Track Smack: Breaking down the HMS penalties (cont'd)

Dave Rodman: In a nutshell, Kurt said it was hard racing and Juan was still learning some of the intricacies of Cup racing -- so he forgave him.

Raygan Swan: That guy is a straight geek of the week! He needs a tape recorder to play back the asinine things he says in interviews. Busch isn't even in the same stratosphere as Montoya.

Front-row starters end day fuming

Robby Gordon and Jamie McMurray led 78 of the 110 laps of Sunday's Toyota/Save Mart 350, but in the end, fumes were all they had to show for it.

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Dave Rodman: Uh, Kurt is a former Nextel Cup champion, last time I checked. And Joe, what do you consider "bashing?"

Joe Menzer: Well, there is some debate as to whether Kurt is a great driver or not. I happen to think he's pretty good. Others I know who have been around the sport longer think not so much.

Dave Rodman: You could hang around a lifetime and still be an ignoramus -- longevity in and of itself don't prove much.

Raygan Swan: Yeah, but for him to say Juan reminds him of himself -- I don't believe Kurt has won a race in how long?

Dave Rodman: Kurt was referring to Juan's aggressive nature only.

Joe Menzer: As for my definition of "bashing," you made reference to the fact that Juan's lucky Chip (meaning Ganassi, I take it) has all the pieces in place to keep him happy.

Dave Rodman: Finding the right chemical balance among your personnel is a critical building block for any team and admitting to that is a sign of maturity and comfort -- and neither intended to be bashed or needing to be.

Raygan Swan: Nor did he win the Indy 500 first time out or several F1 races and finish 15th at Eldora, it was the first damn time the guy had touched dirt.

Joe Menzer: And that you don't think Juan can run up front consistently anytime soon.

Raygan Swan: Well, that's crap.

Dave Rodman: He himself has said that.

Joe Menzer: Granted, he's got lots to learn on the ovals. But I think this could be a boost of overall confidence that helps him on the ovals. He is extremely talented; he will eventually get it on the ovals.

Dave Rodman: On another JPM note, anyone who says he "lucked into" that win or didn't deserve it because he won on mileage, well, look at the comment I just made about longevity and ignorance.

Raygan Swan: I agree and look where JPM started in the field that day.

Dave Rodman: If Juan and Jamie McMurray were on the same fuel strategy and one made it and the other did not, I'd say the winner played the strategy better and should be lauded, not disrespected.

Raygan Swan: Don't worry about JPM, he'll win on an oval. Parrott was quoted once saying he'd be a Cup champion in two years.

Joe Menzer: Dave, again, you finally come up with a good point. Juan simply did a better job of babying his machine to the finish, and that's great driving -- nothing more, nothing less.

Raygan Swan: I agree, Dave. Passing was difficult out there driving that big ol' bread box. He worked through the field, conserved fuel and did what needed to be done.

Dave Rodman: Well, if you watched him and McMurray going at it -- there was no babying about it. Those cats were flat getting it. Unless Juan was able to push that hard and look that smooth doing it. (Continued)