Smack: In these economic times, best to stay or go? (cont'd)

3. Martin Truex Jr. says he's close to making a decision on his future. What are the odds of him leaving Earnhardt Ganassi for Michael Waltrip Racing?

David Caraviello: OK, so Truex said last weekend he's made up his mind what he's doing, but he's not telling anyone. But doesn't the whole Waltrip scenario hinge on Michael Waltrip giving up the No. 55 car? And when David Reutimann won at Charlotte, he didn't sound like he had any plans to do that.

Joe Menzer: Truex is one of those guys who is such a good fit for his current sponsor, what if his sponsor came with him wherever he goes? Couldn't MWR look at adding another car then? Or maybe Michael gives up driving full time and runs only a handful in another car?

Dave Rodman: I think people are too ready to make a tornado out of nothing. Martin's been running pretty good, and Chip has not shown any signs of stopping the necessary development. And his commitment -- and his demand -- to run up front hasn't lessened. So a change on Truex's part, I think, would surprise me.

“

I would vote for stability, and I think Martin wants a deal that's long-term and stable. Wherever he can get it is where he'll be.

”

DAVE RODMAN

Joe Menzer: Geez, Dave. Hasn't Chip been committed the whole time he's been in NASCAR? With what results? Sure, Montoya is running better now and so, to an extent, is Martin. But that has never been an elite team and likely never will be.

Dave Rodman: Little Martin's a committed kind of guy. And somehow, you have to believe if they ever find the combination it takes to succeed in NASCAR, he'll have the same kind of steamrollers he's wielded elsewhere.

David Caraviello: If you're at Earnhardt Ganassi and you can trade up, you do it. But seriously, who has a ride open these days? This economic recession has put a real crimp in silly season. Nothing open at Gibbs, nothing at Hendrick, nothing at RCR, nothing at Roush [which has to contract]. If Truex wants to move, he's not going to be able to be real choosy.

Joe Menzer: Martin's career is at a crossroads. Drivers don't get chances like this very often, where they essentially are one of the top free agents on the open market. To me, MWR seems to be on the upswing more than the Earnhardt Ganassi gang. And Roadman, what you just said about Ganassi has been said since the day he came into NASCAR. It hasn't happened yet. Why should we believe it is imminent now?

David Caraviello: You have to wonder now if he should have left after last year, when the economy was a little better and his stock was a little higher, rather than sign that one-year option to stay at what was DEI. But you can't blame the guy for not being able to see the future. None of us can. Except Lennie, of course.

Dave Rodman: I would vote for stability, and I think Martin wants a deal that's long-term and stable. Wherever he can get it is where he'll be. They had just achieved a great level at DEI when the "great upheaval," or the great sponsorship recession, hit. That isn't over, and who knows where it'll leave us all -- or them all?

Joe Menzer: Well, here's the other thing: I agree that Martin appears to be a very loyal kind of guy. But who is his loyalty to? This is his first year with Chip. He was loyal to DEI and you see where that got him.

David Caraviello: Dang, Roadman is starting to sound like Nostradamus!

Joe Menzer: Or a poor man's Lennie!

Dave Rodman: I say he'll stay, and wins a couple races down the stretch. And his teammate, Juan Pablo, wins one, too. And he wins a fishing tourney or three.

David Caraviello: OK, Dave, I am revoking your fortune-telling license. Ganassi wins three races down the stretch?

Joe Menzer: Wow. That's optimistic. Are the rest of the guys going to run in horse buggies? You have to forgive, Roadman, folks. He's a little old. He still drives a horse buggy to work every day.

David Caraviello: Refresh my memory, how many have they won so far this year? None. How many have they come close to winning? None. That's not to say Martin and Juan aren't completely capable. But three race wins for EGR is seriously stretching it. I'll give you one -- by Montoya, at Sonoma or Watkins Glen.

Dave Rodman: Since New Hampshire is my next time on the road, I'll predict I'll be congratulating Martin following a Victory Lane celebration. And it'll be Little Martin, too!

David Caraviello: That's a bold one, Roadman. Since I'll be there with you, I'll bet you a trip to the soup bar at Makris.

Dave Rodman: I'll pre-order the lobster bisque.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writers.