February 12, 1999 6:08 AM EST

Jeff Burton Car (Number): Ford (99) 1998 Championship Standings: 5th Team: Roush Racing

PROFILE: This will be his third full season on the Winston Cup circuit. Two years ago he made his move to become a star in stock car racing, recording the first three wins of his career. He finished fourth in the points standings that year and was fifth in 1998, when he won two races. Had 18 top-five finishes, earning over $2 million. Average start in 1998 was 18, with an average finish of 12. Look for him again to be among drivers contending for the championship.

Dale Earnhardt Car (Number): Chevrolet (3) 1998 Championship Standings: 8th Team: Richard Childress Racing

PROFILE: Opened the 1998 season by finally winning the Daytona 500 after 20 years of trying. The dramatic race and Earnhardt's win was considered one of the greatest moments in NASCAR's first 50 years. It was the only victory of the season for the seven-time champion, but it was obvious the competitive fire was still burning in Earnhardt. Had four other top-five finishes to place eighth in the points standings. Collected over $2.6 million in earnings, fifth most in 1998. His over $32 million in career winnings is the highest total ever accumulated by a driver in any series. Earnhardt's aggresive style has opened the way for the new generation of drivers. He runs hard every weekend, but afterwards is popular among drivers. Was the first driver in series history to win the rookie of the year award and Winston Cup title.

Jeff Gordon Car (Number): Chevrolet (24) 1998 Championship Standings: 1st Team: Hendrick Motorsports

PROFILE: Possibly accomplished a career season in 1998. Won his second straight Winston Cup championship and the third in the past four years. Guided by crew chief Ray Evernham, the 27-year-old equaled the series' modern-day record of 13 wins in a season -- a feat accomplished by Richard Petty in 1975. The championship was also the fourth straight for Hendrick Motorsports, a NASCAR record. One other distinct achievement was winning four races in a row. Also won seven poles and set an international motorsports record by winning $9 million, including a Winston Cup record $2,992,272 in postseason awards. His career money totals are close to $26 million. Is one of the most popular racers on the circuit and once again starts the year looking to defend his championship as he already captured the pole for Sunday's Daytona 500.

Dale Jarrett Car (Number): Ford (88) 1998 Championship Standings: 3rd Team: Robert Yates Racing

PROFILE: Fell one notch down last season to finish third in the final standings after a runner-up the previous year. Nonetheless, a strong campaign with two wins, five second-place and six third-place finishes. Never really managed to get into that stretch to charge for the title, although was a consistent third the last 17 weeks of the season. Won over $3.3 million, including bonuses and awards. Has 18 career wins. Underwent gall blader surgery in the off season, but should still be a top candidate for the title.

Bobby Labonte Car (Number): Pontiac (18) 1998 Championship Standings: 6th Team: Joe Gibbs Racing

PROFILE: Continued to rise in the ranks of the Winston Cup series, improving one position from the prior year, finishing a career best sixth in the final 1998 standings. Took two checkered flags and had three runner-up finishes, including at the Daytona 500, which he started from the pole. Won three of the four restrictor-plate poles in 1998 -- both races at Daytona and DieHard 500 in Talladega. Likely to better those results this year.

Terry Labonte Car (Number): Chevrolet (5) 1998 Championship Standings: 9th Owner: Hendrick Motorsports

PROFILE: Opposite to his brother Bobby, Terry dropped three spots to finish ninth in 1998. Not the best of seasons, therefore looking to pick up the pace with better results. Had just five top-five finishes, including the Pontiac 400 victory. But Terry has a streak of five consecutive top-10s coming into this year. Only teammate Jeff Gordon has more, with 20. The 1996 champion is part of the highly successful Hendrick Motorsports team. The Corpus Christi, Texas native has posted top-10s in more than half of his 607 career Winston Cup starts.

Mark Martin Car (Number): Ford (6) 1998 Championship Standings: 2nd Team: Roush Racing

PROFILE: Was a strong challenger for the championship in 1997 (third), and was even better last year when he finished as runner-up to Jeff Gordon, his main rival. Had seven victories -- again second to Gordon -- and at one point in the season he placed second in four consecutive races to Gordon. Finished 22 times in the top five and reached 29 career wins. After third- and second-place finishes in the points standings, perhaps his first championship is next. Earned well over $3 million in his successful 1998 season. Definitely one of the best drivers in the series and at the same time one of the most popular among fans and competitors. Teammates with Jeff Burton for Roush Racing, giving owner Jack Roush an excellent chance to win a championship.

Jeremy Mayfield Car (Number): Ford (12) 1998 Championship Standings: 7th Team: Penske Racing

PROFILE: Gained tremendous experience from Penske Racing teammate veteran Rusty Wallace. Finished a respectable seventh in the points and drove to his first career victory at the Pocono 500 in Pennsylvania. Surely to improve on his numbers which were not bad in the past year -- 12 top-fives and 16 top-10s. Could be one of the young breed of drivers to take the sport into the next century, although some of the veterans may contend otherwise. Mayfiled was the ARCA rookie of the year in 1993, when he caught the attention of NASCAR Winston Cup owners.

Tony Stewart Car (Number): Pontiac (20) 1998 Championship Standings: 3rd in Indy Racing League Team: Joe Gibbs Racing

PROFILE: After spending three seasons in the Indy Racing League, Stewart will focus his driving full-time on the Winston Cup series as rookie for owner Joe Gibbs. The only non-NASCAR Winston Cup race he will be allowed to run is the 83rd Indianapolis 500 on May 30. Has already started off strong, claiming the second spot for Sunday's Daytona 500, being knocked off by Jeff Gordon late in qualifying. Should be successful in NASCAR as it looks like his excellent driving ability will carry over from the open-wheel series where he won the title in 1997.

Rusty Wallace Car (Number): Ford (2) 1998 Championship Standings: 4th Team: Penske Racing

PROFILE: Perhaps the most popular driver on the circuit, Wallace was at least consistent, winning again just one race in 1998. In 1997 he also had just a single victory and has won at least one race in 13 straight seasons. Finished a very strong fourth in the standings, the fifth straight season in the top 10. That was an improvement of five positions from 1997. The lone win came in the Dura Lube 500 at Phoenix. Had 14 other top-five finishes and earned over $2 million. Is the master of the short tracks, but has demonstrated his ability on all types of tracks as well.

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