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A garage expert handicaps the Chase contenders

Sporting News, The, Oct 28, 2005 by Ryan Newman

Newman is my choice to win it all. On the final five tracks we race--Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead--Newman, with the help of his engineering juggernaut, composed of himself, crew chief Matt Borland and second-in-command Mike Nelson, is capable of running competitively at each one. There's not another driver in Nextel Cup that has Newman's propensity for qualifying on the front row. He won three poles in the final five events last year and started third at Homestead. Newman also started first at Texas in the spring. In spite of the Dodges' struggles at the 1.5-mile tracks in 2005, Newman's ability to qualify up front will give this team a tremendous advantage not only in pit selection but also in track position.

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TONY STEWART There's no denying Stewart is an extremely talented driver. He and his teammates have been together longer than any group in the garage, and they know what to expect out of one another in tight spots. Wrecking two of his intermediate cars last month at Charlotte during a test could prove detrimental because three 1.5-mile tracks remain. If this team has a weakness, it's Tony's temper. As the pressure mounts, Tony will have to maintain his composure.

RUSTY WALLACE Rusty has been so darn consistent that I just don't see him going away. He seems intensely focused. The crew deserves an attaboy because they're not as strong on paper as most of the teams they've been racing, but they've turned up the wick this season and outperformed them. Their "media underdog" performance reminds me of the No. 38 team (Elliott Sadler) last season. Wallace and his team deserve a lot of credit. Keep an eye out for him at Martinsville.

MATT KENSETH He's the all-around best driver in the garage. He's smart and understands the chassis and the chess match of the race better than anyone. Matt is the total package. His ability combined with crew chief Robbie Reiser's experience make this team a threat every week. The team is streaky; it can pull together and mount a charge. When Matt needed to get into the Chase, the team dug down and mustered the necessary mojo. If Matt gets on a roll, he's lethal, and I believe he can do that over the final five races. The only negative I see is a few of the crew members are known to be leaving at season's end. How the crew holds together will determine this team's fate.

GREG BIFFLE Biffle runs every lap like it's a qualifying lap. I've often said that if anybody could slow him down, he'd become a champion instantly. It certainly appears that crew chief Doug Richert has done a good job of matching up with Greg; they have been a threat everywhere they've gone this season. I see Biffle vying for the championship in 2006, provided his team stays together and works at becoming just a bit more consistent.

JIMMIE JOHNSON I believe the No. 48 team is the strongest overall, but it had struggled uncharacteristically over the last 25 percent of the season before winning at Charlotte and moving into a tie for first in the Chase. Johnson won four of the last six races in 2004, so he knows how to finish. The win at Lowe's could give him the momentum he needs.

Robert Yates Racing general manager Eddie D'Hondt wrote this issue's reports. Read his blog at sportinqnews.com/experts/eddie-dhondt. The driver reports will appear next in the November 18 issue. Youne quarterbacks must be coddled

A garage expert handicaps the Chase contenders

Sporting News, The, Oct 28, 2005 by Ryan Newman

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