Track Smack: Atlanta

Our guest fan this week is Ft. Worth resident Jeff Simmons, who roots for Matt Kenseth. So he picked a good week to join us.

Can Matt Kenseth make it three in a row?

Ryan Smithson: You know, I really think he's the favorite this weekend, not Bobby Labonte. I am a big believer in momentum, and it wouldn't be a shocker for him to do it again.

Dave Rodman: Momentum counts for a lot, Atlanta is his kind of racetrack and with the exception of what seems like a lemon or two at every race, the Yates/Roush engine collaboration is knocking them out of here -- so sure, he could definitely win.

Jeff Simmons: Although I would like to say yes, because I am a big 17 fan, I have to say no. This upcoming weekend is going to be a showcase for the Gibbs boys. Matt has run well and by all signs should continue to be consistent, but no third win this weekend. Three in a row is a tall order.

Marty Smith: Absolutely. Atlanta is a driver's track where being cautiously aggressive is crucial. Look who wins there: Bobby Labonte, Jeff Gordon, etc. Labonte is the smoothest driver around, hence his six victories there will several different team dynamics. Maybe we should start calling him Smoothie King. Kenseth is much the same. Calculated. Wouldn't be a surprise at all for him to win this weekend.

Lee Montgomery: Those guys clearly have it going on right now and are on top of their game. There's no reason to think they won't be up front again this weekend. Three in a row? Tough to do these days, supposedly. But he made it look easy at Vegas and Rockingham.

Ryan Smithson: Ah, Jeff thinks even Kenseth can't win three in a row based on sheer stats. I can see that. Every next one is four times harder to win.

Track Smack Audio  Too lazy to read the print version? Check out Track Smack Audio, where we debate whether Kasey Kahne can continue running up front.

Marty Smith: Smithson, don't be hating on Jeff. You base everything on sheer stats.

Ryan Smithson: I wasn't hating on Jeff, Marty. I can see why he said that. Two in a row's difficult; three in a row is nearly impossible.

Marty Smith: When guys have something to prove they work to assure their point gets proven. Kenseth, Reiser & Co. want to prove the world wrong.

Ryan Smithson: You can sense their confidence building with the improved motor. It's like they solved their only weakness. Which is pretty scary.

Send a nice letter Marty Ryan Dave Lee

Lee Montgomery: And I don't know if that was a weakness last year or not.

Ryan Smithson: Relatively speaking, Lee.

Lee Montgomery: But they are better. Other drivers have said that.

Send a mean letter Marty Ryan Dave Lee

Dave Rodman: I wouldn't even call it a weakness -- what did they have, one failure at the end of last season, or were it two? Either way, motors weren't their big problem. If Matt and Robbie put the last two seasons together, the wins of 2002 with the consistency of 2003, look out.

Dave Rodman: Of course, the chase for the championship obviously nullifies anything they do over the course of the entire season...

Marty Smith: Kenseth is pretty much flying the bird to those who've discounted his championship last year. Kind of a "I wasn't good enough for you last year. Well watch this..."

	I've always got time for my fans! Credit: Autostock

Ryan Smithson: Ah, Rodman fires the first shot in dissing the new points system. Most of the older guys like Rodman dislike it.

Lee Montgomery: Yeah, it's kind of funny, Dave. He was accused of stroking to the championship, and now he's killing 'them. Seems like he'd stroke again this year, but that isn't happening.

Ryan Smithson: If Kenseth is this strong all season, it won't matter if his points lead is wiped out after 26 races. He'll build it right back.

Jeff Simmons: Well, Matt is already up by almost triple digits...how fair is it going to be if he smokes the field only to have the playing field leveled after the 26th race.

Dave Rodman: Well, that's the point -- they didn't stroke last year.

Cool letter we got  You had a picture of Paul Wolfe and its caption stated: “Our only photograph of Paul Wolfe."  Well, its time to get more of Paul. My wife and I recently took a road trip from Charleston, S.C. up to his shop, by his invitation, to meet him personally.  He stopped what he was doing, came and met us at the door, and was just the most kind-hearted and personable driver you would ever want to meet.  We wish him many years of success and through your help, maybe he can get some much deserved exposure on your site, and hopefully the success will come on its own!  Thank you for the chance to speak my mind and I will continue to enjoy your column.  With kindest regards,  Dave

Lee Montgomery: Yeah, I know. But some folks thought he was, which is stupid. And some folks think you can do that this year. Stroke for 26 races and get in the top 10. But I disagree.

Dave Rodman: Life isn't fair Jeff. Wrestling is racing and I think by September we're going to see how this NASCAR/WWE alliance really plays out. The racing isn't going to be different, but the entire aura surrounding it might be kind of stinky. Compared to seasons passed.

Jeff Simmons: You have to be worried now though if after 3 races you are 200 points down. Look at the big names that find themselves in that position. Dale Jarrett, Ryan Newman.

Marty Smith: Not really, Jeff. All that matters is to be top-10. Who cares if you're 2,000 points down? Come race No. 27, it's just 50 points.

Ryan Smithson: Jeff, they aren't worried. Everyone within 400 points makes the playoffs. That could be 18 guys.

Marty Smith: 18 guys? Come on, Smithson! It'll be 10, unquestionably.

Lee Montgomery: Especially if Kenseth stays hot for a long time.

Ryan Smithson: Big if, Lee.

Dave Rodman: Put it to Ryan, Dawg. The contrivance was contrived to allow for more than 10, but it was designed to only be 10 guys.

Marty Smith: There's no way more than 10 drivers will be within 400 points. Heck, I'll be surprised if five guys will be within 400.

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Lee Montgomery: Contrivance was contrived? Come on, Kurt Rodman.

Dave Rodman: LeeMo, you know I can't hit them with a big enough stick, so pardon me for trying.

Ryan Smithson: It's only 26 races. It's a lot easier to stay within 400 for 26 races instead of 36.

Jeff Simmons: It could be 18 guys, but it could only be 10 if Matt is as consistent this year as last. If you are 200 points down now, you have to finish on average within three positions of Matt for the next 23 to be within 400.

Lee Montgomery: Stat Boy No. 2?

Was NASCAR right to crack down on profanity in interviews?

	You'd think he'd feel a draft. Credit: AP

Marty Smith: Considering what the FCC is doing, absolutely.

Lee Montgomery: This is a tough one. I don't think there's a clear answer. I'm a big believer in freedom of speech, but if I have kids, I don't want them listening to Johnny Sauter.

Ryan Smithson: I think so, but I hate this trend. I mean, people hear profanity everywhere else.

Marty Smith: I mean, the FCC is planning on busting Bono's ass for something he said last year! And it's parallel, because Bono's interview was live, just as ours are post-race.

Jeff Simmons: Yes...how do I watch a race with my 7-year-old son when Kurt Busch is calling fellow drivers derogatory names for the female anatomy.

Dave Rodman: Bleep yeah, I mean, if a motherbleep wants to call someone out, let him take him out behind the bleeping hauler and paste his ass -- he don't need to be talking crap on live TV.

Ryan Smithson: Marty, the FCC will fine you for saying ass. Open your checkbook.

Lee Montgomery: Yeah, me, too, Ryan. The Speech Police are in force.

Jeff Simmons: I guess my 7-year-old wont be chatting with you anytime soon, either.

Dave Rodman: Whoops, sorry, I got carried away there.

Lee Montgomery: I will say, though, that you don't have to use profanity to be colorful.

	Is my hair still there? Credit: AP

Ryan Smithson: Good point, Lee.

Jeff Simmons: The fussing and fighting is part of what makes this sport fun and draws us all in.

Lee Montgomery: So just because NASCAR is cracking down on foul language doesn't mean it wants to get rid of all the color.

Marty Smith: Per Section 12-4 in the NASCAR rulebook, Smith fined for actions detrimental to stock car racing.

Lee Montgomery: Bill Cosby, to me, is the funniest man in America, and he doesn't cuss at all.

Jeff Simmons: You don't have to be a potty mouth. It makes you look stupid, frankly.

Lee Montgomery: I agree, Jeff.

Lee Montgomery: And Marty, write 1,000 times: I will not cuss. I will not cuss, I will not cuss.

Dave Rodman: Yeah, it takes thought and creativity to make a profound point -- cuss words are a crutch, albeit a convenient one, and at the spur of the moment, too darned easy to lean on.

	Chad, do you think that is a 60-watt bulb or a 100? Credit: Autostock

Lee Montgomery: I agree.

Marty Smith: Jeff voices an opinion shared by thousands of fans worldwide. They want to spend quality time with their children watching racing, and having to explain why their favorite driver curses is difficult.

Ryan Smithson: But it truly does not happen very often on TV, guys. It's not that big of a problem.

Marty Smith: The kids can be like, 'Such and such does it on TV, why can't I?'

Jeff Simmons: My favorite line from last year was Ricky Rudd's yap-yap mouth comment about Kevin. That was funny and G-rated

Lee Montgomery: Amen.

Ryan Smithson: Rudd's good like that.

Dave Rodman: I think the level of language might be inversely proportional to blood pressure -- or something like that.

Marty Smith: Rudd's the man. His Bull in a China shop comment from a couple years back was classic, too.

That being said, should NASCAR police profanity on the scanners?

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Lee Montgomery: No, no, no.

Ryan Smithson: No, no and no.

Marty Smith: No.

Lee Montgomery: No.

Marty Smith: Absolutely not.

Lee Montgomery: No.

Lee Montgomery: That is private speech, period. NASCAR needs to stay out of that.

Dave Rodman: It's available to the public, but you're right, that's crossing a distinction I think we don't want to go near.

Marty Smith: It's not like television, where everyone has one and can stumble upon it. If someone's at the race, they're free game to hear bad language. It's no different than sitting behind the bench in a basketball game and hearing Bob Knight drop an F-bomb.

Track Smack appears every Wednesday on NASCAR.com at 11 a.m. ET sharp.

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