Track Smack: Offseason

What was the biggest surprise of the 2003 season?

Ryan Smithson: I think the fact that surprised me the most was that Matt Kenseth took hold of the title chase the way he did. Sure, he's won races before, but he'd never finished better than eighth in any season. That was quite a jump, and it went unnoticed.

Lee Montgomery: Have to be the announcement of Nextel as the new series sponsor. Who would've ever guessed there'd be someone other than Winston in Winston Cup? It'll take some getting used to saying "Nextel Cup."

Marty Smith: Honestly, the biggest surprise of 2003 for me is a tie. First that Terry Labonte had such an impressive year. I never dreamed he'd finish in the top 10. Secondly, I'd have to say Dale Jarrett's terrible season. For them to finish outside the top 25 is unfathomable.

Lee Montgomery: But if we're talking drivers, I'd have to say Terry Labonte was a pleasant surprise. The old veteran won a race and finished in the top 10 in points. You'd made a lot of money if you said in January he'd do that.

Dave Rodman: The list could go on and on forever. I would have never predicted Dale Jarrett or Elliott Sadler would struggle as much as they did, in concert; or for that matter, that Mark Martin would have his worst point season on the heels of last year, when he was so danged good.

Ryan Smithson: I have to agree with you, Lee, I think I've already forgotten the initial shock of the first reports that Winston might be wanting out. I remember Robin Miller broke that story. I think.

Marty Smith: He sure did, Smithson. I refused to believe it. I thought old' Robin had fallen off the proverbial deep end. Next thing you know, bingo, he was right.

Lee Montgomery: That was one of the first stories I did for NASCAR.com.

Ryan Smithson: Old Terry only had nine top-10 finishes. That sure is a low number for someone who finished in the top 10.

Send a nice letter Marty Ryan Dave Lee

Marty Smith: Compared to a year when he was the only driver not to lead a lap, Smithson? Come on.

Ryan Smithson: Marty, get this. Terry had the fewest top-10 finishes in five years among people who finished in the top 10.

Lee Montgomery: Statboy is back.

Ryan Smithson: In 1998, Hamilton finished 10th and only had eight.

Lee Montgomery: Took him five hours to find that, I bet.

Ryan Smithson: Took me about two minutes. On a dial-up, five hours.

Send a mean letter Marty Ryan Dave Lee

Marty Smith: More like five minutes, Lee. Statboy is Rainman South.

Dave Rodman: So I guess that means we need to bow even deeper for his amazing show of consistent performance. I agree with Marty, in terms of positive surprises, Terry definitely rates near the top.

Ryan Smithson: I wrote him off. And everyone else is lying if they claim they didn't too.

Lee Montgomery: Yep, we sure heard the retirement rumors about him. He proved us wrong.

	The many expressions of Terry Labonte......

Ryan Smithson: I think I've finally learned that drivers are never down until they retire. Anyone can come back.

Marty Smith: Bill Elliott's fired up now, too, boys. The way he ran the last quarter of the year, I'd be shocked if he retired.

Lee Montgomery: He was awesome, again.

Marty Smith: He could have won Kansas, should have won Homestead and obviously did win Rockingham.

Marty Smith: But with Mike Ford going over to the 88, who knows? Maybe Ford can revitalize Jarrett's career, too. I hope so. I'd like to see DJ return to prominence. It's good for NASCAR for DJ to be in the hunt.

Ryan Smithson: It will be very interesting to see if Evernham can keep it up. And give Evernham some credit. They opened the year horribly. They were dog crap. In the second half, they beat all the other two-car teams. Maybe Ray had his operation finally going after four years.

Lee Montgomery: Ford is better than people give him credit. If Yates lets him, Ford will get Jarrett going again.

Ryan Smithson: I remember that photo Rodman took at Texas, when Elliott's motor blew.

Dave Rodman: That will be determined in court. If Kasey gets freed, I would say Bill's last full season has already been run.

Marty Smith: I just know that he was tired of the hoopla, but running up front is intoxicating.

Ryan Smithson: Lee, do you think Jarrett is struggling because he can't feel the cars like he used to?

Marty Smith: It has a way of making guys change their minds in a hurry.

Lee Montgomery: Jarrett is struggling because Yates is messed up.

Ryan Smithson: If running up front is intoxicating, then I've never been drunk. How is Yates messed up? Equipment stuck in 1999?

Dave Rodman: I agree it's a pretty potent drug, but Bill of all people I think would be able to resist it. .

Lee Montgomery: I didn't say I knew what was messed up, but something sure is.

Marty Smith: They were pretty dialed in at the beginning of the year. DJ won Rockingham and Elliott was awesome through Martinsville. But after Shawn Parker got sent over to the 88, the wheels fell off.

Ryan Smithson: I got a killer stat for you. Jeremy Mayfield had more top-five finishes than Robert Yates Racing did as a whole.

Dave Rodman: You hate to beat up and overuse the chemistry and trust cliches -- but it could be that simple.

Marty Smith: And that's killer, why?

Lee Montgomery: Dale Jarrett had one more top-five finish than me. That's a killer stat.

Marty Smith: There you go, Lee.

Ryan Smithson: Or, Lee, you had as many as Sterling Marlin.

Marty Smith: And Ward Burton.

Ryan Smithson: Lee's a pretty funny street driver. He's the type who nails the gas when he sees a green arrow, and he's going straight.

Lee Montgomery: Man, I'm pretty good, ain't I?

Marty Smith: You'd have to be, driving that upholstered rollerskate of yours.

Lee Montgomery: That's about to be retired.

Ryan Smithson: What are you going to get, Lee?

Lee Montgomery: Dodge Taurus Monte Carlo.

What was the biggest disappointment of the 2003 season?

Lee Montgomery: Disappointing? We've already covered it. Jarrett.

Ryan Smithson: I'll go a little off the cuff here. I'd have to say Bobby Labonte's second half. I really thought he'd make a run at Kenseth, but that crash at Chicagoland finished off his year. It's not the most disappointing this year, but it sticks out in my mind.

Marty Smith: Once again, I have to go with Jarrett, and Rusty Wallace's lack of success while his teammate set the world on fire.

	And Dale Jarrett still found plenty to smile about in 2003.....

Lee Montgomery: Marlin was pretty disappointing, too. Wasn't he the points leader most of last year? Where'd he go?

Marty Smith: Same place Mark Martin did.

Ryan Smithson: Speaking of Marlin, man, Mears never got off the ground.

Dave Rodman: We'd have to create another category for Sterling -- now that the season is over, shocking would be more like it. For disappointed, Rusty I think is a few degrees beyond that.

Dave Rodman: Casey had what would have been considered in years past a relatively ordinary rookie season.

Lee Montgomery: Marlin, Martin, Rusty and Jarrett went one direction, while Labonte and Elliott went another.

Marty Smith: McMurray had a solid year, but Casey definitely struggled. You've got to remember, though, that this was his second year in a stock car.

Ryan Smithson: How can you say that, Rodman? Mears had awesome equipment and no top-10s.

Lee Montgomery: Ryan just doesn't like Mears.

Ryan Smithson: All right, you guys think I am being too harsh. I like Mears fine. But they rushed him to Winston Cup. Sorry. Actually, rushed isn't the word. Threw him to the wolves is a better set.

Marty Smith: I'm just glad Chip's going to give him another shot. Oftentimes, a kid that struggles is shown the door. I guess Target loves him, which never hurts.

Ryan Smithson: He never even won a Busch race. And before you guys scream that Stewart never won a Busch race either, Mears never really threatened to win a Busch race.

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Dave Rodman: The rookie seasons that Stewart, Johnson and Newman had have spoiled everyone.

Ryan Smithson: I agree with that, Rodman.

Marty Smith: But therefore it's what's expected, Rodman.

Track Smack appears every Wednesday on NASCAR.com at 11 a.m. ET sharp. Even in the offseason.

The opinions -- if you can call them that -- are solely those of the participants.