"I'm gonna give you an engine low to the ground ... extra thick oil pan to cut the wind from underneath you ..." Credit: Autostock

Track Smack: Darlington

What organization is the strongest right now?

Marty Smith: Roush Racing. All five teams can win on any track, plate tracks and road courses, included. Overall, the results aren't indicative of how well they've run. The 26 has lagged but there's no question the potential is there.

Ryan Smithson: I still think Roush is the team everyone is chasing. They have had a car that comes out of the box strong in every race this year. They are close to having all five teams in top form again.

David Newton: It's still hard to ignore Hendrick. Jimmie Johnson leads the points, and Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon are eighth and ninth in points. That's three of the top 10, more than anybody. And Jimmie's already got three wins as well.

Dave Rodman: But you know what, we're overlooking the Hendrick gang and how can we do that? They have three cars in the top 10 -- or at least they did going into Richmond. And I think Brian Vickers has stepped up his game a little bit, too.

E-MAIL •   Dave Rodman •   Ryan Smithson •   Marty Smith •   David Newton JOIN THE FRAY •   Send us a topic for discussion

Marty Smith: Top to bottom, Roush has the best engine/chassis combination in the sport, too. Yates has the same motors, but don't produce the same results.

Dave Rodman: Right here, right now, I might have to say RCR is no worse than neck and neck with Roush. Roush has won more races -- or are they even? But RCR has three teams solidly in the points race.

David Newton: Vickers is 19th in points, and would have made a move up had it not been for a late crash on Saturday.

Ryan Smithson: Hendrick simply hasn't been winning the titles lately. That obviously may change, but they have like one title in the last eight years.

Dave Rodman: They have two -- because 1998 is eight years because you have to count complete seasons. And we're not talking ancient history, I didn't think?

	"I wonder what it's like ..." Credit: Autostock
	VICKERS MAILBAG Brian Vickers will answer fans' questions each week on NASCAR.COM.  •   To post a question, click here

Marty Smith: I certainly can't disagree with Hendrick, either. Vickers will win by the time we get to Pocono.

Ryan Smithson: That is a strong statement, Marty. I don't think he'll win, Marty, he's got too many good cars ahead of him right now.

David Newton: I'm not so sure Vickers will win by Pocono, but he has been more consistent lately, which puts him in position to win.

Dave Rodman: Ryan, you're killing me. At a given place, BV will beat all those cars.

David Newton: Where, a go-kart track?

Ryan Smithson: Rodman, that is really reaching.

Marty Smith: True, Smithson, it is a strong statement. But it'll happen. Remember, he dominated Pocono last year, led 121 laps, I think, before Edwards secured the win.

Marty Smith: Maybe I should have said by the time we leave Pocono ... He was also awesome at Charlotte before he ran over Bill Elliott.

Ryan Smithson: Vickers has gotten so close so many times. When he wins, I won't be shocked, but let's just wait and see instead of trying to predict when.

Dave Rodman: I don't have your stat mastery so I'm not gonna pick a track ... But I would say by the time we leave Daytona for sure he will have -- because I like his odds at Michigan -- and the Pepsi 400 after that show he put on at 'Dega.

Change of pace, which of the major teams is in the most trouble?

	"Here's what I do ... turn ... let off ... turn ... let off." Credit: Autostock
	REED SORENSON •   10 Questions

Ryan Smithson: I am worried about Ganassi. The 40 team is so far down the points that they are in danger of merely having to qualify every week until the end of the year. And Mears' contract situation will be a distraction.

Dave Rodman: Depends where you draw the line on "major" and "intermediate." But I guess it might be Ganassi's.

David Newton: You've got to look at Robert Yates Racing, too. They're losing Dale Jarrett to Michael Waltrip Racing and Elliott Sadler doesn't appear happy with where his program is.

Marty Smith: Yates. They have a ton of question marks right now. Driver of the 88? Is Sadler's status truly secure?

Ryan Smithson: If you guys keep talking like that, I'll change my vote to Yates too.

Marty Smith: I wouldn't believe the Sadler stuff, but sources very close to that situation are wondering, so we have to, as well.

David Newton: And weren't they talking about a third team soon? Can they afford to stretch their resources to another team with all that's going on with the other two?

	"I don't know your plans, Elliott, but listen to what me and my dog talked about ..." Credit: Autostock
	JARRETT TO TOYOTA? Dale Jarrett said Friday at Richmond International Raceway that he is within 10 days of announcing future plans that reportedly have him leaving Robert Yates Racing for Michael Waltrip Racing.  •   Complete story, click here

Dave Rodman: Yeah, I could agree with that argument, mostly because Ganassi is building a future, so you can deal with the present under that premise.

Ryan Smithson: But here's something: Yates and Ganassi have one victory since 2004. Combined. With five teams. That is a span of almost 200 races.

Marty Smith: Uh, Ryan? Sadler's won at least twice, and DJ won Talladega last year.

Ryan Smithson: Sadler didn't win last year, Marty.

Marty Smith: Right? Or am I wrong?

Ryan Smithson: Sadler hasn't won in nearly two years. Crazy, isn't it? Time flies, son.

Marty Smith: My years get screwed up. My bad.

Ryan Smithson: Hey, it all blends in. Clearly, he has got to be frustrated.

Dave Rodman: Wow. Proves again just how important chemistry is. Marty, I was ready to pull out a club to defend yah.

David Newton: Sadler hasn't since 2004, and Yates won only once last year.

Dave Rodman: Too many races. Too many years.

Ryan Smithson: My point, I guess, is that so many huge teams simply are not winning races.

Marty Smith: It is a valid one

	"No, Michael, they're not quadrupling your salary." Credit: Autostock
	RACING COSTS Roush Racing president Geoff Smith isn't as concerned with the reportedly large salary increases Toyota is offering to lure personnel as he is the discounts being offered to sponsors.  •   Complete story, click here

Ryan Smithson: You look at Penske and all their money -- and yet, one win in the last 18 months. Combined.

Dave Rodman: Quick -- backcheck THOSE figures. But Marty's right -- the point is well made if the exact figures aren't. Which circles us back to the fact that Roush is kinda ruling the roost, right now.

David Newton: Yates has only four wins since 2003. Penske has done better than that.

Ryan Smithson: I am not trying to be all Statboy here. Stats are overrated. But Penske, Ganassi, Yates -- seven teams, roughly 280-some races -- two wins. Clearly, Roush and Hendrick have been killing these teams.

Dave Rodman: Quit while you were ahead.

Are we making too much out of Toyota coming in and signing people from other teams?

Ryan Smithson: Not when Toyota is coming in and offering guys $20,000 simply to leave. It's gouging. A lot of these teams are simply giving guys raises to stay.

David Newton: But isn't that good for the sport, or at least the guys who are benefiting?

Marty Smith: No. Money talks. I was asking around at testing what effect it would have. Toyota's coming in with three and four times the money elite drivers are currently making. Hard to say no if you have a contractual out clause.

Dave Rodman: Well, it's race teams that are making the offers. I think what we need to see is an in-depth, point-by-point analysis of what Toyota's role is in each aspect of these teams' Cup programs.

Turns out, the motor Brian Vickers was running was from 1956. Credit: Autostock

David Newton: We don't make such a big fuss when somebody at Roush hires somebody from DEI or Hendrick? So what's wrong with Toyota spending a little money to get started?

Dave Rodman: If Toyota gives you an engine program that would leave a sizable chunk of bread to hire personnel with.

David Newton: It'll all settle down after the initial onslaught.

Ryan Smithson: Well, it's a shock effect. Same thing happened when Dodge entered.

David Newton: Right, Ryan. And the world didn't end then.

Ryan Smithson: But Rodman is right on one important thing: If Toyota is able to save them tons on engines, it enables them to spend whatever on top management personnel.

Marty Smith: That's the whole beef from the garage, really, Rodman. Toyota's engine program. They're starting with a brand new piece -- 2007. Chevy's is like 40 years old. NASCAR might want to look at the possibility of letting every manufacturer submit a new piece.

	"No comment. Um, no comment. No comment, thank you." Credit: Autostock
	HARVICK STAYING WITH RCR After checking out other teams and the way they operate, Kevin Harvick chose to stay right at home and sign an extension with Richard Childress Racing.  •   Complete story, click here

David Newton: Nobody makes Chevy stick with a 40-year-old program.

Marty Smith: Newton, Chevy submitted a new block in 1999. NASCAR never gave them the green.

David Newton: I stand corrected.

Marty Smith: So yes, they are being prevented.

Dave Rodman: These guys are always looking at their engine platforms. Heads, blocks, etc. are always on the drawing board and being submitted.

David Newton: Then it is up to NASCAR to do its part for parity.

Marty Smith: That's the key, bro.

Ryan Smithson: Toyota is not going to come in and run well off the bat though, boys.

Marty Smith: Harvick said he doesn't anticipate they'll come in and succeed immediately.

Dave Rodman: I think Toyota had to come up with something new, because I don't think they actually sold what they needed to race before they decided to go racing, did they?

Ryan Smithson: Not only will they come in and not succeed, they will struggle immensely.

David Newton: And if Toyota's money was so powerful, then Harvick and other top guys would be jumping ship.

Dave Rodman: Depending on how much of a time investment they wanted to make, since you're right, it ain't gonna be an overnight success story.

Marty Smith: It's huge that Harvick stayed put. That would have been one serious domino.

David Newton: Do you think Jarrett would be jumping ship if his ship weren't sinking?

Ryan Smithson: Yes, and I will tell you why.

David Newton: Enlighten us Ryan.

Ryan Smithson: Toyota is probably going to offer Jarrett some dealership stakes. You'd be crazy not to take that. That pays off 50 years down the road.

Marty Smith: For Michael Waltrip, too, that champion's provisional is huge. He can guarantee potential sponsors they'll be in the race.

Dave Rodman: But Toyota isn't running any Cup race teams, so how would they do that? That gets awful pretzeline.

David Newton: That brings up an interesting point. Does it make a difference to Jarrett's Ford dealerships that he's driving for Toyota?

Ryan Smithson: Toyota can distribute dealerships. Those are prized.

"Make sure the one I ordered is all purple, not purple and white like my Ford." Credit: Autostock

Marty Smith: No. Rusty Wallace sells Kias.

Dave Rodman: Signing bonuses, huh?

Ryan Smithson: I doubt it, Newt. Wallace has Kias and Suzuki, etc.

David Newton: Kias don't count. But good point.

Ryan Smithson: I think Sterling had a Chevy dealership long after going to Ganassi. Meaning he ran a Dodge, etc.

Picks for Darlington?

Ryan Smithson: Biffle. He'll lead a billion laps too.

Dave Rodman: Jimmie Johnson. The guy moonlights almost into the top 10 at a place where he doesn't shine. Look out, when he gets back to a track where he goes like fire.

Marty Smith: Biffle fought back for me well last weekend, but I'm going to go with Jeff Burton. He knows the place, and finally has a car to get it done.

David Newton: I'll go with Jeff Gordon if they've figured out that electrical problem.

	"I think I can, I think I can." Credit: Autostock
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Dave Rodman: Though now that he's knocked the cork outta the bottle, Biffle could win four or five in a row.

Ryan Smithson: Biffle hasn't slipped from last year one iota. He is just a streaky guy.

Dave Rodman: Point. That's why I could see him going right through Sonoma.

David Newton: Funny how happy he was with a fifth or fourth or wherever he finished.

Marty Smith: Dang it ... I can't believe Sadler hasn't won since September 2004.

Ryan Smithson: See what I mean, Marty? Two years is approaching for that man.

Dave Rodman: Worse thing is, he hasn't threatened too much in that time, either -- or precious little.

Ryan Smithson: Rodman, he had the best car at 'Dega. But that is about it.

Dave Rodman: Smithson, even five or six races in two years are precious little. We need ESad in Victory Lane a lot more than that.

David Newton: Let's see who wins first -- Sadler or Vickers.

Ryan Smithson: Sadler, merely because we got Daytona coming up in a few weeks.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writers.