(dis)believe the dialogue: Weekly news in review

As we leave the hallowed ground of Indianapolis Motor Speedway for New York this weekend, many interesting plot lines continue to unravel around the garage.

Tony Stewart isn't talking to Ganassi, or is he? Ganassi says so.

Dale Jarrett is talking about contract extensions and his future at Robert Yates Racing, but will it happen soon or drag on?

And now Ward Burton has said he plans to part ways with Bill Davis Racing, so where will he end up? We can debate Burton's fate once that mystery unfolds.

As for now ...

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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Marty: BELIEVE

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I don't claim to know everything about Tony Stewart, nor am I stupid enough to pretend that I do. But here's what I wholeheartedly believe: As much as Stewart appreciates Joe Gibbs for giving him a platform to succeed in NASCAR, and as much as he appreciates Joe Gibbs Racing for enabling him to win a Winston Cup championship, I honestly believe he's nearly had enough of the whole "minding my p's and q's" business.

Stewart is an extremely intense individual with a single-minded personality that, at times, has gotten him into trouble with both Gibbs and Home Depot. He's appeased both with anger management classes and the like.

Ganassi is a kindred spirit, with a similar race-first, breathe later mentality. Ganassi would not only let Stewart be Stewart, he'd encourage it. Moreover, Ganassi would provide him the means to achieve his boyhood dream of winning Indy.

And no one would tell him no.

Elliott: DIS

It is interesting to me how these types of situations continue to expose how far NASCAR is behind when it comes to regulating its teams and talent.

	Should NASCAR let Ganassi speak with Stewart? Credit: Autostock

Using the NFL as an example, they have very strict tampering rules which prevent coaches from having any contact with players under contract with other teams, period.

Owners in the garage area seem to be under the misguided assumption that teams will wait out of respect before they approach their drivers for other rides; this is almost as ridiculous as assuming that 43 drivers are going to repect the gentleman's agreement.

I think it would be smart for NASCAR to review this Ganassi-Stewart-Gibbs situation closely, using the NFL rules as a guide, and perhaps step in and make a judgement now.

Ganassi hasn't violated any rules and he is certainly looking out for his best interests, but my fear is that team owners are going to start getting the reputation of corporate raiders and that will not be good for the growth of this sport.

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Marty: BELIEVE

This is a classic fall-from-grace case, and in my opinion it just plain sucks.

Why is it that when a guy works hard and makes something of themselves, achieves the limelight, then stumbles, others take the liberty of kicking the crap out of him?

	Elliott Sadler and Dale Jarrett, teammates again in 2004? Credit: Autostock

If Dale Jarrett is loyal to anyone, it's Robert Yates, and vice versa. For eight years, Jarrett has been the one constant at RYR and I don't see that changing just because 2003 has been so terrible.

In eight seasons together, the Jarrett/Yates union has produced six top-five points finishes and the 1999 title.

This year has been utterly abysmal and only seems to get worse as the weeks progress, but I'd be shocked to see Jarrett jump ship. He seems the type to regroup and use a year's worth of pent-up frustration to assure 2003 never happens again.

Elliott: DIS

Sorry Marty, I just don't buy it.

Silly Season is silly for a reason, and we all know that the economies of today are going to dictate what happens with the No. 88 team.

Maybe loyalty will win out, but I actually think the holy dollar will. The pressure on today's teams is to win, especially when you have a sponsor like UPS paying double-digit millions to be on the hood. They want to be in Victory Lane, period.

Jarrett was emphatic last week at a press conference, claiming he wasn't leaving RYR and that he was even in talks to have a contract extension. To me, this was no different than Marty Schottenheimer standing in front of the Washington, D.C. media claiming he wasn't going to get fired after only one year coaching the Redskins.

Not only did he get fired, but he was replaced 24 hours later.

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Elliott: BELIEVE

Kevin Harvick has finally turned the corner, and I am really glad to see it. He has seven straight top-20 finishes, which includes a win from the pole last weekend at Indianapolis and four top-10 finishes in the last six races. Impressive.

	Harvick's team enjoys the sweet taste of victory at Indy. Credit: Autostock

At this point in his 2002 campaign, Harvick was sitting 25th in the points -- now, seventh. Not only that, he is just 33 points out of fourth.

There is plenty of racing left this season, including return visits to Atlanta Motor Speedway (where he has won before), and Bristol (where he has four straight top-10 finishes). Seems to me that Happy Harvick has a few more chances to burst some tires during victory donuts while also gaining some valuable points for a top-5 finish in the standings.

Marty: BELIEVE

It was only a matter of time before Harvick broke into Victory Lane. He's been knock, knock, knockin' on Heaven's Door for more than a month, and after a helping hand from a stray piece of debris, he performed a helluva tactical maneuver to pass Jamie McMurray and knock that door plumb off the hinges.

Once out front there was no catching him. I'd venture to say the same will be said in the future - only in the bigger picture. Judging by the six former winners at the Brickyard, Harvick has excellent odds at one day winning the Nextel Cup.

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the writers.