Cross' Words: Martinsville

Martinsville was a microcosm of what has become a year-long Silly Season. Jeff Green finished par for the course, but less than 24 hours later Davie Bowie was warming up the vocals -- Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes -- and Jeremy Mayfield was warming up the driver's seat for the No. 66.

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Mayfield, who at Martinsville failed to make the field for the 19th time this season, has been signed to replace Green, who has started all 32 races.

Meanwhile, Johnny Sauter, who had a top-15 qualifying run, also lived up to his 2007 race-day billing -- but the other shoe dropped with the dismissal of Green.

Scott Riggs was signed earlier this month to drive for Haas CNC -- but it was not said which car he would drive: the No. 66 or the No. 70.

Mayfield will finish the season in the No. 66. Sauter will drive the No. 70 for the final four races, while Riggs will continue to try to qualify the No. 10 for James Rocco.

After that, Mayfield and Riggs -- formerly teammates at Evernham Motorsports -- again will be teammates, driving for Haas in 2008. Which car they'll pilot is not known.

What is known: Green and Sauter -- both firmly in the top 35 in owner points -- are looking for jobs, replaced by drivers 37th (Riggs) and 46th (Mayfield) in owner points.

Silly? Apparently not.

Mayfield replaces Green | Skinner, Benson to fill in | Silly Season

• Another race, another blown engine for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Amazing.

• Doug Richert, released as crew chief for Brian Vickers on Tuesday, shouldn't have any problem landing another gig in the garage.

• Michael Waltrip has qualified for a season-high five consecutive races. His worst finish during that stretch was a 30th-place run at Kansas. Three of the other four races have resulted in top-20 finishes. It's called progress.

• Juan Montoya finished 16th and eighth at Martinsville. Conversely, Richard Petty posted a seventh and 15th in his first two visits. ... Just for the record, The King won his third race at the track. We'll eagerly await March 30, 2008, to see if JPM can keep pace.

• Seven Chase drivers in the top 10 at Martinsville. Congrats to Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle and Juan Montoya for getting their sponsors some air time, too!

• Good call, Robby Gordon. I think Sauter would be a boon for your team. Now about that sponsorship ... someone should step up, quickly.

Random ruminations ...

• It's a struggle that she would rather not discuss. Each day brings the inevitable one day closer. Time marches on for everyone, I tell her.

Time can kiss her Asafoetida (it's a spice; she likes to cook).

Nonetheless, my wife turns 29 on Wednesday. The Countdown to 30 is under way, baby! Happy birthday, sweetheart. You're more beautiful today than yesterday.

• Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) will kick off the pre-race festivities in Atlanta with a "Green Means Go" pep rally at the T.G.I. Friday's (Wildwood location) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday.

Consumers are invited to experience RBRC's interactive 53-foot long modular display and exhibit featuring battery recycling information, a full-size racing simulator car and prize wheel. Those who bring their used rechargeable batteries and old cell phones for on-site collection will be rewarded with a die-cast car.

Since 1996, RBRC has collected more than 36 million pounds of rechargeable batteries in the U.S and Canada. Cell phones collected through RBRC's Call2Recycle program will be recycled or refurbished and resold when possible with a portion of the proceeds benefiting select charities such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

• Be sure to check out RaceTown Atlanta this weekend. NASCAR.COM will be playing host to Track Smack Live at 1 p.m. Friday at Atlantic Station. Staff writers Dave Rodman, Joe Menzer and David Caraviello along with NASCAR 24/7 Live's Christine Pullara will be on hand for a frank discussion on today's state of the sport and answer fans' questions.

We're hoping the fact Kasey Kahne will be on hand from 10:30 a.m.-noon will help draw a crowd ...

For more information, click here.

Say What?

"I had to pick up a lot of dog poop and mow a lot of lawns to get my first motorcycle."
-- Ron Hornaday, on how nothing had ever been given to him in racing

Figuratively Speaking

41 -- Points deficit, after Martinsville, that Jimmie Johnson overcame in 2006. In the three-year history of the Chase, that is the only time a points leader (Matt Kenseth) has failed to hold the lead during the final four races. (Continued)