Track Smack: Fontana

What is wrong with Dodge in 2003?

Lee Montgomery: Nothing that Ryan Newman can't fix. I think Dodge got caught in a bad position because of the new body location rule, and that put them back a bit. They got hurt worse than anyone else, I couldn't tell you. But Dodge has some good teams and drivers and will be fine.

Ryan Smithson: Elliott's luck has been bad. So have Newman's and Wallace's. Ganassi has two rookies, and Marlin is just now getting up to snuff. Mayfield isn't finishing on the lead lap, but things will definitely get better.

Marty Smith: Nothing, besides getting their butts handed to them. If Ryan Newman had any luck at all he'd be in the thick of the title chase. Rusty Wallace has run up front almost everywhere, too, just hasn't closed the deal. Jimmy Spencer has been impressive in the 7. Elliott was the best car at Texas but blew up. They're fine, they just need to fine-tune their program a little bit with the new template situation.

Dave Rodman: Well, you got one thing right -- this isn't Technician's Corner. Yeah, racing luck accounts for a good chunk of it, but I think as a group, the Dodge Boys have been the most off the mark so far this season. But if Ward Burton can get back on track, and Kenny Wallace consistently steps up and the luck turns, they'll win some more races.

Lee Montgomery: Marty's right about Spencer. A pleasant surprise to Dodge, I'm sure.

Ryan Smithson: About the only one, to be blunt.

Send Hate Mail Marty Ryan Dave Lee

Marty Smith: Compared to what Casey did in that car? Definitely.

Dave Rodman: But don't throw Casey completely under the bus there, Marty -- and I know you're not. That was a totally different mix of people, and they just did not jive.

Lee Montgomery: True, Burton and Wallace have been disappointing at best. But I don't think Dodge is to blame for that.

Send Nice Mail Marty Ryan Dave Lee

Ryan Smithson: Well, Ultra has a different engine program, which has helped, and Spencer is obviously a lot more aggressive than Casey.

Marty Smith: I think Tommy Baldwin is a better crew chief than people give him credit for, and Spencer's a better driver than people think, too.

Lee Montgomery: Don't forget, McMurray had some good runs earlier in the season, too. And he was great at Martinsville until he blew up.

Ryan Smithson: Ward Burton is an absolute enigma. Certainly, he's one of the quickest drivers in the garage sometimes. But he's just AWOL since last spring.

	And if he rushes me, i'll just pummel him like this! Credit: AP

Marty Smith: I think Sterling is the big puzzle. What happened to those guys?

Ryan Smithson: Sterling's shaking off the rust, Marty. He's nearly back.

Dave Rodman: Marlin was stout at Daytona, but that penalty killed them and then the race was rained out. Big stumbling blocks to overcome.

Lee Montgomery: That is a good question. Some folks think Marlin was a fluke. I wonder. I doubt it, but getting out of the car last year didn't help.

Marty Smith: I do, too, Lee. I know that team can get it done. Hell, they won with Jamie and Sterling.

Ryan Smithson: The bad thing about all this parity is that it leads to a lot of mid-pack runs if you barely miss the setup. The days of missing the setup and having a good day are gone unless it's Talladega and you miss the big wreck.

Ryan Smithson: The fact that Jamie won so quickly proves just how strong that team really is, so you know Sterling will come around eventually.

Marty Smith: I wouldn't be surprised, though, if Sterling went back to Richmond next week and exorcised the demons that got him last year there. Talk about sweet...

First-ever letter from Hawaii  It seems that ever since the Dodge spoiler rule change that some give credit for Sterling Marlin's run last year, only to be shot down by another rule change that gave Ford and Chevy more spoiler, Dodge teams' results have been below par.  With the new rules for 2003 that are supposed to make the car bodies even more equal, we've seen Bill Elliot in particular drop the most of any driver in standings since last year, followed by Jeremy Mayfield. Sterling is sucking it up in 12th, too. Manufacturer standings and win totals are only about half of what Chevy and Ford are doing with about the same number of teams.   -- Donald Davis, Hawaii

Lee Montgomery: Me neither.

Ryan Smithson: I don't know, Marty. Isn't it hard to believe that he's never won on a short track, or even a one-miler?

Marty Smith: Unbelievable. And a stat I was unaware of. Nice work, statboy.

Dave Rodman: Given where he came from, that is totally incredible. You woulda thunk his first win woulda come at a short track -- and that he would have won at all of them, including North Wilkesboro. After all, he did drive a couple years for Junior Johnson.

Ryan Smithson: He won at Darlington in 1996, I think. That was his 'shortest' win.

Lee Montgomery: Leave it to Smithson.

Marty Smith: He won at Darlington last year, you idiot.

Ryan Smithson: Well, same thing. They have not changed the track since 1996.

Marty Smith: They haven't changed the track since 1966 have they?

Lee Montgomery: They haven't changed that track since 1966.

Marty Smith: Whoa, shady.

Lee Montgomery: Great minds, Dawg.

Ryan Smithson: You wake up hate, Marty. No wonder you're a Korn fan.

Marty Smith: I hate Korn.

Lee Montgomery: Be quiet, Rodman.

10th different winner this weekend?

Marty Smith: Yep. Jimmie Johnson in the 48. Joins his boss as the only multiple winners in Fontucky.

	2002: No color

Ryan Smithson: No, a quarter of the field's already won, so chances are not good for another different winner. Going by sheer Stats 101 here.

Marty Smith: Lord knows you're the professor of that deal, Smithson.

Lee Montgomery: Johnson is the obvious choice, but do you remember how good Busch ran there last year? And Kenseth, too. And Gordon, too.

	2003: Color

Dave Rodman: Yeah, but we're talking first time winners this season -- everyone that has won this year could win at California. But don't forget Rusty Wallace is a former California winner -- and he needs a win bad!

Ryan Smithson: Jimmie's the best shot though, I agree with that. He's really run well this year but few realize it.

Marty Smith: Johnson will win Charlotte, too.

Lee Montgomery: Someone else said that, if I recall.

Ryan Smithson: Man, Biffle's gonna wake up soon, and when he does, it'll surprise people. He's streaky like DiMaggio.

Marty Smith: He's a wheelman, for sure. He was impressive at RIR last year in the 55. He may make some noise next weekend, Smithson.

Dave Rodman: He was my call for rookie of the year, no question. History maker. He will win at least once this season, and Richmond, Lowe's or Michigan could be a could call. If, of course, he misses winning at Cali.

Lee Montgomery: That team is still behind, but Biffle is a great driver, we can all see that.

	Humpy, raising the purse is always a good idea! Credit: AP

Ryan Smithson: The team will catch up eventually.

Lee Montgomery: Last year at California: Biffle, DNQ. Or did he make it and blow up? Can't remember.

Ryan Smithson: I think he made it and blew up. Let me check.

Lee Montgomery: I stumped Statboy! Ah, yes, he made it

Ryan Smithson: He made it, finished 13th, good run for him.

Lee Montgomery: That was his debut. Interesting to see what a difference a year makes.

Ryan Smithson: That car was all white. Didn't look good.

Marty Smith: California is pretty fickle. They carry so much speed into the corners that one mistake and whamo, lights out.

Ryan Smithson: Marty, you said it. Earnhardt Sr. never got comfortable at Fontana. Lord knows he tried. It's not that easy.

	Now Kyle, if you want your lap back, just wave. Credit: AP

Marty Smith: Word. I hear they might put lights up there.

Ryan Smithson: That said, the track is getting better with age, so hopefully they can run two and three-wide heading out of Turn 4. They have to put lights in, Marty. They want the county to pay for it -- pretty smart move.

Marty Smith: It'd sure help them get a second date.

Dave Rodman: Now, that is a truly sickening thought.

Ryan Smithson: They got one already. Mark it down.

Marty Smith: Not that they need that much help, anyway.

Ryan Smithson: Exactly.

Ryan Smithson: Lee?

Lee Montgomery: Ryan?

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The opinions listed here are solely those of the participants.