Track Smack: Offseason

Has Bill Elliott won his final race?

Ryan Smithson: I think he has, simply because it's going to be extremely difficult to try to win one out of 15 instead of one out of 36. He also will have to have a new crew chief. Simply put, when was the last time someone won without running a full schedule?

Marty Smith: I'd have to say yes. It's tough to win at all, much less when you're only running a limited schedule. He had a helluva year last year, and if he were running the full slate, I'd say he'd win again for sure. But not doing only a minimal deal. Too tough.

Lee Montgomery: I don't think so. I think he's got a good chance of winning another next year, but it might be a long shot. Winning with a part-time team is a tough deal, but Elliott's team can lean on the 9 and the 19. Remember, Evernham Motorsports was pretty good at the end of the season.

Dave Rodman: That's impossible to predict, given as many variables as exist in the sport. It was pretty darned nice to see that his capabilities haven't waned at all -- but to rebuild a team to the point that him and Mike Ford and Ray had done, is hard to see that happening any time soon.

Marty Smith: Man, at the banquet last week, you could just see the weight of the world off of him.

Dave Rodman: Good thing he's committed to as much as three more years, or so...

Marty Smith: Seriously, he was the most relaxed I've ever seen him in the five years I've had this gig.

Send a nice letter Marty Ryan Dave Lee

Lee Montgomery: That says something, Marty. No pressure. He could surprise some folks.

Marty Smith: Very good point, Lee. Your mind is much clearer than mine at this point.

Dave Rodman: Right now, if you had to pick someone who has the organization, and the capability to pull off a part-time win; you'd have to give a pretty strong nod to Bill.

Marty Smith: With all the hubbub made about chemistry and cohesion, it's a tough task to just show up 10 or 12 times a season and get a win. It has to be a finely tuned machine in the garage, on the track and pit road.

Lee Montgomery: Remember, though, Evernham is on a roll right now.

Dave Rodman: At any rate, it will be pretty cool to see him chilling at the track, as much as anyone in Nomex is allowed to these days.

Send a mean letter Marty Ryan Dave Lee

Ryan Smithson: We will see how Evernham does without Mike Ford. That man had been there since that team's beginning, and losing him was big.

Marty Smith: No better team in Winston Cup than they are. It was awesome to see Elliott run that well.

Dave Rodman: And I think Bill's presence will be pretty heavily felt. Remember, he's gonna be testing, racing, coaching and he said he would be at virtually every race, at least through the beginning of the season.

Ryan Smithson: No better team, Marty? Johnson finished the year better than Elliott did.

	Seperated at birth? Kasey Kahne (above) and NASCAR.com video producer Jeff Lam (below)

Lee Montgomery: Pull us out some stats, Statboy.

Ryan Smithson: Elliott's career stats are enough. 44 freakin' wins.

Dave Rodman: True, they did, but Ford and Elliott were a pretty potent pair, too -- and it might be splitting hairs to try to separate the pair.

Marty Smith: True, JJ had a badass second half, but when was his last win, Smithson? Try New Hampshire. Elliott won Rockingham and was a half-lap from winning Homestead.

Ryan Smithson: New Hampshire is just a few races from the end of the season, Marty, you counting only the final two races? I just think you were a little too quick to give them the "best" moniker.

Marty Smith: What? Dude, there's nine friggin races left on the schedule. That's more than two months, son.

Ryan Smithson: Nine races to go is the final quarter of the schedule.

Marty Smith: Exactly. Well said.

Ryan Smithson: In other news, Gore backs Dean.

Lee Montgomery: I'm staying out of that argument.

Dave Rodman: Jimmie finished second or third in the five races leading up to Homestead, and had six consecutive top-10s to end the season, so I'd have to give him the nod; for closing the deals if nothing else.

Lee Montgomery: Johnson had the most points in the last six. Gordon won twice. Elliott should've won twice. You pick.

What is the best new driver-team combination that came out of Silly Season?

Marty Smith: I'm gonna go with Brian Vickers in the 25. I think they're gonna blow up like Baghdad.

Lee Montgomery: This is a tough one. I'm leaning toward Brian Vickers, just because of Hendrick Motorsports. But don't be surprised if Ward Burton and the NetZero team gets things going.

	Bill Elliott before semi-retirement.......

Ryan Smithson: I thought Silly Season was a tad disappointing -- there was not a lot of earth-shattering moves. But I will go out a limb and say Jeff Green, because I think he can get that car back into the top 20.

Ryan Smithson: I won't say Vickers -- that is too easy.

Marty Smith: No, you just forgot about him. Admittance is the first step, Smithson.

Ryan Smithson: Kind of tough to do that, Marty.

Marty Smith: Not for you, bro.

Lee Montgomery: I love it.

	.......and Bill Elliott after!

Ryan Smithson: I didn't forget him. I'd admit if I did. I am just not going to sell out to the obvious answer like you did. Originality.

Lee Montgomery: Dave? Your choice?

Dave Rodman: I have to write everything down and get back to you... Since Silly Season has been yearlong, too much for me to make a snap call on.

Lee Montgomery: Chicken.

Ryan Smithson: Ward did look comfortable in that car. Just don't expect miracles.

Dave Rodman: I would have to agree that Ward and the NetZero bunch have the best chance to excel, though Brian may have a few splatters of amazement. I think, consistently, Scott Wimmer may outrun the Hendrick car; and if the Penske/Jasper deal comes down as we're being led to believe, that could be your answer right there. If Brendan Gaughan gets that seat, and it's properly supported, he's got plenty of schooling and knows how to win. Wimmer gets my nod on experience.

Dave Rodman: And Silly Season ain't over yet. What if Rusty Wallace brought Robin Pemberton back out of semi-retirement? Bingo -- there's your choice.

Marty Smith: Smithson asks a question, gives a weak answer, and then chastises us for giving one that seems a legitimate answer. Go figure...

Lee Montgomery: He's ready for Christmas. Whatcha getting this year, Ryan?

Marty Smith: Maybe he'll get a new job under the tree.

Ryan Smithson: I don't have a tree, yet, Marty. I don't have a truck.

Lee Montgomery: Baseball Encyclopedia? A little light reading?

Ryan Smithson: I used to read those scouting report books, Lee, I got those for Christmas.

Lee Montgomery: I'm not surprised.

Ryan Smithson: 600 pages. The Padres pages wore out first, they were last. Remember those? I mean the Giants pages. Padres were second.

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Lee Montgomery: Merry Christmas, everyone.

Lee Montgomery: Ryan's been in the eggnog.

Ryan Smithson: That stuff is nasty.

Marty Smith: Today is my momma's birthday. Happy birthday, momma.

Lee Montgomery: Rest in peace.

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.