Track Smack: DEI, Petty face some driver drama

1. Aric Almirola finished eighth in his season debut at Bristol, and was in the top 15 at Martinsville before his engine blew. Should Dale Earnhardt Inc. put him in the No. 8 car full-time?

Joe Menzer: And put Mark Martin out to pasture? I think it's premature. Almirola needs more Cup experience, and he can learn a lot even when he's not in the seat by watching Martin.

Dave Rodman: Mark Martin will dictate that, as he should. There's the money issue again -- different chapter in the same book. Aric should be driving something, somewhere, every week. But I assume money ain't growing on trees in the DEI orchard.

David Caraviello: Tough spot here. Martin is the face of that No. 8 car. He's the guy they sold to Army. But the more promise Almirola continues to show, the more difficult it might be to keep him out of a Cup car.

Joe Menzer: Agreed on all fronts. But the truth is that Almirola should be driving full-time in the Nationwide Series right now, and then part-time in Cup. That would give him plenty of the valuable seat time he needs.

David Caraviello: Let's face it, he's the young guy. He's the future. Nobody is saying they should send Martin to the home, Joe. But you want to keep a guy like Almirola happy. You don't want him restless -- and looking.

Dave Rodman: If you mark Martinsville against Martinsville, just about every aspect of last weekend is impressive, compared to last time -- but the end result was still the same and that's what shows in the results tally.

David Caraviello: Yeah, but same old story at DEI with the engines. That's not Almirola's fault.

Dave Rodman: Unless we know he didn't do something to hurt it, like over-rev it or something like that. Menard finished 15th and Lil' Martin, well -- Martinsville and he never got along much.

The name is Aric -- not Woody.

Aric Almirola

Career Cup stats

Races	8
Wins	0
Top-fives	0
Top-10s	1
Avg. Start	27.2
Avg. Finish	32.1
Best finish	8 (Bristol)
DNFs	4

Joe Menzer: And before anyone gets too carried away with the young man, it seemed to me that Almirola was running into a lot of people at M'ville -- as many do at that place. Didn't he cause about three wrecks?

Dave Rodman: I'd have to assume they have his path pretty well mapped out, and he's bought into it. Then again, you might have thought Joe Gibbs Racing did, too -- but when you look at the fact they also basically let Woody Howard out the door, that group is certainly not lacking in development talent.

Joe Menzer: Woody who?

David Caraviello: Woody Howard? Was that the guy from Cheers?

Joe Menzer: That was Woody Harrelson, you goof.

David Caraviello: Oh yeah. Dave is into his driver development. I couldn't tell Woody Howard from Woody Allen.

Joe Menzer: As long as you know who Woody Hayes is, you're all right with me.

Dave Rodman: I can't recall hearing about Woody Howard slapping anybody around when he was running up front in Late Model Stock Cars and Hooters Pro Cup. Then again, there aren't any punters there, either -- wasn't that Mr. Hayes' undoing?

Joe Menzer: No, Woody Hayes did not punch a punter. He punched a linebacker. Big difference.

David Caraviello: Anyway, I can just see DEI facing a tough situation if Almirola begins to want more Cup rides, and they can't give them to him. Maybe they should revamp the late-season schedule and give him a few more. He's earning them.

Joe Menzer: I say they need to see how he does over a longer stretch first. Two races does not a career make. It barely even constitutes the start to a career.

Dave Rodman: It would be great if DEI could do a great technology loaning program and farm Almirola out to a Camping World program.

David Caraviello: But Joe, does he have a longer stretch? How many Cup races does he have this year? Eight? Something like that?

Dave Rodman: I believe he has in the neighborhood of 10. He needs to be racing. But I think there is no question he has elevated his game, across the board.

Joe Menzer: That is a legitimate point. I concede that one to you, much as it hurts me to say so. (Continued)