Tony Schumacher

Larry Dixon

I think ... that the timing is ripe for Tony Schumacher to tie Garlits' record of eight Indy wins. Indy is Tony Time for sure; "the Sarge" has won "the Big Go" seven times in the last nine years, an Indy dominance unseen in the event's history. Sure, the U.S. Army car ain't what it was last year, but he's got the mojo. Best bet is that he and Larry Dixon – the only other guy to win the race this decade – will square off in the final, which would be a real toss-up. Either way it's a great story.

I think ... that even though John Force has failed to qualify at the last two U.S. Nationals -- I know … shocking! – he'll definitely qualify this weekend despite the absence of Austin Coil. "Way to go out on a limb, Phil," you say? Sure, well tell that to Force last year when no one thought he'd possibly DNQ twice in a row at the race he's won four times.

I think ... this will change: According to his event press release, former NHRA Pro Stock world champ Jason Line has never reached even the semifinals of the U.S. Nationals. I'm not saying that that the 19-time winner will reach 20 here, but I bet he makes the final.

I think ... Jeg Coughlin is serious about winning Indy and the Countdown to 1.  While the rest of his peers were traveling to the race or perhaps enjoying their last day of pre-battle peace, the reigning world champ tested Tuesday before the event at zMax Dragway in Charlotte, N.C., some 400 miles from Indy. Not only did he get a chance to last-minute test for Indy, but he also gained some valuable familiarity with the zMax track, which will host the next event and the all-important first race of the Countdown to 1 playoffs.