(dis)believe the dialogue: Weekly news in review

Just because the Winston Cup guys weren't on the track last week doesn't mean that the news stopped.

That is for sure.

We are still waiting to see what will happen with the No. 4 car for the remainder of the season, and we are curious to watch if some of the other struggling teams can rebound during the second half of the season.

While we wait to see how that all unfolds, Marty and Elliott clearly agreed to disagree on the latest NASCAR news.

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?

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Elliott: DIS

EMAIL Email Elliott Email Marty

Let me say this first and foremost. I am a Bobby Labonte fan. I also 100 percent agree with Joe Gibbs when he said Labonte is a class act, and we certainly know Labonte can drive the wheels off a car. I am just not a big fan of long-term contracts. Sure, drivers can claim job security this or team loyalty that, but five years is a long time in this business.

I would have much rather seen Labonte sign a 2-3 year contract, with extensions available, that way his options are open to explore other opportunities down the road. There are just too many variables in long-term contracts that allow teams to cut drivers.

What if Interstate Batteries had to leave the sport, or what if Labonte's performance slips drastically?

How loyal will Gibbs be then?

Marty: BELIEVE

	Bobby Labonte currently sits fourth in the point standings. Credit: Autostock

Did you really, DIS this, Elliott? And I know you didn't question Joe Gibbs' loyalty, did you? This isn't a typical organization we're dealing with.

As you said, success is hard to come by these days in the Winston Cup Series, and finding quality people that fit perfectly in your organization is a rare luxury.

So if you're Joe Gibbs, and you have a guy like Labonte who is not only a hot shoe and top-tier ambassador for NASCAR racing, but also the guy who joined Jimmy Makar in solidifying your organization among the perennially elite in racing's most competitive series, you reward that.

And on the flip side, if you're Bobby Labonte, and you know Joe Gibbs took a chance on you back in 1994 when you'd never won and only finished in the top-five once in your career, and gave you everything necessary to develop into a champion, you reward that.

This is a no-brainer, man. Elliott, you missed the boat.

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Elliott: DIS

	Stacy Compton has six top 10 finishes in the Busch Series this season. Credit: Autostock

I just don't like seeing good drivers becoming field-fillers in the hope of making a few extra bucks in a Winston Cup race, period. Stacy Compton and David Green should focus all their energy and time into making sure their full-time rides receive the attention need to win at Daytona -- in the Busch Series race.

I would hate for something to happen, say a wreck in a Winston Cup practice, that would force either of those guys out of their normal rides, especially in Green's case as the points leader. Seat time is important, but not when it can jeopardize your goals of racing for a Championship. (I will save the "Winston Cup guys in Busch races" discussion for later ...)

Marty: BELIEVE

Though I'd have been just fine if Stacy Compton turned this ride down, I totally understand why he didn't. First of all, Stacy's a great plate racer and has done a lot with a little in the past -- Melling, Foyt -- and secondly, like everyone else, he ultimately wants to be driving in the Winston Cup Series.

And in Winston Cup, as much as anywhere in the world, out of sight is out of mind.

This is face time, central, baby. This is Daytona, not New Hampshire. Perform well here and maybe you'll spark some interest. Same deal for David Green, though Green's deal is an entirely different ballgame.

He's in a Hendrick Motorsports car, with folks to bounce ideas off of, whereas Compton's pretty much on an island.

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Elliott: DIS

	Some lucky kid will get their paint scheme on the No. 37, but will it be on the track? Credit: Autostock

Here we go again with the gimmicks. I am all for having fun promotions involving kids and the sport, but the truth of the matter is kids have no idea who Derrike Cope is. I would venture to bet that if you interviewed 100 kids outside of Friendly's on who their favorite driver was, 90 of them would say Dale Earnhardt Jr. or Jeff Gordon.

It might be fun to encourage kids to color a paint scheme for a car and be creative, but what is Friendly's going to do if Cope doesn't make the race with the winning design? Give a free scoop of ice cream to all the kids?

Marty: BELIEVE

Could you be more full of crap today, man? Friendly's already sponsors Cope, so why not integrate the youngsters into the program and give them an opportunity to achieve something really special?

Man, can you imagine the joy an 8-year old would experience if the paint scheme they designed were on the racetrack? Every kid loves it when their work gets displayed on the bulletin board in the hallway at school, much less in front of five million people at 100 mph.

Who cares if Cope doesn't make the race? That's not the point. If you're telling me that the winner won't be the MAN at school when his or her paint scheme is sitting at the front door, you've forgotten what it's like to be a kid - despite the fact that you still look like one.

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Elliott: DIS

	Jason Keller trails David Green by 100 points for the Busch points lead. Credit: Autostock

Going in to the Stacker 2/GNC Live Well 250 at Daytona last season, Jason Keller sat third in the points with four wins and ten top 10 finishes. Keller didn't secure his first win of 2003 until Sunday, and now has eight top-10 finishes, but still sits fifth in the points.

So which scenario is it? Keller is having an average season, but the competition is subpar so he is still only 100 behind leading the series? Or is the competition that much better this year that a repeat of his 2002 performance just isn't going to cut it to earn the Championship?

Whichever you believe, keep this in mind -- Keller didn't win a single race in the second half of 2002. If that trend continues this year, he will have a hard time getting past Green, Riggs, Bodine or Hornaday for the championship hardware, which I believe would be a big letdown for him.

Marty: BELIEVE

You make it sound like this win came out of nowhere, man. Prior to last week's triumph at Milwaukee, Keller had finished in the top-five in one of every three starts in 2003, including a runner-up effort to Bobby Jr. two weeks back at Kentucky. So he started a little slower this year, who cares? He's only 100 points out of the lead.

Granted, I'll admit ppc Racing isn't the dominant force they were when Jeff Green was reeling off 25 top-fives and six wins a season, but they still build top-of-the-line Busch Series cars. Keller and Riggs have been championship contenders all season, and will continue to be.

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the writers.