Track Smack: A rougher bump-n-run, Chase style (cont'd)

3) Martinsville will be the latest chapter in NASCAR's "international swing," and with the announcement of Patrick Carpentier's signing by Gillett Evernham, there may be more this fall. What's it all mean?

Raygan Swan: It means NASCAR is damn cool!

Duane Cross: Or it means the teams have succumbed to the sponsorship pressures of not riding it out with a young talent in favor of cashing the check right now.

Dave Rodman: I'm hoping, and figuring NASCAR's considering that all part of the diversity initiative. It will be very interesting to see how Jacques Villeneuve and Dario Franchitti do at Martinsville. It was a rough entree for Marcos Ambrose in a truck, and he had stock-car experience.

If you earn it ...

Mario Andretti knows from experience that if open-wheel drivers earn respect, the Cup drivers will show it in return.

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Raygan Swan: But some say it's a travesty. Me, I think the more diverse personalities the better for the sport and TV. But let's not mistake diversity for foreign-born. These are still a bunch of white boys!

Duane Cross: These are "name" drivers who can pull sponsorship dollars. Let's see how they compete across each of the tracks and then let's decide if it's a wave worth riding into the future. For right now, I'd still be trying to build from the grass-roots level.

Dave Rodman: If they weren't the best drivers it would be a travesty -- but as far as I'm concerned, they are -- so end of story.

Raygan Swan: But what about Carpentier, does he really fit that description?

Duane Cross: Not mine. We'll see how patient folks are with him.

Dave Rodman: They are French Canadians. They speak another language. That's diverse in my book.

Raygan Swan: Not under NASCAR's definition for diversity.

Duane Cross: Yeah, there weren't a lot of French Canadian drivers in South Boston this week.

Dave Rodman: It would be a travesty if Milka Duno showed up at Homestead -- Citgo money or not.

Raygan Swan: Diversity is someone of color, a minority. And OMG, I would crack up if Milka showed up from the GRL, (Girl Racing League) -- I mean IRL!

Dave Rodman: At the risk of being ignorant, I don't think French Canadians are a majority many places, except Montreal.

Raygan Swan: This is a marketing gimmick, not diversity! Hello, where are Mr. Gillett's ties again? Canada! Duh!

Duane Cross: Again, it's back to having the money in the bank, the financial backing to keep showing up for the circus each week.

Dave Rodman: Since I wasn't under the impression there were many women of color in the program, I guess just plain women qualify as minorities?

Raygan Swan: David Stremme would drive circles around "Patrick the Carpenter!" And yes, women qualify as minorities!

Dave Rodman: Time will tell. I think those guys will do fine. And the feeder system is still in place, so if the kids who are currently in the diversity program have the talent, they should be able to make it happen.

Duane Cross: Once a kid comes to NASCAR from the diversity program, then NASCAR will have something to hang its hat on. It hasn't happened yet -- and if internationally famous drivers continue to fill the Cup Series seats, we're not going to see it happen for quite some time.

Raygan Swan: But internationally speaking, not diversity -- to quote David Stremme, "There's only one Juan Pablo." But I do like JV, the baggy-pant Frenchman! Love him! I think he'll be fabulous!

Dave Rodman: The guys would not have gotten the opportunity if they did not have ability. And if they don't develop it, their stay will be pretty short, because there's quite a waiting list these days.

Raygan Swan: Dave, I agree with you. At the end of the day, black, white, purple, foreign or native -- in NASCAR, it's all about ability.

Dave Rodman: At least it ought to be. And I don't see many money trees sprouting up in the neighborhood, no matter what color or flavor water you put on the ground.

Duane Cross: It's about money, first -- then ability. Don't lose sight of that. If you have the money, you can show your ability ... which leads to puling in more money. But when you knock on the door, don't do it with empty pockets.

Raygan Swan: Too much money is at stake and it's too competitive! ... I wish Patrick all the success in the world though, because he was a huge hit for NASCAR's debut in Montreal and I love that the sport is spreading its wings!

Dave Rodman: Which is why it's cool as hell that you have the Montoyas and Villeneuves and Carpentiers coming in to mix it up with the Loganos and Davises and Lias and the Wises and Clausons and McDowells.

Duane Cross: Yeah, if they were actually mixing it up. But they aren't!

Raygan Swan: Landon Cassill was over the moon to see Dario Franchitti at a drivers' meeting. They had a great exchange and Cassill enjoyed hearing different perspectives of racing and backgrounds.

Dave Rodman: There's getting to be no place for journeymen, it seems like -- though to a man they have the ability to get it done; so that does seem to indicate they'll never go away. A tough row to hoe just gets tougher.

Raygan Swan: Can I just say that Scott Speed, though American, cracks me right up! His fashion is off the charts! I want to see more of that in the garage! Get Tony some "True Religion."

Dave Rodman: Gawd! Old school takes another torpedo. Cap'n, Cap'n -- taking on diversity and listing hard to port. ... But seriously, it's all good -- or it will be, eventually.

Duane Cross: Your lips to God's ears. Or Brian France's.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the participants.