Thinking ahead: Tony Stewart's focus is the Winston Cup championship, not the season full of distractions in his rearview mirror. (NASCAR).

Tony Stewart enters the last three races of the season on the fast track to his first Winston Cup championship. Somewhere in his mind, he must be wondering whom to thank first when he reaches the podium during the awards banquet in December in New York. His car owner, Joe Gibbs? His crew chief, Greg Zipadelli? His engine builder, Mark Cronquist? His sponsor, The Home Depot?

Or how about his bodyguard, lawyer and psychologist, all of whom have been at the track with him since August and the race at Bristol? There isn't another driver on the circuit whose entourage includes such a triumvirate, and each member has been just as important as the guys who call the ...