 | | "Somebody HELP ... please ... Jack's locked me in here again!" Credit: Autostock |
NASCAR.COM
August 17, 2006
04:02 PM EDT (20:02 GMT)
Guys, what are Roush Racing's options for the No. 6 Ford in 2007? What do you think Mark Martin will do? David Newton: I don't care what Mark Martin does, I just want him to do it. A third retirement run would be ridiculous. He'd have to call it, "Farewell to Me, Three.'' Ryan Smithson: I really feel Martin will return for another year and that will be it. That will give either Roush some time for find another driver for 2008 or ensure that Todd Kluever or Danny O'Quinn or Erik Darnell is ready. Duane Cross: I don't think we'll see the tour "Salute To You -- Yeah, The Guy Who Didn't Get To See Me The Previous Two Years." ... The No. 6 car isn't the problem; it's the No. 26 that is dragging down Roush Racing. Marty Smith: Depends. If Jack Roush asks him back, he'll go back. He's loyal to a fault. If not, he'll do some one-off races. He said Sunday he'll run the entire Truck Series schedule, for certain. Kleuver hasn't done what Biffle or Edwards did in the Busch car, so I think there are questions at Roush as to whether he's ready to jump. Duane Cross: One-off? Martin is talking 12 Cup races -- plus the Truck Series. That's more than a 36-race Cup season. I just don't want to hear the yapping of how long and tiring the season is -- not that Martin has complained at all, the crazy old man. Ryan Smithson: Guys, the thing that is messing Jack Roush up is this: These kids can't win in the Busch or the Truck Series. He placed Biffle, Busch, Edwards in those rides and they dominated. Marty Smith: I just said that, dude. And Busch didn't race Busch at Roush. Ryan Smithson: I know but I was typing. No, but he dominated in Trucks. Marty Smith: You know who is really good at Roush is David Ragan. They're very high on him. Ryan Smithson: Ragan has caught fire since Roush put him out of the truck for a week or two. David Newton: Jack should just take advantage of the situation and reduce his stable to four teams like NASCAR wants, then let Mark run a partial schedule if that's what he wants. Marty Smith: Too many sponsorship ramifications, Newt. They have signed deals through 2009. Ryan Smithson: Newt, Roush Racing will never fall below five teams. Mark my words. Duane Cross: I agree, Newt. It would solve a bigger headache down the road. But to Marty's point, these sponsors have the team owners by the short hairs. Marty Smith: Can we say short hairs in Track Smack?  |  | | "Yeah, so apparently Burney, there are 43 drivers in a Cup race. Who knew?" Credit: Autostock |
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| Inside the Numbers |
| Todd Kluever's Busch stats |
| Starts |
24 |
| Wins |
0 |
| Top-5s |
0 |
| Top-10s |
2 |
| Poles |
1 |
| Laps Led |
17 |
| Avg. Start |
19.6 |
| Avg. Finish |
22.7 |
| Ranking |
19 |
|
|
Duane Cross: Dunno. We'll check with Legal to see if there is a difference in the two. It may be splitting hairs. Ryan Smithson: Sure. Mark Martin has short hair. Same thing right? Oh, wait. Marty Smith: Good joke, BDC! Smithson is ticked. I got Duane's joke. Ryan Smithson: No, I got it, was trying to be funny. David Newton: Believe me, I know Jack will fight that as long as he can. Just tired of hearing Mark say how long the season is and then talking about running more races. Marty Smith: Mark Martin can do whatever he wants. Period. He's the most respected driver in NASCAR. Take a poll. Duane Cross: We don't have to take a poll. Just listen to every driver in their post-race comments. Ryan Smithson: I know one thing: Putting Kluever in isn't an option right now, and I guess you all agree. Duane Cross: No. Todd isn't the answer at this time. Maybe O'Quinn or Darnell will step up. The way this going-away party is unfolding, those guys will have plenty of time to duke it out. David Newton: Nobody ever said anything about respect. But if you're going to step away, step away. Marty Smith: They are, but it's obvious money's talking. See: Bill Elliott. He was fed up with the circus, too, but enough change could bring him back for 38 more weeks of transcontinental competitive bliss. David Newton: But Mark doesn't need the money. This is all about Roush not having somebody in his stable ready to step into a seat where the sponsor expects immediate results. Marty Smith: Donald Trump doesn't need the money, either, Newt, but he keeps building. David Newton: If Kluever showed he was ready we wouldn't be having this conversation. |  | | Mark Martin with The Donald's hair. Credit: Autostock/AP |
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Duane Cross: But he hasn't. David Newton: Trying to picture Mark Martin with Trump's hair. Ryan Smithson: How can he be ready when he is facing 22 Cup guys every week though? David Newton: He'll face 42 other Cup guys next season if they put him in the 6. Duane Cross: Exactly -- it doesn't bode well for when he faces 42 Cup drivers each weekend. Marty Smith: Carl Edwards was. Kyle Busch was. Ryan Smithson: That was two years ago, Marty, which is a long time in NASCAR. Things changed that quickly. Testing was reduced. Busch Series became Cup Lite. Marty Smith: Two months is a long time, dude. David Newton: We're changing the subject. This is about Martin and Kluever, not changing the Busch Series. Is the current top 10 the 10 drivers we will see after Richmond? David Newton: Getting pretty close to it. Kahne's probably the only variable outside the top 10 with a realistic shot. Ryan Smithson: Kahne is the only guy with a chance now. Bristol is going to make or break him. Marty Smith: No one is safe, but I think so. Smoke is up 122 on Kahne. Gordon 84, Junior 54. The final lap in the past two races really hurt Kahne. Duane Cross: I believe Michigan will be the make or break for Kasey Kahne. If he can't keep it close at MIS, he won't have a snowball's chance at Bristol. Ryan Smithson: Kahne will be fine at Michigan and Fontana, but Bristol has got to scare him. Marty Smith: I agree with that, Duane. If he can pull the sweep, he'll be in play. But don't forget, Gordon and Earnhardt were very, very good at Michigan in June, too. David Newton: Had Kurt Busch not been penalized last weekend I think he was ready to make a run, but that killed him. Ryan Smithson: Newt, no doubt. Busch was poised for a 190-point day. He would have rallied and went on to make it. Dale Jr. was probably pretty happy over that pit penalty. David Newton: He's been one of the most consistent drivers over the past month or two. He just dug too deep of a hole early. Duane Cross: I think the current top 10 is it -- and that means no Dodge drivers in the Chase. Wow. Dr. Z has to be happy about that. |  | | "Dr. Z sent us to have a little talk with you, kid." Credit: Autostock |
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Marty Smith: Dale Jr. was also happy that Kahne wrecked. When the white flew, he was 10 points behind Kahne. When the checkered flew, he was 54 points ahead. David Newton: Dale Jr. also was pretty happy Kahne got in the sand on the last lap. Ryan Smithson: The key story is the improvement both Gordon and Earnhardt Jr. showed at MIS in June. After Kahne got out of the car on Sunday, he very nearly impaled himself on the team's lifegate, which was lowered only to halfway. Marty Smith: Wouldn't take much. He's about 120 pounds. Duane Cross: If Kahne doesn't make the Chase, the team will have to hide all the sharp objects; that will be a huge letdown for Evernham Motorsports. Ryan Smithson: Now why would it be a letdown, Duane? Just kidding. I am laughin' at your obvious statement. Marty Smith: It was almost as obvious as yours that two years is a long time in the sport, Smithson. Ryan Smithson: I was rebutting your lumping Busch in with Kluever when their two situations were totally different. Predictions for Michigan? Duane Cross: Matt Kenseth. ... And Kahne doesn't make up any ground on 10th place. Marty Smith: Jeff Burton. Way overdue. |  | | "All aboooooooaaaard." Credit: Autostock |
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| Michigan Predictions |
| Smacker |
Pick |
| Duane |
Matt Kenseth |
| Marty |
Jeff Burton |
| Newt |
Jer ... Elliott Sadler |
| Ryan |
Matt Kenseth |
|
|
David Newton: I'll go with Jeremy Mayfield. He's the defending champion. Wait, he won't be in the No. 19. I'll take Elliott Sadler on a flier. Ray Evernham is going to try to show us all that he was right to make the switch. Ryan Smithson: I hope you're kidding, Newt. Seriously. David Newton: No, they've been working on that Michigan car for several weeks to make Sadler look good. Duane Cross: Well, it's not like Evernham hasn't had enough time to prepare for ESad's arrival! Marty Smith: J.J. and Hamlin will both be in their Indy rides, I'd say. Those are two great racecars. Ryan Smithson: I don't see how Kenseth isn't the clear-cut favorite. Duane Cross: Kenseth is a favorite, but clear-cut ... dunno. Just about any of the Roush cars could be in Victory Lane. Maybe even McMurray. David Newton: C'mon Duane. One good race for McMurray and you're jumping on that train? Ryan Smithson: That was based on pit strategy, too. Duane Cross: Hey, someone has to stick it out with JMac; might as well get a seat on that wagon while you can! The opinions expressed are solely of the participants. | 
