The No. 6 could see a lot more garage time than track time without a veteran in its seat. Credit: Autostock

Track Smack: Dover

Roush has pick of (kiddy) litter when it comes to replacing Martin

Which of Roush Racing's four developmental drivers should race the 6 car in 2007?

Dave Rodman: There are a few races left to prove oneself -- but if you consider any one of them a limb-ride, I'd go with Peter Shepherd. He may not have many starts, but he's done about what he has supposed to have done every time.

David Newton: If I were Roush, I'd be begging Mark Martin to return for another year because none of them are ready. My guess is David Ragan is the current front-runner because he's getting a shot this weekend.

Ryan Smithson: None of them, because none are close to ready for Nextel Cup. And I am sure they know that -- they know the game. But since David Ragan appears to be the best qualifier, I'd go with him. Qualifying will be vital next year.

Marty Smith: David Ragan. No question. In discussing this topic throughout the garage, competitors and industry types alike are most impressed with him. He is quite mature for having no more experience than he has.

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David Newton: Yeah, they can't afford to have that car not make the field. It was quite an embarrassment a few weeks ago when (Todd) Kluever failed to qualify.

Dave Rodman: Ryan, are you sure Ragan is the best qualifier? It seems to me that David has actually raced the best. At least at New Hampshire I was none too thrilled with how either he or Erik Darnell P&Q'ed -- but when the green dropped they went forward.

Ryan Smithson: David has a couple of poles, Rodman.

Marty Smith: It's Roush Racing equipment, but I wouldn't consider it an embarrassment, Newt. I mean, Greg Biffle's an elite driver and he missed the Vegas race as a rookie. It happens.

Ryan Smithson: It is never an embarrassment when someone with Kluever's lack of experience fails to qualify, Newt. It is kind of halfway expected, don't you think?

David Newton: No, it's an embarrassment. They give him too good of equipment not to beat the Morgan Shepherds of the world.

Ryan Smithson: What about Mikey (Waltrip)?

Dave Rodman: Hmm. So I guess inconsistency will rule -- but at his age and experience level, that's OK.

	Roush drivers Erik Darnell and David Ragan Credit: Autostock
	RECENT HEADLINES •   Martin likely to split time in No. 60 Ford with Said in 2007 •   NCTS driver Ragan to attempt Cup debut this week at Dover •   Peter Shepherd to drive No. 6 Ford at Las Vegas NCTS race

Dave Rodman: Morgan beat Mikey.

Ryan Smithson: And (Jamie) McMurray was slower than Morgan in practice last week.

David Newton: We're used to seeing Mikey fail lately.

David Newton: Mikey's equipment might not be much better than Morgan's at this point.

Marty Smith: McMurray is the season's biggest question mark. The 26 is a great disappointment. It's baffling. I don't recall for certain, but I think I had McMurray making the Chase. Then again, I had Biffle, Edwards, Busch, Mears. Shut up, Newt.

Dave Rodman: He was not half bad at New Hampshire -- give him a break.

David Newton: We probably should give Shepherd some props. He's one of those lost stories with the Chase format.

Ryan Smithson: Why don't they just put Boris (Said) in there full time? It is a sponsor issue?

Marty Smith: I don't see how it could be. I feel like Boris would be quite enticing for sponsors. He's unique and very well-liked and respected, and that gets noticed.

David Newton: I'd like to see Boris get a shot. Even if he sucks, he's a great interview.

Dave Rodman: You're right, Ryan (ouch!). I don't care if they are trying to develop something -- Boris is good for another 10 years, easy. And the guy is committed, because he could not have got to where he has without being so.

Ryan Smithson: Ten years, Rodman? He is like 43. I don't think so. Now Morgan, he's different. Chuckle.

David Newton: Yeah, he'd be older than Morgan in 10 years.

Dave Rodman: Where did Marty go ... ?

Marty Smith: I'm here, I'm just waiting for something to chime in on.

Dave Rodman: If Boris got a Cup ride, he'd race until he was 80.

Ryan Smithson: Not with the top-35 rule he wouldn't.

Todd Kluever was supposed to graduate from the O6 Busch car to the 6 Cup car next season, but two top-10s and seven DNFs in 28 starts aren't a passing grade. Credit: Autostock

Dave Rodman: I'm not so sure about that.

David Newton: Imagine a full head of curly gray locks on Boris.

Ryan Smithson: Well, I guess we all agree that any of those four kids is a bad idea for the 6 car.

David Newton: But as Geoff Smith said, the deal with AAA was to have a young driver in the car to develop for the future, so from that standpoint everybody seems prepared to struggle.

Dave Rodman: They just need more time. But if you are going to tear fenders off no matter which way you go -- recent history says go with the open-wheel guy -- that's why I like Shepherd.

Ryan Smithson: Roush's formula of Trucks straight to Cup has worked before, but not until that driver (Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards) had shown they can win in Trucks.

Marty Smith: Morgan Shepherd, Rodman?

Ryan Smithson: Peter Shepherd.

Marty Smith: Ha! I knew I was lost in cyberspace, but dang ...

David Newton: LOL, Marty. I was thinking the same thing.

Dave Rodman: Hell, no -- that was one you missed, Marty -- Peter Shepherd.

David Newton: Morgan may be better than Peter.

Marty Smith: I was about to lose my breakfast, son.

Morgan Shepherd has proven himself with a 19.4 career average finish, but Peter Shepherd still has to come from the shadows. Credit: Autostock

Ryan Smithson: At least Morgan wouldn't have to do his own pit stops.

David Newton: Don't think Peter is in the equation, Rodman.

Dave Rodman: I bet Morgan Shepherd could lock a Roush car into the top 25 about any week.

Marty Smith: Rodman, take your medicine, son.

Ryan Smithson: We'll never know. And that is all that matters.

David Newton: Somebody send a memo to Roush that Morgan is available.

Marty Smith: He'd be a fine representative for AAA. He breaks down a lot. I'm truly kidding. That was a joke! Not meant to be mean. Sorry, Morgan. You're a rock star on those skates, brother.

David Newton: No you weren't kidding, Marty.

Dave Rodman: You forget, obviously, that Morgan Shepherd was a fixture in the top 10 a little more than 10 years ago. That's not long.

Marty Smith: Seriously, I was kidding, Newt. And Dave! Have you completely lost your mind?

Dave Rodman: Nope.

Marty Smith: One year ago is a long time, man! Ten years?

Ryan Smithson: Rodman that might have been the dumbest thing you've said on here in five years. Seriously.

Marty Smith: I hate to agree with Smithson, but I have to. That was absolutely freaking ridiculous.

Guys, what happened with the whole RCR/SPEED/Loudon debacle? How does something like that happen?

David Newton: You hate to judge other reporters, but there's no excuse for not going to NASCAR and RCR to get their side of the story.

	PRESSURE POINT Jeff Burton angrily discredited a SPEED report that he or any RCR driver had gained an unfair advantage by illegally tampering with their cars' wheels.  •   Complete story, click here NASCAR TodayHarvick still steamed over rule infraction accusations Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

Marty Smith: I tend to agree with Newton. You hate to judge. Bob's been around. He has good sources and chose to go with one of them. But he was remiss in failing to report NASCAR's and/or RCR's take.

Dave Rodman: You think the fans care about this? I'm not saying it's not a story ...

David Newton: Hell, yeah, the fans care.

Ryan Smithson: Sure they care, son! This is a throwback to 10 years ago! You know, when Morgan was dominant! Ha!

David Newton: And there are other teams that believe the 29 and 31 are cheating, too, so they care as well.

Marty Smith: No doubt, Newt. After my Jeff Burton piece ran Tuesday, three drivers and a crew chief called within 20 minutes. People definitely have plenty to say on this topic -- all off the record, of course.

Dave Rodman: Ten years ago ain't relevant, or so you savants said ...

Ryan Smithson: Goodyear certainly brought a very good tire to race with and one that could handle low pressures.

Dave Rodman: Well you know the ol' saying -- never let the truth stand in the way of a good story -- or at least the corroborated truth.

David Newton: If we'd reported the same thing without checking all the sources we'd be dragged through the mud as well, Rodman.

Dave Rodman: I don't know everything about it -- but it appears Bobby was on a good scent, but maybe just needed a few more crumbs to complete the trail.

Dave Rodman: Well, I guess part of the point is, we didn't.

David Newton: Ryan, are you suggesting with the Goodyear comment that they did cheat?

Ryan Smithson: No. Because it wasn't against any rule.

Ryan Smithson: If they can figure out a way to run some low air pressures, have at it. That tire could handle it.

Dave Rodman: Hell, no it wasn't. So if they found a loophole, hooray for them.

Marty Smith: It's akin to the 48/5 shocks last year at Dover. It's not in the rulebook, so if they circumvented the rules and "beat" NASCAR, then they beat them. It's one of those "spirit of the rule" deals. All you could do was pat them on the butt, say, "You got me," and, "Don't do that again."

David Newton: You mean (and he says this sarcastically) it doesn't fall under NASCAR's end all rule "detrimental to stock car racing?''

Ryan Smithson: NASCAR doesn't seem to be in any hurry to write any new rules this week, and it would have done that had RCR pushed the envelope.

David Newton: Give it time. It's early.

David Newton: But you're right, if they found a way to gain an advantage in a gray area, more power to them.

Dave Rodman: Check the office trailer for a bulletin this weekend. That would be a good question to ask now.

Ryan Smithson: There are not many gray areas left. You know that when we are talking about modifying air pressures.

Marty Smith: Air pressure is no small adjustment these days. Quarters of pounds are the difference between fast and not-so-fast, so bleeder-valves would produce a huge advantage.

Dave Rodman: Well, it is still a potentially fruitful place to make a gain -- tough to manage, maybe and a big risk-reward area -- but a big benefit if it works.

David Newton: One thing we know, Todd Berrier isn't afraid to push the envelope.

Dave Rodman: He's in pretty danged good company there.

Predicts for Dover?

David Newton: I'll say Jimmie Johnson's team gets back on its game. They have a pretty good history at Dover and always seem to do well under adversity.

FedEx PreviewNBC/TNT's Marty Snider previews the action at Dover Press Pass ReplayJimmie Johnson takes questions from the media Fantasy ReportMarty and Danielle make their picks for Dover Runner upTony Stewart tells how it feels racing with The Chase contenders Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

Dave Rodman: You know, after what we saw out of Tony Stewart at New Hampshire, I think his drive for five will reach first base this weekend at Dover. But the 29 will maintain the points lead in the Chase.

Ryan Smithson: His drive for five? What/Why is Stewart driving for five?

Marty Smith: Five what, Rodman?

Dave Rodman: Five wins in 10 Chase races.

Marty Smith: You're crazy, Rodman. He'll win twice in the Chase. Five times? Dude! Take your meds!

Ryan Smithson: Ah, OK. I just remember his awful at Dover last year.

David Newton: I got a kick out of Stewart saying he was nervous riding around the top-10 guys. When does Tony get nervous about anything other than being told to push away from the table?

Ryan Smithson: Well, he remembers getting caught up in a Loudon mess in 2004.

Dave Rodman: That was kinda strange. I would be more apt to imagine him shrugging and saying, "that's racing" as he walked away from the steaming pile of junk -- or drove by it under caution.

David Newton: He sure didn't look nervous charging through the field late last week.

David Newton: Good point, Rodman.

The opinions expressed are solely of the participants.