"Yes, this two-part question is for Greg Biffle's dog. Dog, do you think that Roush Racing can place four cars in the Chase, and if so, which one will secure a Chase spot first, and why?" Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images

Track Smack: Chicago

Did Martin Truex Jr. make the right decision to stay with DEI?

Marty Smith: He certainly made the admirable decision. He was loyal to those who gave him the "big break." That says a lot, especially considering what other teams were offering. Penske was offering him the world on a plate.

Ryan Smithson: I am not sure about staying with DEI, but it was pretty brilliant to drag the negotiations out a little. It certainly brought his price up. It would have been interesting to see him in the rival beer car.

Elliott Gordon: Well, struggling or not, Dale Earnhardt Inc. is still Dale Earnhardt Inc., and that means a lot of money and resources. I am sure Martin wasn't stupid. The money had to have been good at Dale Earnhardt Inc. no matter how much everyone else was throwing at him.

Dave Rodman: For peace of mind, loyalty and the comfort it provides and the human condition; he did make the right call -- and that's refreshing. And I think he'll be plenty competitive there.

Ryan Smithson: Would he have stepped into Penske and run better off the bat? Probably.

Dave Rodman: I don't know that Martin would've run better at the 2 than he has the potential to do with Bono -- those two are bad together.

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Marty Smith: Any money at the Cup level is good, E. This decision was about loyalty -- end of story.

Elliott Gordon: Loyalty isn't a word people use around NASCAR these days. Look at poor Ward Burton -- NetZero just dumped him out in the woods!

Ryan Smithson: Ward was already in the woods, Elliott. Geez.

Elliott Gordon: He needs his weekly plug.

Marty Smith: In a hut, no less -- with no electricity. I wonder if Ward has ever used the Internet?

Ryan Smithson: Ward should have taken the Braun job.

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Marty Smith: Back to Truex for a moment. He signed that contract an hour before the green flag fell at Daytona Friday night. I'd say that's the first time all year that boy's raced with no conscience.

Elliott Gordon: I guess it will be Martin versus Reed Sorenson for Rookie of the Year next year? Maybe that will be like Newman versus Johnson?

Ryan Smithson: Another thing, boys, Martin knows his merchandise sales will always be solid in the DEI camp. That adds a ton to your bottom line.

Elliott Gordon: "I agree with Marty" t-shirts adds a lot to the bottom line...

Elliott Gordon: It seems to me that sponsors are more loyal to drivers than drivers are to owners, no? We always talk about X sponsor leaving with X driver to the next team...

Ryan Smithson: Well, Elliott, drivers don't have an eight-figure investment in owners there, bud.

The Runaway Bride Credit: AP

Elliott Gordon: True, but would you see Home Depot go with Tony Stewart or stay with Joe Gibbs if Tony left?

Dave Rodman: That's a tough call. I think it depends on what they're signed up for -- unless they want to write a big check to buy-out -- and I don't think many people would do that for anyone.

Ryan Smithson: I guess Penske will have to look to Plan B. Good old Sam Hornish.

Dave Rodman: Sam Hornish would be none too thrilled at getting into a stock car, I wouldn't think. I don't know what would have changed his mind from what he told me about not being too excited about the prospect two years ago -- after he turned an IROC car over at Daytona.

Marty Smith: You boys forget this so quickly -- Sam Hornish doesn't want to be at the racetrack 38 weeks a year. I'm not saying he'll never come to NASCAR, but it's a huge decision for a guy who's accustomed to 20 races a year.

Ryan Smithson: Ten million dollars a year makes it easier, Marty.

Marty Smith: Easier, yes. Rock solid? Hell no.

Ryan Smithson: He could live with it for 10 years.

Dave Rodman: Who do you think would pee that kind of money into an open well?

Marty Smith: Rodman -- son.

Ryan Smithson: No, of course not. And for the record, he'd have a tough time getting up to speed in Cup. He'd get taken to school.

Stewart, with JoJo Credit: Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Marty Smith: Big time. The ABC program is an efficient one. It worked very well for Newman.

Elliott Gordon: Bring on Paul Tracy!

Dave Rodman: If everyone thinks they have it tough with one former Indy car guy -- Robby Gordon -- wait 'til they get a taste of PT.

Ryan Smithson: Scott Pruett is a heck of a driver, and he struggled mightily in pretty good equipment. And Pruett was 38, 39 at the time, which is the prime of life for a lot of people.

Dave Rodman: Ryan, you're breaking my heart that you didn't read Scott's conversation. He indicated very plainly why his previous foray into Cup was not entirely successful.

Marty Smith: I still think Casey Mears is a key player in the No. 2.

Ryan Smithson: Casey Mears, boys, is in the dad-gum catbird seat. He's got 100 starts under his belt, he won't demand a lot of money and he's pretty much available.

Elliott Gordon: And the Penske and Mears families have history.

Marty Smith: Have y'all seen that picture of Mears on his Web site? Looks like that dude got buttered 'n' basted.

Ryan Smithson: Covered in coal.

Elliott Gordon: Spray-on Tan, sponsor of the No. 2 Casey Mears Dodge.

Boys, which drivers in the DEI, Evernham and RCR camps will make the Chase for the Nextel Cup?

Elliott Gordon: None, none and uh, none.

Ryan Smithson: Mayfield will make it, but that is it. Out of five guys.

Marty Smith: I'm going to say Harvick is the only one of the whole lot.

Ryan Smithson: Why Harvick, Marty? He is so prone to imploding.

Report: Media-savvy dog delights NASCAR reporters Credit: Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Marty Smith: They have a good intermediate program. If he can get a couple top-10s and not wreck, he'll make the show.

Elliott Gordon: Harvick is struggling, luck or not. Four finishes of 24th or worse in the last five races. We all saw this last year -- momentum is king. That is why Martin made it in last year.

Marty Smith: Plus Kevin's good at Indy and Pocono. Those two tracks will go a long way to deciding this thing, boys.

Dave Rodman: It's gonna be obviously very tough to knock out anyone who is in -- but I think Harvick has the best shot in the RCR camp -- DEI is a very long shot at best UNLESS they get real hot through the mid-summer -- and don't count out Jeremy Mayfield.

Marty Smith: Nice you could join us, Rodzilla.

Ryan Smithson: At least Mayfield finishes 13th every week. That is key.

Dave Rodman: I'd say the Chase is shaped up real nice right now -- six teams -- only three duplicates.

Elliott Gordon: Jeff Gordon doesn't have it. Harvick doesn't have it. And Carl Edwards is losing it.

Dave Rodman: Like everyone has been saying, that bottom of the top-10 is shaping up as a hornet's nest. I think we might get more than 10 via the 400-point rule rather than limiting it to 10 -- and I didn't think I would ever say that.

"Hi Jeff. Hope you can sign left-handed." Credit: Autostock

Ryan Smithson: Pocono and Indy are gonna be killers, yes, absolutely. Elliott, Gordon will make the Chase with a lot to spare.

Dave Rodman: Way to go, Ryan -- getting the bosses name online in another context -- one-upping Duane again.

Ryan Smithson: Gordon will make it, make it, and make it.

Elliott Gordon: I do agree Ryan. You can't count out Gordon's experience.

Marty Smith: Yeah, Gordon will be seventh or better by the time Richmond gets here.

Elliott Gordon: So if Gordon is in, who is out -- DJ?

Predictions for Chicago?

Marty Smith: I honestly believe Tony Stewart goes three-in-a-row. Elliott Sadler will be fast, too.

Elliott Gordon: I am with Marty. Tony kills 'em again this weekend.

Dave Rodman: You got your t-shirt on again, man?

Ryan Smithson: Boys, I have a three-race win streak going thanks to Stewart. I'll say Johnson this weekend.

	Rodman is picking Newman to score his first win of 2005
	Last Week's Picks Smacker Pick Finish Statboy Stewart 1st MartDawg Stewart 1st Spoor Gordon 7th Elliott Harvick Yeah right This Week's Picks StatBoy goes for his fourth winning pick in a row this weekend: Smacker Pick MartDawg Stewart Elliott Stewart StatBoy Johnson Rodman Newman

Elliott Gordon: Tony's last three finishes at Chicago: 1, 2, 3. Scary. Has Tony ever won three races in a row in Cup?

Ryan Smithson: Yes, he did -- in 2000, I think. In 2000, Stewart had a 1, 1, 6 in June -- so no. Stewart won back-to-back races twice in 2000, and once in 1999, I think.

Marty Smith: Note about Chicago -- this race will be a huge indicator for Earnhardt Jr. He was very good at Lowe's Motor Speedway before the run-in with Waltrip. A top-10 this weekend would be a big dent in that deficit.

Dave Rodman: I think Ryan Newman is due to come around with a mile-and-a-half win this weekend. Of course, beating either Tony or JJ will be considered an upset at this point.

Marty Smith: How about none of us said Greg Biffle. We're idiots.

Dave Rodman: Naw. A week or two ago I said Biffle was good everywhere. Period. I didn't want to belabor the point -- but he is a given week in and week out.

Elliott Gordon: I think the No. 20 might be the hotter team right now. Momentum baby.

Ryan Smithson: Boys, Johnson will be back this weekend. He's been in the dark too long.

Dave Rodman: Harvick used to own Chicago. If they put all their ducks in a row, they could pull one out.

The opinions listed here are solely those of the participants.