Driver reports: what have these veterans learned that will help them qualify for the 2005 Chase?(NASCAR)(National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)

STERLING MARLIN

Marlin hasn't had his "A" game since he was sidelined by injuries in 2002. It has been 83 races since his last victory and 108 races since his last pole. Marlin's best showings in 2004 are two fourth places--his only top fives of the season. Crew chief Lee McCall says the team has been plagued by bad luck--and it has--since a race-ending accident in the Daytona 500. "In 2001 and 2002, we didn't have any bad luck," McCall says. "But anything that could go wrong this year has." In 24 starts, Marlin has failed to finish seven races, three for mechanical reasons. The team tested early in the season and saved two tests, at Martinsville and Darlington, for the final 10 races. Marlin's qualifying has improved, but the team has struggled at big, flat tracks such as Pocono and Indy, where Marlin ran exceptionally well in the past.

MARK MARTIN

Overcoming mechanical misfortunes has been a challenge for Martin in 2004. "We have to stop things from breaking," Martin says. "I think we underestimated early on the difficulty of getting from where we were into the top 10." Considering he finished 17th in the standings last year, his battle back this season after a last-place finish in the Daytona 500 illustrates Martin's dedication and the team's never-ending support. Martin and crew chief Pat Tryson consider their team to be top five-caliber, and knowledgeable garage sources say that without the mechanical problems, Martin would be leading the points race. Martin, who has finished in the top five in points 10 times in 17 full seasons of Cup racing, is not out of the Chase yet. Many say that because of the momentum his team has built, this could be Martin's year--if he can squeeze into the Chase.

JEREMY ...