I figured, “Hey, with college about to start and all, maybe I should write my Atlanta fantasy post right now, save it for a week, and then just take ten minutes to post it when people actually need it.” Seemed like a good idea at the time, right?

Well, it was, until I forgot what week of the year it was (blame it on me being awake at four in the morning) and posted it anyway. Oops. If you’re looking for this week’s fantasy picks, click here; otherwise, this column is going to be a general fantasy overview for the rest of the year.

We’re now two-thirds of the way through this Sprint Cup season, with only two regular-season races and the Chase for the Sprint Cup to go. The remaining schedule is dominated by four cookie-cutters (Atlanta, Kansas, Charlotte, Texas), but contains just about every type of track on the schedule besides a road course.

Of course, this is about the time where Jimmie Johnson kicks into gear. His charges to the championship have been well documented, as no driver has ever benefitted more from the Chase. Currently ninth in points and about a three-race deficit behind Kevin Harvick, Johnson’s top four tracks as judged by average finish–Phoenix, Martinsville, Fontana, and Loudon–all appear on the remaining schedule.

Of the remaining tracks that Sprint Cup will run this year, Johnson only has mediocre records at Richmond (which isn’t in the Chase anyway) and Talladega (which is a crapshoot anyway).

As for Harvick, his team has been the class of the field all year, but most of his best tracks are behind him on the schedule. Homestead is statistically his best track, but five of his six worst active tracks–Dover, Fontana, Martinsville, Atlanta, and Charlotte–come up in the following twelve weeks of racing.

But this year, things have been looking up for Happy on those tracks, and he may not have a reason to worry. Fontana yielded a second place finish, he ran a strong ninth at Atlanta, led 57 laps from the pole at Martinsville, placed seventh at Dover, and came home a respectable 11^th at Charlotte. While those types of races alone won’t knock the defending champion off his pedestal, they will more than suffice for a driver at some of his worst tracks.

In effect, this brings us down to the question of present versus past. Which key factor–history or momentum–should be influencing your fantasy picks from here on out? Should you be focusing on only one over the other, and if so, which?

Here’s the thing: we all know that the 48 team has shown signs of, well, humanity this year. Add to that the intense pressure stemming from the fact that nobody has won five consecutive championships at NASCAR’s highest level, and you may be able to say that the goose is cooked on the drive for five.

Meanwhile, Harvick’s team has done everything right for the majority of the year, won a respectable one in eight races, and has even performed at the tracks on which he’s struggled in the past. (See above.)

In the end, it all depends on which fantasy game you’re playing, and who’s available to you on any given week. (Duh. A little more elaboration, please?)

For a single driver, pick-‘em-once-and-they’re-done games like One and Done at OnPitRow.com, your best bet is undoubtedly to go for history. A driver like Harvick is probably not the best choice for a track at which he struggles, unless you’re picking last-minute and he qualifies really well. Johnson becomes your golden ticket to victory lane, so use him wisely. As for the rest, try and limit your picks to Chase drivers–they’re the only ones who really matter in the final ten events.

For games that give you a fleet of drivers every week, make sure to always pick one of the top five active drivers at any given track. (This is one of my Fantasy Pick’Em rules of thumb.) But in these games, you have a greater ability to go for momentum drivers. Sure, it can crash and burn on you if they perform as history suggested they would, but getting a little lucky with an interesting, out of left field pick could be the difference between first and second in your fantasy racing league.

Read more Motorsports news on BleacherReport.com

The driver may fall into a driving slump or change teams but the die hard fan remains true. They await the next win for their driver and continue to buy their memorabilia and sport attire to show their loyalty.

An odd thing happens though when NASCAR fans face any group of drivers or even just one up close and personal.

Suddenly the drivers who have given their all on a race track at high speeds in close quarters become a bit larger than life.

The fan will wait in long lines for hours, fight to get a camera shot, and drag all forms of memorabilia around in an effort to get it autographed.

For the fan it doesn't matter if it is not the driver they usually support although that would be nirvana.The fan's quest for contact with stock car drivers has been around since the early days of NASCAR.

In those days it was much easier when safety was not so important. Tracks were not grand and glorious venues and drivers were accessible.

Back in the day drivers were just like everyone else. They were doing what they loved despite purses that barely covered expenses before owners became savvy with sponsorship.

NASCAR drivers have evolved over the decades from the approachable, friendly, style of the old school to the highly protected drivers surrounded by handlers that we see today.

Throughout the years certain drivers were considered more fan friendly whether it be at an autograph session or at the race track.

These drivers were not necessarily the all-time best drivers with the most wins and best records.

Some of the sports most popular drivers will not be included in this list because their popularity required them to stay somewhat distanced from fans at many venues.  When these drivers were at places where they could sign autographs, the sheer volume of people prohibited much interaction with the fans.

The list of NASCAR's friendliest drivers is based not only on fan appeal, but the interaction they had with those who sought a picture, autograph, or friendly word.

Let's take a look at 15 drivers who were not only popular but fan friendly as well.

Begin Slideshow

1.  Name one offensive player and one defensive player you are most excited to see in the new systems and why.

Offensive:  Michael Floyd.  This system is a pass-heavy offense, and Michael Floyd is set to absolutely tear it up.  Given Kelly's high praise about Michael's work ethic this offseason, I think we may be in for a special season from one of the best ever at the position this year.

Defensive:  Ian Williams.  In the 3-4 system, it's crucial for the nose tackle to be a dominating force inside, plugging up the interior and freeing the inside linebackers to work in space.   I think Te'o will get many of the accolades, but if he does, it's because Ian Williams is doing his job down in the trenches, bottling up the A gaps.

2.  What’s one reason you think Brian Kelly is the right coach this time? What’s one reason you think he might not be?

The reason I think he's the right coach this time is simple: all the evidence we have available to us points to that.  The best indicator of future performance is past performance, and as a head coach at multiple stops and multiple levels over the course of 20 years, all he's done is win.  There is no evidence to believe he can't do that again here.

One reason I think he might not be?  'Cause this is Notre Dame.  It's a completely different ball game than any other college coaching position.  I'd liken it most to the difference between being a United States Senator and the President of the United States.  The pressure, scrutiny, and demands of the Notre Dame job are double that of any other position in the country.  It's entirely possible he simply can't handle it.

All of the evidence thus far says he can.  But the proof is in the pudding.

3.  A lot of people are labeling Purdue, Boston College, and Michigan State as toss up games. Considering Notre Dame beat all three of these teams during the disappointing 2009 season, do you consider these games toss-ups or games you expect Notre Dame to win?

I expect Notre Dame to win.  This team has all of the physical tools to win;  it just needed the fundamentals and desire, which were lacking under Coach Weis, who was an analytical and scheme-oriented coach.  Kelly brings an old-school focus on intensity, fundamentals, repetition and desire.  Losing Tate and Clausen is not as big a step down as most people seem to think.  Replacing them with Michael Floyd and Dayne Crist is reloading, not rebuilding.

Close wins last year, with Kelly's leadership this year, to me translate into wins of the double-digit variety.

4.  What’s one reason you think Notre Dame could shock the world and pull off another 1964-type season?

There's nobody on the schedule that really scares me.  U$C is on probation under a new coach, with a rash of transfers to deal with.  Pitt is talented, but they are still coached by Dave Wannstedt.  Utah has been a great team over the last decade, but they aren't really championship material this year (that's Boise State's job, remember?).  

The rest of the Big 10 games?  Not that scary.  Navy?  Trust me, Kelly will remind them that there was a reason for the 43-year win streak there.  There are 12 winnable games on this schedule.

Oh, and Paul Longo is the second coming of the Terminator in my eyes...

5.  What’s one reason you’re concerned we might see more of a 1997-type season?

This team still hasn't bought in.  That's about the only thing that I see leading to a meltdown.  If we come out against Purdue and lay a turd, we may see kids go in the tank again, and start to accepting losing as part of the Notre Dame experience.

Of course, I don't care who it is, Kelly will see it in their eyes and kick them off of campus so fast their heads will spin.  No chance this season gets away from us like the last three have.

6.  Which freshmen do you see contributing the most on the field this year (outside of T.J. Jones – that’s too easy)?

Lo Wood.  Because of the numbers, this kid will get plenty of opportunities to see the field this year.  I believe that the coaching staff will ease him into playing time, giving him reps as a nickel back mostly in non-crucial situations, but I believe that his playing time will increase as the season wears on as we try to develop some depth in the secondary.  

Honorable mention:  Louis Nix, unless Coach Kelly can manage to actually redshirt him.

7.  Other than Dayne Crist (too easy again), who is the one player Notre Dame can least afford to lose to injury for any significant period of time?

Kyle Rudolph.  The matchup problems he creates are going to be the glue that holds this offense together, especially against stiff competition early in the season. Without Rudolph on the field, teams will be able to key on Michael Floyd, which reduces the effectiveness of the entire offense.

Our running game has plenty of options, and even though Floyd is a superstar, the talent behind him is pretty darn good.  Tyler Eifert looks like he will be the real deal, but he's just coming off of injury, and there's not much behind him.

8.  2010 Season Predictions

Notre Dame record: 10-2

Bowl game for Notre Dame with opponent: Fiesta Bowl versus the Texas Longhorns

Final ranking: 12

Opponent with the the highest final ranking: Utah

Notre Dame’s Offensive & Defensive MVPs

Offensive: Michael Floyd

Defensive: Manti Te'o

Best Opponent Offensive & Defensive Player

Offense:  Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pitt  Runner-up:  Ricky Dobbs, QB, Navy

Defense: Greg Jones, LB, Michigan State  Runner-up:  Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

Best Opposing Coach

Mark D'Antonio, Michigan State

Game you are most excited to watch

Purdue.  It's a new coach, a new season, new reasons for optimism.  It's like opening a REALLY big gift on Christmas morning.  Sure, it could be a gross of athletic socks, but it's probably that awesome bike you've been asking for.

Game you wouldn't mind watching on DVR

Western Michigan.  While I'll probably be at the game just 'cause tickets will be so cheap, I could certainly spend my afternoon mowing the yard, and at least then I'd be able to skip the commercial breaks during the replay.  And drink beer.

Mmmmm....  Beer....

National Champion

Boise State

Heisman Winner

Kellen Moore

Purdue game prediction

Notre Dame 24  Purdue 14

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The stig is...

Ben Collins.

Collins, 35, was one of the stunt drivers who drove the Aston Martins in the latest 007 film, "Quantam of Solace."

On his website in a small paragraph it says: "Collins is also a leading stunt driver for film and television."

The BBC have been in a battle with Collins after it was found that he was going to reveal who he was in his autobiography.  

The BBC went to court over it but has refused an injunction preventing the revealing of the Stig's identity.

After the ruling a BBC spokesperson said: "The BBC brought this action as we believe it is vital to protect the character of the Stig which ultimately belongs to the licence fee payer.

Today's judgement does not prevent the BBC from pursuing this matter to trial and the BBC will not be deterred from protecting such information from attack no matter when or by whom it should arise."

Top Gear's boss tried his best to keep the secret a secret as he wrote a passionate blog in defence of keeping the Stig's identity secret.

In it he said: "The whole point of the Stig is the mystique—the bizarre characteristics he has, the wonderment created about what he might think, feel, do or look like. Kids adore the conceit, and I believe adults, although they know it’s a man in a suit (or is it?), gladly buy into the whole conceit because they find it entertaining."

The Stig wasn't meant to be a hit with the audience. He was just meant to be a test driver to drive featured sports cars around the shows test track very fast.

The anonymous driver became a legend on the show after Jeremy Clarkson started introducing him each week with different comic sayings.

His face was blocked by a helmet, so not even the celebs who appeared on the show knew who he was.

Now that we all know who he is, Top Gear will change. The moment in the show when the Stig drives the car will not be the highlight it used to be.

Instead of a mysterious guy driving round the circuit...it's Ben.

Read more Motorsports news on BleacherReport.com

Kahne's soft and slightly weary tone told the story even more than his words during a media teleconference on Tuesday. It is obvious that while he was not originally thrilled to be headed to Red Bull Racing Team in 2011, conversations with RBRT General Manager Jay Frye and other team members have eased his mind over the last couple weeks.

"I got more excited than when I initially heard about it," Kahne admitted. "Right now, I feel really confident with being able to go into next year and being able to perform, race well, and have a good time doing it."

A hint of cautious excitement crept into his voice as he continued. "If I go [into] next season thinking I can't run well, I might as well take the year off."

Kahne has often seemed the pawn in a game over which he had no control. The drama played out during Rick Hendrick's attempt to place him in a competitive ride for 2011, a year in which Mark Martin will continue to drive the No. 5.

Kahne arrives to take over in 2012.

It's worn him down, and it's worn his team down, though he's performed admirably to remain in Chase contention, however slight his chances might be.

"I'd say it was definitely on my mind a lot. Five years that I was looking at. So, yeah, it was on my mind."

During the interview, it was also quite evident that his sometimes-frosty relationship with Richard Petty Motorsports hasn't warmed up a great deal. When asked if he thought his team had performed at their best during the tumultuous months, he frankly stated, "there's been some times that I've wondered."

He quickly backed away from any direct criticism, continuing, "But I wondered about me, too. I feel like everybody's done...the best job that they could." It wasn't exactly a ringing endorsement.

Kahne has occasionally clashed with both management and teammates during the last two years at RPM, including an on-track altercation with A.J. Allmendinger at Pocono this spring, in which Allmendinger moved low to block Kahne, running him into the grass, eventually causing the No. 9 (and several others) to wreck.

"I don't know what A.J. was doing there," Kahne said in a post-race interview. "I don't really talk to A.J. ever and I doubt I'll talk to him about this."

With Paul Menard taking his ride and his money to Richard Childress Racing, and a pared-down two-car operation that will leave Elliott Sadler out of a ride as well, some have argued that RPM is a sinking ship.

At this point, the organization looks more like a sinking ship that hit a large iceberg, was torpedoed by a North Korean missile, and finally, was assaulted by Somalian pirates.

No one can really blame Kahne if he is looking ahead to 2011. He insists that's not the case.

When asked about his Chase chances (16th place, 136 points out of 12th with two races to go), Kahne says the right things, but knows that he is racing for little more than pride in 2010.

"Hopefully, we have a good shot. I mean, it's tough right now because everybody is running so well. You're in that position and it's tough to make up a lot of points."

No, those aren't the words of bubbling confidence. While Kahne is the driver who made the greatest comeback ever to make the Chase (in 2004) with two races to go, even that was only a 90-point miracle.

Not only would he have to make up the points, but also jump four other drivers in the process. He knows that's not likely to happen, despite Atlanta and Richmond being two of his best tracks.

Make no mistake; Kasey Kahne will do his best to win every race he has left this year. 

No deal appears to be in the works that would allow him to get an early start at RBRT, though there are a lot of NASCAR subtexts that won't be revealed until the Chase field is set.

"I don't want to be done winning in a Ford. I don't want to be done winning for Budweiser. I don't want to be done winning for Richard Petty Motorsports. Hopefully, we can find some spark to that."

But even if he doesn't find that spark, at least he knows the horizon is brighter, if still a bit murky on details.

Will Kenny Francis follow Kahne to Team Red Bull? Will Kahne be able to overcome the challenges of becoming the first NASCAR driver ever to wheel a Ford, Dodge, Toyota, and Chevy (in four consecutive seasons, no less)? How much contact will he have with Rick Hendrick in 2012 and what will he be allowed to do to prepare for the move to the No. 5?

"Actually, I was kind of wondering that same stuff," replied Kahne. "I think once we get past who makes the Chase and who doesn't, we'll look into those questions that I have and obviously you have."

So if Kahne knows anything, he's not saying...at least not for a couple of weeks.

Kahne, like most Cup drivers, just wants to race. He loves racing. He'd gladly skip the pettiness and politics that so often overtake the garage.

Yes, you could hear the fatigue in his voice when he spoke of his 2010 travails and the long, confusing journey that has landed him at RBRT. But you could also sense the smile in his words when he allowed himself to consider 2011 and beyond.

"I want to start out at Daytona as good as anybody. I want to race, I want to perform and win races."

With a fresh start at a team he is clearly warming up to, don't be surprised if he does exactly that.

Read more Motorsports news on BleacherReport.com

Conway has answered Robby Gordon's prayers by bringing much-needed sponsorship to Robby Gordon Motorsports.  RGM just announced today that Conway will be their driver for the balance of the 2010 season.

On the other hand, Conway's new ride is an answer to a prayer for NASCAR, who desperately needs some continuity for its Raybestos Rookie of the Year program.

Conway currently leads the ROTY Standings, with a margin of 154 points over Terry Cook in the Cup Series competition.

"We are excited to have ExtenZe Racing and Kevin Conway join Robby Gordon Motorsports," Robby Gordon said.   "This is an excellent opportunity for everyone involved, and I am excited to have Kevin behind the wheel of the No. 7."

"I hope we will be able to help Kevin bring home the Rookie of the Year Award while expanding our team and his on-track experience."

Robby Gordon's new driver could not agree with his team owner more.

"I am thrilled to finally be able to announce our signing with Robby Gordon Motorsports," Conway said. "The Bristol race a couple weekends ago came together very late and gave everyone just a quick peek at what was possibly to come.

"Now that everything is in place I can't wait to take to the track this weekend in Atlanta in the No. 7 ExtenZe Racing Toyota."

Conway is most certainly looking forward to a change of pace from his runs with Front Row Motorsports.  Although he has had some success with that team, such as a 14th place finish at Daytona over the fourth of July and leading a lap at the Brickyard 400, more often than not, he has been logging laps in the back of the field or even running a few laps down to the leaders.

Prior to stepping up to the Cup Series with Front Row, Conway raced successfully in the ARCA Series. He also ran a limited schedule for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2007, sharing seat time with Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, Aric Almirola and Brad Coleman and garnering two top-5 and four top-10 finishes.

Conway's hopes for success have now been rekindled with the move to Robby Gordon Motorsports. The driver's answer to his own prayers has always been his steadfast sponsor ExtenZe, who also has had faith in their driver, moving with him to his new gig at RGM.

"Moving our racing program with Kevin over to Robby Gordon Motorsports was a no brainer really," Robert Wilhovsky, Director of Motorsports Marketing for ExtenZe said.  "Robby has a great organization with very good equipment and a car locked into the top-35 owner's points that will allow us to get Kevin more seat time and help him continue to grow as a driver.

"We look forward to the remainder of the year with RGM," Wilhovsky continued.  "We are glad we get to have him and his organization join Kevin's quest to be crowned the 2010 Raybestos Rookie of the Year driver.

"I am very thankful for this opportunity Robby has given me and ExtenZe," Conway said.  "I'm looking forward to helping keep the No. 7 in the top-35, gaining more seat time and finishing races while reaching my ultimate goal of claiming the 2010 Raybestos Rookie of the Year title with RGM."

Conway will take the wheel of the No. 7 ExtenZe Racing Toyota in the upcoming Labor Day weekend's race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.  This will be Conway's second start for RGM, including his inaugural run at Bristol, and he is most certainly looking to better his run earlier in the season at Atlanta, where he came in 31st.

Read more Motorsports news on BleacherReport.com

Last week I wrote an article comparing NASCAR 1996 to NASCAR of today and how much the sport has changed, and changed for the worst.

Among the reasons for this change was NASCAR's blatant abandonment of the South and its countless race fans.

At the forefront of this national Southern decline is the parrell decline of Richard Petty Motorsports.

Much like when Dale Earnhardt Incorporated (DEI) was around, I cannot understand why all the best drivers and sponsors don't want to race for, and financially support this team. If you don't want to race for Richard Petty nor do you want to support Petty as a sponsor, something is wrong with your sport.

Its these two teams that should be the Hendrick Motorsports' and Roush-Fenway Racing of its day. The latter are the two most victorious Cup teams and their success is the same vision shared by all teams, Petty and now-rebranded Earnhardt-Ganassi alike.

The reason RPM fails is the same reason Jeffrey Earnhardt cannot find a "real" ride having to settle for Rick Ware Racing on an inconsistent basis. All the time I hear from friends "If you put the kid in top equipment you would see what he could do" or "then we'd see what he could do (or not do)" but as it is now, with second tier equipment at best, he like so many others struggles just to find and keep a ride.

Why?

Musical Chairs: The Music Stopped and they were left standing

Richard Petty Motorsports has been through a lot in recent years. From moving from its original shop in Level Cross, North Carolina where as I understand it, for example, sometimes it was hard finding people who wanted to work for them since they were located way out in the middle of the Carolina backwoods.

As one of the last teams to make the move to the Charlotte hub (AKA NASCAR's unofficial headquarters beyond Dayona's official stop) they faced a disadvantage from the beginning.

Then, while still Petty Enterprises, there was the failed Boston Venture's merger.

I remember watching with anticipation, the ESPN NASCAR Now! one-hour special from Randleman, North Carolina, where King Richard himself was interviewed boastfully speaking with obvious excitement on how this day, was going to be a new one for the company. Also, how he did it essentially to get on a level playing field with the rest of the bigger teams in the sport who had merged with a big-name corporation for financial support.

Roush Racing has Boston Red Sox owner John Henry are ghost-writing checks. Petty wanted and needed to do the same since Joe Gibbs and Rick Hendrick don't need the same type of corporate subsidy to survive.

You could tell it was a sad day, but a necessary day. I, like Boston Ventures, owner of the Six Flags theme parks, and National Enquirer among other smaller endeavors, wanted to get the team back in Victory Lane and I believed they would, sooner not later.

Bobby Labonte, with his championship experience and provisional in his back pocket signed on in 2008 bringing credibility to the team and hope; only to ask out a year later when the merger fell through. He lost his primary and longtime lucrative sponsor of the team, General Mills, who as we found out shortly after, went to Richard Childress Racing.

With no marquee driver, and the loss of income from the best sponsor they had, in short, the team merged with George Gillette of then Montreal Candian National Hockey League fame, to form a new Gillette Evernham Motorsports. This would quickly, and I mean quickly, change to the more marketable Richard Petty Motorsports team it enjoys today.

Team Downsizes but is it a bad thing?

Why do I like RPM? Not only are they Southern based and Southern owed (at its core with Petty as a figurehead owner), but more importantly, they are a reminder of yesteryear when NASCAR teams didn't just throw four cars out there for the sake of keeping up with the Hendrick's and Roush's.

If you read the second link on this page where I wrote the second of a two-part series on NASCAR in 1996- the last year it was as close to perfect as it could be without actually being the 1970's, when NASCAR was at its height. You will see that with the exception of Hendrick's three car outlier operation and two car team of Robert Yates Racing, every other team had only one car. I am a fan of smaller race teams (note, not too small, start-and-park-ers, you still have to honestly try).

We watched for years as someone did their best to drive the No. 43 while Kyle Petty drove the No. 45 in honor of his son Adam who died in 2000. It was here that Kyle kept saying he drove the car in memory of his son and to further promote the Victory Junction Gang among other notable causes.

While other teams changed and merged, and got bigger and sold out, Petty Enterprises didn't and we all understood why and accepted it.

This year RPM has already lost "star" driver in the overrated Kasey Kahne, whose boyish GQ looks will fit in perfectly with HMS "Hollywood Motor Sports" as I call his new found brood.

True, this surprisingly marketable, but inconsistent driver was the face of the team since they lacked any other real star quality. However, Elliott Sadler could pitch some Stanley and Best Buy product back in the day as well and for some reason, his sponsors seemed to be loyal to him despite not winning.

No matter.

Sadler will soon find himself either in the Nationwide or Camping World Truck series where someone of his talents would be better suited and where he can actually compete for titles and wins on a consistent basis. I think he could be the next Mike Skinner who similarly couldn't cut it at the Cup level but who found later success in the second and third tier circuits.

Finally, the team smartly cut ties with silver-spoon self-made millionaire Paul Menard, whose daddy owns a series of midwest-based hardware stores that bears the family name and whom sponsors his rides. With guaranteed sponsorship money comes a guaranteed ride. Must be nice.

While critics will note the loss of income to a cash-strapped team isn't smart, by not having to waste any more time and effort in a driver like Menard who also clearly belongs in a lower division evident by his current fifth place points standings compared to 23rd in Cup, the team can focus on the two drivers it has and make them better on a weekly basis.

So who do they have, exactly?

The team just re-signed A.J. Allmindinger, who finished 2008 very well for Team Red Bull, only to be given his walking papers in order to make room for another Californian in Scott Speed, who likely will also find himself without a Cup ride. As a cruel twist of fate, Kahne will have his spot next year, but only for that year before he goes to Team GQ (Hendrick Motorsports).

Why does Allmindinger matter? He's 22nd in points right now, which doesn't look good on the surface until you consider he's a streaky driver, unlike Millionaire-Menard, who brings nothing short of cash, to the table. This streak caused many fans to wonder why Allmindinger wasn't getting a ride post-2008 after finishing six of the last eight races with top 16 finishes for a similar two car team.

Many, myself included, thought he deserved a contract extension right then and there. After all, A.J.'s done and seen it all. From not qualifying some events in 2007 and 2008 to finding sporadic sponsorship similar to Travis Kvapil by the name of Hunt's Pizza, to a road course background, the kid had paid his dues.

The problem is what to do with Allmindinger. He's not very good on an oval but his qualifying has been getting better starting out on average 18th position this year, easily a career best. He's also won a pole and led the most laps of his short career.

So why do you get him?

Potential?

No.

I think Richard Petty Motorsports knows they don't want to see him flourish with another team should he be let go and he is good for one thing: Road course racing.

Why does this matter?

Ask Boris Said what one win can do for you and your career. RPM has to know they are taking a step backward next year with no Kahne but rebounded very nicely in singing Allmindinger and new teammate Marcos Ambrose.

At least we know they'll be competitive in two races: Watkins Glen and Sonoma. With any luck, they may be able to notch two top five's with one (Amborse) a real threat to bring home a win. If you told RPM they would have a really good shot at two wins next year, as they clearly will with these two drivers and these two tracks, don't you think they'd take it?

After all, it beats what they have now and next year should be much more cost efficient.

Ambrose Signing a Big Deal

Not only were there rumors of the Tasmanian driver going back to Australia to race, but with his signing the team assured themselves of being competitive for at least two races but they proved to skeptics that they are a free agent destination.

As one of those spectators who is surprised RPM has managed to last this long, they proved to me that drivers still recognize them as being a legit signing point.

Consider, they needed to replace up to three drivers in a single offseason. If not Ambrose then who?

Considering the circumstances, I think they did very well for themselves.

Rumors have it that Stanley/Best Buy will stay with the organization, although it is unclear to which driver they will sponsor. That has to be considered a big save since Best Buy as I understand it, is one of the better in the sport.

Ambrose, who made his name with Ford, gets to return to the make that made his name. That can't be under-estimated and has to be seen as some kind of wildcard for 2011 if all goes well.

Additionally, you have to understand from Ambrose's standpoint, while having a down year statistically this year, long term he's actually moving up to a more stable organization, from the single car JTG Daugherty Racing team that which he's leaving.

Finally, he's excited, likely again because a bigger team means more attention and more opportunities to be competitive.

Think how good he did at tiny JTG-Daugherty. Imagine what could do at RPM next year.

Sure, you could take it one step further and say the same thing, only greater, should he be a 4th car at Gibbs or Childress, where Menard went.

Then again, more time and effort would be split among larger crews and resources meaning he'd likely have to settle for 4th best which is what Menard will find out next year.

In all, we'll see how good it works. If they need any more inspiration, they should look for two-car team Red Bull as inspiration. I wish them the best of luck. They will need it and our support going at it alone in a world of four car conglomerates.

If America truly loves and underdog, their search should start and end here as far as the world of NASCAR is concerned.

Information and Statistics from ESPN.com, The Roanoke Times, Jayski, Fanhouse.com, Wikipedia, and SceneDaily directly contributed to the content of this article.

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By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

Everyone likes to make what they call their bold or fearless predictions before a new college football season begins. OGS, however, is not in the business of making predictions. We do, however, enjoy sharing the following truths with you, listed in no particular order:

1. Michigan will win seven games and advance to a lower-tier bowl and that will buy coach Rich Rodriguez another year.

2. A sophomore will again win the Heisman Trophy. Between Stanford's Andrew Luck, Pittsburgh's Dion Lewis, Virginia Tech's Ryan Williams and Oregon's LaMichael James, there are Heisman votes aplenty.

3. Lane Kiffin will continue to piss people off ... by winning. Southern Cal won nine games under Pete Carroll last year. The Trojans will win 10 in 2010.

4. The Pac-10 will be the most exciting conference race in college football this year. Oregon, Oregon State, USC, Washington, Stanford, California and Arizona all could have a chance.

5. Despite the losses of Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate, Notre Dame will look noticeably better under Brian Kelly, and by November people will agree that the Irish will contend for a national championship by 2012.

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There are many exciting drivers to watch on the Sprint Cup circuit, guys like four-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson, but there are also plenty of racers who are just taking up space on the track.

This is a list of 10 Sprint Cup drivers who just haven't cut it this season. All 10 of these drivers have made at least five starts this season, and they range in experience from rookies to 18-year veterans.

Some have had past success, and others have had little success, but this season none of them have had success.

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His victory closed some of the gap on points leader Will Power, who had been leading late in the race but ran out of fuel with five laps to go to finish way down the running order.

All in all, the race featured a record-breaking 25 lead changes among 11 drivers.

Ryan Briscoe dominated the early stages of the event, battling side-by-side with Marco Andretti for a good chunk of the race's early stages. Briscoe, the polesitter and defending race winner, led 113 of the race's 200 laps, though he could only muster an 11th place finish.

Meanwhile, the top four drivers in the finishing order—Franchitti, Wheldon, Andretti, and Ryan Hunter-Reay—all led at least two laps, with Franchitti's 28 tops among them. Franchitti actually did not lead until the very end of the race, when his team gambled by not taking tires under the final caution.

While Briscoe could not keep others from leading laps while he was out in front, Franchitti managed to do just that

Some of the drivers who spent time up front were surprising, to say the least. Wheldon, Vitor Meira and Alex Lloyd all led a handful of laps. Even the part-time entries of Ed Carpenter and Sarah Fisher spent time up front.

Fisher stayed out under the race's second caution to gain the point, but managed to hold a top-three position for many laps after the green flag dropped.

Unfortunately for the little guys, nobody was really there at the end besides Wheldon. Meira salvaged a ninth place finish, but Fisher was the first car a lap down in 15th, Carpenter pulled out after 179 laps when his team couldn't get fuel into the car, and Lloyd crashed out to finish 21st.

Heartbreak was no stranger to the series' top team, either. Power nearly lost control of his car in the early laps of the race, making a fantastic save, a feat he would have to replicate a couple of other times before the night was over. Power drove his heart out all night, showing a level of talent we had previously only witnessed from him on the road and street courses, and was a contender for victory until the very end.

Unfortunately, Chicagoland left Power and his Team Penske crew with Indianapolis 500 deja vu: a fueler error ended all hope for a strong finish.

At Indy, it was Power driving off with part of his fuel assembly. At Chicago the team didn't quite get enough in the car to make it. To his credit, Power was surprisingly upbeat in post-race interviews, looking forward to the challenge of maintaining his points lead over the final three races.

With three races to go and Kentucky up next on the schedule, Power's points lead has shrunk from 59 to 23 over Franchitti. It may be a race between those two alone; third-place Scott Dixon is 85 points out, while no other driver is within 100.

For more on the IZOD IndyCar Series from Christopher Leone, go to OpenWheelAmerica.com.

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