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Different variables

New rules may alter Brickyard trends

	• Lugnuts • On the track • In the pits • Stop 'n' Go • Finish Line

ATLANTA (CNNSI.com) -- If form holds, the winner of the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday will go on to win the Winston Cup title. It's happened each of the last three years, which puts extra emphasis on series leaders (and all former Brickyard winners) Jeff Gordon, Ricky Rudd and Dale Jarrett.

Still, Sunday's winner could be a complete surprise. So could the series winner, for that matter. And as surprising as a Dodge victory might be to some -- the manufacturer has yet to win a race this year -- it wouldn't be entirely shocking.

"I expect that if they ran as good as they did at Pocono last weekend, they should run that much better at Indy," said Greg Zipadelli, crew chief for fourth-place Tony Stewart, when asked about the rule change that allowed Dodge to lengthen its front air dam. "But if that's what [NASCAR] felt they needed to be competitive, so be it. It's frustrating because I think those teams and those drivers have already run better than they have in the past."

There was much cynical reaction to the rule modification -- especially by its curious timing -- but it's also true that the change doesn't necessarily preordain a Dodge win. Bear in mind that some Dodge teams tested at Indy a few days before the rule change, and have no idea exactly how the longer air dam will affect their performance.

"It's the old scenario: Be careful what you ask for, you might get it," says Larry McReynolds, a consultant to Petty Enterprises. "There's no question those Dodges need it, but can these race teams that just spent two days testing there go home and kick that valence out and go to Indy and solve all the problems of the world? No way."

In that case, look for either Gordon, Rudd or Jarrett ... oh, never mind.

Jeff Gordon Gordon is one of two drivers who have won twice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In seven starts there, Gordon has finished in the top 5 four times and in the top 10 five times. Dale Jarrett Jarrett's record at The Brickyard is similar to Gordon's. He won in 1996 and again in 1999. Jarrett was seventh last year after qualifying fifth. He also has four top-5 finishes in seven Brickyard 400 starts. Bobby Labonte Labonte won the Brickyard 400 last year by more than four seconds. The defending Winston Cup champion is also riding a wave of success after winning the Pennsylvania 500 on Sunday. Rusty Wallace Wallace has the most top-10 finishes at Indianapolis of any driver (6). However, he has yet to win there. He was second to Bobby Labonte in last year's Brickyard 400 and second to Dale Earnhardt in 1995.

Flattery Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Bobby Labonte provided fans with one of the most exciting finishes of the year Sunday at Pocono Raceway. The pair engaged in a furious battle ended by Labonte's daring pass with two laps left. Flag For the second time in three weeks, Todd Bodine took the pole for a Winston Cup race. For the second time in three weeks, Bodine failed to crack the top 10. In fact, he was 43rd in Sunday's Pennsylvania 500. Flattery Bill Elliott turned in his highest finish of the season when he crossed the line fourth in the Pennsylvania 500. He gained three spots in the standings -- to 16th -- as a result. Flag Dale Jarrett picked a bad week to have an off outing. Two crashes relegated Jarrett to a 41st-place finish and dropped him out of the lead and into third place in the points.

Jeff Purvis ran away and hid during Saturday's NAPA Auto Care 250 Busch series race at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Purvis beat Jeff Green by 15.782 seconds for his first win since 1996. Red Byron, the first NASCAR champion, is one 21 finalists for induction next year to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. The Class of 2001 will be announced April 4. Shawna Robinson will make her fourth attempt to qualify for a Winston Cup race this week in Indianapolis. She failed to qualify in Fontana and Chicago and finished 34th in Michigan.

Powerstroke Diesel 200 -- 8 p.m. Friday (ESPN): 137.2 miles, 200 laps. 2000 pole winner: Joe Ruttman. 2000 winner: Joe Ruttman. Kroger 200 -- 8 p.m. Saturday (TNT): 137.2 miles, 200 laps. 2000 pole winner: Jason Leffler. 2000 winner: Ron Hornaday. Brickyard 400 -- 2:30 p.m. Sunday (NBC): 400 miles, 160 laps. 2000 pole winner: Ricky Rudd. 2000 winner: Bobby Labonte.

Personally, I do not mind any of the boos Jeff Gordon receives. The majority of the people who boo Gordon are just jealous that their driver cannot keep up with or beat him. My wife and I are expecting twins in December, and Mr. Gordon will be a perfect role model for my kids. -- Brandon, Kilgore, Texas. People slam Jeff Gordon for wanting to be successful If Pepsi wanted to pay you millions to take a sip after a race, would you? -- Casey, Brainerd, Minn. I think that Dale Jarrett, and Ricky Rudd, are going to put on a points chase like you have not seen in a long time. -- Rufus, Axtel, Texas. I think NBC should can Wally Dallenbach as a commentator. The guy does not know anything about racing because if he did, he would still be doing it. At least D.W. on Fox had trophies and championships to back up his knowledge when he was commentating for FOX. I like Benny Parsons but Dally needs to go. -- Rick, Colorado Springs, Colo. Poor NASCAR! They have to give the Dodges something. They thought it would be trucks. That didn't work out so now they give them 2 inches up front on the cup cars. -- John, La Mesa, N.M.

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