The All-Star Challenge

I don't have a lot to say about this race, as it's just an exhibition and I usually stick to predicting the points races, but I will make the call for Jimmie Johnson to win it all Saturday night. It's sort of the not-in-my-house approach to prognosticating, which is the way JJ feels about Lowe's Motor Speedway, the track that bears his sponsor's name.

Yeah, I know that Ryan Newman was the fastest in practice and qualified for the pole and wants to win real bad. Maybe he will. I wouldn't be disappointed. But I don't see it happening. Hendrick and Roush have dominated the first 11 races this season, so it only makes sense that one of those guys will win the All-Star. If not Johnson then someone who hasn't already won, so I'd pick either Kurt Busch or Greg Biffle.

As for the All-Star Open to determine which of the also-rans will compete for the million bucks, I think Kyle Busch has a decent shot. He's Hendrick-powered and showing a lot of spark of late. It's a pretty sorry field he's up against, so starting near the front should be a great help, especially if things stack up on the restart (or at the start as they did last year).

Fan vote? It can't be Kasey Kahne because he's legitimately in the field after last week's win. Ken Schrader got the nod last year. How about Kyle Petty? I'm not voting for him, but I could see him as a sentimental favorite.

This ought to be fun. I'll try to watch it live this time rather than on tape.  ¶ 12:10 AM