Smack: Could a Toyota find Daytona's Victory Lane? (cont'd)

2. Did NASCAR correctly handle the Tony Stewart/Kurt Busch incident? And what exactly is probation, anyway?

Joe Menzer: Funny you should mention that. I once -- I won't say when -- got put on probation for three games in a girls' youth basketball league. So I'm an expert on this. I was coaching, of course.

Blown opportunity

For the second time in eight months, Kurt Busch used his vehicle to show is displeasure with Tony Stewart. Dave Rodman says NASCAR should have sat Busch out of the Shootout and blew it.

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• Video: Busch, Stewart tangle

David Caraviello: Joe, you really shouldn't have gone all Latrell Sprewell on that referee.

Dave Rodman: Maybe we can straighten some misguided people out. But first, probation means absolutely nothing until NASCAR takes it to the next step.

David Caraviello: Seriously, does probation have any teeth? Stewart seems to have been on probation more often than the boys at Delta house.

Dave Rodman: Am I wrong -- or was someone's probation EXTENDED last year, after he was already ON probation?

Joe Menzer: All it means is that you have to keep your mouth shut and your nose clean for the duration of probation. Then you can start being yourself again and hope that nothing crazy happens where you are provoked and lose your temper.

David Caraviello: Yeah, but even if guys do something while on probation, they're not made to sit out or anything. It comes across as window dressing.

Joe Menzer: I have no further comment on my own personal situation. Fact is, I do think NASCAR handled this OK. If they say they are going to let these guys be themselves, do it ...

David Caraviello: That, Joe, I will agree with. I'm reading a lot of things that imply NASCAR is going back on its pledge to let drivers loosen up. Of course, the punishment here is really nothing -- so far, at least.

Dave Rodman: I don't want to beat it up too much, but they missed a chance. There are a lot of confused people out there. When Kurt Busch drove across Tony Stewart's nose in practice, was Tony wrong not to cut him any slack?

Joe Menzer: And if they get a little out of hand like this, where Smoke reportedly tapped Mr. Kurt on the head, probation seems appropriate. Then again, as Roadman just pointed out, the real issue is what they did to each other on the track. You don't want anyone to get away with anything that endangers anyone.

Dave Rodman: Maybe -- but they're on a racetrack -- he doesn't have to. Just like he didn't have to -- and didn't -- at Dover last year. If Kurt thought he was gonna get a break, that was doubly his fault.

David Caraviello: Rodman has been the hammer on this issue. He wants Kurt's head!

Joe Menzer: You just don't like Mr. Kurt.

Dave Rodman: No, Joe. The issue, the whole issue -- was that Kurt assaulted Tony Stewart with his racecar under caution. That don't cut it. I happen to like Mr. Busch, and his little brother, quite a bit. I've never had a problem with them, so it kills me to see him go nuts.

David Caraviello: Kurt could feel the pain you felt, Joe, in being suspended from your basketball league.

Joe Menzer: There you go, twisting the facts. "Suspended" is altogether different from being placed on "probation."

David Caraviello: Has that restraining order expired yet, by the way?

Dave Rodman: From what I've inferred from all these peoples' comments -- they want it both ways. They want action -- but they HATE Tony Stewart because he's a bull in a China shop on the racetrack. At least he picks his spots correctly. (Continued)