The 2005 Nascar season is expected to star many of the same veterans as last year, and Jeff Gordon has already started to prove this premonition true. With his first place finish in the season-opening Daytona 500 on February 20th, Gordon started off the year in the fast lane by edging fellow veterans Kurt Busch and fan favorite Dale Earnhardt, Jr., in a dramatic finish to take home his 3rd 500 title.

Gordon is in search of his 5th season championship, and appears to be the heavy favorite to do so. However, there will be many drivers trying their best to interfere with his plan, including his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson, who has established himself as a contender but has yet to take home a championship in his three years of being on the circuit. Johnson finished eight points behind Busch to take the runner-up spot in last year's Chase, the smallest point gap in the sport's history.

The last two years have belonged to Roush Racing, with Matt Kenseth and Busch each taking home a championship for the team. They, in addition to team member Mark Martin, are expected to be major players in this year's Chase, as are Jeremy Mayfield, Elliott Sadler, and former champion Tony Stewart.

There is also a slew of talented drivers looking to make the jump into the contender class this season. At the helm of the pack is last year's top rookie Kasey Kahne, who was a top-five finisher in 13 races but has yet to break into Victory Lane. Veterans Dale Jarret, Bobby Labonte Kevin Harvick and Joe Nemechek are also seeking the status of contenders.

This season will also include the final stage of three perennial favorites' careers. Martin, who finished fourth in the series last year and runner-up four times in his career, will be pursuing the elusive title in this, his final Cup series. Former champion Rusty Wallace has also announced this will be his final season, and two-time champion Terry Labonte will start reducing the number of races he participates in, projecting his final season to be 2006, when the talented Kyle Busch, Kurt's younger brother, will take over the driver's seat.

Last year's new playoff-style points structure implemented by new chairman Brian France is now firmly established, and most of the skepticism with which it was met has been quelled thanks to its success in its first year. This year, France has put into effect an equipment amendment that calls for the lowering of rear spoilers and the use of softer tires at certain tracks has been applied. These changes aim to give more control to the drivers by decreasing the downforce as they drive.

The 2004 season featured one of the most dramatic finishes the sport has ever seen, in which Busch held on in the final lap of the final race of the season to beat Johnson and Gordon by a collective 24 points. With the same drivers in contention this season, it promises to be another fan-pleasing nail biter of a ride.


- Mari Levine, Associate Editor