Full Throttle

Gee, look at that starting line-up.

The RCR boys are buried mid-pack. Kevin Harvick at 24^th, Clint Bowyer at 25^th and Jeff Burton is back in 27^th.

One factor to consider is Lowes isn’t a restrictor-plate track as Talladega was, but still, one has to wonder if they have dialed back to the conservative side a bit trying for reliability rather than stump-pulling engine breaking horsepower.

The other side of the RCR/DEI engine equation is showing more signs of life as both Martin Truex Jr and Paul Menard posted top five times during Happy Hour. Go figure.

Thinest of “limbs,” get ready, I’m jumpin’ on ya!

Bobby Labonte has shown remarkable signs of life in the #43 Petty Dodge recently. His third starting spot tonight is only the most recent example of that, but prior to tonight’s event Bobby has had five top-10 starts in the last eight races.

Put simply, Labonte will score a top five finish tonight. But here’s my caveat, my hedge bet, my “I never said it, that’s my story and I’m stickin’ with it,” excuse.

Labonte has previously won at four of the remaining six tracks on the schedule, he’ll get his win before the year is out. Remember, you heard it here first. Or, you didn’t!

OTHER NOTES: Mike Mulhern is reporting NASCAR has had its planned new Busch version of the car-of-tomorrow in the wind tunnel this week, with Detroit car makers sending engineers over to discuss various options. NASCAR officials have been considering allowing more leeway on the body styling of the new model, which is tentatively set to debut in 2009.

What isn’t known is just what body style they tested. Oh to be a “blogging fly” super glued to the wall of that wind tunnel, I would have a story to tell!

Was it or was it not a Pony Car, that is the question? If it wasn’t NASCAR Suits, empty as they are, are dumber than a box of Chinese made toys slathered with five coats of lead-based paint!

P.S Photographic evidence to the contrary Jeff Gordon does not, I repeat for possible cranial penetration, Gordon does not have a relief driver on hand for this evenings event.