It's been almost two months since you resolved to try new things. And no, bowling lefty doesn't count. So how 'bout ESPN.com's RPM Challenge? Simple game: Buy five drivers without breaking the $100 million cap. Points mimic the NASCAR Winston Cup system, making top-10 finishes and lap-leading the keys. Now, racing's not my strong suit. Shoot, I once asked a driver what it felt like as his car flipped out of control. I now know that you don't ask stuff like that. See, I'm learning. Here's some more stuff I've picked up:

ON THE POLE
Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart-Joe Gibbs rocks. Always did. These two drivers combined last season to give Gibbs' Pontiacs the most wins of any team (10). Stewart sped to 12 top-5 finishes, and Labonte missed the top 20 just twice in 33 races.

DRAFTING
Jeff Gordon-The Rainbow Warrior will be an underlay because he won just $2.5 million in 2000-his worst year since '94. But Gordon was lightning down the stretch, closing with nine top-10 finishes. Chalk up the early trouble to a new car (Monte Carlo) and crew chief (Robbie Loomis). Now he's dialed in.

SLIPPING
Bill Elliott-No wins for Awesome Bill from Dawsonville for the sixth straight year. Yes, he's signed on with Ray Evernham's team, but word is that them Dodges are runnin' slow.

REVVING
Looking for a greenhorn bargain? Try rookie Casey Atwood. Three years ago he was the youngest Busch Series driver ever; two years ago he finished 13th in the Series; and last year he was eighth. Looks like he's a quick study. And I would know.

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