Smack: Wing and a prayer (cont'd)

Joe Menzer: And you mention Riggs at Evernham. Another guy I like who sometimes qualifies well (like at Michigan) but hasn't done much on the track in a long time is Elliott Sadler. How long does he keep that ride?

Dave Rodman: Joe, Gillett Evernham is in trouble across the board with their cars, but the organization is committed. I don't think any of those guys are going anywhere, unless Scottie goes to the 8 -- and he IS a good qualifier.

Raygan Swan: Not as good as David Stremme.

Joe Menzer: Yeah, I think you're probably right there, Dave -- and you know how I hate to agree with you in these Smack sessions. Evernham has admitted they just messed up this entire year as far as setting up their program -- and you can't blame the drivers for that.

Raygan Swan: OK, what about J.J. Yeley? Or Joe, call the step-monster and ask if you can drive the No. 8. It won't matter; whoever is in the car is going to be hated on by Junior Nation.

Joe Menzer: You got that right! It will be a no-win situation for whomever.

Raygan Swan: Out with Riggs, in with Stremme! That's my prediction. If I'm right, Joe, buy me a poodle!

Joe Menzer: I would take the job if all it involved was driving the No. 8. But not if I have to deal with Teresa!

Dave Rodman: Well, now that you mention it, J.J. is certainly a potential candidate for the 8, as well.

3. Michael Vick fell into the wrong crowd with his dogfighting habit. So in your opinion, what are some NASCAR drivers' worst habits?

Raygan Swan: Carl Edwards! If he says getting wrecked is "awesome" one more time, I'm gonna scream. How can one human be that positive -- consistently positive -- and politically correct?

Joe Menzer: I love the backflip with Carl Edwards. And he's got that Hollywood smile. I enjoy talking with him from time to time. But he does have an annoying habit of saying every track is "one of his favorites."

Dave Rodman: Good upbringing. Good attitude. Respectful. What's that word for "not full of oneself" -- oh yeah, modest. He's just got it -- and people should not be jealous of that.

Raygan Swan: 10-4 Joe! When you see Carl in Bristol, give him your thesaurus. Carl is one of my faves, but lately he's appeared a bit robotic in front of the camera and that's not his real personality. He's so funny. He quotes Too Short -- the rapper!

Joe Menzer: And is it just me, or does Kevin Harvick believe he's never made a mistake on the track? He gets all high-and-mighty on anyone who does.

Dave Rodman: Well, unfortunately, those people's mistakes have cost him a lot of ground at a critical point in the championship. He's entitled.

Joe Menzer: I thought Harvick was over the top not just with Montoya recently, but with Stewart when they bumped down the stretch at Indy. Those were what we used to call "racing deals."

Dave Rodman: Well, Kevin might have an extreme case of that racer's disease -- over-control syndrome -- and he has witnessed and been party to a number of Juan-outs. And yes, Kevin's certainly opinionated.

Raygan Swan: Blah, blah, blah ... Kevin Harvick. I like Kevin but let it go already!

Joe Menzer: Now it's like baseball. Where it used to be that throwing some high heat inside was a pitcher claiming the inside part of the plate, now everyone wants to charge the mound when he does it.

Dave Rodman: Yeah, the thing with Tony at Indy was certainly a "which shoe is the foot on today" comment -- but again, frustration rules in those situations, and I can't fault them for that.

Joe Menzer: You can't have good racing without a few "racing deals."

Dave Rodman: Absolutely. You ready for a few dozen this weekend?

Raygan Swan: Spewing all that anger is not healthy and leads to premature aging. Wait, maybe that's what happened to his hair [wink]!

Joe Menzer: Speaking of Tony, the time with Harvick was the only time recently where he's seemed contrite about anything he's done on the track.

Dave Rodman: He was contrite at The Glen -- but then again, he won. Speaking of which, he won at Indy too, didn't he?

Joe Menzer: I detect an annoying pattern here. He's nice when he wins!

Raygan Swan: Another bad habit I hate is when drivers do interviews with their sunglasses on and it's not sunny! (Continued)