Elliott Sadler got the Wood Brothers back into Victory Lane in 2001.

Key stat: As bad as his qualifying picture was in 2001, Sadler did start showing signs of improvement in the season's second half. For example, he qualified fourth in back-to-back races at Michigan (finished 15th) and Bristol (finished 11th). He wound up with seven top-20 starts in the last 14 races of the season, an indicator that he is slowly improving his ability to start higher.

2002 outlook
What needs to be done: Sadler showed improved confidence and further honed the rough edges of his driving style in 2001. There is no better way to continue that pattern than just to keep doing what he's doing. The more experience he gets, the better he should become behind the wheel. That he finished in the top-20 at season's end, ahead of such veterans as Ricky Craven, Terry Labonte, Michael Waltrip, John Andretti and Kyle Petty says a lot about his potential.

Prediction: As much of a breakthrough season as 2001 was for Sadler, he's poised to accomplish even more in 2002. It's not inconceivable to see the young man end up in the top-15. The key will be how he stacks up against other such young luminaries as Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr., of whom all other young drivers are inevitably compared to for their successes.