 | | Kevin Harvick would like nothing more than to knock Kurt Busch on his keister. Credit: CIA Stock Photo |
NASCAR.COM
March 30, 2006
11:46 AM EST (16:46 GMT)
1. Guys, did Kevin Harvick spout off on Kurt Busch simply to avoid discussing his own future Nextel Cup plans? Marty Smith: Ha. That was a point Kurt brought up in his post-race interview, and I say yes and no. First, Kevin Harvick just plain ol' doesn't like Kurt Busch. But, if indeed Harvick had hoped to use his disdain for Busch to deflect questions of his future, it worked. Ryan Smithson: A lot of people would say yes, but I am not so sure. I mean, Kevin is already an expert at merely saying, "Me and Richard will sit and discuss when we both have time." They had all the time in the world on Friday. He simply doesn't like Kurt. David Newton: No, I think that was Kevin Harvick being Kevin Harvick. Translated, he likes being a smartass whenever possible. At the same time, I get the feeling he truly doesn't like Kurt and would like to take a swipe at him. Dave Rodman: I wouldn't blame him if he did. As they say, people have got to get lives. Move on. He's addressed it. Next subject. But I think he had an issue with Kurt Busch, too. Marty Smith: I'll say this, too. Kurt's response Sunday evening proves to me that the advisory group he and Penske Racing have assembled around him is getting through to him. The old Kurt Busch would have fired back in a second. Dave Rodman: I guess it's a lot deeper than what happened at Atlanta, too. That one, I could have written off to pure emotion of the moment. But to carry it to Bristol says there's more to it. Ryan Smithson: I guess Kevin can't really call him "Rubberhead" anymore. Dave Rodman: Yeah, but that's Kurt circa 2004 -- or even before that. David Newton: No, but he's come close to calling him Rubber Ears. Dave Rodman: Personalities though -- got to love 'em. Keeps 'em coming back week after week. At least, I hope it does.  |  | | "I thought I took care of this ear problem." Credit: Autostock |
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Marty Smith: So Rodman, you're telling me Busch wouldn't have fired back at Harvick this time last year? You're crazy. Dave Rodman: Maybe not. David Newton: Busch hasn't fired back because he's in a no-win situation if he does. If he truly felt he was wronged I believe he would fire back. Marty Smith: Well said, Newt. Well said. |  | | "I'm just trying to be a better person. My name is Kevin." Credit: CIA Photo Stock |
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Marty Smith: But that doesn't change the fact that the maturation process is obvious. Dave Rodman: And it has been for quite a while. Ryan Smithson: One of these days, Kevin is going to be like Earl Hickey and have to carry around a list of things he did. "No. 57: Made fun of Kurt Busch's ears." Dave Rodman: He'd be in pretty good company if he did that. David Newton: Kurt has matured, although Jeff Gordon made an interesting point the other day when he says Kurt often talks too much to explain himself and digs a deeper hole. Anyway, back to Harvick and RCR. David Newton: Kevin better focus on getting a good ride next year. Ryan Smithson: I'd be really surprised if Kevin is back at RCR next year, and at the same time, RCR is on the verge of catching up to these other teams, and that will make his job that much more attractive. Dave Rodman: KH is in a great position right now, on a lot of fronts. Probably why he, at least, is pretty calm about it. David Newton: If Kevin doesn't make the Chase or win a few races, what incentive would Richard Childress have for bringing him back? Marty Smith: Casey Mears is an intriguing piece of the Silly Season puzzle already, too, boy. His stock has risen considerably and it's a contract year. Ryan Smithson: Brian Vickers is also in a contract year if I am not mistaken. David Newton: Back on the Mears bandwagon, I see. Marty Smith: Never got off, homeboy. Dave Rodman: I don't think Kevin is anywhere near being a liability to anyone right now -- let alone RCR. I can think of six or eight people who would rate that list ahead of him. David Newton: Why isn't anybody talking about Brent Sherman's contract status? Ryan Smithson: Funny. Very funny. Dave Rodman: He's a rookie. He has hardly started building any status yet. Ryan Smithson: He was kidding, Rodman. Everything goes over the top of your head. It's like a constant pre-race flyover. David Newton: Sherman did put on quite a show at Bristol. I'll miss him at Martinsville. 2. Should NASCAR have allowed rookies to test at Martinsville? |  | | "Ah, man -- another short track!" Credit: Autostock |
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Marty Smith: Absolutely. The current testing structure is ridiculous. Ryan Smithson: They could have, sure. Would it have helped them much? I doubt it. It takes thousands of laps before one gets used to that place. Dave Rodman: Not when they could have tested at Caraway. Why would Martinsville be any different than anywhere else? I'd rather see them allowed to test at a place where they'd be more apt to kill themselves, or someone else. David Newton: I agree Marty. Guys like Clint Bowyer have never been on the track. Ryan Smithson: I think Clint went to the Richard Petty Driving Experience, though. Seriously. He called 1-800-BE-PETTY. David Newton: No, Bowyer practiced in a go-kart on Kevin Harvick's track. Marty Smith: He took XLR8 Energy Chews, too, Smithson, I think. David Newton: He did beat DeLana, I heard. Ryan Smithson: Why not let them test Martinsville at the expense of their Richmond test? Instead of Richmond, just grant teams one short-track test? Marty Smith: I just think it should be up to the owner, crew chief and driver to determine where they need to improve. David Newton: I'd do away with advance testing all the way around. Just open the track on Thursday before the race for testing, practice and qualify on Friday or Saturday and run the race on Sunday. Dave Rodman: Professionals at this level should be that adaptable. Ryan Smithson: Rodman, these kids are 20, 22 years old! Marty Smith: Rodman, that's the most ridiculous statement you've ever made. Ryan Smithson: They didn't run short tracks for 87 years before making it to Cup. Those days are history. Dave Rodman: Smithson, then let them race Late Model Stock Cars. Who asked them to be there? Ryan Smithson: Rodman, Cup drivers don't come out of those ranks anymore. Come on man. This isn't 1985. Dave Rodman: So you expect me to be the crying little sister for these poor boys. Get over that fantasy right quick, please. Ryan Smithson: Come on Marty, help me out here. Let's pile it on him. Marty Smith: Dude, Rodman's statement speaks for itself. We needn't say anything more. David Newton: Just let Brent Sherman test and end it at that. Ryan Smithson: Rodman, put yourself in David Stremme's shoes here. He's got a hard job this weekend, why can't he have one test? Dave Rodman: That's why Bowyer and Stremme are racing in the Craftsman Truck Series -- and everyone else had the same option, peons. Marty Smith: I mean, Michael Schumacher is the best driver in the world. That dude wouldn't make it 10 laps at Martinsville. 3. Predicts for Martinsville? David Newton: Jeff Gordon will shove somebody else, but this time to win the race. Dave Rodman: If you noticed, my call for Jeff Gordon's redemption was right on the money -- until he ran into a Matt. So Gordon it is. Ryan Smithson: With any luck, Matt Kenseth could have won four of the first five races. And he'll be there again this weekend. Dave Rodman: Newt, I dare say Jeff might be in a position where everyone is trying to catch his bumper, trying to scratch it. |  | | Jeff Gordon has always been mean at Martinsville -- now he's wearing the look. Credit: CIA Stock Photo |
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Marty Smith: I picked Gordon, too, on the NASCAR.COM fantasy show, boys. But since y'all are picking him in Smack, I'll go with Denny Hamlin to win his first career race. Well, points race, anyway. Well, Nextel Cup points race, anyway. David Newton: But Hamlin hasn't tested at Martinsville. Ryan Smithson: Gosh, I don't know, Marty. It will only be his second start. Five hundred laps is a lot. He can lead 200 of those easily. But this is a four-hour race. Dave Rodman: But he went fifth to eighth in his first Cup race there. I think Denny will be all right -- but I only get one pick. Marty Smith: He finished eighth in his first one, Smithson -- and has a ton of laps on that track in Late Models. Ryan Smithson: He didn't have to deal with Mark Martin in Late Models. Obvious statement, I know, but experience always wins at Martinsville. David Newton: It's still a lot to ask a rookie to win at Martinsville. Dave Rodman: I'll leave you guys with a trivia question: Who are the only three drivers who have raced four out of the five divisions that race at Martinsville? Ryan Smithson: All three Bodines. Dave Rodman: Hint: Two of them have raced in all five. Ryan Smithson: Since you asked the question, the answer has got to be one of your beloved Bodines. Dave Rodman: Nnnnggghhh! You lose. Answers next week. Ryan Smithson: No, give me the answers now, you annoying New Englander. I know one of them has got to be your idol, Geoff Bodine. Dave Rodman: "Mr. Excitement," "The Virginia Dream" and the "Caraway Crusader." Ryan Smithson: Rodman, who is nicknamed "50 Cent"? Ryan Smithson: That is what I thought. Dave Rodman: Sorry, had a hard time coming up with a nickname for Dennis Setzer. The opinions listed here are solely those of the writers. Whoa, big crash in Turn 3, guys. Big crash. We got cars wadded up everywhere. No, wait. Someone is out of gas. | 
