Track Smack: Dover

May 30, 2001
2:32 PM EDT (1832 GMT)

It's Wednesday. Hump Day. Giving props to Jimmy Spencer Day, because it's Track Smack day. Without further ado......

Silly Season has been quiet -- which drivers won't last the season?

Dave Rodman The only one I've thought who was on a limb right from the beginning is Andy Houston, but it's not his fault.

Ryan Smithson I think this will probably be Mike Skinner's final year for RCR in a Winston Cup car. If that happens, it will be interesting to see who jumps in that car -- could be a total darkhorse.

Rodman If he doesn't win, I think you could be right about Skinner, Ryan.

Tim Packman I am going to to have to go with Mike Skinner.

Smithson Lowe's can't be pleased when Home Depot gets so much play. It's an ego thing.

Marty Smith Let's see, I'd have to go with Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Dale Jarrett. Kidding, kidding.

Smithson Andy Houston sure is a nice guy, but that car simply is not performing.

Andy Houston

Smithson I can see the headlines now: Jeff Gordon to replace Stricklin in the No. 90 car.

Smith I agree with Smithson. Skinner's in trouble. He hasn't produced in the best equipment in NASCAR. Most guys don't get four years to prove themselves.

Rodman Then again, he hasn't hurt his stock with the RCR Busch car.

Smithson Skinner's a fine driver, but maybe a move will do him some good.

Mike Skinner

Rodman Skinner could do a Bobby Hamilton and win for another team.

Packman He has faltered while others around him have thrived. Look what Harvick has done.

Rodman Joe Nemechek is another one who has the talent but just has not put it together.

Smith Nemechek's the man, son. Put him in the No. 28, look out.

Joe Nemechek

Smithson Nemechek, Spencer and Hamilton are the top three underrated drivers. If Spencer was in the No. 28 car, he'd win five races, fail to finish 10, and finish 15th in points.

Smith Jimmy's kicking some serious hindquarters. He's fast everywhere.

Smithson I don't get why the Carter cars are so fast everywhere.

Packman True, Marty. The excitement is back in Mr. Excitement. I think his Busch racing has done him well.

Smith I gave him props for missing New Hampshire to chill with his boy on his birthday. That was dope.

Smithson I doubt many drivers mind skipping that race, Marty. They'd rather be on the lake.

Packman So would half the crews, media, etc.

Thoughts for Dover?

Packman Look for Stewart to be strong as usual there. Rudd has had success there, could be his breakout win.

Kevin Harvick

Smith Got my cash on the No. 29, boys. Harvick wins his second race of the year.

Smithson Dover is way too long. They need to cut the race by another 100 miles.

Packman Ok, Marty. I'll drop down one car number and raise you $$, I'm picking Ricky Rudd this weekend.

Hut Stricklin

Smithson Hut Stricklin refuses to pit, rides new Goodyear compound to shocking win. Fans go crazy. Hills Brothers stock goes through the roof. Win puts Stricklin in 2002 Winston.

Rodman My boy Benson likes Dover -- so how about victory No. 1 for him and James Ince?

Smith You're insane, boy. Only reason you're picking him is you heard him on the teleconference today.

What is up with Petty Enterprises?

Rodman Total disarray. They are shuffling personnel and having a hard time getting round pegs in round holes.

Packman Looks like the Dodge program wasn't the magical elixir for what was ailing Petty Enterprises. The history with them was there, but it's a whole new ballgame in 2001.

Kyle Petty

Smithson DNQ'ing at Charlotte is the worst thing that could have happened.

Smith I've often pondered that question since I joined NASCAR. They used to be NASCAR, now they struggle just to make a the field. They seem so far behind the learning curve.

Rodman I think they have got to come back strong at Dover. With Kyle Petty's history, and Buckshot's, they have a chance. John is so steady, him missing 600 was the biggest shock.

Smithson Andretti has fallen off the map since Bristol. Buckshot and Kyle never were on the map to begin with.

Smith I don't understand how they stay afloat. It's just a sad deal over there. With Adam went much hope. Kyle's last few years were totally focused on Adam's success. When Adam was taken, Kyle's racing heart may have been, too.

Smithson Dave, Andretti is not steady -- he's finished 30th or worse a lot.

John Andretti

Rodman He's a steady qualifier -- hadn't missed but one race since he rejoined PE in 1998.

Smithson Petty's cars aren't feared -- that's for sure.

Packman Here's the deal, dudes: Dodge is a struggling program this year for the most part. Petty Enterprises is part of Dodge, will be interesting to see how long they run with them.

Smith PE -- Public Enemy was awesome. Chuck D and Flava Flav.

Rodman If the Dodge program left -- close the doors!

Smith They were better in Pontiacs.

Packman It's not unthinkable, Dave. There a lot of teams looking to enter Cup. I don't think the sponsors are picky what type of car they're on, as long as they go fast and produce.

Smith Seems to me that Sterling is the only driver truly benefiting from the new ride. I bet Evernham's fired up.

Smithson Evernham a spotter? Seems weird.

Smith They'll try everything until they win, son.

Smithson That won't happen soon.

Rodman Could happen -- but those latest changes were quite a bombshell. Was Ray spotting for Casey when he let him drive into the No. 01 at Lowe's?

The opinions listed here are solely those of the participants.