TSN 10: the 10 big races to watch this year. (NASCAR).

Track Skinny

Because they tiptoe through the turns (at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway), compared, at least, with the Indy Cars, the Winston Cup machines don't come close to matching the speeds of their smaller, distant cousins.... However, because the corners are so square, Jeff Gordon says, "It's deceiving how fast you can drive into them." The instinct is to jam on the brakes, but the driver who best feathers the brakes and corners smoothly will be the one winning.

--From The Racetracks Book. To order your copy, visit www.sportingnews.com/books/nascar.

 
CONTENDER CHECKLIST 
 
                            Dale Earnhardt Jr.   Jeff Gordon 
                                    8                24 
 
Runs well at Indianapolis                          [check] 
Horsepower/handling combo        [check]           [check] 
Adapts to changes 
Ability to make up ground        [check] 
Crew/pit stops                                     [check] 
 
                            Jimmie Johnson   Matt Kenseth 
                                  48              17 
 
Runs well at Indianapolis                      [check] 
Horsepower/handling combo      [check]         [check] 
Adapts to changes              [check]         [check] 
Ability to make up ground      [check] 
Crew/pit stops                                 [check] 
 
                            Ryan Newman   Toney Stewart 
                                12             20 
 
Runs well at Indianapolis     [check]        [check] 
Horsepower/handling combo     [check]        [check] 
Adapts to changes 
Ability to make up ground                    [check] 
Crew/pit ...