NASCAR isn't necessarily going into uncharted territory on Saturday night, but in another sense they are.  The Nationwide Series has come to this track for the last few years and has been a popular stand-alone track.

But, the demand to bring the Sprint Cup Series here has always been high, but the schedule didn't allow it...until now.

After some realigning, and tracks losing one race, the Kentucky Speedway finally has a Cup date.  What better time to have the series come, especially after last weekend.  The win by David Ragan was another popular victory among fans, and competitors alike.  It also seems that the win has possibly secured him a ride for last year, no matter where he may end up.

Now, it's a completely new track for many of these drivers, and a completely new race on the schedule.  Everyone has the same notes, as there are none.  The drivers that have run the Nationwide Series events may have a bit more experience, but that may not translate into the Cup cars.

We all are on edge because this is the first new track for NASCAR in 10 years.  Who exactly will have the advantage?

Let's just let the writers decide.  Here's their choices for the inaugural Quaker State 400 at Kentucky:

 

Misan Ayuka:  Tony Stewart

Judging off testing he has a very fast car and it is time for him to win and get on a roll.

 

James Broomhead:  Carl Edwards

It’s a bit of a guessing game this week with the new track. However, you can translate form at other intermediate tracks (and experience from NASCAR’s other series at Kentucky) to get a list of names you can expect to see towards the front.

 

Kelly Crandall:  Kyle Busch

There's really no right or wrong choice for this weekend because the Sprint Cup Series has never raced at Kentucky before.  Therefore you can either pick a driver blindly or try to see who has some form of experience at the track.

Next to teammate Joey Logano, Busch is that guy.  While Logano has three straight wins in the Nationwide Series at the speedway and will be strong again this weekend it's Busch who should be the frontrunner on Saturday night, as Logano has struggled with the Cup cars. Of course, that could change this weekend.  It just seems as though the No. 18 team is one of the better teams of adjusting and being prepared and Kyle will know which direction they need to go in.

And when looking at the shape and size of Kentucky it in a way reminds me of Fontana and Busch was one of the strongest cars there earlier this year.

 

Billy Fellin:  Carl Edwards

This is a tough pick just because there is no history to go off of. Sure, there are tracks just like and incredibly similar to Kentucky, but nothing for Sprint Cup regulars at Kentucky. So what does that leave us with?

Ah, the Nationwide double dippers. Sweet.

So, that's why I'm going with Carl Edwards. I considered Kyle Busch, Joey Logano and Jeff Gordon, but I feel like Carl Edwards wants to redeem his horrendous finish from last week at Daytona (and get the points lead back) and winning a race would certainly do that trick.

 

Michael Hirshbein:  Kyle Busch

No reason given.

 

Christopher Leone:  Jeff Gordon

Gordon has a knack for figuring out a racetrack before his peers do. Remember his wins at Indianapolis in 1994, California in 1997, and Kansas in 2001?  Since the Brickyard joined the schedule in 1994 and this era of NASCAR effectively began, no other driver has won multiple inaugural races.

So Gordon has that karma going for him. Well, that, and some decent laps in practice and testing thus far. And maybe some momentum, after coming back from a late-race spin at Daytona to finish sixth.

 

Kara Martin:  Tony Stewart

This is like a crazy wildcard.

 

Ryan O'Hara:  Carl Edwards

I had to pick a nationwide guy because of his experience here.

 

Dustin Parks:  Joey Logano

Why not take a risk here...a calculated risk.  This track has been outright dominated in the Nationwide Series by this kid.  So, the thought that I had was that success in the second tier series would work well in the upper realms.  At the same, I'm worried that it won't.

Let's face it, the car Logano drove to victory at this track in years past was the old Nationwide car, which at one point was the old Cup car.  He, and everyone else, are going in completely blind as to how this current car will handle.

But, it is worth taking a gamble.  I need a win, so if going with a bright orange Toyota is the choice I have to make to get it, so be it.

 

Sal Sigala Jr:  Kyle Busch

No reason given.

 

Rob Tiongson:  Joey Logano

I'm having a distinct feeling that Saturday night's race at Kentucky will belong to a kid who's about to turn some heads this summer. Yes, I'm talking about Joey Logano, who hasn't exactly gotten off to a great start in 2011. However, he's had three two top-sixes in a row and without a doubt, if the 20 ship continues to ride this streak, it'll definitely include a trip to Victory Lane.

Is it any coincidence that their performances have turned up since rumors about crew chief Greg Zipadelli bolting to Tony Stewart's No. 14 team came out about....two weeks ago? That's the nature of this sport and if any youngster can cope with adversity in NASCAR, it's Joey Logano.

 

Standings following Daytona:

Sal Sigala Jr. (583) Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 19th (2)

Kelly Crandall (576) Clint Bowyer finished 36th (2)

Billy Fellin (573) Kurt Busch finished 14th (2)

James Broomhead (563) Matt Kenseth finished second (1)

Michael Hirshbein (544) Kyle Busch finished fifth (2)

Christopher Leone (544) Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 19th (2)

Kara Martin (527) Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 19th (1)

Ryan O'Hara (517) Jeff Gordon finished sixth (1)

Dustin Parks (510) Tony Stewart finished 11th (0)

Rob Tiongson (506) Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 19th (1)

Misan Ayuka (482) Trevor Bayne finished 41st (2)

 

Final Thoughts:  As I stated at the beginning of this article, the Sprint Cup Series has never seen this track, at least on a scheduled weekend.

But, this is a race that people in Kentucky have wanted for years, including new Hall of Fame inductee Darrell Waltrip.  Well, he finally got his wish, as did everyone else in the Bluegrass State.  That time has finally come.

The green waves Saturday night on TNT at 7:30 p.m. ET.

 

Summary of Picks:

Kyle Busch-3

Carl Edwards-3

Joey Logano-2

Tony Stewart-2

Jeff Gordon-1