Rarely do I tackle the same driver in consecutive blogs, but a two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Series champion, some exceptions can be made.

As I wrote last time, Smoke was on the verge of falling out of title contention with a bad result at Martinsville, and he almost pulled that off as he qualified a horrific 34th at the paperclip circuit.

However, he fought back to finish 13th Sunday to maintain a glimer of hope.

How can Stewart keep that glimmer going? A repeat of his past two Atlanta performances would do the trick. Not only is he the defending winner of this weekend's event, but he also has a runner-up finish at the track in spring. If he can do the same, the glimmer remains, anything less and it may be over for Smoke and Co.

If the driver of the Home Depot Chevrolet does turn in a race-winning performance, and by chance Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson falter at a track notorious for blown engines (hey, if it could happen to DEI/RCR, it could happen to Hendrick too), then we may be in for a fun three weeks to end the season.

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