Track Smack: Vegas

Do you think Rockingham will lose a date? Should it?

Marty Smith: Do I think they will? Most definitely. Do I think they should? In terms of competition, no way. But in terms of the bottom line -- i.e. selling tickets-- they have to. Half the stands were empty for Sunday's race. The weather sucked. It was not a good weekend to try to convince folks that they deserve two races.

Ryan Smithson: I think it will definitely lose a date, but it has little to do with TV, but rather, lack of ticket sales. The TV ratings are excellent, but they simply do not put enough bodies in those seats.

Lee Montgomery: I can't imagine we'll be going back to Rockingham twice next year, and that's too bad. If NASCAR listened to the drivers, we'd go there three times, because they love the track. But Rockingham has several things against it: Bad location, not enough of a fan base, no TV market.

Dave Rodman: If they are going to realign the schedule -- I think they should get realigned. What does that mean? I don't think any place on the schedule should get a second date before another deserving facility gets a first date.

Marty Smith: The competition speaks for itself. Fans want to see passing, and The Rock gave us plenty of that Sunday. That was a thrilling finish between the 88 and 97. Lee is right. Every driver asked last weekend raved about the track. But the proof's in the wallet, boys.

Ryan Smithson: The location does not seem that bad; Pinehurst has plenty of hotel space. Right?

Send Hate Mail Marty Ryan Dave Lee

Marty Smith: Accommodations are fine, Ryan. Lee and I stayed in a posh joint at the golf course. But, it's not Indy or California or even Charlotte. Aside from the bar in Pinehurst -- that's right, one bar -- there's nothing to do.

Lee Montgomery: The location is terrible. No easy way to get there. But that's not the bottom line. Rockingham is a 1970s track in a 2003 world.

Ryan Smithson: You almost wish the racing had been bad, but it wasn't; it was the best race in a year.

Lee Montgomery: Unfortunately, racing doesn't really seem to matter in this case.

	The Bachelorette prepares to jettison one of her suitors. No idea why. He seemed so nice. Credit: Autostock

Marty Smith: I hate it that racing doesn't seem to matter. The racing at Rockingham is eons better than the racing at California.

Lee Montgomery: Or Vegas. Or Texas. Or Kansas City.

Dave Rodman: You said it, Lee. Unfortunately, the racing is not all of it, these days. But, if remember the Bodine/Biffle finish to the Busch race at Kentucky -- they might need to try a Cup race there.

Ryan Smithson: Maybe they will jerk both dates form them. How can the track survive with just one date?

Marty Smith: It'd be hard on the town, for sure. The Southern Pines area probably counts on NASCAR and the PGA for 80 percent of their budget.

Lee Montgomery: I never understood why all these new tracks had to be exactly the same. Why didn't someone build a half-mile? Or a 1-mile?

Letters from Dale Jr. fans  Dear Marty Smith,  You always seem to have the right answer but only for people who have a fourth grade level of intelligence.  You must always think that you are right with all those little comments you say. You're picking Kenseth to win at The Rock. Ha. Note: Kenseth finished third.  Maybe you could have taken the time to pick someone who can actually race. He just got lucky last year that won't happen this year. You are a disgrace to anyone who knows anything about NASCAR.  P.S. Junior is one of the best drivers out there!!

Ryan Smithson: Is the track really making money anyway? It didn't even look like they sold a lot of motor home space. The infield wasn't crowded.

Marty Smith: Oh they're making money, Ryan. See: TV deal. I'd build another Richmond. That place is perfect.

Lee Montgomery: If ISC owns the Rock, it'll survive. But they need to pour some more money into it. Like Ryan Newman said, it hasn't been developed like some other places.

Dave Rodman: I don't see too much more development going' on there -- for only one Winston Cup race weekend. And that is where it's at. Without a Cup race, you're simply peeing into the wind. 60 mph wind, at that.

Ryan Smithson: The track is vacant 49 weeks out of the year, right? Even at Texas, the track is constantly being used.

Dave Rodman: Rockingham still runs the Buck Baker School, I believe.

Marty Smith: That's one reason Martinsville is to be commended. They're in a tiny market at an old track, but they've busted their cans to ensure they have a top-notch facility. Clay Campbell and the boys deserve some serious credit.

Ryan Smithson: Martinsville won't stop either. Heck, they are going to move the train tracks, which they earlier deemed impossible. It's funny, NASCAR threatens, and they are like, 'Let's move those tracks!'

	Not many fans at Rockingham last week. Credit: Autostock

Dave Rodman: Martinsville needs to keep two dates a lot longer than The Rock.

Marty Smith: Amen, Dave.

Marty Smith: That's my homeland, and I'm stoked they're working so hard to assure they keep their dates.

Ryan Smithson: They pack 'em in at Martinsville. That is why.

Marty Smith: Sold out. Every race. Every year. I hate it for Rockingham, but it seems the proverbial writing's on the wall.

What did y'all think of Mike Wallace's comments following the Busch race?

Lee Montgomery: Something else clearly going on with Mike. It wasn't just the wreck that set him off. Clearly, he was frustrated with some other issues. Shane just set him off.

	In a NASCAR first, the media causes a crash in Turn 3. Credit: AP

Ryan Smithson: I did not agree with him. I don't think the media is out to glorify young drivers like that. Shane Hmiel got his ride because he has talent -- albeit unharnessed.

Marty Smith: I think it's a load of crap. Absolutely unwarranted. I can understand Mike's frustration, but I don't think Shane even caused that wreck. It looked like he got hit into Wallace's car.

Ryan Smithson: I am sure Mike is frustrated about not having a solid ride, which he should be. But this is quickly becoming a young man's sport, not because of the media, but because of something 100 times more powerful -- sponsors.

Dave Rodman: I did not see the accident. Did not hear all of what he said, but I think Lee is right. That was more Mike's frustration at being 90 percent rideless in Winston Cup with his Busch program also looking at a short season. And his options are limited.

One last letter  Marty,  Why do drivers like Dale Jarrett whine and cry about the Fords being at a disadvantage to the Chevrolets? He does this every year starting with Daytona.  Before he qualified this year he was interviewed and started talking about the Fords were not on a level playing field with the Chevrolets. He then goes out and qualifies in the top ten and is one of the fastest cars the next day during practice.  The Chevrolets have one good day at a track and the Ford drivers start crying like a bunch of little babies. Last year seven Fords finished in the top ten in the Winston Cup final standings.  Hell would freeze over before NASCAR allowed the Chevys to this. The way I see it is that the only level playing field in Dale Jarrett’s opinion is when he and the other Fords dominate like they did today and like they did last year.  God help the Chevy's if they win a race or two because the tears start streaming down the cheeks of Ford.

Lee Montgomery: Let's face it; Mike deserves a good full-time Winston Cup ride. Maybe he feels slighted by owners or whatever, but blaming the media is never a good thing.

Ryan Smithson: You think he full-on blamed the media?

Lee Montgomery: He blamed the media for creating the "Young Guns" persona. And he blamed owners for buying into it.

Lee Montgomery: The thing both of those guys should've done is walk away, but that's hard to do when you're adrenaline is pumping.

Marty Smith: Mike had an amazing run at Speedweeks. Top-10 in all three races? Are you kidding me? He also revived AJ Foyt's team at the end of last year. The guy can drive, no doubt. But don't go putting it on the media, man.

Dave Rodman: From where I was sitting, Mike was obviously more wound up about more than just wrecking a race car. Shane, on the other hand, seemed to have a pretty clear idea of what occurred in that specific accident -- which was all that should have been discussed at that time.

Ryan Smithson: The sponsors want young drivers. See Casey Mears, Mooresville, N.C, United States.

Lee Montgomery: I'm not sure Shane had a clear idea what happened. He even said as much.

Marty Smith: Did he get hit by another car, Lee?

Ryan Smithson: I know he didn't, Lee. That was evident.

	Shane Hmiel has a huge advantage in a head-butting contest. Credit: AP

Marty Smith: It looked like it on TV, and the boys at FX seemed to think so, too.

Lee Montgomery: Shane and the 16 car collided. Now, who's fault was that? Who knows? Should Shane have been making a three-wide move under a slow car in turn 1? Probably not.

Marty Smith: Good call, man. Real good call.

Ryan Smithson: One thing I liked, though, is that even a mild-mannered guy like Mike Wallace can get out and be enraged. Nothing wrong with it. No punches thrown.

Lee Montgomery: The funniest was Shane, who's a lot shorter than Wallace, getting in Wallace's face. Wearing his helmet.

Ryan Smithson: Well, we know Mike Wallace was definitely not at fault.

Marty Smith: Shane's no dummy.

Who is going to win at Las Vegas? No one picked Jarrett last week.

Lee Montgomery: Two words: Kurt. Busch. He's as big a favorite as Dale Jr. was in Daytona.

Ryan Smithson: Busch, Kurt.

	Marty Smith missed the Busch race because he had to run home and tape the Grammys. No joke. Credit: AP

Marty Smith: Naw, Busch won't win. Hometown boy makes good? Not this year. I'm going to go with Kevin Harvick. Did Dale Jr. win Daytona, Lee? One word: Nope.

Dave Rodman: I think Tony Stewart has got enough of a handle on the new Chevy that either he or his teammate could score the victory.

Marty Smith: This will be the week that everyone sees what the new Chevy really has, Dave.

Lee Montgomery: Stewart was awesome there last year, too.

Dave Rodman: Bobby has been like a breath of fresh air getting back into a Monte Carlo, and teamed up with Fatback -- and it's darned good to see that.

Ryan Smithson: If Greg Biffle gets comfortable, watch out.

Marty Smith: Bobby's had some crappy luck these first two weeks. But rest assured, the 18 bunch is a different outfit than it was a year ago. They're going to contend for a ton of wins.

Ryan Smithson: B. Labonte's definitely going to win more than once. Probably late in the season though.

Marty Smith: No way. He'll win Atlanta next week, bro.

	Who's the man, who's the man?! Credit: AP

Ryan Smithson: Nah, Atlanta will get rained out. Just kidding.

Dave Rodman: Jeff Burton is the dark horse pick for Vegas. He is running a carbon copy Busch car -- same paint scheme as his Cup ride -- and that could give him enough of an edge to win. He is as overdue as Rusty Wallace.

Marty Smith: Speaking of Rusty, man, he sure did fall fast Sunday. He was dominant for the first half. Then, poof, gone.

Ryan Smithson: Well, the good thing is: when was the last time he led 182 laps?

Lee Montgomery: Speaking of falling, who was the moron that said it was OK for those parachutists to jump in 40 mph wind?

Dave Rodman: I am not going to Monday morning quarterback military professionals. If they did not think they could do it, they would not have tried. It was unfortunate their judgment was flawed, though.

Ryan Smithson: Lee, they said they had jumped in that type wind before. Those guys were high-ranking officers.

Lee Montgomery: Sure didn't look like it.

Marty Smith: Maybe so, Ryan. But did they do it with 40,000 fans and 100 trucks and a fence and asphalt around them?

Ryan Smithson: Lee, you ever been skydiving?

Lee Montgomery: No. Why would anyone want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?

Ryan Smithson: What if it isn't perfectly good? Then you must jump.

Track Smack appears every Wednesday on NASCAR.com.

The opinions listed here are solely those of the participants.