Track Smack: Michigan

Note: Lee Montgomery is on vacation, and Dave Rodman is AWOL. We'll just have to make do with two people this week. Fortunately, there's a lot going on.

Was seeing John Andretti out of the No. 43 Dodge a big surprise?

Ryan Smithson: I was more surprised that John actually re-signed with them last winter, but I guess he had few other options. I am surprised that Petty let him go in midseason, I figured they'd wait until after the season to make a move.

Marty Smith: At first, yes. The more I thought about it, no. They've been together five years with virtually no success. One win, a couple top-fives, not even whiff of the top-10 in points. That said, I don't really understand replacing John with Christian Fittipaldi. If he's a better stock car driver than John Andretti, I'll be surprised.

Ryan Smithson: I wonder if they made the move with Sonoma in mind. Maybe Christian will be more comfortable at a road course, and even contend for win.

Marty Smith: I assumed it's because he's already under contract with them.

Send Hate Mail Marty Ryan

Ryan Smithson: That too. But yeah, you've got to remember what Jerry Nadeau did with the 44 last year at Sonoma.

Ryan Smithson: Certainly makes it easier.

Marty Smith: If he doesn't have a mechanical failure (rear end gear?) he wins that deal.

Ryan Smithson: But I agree with you, Christian has already torn up a lot of cars. The fabricators better get ready.

Marty Smith: Man, they've had it rough. First Buckshot Jones, now Fittipaldi.

Ryan Smithson: Andretti didn't bring a lot of cars back in one piece, either.

Send Nice Mail Marty Ryan

Marty Smith: Hopefully he'll prove us all wrong. Certainly wouldn't be the first time.

Ryan Smithson: No, but I think it's safe to say that it'll be tough for him to run up front. I guess we just wonder what Andretti will do. He certainly won't take anything less than a Winston Cup.

Marty Smith: I bet ol' Bobby Hamilton would like to get back in the 43.

Ryan Smithson: Bobby's so busy with his truck teams, certainly trying to win a title in the trucks, that I am not sure he'd make the move if asked. But it's certainly possible he could help them out. He was pretty loyal to the Pettys.

	Marty Smith was Paul Walker's stunt double in 2Fast2Furious. Credit: AP

Marty Smith: Am I wrong in thinking that the relationship between Andretti and Kyle soured during the Indy 500 negotiations? Kyle wouldn't let him do it, and he wasn't happy about it?

Ryan Smithson: He didn't let him last year, and John was ticked. Kyle let him this year, and John couldn't get a ride. That ranks pretty high in the "this sucks" department.

Marty Smith: Might John end up in open wheel somewhere? I doubt it. He's a stock car driver now.

Ryan Smithson: No, he's 40 years old. Like they say in the The Natural, "Hey fella, you don't start playing ball at your age. You retire." The age of 40 is ancient in open wheel. Not even his cousin Michael tested those waters.

Marty Smith: This business will give you a kick in the pants real quick. I wasn't ready for this decision to come down at this point in time.

Ryan Smithson: We didn't really see it coming. It's not like he ran horribly at Pocono, because he didn't.

Marty Smith: What do you think, Dave Rodman? Oh, never mind. He's been asleep since 8.

	NASCAR needs more tire changers that look like this. Credit: AP

Ryan Smithson: Kyle ain't exactly lit it up this year either. Of course, he's been hurting. Just to be fair, but he didn't drive well before Bristol, either.

Marty Smith: I was getting ready to say the same, Smithson. I think the Pettys could reassess their equipment. It ain't the best in the lot.

Ryan Smithson: I wouldn't have the slightest idea what's keeping them back. They sure did have decent cars in the late 1990s. Since they went with Dodge, it has been all downhill. Or uphill.

Marty Smith: Nor would I. Hence, we're not under their cars turning wrenches.

Ryan Smithson: I might be crazy, but I've always considered Andretti underrated. I really don't think he's a bad driver.

Marty Smith: You are crazy, but not because you think John's got game. I agree.

Ryan Smithson: Reckon Andretti will get picked up by another team? If so, who?

	Jimmie! Jimmie! The camera loves you! Credit: AP

Marty Smith: Equipment is everything in Winston Cup. We've said it 100 times. If you don't have the car, you don't have a prayer.

Ryan Smithson: Silly season ain't stopping here. I can tell you that much.

Marty Smith: No way, Jose. It's only just begun.

Ryan Smithson: You're right, equipment is everything, and that is what makes Larry Foyt painful. He just doesn't have a chance with the money his team's getting to race. If he had good equipment, I am sure he'd be decent.

Marty Smith: That's what I just said, dude.

Ryan Smithson: Good equipment is just a mirage for a lot of drivers. I mean, half of them never get a shot. Ever. And some guys get three shots. Go figure.

Who is the guy to beat at Michigan?

Marty Smith: This question was posed me in O'Hare airport today, and I honestly didn't really know how to answer it. I'll say Stewart goes back-to-back. He had the best car at California before he puked the motor. And California is a lot like Michigan.

	All those unfounded rumors have gone to Stanton Barrett's head. Credit: AP

Ryan Smithson: Matt Kenseth takes win No. 2. He's been too close the last few weeks. He could win anywhere.

Ryan Smithson: You had to fly to O'Hare to get to Indianapolis, Marty?

Marty Smith: Yes, damn it.

Ryan Smithson: I mean, did you know Indy has a large airport? I would have been happy to help. Heck, Indianapolis is probably one of those things they call international airports. They probably even fly to Canada.

Marty Smith: Did you know for more than two years I have saved the company money as often as possible? That just came to a screeching halt.

Ryan Smithson: What's next? You fly to Michigan this weekend for a race but you have a stopover in Boise? I've never been to Idaho. My cousins live there and really enjoy it.

Marty Smith: I go back through Chicago, I reckon. You know, this could be the week Dale Jarrett gets back on track. As if we haven't heard that for the past month and a half.

Actual fan letter  I'm a big fan of Dale Jarrett & the No. 88 car. I have a real problem with what is going on with his team & sponsors. I feel the reason he is struggling has nothing to do with the driver, but has more to do with the pressure his sponsors & Jackie Stewart are putting on him to drive the UPS truck. Jackie Stewart was a great world champion in his day & I understand he even did a few NASCAR races. But what is he thinking? I'm no expert but I think the truck would not perform as well Dale's Ford, As a matter of fact I don't even think the truck would be NASCAR legal. I think they should just back off & let Dale drive his car & I'm sure he would be back to his old form.

Ryan Smithson: Dale Jarrett ain't through yet, folks. As long as their morale stays high, they are gonna win races.

Marty Smith: For the life of me, I can't figure out what's wrong with the 88.

Ryan Smithson: But, keeping morale high has got to be tough. He was so good at Pocono.

Just got taken out.

Marty Smith: He was real good last weekend at Pocono, but went home in blaze of glory. No pun intended.

Ryan Smithson: I don't think it's a coincidence that when Jarrett started well at Pocono, Sadler did too. Or vice versa. They definitely need each other now. That reminds me, MartDawg, you need to check up on Todd Parrott, see what he's up to. I reckon watching races on TV.

Ryan Smithson: C'mon, I know you got an opinion on Sadler -- he's your boy.

Marty Smith: Someone asked that on a radio show I was listening to the other night. Benny Parsons says, "I don't know. I guess he's (Todd Parrott) at home."

	Enjoy the points lead while you can, Kenseth!

Ryan Smithson: Remember when Sadler put the No. 21 on the roof at Michigan? 2000, I think?

Marty Smith: Oh yeah, I have an opinion on Sadler. I think that when Shawn Parker was summoned to the 88, the chemistry between E, Parker and Raymond Fox was disrupted. It's hurt him worse than that 21st bologna burger at SoBo.

Marty Smith: Yes, I remember about him going on the roof. Scary, very scary. He barrel rolled about 10 times man.

Ryan Smithson: First-ever Wood Brothers car on the roof, if I remember right.

Marty Smith: Damn, I don't like thinking about that crash. That was way too violent. Speaking of, how bout Jeff Green's wreck? THAT was scary.

	Boise, Idaho. Credit: AP

Ryan Smithson: Jeff Green is one lucky dude. He backslid a country mile. I ain't saying I am a medical doctor, but you could tell he was hurt more than a bruise under his chin. I am sure he was sore all over on Monday. I don't even want to know what he felt like Monday morning.

Marty Smith: I think the idea for the dirt-backed guardrail was a good start, but it's not the end-all. They need to work on that some more. It's definitely better than the crap we saw when Park hit that paltry guardrail in 2002.

Ryan Smithson: Marty, I'd rather have Park's hit than Green's. Green came to a dead stop! I'd rather have someone toss me in the air than punch me in the face from a foot away. Know what I mean?

Marty Smith: Park's car was an inch from going into the infield, son. I understand Green's accident was worse as far as G-forces are concerned, and I thank God Jeff's OK. But Park was SO CLOSE to going into the infield, man. I don't even want to talk about that.

Ryan Smithson: And he probably wouldn't have been hurt had he gone in the infield.

	Not the cheeriest of looks for Jeff Gordon. Credit: AP

Marty Smith: Maybe not, but what about the spectators, man?

Ryan Smithson: Oh yeah. I forgot.

Ryan Smithson: Jeff was lucky he hit dead on instead of at an angle. Front of the car absorbed a ton.

Marty Smith: Well, he said he hit in the break in the railing, and that contributed to how quickly he stopped.

Ryan Smithson: Again, I don't mean to Wednesday Morning Quarterback, but I don't think Terry meant to do that in the least. Just got a good run is all.

Marty Smith: Certainly isn't like him to run all the way up under another guy and pick his car up off the ground.

Ryan Smithson: I guess not. I also guess we can't do a thing about it now.

Marty Smith: We can shut up.

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

The opinions listed here are solely those of the participants.