NASCAR Panel: All-Star Race

Published 10:26 am Monday, May 23, 2011

An RPM car was in the top five most of the race. Are you surprised by RPM’s 2011 success?

Ken Mays: Yes. RPM was on its deathbed last year and still does not have a noteable driver and is somehow finding a way to compete.

Jason Cannon: I am considering last year, in this very column, I questioned whether or not the team would even exist in 2011. The Dinger is having a solid year and Ambrose is looking stout thus far.

Email newsletter signup

Mark Trest: I have been pleasantly surprised this season by RPM, especially when I thought that their operation was folding due to financial difficulties. But…theyve stuck it out, and look where they are now.

Is the domination of Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson at Dover a foreshadowing of the title battle, much like we saw in 2008?

Ken Mays: No. I do not believe Cousin Carl has it in him to keep up this kind of a run. I also do not think we have heard the end of Kyle Busch’s title chase.

Jason Cannon: I am considering last year, in this very column, I questioned whether or not the team would even exist in 2011. The Dinger is having a solid year and Ambrose is looking stout thus far.

Mark Trest: Could be…could be. They both are running up front more consistently than any other drivers other than maybe Kyle Busch. So, my pick is those three drivers vying for top honors come November.

Better winning pit call: Regan Smith staying out at Darlington or Matt Kenseth taking two at Dover?

Ken Mays: Both were good, but I have to go with Kenseth. He remembered getting beat in previous races by taking four when others were taking two. This time he changed it up and got the win.

Jason Cannon: Kenseth’s two tire call because it looked like Chad Knaus didn’t even think that was a possibility. When you slip one by the 48 team, you’ve done the impossible.

Mark Trest: Regan Smith staying out iced his first victory ever in Sprint Cup so that would have to be the winning call of the season to me.

Harvick vs. Busch seemed to have taken the Dover race off. Is that over?

Ken Mays: No way. Harvick vs. Busch may never be over.

Jason Cannon: I hope so. NASCAR won’t let them fight it out so it’s all a bunch of chest bumping.

Mark Trest: It’s never over. As Jeff Burton once said while discussing this very topic, “guys out here remember wrecks you had with them 20 years ago’, so payback is inevitable at some point. May be next week, next year, or whenver. It WILL come I promise you.

Who is your pick to win this week?

Ken Mays: I’m going with Tony Stewart. When it is all about cash, he seems to tinker with things enough to get it done.

Jason Cannon: As long as they run races in Charlotte, Jimmie Johnson is the man.

Mark Trest: It’s the All Star race, so look for the hosses to come out wide open, no holds barred. Kyle Busch seems to excel or explode in these type races, but you gotta love his go get them mentality.

Upcoming race schedule

May 21 – Showdown

May 21 – All-Star Race

May 29 – Charlotte

June 5 – Kansas

June 12 – Pocono

June 19 – Michigan

June 26 – Sonoma

July 2 – Daytona

July 9 – Kentucky

July 17 – Loudon

July 31 – Indianapolis