Who is ready for a promotion to the Cup Series?

There are so many talented, young drivers in the Nationwide Series that I want to see get called up to the "show." But if I had to choose one that I think is ready and could compete, it would be Justin Allgaier.

First off, he's got a ride. Sam Hornish Jr. just isn't getting it done in the No. 77 for Penske Racing, so Allgaier could slide right up into his place. It's not that I don't like Hornish, I just think he's had his opportunity and it hasn't worked, so give the kid a chance.

Second, Allgaier has proven he can hang with the Cup boys. Take a look at the Nationwide Series standings and look at the top five -- Keselowski, Edwards, Busch, Allgaier?

In just his second full-time season in the series, Allgaier is a solid fourth in points with a win, six top-fives and 14 top-10s. In all, Allgaier has a win, nine top-fives, 26 top-10s and two poles in less than two seasons of work. The kid known as "Little Gator" can flat-out drive and there is no reason to think that his talent won't shine in the Cup Series.

Finally, Allgaier is just a good kid. He knows his place in the garage and shows the veterans respect. In turn, those same veterans have a lot of respect for the 24-year-old Allgaier. He races clean, he's a great driver, he won't be involved in any controversy -- basically he's a sponsor's dream.

There are others out there who could be in this argument, but Allgaier is the only one I see truly ready to make the leap and be able to compete in the Cup Series next season.

Sure, Brendan Gaughan has had opportunities in all three of NASCAR's top series in the past decade. Moving him up into the Cup Series would not exactly be giving a deserving young driver an opportunity.

But man, it sure would liven things up around here.

First the pros: Gaughan likely would bring ready-made sponsorship and he is an aggressive driver who would be nothing short of a quote machine in the new age of "have at it, boys" in the Cup Series.

Now the cons: He is an aggressive driver who would be nothing short of a quote machine in the new age of "have at it, boys" in the Cup Series.

If NASCAR truly wants more rivalries and more emotion, they would help Gaughan get a ride in the Cup Series with a top-notch team. It wouldn't be much of a stretch, either.

Gaughan is on the verge of his second consecutive top-10 finish in the Nationwide Series. In those two seasons, he's posted six top-five and 15 top-10 finishes against what essentially amounts to Cup competition.

There are plenty of teams in the Cup garage that could use that type of success -- and that type of attention. What's more, there are plenty of Cup teams that can't afford to wait for a driver to mature and need someone with experience that can hit the ground -- and the competition -- running.

Brendan Gaughan is your man.