono.

What needs to be done about the track surface at New Hampshire? Obviously, they have to race there again in two months.

Dave Rodman: If they hadn't have re-paved it after they did it the first time, I think it would have been fine. Turns 1 and 2 did not come up -- only what they put down a month earlier. The days were hot, the tires were wide and sticky and the combination of tire shards and gravel was pretty dicey.

Marty Smith: Though I'm no expert in the dynamics of laying asphalt, that track obviously sucked. They need to make sure it doesn't come apart again, then repave it after the next race and leave it the hell alone for a year.

Tim Packman: I don't know what to tell you on that one. I am not an expert asphalter and I've never played on TV. But, from what I saw and heard from the drivers after the race, something should be looked into to prevent a repeat of last weekend.

Ryan Smithson: Something. Anything. The racing was terrible in Turns 3 and 4 and pretty good in Turns 1 and 2. To me, that's a worse problem, because you are really in a bind as far as what to do, since both corners are similar.

Marty Smith: If they screw it up again, Nadeau may boycott! He was furious, said it was the worst track he'd ever driven on.

Tim Packman: You were there, Dave. Was it the second phase of paving what appeared to come up?

Joe Nemechek goes for a spin. Jeff Green co-stars. Credit: Autostock

Dave Rodman: No one will boycott. If they were gonna do that they would not have come back in September 2000.

Marty Smith: Good point, Dave. We certainly have to commend the Bahres for their effort. Racing at N.H. has never been stellar, and they wanted to make it better. Good idea. Bad execution.

Ryan Smithson: What was weird was that the Busch race at Loudon in May was really, really good. You could pass. On Sunday, the only way you passed was by staying out on bad tires. That's not racing.

Dave Rodman: It was cooler in May and the Busch cars are lighter and less powerful. The track had a tiny bit more time to cure, then. Before this race, when they re-did 3 and 4 it was obscenely hot -- just like it was over the weekend.

Ryan Smithson: Dave knows the track better than the three of us combined, so let me ask him this: couldn't they just shorten the track a little and widen it more? Makes no sense to have a mile track with such long, flat straights.

Marty Smith: Offer us your wisdom, Davey.

Dave Rodman: Everyone is fixated on doing something other than a Richmond style track. But, if everyone did three-quarters then we'd have too many Richmonds.

Tony Stewart's Pontiac sits in the grass at Loudon. Stewart finished 39th and dropped a ton to points. Credit: Autostock

Marty Smith: Dave Rodman: president, NHIS Asphalt Committee.

Marty Smith: Son, Richmond is where it's at. Bristol is the only place that can touch RIR.

Ryan Smithson: I don't see the trouble with having another Richmond.

Tim Packman: One more Richmond wouldn't be a bad thing.

Dave Rodman: I was gonna say, sure, they could cut four-tenths of a mile off it -- all they'd have to do would be to fill in and re-dig the tunnel; rebuild the garage areas -- actually, all they would have to do is nuke it and then rebuild it.

Are you surprised Sterling Marlin still has the points lead?

Tim Packman: No, not really. Lee McCall knows how to keep the guys in check and not let the pressure get to them that they start to unravel.

Sterling Marlin has held the points lead since Rockingham. Credit: Autostock

Dave Rodman: Not by the way he ran at the beginning of the season. Any criticism of them right now would kinda smack of what everyone is saying about Jeff Gordon.

Marty Smith: Not at all. It's not like he's some flash in the pan. They have it all at Ganassi. Even though he hasn't been setting the world on fire lately, he's been consistent.

Ryan Smithson: I was very, very impressed that he finished 14th at New Hampshire. I figured Martin would score a top-five and take over the points lead, but it didn't happen.

Marty Smith: Are you ever right, dude?

Ryan Smithson: Not this year. Been tough to call.

Marty Smith: I was gonna say, it's not like I can talk. I'm never right, either.

Marlin has just two finishes out of the top 20 -- and one of those was a 21st. Credit: Autostock

Dave Rodman: Sterling has been steady if unspectacular, and when you combine that with how rocket like he came out of the box -- yes -- he should still be leading.

Tim Packman: Sterling has the patience of a veteran and Ganassi the leadership skills to guide the whole team to success.

Tim Packman: Do any of us think Rusty can still sneak up there and snatch it away at the end?

Marty Smith: I think Rusty certainly still has a shot, Packy. He's right in the hunt right now. If he wins one or two, look out.

Ryan Smithson: He won't win two races.

Marty Smith: Wallace is likely stoked you discount him, Ryan.

Tim Packman: He needs to win one to keep the streak alive, if nothing else. But, the team has had some consistent runs. He has Pocono, Indy and The Glen in front of him. That's three places he's been successful.

	Neither Jeff Burton (left) or Rusty Wallace has a win in 2002. Credit: Autostock

Tim Packman: I bet you a case of beer that he wins at least one, Ryan. And, I pay my debts.

Marty Smith: Here we go on the debt crap again...

Ryan Smithson: I didn't say a word about it, Marty.

Ryan Smithson: It sure would be interesting to see Rusty needing a win in the final three races to keep that streak alive. He's probably more proud of it than Rudd was of his.

Tim Packman: He has said he was starting to feel the pressure to win a few weeks ago. But, backed out of that to concentrate on the big picture and it's helped in the last few races.

Ryan Smithson: But I know one thing -- Rodman just said he would win 3-4 of the final 18 races. Talk bout pressure.

Tim Packman: Dave, I'll borrow it from my 17-year-old if I have to pay up.

Dave Rodman: Don't ever get yourself in the position where someone will decline to give you cab fare to escape a forest fire when he didn't pay them back for a cheese sandwich.

Ryan Smithson: What? Take another Xanax, Dave.

Tim Packman: What the hell is that all about?!

Marty Smith: Holy cow, Dave. What in the name of Rain Man was that?

Ryan Smithson: I kind of hope Wallace wins no races and cruises to the title -- maybe NASCAR would consider some changes to the points system.

Dave Rodman: That is not going to happen -- on either count -- so let's keep on trucking.

Predictions for Pocono?

Marty Smith: Jarrett wins again.

Ricky Rudd chases teammate Dale Jarrett at Loudon. Again, Jeff Green co-stars. Credit: Autostock

Ryan Smithson: My little Jeff Gordon jinx is working nicely, so let's pick Wonder Boy to win again next week. Maybe he won't miss any shifts.

Tim Packman: Pocono is as tough as the rest of the season to pick. But, I'm going with Ricky Rudd, again, to redeem himself.

Ryan Smithson: Yeah, you could tell by Jarrett's comments that he was ready to go to Pocono and kick buttocks.

Marty Smith: He's awesome there, Ryan. There is no more vital venue for that Yates power than up in ol' Long Pond.

Ryan Smithson: I am definitely going to spend a lot of money to have Rudd and Jarrett on the old fantasy team.

	Dale Jarrett's win at Pocono in June was his third at the 2.5-mile track. Credit: Autostock

Dave Rodman: Ricky's situation is a little too volatile to risk a fantasy pick -- but then again, who did you put on there on my advice last week. I guess I just lost my last leg to stand on.

Tim Packman: I am afraid to look at fantasy results anymore.

Ryan Smithson: This new tire has been a nightmare for fantasy players.

Dave Rodman: Ryan Newman is going to make a breakthrough and make it to Pocono's Victory Lane -- then apologize to Bob Straight when he gets there.

Ryan Smithson: Newman has scored some good runs at places where you didn't expect him to beat Johnson.

Marty Smith: Newman drives so damn hard he wears that car out. And Pocono is attrition heaven.

Ryan Smithson: Ain't that the truth. I love it.

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

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