Did sponsorship come between working relationship of long-time associates Mark Martin and Jack Roush? Credit: Autostock

Track Smack: Lowe's

1. Guys, reaction to Mark Martin at MB2. Can he really turn that team around?

David Newton: New management will turn the team around, not Martin. But he's a nice start to show they're serious about becoming competitive.

Ryan Smithson: I don't think he can make them into a consistent winner, but I will tell you this: This might be Martin's best-ever shot to win the Daytona 500. Obviously, MB2's plate cars are outstanding. It'll be fun to watch during testing.

Marty Smith: Nothing's shocking in this sport anymore, but that was close. When I first heard it Thursday, and then confirmed it with several sources, I was pretty shocked.

Marty Smith: He can win in the 01.

Dave Rodman: If he can hit the ground running with the personnel they have there, he'll make a difference. But an abrupt and race-winning turnaround? We'll see. He's a nice start, though -- and yes, he can win there.

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David Newton: Martin also gives them more credibility than they've had in the past.

Ryan Smithson: I'll bet he runs a truck for Morgan-Dollar, too.

Marty Smith: I'll second that, Smithson. When I spoke with him about it Friday at Talladega he was really interested. He really wants to wheel a truck next year.

Ryan Smithson: My question is this: Martin made it clear what he wanted to do. How come Roush couldn't make it happen?

Ryan Smithson: Roush put him in the 6 for 20 races, and the rookies for 16?

Dave Rodman: Sounds like a question for Jack.

Ryan Smithson: They should make Martin drive the No. 13 anyway, as pessimistic as he is.

David Newton: If he wins the championship I hear they may switch him to the 13 because he'll automatically have the first past champion's provisional to guarantee a spot in the field.

Just how much will a Mark Martin autograph be worth once he officially becomes an MB2 driver? Credit: AP

Marty Smith: Roush Racing blames the team cap rule for the whole ordeal.

David Newton: I don't think AAA wanted to split the schedule, Ryan.

Dave Rodman: I find it somewhat bemusing that at Dover, Mark said he could not imagine doing anything next year but driving the 6 truck. Maybe Geoff Smith was right about Mark's vacillating.

Ryan Smithson: That is baloney. They are running the 6 next year. Still five teams. So AAA would rather have a rookie in for 36 races when Martin could have maintained a good points standing?

Ryan Smithson: That makes absolutely no sense and it's naive to not be wary of the top-35 rule.

Marty Smith: Top-35 doesn't affect that.

Ryan Smithson: Sure it does. What if one of those rookies can't keep it in the top 35 next year?

Dave Rodman: I guess they would if they are trying to build -- or rebuild an identity with him. But I don't disagree they could have used some imagination and done a program that would have utilized Mark to all the best advantages.

Marty Smith: True, Smithson. I was thinking the first five races or whatever.

Dave Rodman: If they can't maintain that standing, you are virtually ruining two seasons -- or running a serious risk of it.

Ryan Smithson: That is the thing. Martin could have raced the first five for the 6 car, he would have been fifth in points or whatever. Put the kid in. You're golden.

	Pay attention, son ... this is important. Credit: Autostock
	RAGAN TO 6 Roush Racing has named David Ragan as the full-time driver of the team's No. 6 Ford in 2007.  •   Complete story, click here

David Newton: I've heard Mark was shopping his name to several teams, which makes me wonder how much more to this story there is.

Marty Smith: Well, again, Newt.

Marty Smith: If Roush isn't going to let him run part-time for a full-time team ...

Marty Smith: ... then someone else probably would.

Marty Smith: MB2 did.

David Newton: I'm just saying the parting wasn't as friendly as everybody made it sounds at Talladega.

Dave Rodman: Kudos to Jay Frye for having some imagination.

Ryan Smithson: MB2 is obviously the big winner in this. They should have raised Jay Frye's hand and announced him the winner.

Marty Smith: And let's not be naive, boys.

Marty Smith: The dude's gettin' paid.

Ryan Smithson: Crazy numbers are floating. $12 million. $14 million.

David Newton: It was a no-brainer for Frye.

Ryan Smithson: MB2 could simply sign over sponsorship checks to Martin and run that team via winnings, merchandise sales and a line of credit.

Dave Rodman: That is absolutely insane -- like the $13 mill we were hearing for Bill Elliott to run a full 2007 for Team Red Bull.

Marty Smith: I enjoyed speaking with Bobby Ginn. He's going about this the right way. "I'm a huge fan. I'll pay the bills. Jay Frye, you run the team."

Dave Rodman: Hey -- if you got the bucks you might as well flaunt 'em. Money buys speed, blah, blah, blah.

David Newton: That's what I meant in the beginning, that Ginn and his money are the catalyst for turning things around more than anything.

Ryan Smithson: Money doesn't buy speed. Speed comes from people.

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Dave Rodman: Money buys the best people. Same thing.

Marty Smith: Money buys people, Smithson.

Ryan Smithson: Not in all cases.

Ryan Smithson: Denny Hamlin wasn't found with money.

David Newton: Maybe, but he'll be kept with money.

Ryan Smithson: But you know what I mean.

Ryan Smithson: And I know what you mean, too.

David Newton: Hamlin wasn't in Mark Martin's area code before the season started, either.

Dave Rodman: Ask his mom and dad how much in debt they were.

David Newton: I think he's just fine now, guys. He's moving into a house next to the big boss.

2. Was David Reutimann the right choice for MWR?

Dave Rodman: I think he was one of the best choices they could have made for a building block for that organization.

No word on whether the King was given the first chance to drive the Camry, or if he preferred sticking with football. Credit: Autostock

David Newton: What other good choice did they have, anyway?

Marty Smith: Yes. He's a great talent, and given his shy aw-shucksness, they can do some hilarious advertising.

Dave Rodman: He may take some lumps, but I think he will hit a few outta the park, too.

Ryan Smithson: I don't know. There are several truck guys I would have liked to have seen get a shot. David Starr. Even Rick Crawford. Johnny Benson.

Dave Rodman: In both series.

David Newton: Apparently Reuitimann got the sponsors' blessings, which in this day and time is all that seems to matter.

Marty Smith: Actually, I'd heard that was the hangup, Newt.

Marty Smith: Otherwise it'd have been done much faster.

Marty Smith: Convincing sponsors about rookies is not easy.

Ryan Smithson: Is he too skinny for Burger King?

Marty Smith: Big ... Buh-a-kin' Chicken.

David Newton: You're probably right, Marty. Cause it's been a few weeks since he met with them.

David Newton: Seemed like Waltrip was ready to pull the trigger a month ago.

Marty Smith: Exactly.

Marty Smith: Big ... Buh-a-kin' Chicken.

Ryan Smithson: Rodman loves him some because Reuitimann is from Florida. That is almost as good as being a Bodine in Rodman's eyes.

Ryan Smithson: If there was ever a Bodine born in the state of Florida, Rodman would be in heaven.

David Newton: Next.

3. Predictions for Charlotte. Is Marty going to gloat on his Vickers pick?

Marty Smith: Yes. Yes, he is.

Ryan Smithson: Yeah, I am sure Marty saw that last-lap deal happening in a dream or something.

David Newton: You were right on the money, saying Brian would knock Jimmie into Junior on the last lap to win. Great job.

Marty Smith: He was in position all day long, boys.

David Newton: Position to finish second.

David Newton: Seriously, I have to commend the kid for the way he's handled the criticism. First class all the way.

Ryan Smithson: I'll be boring and say Johnson wins this weekend.

Marty Smith: I take Kasey Kahne for the Lowe's sweep.

David Newton: I'll not be boring and say Vickers wins back to back. With all the extra security he has pushing that car, it'll certainly overcome the bad parts he's sure to get from the shop.

Dave Rodman: I'll guarantee you it won't be boring. And I don't think it's going too far out on a limb to say Junior will win -- his back is to the wall.

Marty Smith: The Earnhardt Nation erupts, carries Rodman off on shoulders.

Ryan Smithson: This will be Vickers' line this weekend: Vickers, 43rd, Lap 2, motor.

Dave Rodman: Dude, when is B.V. taking us out for a beer after we stood shoulder to shoulder against the machine last week?

David Newton: You think he'll get that far

Dave Rodman: He has a chance to do the double.

LAST LAP FAN POST djorjd: Hendrick Motorsports' address is 4400 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28262, if you need to send a care package of Kleenex's and hankies for all the crying Gordon and JJ are doing.  This is so stupid for crying "he pushed me" or "they need to move over to let us top 10 to get by" or "don't race me too hard." I wish Dale Sr. was still around. He would laugh at them and probably spin those two just for being a big baby.  Gee, look at the points now they are tightened back up, so even 10th place still has a chance. It isn't over until the fat lady sings, and my sister-in-law isn't singing yet. Congrats to Brian Vickers.  •   Last Lap, click here •   Read all posts, click here

David Newton: For Vickers to even be in position to win with all he's had on his plate since announcing his departure says a lot about him.

David Newton: Also says a lot about Hendrick Motorsports because they've still given him good cars.

Marty Smith: Well, Lance McGrew is the man. And that team had the best car in the spring at 'Dega, too.

Ryan Smithson: You boys are bringing tears to my eyes. Really.

Ryan Smithson: Sniff, sniff.

David Newton: Those are leftover from Jamie McMurray crashing.

Dave Rodman: I think it proves again, how soon they forget. I myself had forgotten, as someone else pointed out, that JJ dumped Brian in the spring -- though not literally -- to win at Talladega.

Marty Smith: Did y'all see that fan post about the Kleenex's and the fat sister-in-law in Last Lap? Hysterical man.

David Newton: Are we done?

Dave Rodman: And how soon they forget, part II. When you talk about "no driving fools," does anyone else remember who -- within the last three races at Talladega -- wrecked half the field when he drove into Elliott Sadler in Turn 1?

Dave Rodman: Lat-ah hatahs!

David Newton: Just in. Vickers wins pit crew challenge at 'Dega.