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Bump & Run: Which NASCAR driver would you like to see run the Indianapolis 500?

KezIndyCar

Brad Keselowski climbs into Team Penske driver Simon Pagenaud’s IndyCar to run some laps during a test at Road America. (Photo by IndyCar Series)

Nate Ryan, Dustin Long, Jerry Bonkowski and Daniel McFadin answer this week’s questions.

Other than Kyle Larson, who is another driver you would like to see have a chance to run in the Indianapolis 500 some day?

Nate Ryan: Jimmie Johnson would be high on my wish list, but I don’t think he would be interested. Brad Keselowski has indicated interest in IndyCar, so he would be fun to watch, as would Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Ryan Newman.

Dustin Long: Once he gets more established in NASCAR, I’d like to see Christopher Bell get a chance to run at Indy and see what he could do.

Jerry Bonkowski: His brother Kurt did it in 2014. I think it’s just a matter of time before Kyle Busch also does it. When? I predict the younger Busch brother does the feat by 2020.

Daniel McFadin: Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski. Busch shares Larson’s desire to race anything with a steering wheel and expressed multiple times last year an interest in attempting “The Double.” Keselowski has time in an IndyCar, having driven a Team Penske car during a test at Road America last June. Wouldn’t it be something to see their rivalry play out over two races in different racing disciplines in the same day?

Jimmie Johnson scored his 81st career win Sunday at Texas. He is 12 behind Jeff Gordon for third on the all-time wins list. Does Johnson, who turns 42 in September, surpass Gordon’s total? If so, when?

Nate Ryan: Yes, he will … in 2020, which also will be his final season in Cup. David Pearson’s 105 victories probably are out of reach, but he will surpass Gordon, Bobby Allison, Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough.

Dustin Long: No. Johnson decides to walk away from the sport after the 2019 season and doesn’t surpass Gordon.

Jerry Bonkowski: Johnson has averaged 4.75 wins per season through his Cup career. I predict not only does he surpass Gordon by or before 2020 (which likely will be his final season), he may retire with as many as 100 wins.

Daniel McFadin: I don’t think he does. Johnson’s well behind Gordon when it comes to age. Gordon reached win No. 81 in 2009 - his 17th season - when he was 37. It took him until 2015 at age 43 to get to 93 wins. Johnson’s 81st win comes a little sooner pace-wise in his 16th full season, but I don’t see 12 more victory lane trips for the No. 48 team.

Joe Gibbs Racing remains winless. Who will be the first JGR driver to win this year and where?

Nate Ryan: Kyle Busch in the April 23 race at Bristol Motor Speedway. He consistently has been the best of the JGR drivers, he is very strong on short tracks … and I’m picking him to win that race (and every race) until he breaks through for a victory.

Dustin Long: Denny Hamlin at Talladega.

Jerry Bonkowski: Considering JGR won just two races in 2014, it could be a similarly long season in 2017. It surprises me most that Kyle Busch hasn’t won since last year’s Brickyard 400. I predict Matt Kenseth will be the first JGR driver to win this season. As for locale: Richmond on April 30.

Daniel McFadin: I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kyle Busch win at Richmond in three weeks, especially after how the race ended last year. Busch will want to redeem himself after Carl Edwards bumped him out of the way on the last turn of the last lap.