When the green flag drops at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 17 for the start of the Daytona 500, the NASCAR Winston Cup Series will embark on another grueling 36-race schedule that stretches from Florida to California, from Texas to New Hampshire, and all points in-between.

Here's a guide of who to watch and what to expect in 2002:

Drivers to watch
Jeff Gordon: The heir apparent to the late Dale Earnhardt as NASCAR's biggest star, Gordon is the man to beat heading into 2002. Having won his fourth championship last season -- no other active driver has won more than two titles (Terry Labonte, in 1984 and '96) -- Gordon is the favorite to extend his supremacy through this season and many more.

Tony Stewart: Gordon's No. 1 threat to repeat as champ. More aggressive than his fellow Hoosier, Stewart harkens back to the days of David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, A.J. Foyt and Richard Petty with his tempestuousness and temper. At the same time, Stewart's attitude has caused him to run afoul of NASCAR officials in numerous situations, most notably last season when he refused to wear a head-and-neck restraint device. This will be Stewart's fourth full season on the circuit, and he has progressively improved in each campaign. This season's title may not be decided until the final lap of the final race in a two-horse shootout between Stewart and Gordon.

Sterling Marlin: Last season not only equaled Marlin's best-ever year, it showed he has the ability, tenacity and team to be a serious title threat. Marlin benefits from the deep pockets and racing knowledge from car owner Chip Ganassi, who shepherded his drivers to four consecutive CART crowns. Marlin's two victories last season also helped boost Dodge's return to Winston Cup racing, showing the Intrepid could be a formidable challenger. Marlin is the perfect foil to Gordon and Stewart: he's not as aggressive as Stewart, yet not as smooth as Gordon. It's a formula that should help Marlin reach Victory Lane at least three or four times -- and possibly end up with the championship -- in 2002.

Kevin Harvick: This young driver exploded onto the scene after entering the series under the most difficult circumstances any racer could imagine -- following in the footsteps of Earnhardt. It wasn't until late in the season that many critics began to feel Harvick was the real deal. Harvick finished ninth in the final standings and made the Rookie of the Year Award a runaway. While most drivers complained about the length of the 36-race Winston Cup season, Harvick was a racing addict. Not only did he compete in 35 Winston Cup races, he also took part in the entire 33-race Busch schedule (where he won the title, too), plus a couple of Truck events thrown in, too. In 2002, Harvick will concentrate almost solely on Winston Cup, and it should pay off with a top-5 finish, if not a run at the title. He still plans on running up to five Busch events, but those will be a vacation when compared to the pressure he'll face trying to prove his success in 2001 was not a fluke.

Sleepers
Jimmy Spencer: Having left Haas-Carter Motorsports and the financially beleaguered Kmart team, Spencer has landed admirably on his feet with Chip Ganassi's operation. One of the sport's most raw talents, Spencer has hung around the periphery for too long. This season will be the biggest test of his talent yet. Ganassi, perhaps more than any other car owner in racing today, has the knack to draw out the raw talent within the drivers. Ganassi made a big splash in his rookie season as a Winston Cup owner by guiding Marlin -- whom many considered washed-up -- to a third-place finish in the standings. Now it's Spencer's turn for greatness. With Ganassi leading the way, Spencer could very likely record his best finish ever in what will be his 12th full season on the circuit. Up to now, Spencer's best finish has been his 14th-place showing in 1998 (he was 16th in 2001). With Ganassi's resources, Spencer is almost a sure bet to return to the top-15, if not climb into the top-10.

Jeff Burton: After finishing a close third to Bobby Labonte and Dale Earnhardt in 2000, Burton was poised for a championship run in 2001. But somewhere prior to the season-opener, Burton's hopes went one way and reality went the other. He struggled for much of the first half of the season. He finished in a flurry, however, and eventually finished 10th. But that was then and this is now. With numerous changes within the Roush Racing camp, look for Burton to return to his rightful place among the sport's top drivers. If Burton had to write a script, he'd likely follow up one of his most trying seasons with a championship this year. Burton has all the tools -- talented teammates, a top-notch crew chief in Frank Stoddard and a resourceful team owner in Jack Roush -- and with better luck he could be take home a title.

Mike Skinner: The darkhorse of darkhorses in 2002. Skinner spent six seasons of trying to live up to team owner Richard Childress' faith in him. Unfortunately, Skinner wound up on the short end each and every season. He still has yet to win his first Winston Cup race, he had arguably the worst luck on the circuit over the last six years and he had to work in the shadow of Earnhardt. Skinner also suffered the worst wreck of his career last July at Chicago and then underwent two surgeries. To top it all off, he was fired in September, one week after saying he felt confident he would be returning in 2002. Skinner has moved to Morgan-McClure Motorsports this season. While some may consider that a step down, it actually may wind up as a blessing in disguise. Skinner will be the only driver on a one-car team and will have all the team's resources directed at him.

On the hot seat
John Andretti: After four seasons with Petty Enterprises, Andretti likely faces a make-or-break season in 2002. He correctly predicted coming into 2001 that not only he, but also teammates Kyle Petty and Buckshot Jones, would struggle in the new Dodge Intrepid. Andretti's loyalty to the Petty clan may prove problematic. Any other driver who had not seen light at the end of the tunnel would have been long-gone by now. But not Andretti. He's stuck with the Pettys through thick and thin over the last four years, with little in return. That's why 2002 will be a pivotal year for both Andretti and the operation. If he struggles again, don't be surprised to see him bolt to another team. He turns 39 next month and knows much of his career is behind him. As a result, loyalty to the Petty crew will likely lose out to the possibility of having at least one or two decent seasons in the future.

Mark Martin: After enduring his worst season (12th-place) since finishing 15th in 1988, Martin enters 2002 in much the same fashion as Andretti, likely facing a make-or-break season. The 2001 season marked only the second time in the last 13 seasons that Martin had failed to win at least one race. As the elder statesman of the Roush Racing team, it seems as Martin goes, so goes the rest of the operation. Now 43, Martin is slowly winding his way into the twilight of his career. That's why both he and his career need a shot in the arm in 2002. With a new crew chief and several new crew members, Martin may struggle early, but the changes were made to bring him better performance. If he has another sub-par year, don't be surprised if he's out of the No. 6 Ford come 2003.

Ken Schrader:: Coming off the worst season of his career, it's a miracle Schrader was still able to finish 19th in the standings. He failed to earn a win, and his best showing was a mediocre eighth-place finish in the spring race at Atlanta. While he drives for a mid-level team (MB2 Motorsports), another mid-level finish just won't do for Schrader or his team owners. What's more, Schrader's scorecard the last five seasons has continued to slip, from 10th to 12th to 14th to 18th and finally to 19th. If he falls any further, he will not be piloting the No. 36 Pontiac in 2003.

Rising stars
Jeff Green: A world-class team owner (Richard Childress), a good crew chief (Todd Berrier) and a big-money sponsor. That's what's behind Green. What's ahead of him is unlimited potential. Green is not a contender for the Rookie of the Year Award in 2002, but that's inconsequential. Green has already proven he can hold his own in Winston Cup competition. Last season, he won a pole, finished ninth at Homestead, Fla., and had five top-20 starts in his eight races. Green earned his promotion after winning the Busch title in 2000. He was also the series' runner-up, to Harvick, in 2001. One of the biggest concerns will be how the mercurial Green will get along with equally fiery teammates Harvick and Robby Gordon. Only time will tell.

Ryan Newman: In just seven Winston Cup starts in 2001, Newman showed he is ready to make the jump to full-time competition. Newman claimed a pole, a runner-up finish at Kansas and a fifth-place showing in the spring race at Michigan. Many already consider Newman, who returns to drive a Roger Penske-owned Ford, to be the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year Award. Newman has the talent, the team, the teammate (Rusty Wallace) and crew chief (Matt Borland) to crack the top-15 by season's end. Because he's from Indiana, comparisons with two other famous Hoosiers -- Gordon and Stewart -- will be inevitable.

Jimmie Johnson: Pressure? What pressure, Johnson says. Just because his bosses are Gordon and Rick Hendrick (who is a minority investor in Gordon's first foray as a team owner), Johnson says he's not afraid of what's to come in 2002. Coming off a top-10 finish on the Busch circuit, Johnson has just three Winston Cup starts to his name, with his best being a 25th-place effort at Homestead, Fla. He has the support to go far in his rookie campaign, but with only four years of stock-car racing behind him, Johnson has a long way to go to prove he belongs in NASCAR's major league. If he can finish in the top-30 -- or even top-25 -- it'll be a major accomplishment.

Fading fast
Kyle Petty: Don't be surprised if 2002 is Petty's last season as an active driver. After a career-worst finish of 43rd, qualifying for only 24 of 36 races and a top finish of just 16th (twice) in 2001, many are wondering how much worse Petty can get in 2002. Having lived in the shadow of his famous father and grandfather his entire life, Petty has proven in his career that he'll never be the same type of driver as his mentors. Yet, at the same time, Petty has shown the potential to eventually be a successful team owner -- and that's the likely direction for which he's headed. The last several years have shown that Petty cannot continue to be both a driver and owner at the same time. He has to give up one hat if he wants to have success wearing another. Barring a miracle, 2002 could very well be Petty's swan song.

Terry Labonte: Another driver who suffered his worst-ever finish (23rd) in 2001, Labonte could also be on his way out. The two-time Winston Cup champion started nearly two-thirds of last season's events from 30th or worse, and finished 11 events that way, too. He also had just one top-5 finish (spring race in Atlanta) and two top-10 efforts. That's it. In the last five seasons, Labonte has gone from being champion in 1996 to sixth, ninth, 12th, 17th and 23rd. If that's not an indicator of a driver in the twilight of his career, I don't know what is. Another bad season and Labonte will likely be gone from Hendrick Motorsports and possibly out of racing entirely.

Jerry Nadeau: A driver who exudes confidence and talent, Nadeau has struggled to translate those attributes to the track. While he finished 17th in 2001 in his second season with Hendrick, that was just a slight improvement from his 20th-place finish in his first year with the team. This season will likely be a pivotal year for the union. If Nadeau, who has just one career win, doesn't show marked improvement and close in on the top-10 by season's end, he's likely going to be looking for a ride in 2003.

Something to prove
Robby Gordon: Gordon has spent his entire career as a man touted with having incredible talent -- he just hasn't had the right situation to showcase it, or so the story goes. Well, Gordon will have no excuses in 2002 as he's joined one of NASCAR's top teams -- Richard Childress Racing. Gordon replaced Skinner behind the wheel of the No. 31 Chevrolet near the end of last season and performed admirably, even winning his first Winston Cup event (at the season-ending race in New Hampshire), something Skinner had failed to do in six years at RCR. Gordon has everything he'll need for success in terms of financial support, technological know-how and an ace crew. The rest is up to him. If everything goes right, Gordon is a shoe-in for a top-15 finish in 2002. With a driving style akin to Stewart, Gordon is not afraid to mix it up and has been guilty of being over-aggressive at times. But sometimes that attitude is the measure of difference between being successful or being an also-ran. This sason could be his year to shine.

Casey Atwood: Still smarting from his "demotion" from Ray Evernham's team to the merged operation between Evernham and fellow team owner Jim Smith, the young Atwood has a lot to prove in 2002. He wants to prove to Evernham that he didn't deserve to be shuffled aside in favor of Jeremy Mayfield. Atwood aims to show that last year was nothing more than a learning year -- and that Evernham should have been satisfied, rather than set unreasonable expectations. The most gratifying scenario for Atwood would be to enjoy a strong season and then jump ship to another team for 2003 -- a team owned by Childress, Hendrick or the like -- and make Evernham rue the day he lost faith in Atwood.

Ricky Rudd: For much of the second-half in 2001, Rudd was the main thorn in Gordon's side as Gordon tried to put the championship away. But every time he tried to make a big move, it seemed Gordon would shut the door on him. It wasn't until the last few handful of races that Rudd tailed off, eventually finishing fourth. Rudd's two wins in 2001 were his first triumphs in over three years, and his fourth-place finish was his highest showing in the standings since finishing second in 1991. Rudd will be entering his 27th season in 2002 and he's still looking for his first title. He still has all the pieces in place to make a run at Gordon and the title in 2002. And if some of Gordon's luck from last season falls upon Rudd this year, we may see the No. 28 car in the champion's spotlight in November.