Smack: Ganassi in the news for wrong reasons (cont'd)

2. Casey Mears is out of the No. 5 car, and Hendrick Motorsports will announce his successor on Friday. Whom do they hire, and where will Casey end up?

David Caraviello: Well, if you want to believe everything swirling around the garage area the last two weeks, Casey will end up in Richard Childress' fourth car, and Hendrick will hire Mark Martin. Neither of those seems like a perfect fit on the surface, though.

Raygan Swan: Maybe Casey can go hunting for rides with Dario in the IRL. I don't know, but he could be the odd man out when all this silly season stuff settles and the musical chairs stop.

Still got it?

If rumor is true, Mark Martin will give it one more go for a title, this time with Hendrick. Bill Kimm and Dave Rodman debate whether Martin still has what it takes to contend.

• Complete story, click here
• Deal close with Martin, HMS
• Almirola full time in No. 8
• Mears out at Hendrick

Duane Cross: Hendrick will take a step back if it brings in Mark Martin for "one" more shot at the Cup title. As for Mears, getting in at RCR isn't exactly falling on hard times.

David Caraviello: Casey will land on his feet. There are a lot of people who think too highly of him for him to be the odd man out. And an open-wheel-minded friend of mine brought up the fact that Casey's uncle drove for Penske Racing, which may have an opening if and when Ryan Newman leaves.

Raygan Swan: I could see that being a better fit as opposed to living in the shadows of two champion drivers Gordon and Johnson, and being expected to live up to their standards.

Duane Cross: That's who I think HMS should pursue -- Ryan Newman. Though if you believe the message boards, Tony Stewart and Newman are destined to be teammates.

David Caraviello: Newman would seem to be a better fit for the long term, wouldn't he, Duane? I mean, bringing in Martin for a one-year deal, with this many drivers available now? It just doesn't make sense.

Duane Cross: Nope, it does not -- and it's not like the HMS stable is ... um, youthful. Jeff, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Jr. are closer to the end of their careers than the beginning.

David Caraviello: Maybe they're making a move at Junior's buddy Martin Truex Jr., and everybody is just getting the message confused. But Rick does have his reasons. Most of his decisions, Casey withstanding, tend to work out.

Duane Cross: I'd still make the play for Newman; he's one of the most underappreciated drivers in NASCAR. And if it didn't go well for Truex, how awkward would it be for Mr. H. to pull the plug on his most marketable driver's buddy?

Raygan Swan: I think the No. 5 team deserves some consistency. After so many driver changes, they need to build with one driver who will be at HMS for the long haul and work towards a championship. Newman with a fresh start would be beneficial. He has the talent and deserves a new start.

Duane Cross: Yep, I agree Raygs. For whatever reason, Penske just never has gotten all the puzzle pieces together, dating back to when Rusty Wallace was in the 2 car.

David Caraviello: Poor Alan Gustafson has to feel like he's in a blender. Fourth in final points last year with Kyle, then this year, and now maybe the point man on a Mark Martin victory tour. Guy is one of the best crew chiefs in the garage, and he could be playing caretaker.

Raygan Swan: Exactly David! Give the man some consistency, he deserves it as well. That team showed so much potential when they brought Kyle on board, and then the air was taken right out of them when Mears came over. I understand transition, but the team is strong and deserves a strong driver.

Duane Cross: Gustafson and Newman -- that pairing would be lethal. Certainly it has more potential than a pairing with Martin. I just think the Martin angle is short-sighted, unless there's someone in play for 2010 that we're not aware of. And therein lies Tony Stewart -- if Joe Gibbs Racing holds Smoke to his '09 deal.

Raygan Swan: Sorry to all the Mark Martin fans, but I'm bored and over his split seats and his driving a little here, a little there fashion. How can fans keep up with it all? It's as bad as seeing Kathie Lee on the Today Show!

Duane Cross: What are we on, the Salute to You, Too, Too, Too, Too Tour? It's worse than Willie Mays going back to play out the string with the Mets.

David Caraviello: But of course, almost halfway through last year he was still in Chase contention despite having two fewer starts than everyone else. So put him full time in a good car ... (Continued)