Jay W. Pennell
Sprint Cup Correspondent
Hardcoreracefans.com

Making his annual All-Star Race predictions, H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler assured those assembled in the Wachovia Atrium in Uptown Charlotte that NASCAR had not "gone to the dogs".

Instead, the president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway employed the assistance of four show dogs to announce his picks for Saturday night's showdown.

Wheeler - the "King of Pure-bred Predictability," began his picks by bringing out a sleek greyhound wearing the No. 48. Like the greyhound, Wheeler pointed out, Johnson is one of the consistently fast drivers at the track his sponsor calls home. Next out was a Doberman pincher. Known for its energetic, fierce and fearless reputation, Wheeler likened this breed to NASCAR's hottest driver as of late, Kyle Busch.

"If we had five Kyle Busch's in the field, we'd have to build 50,000 more seats," Wheeler explained. "Winning is what Kyle Busch is all about and it's what the All-Star Race is all about, after two weeks of testing [at Lowe's], it would come as no surprise to me if Kyle Busch won come Saturday night."

Every year Wheeler also chooses a "dark horse", who has a shot to steal the win. This year, represented by an American pit bull terrier, that pick is Tony Stewart. According to Wheeler, Stewart possesses many similar skills as the pit that allow him to, "stir things up when he wants to, both on and off the track. "Although he has yet to win this season Wheeler pointed out, "Tony still has it and he can smell the big money."

After trotting out these impeccable show dogs, Wheeler had one more trick up his sleeve to showcase his pick to win the million-dollar shootout Saturday night. That's when a small black and white dog known as Princess, the back-flipping dog made its way onto the stage and, led by owner Bob Moore, and began doing back-flips.

"Carl Edwards is a racer's racer in the mold of Dale Earnhardt and Cale Yarborough," Wheeler said of his pick. "He will put his car in places angels fear to tread and beneath that big smile and his trademark back-flip, Carl has an abnormal fire in his heart to win that I have seldom seen."

"I know Humpy's history of picking winners for the All-Star race and it's an honor that he picked me," Edwards said via-phone. "He picked me one time before [in 2006] and we didn't come through. So he's got some real guts to pick us again. I hope we can prove him right this time." Although Edwards is his pick to win, Wheeler hopes the finish comes down to the last lap, much like the 1992 Winston.

"Imagine what that grandstand would be like on the last lap if Busch and Edwards came off Turn 4 side-by-each with Dale Jr. lurking right off their rear bumpers." Make sure to either head to the track or tune in and watch if Wheeler's predictions come true.

Tickets, starting at just $40, are still available for Saturday night\'s Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe?s Motor Speedway. For more information, visit www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS (1-800-455-3267).