Track Smack: Kansas

What did you guys think about Chad Knaus' $5,000 fine for swearing on TNT?

Dave Rodman: Ridiculous. By doing that, NASCAR cast more light on it than should have been done. It was so insignificant that I wondered after the fact if I had really heard it. Forgot about it in 30 seconds.

Tim Packman: Man, as much as I'd hate to say swearing isn't a part of this sport --- it is. The heat of the moment, the excitement, the joy of sweeping a track as a rookie team can be used as excuses. But -- Chad should have used a little more control on that one.

Ryan Smithson: Well, I know the F-word is a lot worse than the S-word, but I didn't see Dale Jr. or Rusty Wallace getting fined for their comments. It's not a big deal anyway. It's sad to fine a guy for it -- serves no purpose.

Marty Smith: I understand that NASCAR has to do something for the greater good, to set a positive example and all that. But I find it absolutely hysterical. They act like they've never said it. I know it's inappropriate for a national TV audience, but come on; Chad was caught up in the moment. Give the guy a break.

Tim Packman: It's not like he did it in a purposeful or derogatory manner, either.

Marty Smith: No kidding. It wasn't "Bleep you."

Tim Packman: That, Marty, would have been a different thing. Heck, you and I would go broke as many times as we say that to each other when working races together.

Marty Smith: Nice work, Pack. Now every parent in America is gonna write us, telling us we're examples for their children.

Ryan Smithson: I know Knaus has a six-figure income, but $5,000 has got to suck, even if Lowe's pays it. I think one $5,000 fine would break both of you! You'd have to take out a loan!

	The $5,000 statement.

Marty Smith: Lord, yes, Smithson. Five grand is a fortune.

Tim Packman: Fifty bucks would do me in.

Marty Smith: The Panther is only worth three grand. If that.

Dave Rodman: Like it or not, that is a common element in garage area conversations, in-car conversations -- I don't think NASCAR should try to emasculate the sports' emotion with chicken-bleep fines.

Dave Rodman: Whoops! Can we say that in Track Smack?

Ryan Smithson: You're fined $5,000, Rodman.

Tim Packman: Dave has been working in NASCAR long enough, he can pay that fine.

Dave Rodman: Did you know that "ass" is a common word in Australia? My granddaughter called her daddy an "bleephole" the other day. But she pronounced it like an Aussie -- so I guess that made it OK. Thing is, she is only 3.

Marty Smith: What'd she say, Dave? You Aussie-hole?

Dave Rodman: Something like that. My daughter can pronounciate it -- I can't.

Marty Smith: Maybe "Aussie-hole" should be our word of the week.

Ryan Smithson: Don't let your kids listen to these drivers on their radio.

Dave Rodman: There you go -- NASCAR promotes that "NASCAR on Demand." Or whatever it is -- but that stuff is rated MA for sure -- if not worse.

	Dale Jr. isn't always a choirboy in front of the cameras, either.

Marty Smith: Either way, Chad's fine is crap. They did it to Todd Parrott a couple years ago, too, though. So at least they're consistent.

Marty Smith: Fans wanna know why Junior didn't get fined for "s---." I couldn't answer it.

Ryan Smithson: Maybe Junior didn't have any money.

Marty Smith: Yeah, he's broke, Ryan. He makes more in 10 minutes than I make in two years.

Tim Packman: Highly doubt that, Ryan.

Ryan Smithson: You never know. M.C. Hammer is broke.

Marty Smith: He had a 1,000-person posse. Junior's is only like 10.

Tim Packman: He blew all his money on clothes and horses.

Marty Smith: And I think they have jobs.

	Marty's full mailbox

Tim Packman: I am laughing out loud at that one, Marty. Good call.

Marty Smith: My mail just arrived. I haven't opened my mailbox since I left for Dover last Wednesday. I probably have $1,000 worth of bills in there. Speaking of broke...

Ryan Smithson: Marty's house is so close to the road, the mailman drives by and hands Marty his mail while Marty is eating lunch.

Marty Smith: That's funny that Smithson has seen my house and lives in Atlanta. And Packman lives 10 miles away and has never seen it.

Tim Packman: Yeah, what's up with that? I had you over for dinner at mine.

The Winston Cup title has gotten all the attention -- but the Busch Series has a good title chase too. Who is going to win that?

Tim Packman: I would really like to see a guy like Jason Keller gets that trophy. He has been so close and been a staple in the Busch Series. His owner Keith Barnwell is a great guy, as well.

Dave Rodman: Tough call. But I think when you boil it down, Biffle will win because of his championship experience with Goss in the Truck Series.

Ryan Smithson: Jason Keller will pull it out, but he'll lose some points in the next few races.

Send us hate mail MartDawg Ryan Dave Tim

Marty Smith: Great question. I'd have to say Biffle. That guys drives like it's his last race every lap, so that could potentially get him in trouble. He's not one to simply accept racing for points.

Dave Rodman: If you base it on commitment to the Busch Series, both by an organization and a driver -- of course it's Keller, hands down.

Tim Packman: It's going to take two bad races by Biffle and a steady pace by Keller for him to beat the Roush power.

Ryan Smithson: I think Keller can beat Biffle head-to-head. Especially at places like Rockingham and Memphis.

Tim Packman: No, Dave. It's hands on the wheel --- much safer than down.

	The boys of Track Smack are big fans of Greg Biffle's sunglasses, even if they make him look like a fly. Credit: Autostock

Marty Smith: A Keller win would be a feel good story. He's one of the best family men in the business. That dude always puts his wife and kids first.

Ryan Smithson: Packman, you go and pick Keller, then Biffle. Please pick someone and stick with it instead of straddling the fence to please everyone.

Marty Smith: Wow. Smithson calls Pack out. This should be fun...

Tim Packman: What?!! I said Keller. Where you getting I said Biffle, dope?

Ryan Smithson: I tried to say it nicely. You said: "It's going to take two bad races by Biffle and a steady pace by Keller for him to beat the Roush power." Sounds to me like you meant Keller will have to have some luck.

Tim Packman: No, Keller will have to be consistent, like he always is. Nice try, office boy.

Dave Rodman: I hate to say give it 'til next year, but I think Jason will win the title like his old buddy Jeff Green did two years ago.

Tim Packman: I see Ryan is quiet now that he realized he spouted off again in no direction.

Marty Smith: I'm impressed with Wimmer, too. Those boys are really running well. It's absurd they have no backing.

Ryan Smithson: I'd really like to know why Wimmer is so comfortable on concrete. They can't be that different than asphalt.

Marty Smith: Yes they can. Ask any driver son.

	Jason Keller is seeking to give ppc Racing a third Busch Series title. Credit: Autostock

Ryan Smithson: Right, but there is my point: Wimmer's the only driver I see with a noticeable statistical difference in concrete vs. asphalt.

Marty Smith: You're crazy! Keller dude! Keller's the master of concrete bro!

Ryan Smithson: I mean a Winston Cup driver, Marty.

Tim Packman: No kidding, Marty. I'll back you there. Winston Cup??!! We're talking Busch Series...stick with a topic.

Dave Rodman: I applaud you for taking the time to research those statistics, Ryan.

Ryan Smithson: I just think it's interesting that he runs so much better on a particular surface. Winston Cup has seen no such phenomenon, like a Ricky Rudd dominating on concrete.

Marty Smith: Maybe it's because the races are longer? Cars are heavier? Cars are wider?

Tim Packman: Ok, then explain why Wimmer did so well at Milwaukee on the asphalt there? Because he's from there? Doubt it.

Dave Rodman: How about Stewart at Dover and Bristol? Hmmm?

Marty Smith: There's myriad potential reasons dude.

	Scott Wimmer loves him some concrete.

Ryan Smithson: Stewart's good everywhere, Rodman.

Dave Rodman: He has not been out of the top-10 at Dover -- and hardly has at Bristol, either.

Ryan Smithson: And Charlotte, Rockingham. Blah.

Tim Packman: Before we all declare war on each other, I say we move on to the next question

Dave Rodman: Packy the peacemaker, yay.

Ryan Smithson: I declared war on you guys a long time ago. Did you ever get that memo?

Predictions for Kansas? Tough race to call.

Tim Packman: I'm going with the guy who led the most laps last year and battled back to a fourth-place finish after a pit road penalty. Yes, be shocked, I'm going with Rusty Wallace.

Rodman's Word of the Week  Myriad (noun) From the Greek, meaning 10,000. Kind of like Todd Bodine's DNFs.

Dave Rodman: It will be an all rookie show. Ryan Newman goes two out of three.

Ryan Smithson: Ryan Newman in snoozer. I agree with Rodman.

Marty Smith: Ryan Newman wins. Mark Martin loses points lead to Jimmie Johnson who runs well using Gordon's race-winning setup from a year ago.

Marty Smith: Holy Lord. We all agree. That's a first.

Ryan Smithson: Packman sucks! Going with his boy Rusty!

Tim Packman: Gee, coming from you -- that really hurts. We'll see who is right on Monday.

	Ryan Newman is the man to beat this weekend. Credit: Autostock

Marty Smith: Rusty has crappy luck.

Dave Rodman: Well, I said on the radio the other night I would go with Jimmie Johnson before I'd pick Jeff Gordon -- that's the same reason I am going with Ryan over Rusty.

Marty Smith: Very crappy luck.

Ryan Smithson: Newman needs to win, drop some F-bombs on TV. Become "edgy."

Tim Packman: The idea of Newman becoming edgy is scary. He and Jeremy Mayfield have the same haircut and style every week. It's like they go to the same place Allen Bestwick does -- the hair never changes. Ever!

Marty Smith: That'll happen when that donkey in Winnie the Pooh flies by my crib.

Tim Packman: Eeyore?!

Ryan Smithson: Bestwick's hair. You know you're bored when we start talking about that. Geez.

Marty Smith: Yeah, not the most riveting subject.

	Bestwick's hair. It never moves.

Ryan Smithson: Some fan wrote in and claimed that Rusty runs too much camber on that right front.

Tim Packman: I love it, armchair crew chiefs.

Marty Smith: And that fan knows how? Can he measure from his couch?

Ryan Smithson: Maybe it was Wilburn, disguised as rustyfan002@aol.com.

Tim Packman: I know of many crew guys that like to do things like that. If you think they don't read websites on their time off; you're mistaken.

Dave Rodman: Well -- you gotta wonder. Especially in the absence of a definitive statement.

Ryan Smithson: I wonder how many team members get on message boards and bash people, using those silly aliases like mydriverisrustyandyourssucks.

Dave Rodman: I would hope no one would have that much time to waste.

Ryan Smithson: You should talk, old man, up til 5 a.m. every night! What in the hell do you do all night?

Marty Smith: Rodman stays up til 5 a.m.?

	The Panther dent, since fixed

Tim Packman: I used to love the look on the paperboys face when he'd turn around and I'd just be walking up the sidewalk coming home. Of course, that was in my single days.

Marty Smith: I can't stay up past 11.

Ryan Smithson: Marty's one of those guys who you look and think he parties hard, but he's asleep by the time Law and Order comes on.

Marty Smith: Should I buy "The Clapper?" That thing looks sweet.

Ryan Smithson: This ain't 1991, son.

Marty Smith: Functionality holds no boundaries, Smithson.

Ryan Smithson: Nope. See Pink Panther.

Tim Packman: Ouch, there's another "dent" in it, Marty.

Marty Smith: God love it.

Track Smack appears every Wednesday on NASCAR.com.

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the participants.