Track Smack: The Rock

Whew. Speedweeks is finally over. Our third fan, Phyllis Stansell of Cleveland, Tenn., joins us this week. She's a big Ward Burton supporter. And boy, is she bitter about the Burton-BDR divorce!

So we get some unrestricted racing this weekend. What can we expect?

Marty Smith: At this point it's cliche, but the season truly begins next Sunday. Plate racing is so fickle, so much car is involved and so much can happen so quickly. At The Rock, you absolutely have to manhandle a loose, worn-out racecar.

Lee Montgomery: "Real racing," is what some people will say. Most of the drivers love Rockingham because it is a great place to race. There are plenty of ways around that track, so it's a fun place to race. Remember the battle between Dale Jarrett and Kurt Busch last year? Great stuff.

Ryan Smithson: I don't think we'll see a younger driver win this weekend. The tire situation is going to throw the younger drivers a curveball, I think, and this is a great shot for somebody like Rusty Wallace or Dale Jarrett to come through.

Phyllis Stansell: Ward Burton in front! But I agree with Marty. I don't really think of the season as started until Rockingham. I am anxious to see how the rookies do at this track. I'm hoping that I see Ward Burton in the front this week! Maybe they can get all his lugnuts tight.

Dave Rodman: I don't think it's going to be anything different than it's ever been. Kurt Busch has an old crew chief, so that was his ace in the hole. Bottom line, it will be same damn straight racing, and we better enjoy it.

Lee Montgomery: But the new tires aren't in use this weekend, Ryan.

Ryan Smithson: It don't matter, Lee. They'll wear out anyway.

Marty Smith: As always, tire wear is huge here. But you have to remember this, the new tire doesn't come into play until Vegas. That said, Rockingham still chews up the old ones pretty good.

	Oh my gosh! Greg! There's a spider on your shoulder! Get it off!

Phyllis Stansell: I sure would like to see a close finish. By an older driver. Maybe DJ or Ward!

Lee Montgomery: Ryan, Busch almost won, and last time I checked, he was a younger driver.

Marty Smith: Jamie McMurray is awesome at Rockingham. So is Jimmie Johnson. Those cats are both young.

Lee Montgomery: It's funny to me. What makes a good racetrack these days, it seems, is worn-out pavement. And Rockingham is clearly worn out.

Phyllis Stansell: I think that experience is going to be a big factor this week

AUDIO CLIPS Too lazy to read Track Smack? Listen to the audio version, where we discuss why teams like DEI and Ultra might actually skip Rockingham. / Listen

Ryan Smithson: When was the last time they paved Rockingham? They paved Darlington in 1997, and it's worn out already.

Dave Rodman: Who knows how many more times we'll be back at The Rock?

Phyllis Stansell: I think this may be the last time.

Lee Montgomery: Which would suck.

Marty Smith: I love that place. Ticks me off they had to steal a race away, but I understand why. Money.

Ryan Smithson: This race has got to sell out.

Phyllis Stansell: How close are they as of now?

Marty Smith: Rockingham never sells out and the weather always sucks. But damn, the racing is awesome.

Send a nice letter Marty Ryan Dave Lee

Phyllis Stansell: It's supposed to be 60 degrees Sunday, maybe that will help.

Lee Montgomery: You know, 25 years ago, Rockingham was the first race I ever saw live in person, thanks to my dad and a buddy of his.

Ryan Smithson: You told that story last year, Lee. It's good though.

Marty Smith: Lee's getting' older now, losing his once sharp memory.

Ryan Smithson: Petty won, right, Lee?

Send a mean letter Marty Ryan Dave Lee

Lee Montgomery: Bobby Allison. Dominated in the 15 car.

Ryan Smithson: Bud Moore.

Lee Montgomery: Petty wrecked early. Yarborough and Donnie Allison got in another wreck, and took Petty out. Ticked me off.

Marty Smith: One thing is for certain. It'll be cold. It's always cold there. I just hope it's dry, man.

Lee Montgomery: Amen to that.

Lee Montgomery: Rainingham.

	I didn't get the Bud Pole?!

Ryan Smithson: Supposed to rain on Saturday I think.

Phyllis Stansell: I just wish I were going!

Lee Montgomery: They sure don't need the Busch race to rain out. I think about 2,000 folks showed up there on Monday.

Ryan Smithson: Rockingham is a great place. The good thing is that the community isn't nearly as dependent on the track as North Wilkesboro was -- Southern Pines has the best golf in the country -- but it still hurts bad.

Dave Rodman: See ya, Rock. If ISC is making any money, they got a couple extra years of interest. And I'll get to go to Texas twice next year. Yah-hoo.

Marty Smith: Rodman, you idiot.

Ryan Smithson: Thanks Marty, It felt like beat-up on Ryan day. Again. Rodman, you idiot.

Lee Montgomery: When is it not beat-up on Ryan day?

Marty Smith: Rodman, are you really serious? You'd like to see Rockingham lose a date to Texas? First, that'll never happen because if Rockingham loses a date, it'll go to another ISC track. It won't go to SMI.

Lee Montgomery: Rodman an idiot? Well, he picked a great seafood place Sunday night.

Ryan Smithson: Texas gets a second date when they add a 37th race date.

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Lee Montgomery: Yeah, like Kansas.

Phyllis Stansell: Maybe ISC will give Texas the date in exchange for dropping the lawsuit.

Dave Rodman: Can't eat lunch and type at the same time. Sorry. I don't feel too compelled to close y'all's windows today so I'll let y'all blow.

Marty Smith: Under this whole realignment deal NASCAR has going on, they're pretty adamant that in order for races to move, they'll have to move within the companies that own particular tracks. Like, if Nashville wanted a race, Dover would have to lose one. If Texas is given another date, it'd have to come from an SMI track, like Atlanta or somewhere.

Ryan Smithson: I think Phyllis would rather be discussing Ward's win at The Rock in 1995.

Phyllis Stansell: You betcha.

Marty Smith: MBNA car. Bill Davis' first win, right?

Phyllis Stansell: Or better yet, Daytona 2002.

Ryan Smithson: Yes, that was BDR's first win.

	This is the champions' wing of the garage, Jimmie. See ya.

Lee Montgomery: Ward was strong in the 0 car in the fall Rock race.

Phyllis Stansell: Yes it was. He has experience with this track and he is hungry. We need to show everyone that Wimmer isn't the only one who can finish in the top five.

Ryan Smithson: Oh yeah, Phyllis! Were you rooting for Wimmer?

Phyllis Stansell: Are you serious? No. Don't have fondness for BDR

Lee Montgomery: It'd be cool to see Blaney run some more, though.

One week into the new season, how do you see the new points system shaping out? Does a guy like Dale Jr. already have an advantage?

Phyllis Stansell: I don't think so. I still think Ryan has a shot.

Dave Rodman: That's a dumb question.

Ryan Smithson: I know one thing -- Newman better be glad they changed it. He just got a mulligan on Sunday.

Lee Montgomery: Heck, no. Waaaaaaaay too early for that. This season is a marathon, followed by a sprint. And we're in Mile 1.

Marty Smith: Absolutely. Tony Stewart came back from dead last to win in 2002, but nobody wants to end up in a hole like Mark Martin and Jeff Burton are in right now.

Phyllis Stansell: He starts the season slowly but improves the last 10 or so races.

Lee Montgomery: What might make it a little easier for Martin and Burton is the depths of fields aren't as strong.

Dave Rodman: The point system hasn't changed. He's got a five-point larger lead than he would have had last year. I wouldn't put much stock in that at this point.

	Hey Charlie! I found an air gun over here!

Ryan Smithson: Well, Martin and Burton are bubble teams. Newman is not a bubble driver.

Phyllis Stansell: That's the only thing that bothers me about this "Chase for the Championship."

Marty Smith: I disagree wholeheartedly, Lee. If Martin or Burton has trouble at The Rock, they'll be in major trouble.

Lee Montgomery: If ifs and buts were candy and nuts.

Marty Smith: IF your butt started like that, you'd be worried.

Lee Montgomery: Still plenty of time to make it up.

Phyllis Stansell: I agree, Lee.

Lee Montgomery: If I were Burton, I'd be worrying more about sponsorship.

Ryan Smithson: I got to thinking though -- Kenseth looks like he hasn't lost anything. He'll still be tough to beat.

Lee Montgomery: If they don't find any, the 99 guys might not be around for race 26.

Phyllis Stansell: What happened to those Roush/Yates cars Sunday?

Marty Smith: The Yates cars finished in the top 10.

Dave Rodman: Biffle should have -- and Kenseth did. Don't see much trouble there.

	Next year, it's my turn!

Marty Smith: Biffle had a top-five car. That penalty for speeding on pit road killed his chances. He was awfully fast at the end.

Ryan Smithson: Well, I think what Phyllis meant was that 40 percent of Roush's cars didn't make it to lap 30.

Phyllis Stansell: Exactly.

Marty Smith: I just don't see how you guys can say it's okay to suck in the 500. Teams spend a ton of time and money on that race. Sucking there is demoralizing.

Dave Rodman: Biffle also wasted one of the saves of the year -- missing that backstretch pig pile.

Ryan Smithson: You're right, Marty. McMurray wasn't OK with it. He didn't even talk afterwards

Phyllis Stansell: I don't think it's OK to suck in the 500, but it's just not life or death

Marty Smith: I know I'm right, Ryan.

Lee Montgomery: It's not OK to suck. But, you can overcome.

Ryan Smithson: Sonoma pays the same points as Daytona though.

Marty Smith: Sure you can. That's not my point. The point is that Junior and Tony now have an advantage. Confidence more than anything else.

Ryan Smithson: But the money at Daytona was huge. DEI just got a million bucks that they didn't have before.

Marty Smith: That was the question. The question wasn't "Is Mark Martin's season over?"

Lee Montgomery: Confidence lasts as long as the first lap at Rockingham, especially if you get put in the wall.

Phyllis Stansell: Mark Martin's season is not over. Yet.

	I am already a millionaire, Regis.

Marty Smith: That's not what I meant, Phyllis.

Phyllis Stansell: But it ain't healthy either!

Ryan Smithson: I don't see how the Martin engine failure wasn't a 10-car pileup. In the Busch Series, watch out.

Phyllis Stansell: I was kind of surprised, too

Lee Montgomery: I think, though, it's less about Daytona than about the health of a team. And clearly, the 8 and 20 are healthy. Are the 6 and 99? Let's wait a couple weeks.

Marty Smith: Mark had an awful time. I bet he's pretty depressed. Failed to make the Busch show and only finished eight laps in the 500. Whew. I'd be mad.

Ryan Smithson: I mean, instead of a top-five paying $750,000, you get $200,000. That would pay a few tire bills.

Marty Smith: A lady named Deb Gibson just emailed me. It came out of the blue.

Lee Montgomery: Sweet! Send her to me.

Ryan Smithson: She still looks good. At 40.

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Marty Smith: Rodman is too old to get that joke.

Lee Montgomery: She ain't that old.

Ryan Smithson: Rodman thinks Deb Gibson is an ARCA regular.

Winner at Rockingham?

Phyllis Stansell: Ward Burton and the NetZero team get their first top-five together!!!

Ryan Smithson: Tony Stewart. No question.

Dave Rodman: Biffle's driving the company car. They were impressive at Daytona. Gets career victory No. 2.

Marty Smith: Jamie McMurray. He's absolutely awesome there and finished fifth in this race last year. He's won in a Busch car there, and he's overdue.

Ryan Smithson: Phyllis, you always got to mention the sponsor? You are too much. I mean, you got the lingo down pat.

Lee Montgomery: Mayfield. Bill won there last year, and Mayfield was third. A good bounceback from a rotten Daytona.

Ryan Smithson: Hey Marty. Chingy needs to come out with a song called "Tony Furr." Cause you know I like it like Furr, like Furr.

Marty Smith: I like tha way ya do that, right Furr, right Furr.

Ryan Smithson: I don't think Tony Furr knows who Chingy is, Marty. But it would be funny.

Marty Smith: Sure he does. He goes clubbing on a regular basis, I feel certain.

Ryan Smithson: Or Ward Burton, for that matter. But I'll bet his kids do.

Phyllis Stansell: I'm sure that Sarah does.

Ryan Smithson: Phyllis is scary. She knows all of Ward's facts. How tall is he, Phyllis?

	The two most powerful men in Washington

Phyllis Stansell: 5'4.

Ryan Smithson: Wrong. 5'2. Just kidding. He's like 5'7, I think

Phyllis Stansell: And according to Power Rankings last week, 129 lbs.

Marty Smith: Fans that send malicious emails are awesome. They're such wonderful comic relief.

Phyllis Stansell: What ya got, Marty?

Marty Smith: What don't I have, Phyllis?

Ryan Smithson: Marty, share real quick. The email.

Marty Smith: I cannot.

Ryan Smithson: Ha, that bad eh.

Phyllis Stansell: Ok, be that way!

Ryan Smithson: Profanity?

Marty Smith: They question my manhood, among other things. It's classic stuff.

Track Smack appears every Wednesday on NASCAR.com at 11 a.m. ET sharp. Now, with better, improved guests.

The opinions -- if you can call them that -- are solely those of the participants.