The Outside Groove Season Preview--Part 2

4 through 6--Three of Nascar's four manufacturers.

4. 12 Ryan Newman
The Case For: Finally got rid of that load Rusty Wallace. Finally got rid of that load Travis Kvapil
The Case Against: Finally picked up that load Kurt Busch.
Changes: Ryan’s been legally licensed to carry a firearm, in case someone dares make a mailman joke around him.
Fun Fact: Rusty Wallace? Pinko commie.

5. 99 Carl Edwards
The Case For: Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle.
The Case Against: Ted Musgrave, Kevin Lepage.
Changes: Office Depot comes on board full-time for 2006. This has forced Edwards to let down numerous race fans by informing them, “No, not the one with the guy who has the ‘fro—that’s Office MAX”.
Fun Fact: Going by pictures in Sport Illustrated’s Nascar Year in Review Issue, Carl has been trying to sell tickets…TO THE GUN SHOW!!!

6. 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr
The Case For: Due for a rebound, and doesn’t have to spend so much of his time doing commercials. For Michael Waltrip. And Shane Hmiel.
The Case Against: People have heard him wondering aloud what it would be like to go to the Wood Brothers, cut a country album, and be sponsored by Mello Yello.
Changes: Tony Eury, Jr. takes over as crew chief, having served as Junior’s car chief in the past. No one knows what a car chief does, but it sounds pretty important.
Fun Fact: The “wrist surgery” Junior had was just a cover-up for something much more sinister—hand surgery.