"Tommy, I simply can't do any more pushups." Credit: CIA Stock Photo

Track Smack: 'Dega

Why does Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick have a "bad boy" image and Jimmie the squeaky-clean image when their driving actions are comparable? Why does the media (especially you guys) give Jimmie credit and the rest criticism?

Ryan Smithson: Well, part of it is because both Tony and Kevin have been in Cup longer than Jimmie. But come on - I can't see Jimmie jumping on a hood, trying to choke Greg Biffle or kicking away a tape recorder. Although his store sales would skyrocket if he did.

Elliott Gordon: Everything is based on what comes out of a driver's mouth. Jimmie isn't going to say anything about DW needing championship provisionals to make races. The "bad boy" image seems to be based more in words, not actions these days.

B. Duane Cross: It's perception. Fans will defend their driver to the bitter end -- no matter how "bad boy" or "goody-two-shoes" he may (or may not) be. For the media, it's damned if you do, damned if you don't. Personally, I'd rather follow the "bad" guys -- they're much more enjoyable. I mean, there's only so much sponsor quoting you can take. Give me the driver who speaks his mind.

Dave Rodman: It's the entire package. Jimmie is much more neatly and corporately packaged. I agree, Duane, that Tony and Kevin are much more apt to wear their emotions on their sleeves -- which to me makes them probably more attractive and supportable.

Elliott Gordon: Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick didn't attend the "Jeff Gordon School of Sponsorship Loving" like Jimmie and Brian either.

Ryan Smithson: I certainly don't give Johnson credit for getting into Burton at Bristol and Stewart at Phoenix.

EMAIL Duane Dave Ryan Elliott

Elliott Gordon: What is funny is when a "bad boy" turns into a "good guy" -- remember Jimmy Spencer? Everyone loved Mongo the Dog! Plus, the man likes to garden. How can you hate that?

B. Duane Cross: All this talk about Jimmie Johnson being the golden boy goes away if and when NASCAR hauls him into the big phone booth a time or two to give him a public reprimand. Then the fans will be off to bash Jamie Mac, or Carl Edwards.

Ryan Smithson: Spencer speaks against Toyota, fans respond enthusiastically. Punches out Busch, fans respond enthusiastically.

Elliott Gordon: Fans never forget.

Dave Rodman: Luckily, it seems not too many people get down on you for whining.

Ryan Smithson: Personally, I think Kevin Harvick is hilarious. I am glad he is only 29.

Boring? No. In need of sunglasses? Yeah. Credit: CIA Stock Photo

B. Duane Cross: The sport needs Jimmy Spencer on the track -- week in, week out. What's wrong with some bent up sheet metal? Nothing -- just like there's nothing wrong with a driver who speaks his mind. We need more of that, not less.

Ryan Smithson: The cool thing about Jimmy is that he has thick skin. No pun intended either.

Dave Rodman: Unfortunately, Tony and Kevin have been stitched into uniforms that fit, a year or a year-and-a-half ago -- but aren't so much the case these days.

B. Duane Cross: But fans need to get over this perception that the media gives these guys a free pass -- the "good" guys, I mean. Maybe the "good" ones aren't written about as often because the media.

Ryan Smithson: I used to think that drivers will be molded into sponsor-happy puppets, but it's still all about the person, and there's no changing Tony Stewart.

B. Duane Cross: just doesn't want to quote chapter and verse for a walking, talking PR machine.

Elliott Gordon: Drivers don't want to speak their mind Duane. They don't want to be called to the hauler and lose points for the Chase. They drive scared now.

Must be muzzleloader season Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Elliott Gordon: And we all know they don't care about the media getting a juicier story. Lets just write more about Johnson top-10 finishes!

Ryan Smithson: No one wants to read a story about a stupid top-10 finish. You can get that from a stats sheet.

B. Duane Cross: The fans will support these guys.

Dave Rodman: That's why it's a good thing there are millions of fans -- more reasons to support guys -- more fans to spread it around.

B. Duane Cross: Thankfully, JJ's run ended at 13. ... Of course now we're going to hear "13 of 14 races in the top 10" or "14 of 16 top-10 finishes" ... whatever. Let's go dent in someone's deck lid!

What is the funniest comment that you have heard come out of a driver's mouth either during an interview or over the radio in a race? -- P. Noreen Petersen

Ryan Smithson: Ward Burton: "Tony (Furr), when I turn the cah, the cah won't turn."

Elliott Gordon: Look, I have never hidden the fact I am a Ward Burton fan, and nothing beats comments like "pushing like a dump truck" or "this car is running like a 3-legged goat."

B. Duane Cross: Question is: How does Ward know what a three-legged goat runs like? Hmmm ...

B. Duane Cross: Elliott, is that a Virginia thing?

Elliott Gordon: Visit his farm...

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Ryan Smithson: Dale Jr. at Talladega in 2003: "Michael (Waltrip) just knocked the heck out of him (Jimmie Johnson) and sent him on down the race track. It was kind of funny, but I'm glad he didn't hit anything."

Dave Rodman: "Because I didn't believe you when you said I sucked and I'm not going to believe you when you say I'm great! I'm just going to keep on being me."

Michael Waltrip -- 4-23-05.

B. Duane Cross: Dave, that was a gem by Michael Waltrip last weekend.

Dave Rodman: That's my early nomination for top-10 quotes.

Elliott Gordon: When Bliss called Bobby Jr. "four-feet tall with a 10-foot ego" that was pretty good.

Ryan Smithson: Jeff Gordon, Texas, 2004: "Robbie, please tell me the yellow car (Derrike Cope) isn't for position." Robbie: "10-4, for position."

Elliott Gordon: Ryan, what was the Bill Elliott quote from last year?

Ryan Smithson: From where? What was the premise?

Ryan Smithson: Oh, I got it. When he said, "Whatever." That was Kansas in 2003.

When he got beat.

Elliott Gordon: Classic.

Ryan Smithson: When Marty Snider interviewed him. Blew him off.

Elliott Gordon: Kind of like Dave did to Chip Ganassi earlier this year?

Elliott Gordon: He probably said the same thing -- "Oh, whatever!"

Dave Rodman's lunch Credit: AP

Ryan Smithson: Rodman blew off Ganassi? When? Was he late to interview him?

Dave Rodman: That's news to me...

Elliott Gordon: Yeah, the buffet line was long.

B. Duane Cross: He was going backs for fifths. Err, fifth plate of food -- not black-label Jack

Ryan Smithson: Rodman's blood pressure is steady. At 250/165.

Dave Rodman: Yeah man -- I am still waiting on that handout, Duane.

Ryan Smithson: Rodman is one of those people who Super Sizes, then subs Diet Coke.

Dave Rodman: Ryan, you're about 200 percent over -- or whatever it would be if you doubled reality, you jackass.

B. Duane Cross: Spank! Dave broke out the whuppin' stick!

Ryan Smithson: Rodman likes hitting me with his cane. Next year, it'll be a walker. I hear aluminum hurts.

Predictions for Talladega?

Elliott Gordon: Call me crazy -- and you will -- but Kurt Busch.

Ryan Smithson: Kyle Petty avoids 40-car pileup, drives around the mess, and wins ninth career victory. First win for Dodge in 2005.

Sleepy? Credit: Autostock

Dave Rodman: Easy Street would be Hendrick or Roush -- but all things considered Tony Stewart has got to make a breakthrough here sooner or later -- so Talladega would be a good place.

Ryan Smithson: Seriously, it'll be Michael Waltrip.

B. Duane Cross: Man, if Jeff Gordon can get it together again, he'll be stout, and then there are the DEI cars. But here's a dark horse: Sterling Marlin.

Dave Rodman: Elliott, Kurt Busch is pretty darned good anywhere -- so why do you think that would be crazy. I'd call it something else, maybe...

Elliott Gordon: Sterling is always a darkhorse at plate tracks -- unless he gets out of the car. But us Ward fans forever thank him for that.

Elliott Gordon: You just don't think about Kurt when you think plate races, that's all.

Ryan Smithson: If Sterling wins, he needs to retire immediately. Roy Hobbs. Sterling even has the mop of blonde hair.

Dave Rodman: He's on the verge, Duane. That would be a damn popular win, I bet.

Elliott Gordon: Since 2001, Busch has five top-6 finishes, but no wins. Could happen!

This is a rare photograph of Kasey Kahne at a movie. Thankfully, it was rated PG-13. Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

B. Duane Cross: Elliott you can crack on Sterling all you want; he was feeling charitable that day in Daytona. ... Sterling is the man on plate tracks -- and the numbers don't lie.

B. Duane Cross: Yeah, and pigs could fly outta my butt Sunday afternoon.

Elliott Gordon: The number that says he has finished worse than 30th in the last three events at Dega?

B. Duane Cross: Of course, someone else would have to file my stories if that happened.

Ryan Smithson: Duane, you're crazy. Ganassi hasn't won a race (thinking) since....2002 I guess. Is that right?

Ryan Smithson: That sounds bad. Sorry. But it's true I think.

Elliott Gordon: Yeah Cross, stick with your JD car and stay off the beers.

B. Duane Cross: So -- Ganassi ain't driving the car. Sterling is, and he'll again make chicken salad outta chicken crap.

Dave Rodman: That is, I would have to say, the most incomprehensible stat in Cup racing, right now. But it's true.

B. Duane Cross: True, Sterling's last three at 'Dega have been 31st or worse -- heating, heating, crash. Before then, he was more than respectable. And he will be again. ... I just hope Richard Childress is taking note.

The opinions here are solely those of the participants.