All-Star Race or Johnson Domination?

By Mark Young

Well gang the weekend I have had circled on the calendar for months is here.  All-Star weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway has begun a few days early with the Pit Crew Challenge taking place tonight, qualifying for the All-Star race tomorrow, trucks on Friday, and the big show on Saturday night.  This race is the one that got me hooked as a fan when they ran the first one under the lights back in the early 90's.  Kyle Petty and Davey Allison battling out and wrecking after crossing the line is burned into my brain.  Hopefully this weekend we will have more excitement but will it be close or will we see another dominating performance by Jimmie Johnson?

Conspiracy theorists have said for a few years now that Johnson runs so well in Charlotte because of Lowe's sponsorship of the track and thus Jimmie getting preferential treatment.  I say humbug to that, Johnson's domination here is reminiscent of Darrell Waltrip's streak at Bristol or Dale Earnhardt's record on plate tracks.

Looking at the All-Star open I predict that Carl Edwards and David Stremme will advance to the main event along with Kenny Wallace winning the fan's vote, thanks to the SPEED Channel, but there could be many surprises along the way.  Clint Bowyer and Jamie McMurray have been running well of late as has Martin Truex Jr.  One bonus for many fans Saturday night is that they get to see Michael Waltrip race for the first time since Daytona, not sure how he will perform as his testing speeds were poor but at least he will be racing.

Johnson and Jeff Gordon are the two hottest drivers win-wise but Denny Hamlin has been there too, maybe the changes to his pit crew will show dividends as the pit stops make a huge difference in qualifying as well as during the feature.  Humpy Wheeler tabbed Johnson as the winner with his annual pre-race predictions but something tells me he may not be the one cashing the big check come Monday.

This weekend is even more special for me as my wife and I are making our first trip to the Mecca of NASCAR.  I am anxious to visit the shops, museums, and hopefully meet a couple of Turn 3's die-hard readers as well.  If any of you are going to be there, drop me an e-mail and let me know where the tailgating action is and maybe we can hook up!!

Enjoy the weekend blog-heads, I know I will!!