Time to encourage bad behavior
Marty Smith, ESPN.comWhat built NASCAR -- a rough-and-tumble attitude from the drivers -- hardly exists today. Whether it's the money or the sponsors or something else, this sport needs badasses again.
Story | Conversation | December 17, 2009An ag teacher and Busch-el of money
Marty Smith, ESPN.comYou want a life-changing victory story? Meet Michael McGee, the unassuming agriculture teacher from Broken Bow, Okla., who owes Kurt Busch a million thank-yous.
Story | Conversation | November 13, 2009NASCAR's Heisman would go to JJ
Marty Smith, ESPN.comSure, Jimmie Johnson would have to be the winner of a NASCAR Heisman -- we'll call it the Petty Trophy -- but who else would belong at the banquet?
Story | Conversation | November 06, 2009Hamlin rewards fans at Martinsville
Marty Smith, ESPN.comNo, NASCAR drivers aren't as accessible as they once were. But as Denny Hamlin demonstrated after winning at Martinsville, many drivers love the folks who love them.
Story | Conversation | October 30, 2009JJ, Brady share common ground
Marty Smith, ESPN.comFrom "Balloon Boy" to three-time defending Cup champ Jimmie Johnson to Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady, Marty Smith's got the NASCAR world -- and beyond -- covered.
Story | Conversation | October 23, 2009Is JJ the best NASCAR driver ever?
Marty Smith, ESPN.comRichard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and David Pearson are widely regarded as the best drivers in NASCAR history. Jimmie Johnson, writes Marty Smith, just may be the best ever.
Story | Conversation | October 16, 2009Regular-season leader needs big reward
Marty Smith, ESPN.comMarty Smith is riled up. Why? It's the Chase, and more particularly the way it penalizes the guy who led after 26 weeks, but suddenly is equal to -- or behind -- 11 drivers he stomped for seven months.
Story | Conversation | October 09, 2009Hendrick does it all … except take credit
Marty Smith, ESPN.comWith his eight Sprint Cup championships and 185 Cup series victories, nothing, it seems, is beyond the grasp of Rick Hendrick. Except, perhaps, taking credit for his empire.
Story | Conversation | October 02, 2009What's on Marty's mind? Plenty
Marty Smith, ESPN.comMarty Smith wants to see driver eliminations during the Chase … the ingredients list for the Martinsville hot dog … and Dale Earnhardt Jr. get more ticked off. What else is on Marty's mind?
Story | Conversation | September 25, 2009Is racing for free dedicated enough?
Marty Smith, ESPN.comReed Sorenson and his agent hear the talk, the questions about the driver's desire. How driven is he? Well, he's racing right now for free.
Story | Conversation | September 18, 2009Ambrose not hanging head over loss
Marty Smith, ESPN.comMarcos Ambrose has little to show for three years of Montreal dominance in the Nationwide Series. He has plenty to be proud of in his rookie year in Sprint Cup, though.
Story | Conversation | September 04, 2009Start-and-park owners are businessmen
Marty Smith, ESPN.comWhat can NASCAR do about the so-called start-and-park teams in Sprint Cup? Until a shift in philosophy occurs ... grin and bear it.
Story | Conversation | August 07, 2009A change in philosophy means rebirth for McMurray
Marty Smith, ESPN.comJamie McMurray is starting to show the kind of results for Roush Fenway Racing that have been expected of him. How is he accomplishing it? A major change in attitude, writes Marty Smith.
Story | Conversation | November 05, 2008Papis living the American Dream
Marty Smith, ESPN.comHow important was that eighth-place finish at Watkins Glen to open-wheel castoff Max Papis? It's a giant leap toward fulfilling the promise that he made to his dying father.
Story | Conversation | August 14, 2009Franchitti back where he belongs
Marty Smith, ESPN.comThe biggest lesson Dario Franchitti learned from his ill-timed, adversity-filled foray into NASCAR? The 2007 IndyCar Series champ and 500 winner still has plenty to prove.
Story | Conversation | July 30, 2009EXPLORE RELATED TOPICS
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