Track Smack: Martinsville

Note: We have no idea where Dave Rodman is. He simply stopped coming to the Track Smack meetings. If you have any idea where he is, please contact us.

Did you guys think Bobby Labonte was going to get around Jamie McMurray in the closing laps?

Tim Packman: Because I've seen him do that so many times before, lay back and wait until the final laps, I knew he was going to take that run at Jamie. But, once Jamie started to make those moves around lap cars and such, I knew it wasn't going to be as easy as Bobby thought it might have been.

Ryan Smithson: That was what made the victory so impressive. Even though Labonte had an awful year, he's still one of the best at Charlotte, and for McMurray not to make a mistake was remarkable. Labonte was on his bumper the last hour.

Marty Smith: That's an awfully tough question, but yes, I did think Bobby might get him there in Turn 4. Jamie was impressive though, just kept his foot in the accelerator and fending a champion off. I was blown away with that win. I'll tell you this: My rear end was on the very edge of that fold out chair I was sitting on. I just couldn't believe that McMurray was winning. That certainly raises the old debate -- is it driver or car?

Ryan Smithson: When I saw the No. 18 coming hard at McMurray, I figured he'd rattle him, make him go high, so something -- but that never happened.

Tim Packman: You have to tip the hat to Jamie. He got the lead, didn't play around and do anything risky to goof up what he had going Sunday night.

	Dave Rodman, last seen in this Florida bank surveillance photo, is wanted by Track Smack authorities for failure to appear. Credit: AP.

Ryan Smithson: Marty, it was the driver at Charlotte. McMurray beat him head-to-head.

Marty Smith: You're one of the few people I've heard say that, Ryan. Look, I know Jamie drove his tookus off, but that car was a laser beam.

Ryan Smithson: That was probably the best head-to-head match up on a superspeedway since the Michigan race last year with Rudd and Gordon.

Tim Packman: Yes, head-to-head in some damn good equipment. That team won the race last year, too. And, he was in the same car that Sterling won at Darlington and Vegas with.

Marty Smith: I think it's safe to say that was the consummate team effort.

Tim Packman: Agreed.

Ryan Smithson: I know Jamie probably had a better car with more downforce than Labonte, but I figured experience was going to win that race. It didn't.

Marty Smith: Pit crew, owner, driver. All of them did the deal that day. Congrats to all, and to all a Coors Light.

Tim Packman: Lee McCall made a good call to keep Jamie out on that caution. It played right into his hands as the race went on.

Marty Smith: He's a genius, Pack. As I was changing my flat tire in the dark at 2 a.m., Sunday night, I thought of ol' Lee. I wish I'd have had that dude's phone number.

Ryan Smithson: As opposed to changing a flat tire in the light at 2 a.m.?

	Marty Smith heads home after a long day at Lowe's Motor Speedway. He had no idea his trip home would include an involuntary trip to Hooters. Credit: AP

Marty Smith: The dark is much worse, Smithson.

Ryan Smithson: You don't have to tell me. I've tried to change a tire with stripped lugs before. It's easier to make a camel go through the eye of a needle.

Tim Packman: Yeah, but at least you got to pull into a Hooter's parking lot to change the tire. There are worse places to be broke down.

Ryan Smithson: I don't know. Brett Bodine wrecked. I am not sure they were in a good mood.

Marty Smith: I went inside and asked the cute lil' hostess girl if she had bolt cutters. She was terrified, I think.

Ryan Smithson: C'mon man, they were not open at 2 a.m.

Marty Smith: That was at 11, Ryan.

Ryan Smithson: I stand corrected. I had no idea it was a three-hour tour.

Marty Smith: What else is new.

Tim Packman: I don't think the Hooters Girls get too upset when Brett has a bad day. Am sure it doesn't change their tips any, either.

Has Tony Stewart wrapped up the title?

	I am not going to shave until I win the title! Credit: Autostock

Ryan Smithson: No, not even. He needs about a 200-point lead to feel comfortable, simply because anything can -- and will -- happen. Hopefully Stewart won't be starting beside Martin anytime soon.

Tim Packman: With the history of Tony's second half of the season and the fact that only five drivers since 1975 have failed to win the title leading the points battle with five races to go -- I'm going to say Tony is the favorite.

Marty Smith: Yes. I think it's over, simply because Stewart's so good at the tracks left on the schedule.

Ryan Smithson: Packman out on a limb picking Stewart! Brave man.

Tim Packman: No, I picked him at the beginning of the year. But, you'd have to have a good memory to know that.

Ryan Smithson: I can see the headlines: "Packman calls Stewart 'The Favorite'.

Ryan Smithson: A ton of people picked Stewart.

Tim Packman: Be nice to me, today is my birthday.

Marty Smith: Old man Pack.

Ryan Smithson: Happy 50th.

	One of the only guests at Packman's birthday party Credit: AP

Tim Packman: No, a young 38th. You're in Dave Blaneyville. Me and Marty are in Jimmie Johnsonville. Dave Rodman is in Dave Marcisville.

Marty Smith: Johnsonville. They make good bratwurst. I think. I've never eaten bratwurst. Nevermind.

Tim Packman: When I was your age, Marty and Ryan, I thought 38 sounded old. Now, it ain't nothing but a thing.

Ryan Smithson: Anyways, back to the title. Labonte sure did pick a good time to run well. It'll help his teammate.

Marty Smith: Stewart will win Martinsville and Homestead and he'll contend at Rockingham and Miami. It's over, boys.

Tim Packman: Don't forget Phoenix, he mopped up there in his IRL and USAC days, too.

Marty Smith: There you go, Pack.

Ryan Smithson: I am starting to think that Rusty will win Martinsville. I am a strong believer in superstition. He needs to keep that black car. Oh Lord, I didn't man to mention Rusty. I'll bet Packman's about to go off now that I have mentioned his boy.

	Rusty was black in black at Charlotte Credit: Autostock

Tim Packman: I don't have "boys" like you do. But true, he did well in that twice so far. Daytona in July and last weekend in Charlotte.

Marty Smith: Ha! A fan wrote me last week all fired up about the black car, said he's pissed he has to buy all new gear because it costs so much. I can totally understand, too. It's expensive to buy a whole new racing wardrobe.

Ryan Smithson: That white car is no good to Rusty. Stick with what works.

Tim Packman: Tell that to the Mark Martin and Dale Jarrett fans when they totally changed sponsors. But, fans still bought the gear.

Ryan Smithson: A lot don't care and never switch gear. It's all the same anyway. The drivers never change. I still see a lot of Valvoline license plates with a big "6 on 'em. I am sure y'all do too.

Tim Packman: I don't recall anyone "leaving" a driver because of a sponsor change.

Marty Smith: I think I saw the first Mark Martin Valvoline t-shirt ever made last week at Charlotte. That dude may as well have had no shirt on at all.

Ryan Smithson: I can see it now. "Damn it! Andretti's mentioning biscuits now! We're through!"

Predictions for Martinsville?

	Packman picked Wallace to win at Martinsville. It was the 27th time in 32 races that Packman had picked Wallace to win. Credit: Autostock

Marty Smith: I already said mine. Stewart wins, extends championship advantage once again.

Ryan Smithson: Rusty Wallace gets in desperation mode, mows the field, Stewart finishes a smooth third, points lead grows to triple digits.

Tim Packman: I'm going to stick with what I said for the video preview shows Marty and I do each week --Rusty Wallace.

Marty Smith: Stop the presses. Packman picked Wallace.

Tim Packman: Ok, "Dale Jr. Forever" man.

Ryan Smithson: I think Marty knows better than to pick Dale Jr. at Martinsville. That is like picking Jimmy Spencer at Watkins Glen.

Tim Packman: Ok, so he didn't go with him at one track. Whoopee.

Send us hate mail MartDawg Ryan Tim Dave

Marty Smith: I don't think I've picked Dale Jr. anywhere but the plate tracks this year, boys. And guess what, I've been right.

Tim Packman: Hey, Spencer is due.

Ryan Smithson: He ain't due. I didn't think it was very funny when he quit during the Busch race. Sure, he might have had motor problems, but the car looked fine to me. I hope he had motor problems and didn't just quit.

Marty Smith: Packman's picked Wallace, oh, 27 times. He ain't been right yet.

	Jimmy Spencer didn't make many laps at Charlotte after he was caught speeding on pit road. Credit: Autostock

Ryan Smithson: 0-for-27. Step into my office! You're fired!

Tim Packman: Marty, gimme a break. It was only 17. Hey, I've been right a lot more than you two have been the last two years.

Marty Smith: No you haven't.

Tim Packman: I don't think Ryan has ever made the right call.

Ryan Smithson: Hey, you two, quit making out. Hey, I want to know what you guys thought about Spencer going into the garage. I was listening to the radio and a Yellow Freight employee was pretty mad about it. What did y'all hear?

Marty Smith: Some folks in the media center just thought it was typical. Nobody even batted an eye. I agree, though, Ryan. I hope he didn't just give up.

Ryan Smithson: That never happens!

Community  Track Smack Message Board!

Tim Packman: Funny, if he did do just that after saying just a few weeks ago he was "going to run the cars until they blow up and be more aggressive, no matter what".

Ryan Smithson: He said that for real? Well, I guess it blew up! Or he blew up.

Tim Packman: But, he never forgets.

Ryan Smithson: He forgot there's a speed limit on pit road!

Tim Packman: That's racin'!

Ryan Smithson: That's quittin'!

Marty Smith: No, that's a penalty.

Tim Packman: Bingo.

Marty Smith: Where the hell is Rodman?

Ryan Smithson: Where the hell is Rodman? Damn it. You beat me to it.

Tim Packman: Rodman who?

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.