Smack: Harvick, Smoke, Martin all shine before 500 (cont'd)

2. Who's going to have a more successful 2009 season: Mark Martin or Tony Stewart?

David Caraviello: Martin, 100 percent. Hendrick Motorsports behind him, a crew chief and team that's won races and made the Chase, everything established and in place. Martin is going to win races and contend for the championship.

Joe Menzer: Wow. That is a tough question. I think both could end up having very good seasons. But if I had to pick right now -- and I guess you're saying I have to -- I'm going with Mark Martin.

Dave Rodman: You know what? Coming into Speedweeks, I would have said Martin by far. But after Tony's team's performance through the first three tracks days, I'd rate it a dead toss-up right now.

"This owner/driver thing is easy"

Joe Menzer: Geez, all three of us agree? That's no fun!

David Caraviello: Rodman picked a tie! You can't do that!

Joe Menzer: Oh, yeah. I guess he did sit on the fence with his answer. Sometimes, I have to admit, I don't pay attention to what he's saying. Here's the thing with Tony and the Stewart-Haas operation. I think they'll be good in the long run, but there are going to be some growing pains with the new organization. I don't care how great the shop looks and how many great people are manning it.

Dave Rodman: All right. I'll have no qualms about picking Stewart. Again, the only thing I said leading into all this, for a long time now, was that he was no magician. But he is a damned good race car driver, an effective "stand back and let the boys go" manager, and an astute judge of who he needs where.

David Caraviello: Joe, I tend to agree. I think Tony's team is going to be very, very good. But until last week, they were still getting cars built. They've only tested once. They have a lot of people working together for the first time. I think there are going to be some growing pains.

Dave Rodman: Yeah, the wreck on the last lap of the Shootout put him on the podium, but he was nowhere near the lunch line. He locked-in in qualifying and I expect him to get better. I don't know if I'll say I stand corrected yet -- but it's certainly looking like I'll owe Tony an apology.

"Where's Joe -- I'll show him old!"

David Caraviello: That doesn't mean they're going to be bad, mind you. But championship-caliber? Given the history of start-up teams, they'll have to show me first.

Joe Menzer: Getting back to Martin, it just seems like they've got it all together. The rest of that team has been together for a while, and he seems rejuvenated and really determined to make at least one last run at the championship that has eluded him.

Dave Rodman: There were a lot of questions about the whole Stewart-Haas ensemble, not that there weren't questions about Mark coming back for a full season. But those questions are quickly being answered, particularly when you heard Tony rave about his comfort level, in short order, with Darian Grubb.

David Caraviello: I think Martin answered those questions a few years ago when he was a part-time driver with Bobby Ginn's operation, with fewer starts than everyone else, and still in Chase position a third of the way through the season. And remember, crew chief Alan Gustafson and the No. 5 bunch won a race and made the Chase with Kyle Busch two years ago. I think they're capable of at least that with Martin.

Joe Menzer: Yeah, I think what happened in 2007 whetted Martin's appetite for chasing a championship again. He might not even have realized it at first, but he wouldn't be human if he didn't wonder what might have happened if he had only run the full season.

David Caraviello: Now we'll get the chance to find out.

Dave Rodman: You got me in a tenuous position by making me choose. I won't say Mark's in the best position he's ever been in to win a title. But Alan's team is damned good, and Mark himself has said he might be the best he's ever been, too. That's why this season's going to be a joy on countless levels.

Joe Menzer: He wasn't in the mode to chase it then. But he is now. (Continued)