Smack: Ganassi in the news for wrong reasons

1. Chip Ganassi has announced that his No. 40 team is shutting down because of a lack of sponsorship. What does former Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti do now?

David Caraviello: Well, if they keep that No. 40 Nationwide team afloat, it might not be too bad. Dario has really struggled at the Cup level, more than anyone thought. And while the cars are different, a little more time in a lower series might help him in the long run, if he wants to stay in NASCAR.

Raygan Swan: Something tells me Chip is not going to be able to afford to pay Dario to merely run the remainder of the Nationwide Series season, so maybe he could just relax for the time being.

Duane Cross: Run back to open wheel ASAP. He doesn't have anything to prove in NASCAR; he should cut his losses and return to open-wheel racing and enjoy the rest of his life.

Raygan Swan: Right, but what IRL team is going to have him, one that would be competitive? He was almost out the door when he raced for Andretti Green.

David Caraviello: I'll tell you, having seen the way Ashley Judd reacts when a reporter disses her Kentucky Wildcats, Chip had better look out. Especially since he said in the preseason he could field that car all year.

Duane Cross: Dario should be Exhibit A for those who believe they can jump into NASCAR and be sliced bread -- not that he thought he was -- and compete at the Cup level with little or no stock-car experience.

Raygan Swan: He's 35 years old, and that's a respectable age to take life in a different direction. He could be like Burney Lamar, and travel to his wife's TV and movie shoots.

Duane Cross: Getting an elite Cup series ride is tough; Dario should have looked before he leaped, in this case. Ganassi isn't a contender; sponsorship money is tough to come by; experience pays dividends.

David Caraviello: Dario knew full well what he was getting into, how steep the learning curve would be. But I don't think anyone figured that sponsors would stay away as if that unit was radioactive. Chip was pretty positive in January that they could keep it afloat all year long with patchwork deals.

Duane Cross: Patchwork deals are not the way to run a contender, that's becoming clearer with each passing day. Look at Petty Enterprises; those guys have signed more deals than Trump. And there's nothing to show for their "patchwork." And the economy isn't showing signs of floating the NASCAR team owners' boats.

Down to two

Citing a lack of sponsorship, Chip Ganassi has decided to shut down the No. 40 team.

• Complete story, click here

Raygan Swan: And besides, I don't want to see Dario running the remainder of the Nationwide Series season because up-and-comer Bryan Clauson needs the seat time and his career is just getting started. He's only 19. As far as sponsorship goes, they should've had their ducks in row before the season started.

David Caraviello: Dario is actually the lucky one here. There were some wrench-turners who were laid off when their team evaporated. They don't have all that open-wheel cash to fall back on. But yeah, with a unified open-wheel series, why would Dario stick around? Unless he really wants to see if he can do this. If that's the case, he obviously needs to start looking at other teams.

Duane Cross: This week it's Dario; next week, who knows -- Reed Sorenson looking for a job? The only guy who should sleep well at Ganassi is Juan Montoya; he's got the diversity angle covered. Dario is the lucky one, no question. He now has options. There will be a team -- an open-wheel team -- that will make a run at him, no question.

Raygan Swan: Reed's average finishes aren't too much better than Dario's, which is why I was confused to hear that he is staying at Ganassi. But he also has Target behind him for now.

David Caraviello: I'll tell you what, it might be time for Chip to seriously re-evaluate things. This NASCAR deal has been a struggle for him since the day Sterling Marlin got hurt.

Duane Cross: You do have to feel for the folks who most certainly received pink slips. Dario will find another job and has the resources to survive. Some of the folks who make the wheels go 'round don't.

Raygan Swan: Yeah and it's not like they get two weeks, either. This seemed unexpected.

Duane Cross: Yep, it's time for a nuts 'n' bolts re-evaluation at Ganassi -- but that's not the only team that is looking at hard times. Would it surprise anyone if two, three more teams dramatically trim their efforts before year's end?

David Caraviello: No, especially given that some organizations are thousands over budget in just fuel costs alone. This has never been an inexpensive deal. It ain't getting any cheaper.

Duane Cross: It would not surprise me if Michael Waltrip Racing cut back, if Michael McDowell drops out of the top 35 -- and he's 35th entering Daytona.

David Caraviello: I'd hate to see that -- Michael's a great kid. But I'll tell you this, I don't think any more open-wheel folks will be looking to jump to NASCAR anytime soon. Dario might be the end of the line.

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 ...

3. Juan Montoya received a two-lap penalty from NASCAR for wrecking points leader Kyle Busch at New Hampshire (watch video), and then admitting he did it on purpose (watch video). No other penalties are expected. Does he deserve something more?

Raygan Swan: No, because he's struggling at Ganassi right now, and that's punishment enough. He's frustrated and it is showing off and on the track. Why punish a guy who's already being punished?

Duane Cross: Good point Raygs; anything more could be filed under "cruel and unusual." But he deserves to sit. We know that under green JPM has the propensity to hit everything except the concession stand -- and now he's whacking folks under yellow.

TNT Summer Series

Date	Race	Time
June 8	Pocono	12:30 p.m. ET
June 15	Michigan	12:30 p.m. ET
June 22	Infineon	3:30 p.m. ET
June 29	N. Hampshire	12:30 p.m. ET
July 5	Daytona	6:30 p.m. ET
July 12	Chicagoland	6:30 p.m. ET

• TNT Summer Series

David Caraviello: This is an interesting one. When Kurt Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Robby Gordon each did something similar, they were hit with fines. They got hit with $10,000 penalties, I believe. But lord, Cross. He doesn't deserve to sit. You're like one of these fans who wants to park people for everything.

Raygan Swan: He probably feels like he doesn't have much to lose. I mean, what could they possibly do now? I'm no longer in Chase contention, so why not make it interesting for the fans and screw with Busch.

Duane Cross: Fines don't get your attention. Sitting a race, that would make him reevaluate the urge to retaliate. Nah, don't want to park guys for everything -- but he's a rolling menace, at times. Maybe a week off would help his anger management.

Raygan Swan: I agree, fines don't do anything to these drivers. But JPM doesn't deserve to sit just yet. Give him time, he'll do something much worse before it's all over. Watkins Glen is coming up ... maybe round two with Harvick.

David Caraviello: Man, you guys are seriously hatin' on people this morning. Mark Martin, Chip Ganassi, Juan Montoya ...

Duane Cross: Harvick-- now there's a guy who understands the benefits of sitting!

Raygan Swan: I love smackin' with Cross, I feel like I have some sense of security with the boss on today.

Duane Cross: Ha ha ha -- that would be a false sense; I'm disappointed you haven't made a "totes" reference!

Raygan Swan: Give me time, give me time.

David Caraviello: This isn't about the penalty, this is about NASCAR being consistent. You spin somebody, you admit it, you pay $10,000. Do not pass go. The Robby Gordon lovers are on a rampage over this. Of course, it doesn't take much for the Robby Gordon lovers to go on a rampage.

Raygan Swan: That's the thing, NASCAR is everything but consistent, they are even arbitrary at some times. But I appreciate that because the world is not black and white.

David Caraviello: No question, and that drives people crazy. So, why, when you have a chance to dish out some even-handed justice, do you pass on it? I mean, this is an easy one. Ten grand ain't setting Juan back any, you send a little bit of a message, and the fans feel like the guy took a hit. Everybody wins.

Duane Cross: I can't argue with the Gordon fans; consistency -- that's key, though I believe the penalty should ramp up and have more bite than a mere 10K.

Raygan Swan: And remember, he hit Kyle Busch. The fans don't care about his justice or injustice.

Duane Cross: And for that -- whacking Kyle -- there are some who are mounting a "Most Popular Driver" campaign for JPM!

Raygan Swan: I think it's hilarious, you know, they appreciate him because he told the damn truth! Yeah I hit him, sorry, and move on! He didn't ask to see the tape or talk around it, or abuse the reporter! He fessed up, and that's refreshing!

David Caraviello: Well, to his credit, Kyle was very well composed and professional afterward. He didn't hurt himself any in the way he responded.

Duane Cross: Yep, Kyle showed a lot of poise in handling that situation; he's got the look of a champ, folks.

Raygan Swan: I think the punishments should fit each individual driver. For example, leave Stewart in a room with a dozen reporters for half a day. Or make Carl Edwards eat five Big Macs right before a race.

Duane Cross: Ha ha ha -- I think Tony would take 'em!

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writers.