As I ventured out to check out the activities of pre-race, and like many others out there, I couldn’t help but be drawn to the people who are fighting for a spot in the Countdown. Though I think they all were trying to stay calm or at least fake it some, there were definitely nerves out there. I ran into Matt Hagan, who told me he may not look nervous but he certainly was. “Outside may be good, but inside it’s like a big mixer turning everything around,” he said. “We got Ashley [Force Hood] first round and that’s a tough draw — that’s a great team and a great driver — but anything can happen.” I also noticed Robert Hight, who appeared at times to be deep in thought, no doubt wondering what the day would bring. Cruz Pedregon was one of the last drivers to arrive for pre-race, and he was surrounded by folks seeking an autograph. It was a little hard to read him, but I’m going to go out on a not-so-long limb and say there are nerves there.