"Guys, watch the low blows and the rabbit punches. In case of a knockdown, go to the corner I tell you to and stay there and I tell you to come out. Now shake hands, and let's have a good, clean fight." Credit: Autostock

Track Smack: Daytona

How much of a shot do you guys actually think Kurt Busch has at repeating a championship this year?

Frankly, I think he won't even make the Chase (but that is just my opinion), because new guys not in last year -- like Harvick, Kahne and Rusty Wallace -- will be in for this season, and I don't see Busch running as well as last year.
-- Wayne No Last Name
Chicago, Ill.

Marty Smith: Very slim -- and not because he can't drive or his team's worse or anything of the sort. The reasoning is added obligation the champion takes on outside the racecar. Matt Kenseth has commented that that was one reason he struggled last season. The average finish of the previous season's champion since 1999 is sixth.

Ryan Smithson: From a sheer victory standpoint, Kurt's going to win at least three races. It will be very hard for him to duplicate the consistency he showed in the last 10 races, but he's the finest short track driver, so he's got that going for him, which is nice.

Lee Montgomery: Well, that's nuts to think he won't even make the Chase. Kurt is as good a driver as anyone out there and his team is on top of its game. That being said, he'll have a tough time repeating simply because he used up a lot of luck last year.

Dave Rodman: I agree with Lee in his assessment that thinking Kurt won't make the Chase is ludicrous. I think, potentially, he could have a Jimmie Johnson-like pre-Chase run -- which as we found out in 2004 was meaningless. Now, Lee's point about luck is also well-made and I think Kurt might have the most difficulty repeating because of that factor: Someone's going to hit him in one of those spins!

EMAIL Lee Dave Ryan MartDawg

Marty Smith: Honestly, though, he may with the Daytona 500 on Sunday. He's been quite fast to date, so it'll be interesting to see how his car drafts. He and Biffle will be players in the 500.

Dave Rodman: Kurt's a player everywhere. Over the last year his maturation has been most impressive and a win nowhere would surprise me. You know what I mean -- he can win anywhere.

Ryan Smithson: Kurt won't experience a fall-off like Kenseth had. Kenseth's was really severe in the second half.

Marty Smith: What makes you so sure, Smithson? A statement like that is as baseless as they come.

Ryan Smithson: Not really, Marty. Busch is a young guy, he seems fresh and ready to go. His team has run well all month. And this is the first full year of the merged Yates-Roush engine deal with the new heads.

Possibly the worst-fitting hat in history.

Marty Smith: I don't care how dadgum young he is. If he comes on pit road at Dover and slams head-on into a water barrier, youth doesn't matter.

Lee Montgomery: It's ridiculous to predict how many races he'll win. Who knows? He could win eight. He could win one.

Ryan Smithson: He won't win eight. I can promise you that.

Marty Smith: The 97 team will be strong all year, but I'd be very surprised if they repeat.

Lee Montgomery: As would I. He'll be in the Chase, though.

Ryan Smithson: I don't think they will be able to stop Hendrick either, Marty, but he's easily top-five.

Marty Smith: Hendrick Motorsports is unreal this year. There is no weakness. None.

"Guys, help! He's fallen asleep watching qualifying!" Credit: Autostock

Does Mark Martin or Rusty Wallace have a shot at winning the championship on their farewell tour? Who do you think will fare better and why?
-- John Blackburn
Evansville, Ind.

Marty Smith: Mark Martin absolutely has a shot. Rusty's team is better, but I don't think they're championship material at this stage. Thing is, with the Chase format, they have time to work on that. Rusty just has to hang around in the top 10 and qualify for the Chase. Then it's anyone's ball game.

Dave Rodman: If I had to stack the two side-by-side I would say Mark would have the better shot -- just because they were better a year ago and I don't see them falling off much. I could see the Penske snake pit costing Rusty his shot as easily as I can see him winning the title.

Ryan Smithson: Rusty Wallace? It will be tough for him to even make the Chase. Mark Martin will be in the Chase easily but he will need to run better in the closing races than he did last year.

Marty Smith: But Martin? They're title-ready right now.

Budget cuts Credit: Autostock

Lee Montgomery: From a sheer performance standpoint, and that's what I always base my opinions on, they won't. And throw in the distractions of the final season, and they're both a longshot. They should both win a race or two, and that'd be cool.

Dave Rodman: This is my day to be arm-in-arm with LeeMo. I think what might be the difference between good seasons and championship seasons are going to be the distractions. They will be a multitude.

Ryan Smithson: Martin is certainly leaving near the top of his game. He won't match his awesome 1998 season, but it's going to be a great year for him.

Lee Montgomery: Rusty's got a new car with the Charger, too. Who knows how that'll work.

Marty Smith: Most Charger drivers say the new car doesn't feel much, if any, different than the Intrepid, LeeMo. So from that standpoint, it doesn't seem as if it's an issue.

Dave Rodman: You know, when he got in the new set-up cars at Vegas and California was when Rusty first started talking about retiring too soon, right? Who knows -- he might be pipe dreaming, but we can hope, right?

Ryan Smithson: Common templates.

Lee Montgomery: We'll see.

LIVE FROM DAYTONA  The Track Smack team joins XM Satellite Radio's Claire B. Lang live at the Nextel Experience to breakdown the stories the fans are talking about heading into the Great American Race -- the Daytona 500. Broadcast live on XM Channel 144, and simulcast on NASCAR.COM at 9 a.m. ET Saturday.

I keep hearing a few drivers whine about a retirement fund ... how about a pension plan for all crewmembers? I'm a blue-collar auto mechanic. I'd like to see the guys who bust their knuckles day in and day out get their due.
-- Patrick Davis
Hemet, Calif.

Lee Montgomery: I think we'd all be for that, too. Ain't going to happen, but it would be cool.

Dave Rodman: Crewmen across the board are making less and working like dogs, so if it was ever deserved -- there's your target. But it's a pretty complicated issue.

Ryan Smithson: Most teams have 401k plans anyway, don't they?

Marty Smith: Well, I guess you could look at this like the current drivers look at a pension plan for them. Is it warranted? Sure. But where else is a mechanic going to make $70,000 a year with a bonus program and corporate travel?

Dave Rodman: Not NASCAR's responsibility to put that up. And like I think The King said, if you're making that kind of money you need to take care of yourself. That isn't anyone else's responsibility. If the owners have 401k programs set up -- good for them, but the crewmen have to take advantage of it and do the right thing.

Marty Smith: NASCAR crewmen have the hardest jobs in the game, bar none. But they still have it pretty good in the grand scheme.

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Ryan Smithson: Marty, you'd know this better -- I know they are not unionized and probably never will be, but teams have modern, well-run retirement plans, right? Like most corporate jobs.

Marty Smith: I don't know for sure, Ryan. But considering the way these guys bounce around from team-to-team, I'd be surprised if there are such plans for everyone.

Ryan Smithson: You can roll them over easily. It's a pain, but can be done.

Lee Montgomery: It's easy but it's a pain. Well, which is it?

Ryan Smithson: You can roll them over easily, but it's a lot of paperwork.

Ryan Smithson: Meaning, you don't lose in the transfer.

Lee Montgomery: Financial advice from Statboy.

Marty Smith: Regardless, it'd be nice if those boys that bust their tails so hard were taken care of, long term.

"Does this hat make me look fat?" Credit: Autostock

Guys, Elliott Sadler used to be a fine-looking man, but what in the world is up with him now? He has gained a ton of weight, and that unkempt hair makes for a kind of bloated Elvis look.

I can't imagine that this is the image that Elliott or his sponsor is going after. Looks like he has been sampling too much of his sponsor's product.
-- Bev Piskel
Lincoln University, Pa.

Lee Montgomery: We're going to make fun of a driver for his hair? How low have we stooped?

Dave Rodman: Some folks need to get a grip. Can the boy still wheel it? I don't remember him looking too bloated during testing.

Ryan Smithson: Elliott Sadler will be the key to my fantasy team scoring a wad of points on Sunday. So he can get 400 pounds for all I care.

Marty Smith: Well, judging by the demand for Mr. Sadler's affections, I'd say he's doing just fine.