Elliott Sadler, Kasye Kahne, AJ Allemendinger

Nascar’s top drivers are locked and loaded for what stands to be one hell of a shootout today at the Texas Motor Speedway. Among the top drivers, three stand tall above the rest, bringing the closest Chase in history to the 1.5 mile oval. Jimmie Johnson leads Denny Hamlin by 14 and Kevin Harvick by 38. For the lead trio to have a chance at victory today, each team is going to have to work hard to overcome lack luster qualifying efforts. Johnson starts 17th, Harvick starts 26th, and Hamlin starts way back in 30th.

I think today’s winner is going to be someone looking to break out. A driver that is on the precipice of greatness, looking for a fresh start, and ready to move forward in a huge way. To find that driver, look no further than Richard Petty Motorsports. With all the turmoil this team has gone through, it’s hard to think of them as hugely competitive. Two “lame duck” drivers, one temp driver, and a driver that is expected to carry the load of becoming the team’s franchise driver going into 2011, comprise a team that most would look at as underwhelming at best.

AJ Allmendinger, driver of the 43, will return next season, assuming the role of lead driver. Over the course of his stay at RPM, he has ran strong, showing glimpses of brilliance, and steadily improved his already abundant talent. However, a switch in manufactures from Dodge to Ford, constant sponsorship worries, and just plain bad luck have held this driver and team from breaking into the winner’s circle. This week, however, he qualified 10th and is poised to post a great finish in his Ford.

Paul Menard, qualified 12th, is wrapping up his best year in the Cup Series to date. Overall, Menard is good on equipment and consistent with his setup. Look for this driver to post a respectable finish, near or just outside the top ten.

Starting 13th along side his teammate Paul Menard is Nascar’s Super Sub, Aric Almirola. Almirola’s tenure in the Cup Series this season has been the role of practice, then wait and see. Standing by for Denny Hamlin after knee surgery, Almirola got a ton of seat time… on the pit box; watching Hamlin score the victory at Texas in the the spring. Almirola then was the sub-to-be for father-to-be Jimmie Johnson as he waited in the wings, even practicing the 48 Lowe’s Chevy. Aric finally got is chance when Kasey Kahne parted ways with Richard Petty Motorsports to move over to Red Bull Racing a few races ago. Since then, Almirola was been behind the wheel of 9 Budweiser Ford, posting respectable numbers in his limited starts. He is one of the drivers looking to show is worth in the series and is in equipment that can allow him to make a splash.

One driver has made a huge splash this weekend in Texas. Elliott Sadler. On Friday, the official announcement was made the Salder will join Kevin Harvick Inc. for 2011 driving full time in the Nascar Nationwide Series. In addition to driving for KHI in the Nationwide Series, Sadler will continue to run selected races in the Camping World Truck Series. In both series, he will be backed by CitiFinancial. With all the good news coming from the Sadler camp this week, he posted the fastest time in qualifying, claiming the pole in his 19 Stanley Ford, his first pole since 2006. Additionally, Sadler posted the fastest 10 lap averages in practice, showing that his is the true contender this week.

My pick, Elliott Sadler of course. Momentum is on his side. He starts from the pole, just announced his 2011 plans, and only has three more weekends to win another Cup Series race before dropping down to the lower Nationwide Series ranks. My Underdog pick, Aric Almirola. What better way to show team owners you are worthy of a full time ride than to go out and steal a win at one of Nascar’s fastest tracks. Almirloa has the talent, the experience and the equipment to pull out an unexpected, yet worthy victory.