Even though it's just six years old, Texas Motor Speedway has developed an identity crisis of sorts: it's a mid-sized, 1½-mile oval that keeps thinking it's a superspeedway.

From a theoretical standpoint, Texas is the third-fastest racing surface on the Winston Cup circuit, behind Talladega Superspeedway and Daytona International Speedway, where qualifying marks of 210-mph-plus were set more than a decade ago.

	Dale Jarrett won last year at Texas.

But in reality, Texas is the fastest track on the scene today, bar none and regardless of the size, because cars there aren't forced to compete with the speed-robbing restrictor plates required at Daytona and Talladega.

That's why Texas native Terry Labonte was able to set the track speed record at TMS by knocking off an extremely stout qualifying mark of 192.137 mph in 2000, while Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a 190.678 mph pole-winning blast to set the field in last year's race.

But heading into Sunday's Samsung/Radio Shack 500, speeds could take a significant leap upward as a result of the race surface having undergone a complete repaving during the off-season. What else would you expect from a track in a state known for doing things bigger and better?

But there's definitely a fear factor of sorts heading into this weekend's event, too. Texas is where CART drivers, in an unprecedented move, refused to race last year because speeds and gravitational forces were too fast to ensure safety for those behind the wheels and in the stands.

When was the last time you heard a driver say speeds were too fast?

And now, with Texas having a brand-new surface that is reportedly as smooth as a baby's behind, Labonte's qualifying record is not only in jeopardy, but drivers have the potential to be so close to the edge that the slightest deviation could be the difference between success and disaster.

Not to say that you'll see a 200-mph qualifying effort Friday, but if Labonte's mark is eclipsed by at least three or four mph, don't be surprised if NASCAR may consider adding Texas to the list of tracks that require restrictor plates.

Speed aside, Texas is nothing short of a phenomenal facility for both drivers and fans. Built by multi-track owner Bruton Smith, it's the type of complex that has set the standard for other facilities.

After a shaky Winston Cup debut in 1997, with numerous driver complaints about its configuration and surface, several modifications were made that transformed the track into a more driver-friendly and safer facility. Since then, numerous highlights have transpired, including the first Winston Cup victories for Jeff Burton (1997) and Earnhardt Jr. (2000).

At the same time, TMS has established a precedent that has quickly made it a fan favorite among racetracks, with an estimated 180,000 fans expected to make a pilgrimage to what has quickly become a racing mecca of sorts, just north of Fort Worth.

The speedway's popularity has also prompted a skirmish of sorts. While there's no question the track has been a boon to NASCAR's fortunes, a simmering feud between Smith and NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr. -- two equally stubborn individuals when it comes to change -- over the future direction of the sanctioning body has kept Texas from gaining a much-desired second date per season.

Smith contends -- and the facts, figures and fan support back him up -- that Texas would be a much better venue to gain a second race each season rather than places like Martinsville, Va., Richmond, Va., Dover, Del., or even legendary Darlington, S.C. He has repeatedly asked NASCAR to justify why it would rather have a second race at a facility that draws just 80,000 fans, when it could more than double that figure at Texas.

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If Labonte's (qualifying) mark is eclipsed by at least three or four mph, don't be surprised if NASCAR may very well consider adding TMS to the list of tracks that require restrictor plates in the near future. ”

What's more, with the exception of Daytona, Talladega, Indianapolis and Bristol, Tenn. -- which Smith also owns -- Texas outdraws every other track on the schedule.

But as long as the feud between Smith and France continues -- and no end appears in sight -- Texas will continue to be a one-horse show when it comes to the Winston Cup schedule.

Regardless of the spat, I'm probably more pumped up for this weekend's event than I have been for any other race in quite some time. Being among a couple hundred thousand people always is an awe-inspiring sight.

The repaved surface holds the promise of a new qualifying record that could inch closer to 200 mph, points leader Sterling Marlin is going for his third win of the season and looking to pad his lead in the standings, Earnhardt is seeking another strong finish there, Dale Jarrett will make his first start with Todd Parrott returning as crew chief, and defending champion Jeff Gordon makes his 300th career series start.

And those are just appetizers for NASCAR diehards. After a quiet week off, this could well be one of the most exciting weekends we'll see this year. I can't wait.

Jerry Bonkowski covers NASCAR for ESPN.com.