5 EAST BAY THOUGHTS

1.  Dennis Erb, Scott Bloomquist, and Don O'Neal look to be the class of the field thus far...and I might throw Steve Francis in that mix too, if not for problems late in the going Monday night.  Other who have been impressive include Eric Jacobsen, Tyler Reddick, and John Blankenship (whose 24th-to-5th rally was THE show last night).  Along with Reddick, young guns Bobby Pierce and Devin Moran have also impressed me.

2.  I like seeing the new clay on the track, but it doesn't look like they built the banking all the way up on the outside to where it was 10+ year ago, which is something I was hoping for.

3.  Doug Drown is exciting to watch.  Period.  The dude can flat out drive and he proved it by "puttin' on a show" last night in the first B-Main.  He'll have himself a top five run before the week is over.

4.  Every year, there's one semi-unknown driver who rolls in and has a banner week at the 1/3-mile Florida oval.  Is Todd Frank that driver this year?  We'll see how the rest of his week goes.

5.  Tonight's winner?  My money's on Don O'Neal.