(dis)believe the dialogue: Weekly news in review

Another week, another Ryan Newman sighting at the top of the qualifying chart. Did you know that he has started from the pole in three of the last four races? Amazing.

Speaking of Newman, he also has eight top-10 finishes in the previous nine races, so continuing our "what if" points watch, he would currently be second in the points, a meer 94 points behind Matt Kenseth, if he had finished just 20 positions higher in races 8-11 (when he finished 38th or worse four straight times).

Ah, what could have been. Anyway, on to this week's topics ...

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

I realize we have been in the midst of "silly season" for a while now, but this one just doesn't seem to register with me.

EMAIL Email Elliott

I have a hard time buying the "chemistry" excuse, especially with only two races left in the season.

What can really be accomplished over the final two races? Certainly not a foundation for the 2004 season. Mark Martin and Ricky Rudd are probably spending more time these days planning their offseason than worrying about Homestead-Miami.

	Tryson and Ricky Rudd talk strategy. Credit: Autostock

Further, after coming off a second-place finish in the standings in 2003, I am not convinced that the Leslie-Martin combination should be broken up just yet. We are talking about the same Mark Martin that has never finished lower than 15th in the points since joining Roush in 1988.

Couldn't his season just be a bad case of bad luck? A lot of that has been going around this season. Just ask Dale Jarrett or Jeff Burton.

Mark: BELIEVE

Let's see. Martin is 17th in points, with no wins and only five top-five finishes this season. Rudd is 21st, with no victories and only five top-10 finishes in 2003. Sure sounds like a perfect "let's switch and see what happens" situation to me.

	Leslie and Mark Martin talk strategy. Credit: Autostock

The teams certainly have more to gain than to lose at this point. What if something Leslie does clicks for Rudd, or vice-versa? Instead of standing around at the team's Christmas party, wondering what to do next, perhaps two races with a different crew chief will stir some positive brain-storming during the off-season.

In NASCAR's current climate of "instant gratification," Martin and Rudd can't point at their past success as predictors of the future. Perhaps you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but maybe a new crew chief can change a veteran driver's fortunes.

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Elliott: DIS

No offense to Jeff Green, as both Marty and I have defended him greatly in previous editions of this column, but what is Richard Petty thinking?

I guess when you go from parting ways with John Andretti, to struggling to just make races with Christian Fittipaldi, to finally earning a top-20 finish with Green, bottles of bubbly should be uncorked!

But let's be serious. Petty Enterprises is in a rebuilding (and hopefully rebounding) era, and the question is should that be the mode that Green should be in with them?

	Richard Petty has a decision to make -- who will drive the No. 43 in 2004? Credit: Autostock

Over the past five weekends, the No. 43 has finished no better than 24th, and it didn't even make the field for the Atlanta race. How could an owner (or the driver) be pleased with that?

It is clear Green desires (and probably deserves) a Nextel Cup ride for 2004, but in the right seat with the right equipment.

I am just not sure there is enough Goody's in the pantry to hold off those headaches Green will endure if he has to rebuild a team while also building his career. Just ask Ricky Rudd.

Mark: BELIEVE

I'm old enough to remember when Petty Enterprises was the preeminent team of its day. In addition to Lee, Richard and Kyle, the drivers who piloted the Petty blue read like a who's who of the sport: Ralph Earnhardt, Joe Weatherly, Jim Paschal, Marvin Panch, Darel Dieringer, Tiny Lund, Pete Hamilton.

So what happened?

Richard probably stayed in the seat too long. Running the disadvantaged Pontiacs instead of switching makes. Missing the technology curve. A steady stream of drivers in the No. 43 -- Rick Wilson, Bobby Hamilton, Andretti -- without finding a good fit.

A.J. Foyt and the Wood Brothers are in the same situation. The game has changed so significantly that what used to work well doesn't even get you in the show anymore.

So until Petty can recapture the magic with either a hot, young driver or hot, young mechanic, Jeff Green's a solid driver who will stabilize a program that is in desperate need of stability.

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Elliott: BELIEVE

Leave it to NASCAR. When all else fails (threat of fines), take away someone's dignity! Or at least make them eat some humble pie.

While I have been critical in the past towards some of the so-called "young guns" and their behavior during certain circumstances, I love this situation.

Yes, Kurt Busch is a rising star with a ton of talent. And yes, he won four races this year and currently sits in the top 10 in the standings. But no, he can't get away with everything. As my dad says, we all put our pants on one leg at a time, no matter who you are.

What I really want to know is if the credential hauler charged Busch the $5 for the plastic holder?

Mark: DIS

Speaking of petty, NASCAR is supposed to be a major sport, yet it stoops to what amounts to after-school detention in this instance.

	Does the punishment fit the "crime" for Kurt Busch? Credit: Autostock

Warren Sapp, you have to use the cheerleaders' locker room. Barry Bonds, you have to sell hot dogs in the concession stand before the game. Dennis Rodman, we've double-knotted your sneakers.

If what he did was dangerous, take away some cash. Take away some points. Tell him he can watch the race on TV.

But to claim Busch will learn a lesson by inconveniencing him at the track is the ultimate in the old "If I have to stop this car, somebody's going to get a whipping" form of deterrence. Like a NASCAR official will pull down Busch's driver's suit and paddle his bottom the next time, although that would make for great television.

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the writers.