Tony Gibson: "Mikey, what happened?" Mikey: "Well, Tony, the NAPA-Domino's-Best Western ... " Credit: CIA Stock Photo

Track Smack: Atlanta

Kurt Busch was penalized by NASCAR for rough driving Sunday at Martinsville, and Michael Waltrip wasn't too pleased about the hit Busch delivered.

Question: You're Busch's public relations expert. What do you do to gain respect for your driver?

Marty Smith: I have no idea. But what I do know is that it is crap that Busch was the only driver penalized for wrecking someone Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. What I want to know is ... how can that be? There were 150 cautions.

Duane Cross: Book him as a guest on The Wiggles. Kurt's going to have to go to work on the kiddie crowd to garner a fan base; the old-enough-to-buy-beer crowd already has formed its opinion of him -- and it's not good.

Ryan Smithson: Man, I really don't know right off the bat. But it is going to be interesting to see how Kurt acts when he gets over to Penske. I wish he chatted up the media a little bit more like Rusty does.

Duane Cross: I agree with Marty (get your T-shirt here). There should have been several others drivers in the penalty box Sunday, including Mark Martin, who obviously punted Mike Wallace in an effort not to be passed by Tony Stewart.

Marty Smith: Well, Busch already has undergone one considerable transformation. He used to say what was on his mind. Now he's far more politically correct when speaking publicly. I miss when he used to bring it. I guess it's a Catch-22 for those boys, though, because those of us in the media love a guy who will call it like he sees it, but then we're quick to bust his chops for doing so.

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Ryan Smithson: I miss the old Busch, but that is what got him in trouble. He's a different person. Now we go to Kyle for good quotes.

Duane Cross: The amazing part about Kurt is that he's openly trying to be better with the media and fans, but it's gotten him nowhere. He should go back to wearing the black hat and let the chips fall.

Marty Smith: There needs to be a bad guy. NASCAR fans yearn for one. But sponsors won't tolerate it, I reckon.

Ryan Smithson: I almost think Kurt should become even more aggressive and more vocal.

Duane Cross: Give me the guy who'll say what he thinks or believes -- the Kevin Harvicks, the Robby Gordons, the old (relatively speaking) Kurt Busch. Being PC is killing these guys, and the sport to some extent.

Marty Smith: Fellas, don't lose sight of what pays these boys -- sponsorship dollars. Tony Stewart is the man, straight up. He's one of the best drivers of all time, but Depot was none too happy with his attitude for a time.

Duane Cross: Tony crossed the line, though -- he was getting physical.

A study showed that nine of 10 Americans don't get enough sleep. Credit: Autostock

Ryan Smithson: Kurt has a very high IQ and I dare say, it can be intimidating mentally. Physically? No way. But he's a smart guy.

Marty Smith: Physical. Who sang that? Jane Fonda?

Ryan Smithson: Olivia Newton-Johnson.

Duane Cross: Olivia Newton-John.

Marty Smith: Olivia Newton-John?

Marty Smith: I knew it was one of those girls.

Ryan Smithson: Jane Fonda didn't sing, Marty.

B. Duane Cross: She just protested. Too much, some would say.

Ryan Smithson: My dad doesn't like Jane Fonda.

Marty Smith: Mine, either.

Guys, everyone is saying its Johnson vs. Stewart. Do you agree? Can anyone beat those two? If so, who?

Duane Cross: Given that engine woes will be the difference-maker in these final four races, I don't believe anyone else will seriously challenge Smoke and JJ. If someone does, it'll be Greg Biffle and quite possibly Carl Edwards. ... Possibly tires problems, too.

Ryan Smithson: Greg Biffle can win this title if he wants to. He can beat those guys head-to-head. He is just as good.

That is a heck of a way to get an autograph. Credit: AP

Marty Smith: I don't think it's a two-man race just yet, considering how awesome the Roush cars are at 1.5-mile tracks, which comprise three of the final four events. That said, the 20 and 48 are hitting on all eight. They won't be a half-second off. They'll either have to blow up or wreck for anyone to catch them.

Duane Cross: I hope we've seen the last of wrecks playing a factor in the Chase -- 'Dega, Charlotte, Martinsville ... enough. Let's go racin' and the best man/machine wins.

Ryan Smithson: I hope Phoenix isn't like Loudon, boys.

Duane Cross: Your lips to God's ears, StatBoy.

Marty Smith: I think Phoenix will be fine. Remember what happened there last time, though -- the 20 and 48 had a tiff.

Ryan Smithson: I just don't see either the 20 or the 48 slipping any. Biffle needs help. I guess we are forgetting Newman.

Marty Smith: I had a nice young lady roll up on me on pit road at Lowe's fired up because the media always forgets Ryan Newman. ... Nice job, Smithson. You are a charter member of the Newman Nation. They adore you now.

Duane Cross: Nah, we're not forgetting him -- Newman just won't have the horses; not our fault.

"I'm at the wrong track!" Credit: Autostock

Ryan Smithson: Newman's just been below the radar. He won eight races in 2003 and spoiled us. And Newman doesn't chat up the media.

Marty Smith: Kurt Busch isn't done.

Ryan Smithson: He is done. Hey, Peanut! He can't pass all those guys!

Duane Cross: C'mon, MartDawg -- Busch will not contend for the title; too many Chasers will be in the top 10, including Smoke and JJ. Busch can't make up the points. ... Here's have another glass of Kool-Aid, Marty.

Marty Smith: You're probably right, but since he was my pre-Chase choice I have to keep the faith.

Ryan Smithson: I think Kurt had a better year this year than he did last year.

Marty Smith: He did. But ol' DW nailed it. He went to the luck well one too many times in 2004.

Duane Cross: Yep ... anyone else miss ol' DW during the past couple months?

Ryan Smithson: I miss Larry Mac. I love that old boy.

Marty Smith: Watch Trackside, Smithson. He's on every weekend.

Ol' DW prepares for his final Truck race of the month. Credit: Chris Stanford/Getty Images

Marty Smith: I went to high school with a real smart dude who went to MIT. We called him Kool-Aid.

Ryan Smithson: Back home we had Motlow State. Not a tough school. We called it MIT.

Duane Cross: Motlow State -- hello, Tullahoma! Well, actually it's closer to Lynchburg, but it has Jack Daniel's and Tullahoma needed something to hang its hat on because Dewon Brazelton is nothing to write home about.

Marty Smith: New River Community College. We called it "Harvard on the Hill." I have no idea why.

Duane Cross: Itawamba Junior College -- Harvard on the 'Bigbee, that was the one closest to us in Aberdeen, Miss. It's in Fulton, Miss., and sits along the Tombigbee River. ... I wonder of the Chat 'n' Chew is still open?

Ryan Smithson: NASCAR.COM bought us new tape recorders. They will play anything with amazing clarity. That means I will have Marty do his Sadler voice and I will do my Bobby Hamilton voice and post them online.

Marty Smith: My Sadler is bad -- but funny.

Y'all really made some good picks last weekend. No one saw the 24 winning. Try again.

Duane Cross: Greg Biffle -- I think he puts a dent in Smoke's points lead, but not by much. Stewart and JJ will be top-five.

Ryan Smithson: Biffle-Johnson-Stewart-Edwards run 1, 2, 3, 4.

And the winner will be ... Predictions for Atlanta Smacker Driver Ryan G. Biffle Duane G. Biffle MartDawg Ku. Busch Last week's picks Smacker Driver Finish Ryan R. Newman 10th MartDawg Dale Jr. 18th Rodman R. Wallace 19th

Marty Smith: Kurt Busch. I need to make up ground.

Ryan Smithson: Reed Sorenson finishes 12th.

Duane Cross: The Chase driver with the worst average finish at Atlanta ... and MartDawg goes out on a limb. Well, that sound is us sawing off that limb behind you.

Marty Smith: You boys and your stats. ... Ugh. I'll tell you who'll be a player is ol' Joe Nemechek. Take that to your stat-bank, Cross.

Duane Cross: Ha -- no argument there; I think Joe will be in contention ... and then something bad will happen and he'll finish twentysomething. Again.

Ryan Smithson: He's got the worst average because of the blown motor last year, that is why.

Marty Smith: Let him have his numbers, Smithson. It's always the go-to.

Ryan Smithson: I don't have any use for stats anymore.

Duane Cross: And Kurt finished 32nd all on his own in March. And then there was a 36th and a 40th. ... He'll be Roush's fourth- or fifth-best car Sunday.

The opinions expressed are solely of the writers.