Do you know how many states I have been to? Neither do I, so don’t feel bad. I have been to so many I lost track I’ve been to races in three, and a total of four different tracks. But out of all the races and states I’ve been to, there is a place that I haven’t even been near. Texas. The state of gunslinger, cowboys, and Nascar’s most boring track.

Yes, I did just say that. Texas has always been the least interesting track on the Nascar circuit. But, it may have a revival this time. The track was repaved over the offseason, and something never done before has been done. Turns one and two were flattened from 24 degrees to 20, and extended from 60 feet wide to 80. The other turn has been left as was. It will now be almost road course like, given how different the two turns are. We may have a chance at a god race. Probably not one which will be remembered as legendary, but still good.

Now, when Nascar comes to Texas, it has had a variety of drivers out front. So I’m not going to go by team. I’m Taking this by driver category. Who better to start with than the young guns?

Chase Elliot, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, and Eric Jones are all names which have been in the top-10 nonstop this year. Only one has won, but that could easily change in Texas. Elliot won his first Xfinity race here, over Kevin Harvick. Blaney has always been solid here, and led the first practice. Larson, well, just look at his season. And Jones has won here in both the Xfinity and Truck Series. Anyone of them could win. And don’t forget Austin Dillon and Daniel Suarez. Dillon is coming off a strong run at Martinsville, and he won the pole here last Fall. Suarez struggled at Martinsville, but he has been a solid intermediate track racer. These young guns have been at the center of attention this year, and they haven’t been faltering. Even young Chris Buescher has been near the top-ten, unlike several veterans. Watch this group of under-twenty five year olds.

How about the past champs? There aren’t that many people in this category, because Jimmie Johnson is a racer. Johnson reigns supreme in Texas, boasting 6 wins, the most all time. Kyle Busch has won twice in the Lone Star State, including last Spring. Kevin Harvick has led so many laps here I lost count, yet a victory proves elusive. And Brad Keslowski, well, this place has been almost heartbreaking. So close to wins, yet so far. Matt Kenseth… Let’s just skip that one. Kurt Busch, nothing in the past decade. Wow, I’m starting to think the students are becoming the masters. Oh, and that’s all the active champions. Jimmie Johnson really fills that category.

Now for the favorites. I really feel like I should say some of the young guns again, but that seems unnecessary. Denny Hamlin. Swept the 2010 races, and disappeared. Joey Logano won here in Spring of 2014, then endured trouble ever since. At least, that’s all I remember. I love those memories… Dale Earnhardt Jr. won his first race here, and I don’t recall him doing so since, although he was last Spring’s runner-up. AJ Allmendinger isn’t exactly a favorite, but momentum from Martinsville and a natural skill at Texas make me want to believe. Martin Truex Jr. is easily a favorite, as he is always out front here. Then again, something always goes wrong too.

And last of all, the dark horses. Honestly, most of these guys seem more likely to win than several of the favorites and champs. Just saying. Jamie McMurray has been a lightning bolt this year, but bad luck has been on his case. That could change here. Ryan Newman got that win to punch his ticket in the Chase, and speed has been there. Why not go for it in the Lone Star State. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has been a pleasant surprise this year, and he loves this place. And Ricky’s teammate Trevor Bayne just keeps chugging away, and he’s been ok here. And how about Clint Bowyer? He has been wheeling that no. 14 Ford like a boss this year. I think Smoke made a good choice as far as replacements go. Even Kasey Kahne has been showing flashes of speed that have been missing in recent years.

So over all, it’s like the everything smoothie you get at one of those… never mind, I know nothing about smoothie restaurants. But there has been a variety out front this year, and that makes predicting hard. However, I think I like Chase Elliot this weekend. Last week he was at his worst track, and some how finished third with a segment win. This week he comes to one of his best tracks. I say he gets a race win. Let’s go racing in the state I’ve never been to! I really need to travel more…