Martin

The dark horse to spoil both Gordon's and Wallace's days is Mark Martin. From 1993 through 1996, the little man from Arkansas (who we on the RPM 2Night staff fondly call "the Peanut") owned Watkins Glen winning three straight races from the pole. Lately, however, he has leased out the place to Gordon and Geoff Bodine for one win in '96. Okay, so it's Geoffrey now, but in '96 he was still Geoff. Martin tested a few weeks ago at the Glen, hoping to find that lost magical setup. Before the race at Indy, he told me that the test went well, but to quote the rock bank U2, "They still haven't found what there looking for." If you're fantasy team needs to gain some guaranteed points, Martin will be the man. After a disappointing 28th place finish is his Glen debuted in 1988, he has rung up 11 straight top-10 finishes, with 10 of those in the top-five. Martin's road racing theory has proven successful so far, "Go as fast as you can and stay out of the ditches." That is what I say to National when I rent a car. They don't seem to appreciate my driving style.

The Specialists

	Hornaday

This weekend will see a number of road racing specialist showcasing their talent. Not as many as expected due to rain washing out Saturday's qualifying. But Tom Huber will fill in for an injured Jeremy Mayfield, and Ron Hornaday will sub for Terry Labonte. Boris Said and Brian Simo won't be in the race. Said actually had the fastest car in practice Friday, but because he doesn't have any owner points was left out of the field. Ron Fellows, who nearly pulled off one of Winston Cup's biggest upsets a year ago at Watkins Glen, got in the field -- barely. He'll start way back in the pack in 40th position. If you don't think Gordon is smiling, you haven't been around the garage. All these guys are wild cards. Hornaday has a truck victory at the Glen, while Fellows is known as the "Glen Master" after winning in both the Craftsman Truck and Busch series. Odds-makers in the garage were leaning toward the 87 car and Fellows, but it's nearly impossible to move up 40 spots on a road course. But, I'll sure be keeping my eye on the 87.

The Regulars

	Nadeau

Among the Winston Cup regulars, who, if anyone, can pick up their first career road coarse victory? How about Tony Stewart or Jerry Nadeau? Stewart has three starts on a road coarse, his average finish is 10.3. Stewart was 10th here in '99, while Nadeau was eighth. The young Hendrick hotshoe was eighth at Sonoma in June, and has finished fourth twice in the past three races. Oh, and he just happens to be a teammate of Gordon.