A fantasy forecast for the 2007 season's second half

	A NASCAR Nextel Cup race through the heart of New York City might be just what the city coffers -- and tourism board -- need. Nick Laham/Getty Images for NASCAR

Didja go a little crazy around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday? Turn on the television and there was no NASCAR? Was it time to catch a little summer sunshine?

NASCAR's Nextel Cup series was on its rare mid-season break. Time to wonder what's in NASCAR's future, but pardon me if I was out in the sun too long.

Here are my fearless predictions (please note tongue firmly planted in my cheek).

ISC gets permission to run a street race in Central Park in New York City.

Mayor Mike Bloomberg, stung by the reaction of natives against his $8 a day congestion tax for motor vehicles operated below 86th street, seeks help from the City Council. In a unanimous vote they permit NASCAR a license to run a Nextel Cup race through the famous Central Park in the middle of Manhattan. With the proceeds of sales tax, hotel tax and license fees, the city balances its budget for 2009.

Back in Daytona the marketing department gets hysterical with possible multi-million dollar marketing ideas. Teams faint from the prospect of $400-a-night hotel rooms and $100-a-day per-diems for meals.

Donald Trump is named official starter. City traffic is stopped in Times Square as there is a parade of the qualified's 43 show cars on Saturday evening.

The race is a huge success. A crowd of 200,000 people show up and Juan Pablo Montoya wins another road race. The Spanish language newspaper El Diario declares Monday as a state holiday.

After the hoopla dies down the congestion charge is imposed anyway after city residents complain that NASCAR races make traffic too horrible to bear. The license is revoked, early, and Manhattan is returned to its usual state of chaos.

Kyle Busch signs to race with Gibbs.

Even though we're hearing the rumblings in the garage area that it's Ryan Newman to Joe Gibbs Racing, wouldn't "Shrub" be an more interesting mix with Stewart, who has called him "a dart without feathers"? Right now, Stewart and teammate Denny Hamlin are still a threat to win at most any venue now that they've had their dispute mediated by owner Joe Gibbs. How long will the teamwork actually be continue? Then imagine what will happen if Busch joins the team and there is a crash that takes out all of them? Have you ever seen three cats in a burlap bag all shaken up?