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Picking the winner

Sporting News, The, Sept 23, 2005

Stewart is the man

I said it before, and I'll say it again: Engrave the NASCAR Nextel Cup trophy with Tony Stewart's name.

It's all about the numbers. Since Stewart's second-place finish in June at Michigan, he has not finished worse than eighth, and he's put together that run driving on virtually every type of track NASCAR has to offer. In addition, he won five of the past 12 races. He posted an average finish of 3.7 at those 12 tracks and led the most laps at six of them. He is tied with Greg Biffle for the most victories this season. Right now there's not a Cup driver as versatile or consistent as Stewart.

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Stewart locked up his spot in the Chase in August at Michigan, so the pressure has been off this team for a while. That has given Stewart time to relax, and it has given crew chief Greg Zipadelli time to perfect his stable of Chase cars.

Stewart's momentum has been building throughout the toughest--and hottest--part of the schedule. Stewart lost his 200-plus point lead over Biffle because of the Chase format, but he still starts the Chase on top of the leader board. He'll drive the same car this weekend at New Hampshire that he won with there in July.

Remember, Stewart has won at seven of the final 10 tracks. The confidence that will give him and his team is immeasurable.

Finally, it's hard to ignore experience. With a few exceptions, this is the same team that Stewart won the title with in 2002--they're just older and wiser.--Lee Spencer

Biffle will bag it

Few people remember who won the last race of any season. While one lonely driver celebrates his victory with his crew and family, the rest of the NASCAR world is consumed with crowning the new champion.

And so it was when Greg Biffle won at Homestead, the final race of 2004. Then he won again in the second race of this season. And again in the seventh, 10th, 13th and 15th. Suddenly, that forgotten victory had turned into a sign of good things to come. Suddenly, Biffle was the man to beat on intermediate tracks and a threat to win everywhere else. Still, Whatsisface barely registered a blip outside of hard-core NASCAR circles. Biffle has eight career wins. Kasey Kahne and Jamie McMurray, bona fide beautiful people who get far more attention, have two combined.

Whatever. The racing public can only pay so much attention to so many drivers. Even though his quotes are as vibrant and controversial as those of any driver, Biffle doesn't get the credit or attention he deserves. That will end when he wins the championship this year.

In the Chase, Biffle could win at any or all of the five 1.5-mile tracks, and he will have top five cars everywhere except Martinsville. If he gets out of there with a top 15, the title will be his.

He should handle the pressure well--he has won championships in the Busch and Craftsman Truck series. He'd be the first person to win all three. Maybe that would make him a household name. Even if it doesn't, he won't be so lonely after this year's finale at Homestead. He'll have all those trophies--including the Nextel Cup--to keep him company.--Matt Crossman

Picking the winner

Sporting News, The, Sept 23, 2005

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