Track Smack: Charlotte

James Taylor sang "In my mind, I'm going to Carolina." Well, the Winston Cup championship chase is heading for Charlotte this weekend, although the boys from Track Smack are definitely NOT in their right minds most of the time.

Championship thoughts?

Ryan Smithson: I honestly believe that Jeff Gordon is out of it, only because of the number of drivers he has to pass. I know Alan Kulwicki rallied from 278 down in the same amount of time, but he was dealing with only two other guys. And I don't see Stewart having problems.

Tim Packman: If there is one driver that can hang onto and win the championship, I would have to say it's Tony Stewart. He may slip to second once, maybe twice, but he is strong in the second half of the year and gets real focused when he sniffs a title. Just look at his Triple Crown in USAC for proof.

Marty Smith: I said before last week's race that I thought Stewart would prevail, and obviously after Sunday's run it's his title to lose. Martin and Johnson will both be awesome at Charlotte, but Tony's the man at Martinsville and Homestead and with his personal troubles behind him, I really believe he's going to hang on and win it.

Ryan Smithson: Tim, I usually think you're full of it, but you bring a good point. Stewart has already won points titles more than once. He's a veteran.

Marty Smith: Ryan's said it countless times, that Stewart is a second-half driver. I just think he smells blood, and he's going to keep attacking until he gets that meal.

	If Tony Stewart wins the championship, how far will he throw the trophy? Credit: Autostock

Ryan Smithson: Well, it's all about stats. When Stewart actually finishes a race, it's always a top-five. That credit goes to his team as much as Stewart. Gibbs knows how to win a title.

Marty Smith: Speaking of top-fives, boys ... Ryan Newman. That kid's unbelievable! I think he may give Tony a run for his money, actually.

Tim Packman: He's not going to make a big deal out of the points race until Homestead, though. He basically told everyone last week that he isn't going to discuss a championship until the season ends and he has the trophy.

Ryan Smithson: Newman will be on everyone's list next year.

Marty Smith: I still think Tony's going to win it all, but dude, Newman's a machine.

Tim Packman: Newman is coming on strong, Marty. He's the one who has picked up the most spots in the second portion of the season.

Ryan Smithson: By far. No one else is close.

Marty Smith: As I was writing Sunday, the points sheet was thrown in my face. When I saw he was fourth, it took me a while to grasp it. He's just plain kickin' ass ...

Send us some love MartDawg Ryan Tim Dave

Tim Packman: Hate it for Marlin, after Charlotte, he will be out of the top 10 for the first time since last year's Daytona 500. That is impressive.

Ryan Smithson: So you guys agree with me that Gordon was eliminated last week?

Marty Smith: I agree with that statement.

Tim Packman: Don't beg, Ryan. Agreeing with you once was enough for me.

Marty Smith: 201 points is insurmountable at this point.

Ryan Smithson: Marlin stands to lose a lot of Winston bonus money.

Marty Smith: Hell with the money. He's not worried about eating tonight, man. He wanted that hardware.

Tim Packman: A true racer like Marlin wants wins.

Ryan Smithson: Not sure Sterling will get another shot like that. He's 45 years old. We'll see next year.

Marty Smith: Sterling was obviously dejected Friday at Talladega. We all felt awful for him. He's hysterical though, that guy. His jokes about his neck brace -- which I best not repeat online -- had me peeing myself.

Ryan Smithson: Oh man, I love the guy. I would have loved to see him make the rounds in New York.

Tim Packman: He keeps his sense of humor about him, that's for sure. You could make a book of his Marlinisms.

Marty Smith: Is that religion, Pack? Marlinism?

Ryan Smithson: Marlin: "Car run good, we'll try next week."

	Somebody stick a No. 40 Coors Light Dodge sticker on that collar. Credit: Allsport

Tim Packman: Hmm, might be for some of them there in Tennessee.

Ryan Smithson: Marlin: "Just one of them deals, man."

Tim Packman: My favorite, "The best part about this deal is the beer."

Ryan Smithson: Sterling's got a list of 10 things he can say after a race, depending on the situation.

Marty Smith: All of them include "Coors Liiiiiight Dodge"

Ryan Smithson: Marlin win: "Boys worked hard." Top five: "Car run good." DNF: "Hate it for the boys. Cooooooooooooors Liiiiiiiiiiiiight Dah-ge."

Marty Smith: You know what's funny about that, Ryan. I can totally hear him saying it in my head. I know he was sick for his team.

Ryan Smithson: I read somewhere that Sterling is the most well-liked driver in the entire garage.

Marty Smith: He wanted really badly to win it for those guys. I heard they were crying in the shop.

Tim Packman: He does have that voice that just sticks in your brain. He's got to be one of the most imitated drivers --- outside of Ward Burton.

Ryan Smithson: Ward's gotten a lot better. Sterling stays the same.

Tim Packman: Is it that Ward has gotten better? Or, we've just been around him long enough that we now understand him? Just a thought.

Ryan Smithson: I think his speech has improved.

Marty Smith: I gotta be sure to listen to Ward and Frankie Stoddard. Their voices are completely opposites.

Ryan Smithson: They probably use flash cards to communicate.

What will be the impact of Penske switching to Dodge?

Tim Packman: The announcement is scheduled for this weekend when Dodge will announce the 2003 lineup. But, looking at the last few races, there haven't been too many Dodges in the top spots.

	Hey, Rusty, I got the new Playstation and a high-definition TV just for wearing this on my driver's suit! Credit: Autostock

Ryan Smithson: Well, for one, Ford loses the best young driver out there. Maybe even the best driver. They kept Rudd, but they lost Rusty and Ryan.

Marty Smith: Now I'm completely ignorant about manufacturer help, but I'd bet Dodge puts a lot of effort into that bunch. I know Ford does, but it just seems like Dodge is so damned determined as a manufacturer. I could be wrong, that's just what shoots through my feeble mind...

Ryan Smithson: Evernham will be their third team!

Marty Smith: I disagree, Ryan. Ray started the whole thing.

Marty Smith: They're not gonna hang him outta the draft, bro.

Ryan Smithson: Yeah, but you know what I mean.

Ryan Smithson: Ray will have to work even harder -- be even under more pressure -- to be a top-flight Dodge program, with Ganassi and Penske.

Tim Packman: The common templates for the roof next year make the front end the big difference for next year. But, Dodge would love to get Penske on its side.

Ryan Smithson: Obviously, without Evernham, we wouldn't even be having this conversation.

Marty Smith: Ray's going to find an edge soon, man. He's hanging out with those F1 boys. Before long he'll have some crazy system in place that leaves everyone scratching their melon.

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Ryan Smithson: I don't know, man. Two of his three cars run in the back nearly every week. He definitely needs something. Mayfield will start next season under the gun.

Tim Packman: And, the fact that Penske and Ganassi are "neighbors" in the race shop area could be helpful, too.

Ryan Smithson: Packman, being a neighbor ain't got anything to do with it. Rodman lives on the beach but he never goes.

Tim Packman: He doesn't know how to get there, Ryan.

Marty Smith: Speaking of Dodge, poor Casey Atwood can't get a break. I really believe that kid's better than his stats show. He's had like 14 crew chiefs in two years.

Ryan Smithson: Yes, let's talk about Atwood. He's an interesting case. I am getting ready to defend Atwood here.

Tim Packman: The floor is yours.

Ryan Smithson: Atwood ran better in the 19 last year than Mayfield has this year.

Tim Packman: What this is, folks, is one guy from Tennessee sticking up for another.

	Next time, we want to hear you cover "Sweet Home, Alabama." Credit: Autostock

Ryan Smithson: Well, I consider Mayfield to be from Tennessee, too, though. He lived in Goodlettsville.

Marty Smith: Son, you're crazy. Mayfield bleeds blue.

Tim Packman: Don't go irking the folks from Owensboro, Ky., Ryan.

Ryan Smithson: Atwood's extremely talented. They have not given him the proper tools. He's like Barry Bonds when he was with the Pirates.

Marty Smith: Oops, I used the word "son."

Ryan Smithson: Hendrick needs to get Atwood and stick him in a car for 36 races.

Marty Smith: Ryan, I apologize. Some fan ripped me for my "blah blah blah" lingo the other day. He cited "son" as a problem. He's obviously not from Virginia. I call my Daddy "son."

Ryan Smithson: Marty, I've started calling everyone "son" because of you. And that's not a good thing.

Marty Smith: Wait, I'll get you that guy's email address.

Tim Packman: So, if you're not from Virginia, you don't know what's going on?

Marty Smith: You guys can have a love session about my lingo. Anyway, about Atwood...carry on....

Ryan Smithson: Anyways, back to Atwood. If he is not careful, he'll be without a good ride for next year. He'll be like Kevin Grubb -- forced to wait for something.

Predictions for Charlotte?

Tim Packman: I just have to go with Tony Stewart on this one. He's never been on top in Winston Cup and a win at Charlotte would give some breathing room if, that's if, he faltered some in one or two races.

Ryan Smithson: Jimmie Johnson gets pissed off, leads 4,000 laps at Charlotte, including the last one.

Marty Smith: I agree with Smithson. Jimmie and Chad have Charlotte figured out. So long as he's not taken out on the pace lap, he'll win it. Martin will be awesome, too, but Jimmie will be a little better, I'd bet.

	With all that money, Dale Earnhardt Jr. still can't afford to pay someone to sweep up. Credit: AP

Ryan Smithson: Tony Stewart ain't going to falter. Not after driving well with assault charges over his head. He'll be fine.

Marty Smith: No kidding, Ryan. His ability to stay focused with all that crap on his mind is pretty amazing.

Ryan Smithson: I wonder if Stewart will flirt with Kelly Ripa after he goes on Regis after winning the title. She is so cute. Not beautiful -- cute.

Tim Packman: Ahh, Ryan. I don't think the motors, transmissions and such knew anything about the assault charges.

Marty Smith: Come on Packman! What the heck was that comment!

Ryan Smithson: Packman's on dope. Speaking of dope -- Super Troopers was one fine movie. I give it four stars.

Tim Packman: You're just jealous. But, you have to consider mechanical failures, that's all.

Ryan Smithson: But I said Stewart ran well. That has nothing to do with mechanical failures.

Marty Smith: He's hopped on something after that comment. Sure, Stewart has good equipment, but he has to wheel it for 500 miles, too. And his trannie has nothing do

Marty Smith: with sponsor appearances, media and all that.

Tim Packman: What's with you, Marty? There must have been something in the Dega infield water, or something.

Ryan Smithson: I highly doubt Marty drank water at Talladega.

Tim Packman: That was my point.

Marty Smith: Sure what we do is important, but for Tony it's like going to the dentist. If you don't do it, the fallout is awful.

Ryan Smithson: Where the hell is Rodman?

Track Smack appears every Wednesday on NASCAR.com, even when Dave Rodman doesn't show.

The opinions listed here are solely those of the participants.