Every fan, young and old, has an opinion on what makes a great race track.  Some like speed, others like a competitive edge, and some even like seeing drivers turn left and right.

But, there is one track that many NASCAR fans can agree is a must-see venue, not just because of the action on the track, but off the track as well.

Set in the Volunteer State of Tennessee, what used to only have 35,000 fans on one straightaway has become NASCAR's version of a football stadium.  Grandstands surrounding a concrete surface, high banks, and intense action.

Add in the fact that it is only 0.533-miles in length, but has speeds that are seen at most intermediate tracks, and it is not just a short track, it's THE short track.

It's Bristol baby!

The reflexes have to be just as quick as the lap times.  Drivers on their toes, fans anticipating aggression, and a roar that even 43 engines can't drown out.  It's NASCAR's coliseum, and on Sunday the home crowd will gather for the first of two races at Thunder Valley.

But who's going to win?  Let's take a look at what our Pool writers have chosen for the Jeff Byrd 500 Presented by Food City.

 

Misan Ayuka (The Misan Ayuka Report):  Jamie McMurray

McMurray has been fast in two of the first three races this season only to lose a cylinder in the Daytona 500 and get in a wreck at Phoenix.  McMurray is tied for 28th in points 38 points out of 10th which is close to a full race.

If he doesn't want to rely on that wild card and get in the top ten in points he must get the end of these races without trouble.  But wins never hurt.  McMurray has two top fives and six top tens at Bristol finishing eighth and thrid there last season.  Expect McMurray to turn things around at Thunder Valley.

 

James Broomhead (The Checkered Flag):  Denny Hamlin

Bristol is as much about aggression as it is racing.  It's among the least predictable races of the season, and might come down to who does or doesn't like you.

It's a case of any name any name from a dozen to pick from; it all depends on who's on their rear bumper and how impatient they're feeling.

 

Kelly Crandall (Speedway Media):  Matt Kenseth

You have to listen to her reasoning on Next Time By, it's simply priceless.

 

Summer Dreyer (Next Time By):  Tony Stewart

I'm picking Stewart because he has two things: momentum and, more importantly, a good record at Bristol Motor Speedway.  Stewart won there back in 2001 and finished second in this race last season.  Here's hoping Stewart can get me some points this weekend!

 

Billy Fellin (Richmond Times-Dispatch):  Kyle Busch

I normally avoid picking the same driver back to back. Especially if that driver burns me the previous week with not having a good finish. But Busch has just dominated Thunder Valley recently.

It's hard not to pick the 18. So, here it goes.

 

Michael Hirshbein (Fan Vs. Fan):  Kyle Busch

No commentary available.

 

Christopher Leone (On Pit Row):  Kyle Busch

Rowdy's gotta be reeling after his car exploded on him in Vegas. Winning the truck race as an owner in Darlington is just what he needed to get back into the right mindset, so look for him to channel every ounce of effort he can muster into taking his first Cup victory of the season.

 

Kara Martin (Speedway Media):  Kurt Busch

No commentary available.

 

Ryan O'Hara (Speedway Media):  Kurt Busch

Listen to the Thursday edition of Next Time By on Blog Talk Radio to hear the reasoning straight from the source.

 

Dustin Parks (All About Horsepower):  Jeff Gordon

Historically, when it comes to Bristol, the spring race has been kinder to Gordon than the more famous night race.  He won four consecutive daytime races from 1997 to 1998, each being different.  In 1995 he led the most laps, 1996 he played the rain correctly, 1997 was the famous "bump and run" on Rusty Wallace, and then in 1998 he outran then-teammate Terry Labonte.

Despite his rough start in two of the first three races, this is the first of three very good tracks for him, and a great chance to get back in the points.  So, I've gotta press my luck and go with the No. 24 Pepsi Max Chevrolet.

 

Sal Sigala Jr. (3 Wide and 1 To Go):  Kyle Busch

No commentary available as Sal has been assisting with a family medical emergency.  Best wishes to him and the Sigala family.

 

Rob Tiongson (The Podium Finish):  Kyle Busch

After falling short of capturing a hometown sweep with disappointmentat Las Vegas, I expect Rowdy to come back in his usual style....with aconvincing win at this concrete arena called Bristol, where he put onthe "Kyle Busch Show" last August.

 

Standings as of Las Vegas:

Sal Sigala Jr. (93) Jimmie Johnson finished 16th (0)

Kelly Crandall (91) Jeff Gordon finished 36th (0)

Misan Ayuka (81) Jeff Gordon finished 36th (0)

Ryan O'Hara (74) Jeff Gordon finished 36th (1)

James Broomhead (73) Kurt Busch finished ninth (0)

Kara Martin (66) Jimmie Johnson finished 16th (0)

Rob Tiongson (66) Jimmie Johnson finished 16th (0)

Billy Fellin (63) Kyle Busch finished 38th (0)

Dustin Parks (57) Kyle Busch finished 36th (0)

Michael Hirshbein (52) Kyle Busch finished 36th (0)

Christopher Leone (52) Jeff Gordon finished 36th (0)

Summer Dreyer (50) Jeff Gordon finished 36th (0)

 

Final Thoughts:  Not surprisingly, the popular picks are the Busch brothers, as they have dominated this track in the last decade.  But, this is a track where not only can anything happen...it will.  And usually it means a very nice conversation once the checkered flag falls.  Followed by some screaming, shoving, and fans going crazy.

What will happen at the "World's Fastest Half Mile" this year?  Tune in Sunday at 1 p.m. on FOX to find out.

 

Summary of Picks:

Kyle Busch-5

Kurt Busch-2

Jeff Gordon-1

Denny Hamlin-1

Matt Kenseth-1

Jamie McMurray-1

Tony Stewart-1