As the Roth turns

You know, there are more positive stories out there. Ryan Hunter-Reay became the third American driver to record his/her first win this year, lending to an increase of xenophobic vs patriotic racing discussions. Darren Manning gave Foyt Racing it's first podium since AJ began trusting laptop computers. And in a certain sign of the impending apocalypse Dale Coyne Racing had two (two!) drivers finish in the Top 7 (SEVEN!). Somewhere former Coyne driver Katherine Legge silently weeps.

And yet these accomplishments just aren't as interesting as the rolling disaster that is Roth Racing. Let's catch up, shall we?

Journeyman engineer Larry Curry, who recently departed the ever-stable Roth Racing, has landed with Dreyer & Reinbold, his third team of the year. This is the one man in the universe who's ever managed to get Marty Roth up to speed on ovals, so just imagine what he's going to do with a supreme talent like Milka Duno.

Speaking of Roth, he was at the bottom of the chart at the conclusion of the rookie practice session at Nashville today. On the plus side, his car still has four wheels.

Conspicuously off the charts (in the literal sense) was Jay Howard, as it appears the #24 has been withdrawn this week. Maybe Marty's checks to the Dallara Parts 'R Us are starting to bounce, or maybe as Jim Morrison so succinctly said, "This is the end, beautiful friend."

As for John Andretti, well, the search party hasn't yet returned. Stay tuned!