CHAMPION IN THE MAKING; Ryan Newman will win a Cup title. Count on it.(Motorsports)

Byline: CURT CAVIN

Jeff Gordon has been around enough NASCAR champions to see one in the making. He had his eyes squarely focused on Matt Kenseth three years ago, and Kenseth is now reaching for his first title. Gordon sees Ryan Newman on the same path, and the four-time champ figures his United States Auto Club brethren is one of the best bets to win the 2004 Nextel Cup.

"He's just doing everything right, and he's smooth and smart,'' Gordon said before Newman won the Banquet 400 at Kansas Speedway, his series-leading eighth win of the year. "You look at the last two years. He's won more races than anybody. He dominated last year, and he should have won more races than he did, if you ask me. He's won this year. He's doing what it takes.''

At 25, Newman isn't an overnight success, of course. He followed Tony Stewart's tire tracks in the sprint, midget and Silver Crown divisions and has outrun Penske Racing South teammate Rusty Wallace over the past two Winston Cup seasons. Jimmie Johnson was the high-profile Cup rookie last year and yet Newman overhauled him for the newcomer award despite five DNFs.

Newman has done more of the same with a Dodge this year, though his critics wonder if he's doing it illegally with extra fuel. While Kenseth has built a mammoth points lead over second-place Kevin Harvick (259 with six races to go), Newman leads Kenseth in race wins (8-1), top-five finishes (13-10) and poles (7-0).

Newman has gotten so good at winning poles that Roger Penske called team co-owner Don Miller after Kansas qualifying and said, "Is Ryan on the pole again?''

"Not this time,'' he said. Penske's response: "What happened?''