The hazing process continues for Scott Riggs at Evernham Motorsports. Credit: Autostock

Track Smack: Off week

Q: Dodge has three wins this year, two by Kasey Kahne. Has Evernham perfected something with the Charger, since his team admittedly didn't waste a lot of time with the Intrepid nose?

Marty Smith: Evernham Motorsports certainly took the right approach. I mean, Dodge wasn't going back to the Intrepid, and NASCAR wasn't planning to give any provisions, so they got what they got. The best thing to do is make it work, and that's what EMS did.

Now, that said, the No. 19 team is struggling terribly while the 9 is flourishing. That is quite puzzling to me.

Duane Cross: Jeremy Mayfield may want "his" equipment back sooner rather than later. That No. 19 team is the definition of struggling.

David Newton: Where Ray apparently was smarter than the other Dodge owners is he put all of his efforrt into developing the Charger instead of splitting time between the Charger and Intrepid.

Dave Rodman: Considering the way Casey Mears ran at several 1.5s last year -- there was something to be found. I think the car is part of it and Kasey Kahne, certainly, has made a quantum improvement.

Marty Smith: Several drivers I spoke with Monday said it's confidence, Dave. Kahne is a different guy from a confidence standpoint this season.

Dave Rodman: From what I understand, Kasey has "Jeremy's cars." Didn't DEI screw that concept up?

Duane Cross: It's Ray Evernham -- of course they've found something; he's a master at tweaking the equipment and getting the most out of it. He took Jeff Gordon to championship level. Ray may do the same thing with Kahne.

Marty Smith: Dave made a good point with Mears. The 41 was the first team to really make the Charger work last year. Yes, Kahne won with it, but Mears dominated a couple of races in it late in the year -- in races where aero matters.

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David Newton: Also seems Ray was intent on making Kasey Kahne's car good without regard to how it might hurt Mayfield.

Dave Rodman: That's unfortunately what it looks like, Newt. But Ray did say Sunday they had everything to fix it, in house -- so I guess we'll see.

David Newton: He'd better fix it soon or Mayfield will be watching the Chase from the outside.

Duane Cross: And then there's Scott Riggs, who missed Daytona but has been pretty consistent in recent weeks with three top-15s -- and he's seven spots ahead of Mayfield in the points despite missing that race.

Marty Smith: That's the key stat, Duane. That's amazing.

There is a common denominator between Mayfield's two Chase runs and Kahne's current success, boys. Kenny Francis.

Dave Rodman: Phoenix will be the first nail-biter. I'd say, "can you believe the 19 is a must-time car?" But some good cats have already been in that position this year.

Duane Cross: They have a week off to get started. The 19 crew has to get things rolling at Phoenix; Richmond is not that far away, especially considering that Jeremy historically has struggled at some of the summertime venues.

But if you're Kasey Kahne, you have to be high on the hog right now.

Marty Smith: Helluva birthday present, for sure.

David Newton: As long as Kasey makes the Chase, I'm not so sure there'll be a lot of tears spilled at Evernham over Mayfield. Kasey is the money man there.

Dave Rodman: And deservedly so. You can get the chicken salad, but I've seen plenty of people make chicken droppings out of the very same. KK and KF have excelled -- and good for them.

Q: Nicole Lunders and Eva Bryan -- girlfriends of Greg Biffle and Kurt Busch -- had a tete a tete at Texas after the drivers traded paint on Lap 82. Has pit access gotten out of hand, with girlfriends taking matters into their own hands?

David Newton: All I have to say is you don't see girlfriends or wives on the field or in the locker rooms of other sports. I don't mind them being there before the race, but after the race they need to be out of the way for the drivers, crews and us to do our jobs.

I can't believe Bucky's off American Idol, can you, Lance? Lance? Credit: Autostock

Duane Cross: Bingo, Newt! I know it's all good for the TV folks to show a pretty face with the drama unfolding on the track, but c'mon -- know your place. It's the guys' workplace; my wife wouldn't show up at the office to voice her displeasure.

Dave Rodman: Not if you specifically state it that way. If it was a battle royal behind pit road between fan elements -- that's another story. Because of course, in general, access is way out of control.

Family members are entitled, though -- unless they cross a line that isn't there in the first place.

Marty Smith: Pit access was out of control long before Lunders' pulled the Texas Two-Step atop the 2 pit box.

David Newton: Cat fights probably are good for NASCAR's ratings for sure.

Dave Rodman: Considering NASCAR's -- or any motorsport's -- life-and-death aspect, I think family participation is not only appropriate, but untouchable.

Marty Smith: I know this much -- that little tiff was the story of the weekend. That's sad.

Dave Rodman: Biffle and Busch?

Marty Smith: No, their girlfriends.

Dave Rodman: Even though it was pretty unprecedented, Nicole and Eva were a footnote.

Marty Smith: You're insane, Dave. That's all anyone was talking about.

David Newton: It is sad, Marty. That's why they shouldn't be on pit road after the race. It's emotional enough.

Duane Cross: When wedding showers are thrown among the drivers' girlfriends, wonder how many invites Eva gets? We should interview her on what the real Kurt Busch is like outside the car. Maybe get ESPN2 to show it, like the PR release that is Bonds On Bonds.

Dave Rodman: TV should have gone and interviewed either one or both of them. Given their voyeuristic tendency, I'm pretty amazed they did not.

Marty Smith: We see drivers get pissed off at each other every week. A couple hot chicks going at it is a whole new level.

Duane Cross: A level that NASCAR doesn't need to reach down for.

David Newton: Although a post-race mud wrestling session among spouses of the top two finishers would be intriguing

Marty Smith: Again, I say we propose a three-team Ultimate Fighting battle royal between the Harvicks, the Busches and the Biffles. Must-See-TV, I tell ya.

David Newton: Ric Flair could promote it since he already lives in Charlotte.

Marty Smith: Whooooooo!

Duane Cross: What's next -- a ring, baby oil and Chris Berman on play-by-play? C'mon, this crap cheapens the sport. For all the good, this isn't the publicity the sport needs (or wants).

Dave Rodman: NASCAR could penalize the 16 points for entering another team's pit area. That would probably make some teams rethink access.

Q: OK, it's time for the Easter break. ... Which driver needs a new beginning when we get to Phoenix?

Dave Rodman: Anyone from 30th on back.

David Newton: We've already mentioned Mayfield, but the driver who needs it most is Newman. Penske has a lot more at stake if he doesn't make the Chase.

Duane Cross: I'll go with three guys -- Jamie McMurray, Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle. Who would have dreamed that those three guys would be 21, 22 and 23 in points?

Kurt and Ryan are both struggling -- 17th and 18th, no less than 341 points back. Both of those guys need to get on the stick.

Dave Rodman: But obviously, Jeremy would be the most in need since he's one of the select group of two-time Chasers. Biffle and Newman fit right in there, also -- though they're not as far off -- and Edwards has been battling that millstone plague, too

But they're in reach. Jeremy is in no man's land and there is no safety net at Phoenix. Just ask Robby Gordon how reassuring that is.

There's your early pick for comeback driver of the year.

Duane Cross: Yep, RG has done himself proud this year. If only he could sit down long enough to give an interview so that folks could read the real story behind his turnaround.

Marty Smith: My vote is McMurray. The 26 team is the most disappointing so far in 2006. The 99 and 16 have been fast, just had bad luck. The 26 is out to lunch.

You be the judge. Credit: Autostock

David Newton: Is anybody really surprised McMurray is where he is? He hasn't won a race since Sterling Marlin didn't have a hairpiece and he's never made the Chase.

Marty Smith: How about Newman's comment on Sterling's hairpiece getting in his eyes? A fan wrote me and said, "Here's hoping Newman goes bald prematurely!"

David Newton: As funny as Harvick talking about Kurt's ears.

Dave Rodman: As the boys on Inside Nextel Cup said Monday, inappropriate. And you hate to say it, but people who snipe like that are just upset at their own shortcomings -- and the 12's season certainly fits that bill, so far.

Duane Cross: My first thought: There goes Ryan's sponsorship deal for rugs. I guess he's more secure in his manliness.

The opinions listed here are solely those of the writers.