Nextel All-Star Challenge Preview
Expect Jimmie Johnson and Clint Bowyer to have big nights
May 18, 2007
The NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge will be held at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and will pay $1 million to the winner.
Darrell Waltrip won the inaugural All-Star race back in 1985, when it was referred to as The Winston. Bill Elliott won the 1986 Winston at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the only time the race was held at any track other than Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt lead all drivers with three All-Star victories.
Jimmie Johnson is the defending champion of the Nextel Cup All-Star Challenge.
Who will win the Nextel Cup All-Star Challenge? Jimmie Johnson. It would come as a surprise to no one if Jimmie Johnson were to win his third All-Star event, tying him with his teammate Jeff Gordon and the late Dale Earnhardt. Johnson has owned the Lowe’s Motor Speedway ever since 2003 when he won his first All-Star event. Since then, Johnson has won six additional races at the 1.5 mile venue.
Also keep an eye on Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin.
Great darkhorse picks include Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Jeff Burton.
Who will win the Nextel Open? Clint Bowyer. This year’s Nextel Open is not lacking in talent. There are many former Nextel Cup winners entered into event including Ricky Rudd, Sterling Marlin, Carl Edwards, Jamie McMurray, Joe Nemechek, Jeremy Mayfield, Robby Gordon, Michael Waltrip, Elliott Sadler, Kyle Petty, and Ward Burton. Moreover, there are many winless drivers on the brink of getting that first win including Clint Bowyer, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Martin Truex Jr.
Bowyer is arguably running the best of the before mentioned drivers, so he should be the guy that advances by winning the Nextel Open. Joining Bowyer in the main event will be Carl Edwards as he will likely finish runner-up in the Open.
Also keep an eye on Jamie McMurray, Elliott Sadler, Martin Truex Jr, and Scott Riggs.
Great darkhorse picks include Juan Pablo Montoya, Dave Blaney, David Stremme, and Sterling Marlin.
And…Michael Waltrip, 1996 winner of the All-Star extravaganza, will finally get to race his NAPA Toyota for the first time since the Daytona 500.
Kenny Wallace will probably win the fan vote after he has relentlessly promoted himself on the SPEED TV show NASCAR Race Day. The only driver that may receive more votes than Wallace would be Kyle Petty or Martin Truex Jr, the winners of the previous two fan votes.
Saturday May 19
5:00 PM ET NASCAR Nextel Cup Crew Chief race, SPEED
7:00 PM ET Nextel Open, SPEED
9:00 PM ET Nextel All-Star Challenge, SPEED
