Kevin Harvick had the best start to the season possible, when he followed up his Busch win with a Daytona 500 victory in the first weekend of the season.

But since then, he hasn't finished higher than 17th in the three following races.

For that reason, Harvick fell out of this week's Power Rankings.

What do you think? Should his Daytona sweep have kept him in the top 12 to this point? Does he deserve to fall out of the rankings?

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When Nextel Cup teams rolled out at Darlington Raceway for the Goodyear tire test this week, a Ford representative was visibly missing - until Wednesday when Greg Biffle and the No. 16 car arrived at the party.

The test had been scheduled weeks in advance - as were the selections. Goodyear chose Dave Blaney from Bill Davis Racing and Toyota, Jeff Gordon from Hendrick Motorsports and GM and Reed Sorenson from Ganassi Racing and Dodge.

It wasn't until his Monday afternoon managers meeting that Roush Fenway Racing GM Max Jones learned of the Darlington test session. But it didn't take long for Roush Fenway to make the necessary phone calls to reach NASCAR and Goodyear regarding the omission.

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On Thursday, Dale Earnhardt Jr. gave his most convincing signal yet that he finalize a contract and return to DEI. In an exclusive sit-down with Lee Spencer, Junior said he "absolutely" plans to stay with the company his late father founded. And while his fans may be concerned that talks have gone on for so long, Dale Jr. points out that most of his contract talks have "taken a long time."

And yet the situation goes unresolved. Will Junior really get a 51% ownership stake in DEI? If he doesn't, does that mean he's out the door? Where would that leave DEI? You've heard what Earnhardt has to say, you've heard what the experts predict. Now it's time to make your voice heard.

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You'd think after his team was busted for cheating, Michael Waltrip would have no chance of racing in the Daytona 500. But there he was on Sunday. What gives? Was it the influence of long-time benefactor NAPA, Waltrip's sponsor? Or maybe Toyota had a hand in the decision. Would other drivers with less profitable sponsors have been given the same punishment (or lack thereof)?

Lee Spencer told you what she thinks, now's your chance to say why you think Waltrip was allowed to drive.

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