Thursday October 28th "What If" Question

To some NASCAR fans the best racing of the year come at the restrictor plate tracks of Daytona and Talladega because anything can happen. Side-by-side, row-after-row puts 43 drivers on the edge and fans on the edge of their seats for almost four hours. Just when you think you know what's going to happen the checkered flag flies and some are left looking for a replay.

If a driver can escape "The Big One" it all comes down to making the right moves at the right time. For many years it was Dale Earnhardt Sr., who stated he could see the air, making all the right moves and dominating plate races. Upon his death his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr. picked up where dad left off.

Entering the 2006 season, Earnhardt Jr. had won seven restrictor plate races, two at Daytona and five at Talladega which included four wins in a row. He was also dominate in the Nationwide Series and had six wins on plate tracks which has been improved to seven with a win at Daytona in July of 2010.

However, back in 2006 Earnhardt Jr. was looking for another victory at Talladega and a big points days in the Chase for the championship. Leading on the last lap he was spun out when third place Brian Vickers performed an ill-fated bump to teammate and second place Jimmie Johnson. Both Earnhardt Jr. and Johnson went spinning and Vickers won his first career race.

Having the win taken away that day has keep Earnhardt Jr. winless at plate tracks in the Sprint Cup Series since 2004.

But ...

What if Brian Vickers didn't wreck Jimmie Johnson and Dale Jr. at Talladega in 2006 on the last lap. Who would have won?

@RedChevy14 Johnson. had the momentum and a teammate behind him. vickers couldn't have made a move.

@Talon64 Jimmie, he was making the move on Dale Jr. and with Vickers help would've taken his 3rd RP win of the season

@dustincary Dale Jr of course! ;)

@hankkershell Jimmie, I remember that race real well

@lydiascats Dale Jr!!! I'm not a Jr fan but I think he would've won!!

@mwoodruff8829 If Brian Vickers had not wreck Jimmie and Jr I believe Jimmie would won since Brian was pushing his teammate to pass him.

@smokinace88 Junior of course because Junior has that drive at Talladega that just makes him really feared out there

@rconboy1964 Derick Cope?

@hotdog3388 gotta say that Jimmie would have won the race, he had already made a move to the inside of Jr before Vickers hit him so he gets by Jr with Vickers finishing 2nd.

@StrokerAce90 Upon close review & analysis of the youtube video replays, Its unanimous between Lugs Harvey & myself that JJ would have won.