EXPERT PICKS

In the last blog I avoided picking who will win today.

But I asked veteran NASCAR reporter Mike Mulhern for his thoughts. He attends nearly every Cup race and has for about 20 years.

Here’s what he says:

The brain says Jeff Gordon, despite that bad crash here last year. He looked hot at Daytona and California.

The money says a Jack Roush guy -- Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth or Carl Edwards.

The darkhorse is Kurt Busch, who's finally getting things back together, with crew chief Pat Tryson, after a woeful 2008.

The joker could be Kyle Busch ... if those Toyota engines don't cause problems.

For more on NASCAR, visit mikemulhern.net.

HEY, I KNOW THAT GUY

I never expect to see an old friend walking through the packed area near the speedway’s Neon Garage.

It just happened. And I realized I’d never met this friend before.

It was Dan Evans, who lost about 130 pounds during a recent “Biggest Loser” run on NBC.

Now a budding country music singer, Dan looks like he’s kept the weight off.

He was at the track to lead this morning’s Speedway Children’s Charities Track Walk.

Who says physical fitness and NASCAR don’t go together?

Evans works as a camp counselor for his family's non-profit Reach Out for Life Youth Foundation.

He was performing at Harrah’s this weekend. For more on his music: danevansmusic.com.

I will soon begin my own marathon walk as I leave the infield media center to hike to the press box above the grandstand where I will watch the race.