Three-wide with McMurray, Speed and Hornish

Three drivers -- Jamie McMurray, Scott Speed and Sam Hornish Jr. -- answer three questions.

Q: What's the biggest challenge facing NASCAR today?

McMurray: I would say the economy. I'm certainly no expert, but it seems that we've hit bottom and things are getting better. I think it's just a challenge for corporations right now -- to get new ones to come into our sport, to see how great it would be to be part of a NASCAR team.

Speed: The economy. For getting fans in the stands, for getting sponsors on the cars, across the board -- for everything.

Hornish: The economy is the biggest thing. You've got guys like Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart that have sponsors leaving or are working really hard to renew things. Any time you have something like that with past champions of the sport, it's tough going for everybody.

Q: Excluding yourself, which driver who didn't make the Chase this year is most likely to make it next year?

McMurray: I'd say Ryan Newman. They were really consistent the second half of the season, so I think they'll be tough next year.

Speed: Jamie McMurray. That's a really, really strong team right now.

Hornish: I think you'd have to say Jamie McMurray. They've had a special year. Winning the amount of races that they won and running as well as they have ... there were a couple of things I think were beyond their control -- they should have made it this year.

Q: Which non-racing sports event would you most like to attend?

McMurray: The Kentucky Derby. My wife wants to buy a big hat.

Speed: None. I absolutely hate watching sports unless I'm doing 'em. I got into golf and started watching golf on TV. I'll watch a little bit to pick up some pointers, but I would hate to just go there and spectate. It would drive me crazy.

Hornish: I love football, so I guess I'd have to go with the college national championship game, regardless of who was in it.