Naw, Joe, we don't have any job openings. I'll let ya know, though. Credit: AP
September 30, 2003
5:29 PM EDT (2129 GMT)
With Marty in New York and Rodman on vacation, it's slim pickings in Smack this week. We should be back to full force next week.
Do you think Bill Elliott will return in 2004?
Lee Montgomery: I have a feeling he won't. Bill has said he'll think about it and tell us when he's ready, but Bill has never been a guy who likes a lot of fanfare. Remember how he was when he won the Winston Million? Hated the attention. He might slip into the media center at Atlanta, say "I'm retiring," and walk away after Homestead.
Ryan Smithson: A lot has come out about that, mainly that the longer it goes on, the more likely it is he returns, but I am not sure I buy that, simply because it really does not take long to hire a driver. Lord knows people will be available.
Lee Montgomery: The odd thing is, if Elliott does indeed retire, why does Mayfield sound like a guy on the hot seat? It seems to make sense to keep Mayfield and hire another guy for the 9.
Ryan Smithson: If he doesn't come back, and if he does make a quiet announcement, it will be sad that he won't be duly honored.
Lee Montgomery: We agree! What a shock.
Ryan Smithson: Mayfield will be back in that car.
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Lee Montgomery: Yes, Elliott will go down as one of the best ever. Certainly one of the most popular. Shame he only won one championship. He was better than that.
Ryan Smithson: He won the title in 1985. I know it says Darrell Waltrip in the official record book, but dad gum it, that was his year!
Lee Montgomery: But he's one of those guys who doesn't want a lot of fuss, no matter what the marketing folks want.
Ryan Smithson: Elliott does not seem like he has fun anymore, and hasn't for a long time, and that is sad. He'll be 48 years old next week. Bill looks 40 though.
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Lee Montgomery: I think he still likes getting behind the wheel, but that's about it. He told me a couple months ago that he still might pop in for a few dirt races. But again, without any fanfare.
Ryan Smithson: That makes sense, he has good dirt equipment, why not use it?
Lee Montgomery: Probably a lot more fun, too.
Lee Montgomery: Before we go any further ? Go Cubs!
Ryan Smithson: If Major Leaguer Baseball had any sense at all, they'd rig up a Red Sox-Cubs World Series.
Lee Montgomery: NASCAR ain't running it, son.
Lee Montgomery: Did I say that?
Ryan Smithson: Wow. I hope NASCAR was wearing a cup for that comment.
Lee Montgomery: That was a joke, fellas.
What will Steve Park be doing in 2004?
Lee Montgomery: He'll be driving something. I have no idea where, though. Not in the 30, which isn't a surprise.
Ryan Smithson: That is such a tough question. I think you might be seeing him racing a lot more on Saturdays instead of Sunday. A lot of guys have hung on for years with zero victories, and Park has two, so he'll be all right.
Lee Montgomery: Yeah, could be. You know, he could end up in the 10 Busch car if Riggs goes Cup, which I think he will.
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| Tony, if I press my finer against my Adam's Apple, I sound like Ward Burton a little. Credit: AP |
Ryan Smithson: They need a sponsor, Lee. If the 10 does not get one, they won't be hiring anybody.
Lee Montgomery: They need two.
Ryan Smithson: That too.
Ryan Smithson: Keller did a fine job at Talladega. Nothing spectacular, but he rarely is.
Lee Montgomery: I wonder where he'll be next year. Probably back in the 57, but you never know how things might shake out.
Ryan Smithson: Keller will always be in demand. Funny, because he was considered washed up a few years ago. I really figured he would succeed Green as Busch champ though.
Lee Montgomery: Remember, he's not that old.
Ryan Smithson: Anyways, back to Park. Maybe he should try to get Smith's No. 2 Truck. That would require swallowing a ton of pride though. I really think that if he did that, and started winning races, he would be back in a solid Winston Cup ride by July.
Lee Montgomery: Might be a good spot. Who knows? It's tough to say Park ran well in the 30. That team has had some issues, so was it Park's fault he finished in the top 10 only twice? I don't know.
Ryan Smithson: It's very tough to say, because the 30 has only had two drivers in its history. Both with a combined two victories.
Lee Montgomery: Green didn't do any better, really, so it's a wash.
Ryan Smithson: So it's not like we were able to get Harvick in there and see if its the car, or something else. Put Mark Prior in the car.
Lee Montgomery: Now you're talking. Straight to the front.
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| Times are tough for Kid Rock. Here he is at Talladega taking a break from baling hay. Credit: Autostock |
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Ryan Smithson: No. He'd go 99 mph everywhere. Which means he would win Martinsville twice a year, and finish 100 laps down at Michigan.
Lee Montgomery: By the way, I'm still mad at Chicagoland Speedway for bringing some Braves players to the drivers meeting. Hello? Chicago? Cubs? Sammy? Kerry?
Ryan Smithson: They brought Sammy in to cork a car up.
Lee Montgomery: Them's fightin' words, son.
Ryan Smithson: Well, let's go.
Winner at Kansas?
Ryan Smithson: It's tough not to pick Ryan Newman.
Lee Montgomery: Here we go. You don't know how many emails I got about my pick at Talladega. Sure, I'll go with Newman. Or maybe Jeff Gordon. Or maybe Kevin Harvick.
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Ryan Smithson: Jeff Gordon? Way to punt, Monty.
Lee Montgomery: Or maybe Dale Jr.
Ryan Smithson: I do think Waltrip will quit finishing 29th every week. He'll finish strong.
Lee Montgomery: I'll really go out on a limb. Ya ready?
Ryan Smithson: Go.
Lee Montgomery: My mom's favorite.
Ryan Smithson: Kevin Lepage?
Lee Montgomery: Rusty Wallace will win the Banquet 400.
Lee Montgomery: Why mom picked him, I'll never know.
Ryan Smithson: Rusty's on fire. Four straight top-10s, I think.
Lee Montgomery: Thanks for backing me up, stat boy.
Track Smack appears every Wednesday on NASCAR.com at 11 a.m. ET sharp.
The opinions listed here are solely those of the participants.
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