Rudd wants to 'regroup,' but if Penske calls …

Whenever I hear the song "Cat's in the Cradle" by the late Harry Chapin, I think about how the lyrics apply to racing.

   My child arrived just the other day
   He came to the world in the usual
   way
   But there were planes to catch, and
   bills to pay
   He learned to walk while I was
   away ...

I'm fortunate to be home Monday through Thursday of most weeks from January to November, but drivers and crewmen are away from home almost all of the time. Their children's daily development is recounted through phone calls and e-mails as the years fly by.

   "When you coming home, dad?" "I
   don't know when,
   But we'll get together then.
   You'll know we'll have a good time
   then."

For most of the kids whose parents work in this 11-month circus, that day never comes. But maybe there's hope for Ricky Rudd's family. When I talked to Rudd at New Hampshire on September 18, 1 had the feeling his decision on retirement had been made. When Rudd reached this same junction and decided to stick with racing three years ago, his son Landon was 8 and his father, Al Rudd Sr., still was alive.

When we talked at New Hampshire, it was less than three weeks after his father's death. Al Rudd had seen his son through his formative years in racing and funded his early days in NASCAR. For 40 years, if the elder Rudd wasn't with his son at the track, he followed his progress on radio or TV. Rudd says he has no regrets, but seeing his siblings at his father's funeral made him realize how quickly time has passed.

"It's a very grueling sport now with no personal time, and I need a year off to get my personal life together," Rudd said Saturday. "It's not that it's a mess, but I have brothers and sisters that I haven't seen for years. You meet them at a funeral, and that's just not right. I need time to regroup."

So what could change his mind? Only one last shot with a championship-caliber team.

That's too much to ask of his Woods Brothers team, which is in expansion mode, but with Penske Racing, Rudd could be an instant contender. Considering how strong the No. 2 car has been this season, it would be nearly impossible for a competitor such as Rudd to tell Roger Penske no.

There are perhaps a dozen other teams where Rudd, 49, would have that opportunity--but few are likely to want to hire a driver over 30.

Penske is in a peculiar situation. If Kurt Busch is not released by Roush Racing and Penske needs "an insurance policy," Rudd will be there. If not, Rudd says he can wait until February at Daytona for a team of equal status to call. And if the phone doesn't ring, Landon will be waiting.

A year to flip over

Carl Edwards is having a historically good first full season at the Nextel Cup level. His victory at Texas gives him four, one more than the totals put up by Tony Stewart (1999) and Jimmie Johnson (2002) in their first years. Technically, Edwards is not a Nextel Cup rookie because he ran too many races last season. Oddly, he is likely to win top rookie honors in the Busch Series.

Perhaps more impressive: Edwards could become the first driver to finish in the top five in points in both series in the same year. The only other driver to come close was Kevin Harvick, who in 2001 won the Busch championship and finished ninth in Cup and was the Rookie of the Year.--Matt Crossman

speed reads

Considering Ryan Newman's tremendous qualifying ability, the $64,000 question: Why doesn't that talent roll over to race day? The Dodge has been at an aerodynamic disadvantage, but the team's brainpower and Newman's skill should be able to overcome that.

Jeff Gordon is far from being a shrinking violet in the Chase. His team has picked up the pace, especially at intermediate tracks, and deserves a shoutout for most improved team in the postseason.

INSIDE DISH

Greg Biffle says NASCAR's "honor system" would preclude teams from circumventing the rulebook when it comes to using teammates' tests for the final races of the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup. C'mon Biff, there's no honor among thieves. Why would you be surprised that Jeremy Mayfield tested the No. 91 at Texas or that Jimmie Johnson jumped in the No. 25 at Phoenix? NASCAR testing rules allow a replacement to step in if the regular driver is not available. New rules in 2006 will make this irrelevant. NASCAR was expected to announce this week that drivers will be allowed to test at just six tracks: Daytona, Las Vegas, Richmond, Charlotte, Indianapolis and Homestead. The Busch Series will have just three tests, at Daytona, Vegas and Charlotte. * The No. 31 Richard Childress Racing crew wore T-shirts last weekend at Texas thanking Kevin Hamlin for his tenure as crew chief. Hamlin, who was a crew chief for the late Dale Earnhardt, will be replaced by engineer Scott Miller. Hamlin says he'd like to remain at RCR and has not ruled out grooming a young Busch driver for Cup. > Sterling Marlin will have Doug Randolph as crew chief next season in the No. 14 at MB2. The team's current crew chief, Rodney Childers, will join Scott Riggs at Evernham Motorsports. * Brent Sherman is expected to take over as driver of BAM Racing's No. 49 with Schwann's and Serta sharing sponsorship. Sherman, 31, currently drives the No. 10 Ford for ppc Racing in the Busch Series and has 25 career Busch starts. His best finish was ninth in the spring at Talladega, John Andretti will replace Sherman in the No. 10 Busch car. Freedom Roads RV will be the sponsor. * NASCAR hopes to schedule additional tests for the Car of Tomorrow before the end of the year. Drivers applaud NASCAR's efforts to create a safer car. However, they have complained about how it handles in traffic. * Former NASCAR engine inspector Mike Butler has joined Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s engine department. Butler will oversee DEI's after-market engine program.