"You really think I need highlights, Tony?" Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Track Smack: Texas

You're Bobby Labonte. Regardless of what happens, where do you want to drive in 2006?

Mark Aumann: This late in the Nextel Cup season, I'd want the best deal I could possibly find, ans fortunately, some are available. You defintely want a multi-car team with secure sponsorship. I really don't want to fall into a one-car, mid-pack team.

Dave Rodman: If I were Bobby, I would want to stay at Joe Gibbs Racing, with a cohesive unit that is pulling in the right direction. I'd want it to be competitive, well-funded and to actually have the ability to win every week. If I definitely couldn't see that as a possibility, like any competitor would, I might consider options.

Ryan Smithson: I wouldn't stay with Gibbs. There are some really good rides open, and call me crazy, but I don't think the open seat at Petty is bad thing at all. They have a lot of potential that hasn't been tapped, and all they need is a top driver to sign with them and have confidence in the equipment they have.

Marty Smith: I still can't believe Bobby Labonte is the key piece in the Silly Season puzzle. I never thought we'd see it, but that's the business climate, I reckon. The Ganassi rumor really has some legs, but I truly believe he'll end up at Petty Enterprises. They're running extremely well compared to recent years, and Robbie Loomis' influence will continue that trend.

Dave Rodman: It's like when you talk about Ricky Rudd switching rides. The only surprising thing about that is that Ricky is not at the stage of his career where he wants to take time building something.

Mark Aumann: Well, Labonte's no spring chicken, either.

EMAIL Mark Dave Ryan MartDawg

Dave Rodman: And it seems like Rudd and Fatback are on the verge of exploding. Look at Martinsville -- he had a rocket even with a wing torn off!

Ryan Smithson: I truly feel Petty can get back to a top-15 team with the potential to win a race every year like they did with Hamilton. They've got very good motors, and Loomis will help a lot.

Ryan Smithson: Labonte needs a change of scenery. Period. Might as well make it now.

Marty Smith: Rudd nearly signed with Ganassi in 2002 and already has the Havoline relationship from his days at Yates. It fits, though, once again, the Labonte to the 42 is the scuttlebutt of the garage right now.

Dave Rodman: Well -- if change is inevitable, for sure now is better than later.

Ryan Smithson: People forget how close Rudd came to driving for Ganassi, not McMurray. The pen was on the way down in that deal.

Dave Rodman: Still a drastic change. But did he and Donnie work together at Bud Moore's?

Ryan Smithson: No, Rodman, you're thinking of Dick Trickle.

Watch Marty tonight! Catch NASCAR.COM's Marty Smith and the Last Lap weekly on SPEED's "Back Seat Drivers" at 7 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET Wednesday. More

Dave Rodman: Hmmm. That rings a bell back in my cobwebby brain, somewhere.

Dave Rodman: Well, he's got some atomic building blocks. If he puts 'em all together correctly, look out.

Mark Aumann: It's hard to believe how far Ganassi's stock has fallen in two seasons.

Marty Smith: Ganassi is close, Aumann.

Ryan Smithson: Reed will win quickly next year. He'll be the first Ganassi car to win since McMurray. Then again, I said Mears and McMurray would win three races between them this year. Nice prediction. Maybe they will rally.

Dave Rodman: I don't know about that. I'd want to see a few races before I'd go out on that limb -- though I think he and Brian Pattie will be a potent combo -- long-term. I think one of the other Ganassi cars would win first.

Marty Smith: Cup cars are a lot harder to drive than Busch cars, Smithson. Don't forget that. Sorenson's a special talent, but his victories in the Busch Series came at stand alone events.

"Ganassi says I get a free membership at LA Fitness?! Do you think Petty will match that?" Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images

Dave Rodman: If he gets the right personnel with him -- Casey Mears could definitely win in the first five races of 2006.

Mark Aumann: Dave, set down the knife!

Ryan Smithson: You can't go by Busch wins, Marty. McMurray won a Cup race before he won a Busch race.

Dave Rodman: Marty's talking about the adjustment process, Ryan -- and I think he's right.

Ryan Smithson: Rodman, Casey will be happy just to qualify in the first five races.

Dave Rodman: I don't think that will be a problem for Casey.

Marty Smith: The cars were very different then, too, Smithson. Big spoilers. Plus McMurray was with a championship caliber team that year.

Ryan Smithson: Yeah, I can't argue with that. You got me. Cars are way, way different.

Marty Smith: That doesn't change the fact that Sorenson is very talented, but that's a bold prediction you just made.

Ryan Smithson: I won't be right. Don't worry. Whatever the case, we have a very cool rookie class to write about, boys.

That was a bad deal when Scott Wimmer got fired via the mail.

Ryan Smithson: Reminds me of Stacy Compton fired by mail in 2002 by A.J. Foyt.

Mark Aumann: At least I got breakfast the time I got the boot back in my radio days. The program director said, "Hey, let's go have breakfast." And here I was on the morning drive show.

Ryan Smithson: Marty wrote a column that said, "Hello, and welcome to the seventh grade."

Dave Rodman: It was, but it wasn't the first time it's happened -- and without knowing all the particulars, hard to comment much on that one.

Marty Smith: My stance hasn't changed, either.

Mark Aumann: It'd been funnier if it came "postage due."

Ryan Smithson: I know it's hard being an owner. But geez, we see so many owners that release guy too late in the season. They don't mind getting fired in May, because they always end up in a better ride anyway. See Robby Gordon, 2001.

Dave Rodman: Well, sounds like damned if you do, damned if you don't. You didn't give 'em enough time if you pull the trigger quickly, but you waited too long if you waited too long. You can't win sometimes.

"I'll tell ya, that Cole Trickle has one hell of a hot rod." Credit: Jim Gund/Getty Images

Mark Aumann: The big problem for "fringe" drivers is that they'll have to wait for the big names to acquire their rides before owners can figure out who to hire next.

Marty Smith: I just wish Wimmer was told to his face. It's like breaking up with your girlfriend on the answering machine. "Hey, it's been a good time and you're really nice, but we're better as friends. Peace."

Ryan Smithson: Scott Wimmer is an interesting case. He's never been anywhere but Bill Davis Racing. We have nothing to gauge, really. It's not like he drove truck races for Kevin Harvick.

Ryan Smithson: I read that Sly Stallone dumped his wife via FedEx once. Not sure which wife though.

Dave Rodman: It's funny -- it's like Bill Davis himself said, "he has got the job done" in his Busch cars -- which makes me think something else was in play, here.

Marty Smith: Wonder if Wimmer will be a player in the McMurray/Busch/Labonte/Rudd/Schrader Silly Season dosey-doe.

Dave Rodman: Wish I had asked Bill this weekend...

Mark Aumann: That's where I see something happening, Marty. The 21/49 type of ride. Owners may look at a guy with potential who can keep the car off the wall.

Dave Rodman: He's a lot more viable of an option than a lot of the alternatives out there.

Predictions for Texas? You guys failed to pick the winner again.

Mark Aumann: About time for Biffle. He needs a win, desperately.

Predictions for Texas Smacker Pick MartDawg Biffle Ryan Martin Mark Biffle Rodman Sadler

Ryan Smithson: Mark Martin gets second win of the year in his third-to-last Texas start.

Dave Rodman: Elliott Sadler. Take that one to the bank. Celebrates his new crew chief.

Marty Smith: Biffle sweeps, wears 40-gallon hat, holds boot with pride, grins wide.

Ryan Smithson: I can't pick Biffle anymore, boys, picked him all summer, and he's 0-for-18.

Dave Rodman: Too bad for you, then -- because he will win one of these last three, at least. Maybe two of 'em.

Ryan Smithson: I'll bet you guys Carl won't win the title, but he cames close. Closer than you think.

Mark Aumann: Roush at his side, the winner's check they will divide.

The opinions listed here are solely those of the participants.