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Newman is my choice to win it all. On the final five tracks we race--Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead--Newman, with the help of his engineering juggernaut, composed of himself, crew chief Matt Borland and second-in-command Mike Nelson, is capable of running competitively at each one. There's not another driver in Nextel Cup that has Newman's propensity for qualifying on the front row. He won three poles in the final five events last year and started third at Homestead. Newman also started first at Texas in the spring. In spite of the Dodges' struggles at the 1.5-mile tracks in 2005, Newman's ability to qualify up front will give this team a tremendous advantage not only in pit selection but also in track position.
TONY STEWART There's no denying Stewart is an extremely talented driver. He and his teammates have been together longer than any group in the garage, and they know what to expect out of one another in tight spots. Wrecking two of his intermediate cars last month at Charlotte during a test could prove detrimental because three 1.5-mile tracks remain. If this team has a weakness, it's Tony's temper. As the pressure mounts, Tony will have to maintain his composure.
RUSTY WALLACE Rusty has been so darn consistent that I just don't see him going away. He seems intensely focused. The crew deserves an attaboy because they're not as strong on paper as most of the teams they've been racing, but they've turned up the wick this season and outperformed them. Their "media underdog" performance reminds me of the No. 38 team (Elliott Sadler) last season. Wallace and his team deserve a lot of credit. Keep an eye out for him at Martinsville.
MATT ...