Penske Racing went South in 2006, with both newcomer Kurt Busch and holdover Ryan Newman failing to make the Chase. Credit: Autostock

Track Smack: On the comeback trail in 2007

Stewart, Biffle, Busch obvious; Sadler, McMurray outrageous

Who will be Comeback Driver of the Year in 2007?

Dave Rodman: Stewart, Biffle, Edwards -- too easy -- so how about Bobby Labonte, who will threaten to make the Chase; and if he doesn't accomplish that, probably go through the end of the year challenging for the 11th position.

Ryan Smithson: There are four big candidates: Biffle, McMurray, Busch and Newman. And all four of them are on teams that have some problems right now. I do know that Kurt Busch is not a 16th-place driver. He should make the Chase in his sleep.

David Newton: That's an easy one. Greg Biffle. The Biff didn't go too far away in' '06, but he did miss the Chase. Now that he's Roush Racing's senior driver with Mark Martin's crew chief, he'll be a threat to win the title.

Duane Cross: I'm gonna go out on a limb -- but Elliott Sadler is my choice. The No. 19 had some pretty decent runs that ended prematurely. These guys could be in the thick of the Chase picture.

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David Newton: McMurray? You have to have been somewhere to make a comeback. I can see Labonte making it before McMurray. He's a better driver and can handle the pressure.

Ryan Smithson: Chase picture is a little optimistic, Duane.

Duane Cross: Well, not as far out on a limb as Rodman.

Dave Rodman: The big question there, Duane, is: Were they a Research & Development sled, or something else? If they weren't doing R&D work, they will be lucky to make the top 20 with the mechanical issues they had.

Duane Cross: We'll see; Evernham Motorsports made some strides this year. I think next year will be even better. Kahne, Sadler, Riggs -- that's three damn good drivers.

David Newton: The heck with Sadler. How many strokes per hole did McMurray give you to say that, Ryan?

Duane Cross: At least three, no doubt.

Ryan Smithson: What did I say? I didn't say anything.

Duane Cross: You put McMurray in the Comeback category. Don't you have to have been there before you come back?

David Newton: And the question was, "Comeback drivers in '07?''

Ryan Smithson: I didn't say he would come back. Read what I said.

"I won't let you down, Ryan." Credit: Autostock

Duane Cross: To quote you: "There are four big candidates: Biffle, McMurray, Busch and Newman." ... In case YOU missed it -- second name: "McMurray."

Dave Rodman: Hahaha -- Duane, you were a quicker cutter-and-paster than me -- and right on.

David Newton: Piling on.

Dave Rodman: I hope Jamie makes it through next season.

Duane Cross: That's the better question, Dave. Does McMurray survive the season?

Dave Rodman: If they select the correct crew chief, build a solid foundation, I'd see him as a Chase threat in 2008.

David Newton: I agree with your pick of Kurt Busch. I believe he'll come back in a big way.

Ryan Smithson: They have selected good crew chiefs, but they don't want the job.

David Newton: If frogs had wings they would fly.

Ryan Smithson: And I meant that Kurt Busch is the guy most likely to come back.

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Duane Cross: Smithson makes it up as he goes along -- it's better for the story. Remember last week: "I picked Hamlin to make the Chase." ... Umm, NO!

Ryan Smithson: When I said "I picked Hamlin to make the Chase" that was a joke. ... McMurray's team has way too many problems to come back big-time next year.

Duane Cross: Again "come back." Hell, he's never been there!

Ryan Smithson: People forget that McMurray had a pretty good career before the Roush debacle.

Duane Cross: A pretty good career compared to ... Dave Blaney? Johnny Sauter? Who are you comparing him against?

David Newton: Hold it. You put McMurray in the Comeback category and now you say he has too many problems to come back?

Dave Rodman: Ahem, excuse me, DC. When Jamie had Donnie Wingo in his corner, they shoulda been in the Chase two years running -- so he can get it done.

Ryan Smithson: I said he is a candidate to come back. Geez, y'all are slow today. The average Cup driver never started his career with 3-4 seasons in the top 15 in points.

Duane Cross: I call B.S. -- and will give you a list of 10: Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt, Mark Martin, Terry Labonte, Darrell Waltrip, Cale Yarborough, Benny Parsons -- even old timers like Herb Thomas, Buck Baker, Ned Jarrett. "Never" is a long time, Ryan.

Dave Rodman: He was right on the verge until he saw the greener grass. No problem there -- he just needs to rebuild the house.

Duane Cross: He's won one race in 150 starts ... c'mon.

David Newton: Black flag that McMurray pick so we can move on.

Ryan Smithson: No, bottom line is that y'all dislike me, which is cool, but I never said McMurray would come back. Kurt Busch will, though.

David Newton: I agree with you on Busch, Ryan. Just not sure his Penske South teammate will join him on that comeback trail.

Dave Rodman: If you had to rate 'em as most likely to come back next year, it would be Busch, Newman and McMurray.

Ryan Smithson: That is a whole different story. What a fall he had.

David Newton: We like you, Ryan.

Duane Cross: Speak for yourself, Newt.

Dave Rodman: We like you enough to be on solid enough ground to tell you yer full of it ... if, indeed, you are at the time.

Duane Cross: Indeed!

The Biff had to be miffed in '06, but don't expect him to whiff in '07. Credit: Autostock

Duane Cross: Busch, Newman, McMurray ... Where's Biffle? He leads that list.

Dave Rodman: Hmm -- on my list, he wasn't. Ineligible; did not fall enough to be out of sight.

Ryan Smithson: I honestly can't think of anyone who will do a Jeff Burton-style comeback.

David Newton: Biffle, Stewart, Busch and then possibly Newman. McMurray would rank behind Labonte, Blaney and Kyle Petty.

Duane Cross: Then again no one has mentioned Tony Stewart. If I'm not mistaken, he wasn't in the Chase.

Ryan Smithson: Who cares? He won five races with a first-year car chief.

Duane Cross: No one has mentioned a Toyota driver either. Coincidence?

Ryan Smithson: Nope. We know the deal.

David Newton: OK, throw Dale Jarrett into the mix.

Dave Rodman: Again, [Stewart] had three bad weeks that barely took him out of contention -- so not eligible for comeback consideration. We can't regress, but he would have been fifth in the championship if this was old school.

Duane Cross: Who'll be Toyota's most relevant driver -- Vickers, maybe?

Dave Rodman: Huh? Barring a miracle DJ will back in that bunch straining to stay in the top 35 on a weekly basis.

Ryan Smithson: A.J. Allmendinger will win 10 races and win the Cup. Or maybe even 20 races.

David Newton: Is A.J. entered in ARCA, too?

Duane Cross: That's Exhibit A as to why you cannot take Smithson seriously. He's a joke waiting to happen.

Ryan Smithson: I am glad y'all got that.

"You are looking live at A.J. Allmendinger ..." Credit: Autostock

David Newton: Vickers would have to be Toyota's top threat, but I can't see him threatening to make the Chase.

Duane Cross: I cannot wait to hear Brent Musburger pronounce "Allmendinger."

Dave Rodman: I think Dave Blaney will be the Toyota standard bearer with a solid team that he's been with. And he had been running decent through the end of the season. If the Camry is a reasonable piece, he'll be the "team" leader early on.

Duane Cross: So Blaney over Jeremy Mayfield, who made the Chase the first two years? This is Bill Davis Racing, remember ... third on the Toyota totem pole, behind Mikey and Red Bull.

David Newton: Good point, Duane.

Dave Rodman: I'll do a Ryan and request a re-read on that line: Blaney is with his same team that was running solid at the end of the season. At this point, JM doesn't even know who his crew chief will be -- or if he does, he ain't saying.

Ryan Smithson: Duane and Newt only read what they want to bash.

Duane Cross: Not bashing -- just be realistic.

David Newton: No, Ryan. To steal from A Few Good Men: "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH."

Ryan Smithson: What was I unrealistic about? What is the truth?

Dave Rodman: I'd bet anybody five bucks that wanted to take it that BDR's pair would beat any other pair of Toyotas next season -- if we could work out the proper parameters.

Duane Cross: Umm -- how about on-track performance? How's that for a parameter? ... Mikey is the face of Toyota and Red Bull is spending a ton of money. Bill Davis will get what's been picked over, from a Toyota standpoint.

Dave Rodman: Did Team Red Bull make one race, with one car, that they tried to make at the end of 2006?

Duane Cross: Was it a Camry? No -- that's where the money is being spent.

David Newton: I wouldn't go on that, Rodman. They'll have better stuff prepared when it's for real.

Dave Rodman: If not for Vickers' restrictor-plate capabilities -- and thank God for the Gatorade Duel -- I think I'd be safe betting that TRB might not make any one of the first three races -- period.

David Newton: You make some extra money over Thanksgiving, Rodman? You seem to be throwing a lot of bets around.

Dave Rodman: Just running my mouth. It's that time of the year.

Duane Cross: No, he won $10 from Smithson: Who'd make the most outlandish Track Smack comment? ... and Ryan lost with the McMurray jewel.

Ryan Smithson: What was the comment?

Duane Cross: Who will be Comeback Driver of the Year in 2007? And your answer: "There are four big candidates: Biffle, McMurray, Busch and Newman." ... We've been over this before.

Dave Rodman: Damn, Duane, you're pounding nails, son.

David Newton: Hammer time.

Ryan Smithson for the defense.

Ryan Smithson: I said they were candidates, not that they would actually come back.

Duane Cross: Nice play on words, Ryan. You should work PR.

David Newton: You'd get killed in court, Ryan.

Dave Rodman: We doin' another question?

David Newton: You mean 30 minutes on this one wasn't enough?

Duane Cross: Who shows up in Daytona in better shape -- Smoke or Carl Edwards?

David Newton: How about biggest flops for '07? Then Ryan doesn't have to change his answer.

David Newton: And we do like you, Ryan.

Duane Cross: Love ya, in fact.

Dave Rodman: 10-4.

The opinions expressed are soley of the participants.