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Notes: Six hundred can be tough on NASCAR drivers

It isn't an endurance race, but sometimes the North Carolina 600 can feel like one.

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The longest race on the NASCAR Nextel Cup schedule takes place Sunday evening at Lowe's Motor Speedway, and running 600 miles on a 1.5-mile oval can take a while.

Last May's event took 5 hours, 13 minutes and 52 seconds to complete.

Matt Kenseth, whose first Cup win came in the 600 in 2000, said it can be tough on the drivers.

"If it's a hot night, it definitely feels longer than a 500-mile race," Kenseth said.

"The 600 should be interesting this year," he added. "Well, it's usually interesting every year because so much can happen in that extra 100 miles. But, this year, particularly, with the harder tires and the smaller fuel cells. There are going to be so many pit stops and stops where 40 or more cars are on pit road, because you're going to have to come down for fuel at least every 30 laps, and that's assuming it stays green.

"Pit road becomes very crowded in that situation and that usually means that your chances of running into someone are a lot higher. When you think about it, whether you've been out eight or 28 laps, when a caution comes out you're going to have to pit in order to stay in sequence on fuel.

Kenseth was referring to the fact that NASCAR is requiring teams to use 14-gallon fuel tanks this year at Lowe's instead of the usual 22-gallon tanks in order to force teams to pit more often. The reason is NASCAR's fear that excessive tire wear between fuel stops on the newly paved track, even with the harder tires, could cause problems.

Crew chiefs have figured that if the race stays green from start to finish, which is highly unlikely, the smaller tanks would require a minimum of 12 pit stops instead of the usual seven or eight.

"It's going to be a little bit of a mess with the small fuel cell, but if you get a lot of greens, it's probably just as fast as 500 miles at Darlington really because 500 miles at Darlington is a long time too," Kenseth said.

Still, the 2003 Cup champion likes the suburban Charlotte event -- a lot.

"I always like coming to Charlotte," he said. "The 600, I think, is one of the most fun and challenging events of the year. You start during the day and you end at night. The track goes through a lot of changes and it's a really long race, so it's probably the one I look forward to and enjoy more than any other race.

"For me, it's one of the biggest races of the year. It's close to home so all the crews' families get to come out and watch, and it's just a fun atmosphere."

Acura Enters American Lemans series

Acura will launch is first factory motorsports program next March in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), making its debut in the LMP2 class.

An Acura-powered endurance racing prototype will get its competition initiation at the 55th Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring. "It provides us an arena in which to compete against other manufacturers in endurance sports car racing," said Jim Miller, executive vice president of Honda Canada.



The ALMS draws on the heritage of long-distance endurance sports car racing in both Europe and North America, the most famous being the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In addition to the Sebring event, the 10-race domestic series includes the Grand Prix of Mosport in Ontario on Sept. 1-3. Other premier circuits for the 2006 ALMS race schedule are Road America, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Laguna Seca, Lime Rock Park and Road Atlanta.

Competition features multi-class racing of high-tech sports car prototypes and production-based Grand Touring machinery, with both factory-entered manufacturer teams and privateers battling for victory. Manufacturers currently fielding teams include Volkswagen/Audi, Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, Lexus, Aston Martin, Panoz and Chevrolet.

Acura's entry will feature the first racing engine completely designed and developed in-house by Honda Performance Development (HPD) in Santa Clarita, California. HPD is American Honda's wholly-owned racing subsidiary. It will mark the first time HPD has taken on multiple concurrent motorsports programs in both the American Le Mans Series and the Indy Racing League (IRL).
While Acura will compete in the LeMans schedule, Honda will continue its long-standing participation in the IRL, supplying the entire IndyCar Series field with Honda Indy V-8 engines.

"We're looking forward with great anticipation to entering the American Le Mans Series," said Robert Clarke, president of HPD. "In addition to returning Acura to the international racing stage against other innovative automotive manufacturers, it allows us to continue to grow HPD into a world-class performance company.

The Acura race program for 2007 will feature HPD-designed and developed engines, and chassis from multiple manufacturers, including Lola Cars International, Ltd., of England, and Courage of France. After initial competition in the LMP2 class, plans call for the development of an Acura LMP1 chassis and engine package to compete in the ALMS, and earn an invitation to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. HPD was founded in 1993 as the wholly owned racing subsidiary of American Honda. It has served as the technical operations center for Honda's IndyCar engine program.

Acura previously participated in the International Motor Sports Association in the early 1990s, providing sponsorship and additional support for the Comptech Racing team in the Camel Lights division. Although not a full factory effort, Comptech and lead driver Parker Johnstone won three consecutive class titles from 1991-93 in an Acura-powered Spice chassis, with 22 race wins in 38 starts, including the historic 12 Hours of Sebring in 1993. In addition, Acura has supported the multiple championship-winning efforts of Peter Cunningham and Real Time Racing in SCCA World Challenge/Speed TV competition.

Testing of the Acura-powered ALMS cars will begin this summer. Drivers and teams will be announced later.

Taking a closer look at the American Le Mans series

sounds like a bike race in some far away European town but the American Le Mans Series is a growing auto racing series.

While all Le Mans is still a far cry from NASCAR, ALMS has strived to distinguished itself by incorporating two major technical differences in its races -- the four classes of cars and the leader-light system which signifies who's leading the various races.

In each ALMS race, all four classes of cars race at the same time, competing for both an overall and class championship.

Here is the breakdown of the two major differences in ALMS races:

Four classes of cars|

• LMP1 (Le Mans Prototype One): These purpose-built, closed-wheel chassis are among the fastest cars on earth. Among the specifications are a minimum weight of 1,980 pounds with horsepower that ranges between 750-800. These cars can reach in excess of 200 mph. All LMP1s feature red race-position lights and red numbers.

• LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype Two): Similar to the LMP1, these cars also have a closed-wheel chassis but are smaller and less powerful than their prototype sister. The LMP2's must have a minimum weight of 1,653 but their horsepower capacity is in the 550-600 range. Because of this, LMP2s generate speeds between 180-200 mph. These cars use the Blue race-positioning lights and have blue numbers.

• GT1 (Grand Touring One): This class of cars is similar to cars on the street in appearance only. While they may look like a model one can buy off the showroom floor, underneath the hood are state-of-the-art modifications that include horsepower in the range of 550-600 and speeds that can reach 195 mph. While the power capabilities put it on par with the LMP1 and LMP2, the GT1 cannot corner as well and doesn't have the braking capabilities to routinely compete with the LMP1 or LMP2. These cars use the green race-position lights and have green numbers.

• GT2 (Grand Touring Two): Generally, just the smaller and slightly less modified version of the GT1. This class of cars has horsepower capacities of more than 450 and can reach speeds nearing 180 mph. These cars used the yellow race-position lights and have yellow numbers.

Leader light system|

Introduced in 2002 to help fans keep up with and understand just who is leading the race and the classes, ALMS introduced the leader-light system. On the driver side of each car, near the rear tire and next to the car's number are three lights. If none of the lights are lit, then the car is not in the top three. One single light signifies the race leader. Two lights signifies second place and three lights signifies third place. Each class of cars has a different type of light. The LMP1s use red, LMP2s use blue, GT1 use green and GT2 use yellow.

Nearly every ALMS race is based on time. The Monterey Sports Car Championship is an endurance race that goes for 4 hours with two drivers alternating at various points in the race.

The only distance race in ALMS is the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, which is contested for 1,000 miles or 10 hours, whichever comes first.

Where the Cars are the Stars: The American Le Mans Series plots its course

This bears watching: While most of the motorsports world has packed up and marched off on one path, the American Le Mans Series has set its course in the exact opposite direction.

Cost-containment measures, ever more restrictive technical rules, spec cars, spec engines, spec series. There is no mistaking it: Managed competition is the trend in the world of racing, including sports car racing, the domain of the ALMS. Even Formula One is joining in with its own regulations designed to return on investment, equalize on-track competition and boost the entertainment value of The Show. And as we know, it’s all about The Show these days.

The purists might not like it, but as auto racing fights to attract a mainstream audience, as it must to compete against traditional stick-and-ball sports, the machines themselves are becoming an ever smaller part of The Show. The general audience doesn’t give a hoot about the nuts and bolts; it cares only about the drivers, the human drama of the sport.

Or at least that is the predominant theory among those who guide the sport today. But the logical conclusion is that eventually, the auto will become to car racing what the tennis racket is to tennis: just a tool. A sideshow, not The Show.

Well, not in the ALMS anyway. Scott Atherton, ALMS president and CEO, says what traditional fans are dying to hear. In the ALMS, he says, “The car is the star.”

“Our goal in the American Le Mans Series is to celebrate the car’s relevance in the sport,” Atherton says. “Anything that detracts from [the cars’] presence and their emotional power is counter to our brand and our beliefs.”

IMSA SETS DATES FOR SEBRING WINTER TEST SESSION

The International Motor Sports Association has announced the dates for its second "Wheels Down Winter Test" at Sebring International Raceway. The three-day practice session will be held in advance of the 54th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, which will open the 2006 American Le Mans Series schedule.

From Jan. 23-25, entrants in the 12-hour endurance classic can test for eight hours a day at the 17-turn, 3.7-mile road course. Teams will run from 8 a.m. to noon, break for an hour, then continue from 1 to 5 p.m. They also have the option to run as many or as few days as they like. IMSA also is exempting the three-day session from the testing limitations that apply to LMP2 and GT2 cars.

Admission prices for the public will be announced at a later date.

The 54th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring is set for 10:30 a.m. EST March 18 at historic Sebring International Raceway. It will mark the start of the ALMS' eighth season.

Laguna Seca: Champion Racing season review

Team ADT Champion Racing can now declare themselves as the best sports car team in the world. Why? Because this "privateer", Pompano Beach, Florida based team can now boast that in one season, they have won the three most prestigious sports car races in the world: the 12 Hours of Sebring, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Petit Le Mans. In addition, Team ADT Champion Racing has won all three Championship titles in the 2005 American Le Mans Series season: the Team Championship (second for Champion Racing), the Driver's Championship (won by teammates Emanuele Pirro and Frank Biela) and the Manufacturers' Championship (Audi's sixth consecutive Championship).



"I don't think Team ADT Champion Racing will ever have a racing season like we've had this year," said Dave Maraj, Team Owner of Champion Racing. "I am so proud of everyone on this team. We have been working hard for these victories and we finally achieved them all this year."

The success for Champion Racing started with the season opener at Sebring International Raceway. In the closest racing finish in the 53-year history of the 12 Hours of Sebring, only 6.365 seconds separated the 1st and 2nd place Audi R8s of Team ADT Champion Racing giving Dave Maraj and his team their first ever Sebring victory. Drivers of the No. 1 Audi R8, JJ Lehto (Finland), Marco Werner (Germany) and Tom Kristensen (Denmark) led most of the race while the No. 2 sister car piloted by Emanuele Pirro (Italy), Frank Biela (Germany), and Allan McNish (Scotland) stayed close behind. This dominating win by Team ADT Champion Racing marked the sixth consecutive victory for the Audi R8 at Sebring since its debut in 2000.



In June, Team ADT Champion Racing traveled to Le Sarthe, France to compete in the 73rd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Once again the trio of Lehto, Werner and Kristensen crossed the finish line first and in doing so fulfilled a lifetime achievement for Dave Maraj. The fiercely contested win marked the first time in 38 years that an American team won the coveted 24 Hours of Le Mans trophy. For Audi, it was their fifth win out of six attempts having lost to Bentley in 2003.



For the drivers of the winning Audi R8, earning this checkered flag signified three very important accomplishments. JJ Lehto celebrated his second Le Mans win, the first having been achieved in 1995, Marco Werner celebrated his first Le Mans win and Tom Kristensen is now known as the most successful Le Mans driver ever. In only his ninth Le Mans appearance, Kristensen is now the first driver in history to claim a seventh victory besting Jacky Ickx's (Belgian) record of six wins.



At Petit Le Mans (Braselton, Georgia) teammates Emanuele Pirro and Frank Biela wrapped up their second American Le Mans Series Driver Championship. Pirro won his first ALMS Driver Championship in 2001 and Biela earned his in 2003. Team ADT Champion Racing won their third consecutive Petit Le Mans and the Audi R8 remained unbeaten earning its sixth consecutive win.



Rod Bymaster, Motorsports Manager for Audi of America, comments, "On behalf of Audi of America I would like to thank Team ADT Champion Racing for all their hard work and long hours spent in 2005 to bring Audi the American Le Mans Series Championship and the win at Le Mans. Congratulations on a season of many great achievements."



2005 marked the sixth and final season for the most successful Le Mans Prototype of all time, the Audi R8. In record setting fashion, the R8 has achieved 61 victories from 74 sports car starts since its debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring in March 2000. From 2006 onwards, new technical regulations apply at the French endurance classic, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the American Le Mans Series.



World class drivers who have driven the Audi R8 include Stefan Johansson, Johnny Herbert, Ralf Kelleners, Andy Wallace, Didier Theys, Dorsey Schroeder, JJ Lehto, Tom Kristensen, Rinaldo Capello, Frank Biela, Emanuele Pirro, Allan McNish, Aiello Laurent, Michele Alboreto, Marco Werner, Pierre Kaffer, Christian Abt, Jamie Davies, Mika Salo, Stephane Ortelli, Perry McCarthy, Christian Pescatori, Michael Krumm, Philipp Peter, Seiji Ara, Yannick Dalmas, Hiroki Katoh, Johnny Kane, Patrick LeMarie, Jean-Marc Gounon, Franck Montagny, Stephane Ortelli, Jan Magnussen, and Tom Coronel.

Wheldon nominated for two Autosport Awards in London

Dan Wheldon, the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion and winner of the 89th Indianapolis 500, has been nominated for two prestigious Autosport Awards - International Racing Driver of the Year and British Competition Driver of the Year. Wheldon will attend the annual Autosport Awards dinner and reception on Dec. 4 at the Grosvenor House hotel in London
"The Autosport Awards are a highlight of my year, and it's a real honor to be nominated by such a well-respected motorsports magazine," said Wheldon. "It's always nice being back in London with my racing friends and my family, and I'm hoping I have the chance to get on stage and thank all the people that made my 2005 IndyCar (Series) season such a success. I couldn?t do what I do without a lot of support."

After a runner-up finish in the 2004 IndyCar Series championship, in which he posted three race wins and 12 top-4 finishes, Wheldon recorded one of the most dominating seasons in American open-wheel racing history this year. He became the first Englishman to win the Indianapolis 500 since the late Graham Hill in 1966; the first driver to win both the Indianapolis 500 and a major Driver's Championship since Jacques Villeneuve in 1995; and the first driver in IRL history to win both the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar Series Championship.

In 2005, Wheldon won four of the first five races of the season for the first time in IndyCar Series history. Overall, he captured six wins in 17 races, breaking Sam Hornish Jr.'s record for most wins in a season, and recorded 12 top-5 finishes and 15 top-10 finishes. Wheldon also set records for races led (15), total points (628) and earnings ($2,711,005).

In less than three seasons in the IndyCar Series, Wheldon is already tied for second place all-time in career wins with nine; having accomplished this in only 49 starts.

Other nominees in the International Racing Driver of the Year category include 2005 Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso, 2005 Formula 1 runner-up Kimi Raikkonen, and 2005 LeMans 24 Hours champion Tom Kristensen. The British Competition Driver of the Year nominees include Formula 1 star Jenson Button, DTM (German Touring Cars) driver Gary Paffett and World Touring Car Championship driver Andy Priaulx.

Nextel Cup: Texas track's second date is big all over

It took nine years and a lawsuit to get it, but Texas Motor Speedway is finally ready to put on the second NASCAR Nextel Cup race it coveted for so long.

The Dickies 500, the eighth race in the 10-race Chase for the championship, is set for Sunday. More than 200,000 spectators are expected for what could be a pivotal race in the championship.

The track on the north edge of Fort Worth also has put up a purse of more than $6.8 million, easily the biggest payoff in the Chase.

"NASCAR fans have waited nine long years for this race and there is a tremendous buzz going on about it," track president Eddie Gossage said. "The first camper showed up 17 days prior to the race."

When Bruton Smith and his Speedway Motorsports Inc. company decided to build the huge, luxurious Texas track, they got their first Cup event by buying half of the now-defunct North Wilkesboro, N.C., track and moving one of its dates to Texas.

The other North Wilkesboro date went to New Hampshire International Speedway.

From the beginning, though, Smith insisted that NASCAR's then-chairman, Bill France Jr., had promised him a second date. France insisted he had not made such a promise.

Finally, Francis Ferko, a shareholder in SMI, filed suit against NASCAR, contending the sanctioning organization breached agreements by not awarding a separate date to Texas. The suit, which Smith has repeatedly said he had nothing to do with, was eventually settled in May 2004.

Now, the second Texas race is here, and it is one of the most anticipated debut events in years.

"Perhaps the long wait makes it sweeter for all the fans," Gossage said.

•There have been nine different winners in nine previous races on the 1.5-mile Texas oval. Among them are current Chase contenders Greg Biffle, who won in April, Ryan Newman (2003), Matt Kenseth (2002) and Mark Martin (1998).

QBs call on Labonte

Two-time NASCAR champion Terry Labonte was introduced Thursday as the first driver for the new Hall of Fame Racing team, owned by former Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman.

Labonte, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, will run the 2006 season-opening Daytona 500 and four more races before Tony Raines takes over.

Skinner tops qualifying

Mike Skinner tied a recrod with his third consecutive Craftsman Truck Series pole, clocking an average lap speed of 182.593 miles per hour at the 1.5-mile Fort Worth speedway. Bill Lester will start on the outside of the front row for today's Chevrolet Silverado 350.

Critiquing The Chasers: Who Would Best Represent NASCAR?

While it may not be akin to appointing an ambassador to a foreign country, NASCAR, like any organization hopes that their newly crowned champion represents the sport in a positive manner. So I decided that I would give a brief opinion of each of the Nextel Cup chasers and how I think they will fair during their year as NASCAR’s newest ambassador. Of course, we must remember that with the exception of one, all will be back competing on the circuit next season, so their tour of duty may only last ten to twelve weeks. Such is the life of a newly crowned prince.

10. Jeremy Mayfield

Whenever I watch Mayfield stride down pit road toward his car after pre-race ceremonies, I’m always impressed by his stature. I decided it’s the design of his uniform. He reminds me of Flash Gordon. He always appears confident; he’s well spoken, and his overall statistics look good on paper, up to a point.

With five wins, 48 top five finishes and nine poles in a little over 11 years, you have to wonder why he hasn’t been more successful? The fact that he has now squeaked into the chase two years in a row lends credence to his ability to win during crunch time so why is it he always seems to be struggling? With an average start of 19.9 and average finishes of 20.2 you have your answer. And sitting in tenth place in the standings puts him virtually out of it.

But would he be a good spokesman for NASCAR? Sure, and I’m sure Flash Gordon would do a fine job as well.

9. Kurt Busch

This year, Kurt Busch, for whatever reason, seems to be a wreck looking to happen. Whether it’s a tire blowing or other problems that put him back so far he gets caught up in someone else’s wreck, the fact that he’s even in the Chase this year is miraculous. But even with his kingly posture last year at the awards banquet, the fans just didn't warm up to Busch.

And Kurt being Kurt, he’s had his moments of, um, off color remarks both on and off his radio. Nor should we forget that he apparently has developed a fondest for motivational speaking as was seen following his crash on lap 3 at New Hampshire in September.

That being said, he is the reigning Nextel Cup Champion and perhaps because in between the ten to twelve weeks off at the end of the season and negotiating a new contract with Penske South that drew the attention of just about everyone including NASCAR away from the actual racing, he simply didn’t have time to embarrass NASCAR.

At this point in time, it doesn’t look like he’ll have an opportunity to do so next year either.

8. Rusty Wallace

The 1989 Winston Cup Champion has unlimited experience both on and off the track. But this year he had shown a growth that perhaps in previous years he has mentally fought against. Being an “old school” driver who would often climb out of his car to help with repairs he apparently won the battle with himself over his know-it-all tendencies and finally began cooperating with and more importantly listening to his crew chief. And it’s working.

Rusty is perhaps busier now than he ever was. Striving to win a second Cup title, schmoozing with his sponsors, building a future in racing for his son Stephen, and warmly thanking his fans for their years of support, Rusty could easily take on a year long campaign as a NASCAR spokesman without missing a beat.

But would he be what NASCAR is looking for? Probably, but only if he takes on increased broadcasting duties. Being exceptionally outspoken, Rusty Wallace is not afraid to voice his opinion on anything, including the “Chase for the Championship”. He openly stated that he disliked it during its first year, and only now says that it was because he wasn’t in it. Since he is in the Chase this year, well of course, he likes it. But we know he really doesn’t and we’d much rather hear what a long time competitor really thinks than merely the company line. Should he abandon his broadcasting duties, he could very well become a force in the future of NASCAR.

And that would be a good thing.

7. Matt Kenseth

After winning the final Winston Cup Championship title in 2003, Matt Kenseth, without a doubt had to have been the most maligned champion ever to win a Cup title. All because he did what 30 other “modern era” drivers had done. Raced consistently and finished first place in the point standings. And because of this, not only did it give NASCAR an excuse to change the time-honored method of determining a champion, but it was all Matt’s fault. It was almost as if by sullying his win it would validate the decision to change. No one fell for that garbage and if anything it increased his fan base as they rooted him on and it didn’t change Matt one bit.

With everyone beatin’ and bangin’, bumpin' and slammin’, Matt Kenseth is yet again in the Chase and though he is no longer in contention to win his second Cup title, he would be as he was in 2003, an asset to NASCAR.

6. Mark Martin

Ah, the sentimental favorite. The consummate racer who’s a bit of a curmudgeon and the person chiefly responsible for getting not only pit crews but drivers in good physical shape. Well, except for Tony Stewart.

I have an image for you to think about. The 2004 NASCAR Nextel Awards Banquet. While everyone else was being trying to be glib, searching for the teleprompter and looking enormously uncomfortable, Mark Martin took the stage, leaned comfortably against the podium, and without benefit of notes, spoke from his heart. And he captured the affection of the entire family of racing fans.

Many of us are torn over the fact, that out of sheer loyalty Mark Martin has put a hold on his future plans to support those who he feels have given so much of themselves to him. But it was hardly a surprise, and it will be somewhat comforting to see him in that #6 Roush Racing Ford next year.

At 143 points out of first and only three races left, it’s doubtful that Mark can gain enough to capture this years title. Too bad. He certainly deserves it and while there are those that would say he’s worked hard for it, I say he’s done what he has always done. Given his all, each and every time he hits the racetrack.

It’s just not in his nature to do anything else.

5. Ryan Newman

The enigma. That’s the word that always comes to mind when I attempt to describe Ryan Newman. Short on words but long on talent, there is simply nothing more exciting than to watch Ryan Newman qualify for a race. As teammate to Penske South driver Rusty Wallace, the two guarded their individual team information as though it was coming out of Los Alamos. The media had a field day covering the supposed feud between the drivers when it was probably nothing more than a generational difference.

In a short five years, Newman has racked up 34 poles since entering the Cup ranks. During the 2003 season, he won 8 races to Matt Kenseth's one and added fuel to the argument that the point system was due for a change. So change it they did. But Ryan Newman, who made the Chase last year as well, has never been shy about expressing his dislike for the playoff that isn’t a playoff.

Nor did the Purdue University engineering graduate particularly care for the recent statement by Brian France that NASCAR didn’t want “engineers” winning races. And he was right to take exception when you realize that “engineers” are likely responsible for building the “Car of the Future.” Chances are he’ll have the new “COT” figured out pretty darn quick.

But whether he shares that information is something else entirely.

4. Carl Edwards

If NASCAR sat down and wrote a wish list of what they would want in a NASCAR Champion, it would probably contain only two words. Carl Edwards.

In forfeiting a chance at earning a “Rookie of the Year” award, Jack Roush wisely moved Carl Edwards from the Craftsman Truck Series to the virtual top of the stock car racing ranks. By starting Edwards in the #99 Roush Racing Ford in 2004 running 13 races, Edwards gained a chunk of experience running with racing’s elite. In 2005, that experience paid off with his first win at the spring race in Atlanta. He followed up with a win at Pocono in June, and soon found his way to his first “Chase for the Championship.” And we all waited for the glow to wear off. It hasn’t.

The “Golly, gee whiz, how did I get here?” persona has continued unabated only to be shed like a dog’s winter coat each and every time Edwards takes to the track. The Opie Taylor of racing seemingly becomes Superman at the drop of the green flag.

Though admittedly more comfortable at 1½ mile tracks, Edwards took over the lead Sunday at the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 at Atlanta and never looked back giving him a season sweep at the famous Georgia track. His trademark back flip has become a fan favorite. With Texas, Phoenix and Homestead in the offing, there is an outside chance that he could pull off the unthinkable. A non-rookie rookie winning his first NASCAR Nextel Championship.

NASCAR must be salivating over the possibility.

3. Greg Biffle

As a driver, Greg Biffle’s ability cannot be questioned. Since entering the Craftsman Truck Series in 1998, Biffle has accumulated an impressive resume. In addition to winning the Championship in the truck series, he also won the Busch Series championship in 2002. By adding a NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship to his list of achievements he will become a member of a very small elite group of drivers that have won championships in all three divisions.

Spotted by NBC commentator Benny Parsons and recommended to Jack Roush, the hard charging Vancouver, Washington native has a reputation for “gettin’ up on the wheel” and powering his #16 National Guard Ford to eight wins, one pole, 20 top fives and 33 top tens. And perhaps that’s the problem.

Whether he means to or not, Greg Biffle occasionally behaves as if he has a chip on his shoulder the size of Stone Mountain. He has literally become famous for spouting off comments that totally take away from the champion he could be. For example, when his teammate Carl Edwards won the spring race in Atlanta, Biffle took front stage by declaring, “This is the worst day of my life.” -- He placed third. And after being caught up in the crash on lap 65 at Talladega last month, Biffle opined that, “Hopefully, Ryan (Newman) makes a bunch more wrecks and uh, take some more people out and maybe we’ll gain those positions.” Not only are these remarks not worthy of a NASCAR champion they aren’t worthy of any racecar driver.

Greg Biffle is capable of great interviews, as long as he’s doing well. But when trouble happens as it regularly does in racing, he becomes childish and petty.

As a NASCAR Nextel Champion, perhaps Roush Racing should consider either courses in public speaking, or just whoop him with a two by four.

2. Jimmie Johnson

A PR puppy in the finest mode, Jimmie Johnson was a born poster boy for NASCAR. With a power drill in one hand and a Pepsi in the other, Johnson would probably be number one on NASCAR’s list of those who possessed the qualities most desired in a champion besting even Carl Edwards. But then he learned from the master.

Although many joke that he’s a Jeff Gordon clone, Johnson has had, until recently a much more straightforward approach when giving interviews. But he still rarely strays from the company line.

Since his official entry into the Cup division in 2002, Johnson was known for not only his driving ability, but also his ability to work with his crew to make his car increasingly better with each pit stop. He also earned the reputation as a “clean” racer; a reputation that has taken an enormous hit this season. Whether it’s the fact that he has finished second in the Championship point standings the past two years or he’s simply changed his driving style, Johnson has been caught up in most of the more memorable racing controversies this season. And while his fans remain rabidly loyal, his detractors are mounting.

But no one can deny that should Jimmie Johnson win his first NASCAR Nextel Championship, the suits will be dancing through the corridors in Daytona.

1. Tony Stewart

Oh, my goodness. What can you say about Tony Stewart that hasn’t already been written? And how can I possibly condense everything there is to say in a few brief paragraphs? Well, watch me.

Whether NASCAR realizes it or not, they would be very lucky to have Tony Stewart as their 2005 NASCAR Nextel Champion. By coming to grips with his own demons and applying his colossal talent to the racetrack, Tony Stewart has, despite the shenanigans at NASCAR, kept the attention on racing this year.

After starting the 2005 season strong with a 7th place finish in the Daytona 500 victory, Stewart then went into to his usual up and down form that marks the first half of his year. As is normal he then entered the second half of the season by placing second at Michigan in June. He followed that with a win at Sonoma and finally captured his first Daytona win in July at the “Pepsi 400”.

With the exception of Dover in September and the debacle at Charlotte in October, Stewart has not placed out of the top ten locking up five firsts, including the Brickyard 400 and three second place finishes. But his accomplishments on the track are not what have drawn the attention of race fans or the media, but rather his new outlook on his career and the way he lives his life. And his latest admission is testament to the fact that the “bad boy” of racing may finally have a firm grip on his own destiny.

Even with the success enjoyed by the #20 Home Depot team, the many now infamous incidents that have marked Tony Stewart’s NASCAR career began to take a toll on everyone involved. In reading the story of the “intervention” by Tony’s team, it was becoming apparent that the success just wasn’t worth it. Stewart was in jeopardy of losing his most valuable support group and he knew it. In finally grasping how to get along with NASCAR, he has learned that while he can still be honest on plain spoken in his opinions, he must also apply a bit of diplomacy. This “diplomacy” is usually accomplished with a dry wit and sly grin. But it works because it comes so naturally to Tony.

While his driving style hasn’t really changed, his race strategy seems to have shifted to focus chiefly on winning his second championship and he plainly states that he wants this one for his team. He recognizes the frustrations and hardships that winning in 2002 cost his crew and this is his way of making some of that up to them. He has come a very long way over a very rough road.

And NASCAR should be proud to have him. We certainly are.