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Monday, February 3
Updated: February 11, 11:55 AM ET

Comments on Winston Cup drivers
ESPN.com

We spotlighted Winston Cup drivers Tony Stewart, Mike Wallace, Kenny Wallace, Rusty Wallace and Michael Waltrip. Here are your thoughts on their '02 campaigns and prospects for next season:

Tony Stewart
Well, no one is a bigger Tony Stewart fan than I am, but I agree that last year's performance won't be good enough this year. I'd love to see him be the first driver to win back to back titles since Gordon, but he'll have to have a better year to do so.

George Wright
Charlotte, N.C.

I don't think there is any doubt that Tony will win this years title and next years title. During the course of the next 2 years Tony will also win I think about 15 races. He was so close in 6 or 7 races last year that he could have won. Expect to see a lot of Tony Stewart this year he will be getting a lot of trophies.

Brian Brach
Tinley Park, Ill.

Six DNFs and he still won. His teammate completed all but NINE laps in 2000. If he puts up anything close to a season like that, "dominant" won't be a strong enough adjective to describe the butt-whooping he'll put on NASCAR.

John Foltz
Wisconsin

Kenny Wallace
Having known Herman for over 20 years I believe his time has come and he has paid his dues. Heck if he can win a race in one of my go-karts he ought to win a bunch in a good car!

Lon Tournear
Quincy, Ill.

Kenny is the "DARK HORSE" of this season to finish in the top 12 of Winston. He now has the team, sponsor, and owner 100 percent behind him. I look for him to be a "HUGE" story in '03.

Todd Blackburn
Jonesboro, Ind.

I think that Kenny Wallace is a true NASCAR sportsman and he will go along way. Kenny Wallace should have been given a chance last year when he covering for Steve Park, he did good then and he will do good now! My wife think's he is very funny!

Ron Prather
Redlands, Calif.

Rusty Wallace
The one thing you didn't mention about Rusty's consistency from last year is the fact it was all done with a new crew chief, Bill Wilburn, who was with Rusty when he won Rookie of the Year in '84. Given a year of experience at the helm, expect some better pit strategy decisions mid-late race to keep Rusty up front. Five wins in 2003 is not a stretch for a better equipped Penske team.

James Aiken
Oakdale, Minn.

Ever since he switched from Pontiac, it has always seemed that there has been that "little something" missing. If Rusty can find that "little something" this year, he should contend for the cup title. It always seems they contend for wins, and then either blow a pit call, or blow a tire at the end. If they can fix that, watch out!

Mike Klem
Raleigh N.C.

Rusty WILL win the Daytona 500. He's come so close so many times and he's been one of the most consistent front runners. This year belongs to him. Also I hope he pays Jeff Gordon back for that bump and run in Bristol last year.

Dave Cannon
Red Hill, Pa.

Michael Waltrip
Waltrip's humor is what makes him a great spokesman not only for his team but for NASCAR as well. When he retires he will probably have a job just like his brother. On the track he has the skills to run with the best! DEI's unprecedented dominance at Daytona and Talladega will give Waltrip a great showing on all of the superspeedways. DEI has said it has improved on the other tracks but that all remains to be seen. Waltrip will have a top 15 year with another victory to his list!

Tom Murphy
Springfield, Mass.

I think that Mikey's 2002 performance is what Dale Earnhardt had in mind when he selected Waltrip to drive the No. 15. Seemed he only had great runs at plate tracks, but was running below-par at other tracks, which in turn didn't make team No. 15 look well. But beginning at Speedweeks 2002, Mikey was running well at plate tracks, 1.5 and two-mile ovals, and at Pocono. If Mikey can replicate his 2002 runs and do better at races which he didn't fair well last year, then maybe Mikey can crack the top 12 or 10.

Charlie Stobie
Beaverton, Ore.

I think that Michael is going to have a great year if his pit crew can perform and not put him behind the 8-ball like they seem to do on occasions. On the superspeedways I think that he is the man to watch out for, DEI has got a secret in their engine that is a clear advantage!

Jay Schaapveld
Minnesota

Mike Wallace
Fact is, Wallace will be trying to qualify for the Daytona 500 in the James Finch-owned Dodge. The same team that Geoffrey Bodine ran with last year in the 500 and finished third. Mike Wallace can get the job done. We're talkin' dark horse winner in the '03 Daytona 500.

Scott Salvatori
Duvall, Wash.

I grew up around Mike and his family in the Midwest and raced with them on dirt as well as asphalt. As all of the Wallace bunch Mike is "One Hell Of A Driver" he just needs "Top Notch" equipment like No. 12 Ford he drove for what four races in 2001 for Penske? Give him the right tools and he can win on "Any Level"!

Michael Yates
Orlando, Fla.

Mike look at Randy Lajoie you can race in Busch and make a good living and have fun. And not have to worry about the big money needed in Winston. You can be a top 10 threat in bush "What's Wrong With That"?

Todd Blackburn
Jonesboro, Ind.

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