Coca Cola 600 Preview

Last week, a little birdy told me to pick Joey Logano to win the All Star race. Rule #1 about predictions: Never listen to the finger of a Junior fan, especially when wearing a Kyle Busch T-shirt.

(Slight pause while you figure that one out)

So last week, we saw another exciting race. At least, the final 10 laps were. But nothing about the race was more priceless than when Jeff Gordon went spinning through the infield, and almost my entire house exploded with cheers. That is, with the exception of the lone Gordon fan in the house, who let slip a synonym for dung. Good times.

In the end, Tony Stewart won his first race with his new team. Now onto the longest race of the year which, to many fans' surprise, does not take place in Fontana, California or Long Pond, Pennsylvania. It actually takes place in a suburban town known as Concord, North Carolina. Really? You thought it took place in Charlotte? Well, you learn something new every day, don't you?

So who is the birdy saying will win this week? Who cares. I don't listen to the birdy anymore. I will say this though. I believe Sunday Night's race will be a wreckfest. At least, if history repeats itself. In 2005, this race set the all-time record for caution flags in a single race with 22. Two years ago, the race saw 13 cautions, and over 15 casualties of accidents. Alas, another odd-numbered year, which also seems to indicate that the 2006 and 2008 600 champ, Kasey Kahne, will not win on Sunday. But, just for kicks, I'll put him in my top 5 anyway:

5.Kasey Kahne
4.Tony Stewart
3.Jimmie Johnson
2.Joey Logano
1.Ryan Newman

Indy 500 winner: Tony Kanaan

Lowe's Motor Speedway always seems to owe somebody something, and in the end, it always pays them. We saw it with Jimmie Johnson back in 2003, Kahne back in 2006, and Tony Stewart last week. Newman could have won back in 2001, but crashed while leading after just a dozen laps. He should have won back in 2007, but blew a tire while leading with 3 laps to go and backed into the wall. Last week, he wrecked while leading with 8 laps left. This week, the Beast of the Southeast will pay him back, and he'll win the race on... fuel mileage. P.S. Kanaan will win that short 500 mile sprint before the important race.

Folks, that's all for this week. Have a Happy Sunday!