Track Smack: Off weekend

Reaction on Gordon's win at Martinsville?

Dave Rodman: I think Gordon's win was very well-deserved and darn-near predictable on the one hand. On the other hand, it shows just how imprecise and subjective Winston Cup racing is in this day and age.

Ryan Smithson: I thought it was real interesting how Gordon really couldn't get by Labonte, so he had to lay a little bumper on him. The bump was not that big a deal -- Labonte would have done the same thing. The tires forced it -- they simply won't wear out.

Lee Montgomery: You know what's most amazing to me? That was his 62nd career victory. SIXTY-TWO! Only six guys have more, and he's only 14 behind Dale Earnhardt. Impressive numbers.

Marty Smith: Nice job, Lee. I pray you got your taxes filed early, son. As for Gordo, helluva job and done the right way. He didn't plant Bobby in the wall, but reminded him quite well about Atlanta. If my car's better, get the hell outta the way. It shocked me how good Bobby's car was off the corners on two tires.

Ryan Smithson: It will take Gordon a long time to get to 100 victories. I really believe that. Gordon will be 40 or older when he notches win No. 100.

Marty Smith: That's fair, Smithson. He's not winning every three weekends anymore.

Send Hate Mail Marty Ryan Dave Lee

Dave Rodman: One thing you have to like about Jeff is he is the absolute cold-blooded assassin. He is very neat about his business. Bobby was the leader and had every right to protect his territory and make Jeff earn his way past.

Lee Montgomery: I wondered if it would be more controversial after Gordon nudged him, but I guess not. Does anyone think that was rough driving? Doesn't seem that way.

Marty Smith: No way, Lee. He didn't wreck him, he moved him. It was very calculated. He let Bobby chop the corner off about 10 times before he finally said enough's enough and moved him.

Send Nice Mail Marty Ryan Dave Lee

Dave Rodman: When he couldn't, Jeff had to figure out another way and since he has plenty of practice, it worked out fine. The neatest thing was that everyone seemed to understand it's one of those "goes around comes around" aspects of the sport.

Ryan Smithson: I think Gordon bumped him because Labonte's tires simply were not wearing out -- they almost last too long.

Marty Smith: Need backup, Ryan? Call Rusty.

Lee Montgomery: Yes, let's let the drivers police that. And like Gordon said, it wasn't like he just drove right in the back of him.

Dave Rodman: Bobby had roughed up Jeff at Atlanta of all places -- I think, as Junior alluded, it comes down to respect. They respect the fact that each of them can handle the situation and not wreck and that they understand where it was coming from. That they can move on and just be ready to take the gloves off next time.

Marty Smith: I loved what Junior said about respect, Dave. How much better does it get than this: "It depends on if you're running second. It depends on who is leading, too. There are some guys that you won't knock out of the way, for respect reasons, and there are some guys that you disrespect and you want that opportunity to knock them out of the way for the win." How true.

Lee Montgomery: That was another great race, too. We've seen some impressive finishes this year. And Dave, I agree. Gordon will expect a nudge from Labonte if the roles are reversed next time.

Marty Smith: I think it goes back to what Junior said. He respects Sadler. Would he do the same for Robby Gordon? Who knows?

	Jamie McMurray (above) and Marty Smith (below). Seperated at birth?

Dave Rodman: Unfortunately, FOX's camera work was no better than anything else we've ever seen. They kind of missed the whole Stewart/Sadler/Burton set-to.

Ryan Smithson: It's their call though. That was a final turn deal and you have to watch the leader. It is tough to play Wednesday morning Quarterback on that one.

Lee Montgomery: You know, that leads me to a thought. (Imagine that). Do you guys think that was an indication that Stewart is handling his emotions better?

Ryan Smithson: I definitely think Stewart is handling himself better. But he'll be a carrier for temper problems for the rest of his life.

Lee Montgomery: I mean, yeah, he hit Sadler on the cool-down lap, but that was minor, I thought. No tape recorders were slapped out of anyone's hand.

Ryan Smithson: And Lee, he didn't flat-out ram him, like Andretti did to Hamilton in 1996.

Dave Rodman: Yeah -- he even addressed it in the post-race notes. I thought it was a little short -- but I applaud GM's rep (Al Larsen) for at least getting him to address it.

Marty Smith: Go Al!

Dave Rodman: Classic short track finish. Tony should not have given Sadler the opportunity to get that kind of a run on him.

Lee Montgomery: I have to admit, I was walking behind Stewart when they got the quote. Stewart was in a hurry, and you never like to bug someone like that. I think folks are still a little intimidated by Tony.

Dave Rodman: Absolutely. But you should always have another question to ask. Bargaining for a few more words.

So what is up with Dale Jarrett and the whole crew chief saga?

Ryan Smithson: I really do not know. It's sad, really. Todd's been with them since 1996. You always hate divorces. He's meant so much to that program. He built it from scratch, and not many people addressed that.

	All jokes aside, the fact that Todd Parrott and Dale Jarrett may have split is sad. Credit: Autostock

Dave Rodman: Without being the proverbial fly on the wall, it would be pretty hard to get an accurate read on that one.

Lee Montgomery: That's weird. I mean, it happens once and it's an anomaly. Happens twice and it makes you wonder. The explanation from both sides was odd too. Jarrett said he wanted a crew chief that would tell him what the setup would be. Brad Parrott said he was never allowed to pit "his" setup under a car.

Marty Smith: Agreed, Leeski. You and I were sitting right beside each other that whole time, and our eyebrows were raised more than once. It seems like DJ is struggling to find chemistry with someone like he had with Todd in '98 and '99, and he seemed pretty bitter about Brad, not necessarily at him. The whole Todd thing is crazy, though. They've been through it all together, and just seem to have grown apart. That said, Yates is always going to back DJ.

Ryan Smithson: Some people have said Jarrett is tough to work for. Well, you know what, if that's true, he's got a right to be. He's a former champion. He knows what he's doing. Dale Jarrett's pretty knowledgeable about his racecar.

	If only Talladega had such nice bathrooms. Credit: AP

Lee Montgomery: What's that saying? Too many hens in the hen house? Maybe that's the issue.

Ryan Smithson: Lee, I am sure that's very much the case. Happened before with Larry McReynolds vs. Todd Parrott.

Dave Rodman: Obviously, it brings into play that overworked but very true statement about chemistry. You can have more than one person stirring the soup -- but everyone's hands better be on the same spoon. Sorry -- I am just a little hungry, here.

Ryan Smithson: How ironic that Elliott Sadler/Ray Fox has turned the 38 program into the premier car again after all these years. The 88 has been the standard at RYR since 1996.

Retraction!  It's time to apologize to Capt. Jon W. Meredith, who correctly pointed out in last week's Track Smack that we had erroneously tabbed a tank as "American." Capt. Meredith sent us this note: "You guys have a picture of an English Challenger II tank on Track Smack, not an American tank. Stick to race cars."

Dave Rodman: Well, that is an example of how the three of them -- Elliott, Raymond and Shawn Parker seem to believe in each other and they are using their resources to the best effect.

Marty Smith: I think some of it, too, is DJ seeing what Elliott has built with Raymond and Shawn. They're working together, taking everyone's ideas and molding them into a top-five car and sharing a ton of laughs along the way. DJ hasn't laughed much since Rockingham.

Ryan Smithson: Dale Jarrett can still win a lot of races, but the rest of the year will be long for him.

Dave Rodman: You would have to be a pretty strong personality to work at Yates' with DJ. I wonder if he would hit it off with Dennis Connor? That was kind of a shocker.

	Not a victory burnout Credit: AP

Lee Montgomery: The next crew chief will probably want to have assurances he's in control. After all, he's responsible. Jarrett's not going to get fired.

Ryan Smithson: Lee, you nailed it right on the head. Dale Jarrett, at the end of the day, is the most indispensable guy they have,

Lee Montgomery: Yeah, but he won't even drive the stinking truck.

Marty Smith: Ugh, give it a rest.

Dave Rodman: You don't think if they plugged DJ out and, for instance, plugged Jeff Burton in they could win races? The only thing it proves is that chemical balance is the only thing that's indispensable.

Ryan Smithson: Rodman, take more insulin. Please. You're getting off base. Barry Zito's about to pick you off.

Dave Rodman: Everyone there is a talented individual. Just didn't mesh.

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The opinions listed here are solely those of the participants.