Track Smack: Indy

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Do you think Ganassi is really going to come out and announce that he's hired Ricky Rudd?

Marty Smith: If he in fact hires him, uh, yeah. Announcements are big these days. Sponsors like that kinda stuff. Don't you remember the Derrike Cope announcement with Bahari Racing and Sara Lee in 1998? Biggest waste of money -- and muffins and cookies -- I've ever seen.

Tim Packman: And yet, another chapter of "As the Rudd Rolls" continues in the garage area. Chip isn't one to walk around and intimate what he's going to do regarding things like that, anyhow. If it does happen, it should come in the next two weeks. Or, at least by July 15 -- of next year.

Ryan Smithson: We've heard since late June that this deal was possible, but what I can't believe is that Yates will simply let the Havoline sponsorship go with him, although I guess it's business these days. I know the 28 is Yates' baby.

Dave Rodman: Ricky has a pretty imposing package in his favor: No. 1, he's a bad-ass driver; If No. 2, he has Havoline arm in arm with him; and No. 3, Chip would never turn down another potential championship winner.

Marty Smith: In all seriousness, the deal seems to hinge on the car number. The rumor in the garage is that Havoline wants to go with Rudd, but they're adamant that the No. 28 goes with them. That's strictly rumor, but that's what's being tossed around the garage.

Ryan Smithson: Marty, that's the thing; I think Yates would want that number no matter what.

Will Robert Yates be slick enough to keep Havoline as his sponsor? Credit: Autostock

Dave Rodman: If what Ricky says is true -- Robert is a total businessman -- he doesn't so much care about so many years with Havoline as he does to having two big-money deals with M&M's and UPS -- IF what Ricky says is accurate...

Tim Packman: But if Rudd goes, will Fatback and the boys follow him over there? If I have five or so years with Yates, I might stay to keep my benefits and such.

Marty Smith: No, Tim. Fatback won't go with Rudd. Fatback's staying at Yates.

Ryan Smithson: So now, Jimmy Spencer is caught right in the middle of all this crap.

Tim Packman: How is Jimmy involved? The Target deal is good for another two years, minimum, from what I understand.

Marty Smith: Come on Timmy! Don't be that naive bro! These days "good for another two years" means "get the job done now, or that two years becomes two months." You know that buddy!

Ryan Smithson: Marty, I think it's two days, not two months.

Marty Smith: Either way, it's now.

Tim Packman: A little sarcasm sprinkled in to Track Smack doesn't hurt, Marty.

Ryan Smithson: With Rudd, Chip's going to be three-for-four in having drivers over 40!

Marty Smith: Easy, Packman. I know you're still easing back into things after 700 beers in three days, but you needn't get all huffy.

Tim Packman: You underestimate me on that count.

Dave Rodman: Despite Fatback really coming to the forefront with Ricky, I don't think they'll be together after this year. And that's cool -- them being together only provided a better vehicle for Michael to be noticed by a wider range of people but he is good, make no mistake -- whoever he's gonna be with.

Dave Rodman: In his Insider's View on Tuesday, you saw that Chip believes in Old School.

Ryan Smithson: Dave, you hit the nail right on the head. Wasn't too long ago that Fatback was working on an anonymous team before Ricky hired him.

	Robert Yates may have some important questions to answer in the near future. Credit: Autostock

Dave Rodman: He was just as good then -- or potentially so -- so RYR becomes a chapter that they can both look at fondly as a building block in their careers... But I bet Ricky wishes circumstances could've worked out a little different.

Ryan Smithson: Ricky's going to look a little weird in a Dodge at first. I can't believe Ford would let him go.

Tim Packman: That's if he goes there to a Dodge team.

Ryan Smithson: What else would Ganassi run?

Marty Smith: You reckon he'll lose fans if the switched car makes? A lotta people are diehard blue oval supporters, you know.

Ryan Smithson: He'll lose a few, gain a few.

Ryan Smithson: I think you'll see a lot of Elliott Sadler bandwaggoners!

Marty Smith: Lord, yes. That's an understatement.

Dave Rodman: Ford is more concerned with keeping Busch, Kenseth, Newman and their ilk happier -- I bet Ford feels like Ricky is getting near the end of his rope. I hope he makes them eat that thought.

Ryan Smithson: Good point, Rodman. Two in a row for you. One more and we have a new Rodman record.

Marty Smith: If a fire ant bites you, what happens? I got zapped twice yesterday pulling weeds.

Ryan Smithson: It hurts.

Dave Rodman: Damn, Dawg -- you got ants in your pants?

Marty Smith: Got two huge welts.

Ryan Smithson: Welcome to home ownership! Unless you're the type to pull weeds when you rent!

Marty Smith: Do they bite or sting?

Tim Packman: See, there's another reason I just weed whack them things into oblivion.

Dave Rodman: Just don't scratch 'em and you be fine.

Ryan Smithson: Scratch 'em, Marty!

Marty Smith: Suckers hurt, man. Lil' bastards. I'm going to get out some Raid, put those boys outta their misery.

How come no one is speculating about who will drive the No. 25 Chevy?

Marty Smith: That's a great question, one many fans have inquired about. It's really kind of odd that no one's too concerned about who's driving that ride next year. It's a Hendrick car, after all.

Ryan Smithson: Maybe Buckshot's working out a secret deal!

Joe Nemechek likely is happy that no one is wondering who'll be driving the No. 25 car next season. Credit: Autostock

Tim Packman: With Nemechek signing a 2002-only deal, that could leave the door open to some up-and-comer in the Busch Series that Hendrick might want to grow with. Heck, he has son Ricky to turn to, if needed.

Ryan Smithson: Ricky's not ready.

Dave Rodman: He wants to nurture his son, Tim -- not kill him.

Dave Rodman: That would be the mistake of the decade.

Tim Packman: Ricky does need a little more time in the Busch Series. I'd look for him by 2004 or 5, at the soonest.

Marty Smith: Poor Joe can't catch a break. That cat's wrecked a lot in the 25. Not by his own doing, of course.

Dave Rodman: Joe has got the ride for the rest of this season and he has got plenty of races to prove that he deserves to be there. By about the end of September, depending on how these next 5-6 races go, that one will heat up.

Ryan Smithson: Rodman, I think Joe would need a win or five to keep that ride for next year.

Marty Smith: He could win, Ryan. Atlanta. That team is awesome at Atlanta.

Ryan Smithson: Would be nice to see. By then, they will have already announced a driver, though.

Tim Packman: One race won't make the difference on the No. 25 deal. With Sadler departing the No. 21 Ford, who's headed there?

Ryan Smithson: The Woods will hire a Brazilian from CART, concentrate on winning some road course races. Brazilian moves to Virginia. Becomes state hero.

Tim Packman: Yeah, right.

Dave Rodman: What are you doing on your day off, Ryan -- smoking some of those weeds you've pulled?!?

Marty Smith: I reckon the 21 is still up for grabs, but I think it's going to be Mike Wallace's ride in the end. I'd like to see Stacy Compton get a shot at that thing, though.

Tim Packman: Maybe they'll send him a letter asking him to drive.

Ryan Smithson: Hey Mom! I got a FedEx! They want me!

Marty Smith: Dude, that was hysterical.

Ryan Smithson: Mike Wallace told Wally Dallenbach to call A.J. about driving at Watkins Glen. Not sure if he was serious or not.

Tim Packman: Did he forget how helpful Wally was to Petty Enterprises last year when qualifying the car at The Glen?

Ryan Smithson: Ha! Wally did great, didn't he?

Tim Packman: Yeah, he was an off-road course driver that day.

Ryan Smithson: I remember a guy saying: "you missed it, Ryan. It was painful to watch."

Marty Smith: Wally's a baller, y'all.

Tim Packman: Excuse me?

Ryan Smithson: Basketball. Marty says he plays hoops well.

Marty Smith: Naw, pace car.

Ryan Smithson: You mean he's a good pace car driver?

Marty Smith: He's a phenomenal pace car driver.

Tim Packman: I know the dude is big on the hunting thing. Not my style to sit in the woods and wait for animal to come to me just to mount his head on my wall.

Marty Smith: Yankee.

Ryan Smithson: I shoot cows. It's a lot easier.

Tim Packman: No, just don't like hunting. When's the last time you went, Marty?

Marty Smith: Last Thanksgiving.

Tim Packman: What, you went to the store and bought a turkey, right?

Marty Smith: Went with my buddy, Jack.

Ryan Smithson: Roush? Cool.

Marty Smith: No, Daniels.

Wow. Pretty long Track Smack. Any time for Indy predictions?

Marty Smith: Naw, we're never right anyway.

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

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