It's that time of year when NASCAR finds its glass half full or half empty, depending on your perspective. In other words, 18 races down, 18 to go.
Yes, it's the halfway point of what has been another exciting season. Fortunately and thankfully, the 36-race 2002 campaign hasn't been like the last two seasons, when death and controversy got as much attention -- if not more -- than the racing itself.
That's not to say focusing on safety or mourning a legacy was a bad thing. But, let's face it, NASCAR is about speed, action and crashes. It's about hot tempers and cool cars. It's about drivers who block for their favorites and do everything they can to keep their rivals from passing them.
It's about Joe and Jane Fan, who think nothing about being stuck in traffic for hours or enduring the beating sun or torrential downpours. NASCAR fans give new meaning to words like "ardent" and "loyal." They withstand the weather and traffic just to cheer their favorites and forget about everyday life for a few hours, either in person or in front of the television.
In a sense, NASCAR has gotten back to reality after two of its most unreal seasons, ones we thought would never end while practically holding our breath for the next round of bad news. Yet, at the same time, this season has also been an unreal campaign, at least when it comes to the action on the track.
Do you need examples? Well, try some of these:
Who would have thought Sterling Marlin would be the circuit's most dominant driver, holding the points lead for 17 of the first 18 weeks? Who would have thought Jeff Gordon would still be winless at this point, a streak that has reached 10 months? What's more, who would have thought Gordon would still be in the running for the title without taking the checkered flag once?
Who would have thought after last season's incredible run in replacing the late Dale Earnhardt, that Kevin Harvick would have gone from Rookie of the Year to Mr. Hard Luck? Who would have thought Jimmie Johnson would have made such an impact in just his first half-season? Could Johnson still mount a second-half rally to steal the title away from contenders like Marlin, Mark Martin, Gordon, Tony Stewart and Rusty Wallace?
What about Ricky Rudd? After more than a quarter century of Winston Cup competition, will he finally decide to call it a career?
How about Matt Kenseth, who hung neck-and-neck with Marlin for several weeks before tailing off? It was guys like Kenseth, fellow youngster Kurt Busch, as well as Martin and Jeff Burton, who led a Roush Racing revival during in the first half of the season.
And, speaking of Jack Roush, could anyone have suffered the incredible rescue and recovery he endured after crashing his plane into a lake on his birthday? How coincidental is it that Roush's rescuer just happened to be a retired serviceman who specialized in underwater rescue and recovery?
How about the resurgence of Kyle Petty, despite the fact he's back looking for a sponsor for next season? While Petty released Buckshot Jones and John Andretti's future is uncertain, he's made a bonafide statement that the Petty name is on its way back to notoriety.
And then there are the kinds of questions that have left some of us scratching our heads:
How, after the guts and determination he displayed in 2001, has Dale Earnhardt Jr. dropped in the standings? How has the performance he showed last season suddenly become a hit-or-miss proposition in 2002? What's more, how about the resurgence of teammate Michael Waltrip? Earlier this year, rumors had Waltrip on his way out at DEI. But after this past weekend at Chicago, with the announcement that NAPA was re-upping its sponsorship with DEI for a multi-year deal, but only if Waltrip was part of the mix, it would seem Waltrip is the most stable of the three drivers at DEI, including Earnhardt Jr. himself, who continues to say he's "exploring his options" for 2003.
What about Elliott Sadler, who has thrown everything he has, including the kitchen sink, into his desire to replace Rudd in the No. 28 Ford -- provided Rudd decides to retire, after all. In a bold move, Sadler asked for
and received his release from a long-term contract from the Wood Brothers, so he could pursue replacing Rudd. But what happens if Rudd decides to stick around? Sadler has his fears, but with interest already expressed by other teams like DEI and Petty Enterprises, plus an open door remaining at the Wood Brothers, he shouldn't have to worry about being on the sidelines when the Daytona 500 roles around next February.
Speaking about the Daytona 500, what has happened to this year's winner, Ward Burton? After such an inspiring victory, his season has tanked since. While he keeps soldiering forward, one has to wonder if the 500 victory may wind up being more of a hindrance than a godsend for Burton.
What will be the future of guys like Steve Park and Johnny Benson, who have struggled or continue to struggle because of injuries? Will Park be out at DEI? Will Benson's precarious ribs cost him his ride?
What about guys like Joe Nemechek and Todd Bodine? After the promise and high expectations they both had coming into the season, the rug was pulled out from underneath them when Kmart filed for bankruptcy and pulled its sponsorship of the Carter-Haas team. Although it's taken some time, Nemechek and Bodine have landed on their feet, with Nemechek replacing Jerry Nadeau in the No. 25 Chevrolet, while Bodine remained with Carter-Haas and was recently rewarded with full sponsorship of the No. 26 Ford for the remainder of the season, if not longer.
Perhaps the most relieved person this season is NASCAR President Mike Helton, who was a man with a target on his back in 2001 due to the Earnhardt tragedy, the ensuing public relations nightmare over the investigation of the Earnhardt crash, and showdowns with drivers like Stewart about the requirement to wear head-and-neck restraint devices.
Helton is much more relaxed and approachable this season, not having to worry every day about playing NASCAR's fireman, putting out wildfires wherever they would creep up.
In short, 2002 is what NASCAR should be about -- fun, excitement and action. There's been no tragedy, little controversy and a heckuva lot of thrills. Yes, it's been a great first-half ride, but the season's glass is only half full. Let's get the second half started and fill that glass to the brim with even more exciting times.
Jerry Bonkowski covers NASCAR for ESPN.com.
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