The drivers in Bristol are sharp as a pistol when they do the Bristol Stomp Crash, Boom, Bang!  It's the Food City 500 this afternoon from Thunder Valley, Bristol Motor Speedway.  The world's fastest 1/2 mile has provided for some of the most exciting auto racing over the years, and also some guaranteed hot tempers.  It seems that every year, someone doesn't listen to the wise old crew chief Larry McReynolds when he says "check your feeling in at the desk in the hotel when you get here on Friday, because if you bring them to the track, they WILL get hurt."

Several drivers have won their first race at Bristol.  Ernie Irvan won the night race here back in 1990 for his first win, the others have all won the spring event for their first trip to victory lane.  Elliott Sadler was one of those drivers back in 2001, and the other 3 are former champions.  Dale Earnhardt won his first race in this event back in 1979, Rusty Wallace in 1986, and Kurt Busch in 2002.

Some drivers just knew how to get it done at Bristol.  Wallace and Earnhardt both won here 9 times, Jeff Gordon won this race 4 years in a row from 1995-1998, Kurt Busch and Gordon are both 5-time winners, tied for the most wins among active drivers here.  The winningest driver in the history of this track once won 7 in a row, and 12 overall.  That driver is none other than Darrell Waltrip.

So who will win today?  Will Mark Martin win this race from the pole for his 3rd Bristol win?  He's never won the day race.  What about 3-time defending series champ Jimmie Johnson?  He only has 2 top 5 finishes here, with a best of 3rd...needless to say Bristol hasn't always been kind to Jimmie?  How about first time winners?  My money is on David Reutimann for today as he starts 6th.  Kevin Harvick is also going for the weekend sweep after winning in his own KHI #33 in yesterday's Nationwide Series event.  So who do I have headed to victory lane?

My Pick: Kevin Harvick - He's starting 30th, but I'm picking Happy for the weekend sweep.  Yesterday he won in his own car, which is something you can't put a price on.  That win meant more to him than any he's ever had in Nationwide competition, and he'll carry that momentum over to today's race.

Dark Horse: David Reutimann - As I mentioned above, if anyone is getting their first career win here today, it's Reutimann.  He's been a welcome surprise this year, and he's showing that the end of last year was no fluke.

This is your official open race thread to discuss the happenings before, during, and after the race.