Come on, Greg. Watch the hat! It's new! Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images

Track Smack: Richmond

With the impound rules (especially on tracks like Darlington), should NASCAR have a special practice session for cars outside the top 35 in points to work on qualification setups?

Ryan Smithson: That is an interesting thought. But NASCAR would never do that because it costs more money and it involves more track time. The rules were designed to make it easier for top 35 cars, so this won't happen.

Elliott Gordon: It is hard to say. I don't like the impound rule at all, really. For once I agree with Ryan Newman. Does he have a T-shirt that says that? Extra practice for guys outside the top 35 isn't going to do them much good.

Mark Spoor: I like the idea of it. You have what you have, meaning you can't have a different setup for qualifying. The problem is that when you go two days without being able to change anything, doesn't that make for a dangerous situation, especially if conditions are a lot different on raceday?

Marty Smith: Sounds legitimate, but there's no way it would ever happen. It totally contradicts the core purpose of the impound rule.

Elliott Gordon: I tell you what, from a fantasy gaming perspective, it is a real pain to pick drivers when they only have one practice session and then qualifying.

Marty Smith: I picked first, second and third at Darlington. FACE. And boys, if you recall, I picked Biffle to win in Smack last week. FACE again.

Mark Spoor: Marty = smarts

Ryan Smithson: For the first time in my life, I felt sorry for Ryan Newman.

Elliott Gordon: Yeah, you just knew he was going to get eaten alive.

Mark Spoor: It's amazing that people are getting on him for not winning races. He has 11 wins, for cryin' out loud.

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Marty Smith: That's the beauty of it, Spoor. It's all about the ability to make in-race adjustments. That's one reason why the 16, the 48, the 24 are all doing so well. And man, I have to give a serious call to Earnhardt Jr. and that bunch. They're eons better than they were a month ago. Night and day better.

Elliott Gordon: That is true Marty. The best teams will rise to the top regardless of the impounding rules or not. Mid-race adjustments will set the teams apart.

Mark Spoor: True, but look at all the opening-lap problems we've had. Atlanta, Phoenix, Darlington.

Ryan Smithson: Boys, just for a second I want to discuss track tempature. Now, I was in the garage this morning and I talked to Matt Borland, Ryan's crew chief, and he told me that if the track temperature reaches 500 degrees, you can fry an egg.

Marty Smith: I'm going to assume that's your Larry Mac, Smithson.

Ryan Smithson: For the record, I love Larry Mac. I think he's the best of the six guys in the booth all year.

Mark Spoor: You can't hate Larry Mac. He has such a passion for the game. That's why FOX hired him. It shows through.

Marty Smith: And he's a dang nice guy who's forgotten more than most ever know.

Ryan Smithson: Back to what Marty said. It's clear that Dale Jr. has some bad race cars. And man he's still knocking on the top five.

Marty Smith: Enough rear end smooching. Back to Newman.

Ryan Smithson: Some fans really want to see Dale Jr. fail.

Marty Smith: I've heard the theory that Mark Martin spun out on purpose.

Elliott Gordon: On what grounds?

Mark Spoor: Do you really believe that, Marty? Team orders?

Marty Smith: That's ludicrous. It's DARLINGTON. Darlington is thinner than Calista Flockhart, man. Purposely spinning out there would be just plain dumb, even for a guy capable of saving it like Martin. Heck no, I don't believe that.

Ryan Smithson: If Martin spun out on purpose, then he was still honored to drive for that team.

Elliott Gordon: Well if he did, at least he didn't announce it over the radio Dale Jr.-style!

Mark Spoor: We all know what Martin is like. There's no way. Especially in his final Darlington start.

Marty Smith: The chances of even the greatest drivers successfully spinning out on purpose aren't good. Martin is the man, but come on.

Of course, he had her at hello. Credit: AP

Ryan Smithson: I can't believe Kenny Chesney married Renee Zellweger. He can get way better than that.

Mark Spoor: Didn't he have a song that was a ripoff of that Jerry Maguire line?

Marty Smith: You had me from hello. Well done, Spoor.

Ryan Smithson: Guys, I saw Kenny Chesney's crew chief in the garage this morning ...

Marty Smith: I had no idea you were such a country music lyricist, Spoor.

Mark Spoor: My wife loves him. I endure.

Marty Smith: Chesney is the man. I've seen that dude in concert like 15 times. Hell, I used to go see him when he was fat.

Guys, Richmond is obviously a great track. What is your favorite RIR memory?

Mark Spoor: Mayfield winning last fall to make the Chase was pretty dramatic.

Elliott Gordon: It is really hard to top Mayfield's triumph last year, but I really enjoyed the Rudd-Harvick deal a few years back.That Rooster was HOT.

Marty Smith: GREAT call, EG! That was awesome! Ol' Rooster called Harvick a "Bull in a china shop," or something along those lines.

Ryan Smithson: That is easy. Call me crazy, but it was the wild Busch race a couple years back when Sauter won. Heck, it may have been last year. When Sauter took out Kenseth. Just wrecked him. ... Oh man. I forgot 2001, when Rudd bumped Harvick to win.

He's not happySee Scott Riggs go off on Ron Hornaday in 2003 Sign up for TrackPass now BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

Mark Spoor: Riggs had a great rip on Ron Hornaday there a few races ago.

Ryan Smithson: "I just wanna thank Ron Hornaday..."

Mark Spoor: "...for being the most DISRESPECTFUL driver on the racetrack!"

Elliott Gordon: Ward Burton won the pole there in 2002 in a Pontiac. There, I got my Burton plug in for the week.

Ryan Smithson: Marty doesn't get much work done at Richmond because he always goes to see his grandparents.

Marty Smith: I love my grandparents. I'm very blessed.

Mark Spoor: The air quotes when Riggs said "King of restarts" were pretty funny.

Marty Smith: Please, boys. The best RIR memory for me was my very first race as a writer -- Rusty wrecked Jeff Gordon in Turn 2.

Elliott Gordon: When was that, 1997 or something?

Marty Smith: 1998, E.

Ryan Smithson: That was 1998, I think.

Elliott Gordon: Rusty's domination of Richmond isn't what it used to be.

Ryan Smithson: He is too busy dominating Tony Danza.

Trouble -- Turn 2! Credit: AP

Marty Smith: That was insane, Smithson.

Ryan Smithson: Did y'all see that? He took him out.

Mark Spoor: THAT was hysterical!

Marty Smith: I thought that dude was gone. See ya. G'bye ...

Ryan Smithson: Was hilarious. Danza looked like he was having a blast.

Mark Spoor: I didn't even know Danza had a show. Ever notice that every character Danza ever played was named Tony?

Marty Smith: RW's quote was classic! -- "I know you're tough, but that [was]ridiculous, man!"

Elliott Gordon: And Jimmie Johnson claims there is nothing fun to talk about!

The opinions listed here are solely those of the participants.