 | | "The way this thing reads, I'm not so sure a Toyota would be any faster, Dale, even if you took the decals off." Credit: Autostock |
NASCAR.COM
May 4, 2006
03:46 PM EDT (19:46 GMT)
Guys, what should Dale Jarrett do for his final two years in Nextel Cup? Marty Smith: Well, the major issue there is whether or not he truly has UPS in his pocket. If so, which I tend to believe since they've created such a recognizable marketing scheme around him, he'll be a very hot commodity. If not, he might not be. Ryan Smithson: This is very interesting. If Jarrett leaves, Yates has a shallow pool to draw from to get a new driver. I really feel that Jarrett will leave and go drive for Michael Waltrip though. David Newton: It's hard to imagine Ford would let him slip away that easily for all he's meant to that program. It's harder to imagine Toyota producing a UPS bus. Dave Rodman: I'm not sure he should go anywhere, but for sure he needs to get a crew and crew chief that are totally, inside-out behind him and communicating like one entity. Not that they are not now, but risking trying to build that again, well, two years isn't enough time. Ryan Smithson: Marty, Jarrett would be invaluable to any new owner (i.e., Waltrip) because he has his past champions' provisional. David Newton: The past champion provisional is key, Ryan. Not sure he'd be as hot of a commodity without it at his age. Marty Smith: Can't disagree there, Smithson, but I'd say the $20 million would be more enticing than the solace of making a race or two. Ryan Smithson: I just don't think Jarrett needs his sponsor, especially with all that Toyota factory money, boys. Jarrett's history is even more valuable than his sponsor. David Newton: You think that wouldn't make a nice retirement fund? Dave Rodman: Exactly. Not that making races isn't important -- but the budget goes a lot further than running in the back will carry you. Ryan Smithson: A sponsor is replaceable. A past champions' provisional can't be bought. Marty Smith: Smithson, Toyota said they're not going to do their Cup program as they've done the Truck program. Ryan Smithson: Marty, I realize that. But Waltrip probably already has sponsors all set for his two-car program. Dave Rodman: He's said as much. Ryan Smithson: Here is the smart bit, boys: Let's say UPS stays with Yates. Which free agent moves over there? Yates might have to go with a wild card if he can't get someone like Mears. Dave Rodman: Robert might have his pick in that case, not that that's saying much. Marty Smith: Though my man Newt may not believe it, Mears is a hot commodity, boys. No less than five organizations are inquiring about his services. Dave Rodman: I tend to think Casey would like to build a little equity in the program he's with now. David Newton: Not sure he could get a top free agent the way that program has produced the last few years. A middle-of-the-roader or wild card seems like the best bet. Marty Smith: I don't know, Newt. Those Yates Engines are a friggin' dream. David Newton: Yeah, in a Roush car. Ryan Smithson: Tell Biffle that. Guys, why did Dale Earnhardt Inc. lose its restrictor-plate edge to Hendrick? David Newton: Not so sure DEI lost something as much as Hendrick Motorsports gained a lot. The DEI cars were pretty strong this weekend when they weren't in the wall. Ryan Smithson: For some reason, DEI was better on the plate tracks when it had three teams, even though only two of those ran well on the plate tracks. Marty Smith: Without question. Gordon and Vickers ran up front all day, and Johnson emerged at the end. Dave Rodman: They aren't off by much, but it doesn't take too much to be in the position they're in. Ryan Smithson: Earnhardt Jr. had a good car, but that thing would not run when he got to the front. Dave Rodman: What Tony Eury Jr. said about a slight engine shortcoming might have come true. Marty Smith: It certainly wasn't typical Junior at 'Dega. He likes to get out there and lead every dadgum lap, and he just couldn't get up there. A lot of guys -- Stewart and Johnson, especially -- truly just hung out all day. But Junior wanted to get up there in the lead and stay there. Ryan Smithson: Rodman, the engine blew because Junior spun it back when he looped it around. Dave Rodman: Was nice to see he didn't. It's only a race win. David Newton: You're right, Rodman. It had nothing to do with a shortcoming. Dave Rodman: I'm not talking about blowing engines, Smithson. Ryan Smithson: Gotcha. You meant he didn't have the Hendrick horsepower. David Newton: Junior got up to the front a couple of times, but he didn't have a teammate or many drafting buddies to use with Stewart hanging around the middle. Ryan Smithson: I was very impressed at Johnson's guile in dealing with his prey at Talladega. Dave Rodman: I'd say those Hendrick cars stood up like flagpoles -- but they're not legal at Talladega anymore. Ryan Smithson: Marty, I got have ask you this. You said last year that Bobby Labonte should have risked wrecking Jimmie Johnson to win the Coca-Cola 600. Should Vickers have risked a pileup to protect that lead last Monday? Marty Smith: Bobby Labonte definitely should have risked wrecking Johnson to win the 600, and Vickers should block for everything he's worth. Wreck the field? No way. David Newton: Johnson is the real story here. He's gone from 0-for-restrictor-plate racing to two wins this season. His patience has been amazing. Marty Smith: But it's five-to-go, man. Do what you have to do to keep that lead. He did a helluva job, just lost that position at the end. David Newton: I don't think there was anything Vickers could have done to stop Johnson with Stewart pushing him from behind. Dave Rodman: I think a lack of teammates hurt Junior -- but that's not all of it because when Jeff and Jimmie and Brian made their moves at the end in those last 20 fantastic laps, the teammates did not always help each other. Ryan Smithson: It's a good story, Vickers. He has gotten beat two straight at 'Dega. Marty Smith: A lot of people thought I was crazy for the Coke 600 comment last year, but considering the dire shape Gibbs was in at the time, Labonte's awful luck and the absolutely awful showing of the 11, he should have dumped the 48. Or at least not been so forgiving. David Newton: Yeah, but then he wouldn't be Bobby Labonte. Not his style. Marty Smith: It is pure grace, Mr. Labonte's style. David Newton: He would have had to change his name to Busch. Marty Smith: That's right, Newt. Dave Rodman: If we weren't looking at the Chase for the Nextel Cup, I'd say JJ might finally -- naw -- Tony is going to be damned tough -- and if Kevin Harvick keeps making chicken salad out of bad days -- who knows.  |  | | "Ah, Greg, it may take a few years, but it'll be OK. I promise." Credit: Autostock |
| |
| Richmond Predictions |
| Rodman |
Elliott Sadler |
| MartDawg |
Greg Biffle |
| Newt |
Tony Stewart |
| Ryan |
Kurt Busch |
|
 |
Richmond predicts? Dave Rodman: How about an Elliott Sadler homeboy soiree in Victory Lane, courtesy of Tommy Baldwin's second consecutive Richmond spring win? Ryan Smithson: I'll believe that when I see it. Marty Smith: Biffle's awful luck must end sometime. I'll say this weekend. Marty Smith: I've never seen a run of bad luck like he's having this year. Ryan Smithson: Shoot. I have. Jeff Burton in 2001. David Newton: I'll go with Smoke on this one. He ran a close second last year and always is good at that track. Dave Rodman: Of course, it's hard to call a 13th place a revelation -- but it would be pretty awesome to see Jeremy Mayfield give Evernham a twin killing. They need some light -- but that Talladega comeback was pretty good. Ryan Smithson: Kurt Busch will be tough on Saturday. He'll win. David Newton: We asked who would win, Rodman. Not what you're dreaming will happen. Dave Rodman: Aaah, Nirvana. Ryan Smithson: Come as You Are. Good song. Rodman, name me one Nirvana song. Just one. ... That is what I thought. You're even slow at Googling. Dave Rodman: I hear you are the lead candidate for the PR guy at that Northwest track, Smithson. Figures you would be with a comment like that. Ryan Smithson: I knew you couldn't do it. Dave Rodman: Irrelevant. Who cares? The opinions are expressed solely of the writers. | 
© 2001-2012 NASCAR | Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
NASCAR.COM is part of Turner - SI Digital, part of the Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network.
