Prop Bet Of The Year: Who Will Punch Out Kyle Busch?

(Originally published on May 5, 2008)

The Kentucky Derby is in the books, and it's time for a new wager. Putting cash on in-season baseball is just slightly more scientific than Russian roulette, and most NASCAR fans still don't know the rules of the NHL, much less how to place a bet on it.
Recently, I saw that ESPN.com's Bill Simmons was allowed to set up a prop bet-gimmick wagers, like who will win the Super Bowl coin toss-in a Vegas casino. If the powers that be in Sin City really want some action, the next one we'll see on the board is who will cold-cock Kyle "Rowdy" Busch before the 2008 campaign is all said and done.
Now, I'm not saying he necessarily deserves a knuckle sandwich. And if he does, well, that isn't all bad. Everybody seems to be jonesing for a Cale Yarborough/Donnie Allison redux to prove life at the track hasn't gotten too soft. When you make as many "friends" as Rowdy does in all three major series, you probably need to leave your helmet on even when walking to the motorcoach.
But who will be the one to rearrange Busch's pipes? I'll name a few favorites, but I'm counting on a little help.
Carl Edwards, 4-1: This guy talked about bloodying Tony Stewart at Pocono in 2006, nearly leveled teammate Matt Kenseth at Martinsville last year and looks like he could step into a UFC ring right now. He seems fairly intent on pummeling somebody before he bids the sport adieu.
Steven Wallace, 7-1: He only ranks below Edwards because he'll have fewer chances to share a ring, uh, track with Busch for the balance of '08. But Wallace looks like that kid you knew growing up down the street who had to go get his GED after throwing down in the hall with everybody but the janitor between periods.
Juan Pablo Montoya, 9-1: You had to love it when JPM and Kevin Harvick played grab-grab with each other at Watkins Glen and Felix Sabates found a mic to play up Montoya's kung fu skills. Reminded me of when Gary Hart brought The Great Muta ("son" of The Great Kabuki) into WCW to polish off Ric Flair. Felix, you missed your calling. Montoya isn't Jackie Chan, but he ain't taking no crap, either.
Drunken Dale Jr. Fan With Hot Pass, 10-1: If you've been to the garage, you see some of the folks who get access and wonder why trained therapists thought it would be soothing to plan a group field trip there. Remember when Lowe's Motor Speedway planned extra security for Brian Vickers after taking out then-teammate Johnson and Junior at 'Dega?
Rusty Wallace, 16-1: You think announcers can't lose their mind? Jimmy Spencer almost got sent to the showers for good after calling Kelley Earnhardt Elledge everything but a dumb broad. Where do you think Steven got that temper?
I can think of a few more-at least one or two pretty obvious-but I want to keep the floor open for suggestions. Don't be bashful.