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Friday, December 20
A few gifts for NASCAR's stars
By Jerry Bonkowski
ESPN.com
Ah, Christmastime, the most wonderful time of the year. It's when people's spirits soar, sometimes the right way, sometimes the wrong. It's when you might get a friendly wave one minute and a menacing single-finger salute the next. Don't you just love your fellow man?
Why, Christmas even resembles the festiveness of a Winston Cup race. Crowded shopping mall parking lots take on a track-like atmosphere, with drivers racing one another to open parking spots. And "pit strategy" allows the most successful power-shoppers to get in and out of stores in the shortest time possible.
Christmas is also a turning point in the year for race fans. As soon as the presents are unwrapped, rabid fans start looking ahead to next season, which is just seven weeks away.
Actually, the season will unofficially start in just three weeks, when Cup teams assemble at Daytona International Speedway during the second week of January to begin testing for the season-opening Daytona 500 one month later.
Off-season? What off-season? Bah, humbug.
But the best part of Christmas is gift giving. It's when our generosity knows no bounds, when we drag ourselves from store to store seeking just the right gift.
Along those lines, I'd like to present a list of Christmas gifts I'd like to give to a few notable figures in NASCAR:
| |  | | | Stewart |
For Tony Stewart, the gift of tolerance and patience with the media. He improved dramatically after his run-in with a photographer at Indianapolis in August, but it was likely more because he had to than he wanted to. I can feel for Stewart, because, at times, he gets peppered with inane questions. But if he can just learn to gracefully answer even the most stupid ones through a smile of gritted teeth, he'll learn that cooperation is better than confrontation.
For Kevin Harvick, the ability to forget the misery and struggles he endured in 2002, and to mount a comeback season in 2003 that more mirrors his outstanding rookie campaign of 2001.
For Kyle Petty, one more outstanding season and return to glory before he decides to hang it up as a driver. Petty has endured more in the last three years than most men should, particularly the death of his son, Adam, in 2002. While he is still haunted by that tragedy, Petty has also moved forward, dedicating his present and future to Adam's memory. If Petty Enterprises in general, and Kyle specifically, can improve their performance on the track, it would be perhaps the most fitting testimonial to Adam's memory and Kyle's legacy.
For John Andretti, the hope that his decision to remain with Petty Enterprises for another season will wind up bring the right one. Andretti passed up several opportunities to return to his open-wheel roots in 2003. But his 10-year tenure in Winston Cup has been marked by more disappointments than successes, and if there's anyone who deserves a fortuitous twist of fate, it's Mario's nephew and Michael's cousin.
For Greg Biffle, a bit more confidence that his rookie season in Winston Cup will not be as much of a learning curve as he has direly predicted. Biffle has incredible talent, yet has stated several times that he doesn't expect to be much of a factor as a rookie. I'd like to see nothing more than for Biffle to come out of the gate and enjoy a season like Ryan Newman and Jimmie Johnson did last year. He certainly has the ability.
For Sterling Marlin, a chance to reclaim his place in the championship chase. Had it not been for an unfortunate crash and resulting neck injury that sidelined him for the final seven races, Marlin could very easily have wound up as champ in 2002 rather than Stewart. As hard as he worked to achieve the success he did, Marlin will have to work twice as hard in 2003 to regain the ground he lost. But if there's anyone who can do it, the fair-haired guy behind the wheel of the No. 40 Dodge can.
For Kurt Busch, a legitimate chance to win the championship and bring team owner Jack Roush his first Cup title. Busch exploded in terms of performance in 2002, finishing third in the standings and winning three of the season's last five races. If 2003 is anything like 2002 for Busch, the usual title contenders can forget about worrying about each other, and instead focus on Busch as their chief rival.
For Jimmy Spencer and Casey Atwood, competitive rides in 2003. Both drivers are without jobs for next season, but with the talent the duo possesses, they hopefully won't be sitting on the sidelines much longer. Spencer, who didn't mesh well with Chip Ganassi's team, has a lot of talent that would fit well with many others. The same can be said of the young Atwood, who still has the promise to become a star.
For Brett Bodine, the last remaining independent driver/owner on the circuit, more sponsorship dollars, better equipment and higher finishes. After finishing a career-low 36th in the standings, Bodine is due for a comeback in 2003, especially with new crew chief Jon Wolfe. If sponsors kick in some extra bucks, Bodine has the savvy and experience to turn that extra cash into better starts and higher finishes.
| |  | | | Earnhardt Jr. |
For Dale Earnhardt Jr., a return to competitiveness in 2003. Earnhardt Jr. suffered a drop-off in 2002, which mystified many until he revealed in September that he had suffered a concussion earlier in the season that had affected him for two months. Earnhardt hopefully learned a lesson from that incident, particularly about not messing with his own health. He was lucky he didn't seriously hurt himself or anyone else while recovering.
For the Burton brothers, Jeff and Ward, a return to prominence in 2003. Ward earned his biggest victory in the 2002 Daytona 500, only to suffer a horrible drop-off for much of the remaining 35 races. Younger brother Jeff just could not mount any consistency, eventually forcing the team to part ways with long-time crew chief Frank Stoddard. Here's hoping both siblings get back to where they belong: the top-10.
For Jeff Gordon, the ability to shake off the distractions in his personal life that had and effect on his driving. What's more, Gordon needs the kind of present every driver wants: more wins. After going winless in 30 straight starts, he finally snapped that streak at Bristol in August. Here's hoping he motors into Victory Lane at least once in the first five races of 2003, if not at Daytona.
For Bill Elliott, at least two or three more seasons as a driver. Elliott's contract with team owner Ray Evernham expires at the end of 2003, and at 47, Elliott broached the subject of retirement several times last season. The prospect is on his mind, but even at his age, Elliott is still a consistent and competitive driver. He has one major goal left before he quits, and that's to win another title to go along with the one he claimed in 1988. Elliott has the team, the owner and the car to do it.
For Mark Martin, a championship. Martin has become the series' perennial bridesmaid, finishing runner-up four times, including 2002. Like Elliott, Martin's competitive life is still strong, but the years remaining are slowly fading away. This season could wind up being one of the most interesting in recent memory because of the wide disparity in the title contenders, with young guns vying against veterans.
For Steve Park, 100 percent health, once and for all. Ever since his devastating crash at Darlington in 2001, Park has been a mere shadow of himself. One of the nicest guys on the circuit, he also was considered one of the top young drivers until his wreck. Hopefully, he can finally put all the fallout behind him and prove he's as good a driver as he was prior to that crash.
For Mike Skinner, his first win. Johnny Benson turned the trick this past season after 226 career starts. Now it's time for Skinner to knock that same monkey off his back. He's now up to 203 starts without a win.
| |  | | | Wallace |
For Rusty Wallace, a win in 2003. After going winless in 2002 for the first time in 16 seasons, Wallace needs to prove failing to reach Victory Lane was just a fluke. Wallace is a veteran who can still battle with the best. With the development of teammate Newman, plus the team's switch to Dodge, the new energy may be just what Wallace needs to win another title.
Boy, that felt good to get all that generosity off my chest. Now, the only question remains whether those that received my gifts will put them to good use, or return them for cash or credit.
Jerry Bonkowski covers NASCAR for ESPN.com.  Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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