WHO DO YOU FEEL ARE THE FIVE BEST PICKS FOR THE SECOND NASCAR HALL OF FAME INAUGURAL CLASS?

The second class for the NASCAR Hall of Fame will be voted upon later this year. Several of the 25 nominees for the first class surprisingly did not make it. So, of the 20 that remain, not to mention any additional names that may be added to the mix, who do YOU think should be voted into the five-person second Hall of Fame induction class, to be inducted in May 2011?

The list of 20 nominees that did not make the first class is as follows:

- Bobby Allison, 1983 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and winner of 84 races
- Buck Baker, first driver to win consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup championships
- Red Byron, first NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, in 1949
- Richard Childress, 11-time car owner champion in NASCAR’s three national series
- Richie Evans, nine-time NASCAR Modified champion
- Tim Flock, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion
- Rick Hendrick, 11-time car owner champion in NASCAR’s three national series
- Ned Jarrett, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion
- Bud Moore, 63 wins and two NASCAR Sprint Cup titles as a car owner
- Raymond Parks, NASCAR’s first champion car owner
- Benny Parsons, 1973 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion
- David Pearson, 105 victories and three NASCAR Sprint Cup championships
- Lee Petty, winner of first Daytona 500 and first three-time series champion
- Fireball Roberts, won 33 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 1962 Daytona 500
- Herb Thomas, first two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, 1951 and ‘53
- Curtis Turner, early personality, called the "Babe Ruth of stock car racing"
- Darrell Waltrip, winner of 84 races and three NASCAR Sprint Cup championships
- Joe Weatherly, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion
- Glen Wood, as driver, laid foundation for Wood Brothers’ future team success
- Cale Yarborough, winner of three consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup titles, 1976-78

Jerry Bonkowski says: To me, there were some real surprises that did make the inaugural class, most notably David Pearson. I thought for sure he'd be a first class shoe-in. But be that as it may, using the above list, my five picks for the second NASCAR Hall of Fame inaugural class are: David Pearson, Rick Hendrick, Cale Yarborough, Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip. Feel free to take me to task for my picks -- that's what RacingDebates.com is all about.

So, RacingDebates.com asks: WHO DO YOU FEEL ARE THE FIVE BEST PICKS FOR THE SECOND NASCAR HALL OF FAME INAUGURAL CLASS?

CLICK HERE to join the debate and give YOUR 5 Nominees!

DALE EARNHARDT JR. IN 2010: ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY OR DESTINED TO DISAPPOINT JUNIOR NATION?

Whether you're a devoted member of 'Junior Nation' or you think he's simply not worth all the hype, here are the facts. Through the first five races of 2010, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has recorded one top-5 (2nd at Daytona) and a top-10 (7th at Bristol on Sunday). His average start has been 10.4 and his average finish has been 14.4. Now, let's compare to the first five races of 2009:
Junior's average start was a terrible 26.8, his average finish was a not-much-better 20.2, with just one top-10 finish (10th) in the first five events.

Jerry Bonkowski says: From the stats, it appears Junior has made some significant improvement in 2010. But at the same time, he's been flying under the radar of attention. That won't last long, however: with his 7th at Bristol, he moves up five spots in the standings to 8th heading into Sunday's race at Martinsville. While I won't go so far as saying Junior is definitely back for sure, he definitely appears to be on the right path. And, don't be surprised that if Junior's upward trend continues, NASCAR attendance and TV ratings will also show an upward bounce.

So, let's hear your thoughts: DO YOU THINK DALE EARNHARDT JR.'s ENHANCED PERFORMANCE THUS FAR IN 2010 WILL CONTINUE OR IS JUNIOR NATION DESTINED FOR DISAPPOINTMENT?

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IS NASCAR DOING THE RIGHT THING BY GETTING RID OF THE REAR WING ON CUP CARS?

Next Sunday at Martinsville marks the return of the rear deck lid spoiler. That means this Sunday's race at Bristol will be the final Cup race ever contested with the ill-fated rear wing. We want to know if you agree or not with NASCAR going back to a rear spoiler -- albeit a taller, wider spoiler at that.

Jerry Bonkowski says: It's about time. Like a bad marriage, the rear wing and the COT just did not mesh. And the way the wing caused cars to frighteningly get airborn if they were hit from behind at over 160 mph -- let's not forget Carl Edwards and Ryan Newman at Talladega, and as recenlty as last week with Brad Keselowski at Atlanta -- we may be avoiding a potential disaster just in time. I commend NASCAR for realizing the wing may have been great in concept, but not in execution.

So, let's hear your thoughts: IS NASCAR DOING THE RIGHT THING BY GETTING RID OF THE REAR WING ON CUP CARS?

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WHICH RIVALRIES WILL BE BORN OR REIGNITED AT BRISTOL THIS WEEKEND?

With NASCAR's "have at it, boys" mindset this season -- Carl Edwards vs. Brad Keselowski notwithstanding -- the tight action at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend should either reignite some dormant rivalries or create new ones as drivers fight for every inch of real estate on Bristol's high banks.

Jerry Bonkowski says: Bristol means banging fenders, baby. This is where Trading Paint isn't just a phrase, it's a lifestyle. Show me one car that doesn't have any rub marks on it when the checkered flag falls, and I'll show you a driver that wasn't trying hard to win. As for rivalries, while everyone will be watching Edwards vs. Keselowski, especially look for Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin Juan Pablo Montoya, Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and even Jeff Gordon to do some serious bumping and grinding with new and long-term nemesis's. My best bet for some on-track heat: Harvick vs. KyBusch ... and watch the fireworks explode.

So, let's hear your thoughts: WHICH RIVALRIES WILL BE BORN OR REIGNITED AT BRISTOL THIS WEEKEND?

CLICK HERE to offer YOUR side of the debate!

HOW WILL MICHAEL SCHUMACHER FARE IN HIS RETURN TO FORMULA ONE IN 2010 -- CAN HE WIN HIS EIGHTH F1 CHAMPIONSHIP?

The greatest and winningest driver in Formula One history, Michael Schumacher retired after the 2006 season at the young age of 37. But even with multi-millions of dollars in the bank, Schumacher couldn't stay retired for too long -- he missed the competition. So, in a similar spirit as Michael Jordan, Schumacher has un-retired and restarts his F1 career this weekend in the season-opening race in Bahrain, driving for a brand new Mercedes team instead of Ferrari, for whom he had his greatest success.

Jerry Bonkowski says: Even though he's now 41, Michael Schumacher remains one of the greatest threats on a race track. While Mercedes is not quite on the same level as Ferrari, Schumacher is a great equalizer. What he may lack in equipment, his driving ability more than makes up for it. Even though he sat out the last three seasons, and technology has improved, Schumacher is still my pick to win the F1 title for this year.

So, RACINGDEBATES.com asks you: How will Michael Schumacher fare in his return to Formula 1 -- can he pick up where he left off and win his eighth F1 crown in 2010?

CLICK HERE to add YOUR thoughts to the debate!

DANICA IN THE IRL... FINALLY DESTINED FOR IRL SUCCESS OR TOO DISTRACTED BY NASCAR?

Powered by a new title sponsor, the Izod Indy Racing League begins its 15th season Sunday in Sao Paulo, Brazil. While many eyes will be on Dario Franchitti to see if he can win his third IRL title in the last four seasons, perhaps the biggest chatter in the sport is how well will Danica Patrick (finished a career-high fifth last season) fare in 2010?

Says Jerry Bonkowski: Given how strong she finished last season, Danica has to be considered a legitimate contender for the IRL title, at the very least. But given her foray into NASCAR, as well, I have to wonder if she will be able to do just as well in two radically different series, rather than potentially being stronger in just one series, or will she be distracted by her stock car racing exploits? I envision her finishing fifth, again, at best. But if her NASCAR participation truly proves distracting, she may struggle to even finish in the top-10 by season's end.

So, RacingDebates.com asks you, "Can Danica Patrick finally win the IRL championship in 2010, or will her NASCAR foray prove to be too much of a distraction to her 'day job'?"

CLICK HERE to register YOUR opinion and let's get to debating!

WAS NASCAR FAR TOO LENIENT IN IT'S "PUNISHMENT" OF CARL EDWARDS?

NASCAR on Tuesday placed Carl Edwards on probation for only three races following Sunday's intentional wreck by Edwards of Brad Keselowski in the waning laps of the Sprint Cup race in Atlanta. Edwards received no suspension, which fans overwhelmingly called for, as well as no fine, no docked points or any other penalty.

By essentially giving Edwards a slap on the wrist, NASCAR has all but told all its drivers that they can do whatever they want on the track to each other with little fear of punishment or penalty.

Jerry Bonkowski says: I'm shocked. Carl made such a blatant and overt act by taking out Keselowski. Just because Brad wasn't hurt or his car didn't go into the stands, it appears NASCAR feels "no harm, no foul." Edwards should have been sat for at least one race. And given how many fans have come out against Edwards (my own reader poll on JerryBonkowski.com was overwhelmingly and nearly 3-to-1 in favor of Edwards being suspended for between 1 and 4 races), NASCAR again missed the boat on putting meat into a penalty. In so doing, NASCAR at least gave the impression that keeping sponsors happy and keeping a driver in contention for the Chase is more important than punishing him in a way that would match the overt act of retaliation that he displayed Sunday at Atlanta.

What's YOUR take? Was NASCAR far too lenient in its "punishment" of Carl Edwards?

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SHOULD CARL EDWARDS BE SUSPENDED BY NASCAR FOR INTENTIONALLY WRECKING BRAD KESELOWSKI AT ATLANTA?

The feud between Cousin Carl and Michigan Brad extends back to last year's race at Talladega, when Carl cut down on Brad on the final lap, Brad didn't budge, the pair made contact and Edwards went flying into the catchfence -- and almost into the stands -- unfortunately injuring seven spectators.

Sunday's actions by Edwards were uncalled for. He was down by 156 laps, came up behind Keselowski, who was on the verge of a top-5 finish, and casually bumped Kes, flipping him. What, did Edwards think no one would notice his actions?

So, we ask you, race fans, should Carl Edwards be suspended by NASCAR for intentionally wrecking Keselowski, and if so, for how long?

As much as I like Edwards, he's totally wrong in this instance. At the minimum, NASCAR should sit him for at least one race, maybe as many as four, to get the point across that while it's okay to "have at it, boys," it's not okay to be blatant and deliberate. What would have happened if Keselowski sailed through the fence and into the stands? Edwards needs to sit, period, for at least one race.

Those are my thoughts, Let's see if NASCAR -- and you, the reader -- agree.

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The ultimate drag race: Funny Car Matchup... Daddy vs Daughter

All right, let's debate and see if we can make some predictions...

Last round of the last Funny Car race of the year... Ashley Force goes for her first Funny Car Championship against her Dad, John Force, shooting for his 15th.

The apple hasn't fallen far from the tree in the Force family. With no sons to follow in his footsteps, John Force has turned second-eldest daughter Ashley into a chip off the old horsepower block, and in the process created perhaps his closest rival and challenger for the 2010 NHRA Funny Car championship. John currently leads the class, while Ashley is in sixth place. My pick between the two: John wins title No. 15, but look out in 2011 -- it'll be Ashley's championship season, making for perhaps the first time ever in pro sports that a father and daughter have won back-to-back championships.

That's what we think... What do you think? You've actually got 3 potential answers... Agree on John, Pick Ashley, or tell us who we're forgetting and why!

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WHO CAN STOP JIMMIE JOHNSON FROM A 5TH SPRINT CUP?

There's nothing anyone hates more than being bored... and it seem that right now, people are getting bored with Jimmie Johnson dominating so much.

SO, let's start a debate... WHO can stop Jimmie Johnson from winning his 5th straight championship?

In my mind, if Johnson is to be stopped in 2010 from winning Title No. 5, it will be Tony Stewart with the best shot and Johnson's own Hendrick Motorsports teammates, Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin, right behind.

So, what's your take: Who Can Stop Jimmie Johnson From Winning A 5th Sprint Cup Title?

CLICK HERE to post YOUR opinion!