Wallace, Spencer, Roberts Never Shy Away from Sharing Opionions

SPEED has re-named its popular NASCAR Nextel Cup Series pre-race show, changing it from "NASCAR This Morning" to "NASCAR RaceDay." One thing that definitely won't change, however, is the free-flowing commentary from the show's stars; Kenny Wallace, Jimmy Spencer and John Roberts. So, as SPEED prepares for more than 70 hours of coverage from Daytona Speedweeks, here's how the guys see the 2006 NASCAR season shaping up:

Who will be the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion?

• Kenny Wallace: Greg Biffle. To be the Cup champion, you have to be lucky. There are six to eight teams that could win and you saw Jimmie (Johnson) move from No. 2 to No. 5 with one blown tire last year and the same thing could have happened to Tony (Stewart) in Homestead. You have to be lucky.
• Jimmy Spencer: Without a lot of rule changes, Tony Stewart is going to remain tough, but I am picking Greg Biffle to win, with my long shot being the No. 38 of Elliott Sadler.
• John Roberts: Carl Edwards. One word -- attitude.

Who will be the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series champion?

• Kenny Wallace: Paul Menard (since it would be rude to pick myself).
• Jimmy Spencer: Kevin Harvick.
• John Roberts: Kenny Wallace (I don't mind being rude).

Who will be the 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion?

• Kenny Wallace: Todd Bodine.
• Jimmy Spencer: My sentimental favorite is Dennis Setzer, but I think Ron Hornaday is going to win it.
• John Roberts: Todd Bodine - strong finish in '05 means strong year in 2006.

Who will be the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Rookie of the Year?

• Kenny Wallace: Clint Boyer.
• Jimmy Spencer: Denny Hamlin.
• John Roberts: Denny Hamlin has already shown he can make the adjustment.

What driver in the Chase last season won't be in it this season and why?

• Kenny Wallace: Jeremy Mayfield. Nothing against Jeremy, I think the Dodges are an unbalanced race car.
• Jimmy Spencer: I don't think either Penske team will make the top 10. I just don't see it clicking over there.
• John Roberts: Jeremy Mayfield, even a great driver this year will have trouble with the Dodges.

What driver NOT in the Chase last season WILL be in this year and why?

• Kenny Wallace: Jeff Gordon. Jeff Gordon will be in the Top 10 because Hendrick Motorsports will not allow as many parts failures to occur this year. You can't keep an organization like Hendrick down.
• Jimmy Spencer: Elliott Sadler, Tommy Baldwin brings a lot to the team.
• John Roberts: Elliott Sadler.

Biggest story heading into the season?

• Kenny Wallace: Because of his popularity, I'd have to say Dale Jr. Everyone will watch to see if that old magic is back with Tony Eury Jr. … another story is Petty Enterprises - can they be competitive with Loomis and Parrott?
• Jimmy Spencer: NASCAR's new car … people are fighting the new car and they are really making more out of it then it really is. It is a good deal for the sport.
• John Roberts: Does Dale Jr. get back to superstar status on the track?

Biggest story nobody is talking about yet?

• Kenny Wallace: The young gun era is over because ALL of the drivers are young.
• Jimmy Spencer: With the Toyota announcement, Honda and Nissan are now forced to get into the sport. They have no choice.
• John Roberts: Do all the new young drivers live up to expectations?

Surprise performance of the year?

• Kenny Wallace: Kenny Schrader.
• Jimmy Spencer: The No. 43 car because of all the changes in the organization.
• John Roberts: Mark Martin.

Who is due for a big drop-off in 2006 and why?

• Kenny Wallace: Evernham Motorsports because we are racing with the same rules as we did in 2005 and, again, I feel the Dodges have a balance issue.
• Jimmy Spencer: The Ganassi organization. The Dodge still lacks in performance and the Chevy and Fords have the advantage.
• John Roberts: Dodge drivers in general.

Who has the coolest looking race car?

• Kenny Wallace: Tony Stewart's - I love orange, it's bright and makes me happy.
• Jimmy Spencer: I always like Jeff Gordon's paint schemes. They are bright and eye-catching.
• John Roberts: The No. 24 DuPont Chevy.

Your favorite thing to watch on SPEED?

• Kenny Wallace: Anything to do with dirt racing.
• Jimmy Spencer: Wow, I am a SPEEDoholic. I like the special events like Barrett-Jackson. I love to watch the cars bring in that kind of money. Unique Whips is a good show too. I like to see how they trick the cars out.
• John Roberts: Beyond the Wheel - love the deep voice.

What's more intimidating - driving a race car or doing live television?

• Kenny Wallace: Neither. The only thing that intimidates me is raising my hand to ask a question in the drivers' meetings. I don't want Mike Helton mad at me.
• Jimmy Spencer: My wife is the only one who intimidates me -- Seriously not much, I used to be worried when I first started doing television that I would upset people with my opinion, but after reading fans reactions it turns out they appreciate that I talk about subjects others don't want to talk about. Tell it like it is, so to speak, but it is just my opinion.
• John Roberts: Driving a race car - clearly. When I did the Petty Driving Experience, it took me two weeks to get the smile off my face.

Craziest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

• Kenny Wallace: Fans always offer me a beer when we are doing RaceDay. What is crazy about it is that they are serious. They don't get why I can't have a beer.
• Jimmy Spencer: They used to talk about this a lot, but true fans don't ask for much, they just want an autograph or just to talk to you. I have fun talking to the fans. It is nice because they see us as family or like a close friends but it is hard sometimes because they tell you personal things that are going on in their lives. That keeps you grounded and you realize everyone is the same. I think all of this is why RaceDay is doing so well. They tune in for our opinions and if we make a mistake we are willing to admit it.
• John Roberts: To sign body parts that can't be mentioned.

SPEED, celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2006, is the nation's first and foremost cable network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in nearly 70 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest growing sports cable networks in the country and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on-demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services.