Note: This is only a reinactment of what Craig Curione saw moments before the altercation. Children, do not try this at home. Credit: Autostock

Track Smack: Phoenix

Reaction to the Evernham-RCR tiff after the Dickies 500?

Ryan Smithson: I heard one guy say that the cops should have been called, which is not only a little overboard, it's a lot overboard. Kevin handled it himself. The guy [Craig Curione] probably won't be attending any more races until we are all pretty old. ... I mean, except for Rodman.

Dave Rodman: All the way around, time to forgive and forget. Emotions run pretty high, though that's neither an excuse nor total forgiveness for what appears to be a chicken move by the hothead. He's out indefinitely -- and that's good.

David Newton: The biggest surprise was that it was a crew guy -- and not Scott Riggs -- that went after Harvick. It appeared pretty obvious that the incident was on purpose. Having said that, the crew guy deserves to have his hard card yanked. No place for that in the garage.

Duane Cross: Fans have long said the sport is looking more like WWE, so no need arguing that point in the wake of this fracas. But we won't be seeing that crew member anytime soon. He lost the steel-cage, loser-leave-town match.

Ryan Smithson: Riggs was in the care center, Newt. He had no way to immediately get to Harvick. By that time, most guys have cooled down considerably. ... Not sure if fans know it, but that crew guy will lose probably half of his income. That was an expensive shove.

	"What did you say to me? Short?" Credit: Autostock
	E-MAIL •   Ryan Smithson •   Dave Rodman •   David Newton •   Duane Cross JOIN THE FRAY •   Send us a topic for discussion

David Newton: Trust me, if Riggs wanted to get to Harvick, he could have found a way.

Duane Cross: Yep, if Riggs wanted a piece of Harvick, he knew where to find him.

Ryan Smithson: Harvick was in the NASCAR trailer right away, Newt. It is not like Riggs can attack him in there.

David Newton: Well, he could have. Just would have made the walk to the head officials for his lecture a bit shorter.

Dave Rodman: Guys, you were there. Was it a case where Riggs learned to "go or get out of the way?"

Ryan Smithson: Like Newt said, it looked like Harvick just took out Riggs, to me.

Duane Cross: Harvick did nothing worse than many other drivers have done this year. I won't say he "took out" Riggs. Did he help him up the track, yep.

Ryan Smithson: The hit wasn't so bad, guys, but man, when Riggs hit that wall and the car jumped three feet, which made it hard to accept.

Duane Cross: So if the car hadn't jumped three feet it would have been OK and you wouldn't have a problem? Hmmm, that's trying to have your cake and eat it, too, Ryan.

Ryan Smithson: Trying to have my cake and eat it, too? Who am I -- Tony Stewart? No, it's just the driver could have been hurt badly, Duane.

Duane Cross: Again -- it happens at every race. Just because this crash has some umph! to it doesn't mean the bump was any more intentional or not.

	Note: This is not a reinactment. What you are seeing is real. These are not actors. Credit: Autostock
	POST-RACE ALTERCATION •   Harvick, Riggs' crewman have altercation after Texas race •   Evernham crew member suspended indefinitely

David Newton: If you read the quote from Harvick, he said he hit him and talked about how Riggs was blocking before that. Sounded like he meant to do it, from that comment.

Dave Rodman: Let's see if anyone shows up at Phoenix with black eyes. Wouldn't that be something?

Ryan Smithson: Between Riggs' fullback-type build and Harvick's unlimited rage, that would be a tremendous battle.

Dave Rodman: Well, like I said -- it was time to go. By the time you get to the Cup level, you ought to know if you can't go, you "might" get moved.

Duane Cross: Correction -- you will get moved. It happens every race.

Ryan Smithson: This poor crew guy will never be able to pit a Car of Tomorrow. How tragic. ... I wonder if he can come back under an assumed name. Kind of like on Unsolved Mysteries.

Dave Rodman: He'll be back next season.

David Newton: If you watch, Riggs was blocking the heck out of Johnson before that. At that point, when it was obvious Johnson had a faster car, don't you think he should have gotten out of the way. Think that's why Harvick didn't hesitate to move him

Ryan Smithson: Newt, I can't argue with you there. Riggs only had two tires.

David Newton: Glad we're at least on the same page with that.

Duane Cross: Yep, Riggs held up Johnson and Harvick -- with Johnson and Stewart pulling away with each Riggs block attempt -- wanted no part of falling further behind.

Dave Rodman: That's probably why Scott ain't yipping too much -- he knows what he was doing. But watch him at Phoenix ...

Duane Cross: Phoenix will be interesting. Not may cars get out of there in pristine shape; let's see what the Nos. 10 and 29 looks like after the race.

Dave Rodman: There might be a meeting of the minds, shall we say, before the start of practice Friday.

"Who you talkin' to, Duane ... I mean, brother?" Credit: AP

David Newton: If Riggs had gotten to Harvick, my money would be on the short guy.

Dave Rodman: Cock fighting comes to the Nextel Cup garage. Great!

Duane Cross: Newt, you want Riggs -- I'll take Harvick ... especially with Miss DeLana ringside with a foreign object in tow in case Happy needs it!

David Newton: I'd take DeLana over both of them.

Dave Rodman: DC, I would have never taken you for a fan of Raw.

Guys, lot of talk about the top-35 rule. Should any changes be made?

Ryan Smithson: No, leave it like it is. It's a good number. But I wish the past champ's provisional was toast.

Duane Cross: Wait until the first big-dollar Toyota team fails to make a race (can you say "Daytona"?) and the top-35 rule will be under siege.

David Newton: Right, Duane. As soon as some of the big sponsors from the Toyota teams start complaining there'll be a revision. It'll be top 35 and top six Toyota teams.

Dave Rodman: I wonder if making it the top 30, as it is in Busch and Trucks, would make it any more competitive, not only to stay in the top 30 -- but also in qualifying on a weekly basis -- and maybe spreading out the wealth a bit.

Duane Cross: But yes -- as it is, it's the one rule I wish would go away (just ahead of the Lucky Dog). The top 35 is too many; it's 81 percent of the field, which doesn't leave a lot of room for other drivers.

Dave Rodman: Bah. As I've always said, if you don't like it, get with a better team.

Duane Cross: Are you kidding, Dave? "Get with a better team?" Please -- how about the fans getting to see the fastest cars race on Sundays? Isn't that the epitome of the sport?

Dave Rodman: That's what I just said -- top 30 would tick off sponsors, maybe -- but would it be better for race teams?

	"I guess Sterling's a little mad." Credit: Autostock
	Nextel Cup Owner Points Positions 30-38 Pos. Car Driver Behind 30. 01 J. Nemechek -- 31. 7 R. Gordon -- 32. 21 K. Schrader -- 33. 40 D. Stremme -- 34. 19 E. Sadler -- 35. 45 K. Petty -- 36. 14 S. Marlin -19 37. 32 T. Kvapil -268 38. 55 M. Waltrip -418 • Owner standings, click here

David Newton: You do have to feel for the guys on the "other'' end of the garage that come with a car fast enough to make the field but then get bumped out by the top-35 rule.

Dave Rodman: Absolutely. Happens every weekend when "owner points" come into play to set a lineup.

Ryan Smithson: Did y'all notice that Kyle Petty finished 11th and got around Sterling for that 35th spot?

David Newton: The rule has made for a pretty interesting late-season battle, i.e. Kyle Petty, Sterling Marlin and company, which gets little attention. Glad to see Petty making a strong run.

Duane Cross: Chuck the top-35 ... and take the other end of Rodman's argument: If you're a sponsor not getting into the races, go with a faster team that is. But again, it's about the almighty dollar.

Dave Rodman: Well, Duane -- you're right. The fastest cars should qualify. And then, if you can't keep your sponsor, you could question whether or not you're in the right business anyway.

David Newton: THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR? Not NASCAR. My whole perspective of the sport has been shattered.

Duane Cross: HA! You're so naive, Newt. A babe in the woods, as it was.

David Newton: Excuse me while I get my tongue out of my cheek.

Dave Rodman: Anyways, these last two weeks will be interesting between the 40, 45 and 14. You don't want to pick a loser out of those three.

Duane Cross: But the rule has been in place since the 2005 season. Do you really see NASCAR addressing it, especially with Toyota coming into the sport dead-stick? They may tweak the Chase after three years. Maybe it's the end of the '07 season before the top-35 gets a look?

Dave Rodman: They might take a look at what might best benefit the new manufacturer and adjust it that way (and my tongue is sticking straight out of my mouth).

David Newton: If they adjust it they'll get hammered, but that's never stopped them before.

Duane Cross: OK, so the top 30 and the five fastest Toyotas ... every other man for himself. yeah, I can totally see that coming.

David Newton: Maybe we should help them out and float a trial balloon to see what the reaction would be.

Duane Cross: Consider it floated.

Dave Rodman: Duane, you're a real funny guy.

Predicts for Phoenix?

David Newton: I was close to being right last week when I said Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins the race and Jimmie Johnson takes the points lead. I'll go with Tony Stewart winning a third consecutive race and Johnson lengthening his lead with another top-three.

	Harry Hogge would be proud. Credit: Autostock
	Phoenix Picks Smacker Prediction Rodman Tony Stewart Newt Tony Stewart Duane Tony Stewart Ryan Nobody FedEx PreviewDenny Hamlin joins Marty Snider to preview the action at PIR Fantasy ReportMarty Snider and Danielle Frye make picks for Phoenix Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

Dave Rodman: If I was strictly gonna go on PIR record, I'd say Ken Schrader, but since we try to stay in the real world -- how about Stewart's streak continues at a place he loves almost as dearly as Schrader does.

Duane Cross: Yep, Smoke makes it three in a row. ... Tough for Junior, since he runs well at Phoenix -- but Johnson is downright phenomenal at PIR. The No. 48 can points race from here out; it's their Cup to lose.

Ryan Smithson: Kenny Schrader, eh, Rodman. You predicting a lead-lap finish or a win?

Dave Rodman: If something ridiculous doesn't bite them -- lead lap, easy.

Ryan Smithson: Rodman, by your rationale, Rusty Wallace and Terry Labonte are going to be really tough to beat come Sunday.

Duane Cross: Only if they are shooting skeet together in Texas.

Dave Rodman: Uh, earth to Smithson. They're retired.

Ryan Smithson: Rodman, I see you didn't get my joke. ... When talking to Rodman, it helps to use flash cards.

David Newton: Can't you two get along? Geez, maybe you two should be the under card for the Riggs-Harvick-DeLana match.

Dave Rodman: I'd really like to visit his planet someday -- if I knock off every place I'd like to visit on this one.

David Newton: Ask Ryan where Matt Kenseth will finish?

Duane Cross: Ryan, where will Matt finish?

David Newton: Three laps into Sunday's race he predicted doom. I simply said he'd be in the top 15. Kenseth almost always finishes in the top 15 even with a bad car.

Duane Cross: Poor Ryan ... he has no faith.

David Newton: Think he owes me some money, but I'll probably never collect.

Dave Rodman: Join the list.

The opinions expressed are solely of the participants.