Elliott Sadler (left) enjoyed a career year with Todd Parrott making the calls on pit road. Credit: Autostock

Track Smack: Offseason

Who is the most underrated crew chief?

Ryan Smithson: Todd Parrott. He turned around Elliott Sadler's fortunes at Yates and he seems to work really well with his drivers. Albeit, he's only had two in eight years, but that is a testament to his abilities. I like his intensity.

Marty Smith: Jimmy Elledge. When elite crew chiefs are mentioned, his name is rarely in the mix. But it should be. What he did with Andy Petree's No. 55 car was unreal. And wait and see if the 41 bunch doesn't tear it up in 2005. I was about to say Todd Parrott, too, Smithson. Excellent call. Wherever Todd goes, the team prospers.

Lee Montgomery: Underrated is difficult to measure, especially when it comes to a crew chief. These guys are all underrated, if you ask me. But if I had to pick one, it's Robbie Loomis. He's under intense pressure being Jeff Gordon's crew chief, but Robbie is a solid guy.

Dave Rodman: Ryan Pemberton. He has spent a patient number of years building his career. Comes from good bloodline for NASCAR crewmen. This could be a breakout year for him and Front Row Joe.

Lee Montgomery: Pemberton did great work in 2004. That team was as good as any the second half.

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Ryan Smithson: A lot of people don't realize Ryan Pemberton has one of the longest tenures in the sport. With his current team.

Marty Smith: I buy ever one of those answers, boys. Many folks get on Robbie Loomis, Lee, feel as if he's a weak link the 24 chain. Those folks don't know what they're talking about. Robbie is as good a guy and as smart a crew chief as there is.

Ryan Smithson: Well, if Robbie weren't doing a great job, he would have been gone a long time ago. Robbie's been with him, what, five years now?

Jimmy Elledge

Dave Rodman: No question about Robbie. There is no way any of us can know the heat he feels being under the microscope he's dealing with, being Jeff's guy -- and he is always calm, patient and effective.

Lee Montgomery: I'm with you. Can't go wrong with any of them. Elledge is a good call, too. If he and Casey stay together, they could compete for a title.

Ryan Smithson: Title's a little premature, Lee -- let's get him to victory lane first.

Marty Smith: He'll win a race in 2005, Ryan. Mark my words right now.

Lee Montgomery: Agreed. That's an easy prediction.

Ryan Smithson: I think on a road course, Marty.

Marty Smith: I think you're off you're rocker, son.

Ryan Smithson: Mears?

Marty Smith: Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Lee Montgomery: Or Texas.

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Marty Smith: He had Atlanta in the bag last year before the motor grenaded on him.

Lee Montgomery: Heck, he ran up front with three wheels at Phoenix.

Ryan Smithson: Casey's a good road course driver already.

Marty Smith: Nobody can touch Jeff Gordon right now, Smithson. Robby's awesome, too, but no one else is in the same ballpark.

Dave Rodman: Cup road racing is another bag of beans, altogether. And I think Casey proved enough in 2004 that no one needs to pigeonhole him as a road course guy.

Ryan Smithson: As much as I want to, I can't argue you there, Marty.

Dave Rodman: He's done plenty of ovals in Indy cars -- 'nuf said.

Ryan Smithson: Oh, you mean road courses. I thought you meant in general. It's perfectly safe to say Jeff Gordon's the best road course driver in NASCAR history. And it really isn't even close.

Marty Smith: Easily.

Lee Montgomery: Tony Stewart fans, that's ryan.smithson@turner.com.

There are a lot of former Cup veterans toiling in the Busch and Truck Series. Who is the best bet to make it back to the Cup Series in a quality ride?

Lee Montgomery: Even though he doesn't have a ride, Ward Burton is my choice. He's always been a terrific driver and would serve someone well. Sponsors love him, too.

Ryan Smithson: With the unnoticed, outstanding job Johnny Benson did year for Toyota, he's got to be someone who will be back to racing on Sundays.

Marty Smith: Probably Mike Wallace. He's does and admirable job most every time he gets in a Cup car.

Johnny Benson

Marty Smith: I'll go ahead an answer for Dave. Todd Bodine.

Lee Montgomery: No one said Brendan Gaughan. Interesting.

Marty Smith: Brendan will be back. He was widely rumored in the 0 car near the end of the season. I wouldn't be surprised if that came to fruition at some point.

Ryan Smithson: Lee, you talked to him, is he going to run the whole Truck schedule, you think? I know he's at least going to run the companion ones.

Lee Montgomery: Just about half the schedule so far, but he'll drop in a Cup or a Busch race at some point.

Ryan Smithson: My dog just turned the TV remote on upstairs. He does that when he wants some noise.

Marty Smith: He lives with you. He gets plenty of noise.

Lee Montgomery: Did you buy him on eBay?

Ryan Smithson: No, he's a Min Pin. Those little dogs. When he barks I think of Ricky Rudd's quote about Kevin Harvick, because he's got one of those yap-yap mouths.

Dave Rodman: At this point, at the risk of seriously offending someone, I would say there are no quality rides available. But the first one that comes open just might be Ward Burton's.

Ryan Smithson: I think it's safe to say there are no quality rides available, Dave. It's OK. You can say it.

Lee Montgomery: I just hope Ward doesn't take a crappy ride, and I don't think he will.

Ryan Smithson: I don't know, Lee. Even the bad ones have potential. If you get into a crap car and finish 18th, people notice.

Dave Rodman: Patience is really going to be a virtue, in his case. Because this might be a lengthy wait.

Dave Rodman: Yeah, but what's the chance of getting into a crappy ride and just doing crappy? Or not even qualifying? And I don't really think you can put the finger on everyone who is trying really hard to make something happen and say their stuff is "crappy" anyway.

Marty Smith: Speaking of lengthy waits. The DirecTV guy needs to hurry it up. I've been waiting on him for four hours.

Ryan Smithson: It's the hope, really, that you can do a lot with a little. It almost never happens. But you have got to try.

Dave Rodman: That's what being a racer is all about. A real resilient spirit. Never say die attitude.