Thursday, May 19th 'What If' Question

On Saturday night at the Charlotte Motor Speedway there will be the ultimate checkers or wreckers race when select drivers compete in the Sprint All-Star race for one million dollars.

Not among them, currently, is Dale Earnhardt Jr. who has to race his way in through the Showdown event early that evening since his 10 year grace period of winning the All-Star race is over and he hasn't won a Cup race in over two years. Should he not race himself in, there comes the Sprint Fan vote which many, except Earnhardt Jr.m have already decided to award him. There are many variables that go into earning the Sprint Fan vote should Earnhardt Jr. not win or finish second in the Showdown.

To begin, his car must be in one piece at the finish, in other words, in raceable condition determined by NASCAR. The driver must also finish on the lead lap, meaning not only can he not wreck but they must keep pace with the leaders on the lead lap and not get caught down a lap or run poorly. They won't be able to rely on the fan vote to get into the big show.

Earnhardt Jr. has stated he and his fans would like to earn their way into the event by racing their way in. There is in fact a way for another driver to earn the fan vote over Earnhardt Jr. and that is if Earnhardt Jr. goes out and finishes first or second. Meaning fans of all drivers should have been voting the past few weeks and months. Instead many have just assumed and lost hope that the Most Popular Driver for the past eight seasons is just going to ride around and get in through the loyal and many fans that he has.

But ...

What If Dale Earnhardt Jr. races his way into the All-Star race on Saturday, who do you think will win the Sprint Fan Vote? #NASCAR

@WilliamCheerboy: Jeff Burton, no brainer on that one as he is the next pop vote.

@Talon64: Jeff Burton, popular plus he's the best driver (although not the best-performing driver right now) not in the All Star race.

@scubazuke72: being from Connecticut I'd like to see @JLogano win the vote. he's got the talent to be there. NASCAR