With just two Winston Cup races remaining I'm feeling fable-ous. So, let me tell you my version of "The Tortoise and the Hare."

As the sun dawned on a brand new racing season the Tortoise and the Hare arrived in Daytona Beach. The Hare, the 2002 Rookie of the Year, was considered by many to be a championship contender. Conversely, the Tortoise -- who finished eighth the previous season -- was respected but not favored.

Followers of the Hare were confident. Their young driver had illustrated flashes of brilliance the year before by winning a race, six poles and finishing sixth overall. His value was heightened by his no-fear aggressive approach.

Tortoise supporters were quiet, reflecting the personality of their favorite driver. They believed in the Tortoise's steady, consistent approach.

Hence, preseason debate began.

"The Tortoise is too conservative," many fans of the Hare proclaimed, disregarding the Tortoise's five wins the season before. "There's no way he'll win the championship."

"The Hare may be lightning fast, but he lacks discipline," countered Tortoise fans. "You may laugh at the Tortoise's steady unassuming approach, but in the end you will see."

The schedule was laid out. There would be 36 races, at 23 different tracks. Super speedways would be intertwined with short-tracks and road courses. The nine-month season would feature more than 14,000 miles of racing. It was clearly a marathon, not a sprint.

Excitement filled the central Florida air, as the green flag waved beginning the Daytona 500. The Hare immediately began flashing his way through the field. But, a miscue dramatically ended his day.

	The Cup version of the Tortoise and the Hare sees Matt Kenseth plodding to victory.

The Hare flew through the air, cart-wheeled through the grass and finished last. Meanwhile the Tortoise plodded along and settled for a 20th-place finish.

The first half of the season went much the same way. The Hare would consistently dazzle fans with his sheer speed, winning pole after pole. But his hard-charging style yielded few impressive results. All the while, the Tortoise plodded and plodded, recording a string of modest top-10 finishes.

Heading into the season's first off weekend (May 9-10) the Tortoise and the Hare each had one win. But the Hare was very inconsistent. During the first 11 weeks his three top-10 finishes were offset by five finishes of 38th or worse.

The Hare was buried 27th in the point standings while the Tortoise's steady, consistency put him well in front of the pack.

"That's OK," maintained the critics. "The Hare is so fast, it's only fair that he give the Tortoise a head start."

So the Hare set out to make up a 588-point deficit. Over the next 23 races he collected another seven wins, bringing his total to a series-high eight.

Still there were failures and errors that hindered the Hare's ability to reel in the Tortoise. He pushed his motor so hard in Michigan that it blew up, filling the cockpit of his Alltel Dodge with flames. There was also the incident during the Southern 500 where, in his haste, he accidentally hit the ignition kill switch during a pitstop.

Misfortune negated intensity and Newman, excuse me, the Hare, could climb only as high as fifth.

The Tortoise, on the other hand, did not have a single victory since that early one but maintained his methodical approach, which has been unquestionably effective. With just two races remaining the Tortoise is still 329 points ahead of the Hare, despite the obvious difference in wins.

Now all the Tortoise needs to do is finish 40th or better in Rockingham this weekend to mathematically eliminate the Hare.

"This is a disgrace," declared the critics. "The Hare has eight wins and the Tortoise only has one. The point system needs to be changed!"

The Tortoise's calculated approach not only outmaneuvered the Hare but also outfoxed several other creatures of the NASCAR forest. He currently has a 228 point overall lead.

If Kenseth -- there I go again -- if the Tortoise leaves Rockingham this week with a 186-point lead he will clinch the Winston Cup championship. There are a number of scenarios in which this can happen.

The Tortoise controls his own destiny. If he finishes seventh or better -- something he's done 17 times this season -- he will be the 2003 Winston Cup champ.

It is conceivable, almost likely, that the Tortoise will have fewer wins than anyone else in the top-five. This proves, like the fable says, plodding always wins the race.

Mike Massaro covers NASCAR for ESPN and ESPN.com.