Defending champion Dale Jarrett has a good chance Saturday to become the first three-time winner of the Brickyard 400.

	Jarrett

Dale Jarrett wasn't the first driver to win the Brickyard, nor was he the second. Dale Jarrett has recorded two Brickyard 400 victories, but he wasn't even the first two-time Brickyard winner -- that honor belongs to Jeff Gordon. Ah, but DJ would love to be the first three-time winner. If not for a dry tank of gas and ego back in 1998, the 88 team already would have three wins. You can woulda/coulda/shoulda, but the results are still the same. The lasting image from '98 is an 88 car creeping down pit road, out of gas, chasing the halfway money. Jarrett soldiered home to a 16th place finish, but the team squandered a sure win. Now, fast forward to 2000, where Jarrett has climbed to second in the standings, but he hasn't scored a victory since his third Daytona 500 triumph some 18 races ago. Indy couldn't come at a better time. Heck, just look at the history. In six starts on the bricks, Jarrett has a 40th (accident), a third, first, third, 16th (out of gas) and a first. Momentum and advantage this week goes to DJ.

Ricky Rudd

	Rudd

We move across the garage to DJ's teammate Ricky Rudd -- the 1997 Brickyard 400 winner, but a guy who hasn't stood in Victory Lane in 59 races. Well, Rudd was actually ill when he won at Indy and celebrated his win lying down. Nevertheless, Ricky scored the biggest win of his career in '97. Wouldn't it be something if he ended his current drought back in Indy? He'll start on the pole and Thursday's qualifying run just maintained his recent momentum swing, which includes six top-five finished in the last 10 races. A Brickyard win? Chances are good for Rudd, just look at the horsepower, his past performances, the drive and determination of he and his crew chief and team. This team is poised to win on Saturday.

Jeff Gordon

	Gordon

He was the first to win the Brickyard 400. He was the first to win it twice. He just might be first to win it three times. But there are too many unknowns to make Gordon a sure bet. But he's a good bet, and a win would certainly silence the naysayers who continue to harp about the Gordon-Evernham issue. It's time to let the kid from Indiana, via California, stand on his own merits. Gordon has finished sixth or better in five of the six Brickyard 400s. He's got a new car this week. He's had a new crew chief and new pit crew all season. New people in new roles in 2000, but we are in the second half of 2000, so everyone should have jelled and the chemistry should be right. It's time for the 24 to add to an already healthy historical chapter in Indy history. A win? Could happen. Likely? Not unless he changes his first name to Dale? Maybe.

Dale Earnhardt

	Earnhardt

That is what we call a segue in the broadcasting world. Dale Earnhardt maybe the guy to put your money on for another victory. He joked in '95 that he was the first man to win the Brickyard, playing off of Gordon being the first boy to win. "Wonderboy," he joked. The Man in Black has more momentum than anyone except maybe that other Dale entering the Brickyard. Earnhardt has three top-five finishes at Indy. He finished 10th in 1999, but this is a new, or is that the old, Earnhardt. Whatever you call it, "it" has turned Earnhardt into season-long title contender. He tested well at Indy, and Dale has been competitive on the flat tracks in 2000, a big plus coming to Indy. The Man in Black visits Victory Lane for a second time at Indy in 2000? Well, I'm not going to say that corny saying, "Bet on black." But with a guy who has renewed enthusiasm and a stout race car, Earnhardt's drive to win has never been stronger. That is worth three to fourth tenths right there.

I really think it comes down the Dales on Saturday. Jarrett hasn't won since Daytona, Earnhardt since Atlanta. No one under 33, except Rusty Wallace at Pocono, has won a race since Martinsville -- the eighth race of 2000.

That brings us to Rusty Wallace. No, I didn't forget the blue duce. Wallace's car owner Roger Penske has 10 Indy 500 victories as an owner. A Brickyard 400 is missing from his speedway resume. The way the two Penske cars have been running, maybe No. 1 will come on Saturday. Penske certainly wouldn't get lost running to Victory Lane.

So who will win it all on Saturday? Oops, Im over my word limit for this week. I will give you the answer in next week's column.