As far as the running of the Dover race last year was concerned, just racing and �getting back to normal� along with the patriotic pageantry helped the nation�s healing process. Yes, if lets say Ward Burton had won, I�m sure he would had been circling the track afterwards with an American flag as well. Two weeks after Dover, the race was in Charlotte � with the green flag falling almost on cue with first word of US Military Forces making their initial strike on Afghanistan. Sterling Marlin won that day, and afterwards he likewise made a victory lap with Old Glory in tow � but not many remember that.

Which brings us back to Junior. Yes, NASCAR promotes him � and wisely so. But it is not like Junior needs it. He is simply the driver who brings out the most emotion in fans. Just listen to the crowd reaction when Marlin, or Matt Kenseth, or Ryan Newman, or Jimmie Johnson takes the lead in a race, then listen to fans when Junior does so. In fact just listen to the fans when the #8 comes out for qualifying, or simply returns to a race after being behind the wall. And trust me, it�s not because NASCAR has force-fed Dale Jr. down peoples throats WNBA style. And of course, it all goes back to being the son of the old man. #3 still dominates the merchandising business among drivers by a landslide, with only Jr., Jeff Gordon, and perhaps Kevin Harvick within relative shouting distance. Harvick of course gets the love from Earnhardt nation simply by driving the Goodwrench car while Gordon has managed to get the sizzle (both good and bad) simply by being the top dog for what is now an eight-year run.

So is Junior�s popularity a bad thing, when his results are sometimes a little off from the top contenders??? Not at all. One way to look at it is as follows, the NFL�s two teams with the largest fan followings, Green Bay and Dallas � are not always the best teams. Loyalty is usually the key word associated with fans of those two franchises. You can probably put Dale Jr. in that class, for he carries the legacy of his father. And Junior certainly doesn�t need NASCAR or any other public relations firm to get him over. And although much more was expected out of the #8 camp this season, Junior is still a top-fifteen driver who has won races. Look at him as Jeff Burton with plenty more charisma. And competitors need some success to breed a following � just take a look at Kerry Earnhardt, who is a spitting image of his father, but is not even one of the more followed drivers in the Busch Series.

So yes, Junior�s presence is huge to the sport, and it is so with no public relations force-feeding�

Ryan Newman went into Sunday�s race in New Hampshire with seven top-fives in his last nine races, including three second place tallies in the past month alone. After dominating and taking the pole on Friday, Newman would come around on the first lap to lead for the 15th time out of 27 races. That�s not a horrible batting average. Can Ryan finally seal the deal between raindrops and finally make it into the winner�s circle??? The race story is as follows�

Rain started to fall just as the field was heading out, delaying the start for nearly an hour. The forecast for the rest of the day as well as Monday was not promising, so trying to get in at least half-distance (150 laps) is essential to avoid yet another Thanksgiving weekend trip to Loudon. Newman dominates the start, with surprising #2 qualifier Johnny Benson close in tow. #4 qualifier Greg Biffle does not get off to a great start and is falling into the clutches of Kurt Busch in a battle for fifth. Yellow falls for rain on Lap 19, with the race eventually red-flagged for an addition hour and a half delay. RCR drivers Robby Gordon, Kevin Harvick, and Jeff Green do not qualify well, starting 29th, 32nd, and 33rd respectively � but all three drivers were on the move in the early going. On the other hand, Matt Kenseth slips from 17th to 29th while Dale Jarrett fall from 23rd to 32nd. After the rain, some cars running towards the back elect to pit. Radar at this point shows about an hour and a half window to get the race in, with much more rain on the way. Mike Skinner, who qualified a surprising fifth, does give up tenth position to pit. Some drivers are complaining about the NHIS track coming apart again, but the track would eventually prove not to be nearly the problem it was in July. Some thought the cooler, cloudy weather had something to do with that. Restart occurs on Lap 30, with Ricky Rudd quickly on the move climbing from 18th to 11th. Ricky Craven�s crew, among others are talking about short pitting so they can then stay out longer in the event of rain. We soon see why Mike Skinner pitted, he blows up on Lap 41 and calls it a day, while Newman and Benson remain the story. Todd Bodine is the next one to blow up on Lap 52, and Newman/Benson catch the tail end of the field by Lap 58. Greg Biffle comes in Lap 70 � about 15 laps early, apparently the #55 has a pick-up problem and is getting horrible mileage. Biffle�s early pit proves costly when Rusty Wallace gets into, then literally climbs over the left corner panel of Kyle Petty�s machine to bring out what would prove to be the only non-weather related yellow. Benson 15.4, Newman 16.2, B. LaBonte 14.1, but Newman wins the race off pit road. Tony Stewart had climbed up to fifth, but lost several places during his pit getting tied up with Rusty Wallace. In another pit road mishap, the rear tire gets away from Dave Blaney�s machine, as a crewman goes out into the road to retrieve the tire, Ward Burton�s car (directly behind Blaney) pulls out and clips the crewman. Fortunately, Ward stops at this point and the Blaney crewman escaped injury.

GORDON WAS RUNNING WITH THE DECREPITS MOST OF THE DAY...

Restart occurs on Lap 81 with Biffle on the tail end of the lead lap. Biffle still has a nice hot rod and actually puts some distance between Newman and Benson. Robby Gordon takes on two tires on restarts in seventh. Benson now has a slightly better can than Newman, and takes the race lead on Lap 88 and immediately checks out, putting Biffle a lap down not long after. Kurt Busch is running a solid fourth, but is still looking for some more bite out of the #97. R. Gordon would soon fade with the two tires, while Jeff Gordon is running a mediocre 21st. Jeff had liked the car early, but now says the car�s �out to lunch�. Point leader Sterling Marlin is struggling again in 23rd while Kevin Harvick suddenly makes an appearance in the top 15. Dale Jr., who took a provisional, is now also in the top 20. Meanwhile Johnny Benson�s lead grows to over two seconds over Newman � word out of the #10 camp is that Benson should be able to make it to Lap 160-165 on fuel. Biffle has to pit again with the lousy mileage and would go two laps down. Kurt Busch is suddenly running better and is now challenging Newman for second. While all that�s going on radar continues to indicate rain getting ever closer, with green flag stops approaching and making for fascinating strategy. Would teams take four tires, two tires, fuel only, or stay out hoping their driver would be the last one out when the rain arrives. Disaster strikes Benson on Lap 141 when he gets bottled up in lapped traffic, and makes contact with Mike Wallace. That allows both Newman and Busch to pass. A wrinkle also occurs in Mark Martin�s plans of taking over the points lead as he scrapes the wall and has a tire go down. Fortunately, it is about time for green-flag stops anyways so although the #6 loses track position, it is not a total disaster. Kevin Harvick (after some contact) and Ward Burton also have tires go down. Newman pits on Lap 156 (with race now official), 15.3. Benson holds serve with a 15.0 but is now in fourth. Rudd 14.0, Stewart 15.0, Kenseth (now in the top 10), 15.9. B. LaBonte has been in the top five all day and gets an a/p � tract bar adjustment. Craven 14.7, Busch 15.2, Johnson 15.0, Marlin 16.1 (a/p adjustment). Jarrett four tires with no changes. Jeff Gordon rolls the dice with two tires, ditto for Robby Gordon who�s now been going with the same left-sides for practically the entire race. Michael Waltrip is now in the lead, but doesn�t get the rain and has to pit (14.2) as well. Bill Elliott is the last car out, but finally pits with a 15.3. With sprinkles now showing at the track, Busch makes a valiant attempt to overtake Newman, with lapped traffic also playing a factor. Busch gives the #12 several love-taps, and on a couple of occasions appears to have a run on him. But finally the rain arrives for good on Lap 201 with Newman hanging on, followed by Busch, Tony Stewart, Benson, and B. LaBonte. Notice the huge day for Pontiac, taking third, fourth, and fifth. Ricky Craven, Dale Jarrett, Michael Waltrip, Jimmie Johnson and Michael Waltrip round out the top ten. Other notables include Dale Jr. (11th), Ricky Rudd (12th), Jeff Gordon (15th), Mark Martin (16th), Robby Gordon (17th), Rusty Wallace (19th), Jeff Burton (20th), Sterling Marlin (21st), Bill Elliott (23rd), Dave Blaney (25th), Jeff Green (26th), Greg Biffle (27th), Kevin Harvick (33rd), and Ward Burton (38th).

For the first time since late-February, Sterling Marlin is finally off his first-place perch � with Mark Martin now leading Sterling by a scant six points. Those two are followed by Jimmie Johnson (-40), Tony Stewart (-59), and Jeff Gordon (-67), in what continues to develop as perhaps the best points race in history. Rounding out the top ten are Rusty Wallace (-146), Bill Elliott (-191), Ryan Newman (-192), Matt Kenseth (-220), and Ricky Rudd (-227)

COSMIC LATTE

Did Ryan Newman and Jimmie Johnson have time to say hello to Sterling Marlin and Kevin Harvick as they headed down the other side of the elevator shaft??? My latest top twenty driver rankings are as follows...

1. (8) Newman (+11), 2. (5) J. Gordon (+1), 3. (4) Stewart (-1), 4. (3) Johnson (+6), 5. (9) Kenseth, 6. (1) Martin, 7. (2) Marlin (-6), 8. (7) Elliott (-1), 9. (6) Wallace (-1), 10. (12) Jarrett (+1), 11. (11) Busch (-2), 12. (21) Harvick (-8), 13. (14) Dale Jr., 14. (10) Rudd, 15. (13) J. Burton, 16. (16) Craven (+2), 17. (15) Waltrip (-1), 18. (17) B. LaBonte (-1), 19. (18) Green (+1), 20. (20) R. Gordon (-1)

Again, to reset Newman's last ten weeks he's placed 5th, 5th, 5th, 4th, 2nd, 31st, 36th, 2nd, 2nd, 1st. Eight out of ten top fives is not bad, justifying Newman's ascent to the top spot over Sterling, Martin, and even Gordon and Stewart.

Another weekend, and yet another allegation against Tony Stewart as the vultures are definitely circling the #20. A NHIS safety crew member came out on Friday alleging that he was railed by Stewart after the #20 crashed in the July race. Fortunately, NBC did show some video of that scene, showing Stewart slapping the hand of the worker after climbing out of the car. Stewart was slightly out of line but this should not be a big deal, except we wonder how many others are in line to jump on Stewart these days.

Rumors continue to circulate with Ricky Rudd and Elliott Sadler perhaps swapping places this season yet. In a related matter, the engine builder who gave Ricky that nice-looking shiner has resigned his post with RYR.

Finally, there is talk about throwing down a gridiron on the infield at Bristol Motor Speedway, and holding a future Virginia Tech-Tennessee matchup - which would of course shatter all existing football attendance records. It would be a true neutral site with Bristol being smack on the Virgina/Tennessee border. I would hate to be the ESPN GameDay crew trying to do a remote from there!!!!!

DOVER PREVIEW

This week marks a return trip to a track that�s beginning to take on the characteristics of a larger-scale Bristol. Concrete track, banking, occasional tempers, and completely enclosed with fans. This also marks the end of a grueling five-week short-track span. For a recap on Jimmie Johnson�s win back in June click here. The top five drivers in the standings have an excellent chance to collect a $200,000 bonus for winning while inheriting/retaining the points lead, an accumulating total that has gone unclaimed since Sterling Marlin�s Darlington win in March. Now for the drivers to watch, and to piss and moan over�

Ryan Newman � Do I have to stress again he is the #1 driver right now??? You knew it�d be scary once he started taking care of the equipment better. And in June he came from provisional land to finish fourth. And don�t expect the #12 to be starting in back again.

Jimmie Johnson � Had that mojo working in June, picking up the second victory in his career � and is due to win again.

Bill Elliott � This is when Bill started to get hot, both qualifying and finishing second in June.

Dale Jarrett � Nice batting average here with five top fives in his last nine starts. Was also in the mix in this race last year before wrecking late.

HEY RICK, LAUREN LIKES YOUR SHINER!!!!!

Ricky Rudd � Finished third in this event last year and nearly threw with Rusty Wallace afterwards. A top-ten (but not a win) is possible.

Jeff Gordon � Nice sixth place finish in the spring. And he�s always smelling the bonus money when it�s around.

Tony Stewart � According to Lee Spencer (Sporting News), the favorite of most people in the garage to win the title.

Matt Kenseth � Had problems on Sunday, but was the pole-sitter for the June race.

Mark Martin � An early casualty in June, but also a three-time winner at this venue.

Sterling Marlin � Not a good track record here, finished 13th in June � you�ve been warned. Maybe he will just give up...

Jeff Burton � Third place finish in June, is this where he makes his first splash with new crew chief.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. � Ahhh, he�s over-rated, but getting some nice finishes lately.

Kurt Busch � 12th place finish last time here.

Rusty Wallace � You�ll be hearing more and more about this. Rusty hasn�t won yet in �02 and is in danger of breaking a 16-year streak of at least one win. He�ll get it sooner or later.

Kevin Harvick � Has not earned his Dover Merit Badge but is very capable here.

Robby Gordon � Started getting on track with an eighth place finish here in June.

Bobby LaBonte/Johnny Benson - Suddenly Pontiacs are starting to look halfway decent. Johnny just missed my top twenty this week.

With nine races left in the season, I have made an executive decision to quit posting bookie's lines on the race. NASCARODDS gives the early line, but you must 'subscribe' (they don't even tell you how much it costs) to get the line after qualifying. There are other lines out there that you can use after qualifying. JAYSKI is usually the best place to find those. So here is my top twenty for Sunday...

1. Newman, 2. J. Gordon, 3. Stewart, 4. Johnson, 5. Jarrett, 6. Kenseth, 7. Elliott, 8. Rusty, 9. Dale Jr., 10. Rudd, 11. Martin, 12. B. LaBonte, 13. Busch, 14. Harvick, 15. Marlin, 16. J. Burton, 17. R. Gordon, 18. Craven, 19. W. Burton, 20. Benson

ANDY HOUSTON AWARD

Mike Skinner deserved a much better fate on this weekend. Skinner was burned and bruised in a savage practice crash at Kansas, but rebounded to qualify in the top five this weekend � only to blow up early and be first out of the event. Morgan McClure is going to Pontiacs in �03, so hopefully better times are ahead for that team.