(dis)believe the dialogue: Weekly news in review

One thing you can always count on during the NASCAR season is plenty of news. NASCAR.com's Marty Smith and Elliott Gordon will break down the news behind the news each week through a "rate the debate" format.

See if you agree with the "DIS" of what has been reported, or maybe you BELIEVE everything you read, because if it is printed, it is true ... right?

Click here to read the story

Marty: DIS

As I stated in Track Smack this morning, this announcement shocked me at first. But upon deeper thought, it makes sense -- to a degree.

	John Andretti (left) and The King have parted ways. Credit: Autostock

Both parties are in dire need of change, having been together for five years and achieved only marginal success, at best. Andretti recorded just one victory -- and only a couple top-fives -- in equipment that was once the very face of NASCAR.

I don't see Christian Fittipaldi fairing any better, either.

It's sad, really. Petty Blue used to command respect, still does from my father's generation of fans who remember many of those 200 victories and seven championships.

But from my generation, Petty Blue screams "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up!" I'm far from convinced Andretti is the problem, and it'll take loads of convincing to show me Fittipaldi is the answer.

Elliott: BELIEVE

EMAIL Email Elliott Email Marty

Marty, this is called "rebuilding," and it has to start somewhere. I admire Petty Blue for their loyalty to Andretti all these years, and I would venture to bet they had enough respect for him to sit down and discuss this change as professionals, rather than the "Stacy Compton got fired via the U.S. Postal Service" routine.

Andretti will end up in another ride before too long, and his recognizable family name is certainly one that sponsors still love to have associated with their products.

All the while, Petty Blue can start to dust off five years worth of cobwebs from the No. 43 program, regardless of the driver. Any new perspective is a good perspective in my opinion, and this change should benefit everyone in the long run.

Click here to read the story

Elliott: BELIEVE

Sure, Pocono was Tony Stewart's first victory since Watkins Glen last year, and sure, he is 540 points behind points leader Matt Kenseth, but don't count him out as a contender for the title just yet.

	Tony Stewart

Stewart has always been a second-half star, and his historical stats for the next five races should make some guys push that pedal down a little bit harder when they see that No. 20 in their mirror: Michigan (one win, average finish of 15 since 1999), Infineon (won in 2001, second in 2002), Daytona (top-10 finish at the 500), Chicago (third in 2002), and New Hampshire (one win, average finish of 11 since 1999).

Marty: BELIEVE

This victory is well deserved and long overdue, but Elliott's off his rocker if he thinks Stewart has a chance at winning the championship. Think about it. He won the race Sunday and still only made up 10 points on the Silent Assassin, points leader Matt Kenseth.

That said, I do think the top-five is within reach, a notion I'd have laughed at two weeks ago. In 14 days, Stewart jumped from 20th to 13th in the standings, won Pocono and may have won Dover had 1. Ryan Newman given him his lap back or 2. NASCAR not penalized him for pitting outside his box.

He still finished fourth. And, as E said, he's Billy Badass at the next five venues. Just 48 points separate him from 10th-place Sterling Marlin and he's 178 points behind fifth-place Kurt Busch.

Click here to read the story

Marty: BELIEVE

Unless you've taken up residence under a rock for the past month, there is no questioning Jeff Gordon's heightened aggression behind the wheel. What can be questioned is:

Why?

	Jeff Gordon currently sits third in the point standings. Credit: Autostock

Gordon himself cites parity, saying drivers can no longer simply let competitors pass with confidence they'll be able to run them down later, as was customary in years past.

It's now, now, now. That leads to misjudgment, which in turn can lead to frustration and, ultimately, over-aggression. That said, Gordon is one of the best drivers in the world, one who has long been acknowledged by competitors (well, except Rusty Wallace) as clean.

Hence, I think we're simply seeing the transition from Wonder Boy to Super G, i.e. get it done and worry about the repercussions later.

Elliott: DIS

I don't buy a word of it, Marty. Jeff isn't any more aggressive now than he was when he was winning nine-plus races a season (1996-1998).

It wasn't like he was on cruise control, piloting some arcade game around the track back then. He wanted to win then as much as he does now. Maybe more so back then because he was a "young gun" out to prove something.

Maybe other drivers are just now realizing how competitive Gordo can be because they are door-to-door with him instead of eating his exhaust week in and week out.

Click here to read the story

Elliott: BELIEVE

Is Riggs for real? Disbelievers would claim that his 2002 Rookie of the Year title in the Busch Series was handed to him because he inherited some of the best equipment on the block.

I say it still takes skill to drive the best equipment -- and for Riggs, that has translated into four top-three finishes in the past five races, including a win at Nashville and the Busch Series points lead. Attention Winston Cup team owners: Save Riggs a ride.

Marty: BELIEVE

I believe in Scott Riggs. I actually tabbed him for the No. 28 Winston Cup ride before the whole Elliott Sadler/Ricky Rudd swap, Havoline-to-Ganassi with Jamie McMurray deal went down.

	Scott Riggs

And with Nesquik ending its sponsorship with ppc Racing at year's end, don't be surprised to see this guy in Cup next year.

Riggs has a ton of talent and an insatiable drive to succeed and given the right opportunity he will. Last year was extremely disappointing for Riggs. He started strong, but faded as the season progressed.

This year, he's gotten stronger each week, so look for him and David Green to wage war all year for the crown.

I want this guy to do well. He's one of the most genuinely nice people you'll ever meet.

Stewart puzzled, credits Newman

Click here to read the story

Marty: BELIEVE

If Tony is puzzled, I'm bewildered. Giving a competitor his or her lap back sucks, period. End of story. It goes against the very premise of racing. Why work your tail off all day long to put someone a lap down, then hand it right back to him on a platter just because the caution comes out?

	Can Tony the Tiger roar his way back into the championship hunt? Credit: Autostock

You don't give a competitor anything. Just because Miami is up on Rutgers by three touchdowns, they don't say, 'OK, we'll give you one now.' That would put the Scarlet Knights in better position to win -- just like letting someone back on the lead lap does. Remember: You can't win if you're not on the lead lap.

Stewart said last week that drivers need to decide one way or the other -- either do it or don't do it. Don't be selective in who gets a lap back and who doesn't. It's racing. Don't give anyone a lap back.

Elliott: DIS

Hey Marty, think the ACC will give the Big East their lap back? Look, Tony can complain about the confusion with the "gentleman's agreement" all he wants, but would he have been gracious enough to give Newman his lap back if he knew the No. 12 was a dominant car that day and could challenge him later?

No way.

Should he have? Yes way. Fans deserve (and pay) to see the best racing in the world, and if that means a driver needs to give another competitor his lap back so that we get to see a great race on the white-flag lap, I am all for it.

Click here to read the story

Elliott: DIS

This is pretty cut-and-dried in my opinion -- gimmicks don't belong on pit road. I will not debate the fact that "any publicity is good publicity," and this event brought plenty of attention to both the Craftsman Truck Series and to Shawna Robinson.

	Was Shawna's gimmick good or bad for the sport? Credit: Autostock

On the other hand, I believe the safety risk to these women was just far too great for the reward -- I mean how many times have we seen pit road accidents where crewmembers get seriously injured?

And these women had no past experience to rely on to help them anticipate, or avoid, dangerous situations.

I am just glad no one got hurt. I also believe this type of stunt sends the wrong message, portraying that any athletic person could walk off the streets and become a crewmember ... well, I did run gas for Stacy Compton once at a Truck race ... so, never mind.

Marty: DIS

A few weeks back, I wrote a column stating that women capable of competing with men should be given equal opportunity to succeed in athletics. I stand behind that statement.

But I'm uncertain Robinson's all-female pit crew was adequately capable of their task. Twenty-five second pit stops? That's not even a good publicity stunt.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writers.