I disagree on the Hamlin situation. I don't think he had to go below to pass. He had a car width between him and Newman and then he went down (as did Newman). Whatever - they should let them go anywhere there is pavement after the last turn on the last lap at Daytona and 'Dega. Trevor Bayne has been coming on for a while now, driving in the Nationwide Series for MWR - I like him a lot. But, since the Wood Brothers still have a decrepit pit crew, I don't see a very good finish for him in the 500.
Dale Jr. is definitely someone to watch for, but he seems to get lost in the shuffle as the race goes on. He has the best equipment, so who knows? I forgot to mention Gordon as an early season favorite for the title. He and his new crew chief - Alan Guftason (sp.?) will be a good pairing, I believe, this season. Looks like the wife and I are going to the trucks on Friday, to the Nationwide with the kids on Sat. and she is going to the twins on Thurs. (while I'm at work! ). We'll leave the 500 to the 200,000 people up there - it is too big to enjoy anymore. Better to watch that one on the big screen, especially with Direct TV Hot Pass! Looks like fantastic weather the rest of the week here. Anyway, good talking to you - gotta get back to work.