Track Smack: Offseason

CONCORD, N.C. -- Random thoughts while waiting for power to be restored in North Carolina.....

Is Casey Mears going to be a Jimmie Johnson or a Jason Leffler?

Dave Rodman: I think he has the potential to be a fine Winston Cup driver. But if you're asking that question today, I think he might be more like a ... let me see ... Ed Pimm, maybe.

Ryan Smithson: It depends on how well Mears works with crew chief Jimmy Elledge. We've all seen in recent years that success is very dependent on how well you work with your crew chief, and this will be no different. The equipment is not an issue.

Tim Packman: That's a tough call to make right now. But, for his sake and the history of the No. 41 Dodge, I hope this one works out for him. Leffler was tossed into inferior equipment when Ganassi still wasn't up on things 100 percent on the NASCAR side of things.

Marty Smith: Neither. He won't be as good as Johnson or as bad as Leffler. It's NASCAR in the new millennium, boys -- Unproven talent is handed the world on wheels because they're young, hip and handsome (or pretty). Why? Because gorgeous people sell product. And in the case of Dale Jr. and Jimmie Johnson, they also happen to be able to wheel the hell out of a 3400 lb. machine. I know Casey Mears has talent, but he's as unproven as anyone who's ever been handed such awesome equipment. I like the guy, so I certainly hope he succeeds. In fact, I expect him to.

Ryan Smithson: Marty just called Casey Mears "gorgeous." Don't come to my house. But I agree with you.

Send us some love MartDawg Ryan Tim Dave

Tim Packman: Damn, MartDawg.....that was scary.

Dave Rodman: Anyone lips off, run 'em over with the Panther, MartDawg.

Marty Smith: I plan to. And I'm plenty secure in my manhood to call a good-looking person good looking. That said, Smithson, you ain't pretty.

Ryan Smithson: I was reading the other day about a veteran driver complaining about all the press Kyle Petty and Rusty Wallace were getting -- in 1992. They used to be the young guns.

Tim Packman: What got me was how upset Bobby Hamilton got over the naming of Mears to the ride he wanted.

Ryan Smithson: As well he should be. Welcome to BAM.

Marty Smith: Hamilton may be left out of the draft, boys. He may be racing his Truck next year.

	Hamilton: Not as gorgeous as Mears. Credit: Autostock

Ryan Smithson: Not may. Will.

Tim Packman: It's not like the old days when an experienced driver can make a call and get a ride.

Marty Smith: Nope, Tim, it's not. It's like I said -- young and good-looking is what everyone wants. Mears has had one year of Busch competition in which he wasn't really even competitive.

Dave Rodman: I think the toughest thing for Casey to do is going to be maintaining his confidence and momentum. He could easily do a Mike Bliss a la Foyt a couple years ago.

Tim Packman: Well, that's one thing good about being a racing owner --- you can't really fire yourself.

Ryan Smithson: You boys are missing history. Ganassi went and hired three drivers with a last name starting with "M." Think of the marketing.

Marty Smith: Mears' competitors think highly of his talent.

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Tim Packman: Casey was able to race under the radar screen of scrutiny last year. That won't be the case on the Cup side of this sport.

Marty Smith: Naw, he'll be expected to excel, Timmy. See Casey Atwood.

Tim Packman: Correct, that's what I just said. He will be ON the radar screen this year.

Marty Smith: Simmer down, Packman.

Marty Smith: I didn't discount what you said.

Tim Packman: Am simmer, trust me.

Marty Smith: I simply reiterated.

	An old bull Credit: AP

Dave Rodman: I don't want to sound like an old bull rubbing his ears on a tree in the far corner of the field, but it's a shame to see a winning Winston Cup driver get put out to pasture. But that is the changing of the guard -- always happening.

Tim Packman: Dave is in left field again, this time as a bull.

Marty Smith: Schrader is much the same, Dave. If Andy Petree doesn't find any money, Kenny may not be in a ride come Daytona, either. There just aren't many cars still available.

Dave Rodman: Yeah, but he did his winning a lot longer ago -- which is really unbelievable.

Ryan Smithson: Hamilton will be 46 in May, and I think Schrader's older than Hamilton.

Tim Packman: Yep, Kenny is two years older than Bobby.

Marty Smith: I'll be honest, I was shocked when Mears was announced. Though I can understand their motivation for hiring him.

	The No. 44 Pony Pontiac ran real good today. Credit: AP

Ryan Smithson: Mears can thank McMurray for the job. If McMurray had flopped....

Ryan Smithson: I'll let y'all finish that.

Marty Smith: We missed the perfect cheesy joke opportunity, boys. Up there where we were discussing the radar screen crap...Mears will have a TARGET on his back...

Tim Packman: I agree with you on that, Marty. I was like, "huh?" but then thought about what Chip is looking to do down the line. If McMurray and Mears do well, Chip has drivers for at least 10 years.

Dave Rodman: This is a cruel deal we're involved in, boys. Andy Petree and Travis Carter and even the Morgenthaus have become the Roger Hambys and the Junie Donlaveys and the Elmo Langleys of the sport. Now, there's a history lesson for yah.

Marty Smith: That's sad, to me. Because Andy and Travis are true racers.

Ryan Smithson: Ex-crew chiefs.

What did y'all think of Tony Stewart at the Winston Cup Awards Ceremony?

Tim Packman: Stewart was the highlight of the whole deal. Funny, natural, witty and real.

Marty Smith: He was delightful all week. He was gracious to the media, fans and everyone else he came into contact with.

	Jimmy Spencer's not this flexible. Credit: Autostock

Dave Rodman: That's good news. I thought the championship might bring a big change in Tony. Kinda like a steam release valve in a pressure cooker.

Ryan Smithson: Tony won't change.

Tim Packman: Which is a good thing, as far as I'm concerned.

Marty Smith: He was really chill the whole week, no doubt.

Dave Rodman: What I have seen and heard since Homestead is already a massive change, Ryan. You're right -- Speedweeks 2003 will be a big test.

Marty Smith: I saw a new side of him. He's fun as hell to hang with away from all the hoopla. Though I wasn't holding a camera...

Ryan Smithson: He won't like the media crush at Daytona. Every media member there will be assigned to do a story on him. Blue crush.

Marty Smith: Orange Crush.

Ryan Smithson: Orange Crush -- I drank that when I was a kid. Way too much sugar.

Tim Packman: The one question he is going to hate over and over is, "Can you repeat?"

	This has gotten real old already, and it's not even Christmas yet. Credit: AP

Dave Rodman: Marty, don't be digging, there. I think it will be OK -- we got used to dealing with Big E. Took some learning, but he was a dream once you got it down pat.

Tim Packman: Dave has yet another good point today. Is anyone keeping track of this? It could be a record day for him.

Marty Smith: True, Dave. Big E was an awesome interview if you knew how to deal with him -- not that I did, mind you.

Dave Rodman: I am looking forward to getting to the track real early on the first day they're testing in January and walking into the garage and saying, "Congratulations, champ." We'll see what happens next...

Marty Smith: Have fun. I'll be asleep.

Ryan Smithson: Well, if I were Stewart, I'd hit you, Dave. Several times. Hard.

Tim Packman: He'll probably just thank you and go about his business.

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The opinions listed here are solely those of the participants.