Track Smack: Sonoma

Y'all shocked at Jeff Burton's sponsor leaving? Does that spell trouble for the team?

Dave Rodman: It is indicative of a bigger problem. When a sponsor decides that being with a team that is successful, year-in and year- out; and an organization that knows how to execute a program is not worth it, there is trouble in River City.

Ryan Smithson: It's obviously going to be very important to replace his sponsor very quickly and get everything solidified for 2004. The longer they go without an announcement, the more likely problems/defections are to occur for next season.

Lee Montgomery: Does anything surprise anyone in this sport? I don't think it spells trouble because Roush has some deep pockets. What it does show is how difficult it is in this sport to keep sponsors. Money, money, money.

Marty Smith: I'm not shocked in the least, though it's truly indicative of the financial struggles for Winston Cup teams right now. Citgo has been around forever and ever and ever, and sponsored some of the greatest drivers this sport has ever seen. Jeff Burton is a great driver who hasn't performed as hoped during Citgo 's time at Roush.

Dave Rodman: I think Jeff is committed, as he said in the team statement when they announced it, and I think by and large the crewmen would stand pat because they know the organization is solid...but still, that's tough.

Dave Rodman: Lee, Jack has already shut down one Busch team that was running a full season and another that was going to do a limited schedule never really started.

Send Nice Mail Marty Ryan Dave Lee

Ryan Smithson: I think this will start off a bunch of rumors again.

Dave Rodman: His truck teams aren't destined to go much longer if they can't find something, so it goes back to that old saw: The best way to make a small fortune in racing is to start with a big 'un.

Lee Montgomery: Dave, that's Busch....big deal. I seriously doubt he'll shut down a Winston Cup team that has Jeff Burton as a driver.

Marty Smith: Roush Racing has lost some big name sponsors in recent years. Exide, John Deere, now Citgo. Cheerios, too.

Ryan Smithson: Rodman, you're crazy, they wouldn't shut down the No. 99.

Send Hate Mail Marty Ryan Dave Lee

Lee Montgomery: Amen: Hey, I agree with Ryan on something.

Marty Smith: Closing the doors isn't even an option, boys.

Ryan Smithson: Marty, good point, Roush has lost a lot of people. You forget Valvoline. Although they may have been eased out.

Ryan Smithson: But the point is, this is not the end of the world.

Lee Montgomery: I guess this means Citgo won't be the Official Fuel of NASCAR, huh?

Dave Rodman: If they close the 16 and put Burton in the Grainger car, a team is still closed down -- and he's done that before. I didn't say Jeff would be unemployed -- I implied they might do some shuffling.

	Wow. I have a shirt just like this. Credit: Autostock

Ryan Smithson: Greg Biffle is part of the future of Roush Racing, Rodman. Again, you're crazy. C'mon Marty, bail me out, surely you can see the crap he's spewing. Grainger is tied at the hip to Biffle.

Marty Smith: No, Dave. They won't do that, either. Grainger loves Greg Biffle like Smithson loves doughnuts.

Ryan Smithson: Stop the presses. Rodman has Jeff Burton to the 16, Greg Biffle's a free agent!

Dave Rodman: All right, I'm out for a while -- if I can't use a specific to cite an example without you guys taking me literally. Call me back when y'all are calmed down.

Lee Montgomery: Either it's the Roush Racing Ford or it's the Sponsor to Be Named Later Ford. No way Roush lets any of his guys go

Marty Smith: Jeff Burton without a sponsor? This sport is getting outrageous.

Ryan Smithson: Jeff Burton, Paul Andrews and Brad Parrott seem to work well together. They just ain't winning. Yet.

	Did I leave the oven on back at the motorhome? Credit: Autostock

Ryan Smithson: People are broke these days, Marty! We got a Republican in the White House!

Marty Smith: But they're getting better, Smithson. They've made huge gains since this time last year.

Marty Smith: Smithson, you're going to get shot, son.

Ryan Smithson: Oh, no doubt Burton's better.

Lee Montgomery: Burton's better than the President?

Marty Smith: You better call up Jeff Gordon and ask if he can get you the DuPont discount on Kevlar.

Ryan Smithson: I do need some Corian. Seriously.

Lee Montgomery: Speaking of shooting, what's with the stick dogs in victory lane? First Bobby Jr. and then Kurt Busch.

Marty Smith: The kitchen countertops in my new house are made by DuPont. I wanted to try for a hookup. The lady said I couldn't.

Is this the year a road course specialist wins a race?

Lee Montgomery: Unless you count Jeff Gordon as a road-course specialist, nope.

Ryan Smithson: No. I don't buy all that crap that they are better. They still have to pit the car, run in traffic, etc. It'll be Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart or Robby Gordon. No doubt.

Marty Smith: No.

	Spin him out, Juan! Credit: AP

Lee Montgomery: They are as good, but not better. Takes too much to win a race, even on a road course.

Dave Rodman: Hey Lee -- I will go double-or-nothing on that Yates bet that Fellows goes top-five at Sonoma. If you want me to say he'll win, well, you're on!

Marty Smith: Who's in the field? Ron Fellows, Scott Pruett?

Ryan Smithson: P.J. Jones. Boris "The Hair" Said.

Marty Smith: I love Boris. He's awesome.

Lee Montgomery: You're on Worm. I'll take $2 from you. Boris is the man. Wish he was in Cup full-time.

Ryan Smithson: Boris will beat Fellows.

	It's gettin' hot in here.......Credit: AP

Marty Smith: He looks like he should be on Jackass with Bam and Steve-O. Plus he has a cool name.

Marty Smith: I think those road specialist boys will fare well, simply from repetition. That's what they race every weekend so they're a bit sharper out of the box than oval guys. But they still won't win. Gordon will.

Lee Montgomery: A fellow will win. He won't be named Ron, however.

Dave Rodman: Ronnie has had to drive over his head in the past, and in DEI's car, with their pit crew, I think he can get it done -- though I would be much more comfortable if this was Watkins Glen instead of Infineon.

Marty Smith: Look at Dave, all PC. Infineon.

Ryan Smithson: You call Fellows "Ronnie," eh, Rodman.

	NASCAR fans in Beijing protest Mike Skinner's dismissal at Morgan-McClure. Credit: AP

Lee Montgomery: Everyone in Canada adds an "ie" to their name

Ryan Smithson: Like you always call Steve Park "Steven." Drives me crazy. His name is Steve.

Dave Rodman: You need to get out of the office more, bro.

Marty Smith: What's he call you, Smithson' Moronie?

Ryan Smithson: Nope. Young'un.

Lee Montgomery: Stat Boy is better.

Ryan Smithson: You know, I don't even watch PTI.

Marty Smith: And we care, why?

Ryan Smithson: I saw Stat Boy on Real Sports, the best show on TV. Real Sports needs a NASCAR segment.

Lee Montgomery: We don't care.

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

The opinions listed here are solely those of the participants.