What more can happen this year?
Think about this for a second. Entering 2011, there were many unpredictable factors that would make the season interesting. Questions about could Johnson six-peat were rampant, as well as questions of who would challenge him for that title.
Who could have ever predicted some of the winners that we have seen this season, let alone in NASCAR's "crown jewel" events.
It all began at Daytona when Trevor Bayne stunned the entire NASCAR community in winning the Daytona in a team that doesn't run the full schedule.
Now, we fast forward to the second quarter of the season where it starts off with the most difficult track on the circuit, Darlington, and the man taking the checkered flag is...Regan Smith.
A very intelligent call by the Furniture Row team gave him the opportunity to go for the win, and he had to do so knowing guys like Carl Edwards and Kasey Kahne were on newer tires. However, all season long Smith has quietly shown he can race with the top guns in the series, and doing it with a team that only runs one car.
After the race, yes everyone was focused on the incident and the aftermath of it, but this is Regan Smith's moment. He didn't get to celebrate when he crossed the line first at Talladega in 2008. This time, the win is all his own.
The win didn't do anything for the points, but the finishes of the writer's picks certainly changed how close they are. Here is a look at where everyone stands after Saturday night's Southern 500:
Sal Sigala Jr. (366) Jeff Gordon finished 12th (2)
Kelly Crandall (365) Kyle Busch finished 11th (1)
Billy Fellin (336) Jeff Gordon finished 12th (2)
Kara Martin (324) Jeff Gordon finished 12th (1)
Christopher Leone (322) Kyle Busch finished 11th (2)
Misan Ayuka (319) Jamie McMurray finished ninth (1)
Dustin Parks (312) Kyle Busch finished 11th (0)
Rob Tiongson (310) Jeff Gordon finished 12th (1)
Michael Hirshbein (301) Kyle Busch finished 11th (2)
James Broomhead (295) Carl Edwards finished second (0)
Ryan O'Hara (295) Jeff Gordon finished 12th (1)
Summer Dreyer (281) Jeff Gordon finished 12th (0)
Next Race: As if Darlington wasn't difficult enough, things get extremely interesting next Sunday. There is no track like Darlington, but where NASCAR is going it's an animal all it's own.
In fact, it's a monster.
One mile in length, a concrete surface, an a menacing beast overlooking everyone that enters this facility. Miles the Monster is lurking, and without a doubt there will be someone that will feel his wrath.
This one is going to be very interesting. Writers, don't get swallowed by the monster as you make your picks. Selections for Sunday's FedEx 400 are due by 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 12.
Author Note: See email for what the plan will be for the following weekend's NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
Written by:
