Hampton, Georgia. With the checkered flag about to fall on the regular season, Kannapolis NC’s Dale Earnhardt junior is not in a good position. Mr. H already has two drivers in the chase, Charlotte, NC’s Jeff Gordon and El Cajon, CA’s Jimmie Johnson. But two of NASCAR’s most provocative drivers have yet to find Victory Lane. That is nothing new for Junior, though. He hasn’t won since the Michigan race in June a couple of years ago. The other driver that is making this reporter wonder is Columbus Indiana’s Tony Stewart. We have yet to see his usual summertime smokiness. Smoke is the driver who is revered in the Hoosier State, and has yet to wheel the number 14 Chevy into Victory Lane. Are two of NASCAR’s most revered subjects in the twilight of their careers? I’m here to tell you, not so fast, my friends. Darien Grubb and Steve Letarte know what a driver needs, but they are not behind the wheel. It’s up to Junior and Smoke to have the desire and the fire to want to make the Chase, and challenge five-time champion Jimmie Johnson
