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 Swimsuit 2001

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CNNSI.com's B. Duane Cross tackles three questions that matter to fans:

1	Has the Brickyard 400 eclipsed the Daytona 500 in stature?

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Robert Laberge/Allsport NBC/TNT race analyst Wally Dallenbach thinks so: "I think for a lot of people the Daytona 500 is the biggest race, but to [me], the Brickyard 400 is the biggest." Proving it's viability, the Brickyard 400 had the highest overnight rating in its eight-year history. The 5.7 overnight rating and 13 share posted a 58 percent increase over last year. But think about this: For winning Sunday's race, Jeff Gordon received $428,452. Michael Waltrip pocketed $1,331,185 for winning the Daytona 500. ... If you're going to be the best, you've gotta pay the piper.

2	How dominant has Jeff Gordon been this season?

Jeff Gordon Robert Laberge/Allsport A glance at the Winston Cup points standings shows that Jeff Gordon continues to show the way, but that's only part of his success this season. In addition to four wins, 13 top-five finishes and $4,850,470 in winnings, Gordon has led 25.7 percent of all laps in 2001. By comparison, the other four drivers in the top five in points -- Dale Jarrett (6.4), Ricky Rudd (3.9), Sterling Marlin (5.3) and Tony Stewart (2.3) -- have led 17.9 percent of the laps combined. For good measure, The Kid has led a lap in a series-high 17 of 21 races.

3	Can Kevin Harvick be any more impressive?

Kevin Harvick M. David Leeds/Allsport Harvick leads the Winston Cup rookie of the year battle by 43 points over Kurt Busch. If he holds that lead, Harvick will become the first driver to win consecutive rookie of the year trophies in Busch and Winston Cup. Harvick is ninth -- 244 points out of fifth -- in Cup points despite racing in 20 of 21 events. Since 1975, no driver has competed in less than the entire schedule and finished in the top five. As a rookie in 1979, Dale Earnhardt, who Harvick replaced, finished seventh in points despite racing in 27 of 31 events.

 

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