Speed Freaks

Q: Any chance Kyle Busch salvages something from 2020?

GODSPEAK (Godwin Kelly): All he wants is a Cup win. I think he can get that done. And don’t forget, he was the question to a “Jeopardy!” answer last week. That’s huge!

KEN’S CALL (Ken Willis): Short answer is “nope.” Longer answer is, this became a lost cause in midsummer, for whatever reason. Going forward, I doubt it’ll hinder his long-term future. Q: Biggest surprise among the eight remaining championship hopefuls?

GODSPEAK: Alex Bowman gets the nod here. Can he make it to the championship round? Doubtful.

KEN’S CALL: The only possible surprises are Alex Bowman and Kurt Busch, and I’ll go with Kurt, because that Vegas win was a bit happenstance.

Godwin’s picks for Kansas

Winner: Brad Keselowski

Rest of top 5: Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr., Joey Logano

h First one out: Ryan Preece

h Dark horse: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

h Don’t be surprised if: Keselowski uses pit strategy to steal this race

Willis’ Top 10 NASCAR drivers

1. Kevin Harvick: Good time to recover 2020 stride

2. Denny Hamlin: Two straight wins at Kansas

3. Chase Elliott: Wishes all were road courses

4. Martin Truex Jr.: Will finish third Sunday

5. Alex Bowman: Hanging around a while longer

6. Erik Jones: Not going quietly

7. Kurt Busch: Winless in 29 Kansas starts

8. Joey Logano: Roval runner-up righted his ship

9. Brad Keselowski: Has suddenly slowed down

10. Ryan Blaney: Middle name is Michael