Track Smack: Richmond

Thoughts on the Steve Park episode over the weekend?

Lee Montgomery: This might deteriorate into a fight between school kids, but he started it. He started pointing fingers at the media, and that was kind of uncalled for, if you ask me. And then, then, he goes out and wrecks on the first lap. Not a good thing. We all want to give Steve the benefit of the doubt, but if Steve is going to talk smack, he's got to back it up.

Ryan Smithson: I really need to go back and rewatch the start because it's a mystery how he lost so many spots initially. Eight times out of 10, the pole-sitter will lead the first lap, even if his car is handling poorly. So it's a real mystery what happened, but he definitely got into Newman.

Marty Smith: I hate to say it boys, I really do, but I think Steve may be looking for a job in the near future, maybe even in the next month. There's a lot going around about his job stability already, and wrecking on the first lap, during which he took out an awesome car, doesn't help his cause any. I've defended him in the past, and there's no question about his character. He's one of the nicest, most genuine folks you'll ever meet. But the rumor mill is swirling, and his name is in the eye of the hurricane.

Ryan Smithson: I didn't really have a problem with what Steve said. I think he's just trying to pump himself up.

Send Hate Mail Marty, Ryan, Lee Marty only Ryan only Lee only

Lee Montgomery: Even his fans are starting to question things. I'm sure you guys got similar emails saying, "I've been a big fan of his, but now I wonder."

Marty Smith: Sure have, Lee. And not just a few. I bet I've gotten at least 40 emails from die-hard Park fans concerned about him.

Ryan Smithson: Well, his fans were fired up just like he was about starting on the pole, and he was out of the race within 18 seconds.

Lee Montgomery: To me, that says something.

Marty Smith: Something? No, bro. That says it all.

Send Nice Mail Marty, Ryan, Lee Marty only Ryan only Lee only

Ryan Smithson: If Ricky Craven's any indication, there is hope after you leave a large multi-car team after a bad injury sets you back. I am not saying he is gone -- no one here has, but speculation is always allowed.

Marty Smith: I hate it, y'all. Bad mouthing a guy like Steve Park isn't cool, but when his own fans think he should take a step back and regroup, a la Ricky Craven, you have to consider it.

Marty Smith: I know Park can still drive. He's proved it in the Busch car. I'd just have to think the pressure on him is immense.

Ryan Smithson: Park, Craven are probably the last two people you'd want to see have to go though crap like this.

Marty Smith: Indeed, Smithson.

A fan's perspective  As an avid Steve Park fan, I was excited when Steve won the pole on Friday and could not wait for Sunday to get here. After what seemed to be forever, the cars were on the track and we were ready to go racing. The green drops, and Steve gets a slight jump on Elliott. Then Stewart goes three-wide and Steve is hung in the middle. I'm thinking, "OK Steve, just hang in there and ride till you find a place in line." Well, about 3/4 of a mile into the 500-mile race, Steve slides up the racetrack and the rest is history. I have supported Steve this whole time through everything. I am now starting to wonder, "What the hell." I know that it took Ricky Craven a while to get back too but Steve just keeps doing stupid things. At this point in the year I am almost to the point of saying, "Where will Steve be at next year and who will be driving the 1 car?" -- Brett McCoy

Lee Montgomery: Bad mouthing anyone isn't cool, if you ask me. But he brought it on himself by Friday's stuff.

Ryan Smithson: He's got a right to say what he wants, Lee. We say what we want.

Lee Montgomery: True, but how silly does it look now?

Ryan Smithson: Very silly. Not debating that either.

Lee Montgomery: That's all I'm saying.

Ryan Smithson: But psychology's important in any sport. He was trying to light a fire.

Marty Smith: It blew up in his face.

Lee Montgomery: Like a hydrogen bomb.

Ryan Smithson: I just wonder why in the heck he got into Newman.

Lee Montgomery: He lost it.

Marty Smith: Well, it's not the first time, Ryan. Remember how upset Jarrett was earlier this year?

Ryan Smithson: Marty, yes, I remember. As far as the Richter scale goes, this earthquake's a lot worse. He never had a really good car on Saturday though, and the track was a lot different on Sunday.

Marty Smith: I want to see the guy succeed. If he does lose his job, I hope he gets the chance to rebuild his career. Confidence is everything, man. And if he can go have some solid runs elsewhere, he may be able to return to pre-injury form. Before he got hurt, he was as good as any driver in the series. Top-five every single week, vying for wins everywhere.

	Did i forget to do my taxes? Credit: Autostock

Lee Montgomery: Craven is an obvious example, and I'm sure he and Park have had a heart-to-heart.

Ryan Smithson: Unfortunately, is he thought he faced pressure before last week, wait until you see Richmond, where you run side by side with people like Jarrett and Newman all day.

Lee Montgomery: I think we all hope Park gets it together.

Ryan Smithson: Nothing wrong with him running well. But it hasn't happened.

Marty Smith: Certainly so, Lee. He deserves to excel.

Ryan Smithson: I mean, people forget that Park's been with DEI forever. Only team he's ever known. That complicates things.

Who's the man to beat at Richmond?

Lee Montgomery: I tell you what, it might be the guy running third on the last lap. I can see a heck of a race shaping up there.

	I'll beeeeeeeeeee back. Credit: Autostock

Ryan Smithson: Tony Stewart been the man there recently. He had 'em covered at Fontana, and he'll get 'em Saturday night. So maybe Tony will be running third in the final lap.

Marty Smith: During the preview shoot I said Junior. He'll be good, but I think I'm going with Kenseth.

Lee Montgomery: You're right, Tony could lead 330 laps Saturday night. Matt got it done there last year and he'll do it again.

Lee Montgomery: I think I'll go with Tony.

Ryan Smithson: I am so impressed with Kenseth and his team as a whole. When they run bad, they still finish ninth.

	Watch out, Tony! Here comes the photogs! Credit: Autostock

Lee Montgomery: But Richmond is so hard to predict, almost as much as Bristol.

Marty Smith: Stewart was stronger'n nine rows of wild onions at Fontana. He had 'em covered big time.

Lee Montgomery: I didn't know they grew onions in Fontana.

Ryan Smithson: I don't think Richmond's tough to predict, Lee. Always Stewart, Gordon, Kenseth, Rusty. Same 7-8 guys.

Marty Smith: Matt has finished better than he started every week, man. That's something. Though, if you ask him, his explanation is simple: We don't qualify worth crap.

Lee Montgomery: What about Ward Burton last year? Had 'em covered until he blew up.

Ryan Smithson: A lot of guys don't qualify well. Terry Labonte. Jeff Burton. Dale Earnhardt.

Marty Smith: Speaking of Fontana, some lady emailed me last week, infuriated that called it Fontucky. Like I'm the individual who bestowed that nickname upon them.

Ryan Smithson: You're right, it was Lee who named it that. His email, if you're reading lady, is lee.montgomery@turner.com. Send him junk mail.

Lee Montgomery: I thought I was the guy who didn't like Earnhardt. Wait, I've made everyone else mad. Why not that woman, too?

Ryan Smithson: Some people hate junk mail. I kinda like it. I mean, webcams, free coupons, and articles. Things I search for anyway.

	Prison! Credit: AP

Lee Montgomery: Who wants to bet me someone will email me about Earnhardt?

Ryan Smithson: An Earnhardt fan will send you 500,000 junk emails and go to prison as a result.

Lee Montgomery: I would say "from" prison, but I'll refrain.

Ryan Smithson: There are 2 million people in prison. That is 10 Talladegas.

Marty Smith: Talladega has its own prison.

Ryan Smithson: It can't hold 2 million people though. Which is a shame.

Marty Smith: I'm gonna write a column about that joint, I just gotta find it first.

Track Smack appears every Wednesday on NASCAR.com at 11 a.m. ET sharp!

The opinions listed here are solely those of the participants.