Driver reports: what will these drivers try to accomplish in the last three races?(NASCAR)

Ryan Newman

With his methodical mind, Newman won't give up on the championship until his team has mathematically eliminated He is in distance of Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. but easily could slip to sixth. Newmans crew is not in a conservative mode. Newman knows the points will come if he Strives to win. He has jumped from 16th to fourth in the standings in the second hall of the season. His crew has set the standard for fuel strategy, thanks to car chief Mike Nelson, Newman's team is out of tests, but because it has such a stout engineering base it can dial in a car on a weekend faster than almost any team. That skill will benefit the No. 12 greatly in the season finale at the redesigned Homestead, where everyone is starting from scratch. Crew chief Matt Borland says Newman will excel there because he acclimates to new situations quickly.

Jimmie Johnson

Johnson's team is out of tests and dais week will rely on information teammate Jeff Gordon gathered at Phoenix. It is primarily a flat track, and the No. 48 team has performed considerably better on flat tracks this season. Of the remaining tracks, Rockingham is Johnson's only concern. Although he Started 37th and finished eighth there in February, he finished 28th and 37th at Rockingham 2002 Gordon has four wins at The Rock, so he can help. Johnson loves high speed tracks, and the redesigned Homestead, with more banking, play into the team's hands. Crew chief Chad Knaus says any time he and Johnson can race at a track that requires handling and Aerodynamics, they expect a solid run. Johnson gives Knaus credit for quickly tuning the car to his liking. Their ability to adapt to new conditions will be a plus at Homestead because Goodyear will introduce a softer tire there.

Jeff Gordon

Gordon's team is on a roll, ...