Ryan Smithson welcomes back from vacation a reasonable facsimile of Mark Spoor, who forgot his sunblock before going to the beach. Credit: NASCAR.COM

Track Smack: Off week

Did Matt Kenseth -- when discussing "teammate" Jamie McMurray -- tip his hand Sunday about his future at Roush Racing?

Elliott Gordon: I am not so sure Kenseth tipped his hand, but he certainly made a statement -- and to me, perhaps it sounded a bit bitter?

Mark Spoor: I really don't think so. I think he was just saying that with the current climate, it's very possible that he could be going somewhere else. This whole thing with McMurray makes folks think '07 is around the corner.

Marty Smith: Personally, I think that'd be a rash assumption at this point. But I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Kenseth parted ways with Roush once his contract is up.

Duane Cross: Interesting comments from Kenseth, for sure. But I don't know if Matt tipped his hand; he may have been sending a message that he could be had at the end of 2006.

Elliott Gordon: Didn't he say no one asked his opinion on this hiring? Would Roush normally ask his drivers for that type of feedback?

Mark Spoor: Being that he's a former Cup champion, you would think he would be given a say, but hey, it's Roush's business, not Kenseth's.

Marty Smith: McMurray was quite outspoken Saturday during the pole-winner press conference. He is very, very frustrated with Kenseth for the New Hampshire accident. Still.

"So, Robbie, heard anything new on getting a group discount before '07?" Credit: Autostock

Elliott Gordon: Is this going to be the trend? Drivers and crew chiefs as package deals? I mean Michael Waltrip was hinting at that with Tony Eury Jr. too, wasn't he?

Marty Smith: It's been speculated this season that Kenseth and Robbie Reiser are shopping themselves to big time teams as a package deal, but there has been no confirmation.

Duane Cross: We know that Kenseth is a talented driver, the team has suffered through some tough luck this year ... but he's a known commodity and can command a nice paycheck. And he's sponsor-friendly, too.

Marty Smith: They've been racing together for nearly a decade, y'all. It's a proven formula.

Mark Spoor: Well, we've seen guys make pitches at the whole player-coach package deal in other sports, but in NASCAR, chemistry is so critical, it may happen.

Elliott Gordon: Bring back the Tommy Baldwin/Ward Burton team! ... There, got my weekly Ward plug.

Marty Smith: SHUT UP ABOUT WARD BURTON.

Signs, signs -- everywhere a sign! Credit: AP

Duane Cross: I'd pay to have a driver-crew chief combo that had a proven track record. Why not make them a package deal? It makes sense to keep guys together who know each other's tendencies.

Mark Spoor: Building on you point, Marty. Don't you think Kenseth hitting McMurray was a bit of desperation? To attempt to make the Chase?

Marty Smith: All depends how you look at it, I guess. Kenseth was pissed at McMurray, he said, because McMurray ran over his front quarter-panel.

Could Kenseth be a viable candidate for the No. 15 at DEI?

Marty Smith: He'd have to get out of his Roush deal, which is a tall order. Geoff Smith is an attorney through-and-through. Roush's driver contracts are concrete.

Elliott Gordon: Deep pockets. And Kenseth can win races with that kind of equipment. And as a former Champ, sponsors would probably be interested.

"Thanks for the autograph, Greg -- and here's my phone number, too!" Credit: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Mark Spoor: Well, it's proven that Kenseth and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are buddies. Still, the timing appears to be off a bit. Unless, that is, that DEI is willing to take the 15 team off for a year. I think it would make for a very interesting -- and potent -- team.

Duane Cross: It depends on the Ganassi-McMurray deal. If -- and it's a big if -- Mac and Chip worked a deal to let Jamie leave for Roush in 2006, yeah Kenseth could go to DEI. It would take a lot to get Matt out of the contract, though.

Mark Spoor: Well, Ganassi has said that McMurray is staying with him through '06. But, this is NASCAR, after all.

Duane Cross: Yep, Mark -- and anyone can be bought (or sold).

Elliott Gordon: I heard a rumor that Waltrip might make his way over to the No. 11 car next season. Bobby Labonte, Tony Stewart and Waltrip teammates? How about them apples?

This is the last off-weekend of the season; 16 consecutive weeks of racing await. Should there be a week off before -- or during -- the Chase?

Marty Smith: Absolutely. After Richmond, before New Hampshire. Let everyone decompress and get ready to get after it.

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Elliott Gordon: Absolutely. There should be a break before the Chase starts. Let everyone re-energize and rest.

Duane Cross: I agree with Marty! (Click here for a T-shirt.) I'd like to see a week off before the Chase begins. I think the buildup would be good for the sport.

Mark Spoor: I think an off-week before the Chase could do just what it's done for the NFL and the Super Bowl. Build the hype, then get after it with everyone rested. Plus, it would make for better racing, because fatigue would be less of a factor.

Duane Cross: Giving these guys an off-week would be a great break for these drivers -- and crew members; they're working their tails off behind the scenes.

Marty Smith: I also think NASCAR should disallow testing during that off week -- to ensure teams actually stay home and rest.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writers. ... Ryan will be back from vacation next week, so the discussion will resume its usual ... um, flair.