Driver reports: what do these underachievers have to do to rebound? (NASCAR).

Tony Stewart 20

It's much harder to repeat a championship than it is to win the first one. This year, Stewart's team is learning just how hard. It appears external distractions have caught up with this team, even though Jimmy Makar, teammate Bobby Labonte's former crew chief, is overseeing special projects and new members of the research and development and engineering staffs. Stewart's qualifying has improved, but he has struggled to finish races. Two engine failures and two accidents have prevented Stewart didn't finish three races after Charlotte last year and still won the title, but he left Charlotte seventh in points. Even though Joe Gibbs Racing has the best aerodynamics program and this remains a top team, it would take a run of near-flawless execution for Stewart to be a contender in November.

Ryan Newman 12

Newman's team could provide a case study for the sophomore slump. His cars are stout in qualifying trim, but for some reason the racing package hasn't been as competitive, except during his victory at Texas. The team's engine program is second to none, and it boasts the brightest mind can't create good luck, something this team has lacked all season. If Newman hasn't wrecked, the mechanical or equipment gremlins--the team lost the rear gear at Richmond, burned out the brakes at Martinsville and cut a tire at Talladega--have hampered his efforts. Newman likes the upcoming tracks and will test at the road course at Kershaw, S.C., before the race at Infineon. To get back in the championship hunt, Newman knows this team will have to be more consistent and finish races.

Mark Martin 6

Martin has been climbing out of the hole the team dug after consecutive engine failures in March at Las Vegas and Atlanta dropped Martin to 25th in points. Martin's results reflect a lack of luck, not a lack of ...