The All-Star Challenge

I promised I would, so here it is—my prediction for Saturday night's all-star event at Lowe's. Humpy Wheeler likes Jeff Gordon. I like Jeff too, but sadly I'll have to pick against him. Here's my top ten (in order):

1... Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- The Bud boys are on a roll and have a full head of steam coming off last week's win. Junior is a previous all-star winner and has the crowd behind him. He nearly won two years ago, but played nice and let Ryan Newman take home the mil. He'll be the last one left standing at the end.

2... Jimmie Johnson -- Won this event last year on the #48 team's namesake track.

3... Jeff Gordon -- He'll make the cut this time, but Jimmie runs better here.

4... Matt Kenseth -- Why not? Matt runs well everywhere he goes. At least one of the Rouschers has to make it.

5... Tony Stewart -- The loud-mouthed one has to do well in the all-star to silence some critics.

6... Bobby Labonte -- If Tony can do it, so can Bobby.

7... Ryan Newman -- If he doesn't find a way to win, at least he'll be in the final cut.

8... Kevin Harvick -- This is Harvick's sort of track, and the bucks are on the line. He'll step up.

9... Mark Martin -- He's eligible? Apparently so. Love's Lowe's, which is the site of his last points win almost two years ago.

10... Kurt Busch -- It's a Rousch sorta night.  ¶ 2:50 AM