Like it or not, rivals don't measure up to Hendrick

	Tony Stewart has been the equal of Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson this year, but has yet to cap his performances with a win. Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR

Here are the five pressing questions in NASCAR as the circuit rolls onto the Monster Mile at Dover (Del.) International Speedway for Sunday's Dover 400.

1. Will the Hendrick dominance in the Car of Tomorrow continue?

In the first five events that featured the CoT, drivers from Hendrick have made a clean sweep, reaching Victory Lane in each one. But Dover is unlike the other tracks where the CoT has been used. Because of its high-banking in the corners, the cars carry high speeds through the turns, which puts a greater emphasis on handling and aerodynamics. Still, it won't be easy for anyone to beat the Hendrick Chevys, particularly the ones driven by Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, who are one-two, respectively, in the standings.

Hendrick has spent far more time testing the CoT than any other team; some in the garage speculate that Hendrick has conducted well over 100 tests in the CoT, while most of the other organizations have only done a handful. This has fueled the Hendrick dominance thus far in 2007, and it would have to be considered a mild upset if a non-Hendrick driver ended up in Victory Lane on Sunday.

2. Will Tony Stewart's bad luck end?

My colleague Mark Beech made some terrific points in the magazine this week about how some drivers and crew chiefs aren't giving Hendrick their due by saying that, if they got a break here or there, they would put an end to Hendrick's winning ways. The point is well taken, but I think Tony Stewart, who has yet to take a checkered flag this season, can make a compelling case that he should have at least three wins right now.

For the fifth time this season (by my count) Stewart arguably had the best car in the field late in the race last Sunday night in Charlotte. He ultimately had to pit late for a splash of fuel and wound up losing the fuel strategy game to Casey Mears, but Stewart and his crew showed again that they have the ability to run nose-to-nose with the Hendrick boys. Keep an eye on Stewart at Dover, where he has two career wins.

3. Will a deal for Dale Earnhardt Jr. get done soon?

The Dover event begins a three-race stretch during which the number of media covering NASCAR typically wanes (though SI will faithfully be trackside during this run of races). This is considered the slowest part of the 36-race Cup season, which means it would be a good time for backroom discussions to take place and for Dale Earnhardt Jr. to make up his mind about where he'll be driving next season.

Here are two predictions: One, Little E will sign a new contract with a new team at some point in June; and two, that team will be Joe Gibbs Racing.

4. Will Casey Mears follow up his win at Lowe's Motor Speedway with another strong race?

Mears, considered the No. 4 driver at Hendrick Motorsports, earned the first victory of his Cup career on Sunday in Charlotte. But in his five seasons on the circuit, Mears has never put together back-to-back top-five performances. If he can run in the lead pack on Sunday -- a major if, given that in eight career starts at Dover his average finish is 25.6 -- it would mark another major step forward in his career.

5. Will Mark Martin get back into the top-12 in points?

After finishing 11th at Charlotte, Martin remains one of the best stories of the year in NASCAR. Despite missing three races as he drives a part-time schedule, Martin is only 31 points out of 12th, which would put him into the Chase. Dover is one of Martin's best tracks. He won at the Monster Mile back in '04 and has finished in the top-10 there in five of his last six starts.