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

Joe Menzer: Getting back to the question, it kind of ticked me off all the e-mails I got after the Coca-Cola 600, which was a great race this year, saying Casey Mears didn't deserve to win it because he won it on fuel mileage.

Dave Rodman: Joe, you give me too damned much credit. I was heading to the station that I knew was the most economical -- just so happens it is right at a lousy intersection and traffic just fell that I was gonna be able to roll right in -- and as I turned-in, the car shut off.

Joe Menzer: That fuel-mileage criticism was ridiculous. Of course, Mears deserved to win the 600, just as Dave deserves props for making it to the gas station without running out. And I don't give out props to Rodman easily [see earlier text, please].

Dave Rodman: What's y'all's call on who's going to deserve it at New Hampshire?

Raygan Swan: A win is a win, no matter how you get it. Well, unless you're Brian Vickers and take out the pending champion and the sport's most popular driver in one hit. That wasn't a legit win in my book.

Dave Rodman: Yikes! Let's save that topic for another day.

Raygan Swan: Stewart at New Hampshire.

Dave Rodman: You know what? How about Little Martin? He loves NHIS, the crew will be smilin' after clambaking it -- so a win for the 1?

Joe Menzer: Man, I'm not ready to make my pick yet. I need another 48 hours! Or at least 24 -- you know, to analyze it and, well, stuff like that.

Dave Rodman: Make a pick, darn it -- there's no Pick 'em points riding on this.

Raygan Swan: No points? Kurt Busch. Hah!

Joe Menzer: I won't make a pick now and then change it for Pick 'em. Not my style; and I haven't even looked at anything yet.

Dave Rodman: I hate to tell you, Joe -- Duane is still killing us in Pick 'em.

The opinions expressed are those solely of the writers