Ok, so obviously the deadline is done and since I couldn’t enter anyway I waited until it was over before having my say…and no, I’m not counting this bit as part of the 250 words.

It’s very simple for NASCAR to appeal to a broader audience...do what every other main motorsport category does; have team colours.

F1 has silver for McLaren and red for Ferrari, so why doesn’t NASCAR? Yes it’s exciting to see 43 different coloured cars but it’s not necessary anymore. HMS could run the Dupont colour scheme on all four cars and change the sponsors on each while DEI could use three Bud cars and do the same…it’s not rocket science.

By all means, change the paint scheme each race to keep sponsors happy, but have NASCAR clear it so no teams clash colours. I had to always look twice before knowing if I was seeing Kasey or Dale Jr fly by in 2004 and 2005 since both raced in the same colours for different teams.

And it will make a far easier sight for fans. Yeah we have favourite drivers...but we also have favourite teams, yet what do you see advertised; 90% driver merchandise and 10% team items?

That’s not the way forward.

Motorsport is supposed to be a team business with the drivers being the face of that team, so make it happen. Red Bull have the right idea…the rest need to take a leaf out of their book and fall in line.

 RBR have become the 'leader of the pack' by using a single team colour scheme

That’s the only way NASCAR will ever appeal to an audience outside of North America...in 250 words or less anyway.

Is there any better time of the year than the last Sunday in May?

Some would argue that holidays are....but we're talking racing nuts here and I'm struggling to find a better day. Tradition demands for that weekend to host both the Indy 500 and Coke 600, while across the Atlantic you've got one of the most prestigious races of them all; the Monaco GP.

Of the three, I (along with 100% of others most likely) are expecting the 600 to have the most lead changes with the GP to be a good candidate for "yawn-fest of the year", but let's have a look at all three anyway.

We'll start with Monaco as it'll be the first to kick off; another Ferrari v McLaren battle royale is shaping up....but it's the "wrong" drivers who go into the weekend on the high. Massa has won the last two races while Hamilton is leading the championship, and both are outshining their more illustrious teammates (Raikkonen and Alonso respectively). All four will go into the weekend as favourites so we'll have a look at the battle for the minor placings instead. Coulthard scored the Red Bull team's first podium at this race last year, and Webber doesn't go too shabby here either (his only career podium came here in 2005). Likewise, the two Italians, Fisichella and Trulli love the streets of Monte Carlo and I can't see anyone else tearing up the formbooks and be the surprise. The smart money will be on Raikkonen and Alonso, with the Red Bull boys the darkhorses....but whatever you do, don't put your house on that.

Indianapolis....a race steeped in history and oozing with legends of motorsport who've raced there. Hornish Jr managed to squeeze past Andretti (the Marco variety) on the run to the flag last year, but can he repeat? Castroneves has pole, and we know he's no slouch around this track, while the Ganassi team are running 1-2 in the title race. Both Wheldon and Dixon have been fast and consistant....but this race isn't always won by the fastest car; it can be won by the guy (or girl....don't discount Danica this time around) and team who wants it the most. So is there anyone out there who can challenge Penske and Ganassi on speed alone? Probably not, but as we saw last year don't disregard those Andretti cars; Kanaan, Franchitti, Andretti (both since Michael is running in this one too) and Patrick. If I had to pick a winner, I'd probably go for the Kiwi, Dixon. Why? He's run well there in the past but hasn't had anything other than bad luck....and that's got to change at some point.

So now we arrive, bleary-eyed for those of us who will try to watch all three, at Charlotte and the Coca-Cola 600; the longest race of the NASCAR season. On current form, Johnson should win with some bloke called Daylight in second. Yes, I think the whole #48 team will be hurting after last year with Kahne managing to wrestle their mantle of "cookie-cutter kings" away....which won't happen this time around unless they fit an afterburner to the #9. The guys who should run well there would be....well, anyone with a Chevy really. I expect the other three Hendrick cars to be strong, along with RCR, DEI and Gibbs. I also think that the Penske boys could create a few headaches as they attempt to score Dodge's first win for '07, while Kenseth and Edwards should be the ones to fly the flag for Ford. So, since the race appears to be for second place behind Jimmie, I'd probably stick it on Hamlin. Patience, young Denny, race wins will come for you.....just not here.

And that's it; three traditional races all scheduled for the same day....it doesn't get any better than that, my racing friends.