Tony Stewart helps Todd Bodine break in his new Hummer. Credit: Walter Arce/ASP

Track Smack: Phoenix

Guys: Surprised Ricky Rudd is not coming back?

Elliott Gordon: I am not so much surprised as I am disappointed that it's so sudden. With all the news that came out, it just feels like he is being swept underneath the carpet. It is a shame he won't get a victory before the season is out.

Ryan Smithson: I am honestly not surprised. He hinted in January that this might be his last year, but we didn't take him seriously. But the thing is -- he really wanted that Penske Racing ride for one year. He would have won at least once in it.

Marty Smith: I'm not the least bit surprised by this decision. Rudd can still get it done, but he's long had it with the circus of traveling for 40 weekends out of the year. He's been outspoken against the Young Gun marketing trend for years.

Dave Rodman: Surprised? No. If Ricky is happy, I'm happy. And I'm sure he'll be happy to be rid of all the trappings of this endeavor that really weigh you down -- even if you are running in a competitive program.

Ryan Smithson: How ironic that Rudd wasn't even replaced by a young gun. He got replaced by the only guy older than him. Unless you count Morgan Shepherd.

Dave Rodman: He wasn't replaced -- he had already decided he was gone. Good for him, for keeping it cloaked so long.

Ryan Smithson: He didn't keep it cloaked, Rodman. He never said he was going to drive next year.

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Elliott Gordon: Think of the marketing campaign they are giving up, like "Rooster's Last Crow."

Ryan Smithson: You're brilliant, Elliott. That is great.

Marty Smith: Bulls in China Shops Beware.

Dave Rodman: Well, I hate to tell you all -- but that is exactly why he did it the way he did. More power to him for that.

Ryan Smithson: He didn't keep it cloaked, Rodman. He never said he was going to drive next year.

Elliott Gordon: Quick, when and where did Ricky win his last race?

Ryan Smithson: Sonoma.

Marty Smith: Richmond.

Ryan Smithson: I was there. Nadeau blew a gear on the final lap.

Elliott Gordon: Sonoma, 2001. Ryan gets the t-shirt.

Ryan Smithson: 2002, you idiot. Ha.

Dave Rodman: My book's three feet from me and I'm not going to grab it.

Elliott Gordon: Hell, I was looking at the No. 21!

Marty Smith: If Rudd didn't get body slammed at Martinsville he'd have been a major player.

Ryan Smithson: I like t-shirts. I hope you really do have one for me. Marty has never sent me one of his and I have bought stuff for him before.

Marty Smith: I don't have any, Smithson. Call Joe Mattes!

Woody from "Toy Story" Credit: CIA Stock Photo

Ryan Smithson: That is not funny, Marty, I know danged well you got a few around the house. I wear a large.

Elliott Gordon: Marty is saving up those t-shirts to clean up baby barf come December.

Ryan Smithson: Marty's about to be a father. So he'll be the Mart-Dad.

Elliott Gordon: Quick, when was the last time Ken Schrader won a race?

Dave Rodman: 1991.

Ryan Smithson: Schrader won Dover. 1991. I was two years old. I remember watching it from my high chair.

Elliott Gordon: Can Kenny win in this car?

Marty Smith: Dude, I have these welts all over my back and arms from the stick test at the allergist. I itch all over.

Dave Rodman: I think he can -- and I hope he does both his own sake as well as Eddie and Len's -- and the old guys, while they're still around.

Elliott Gordon: Marty's kid will never even know who Ricky Rudd, Ken Schrader or Rusty Wallace were -- except in the picture books.

Ryan Smithson: Marty's kid will know Rusty Wallace as the announcer on TV. Like Benny Parsons. Someone told me Benny used to drive, but I think they were pulling my leg. I mean come on. Like he drove.

Ryan Smithson: Now, Bill Weber. He was probably a former crew chief. That I can believe.

Marty Smith: Smithson will get 2,000 emails. Watch.

Watch Marty's show 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: Benny was a bad man, Smithson. Too bad you missed it.

Marty Smith: Were you on his crew, Rodman?

Ryan Smithson: Cliff Champion doesn't like Benny too much. See, and you thought I didn't read them there NASCAR learning' books.

Elliott Gordon: Benny was at Dave's 50th birthday party.

Dave Rodman: We rubbed a few elbows. BP was the consummate professional, as they say.

Elliott Gordon: And Benny was still racing at the time!

Surprised J.J. Yeley is being promoted to Nextel Cup?

Dave Rodman: He is? What does that tell you?

"Dah-ale, I need to bah-row one of them Gee-lette ray-zors."

Ryan Smithson: He isn't ready yet. Come on. He's loaded down with talent but he needs another year in the Busch Series. Unlike Denny, his Cup starts have not been good, although Denny didn't have to run Dover.

Dave Rodman: I would've thought when Denny H. went wailing' past him and into the 11 -- that was J.J's ticket to another year in Busch, win a couple races, contend for a title and be really ready.

Elliott Gordon: The teammate lineup across the table from Tony Stewart next season isn't going to help him -- Hamlin and Yeley? And Raines!

Elliott Gordon: Can someone tell me the total amount of cars Yeley has wadded up in the Busch Series this season?

Marty Smith: Speaking of, Elliott, what about the Hendrick Motorsports Busch program this year? They've wrecked like 50 cars. And I'm serious.

Ryan Smithson: Hendrick Busch cars have wrecked 28 times.

Elliott Gordon: Mr. Hendrick will sell those pieces at his dealerships and make $2 million in the process.

Marty Smith: Anyway, about Yeley. It's easy to say he's not ready, but most people said that about Stewart and Johnson, too. Busch cars don't have enough power for guys that grew up on dirt.

Dave Rodman: The sponsors are probably getting enough play they don't care. And if they get one driver out of it, like we said, more power to 'em. And ol' Krisiloff seems like he's on track at this point.

Ryan Smithson: Yeley might not be ready competitively, but he's a pleasure with the media and sponsors. Nice guy. That is why we hope he succeeds.

Elliott Gordon: Sure, but Leffler was a nice guy too, and he got FedExed out before the season was over.

Marty Smith: Elliott is full of quips today.

Dave Rodman: Indeed he is -- so if they got the sheet metal budget, bring 'em on!

Marty Smith: What'd you eat for lunch there, Sparky?

Elliott Gordon: I think she overdid it on the garlic in my pasta.

Ryan Smithson: I'll bet Jimmy Spencer could take John Mayer in a fight. Just thinking. But Mayer gets better-looking chicks.

Elliott Gordon: Who finishes higher in the points next year, Yeley or Hamlin?

Marty Smith: Hamlin. Write it in Sharpie on your counter top.

Dave Rodman: Hamlin, hands down.

Elliott Gordon: I agree with Marty! I want my shirt.

Y'all are brilliant. No one picked Edwards last week. Try again.

Elliott Gordon: Ryan Newman wins his 9,345th pole of the season. And I have to say, with four consecutive top-5 finishes at PIR -- including two wins -- how can you pick against the Red Eight?

Ryan Smithson: Tony Stewart, after watching him at Loudon.

Marty Smith: I've said Junior since Tony Eury came back, so Junior. (But Mark Martin will give him hell. Best average finish among the Chasers).

Elliott Gordon: I guess it is more of a white Eight ... on a red background?

Ryan Smithson: Boys, don't forget, Waltrip's car was like second there in the spring. Not sure if Waltrip was actually driving it though.

Dave Rodman: All things considered, I would have to say Tony is a prohibitive favorite -- but as far as sentimental faves, of course it's Junior.

	Predictions for Phoenix Smacker Pick Ryan Smoke Elliott Junior Marty Junior Rodman Junior

Elliott Gordon: Funny, no one mentioned the old DuPont Chevy. He is really good here, too.

Ryan Smithson: Random thought: I am still angry my classmate in sixth grade didn't give me a ride to school every day. He had a driver's license.

Marty Smith: Boys, the Pink Panther is soon to be retired. I'm in the market.

Ryan Smithson: We've done Track Smack for nearly five years, and you've made eight references to your truck.

Ryan Smithson: When I need the picture, I always Google it.

Elliott Gordon: You should let the Truckasaurus at Lowe's eat that truck dude.

Marty Smith: It's legendary equipment, Smithson. The Panther has full-fledged cult status.

Ryan Smithson: After this weekend, the Carolina Panthers have legendary equipment.

The opinions expressed are solely of the writers. This sentence is italicized every single week without fail.