 | | "Yeah, see Jack says everything is cool for me and you." Credit: Autostock |
NASCAR.COM
April 20, 2006
02:19 PM EDT (18:19 GMT)
1. Kyle Busch was ticketed for reckless driving. Big story or minor issue? Marty Smith: Way overblown. WAYYY overblown. According to the team he squealed the tires exiting a gas station. That happens a million times a day. He was cooperative with police, so it's a non-issue. Ryan Smithson: That is more funny than ominous. I wonder if he asked the cop if he was a Ricky Rudd fan. But seriously, stories like this ease the boredom. And he was in a Buick SUV. David Newton: If his name were Kyle Anything-But-Busch it wouldn't have drawn a blip on the radar. It really wasn't a big deal, but because of the attention he's gotten on the track this year, it got more attention than it deserved. Dave Rodman: It's horsecrap. If the facts, as reported, are true that could be you, me or any one of another million people. Time to hope he doesn't run into a hanging judge and move on. David Newton: At least he didn't bump another car off the highway. Dave Rodman: You could do it in one of those Rendezvous -- they are a bad ride. Ryan Smithson: Hey Marty, do you know the KFC they are talking about? You're from Richmond kind of. Marty Smith: Absolutely. And I'm not from Richmond. At all. But my grandfolks live there. Dave Rodman: That's like saying you're from Memphis, kind of, Smithson. Ryan Smithson: Every time we go there, you visit your grandparents, so you're kind of from there. KFC would have gotten only slightly more publicity had Kurt Busch driven into a KFC while trying to run over Greg Biffle's girlfriend. David Newton: Tell us about the rest of the family tree, Marty. Marty Smith: OK. This dude, Dan Call, who actually invented Jack Daniel's Ole No. 7 is my great-great-great-great uncle or something. He was also a minister, and chose the faith over the liquor. David Newton: If he'd run moonshine we could have brought the subject back to NASCAR. Somebody please, do it. Marty Smith: Speaking of Jack, my wife bought me a Jack Daniel's belt buckle for my birthday. They need to put the true Jack label on the 07 hood. I'd beg for one to hang in my office. David Newton: So, did anybody watch Celebrity Cooking the other night? Since we've deteriorated this conversation to Marty's family tree and belt buckles. Ryan Smithson: No, was Kyle Busch on it trying to fry chicken? Marty Smith: That was lame, Newt. David Newton: Celebrity Cooking or my comment? Ryan Smithson: Both I am sure. 2. David Stremme has a new crew chief. Good fix or will his problems continue? David Newton: Would rather talk about Marty's belt buckle. Marty Smith: Hilarious, Newt! Who the heck knows? Ryan Smithson: David hasn't had that confidence-building qualifying run or anything. It has got to be depressing for him. David Newton: Let's just say this, it can't hurt. Dave Rodman: It's worth a try. Good to see Jeff Vandermoss has only been reassigned, because he had some credentials. But they knew they had a tough row to hoe. Ryan Smithson: I wonder if Vandermoss regrets his move from Roush. He was over there a long time and did a great job, but Kenseth hasn't lost a step this year. Ryan Smithson: The thing is, both Mears and Sorenson are running well. Marty Smith: Teams can't afford to sit back and wait for chemistry to materialize. At this point, considering all the point-of-sale stuff involved, it's easier to change crew chiefs than drivers. Dave Rodman: I think David would have been best served running a full season in a full-fledged Ganassi Busch car. But that is water over the dam at this point. Marty Smith: That's why Jason Leffler was in the 11 so long last year -- FedEx had a ton of money tied up in point-of-sale. Plus, Leffler's contract was huge. Ryan Smithson: I doubt Stremme's even comes close to matching what Leffler's was. Marty Smith: No, not even in the same stratosphere, dude. Leffler got paid.  |  | | "First I was in the 6 car. Then I was in the 97. Then it became the 26. Now the 99's crew chief is coming to the 26." Credit: Autostock |
| |  | ROUSH SHAKEUP | Roush Racing announced last week that two of its Nextel Cup teams will have new crew chiefs for the race at Phoenix.
Carl Edwards sees Jack Roush's decision to shift crew chief Bob Osborne to Jamie McMurray's car as a move to spark McMurray's season, not his own.
Mark Martin says the changing of crew chiefs of Roush teammates Carl Edwards and Jamie McMurray isn't panic.
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Ryan Smithson: The 40 can't be trying to qualify every week, boys. David hasn't qualified well all year either. That is a lot of pressure. Marty Smith: Did you already say that once? Dave Rodman: Ryan is buckling under it, Marty. David Newton: Again, Marty and buckles ... Marty Smith: Belt-buckling. I have a cool John Deere one, too. Ryan Smithson: Give it to Stremme for good luck. David Newton: Pass it on to Stremme. If he keeps up this pace he may need a second job on weekends when he's not in the field. Marty Smith: So boys, how about the crew chief swap on the 99/26? David Newton: Good question, Marty. Ryan Smithson: Bad, bad move. Marty Smith: Think Bob Osborne can invigorate the 26? Ryan Smithson: Roush Racing, why in the world would you do that? Marty Smith: Man, if I was Carl Edwards I'd be ticked. Ryan Smithson: Beyond mad, Marty. David Newton: Do you think Carl buys into the explanation that this was done to help McMurray's team and not hurt his? Marty Smith: And I don't know, I haven't spoken with Carl, but I'd bet he's not as content as he's trying to make it seem he is. Dave Rodman: I think the more important question is, can Wally Brown come in and either maintain, or pick back up the 99 and keep it from falling completely apart. Ryan Smithson: Rodman, you make your yearly excellent point. Imagine the pressure on that man. |  | | The merry-go-round left champion crew chief Jimmy Fennig with a job in the Busch Series. Credit: Autostock |
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Marty Smith: The 99 has been fast, just had awful luck. It's just crazy to me. Crew chief swaps are viable for downtrodden teams, but the 99 is hauling freight. David Newton: The way they share everything at Roush, is this really as big a deal as we're talking about. Marty Smith: You're insane, Newt. Ryan Smithson: Newt. You can't replace chemistry. Although Fennig was going to retire after this year anyway. David Newton: Hey, just threw it out as a question. Wasn't looking for a personal attack. But if the organization is as strong as they say it is, then I don't think it's as big a deal as we say. Dave Rodman: But Wally has been there, he has Bob's same engineering background -- so if he and Carl can hit it off well at the racetrack, they'll be OK. Marty Smith: Driver/crew chief chemistry is huge. Will Carl communicate as well with Brown? Will Brown build Edwards up emotionally during competition the way Osborne did? Dave Rodman: But seven races from now, it will certainly be interesting to see where those two cars are in the standings. |  | | It's rumored a camera similar to this one caught Kyle Busch leaving a gas station in the Richmond area. No report on where the chicken was. Credit: Autostock |
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| Picks |
| Subway Fresh 500 |
| Ryan |
Tony Stewart |
| Rodman |
Jeff Burton |
| Newt |
Carl Edwards |
| MartDawg |
Kyle Busch |
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Ryan Smithson: More importantly, Marty, Bob was good at calming Carl down. Marty Smith: Good call, Smithson. Ryan Smithson: I have spoken to Bob Osborne only a couple of times. But here's what I read of him: He is outstanding when it comes to absorbing problems and staying calm during crisis. Perfect combo for Carl, and at the very least, that was taken away. David Newton: Just remember, the 48 team didn't miss a beat without Chad Knaus, so maybe the importance of the crew chief is overblown. Dave Rodman: I don't think you can underestimate what Chad Knaus did to assemble a team in his own image -- and thus it wasn't hard for them to carry on at his level. Crew chiefs are important. Marty Smith: Johnson has a far different demeanor than Edwards does behind the wheel, though. Johnson was the calm one and Knaus was losing his mind about something. It's the opposite with the 99. 3. Picks for Phoenix? Ryan Smithson: Stewart is going to be tough again. And I am going to remove my Ryan Newman curse. Newman will get a top-five. Dave Rodman: Jeff Burton is overdue. If they can come out of the box and qualify well -- how about a score for RCR's No. 31? Ryan Smithson: Big if, Rodman, qualifying draw is critical at PIR. It's going to be hot and nasty. David Newton: I'll go give Carl Edwards my nod. Perhaps he'll shine in the face of all this adversity. Marty Smith: Phoenix -- I'll say Kyle Busch. Busch wins, then passes out fried chicken to the crew in Victory Lane. David Newton: Chirp, chirp. Out of here. The opinions listed here are solely those of the writers. | 
