Smack: Too pricey or priceless?

1. Everyone's tired of discussing Dale Jr. and his contract -- but we agreed until it got signed it would be big news; so would any amount of money be a fair trade for control of the company?

Joe Menzer: Well, not any amount of money. But it's interesting that it has now been reported that Teresa Earnhardt may want Junior and his sister to come up with something like $55 mil to get their requested 51 percent control.

Mark Aumann: Just a wild guess, but I'm thinking that's about what Junior rakes in during a two-year period, based on souvenirs and the like.

Raygan Swan: Not fair and ridiculous. The step-monster has lost her mind. ... But if my dad owned a business that he wanted me to take over, he would charge me for it.

Joe Menzer: Well, Raygan, your dad probably would just want to make sure you weren't going to blow all his money!

Mark Aumann: I'm not at all surprised that she'd ask for reimbursement. It's a business deal, not a family issue.

Joe Menzer: The figure itself is not as outrageous as it may seem. John Henry and Fenway Group just paid $60 mil to buy into Roush Racing.

Raygan Swan: Junior will need to do a commercial with Beyonce instead of Jay-Z, she's bigger right now. At least her booty is.

Joe Menzer: The issue is, was this what Big E had in mind when he founded the company -- having Junior have to "buy" into it to gain control?

Raygan Swan: I can't imagine that being the case. What's the point of working so hard to provide a better life for your children? You don't make them finance a 50 or so million-dollar loan.

Mark Aumann: If you're Dale's sister, Kelley, is half the business worth half of DEI's value? I'm thinking it is.

Raygan Swan: Would he just hand it over on a silver platter? No, but Junior has proven himself, as a leader and business manager. He deserves his half, or in this case, 51 percent.

Joe Menzer: Would you deserve that, Raygan? OK, so this isn't about Raygan.

Raygan Swan: Duh! I'm an angel. Thought you knew this, Joe! My dad gave me a Honda Accord once, no loan required.

Joe Menzer: That's a good deal. You didn't wreck it in Turn 1, did you?

Raygan Swan: No comment. But gosh, I miss that car.

Joe Menzer: Humpy Wheeler said it best the other day at LMS, where Junior made an appearance: $55 mil is not that much when you're talking in today's market and about a long-term deal in this sport.

Mark Aumann: You have to admit, Teresa would be giving up a huge potential stake. And even though money can't buy happiness, it sure doesn't hurt to have around.

Joe Menzer: If that price would gain Junior control of the racing operation and give him his fair share of the collectibles revenue, it would be a worthwhile investment.

Mark Aumann: I've gotten to the point where I buy everything with cash -- even my 13-inch TV.

Joe Menzer: Dang! Now we're back on Mark's tiny TV! The Smackers will not like this.

2. One thing everyone's sure of is what a polarizing force the Gordon-Earnhardt rivalry was. So what does the panel think of Gordon's post-race display at Phoenix?

Joe Menzer: Like Junior said, I can't believe some old-school Earnhardt fans took that the wrong way and made it into something it wasn't.

Mark Aumann: I was running around the garage area, trying to find Johnny Sauter before he left for the airport, so I didn't see it until later. I didn't have any problems with it either way.

Pocket change

Humpy Wheeler said that if Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, need to come up with $55 million to gain a controlling interest in DEI, it shouldn't be all that difficult to do.

• Complete story, click here
• Negotiation will be easy part
• Rivalry a missed perception
• Junior appreciates gesture
• Gordon due his respects

Joe Menzer: Junior thought it was cool. I thought it was a touch of class. Sometimes no matter what Gordon does, the anti-Gordon crowd is going to find fault with it -- which is too bad.

Raygan Swan: NASCAR fans get a little whacked but that's why the sport is where it's at, because they are so passionate. Not always sane, but passionate nonetheless.

Mark Aumann: You always hear the phrase, "If Dale was here ..." If Dale were here, I would think he'd be cool with it.

Joe Menzer: Amen to that, brother.

Mark Aumann: Of course, Gordon wouldn't have caught Dale if Dale was here.

Raygan Swan: Well, that's what Gordon gets for only claiming the Hoosier state when it's convenient for him.

Joe Menzer: Junior pointed out again yesterday that his father and Gordon eventually became business partners on some ventures. They may have occasionally taken shots at each other and definitely wanted to beat each other when they raced ...

Mark Aumann: Despite his reputation, Dale Earnhardt was first and foremost a student of the sport and respected the history of NASCAR.

Joe Menzer: But they also grew to admire and respect one another's abilities.

Mark Aumann: I'm certain he would consider Gordon's feat in that respect.

Joe Menzer: Dale also respected the fact that Gordon cut his teeth on dirt tracks.

Raygan Swan: I agree and thought it was nice. NASCAR asked Harvick to offer a tribute to Dale in New York at the banquet and he refused. Gordon's OK in my book ... for now at least.

Mark Aumann: Of course, had it been anyone but Wonder Boy, it wouldn't have been such a big deal -- unless it was one of the Busch brothers. Kyle Busch gets booed almost as lustily as Gordon nowadays.

Raygan Swan: The other young drivers out there in Kyle's situation have their moments, but no one is paying attention because they never run up front like Kyle.

Joe Menzer: Maybe so, but when you run up front and you're in the spotlight, with that comes a certain responsibility to behave in a more mature manner. Comes with the territory.

Mark Aumann: So does the booing.

Joe Menzer: One funny sidebar to the whole flag thing was also brought up by Junior at LMS: Think about how long the Gordon folks had to have that flag ride with them in their hauler!

Raygan Swan: Ha!

Joe Menzer: Well, Kyle Busch deserves it! If for nothing else than for that God-awful soul patch he recently was sporting. Has he shaved it off yet? Please tell me he has!

Raygan Swan: Oh, Kyle is just like every other 21-year-old man out there with a little power: irrational.

Mark Aumann: Nope, still looks like a young Abraham Lincoln.

Joe Menzer: Who was not a handsome man.

Raygan Swan: Yeah, that thing's gotta go. J.J. Yeley pulls it off well but ne pas Busch.

Mark Aumann: Oh yeah -- like 21-year-old women are any more rational?

Raygan Swan: Mark, it's a proven fact women mature at a higher rate than men! I'll bring the stats to 'Dega!

Mark Aumann: Of course, you're still young enough to remember 21. Joe and I, on the other hand ...

Joe Menzer: No comment.

Raygan Swan: Aw guys, it's OK. I think you're all very youthful!

Mark Aumann: Bring a sweater, too. It gets cold in the Talladega media center.

Raygan Swan: Thanks Dad!

Mark Aumann: We can burn the stats to stay warm.

Raygan Swan: I need some money, too.

Mark Aumann: What did you do with the allowance I gave you at Phoenix?

Raygan Swan: Spent it on beer with Junior! Dang it, "Junebug."

Joe Menzer: She put it in the bank. She's going to try to buy out her dad when she saves up enough.

Raygan Swan: Very good, Joe!

3. It's the last race for the "standard car" at Talladega. Will anyone notice the difference between April and October?

Joe Menzer: That's a very good question, but you have to have been impressed by the finishes and the quantity of side-by-side racing in the first three Car of Tomorrow races.

Raygan Swan: Yes, because the drivers say the new cars are hard to pass in -- but I really don't think there will be a big difference.

Mark Aumann: Yes and no. I think there's always the possibility of the big crash, no matter what vehicles are out there. But I don't know if there will be more cars running in packs or fewer.

Joe Menzer: The drivers can gripe about the COT all they want, but I think the fans are starting to like it. Or at least ignore it, which means it is being accepted.

Mark Aumann: Well, Joe -- the finish at Phoenix was good, but I didn't see a lot of side-by-side. There were exactly four green-flag passes for the lead in 312 laps.

Raygan Swan: Especially when 'Dega has the record for three caution-free races: 1997, 2001 and 2002. Mark, I looked that up for you last night, pal.

Mark Aumann: If Raygan looks it up she'll find that Talladega has had some most unusual winners -- Richard Brickhouse, Bobby Hillin Jr. and Lennie Pond, for starters. So I wouldn't be surprised if we see someone in Victory Lane who hasn't been there before.

Joe Menzer: Wow, you guys are loading up the facts on me. Now you know that I only paid real close attention to the last 40 or 50 laps at Phoenix! The end was good, though, you have to admit.

Mark Aumann: Of course, she doesn't remember any of those guys, but her dad might.

Raygan Swan: Not as good as some of the endings in 'Dega -- some of the closest and controversial. Remember Vickers?

Mark Aumann: Yeah, that was the first time I had seen the COT up close. It's not that big of a deal now. Except it looks like it has the gracefulness of a rhino.

Joe Menzer: Or Dave Rodman. Sorry, that was a cheap shot. Dave's not even here to defend himself. Plus, he's more like the Car of Yesterday -- or the Car of Long Ago.

Mark Aumann: COLA. I like that, Joe.

Raygan Swan: You guys are killing me!

Joe Menzer: We have a new nickname for Rodman, for next time he's on Smack. We have accomplished something useful today!

Raygan Swan: Let me backtrack to Kyle Busch for a minute. I like Kyle, but don't use our bathroom in the media center anymore. It's bad enough sharing it with Aumann. Special K, use your motorhome pot!

Mark Aumann: That's a good one.

Raygan Swan: Remember when he came in there? Weirdo.

Joe Menzer: Is she ready for Talladega, Mark?

Raygan Swan: No.

Joe Menzer: Sharing the women's bathroom might be the least of her problems there! You ought to show her the jail, Mark.

Raygan Swan: I want to do an insider's piece from the jail.

Joe Menzer: No, you don't.

Mark Aumann: One tip, Raygan. Don't ask to use the public restrooms in the infield at Talladega.

Raygan Swan: Cool. Thanks. We done? All of this bathroom talk ...

The opinions expressed are solely of the participants.