By Jenna Fryer DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. AJ Allmendinger won five races during the 2006 season in Champ Car, then walked away hoping to launch a new career in NASCAR. He was at the top of his game when he left open-wheel, and figured he'd make a smooth transition to stock cars. Instead, he suffered through a miserable five years.

By Jenna Fryer CONCORD, N.C. Danica Patrick became a worldwide sensation as a rookie at the Indianapolis 500, challenging for victory and becoming the first woman to lead laps in the showcase race.

Those Indy days are fading fast.

Patrick's shift to stock cars is long under way and her ties to IndyCar were cut even further Monday — she said she won't run in this year's Indy 500.

HOMESTEAD, Fla.
Years from now, when NASCAR fans talk about Tony Stewart's third Sprint Cup championship, should they embellish what happened, as often occurs, it's hard to imagine they'll make it more remarkable than it was.
If they try, it won't seem believable.

They're getting ready to go racing for the final time this season. Will Carl Edwards be NASCAR's new champion, or will Tony Stewart? The Pilot's Dustin Long is there, and he'll provide commentary as the action unfolds.
Also keep an eye on:
1. Jimmie Johnson. He's never finished worse than fifth since moving to Cup fulltime in 2002. Can the streak continue?

HOMESTEAD, Fla. Tyler Harris' bedspread is black and his bedroom curtains are red - Tony Stewart's colors. The pillowcases are checkered flags. Pictures of Tyler and Tony dot the walls.

HOMESTEAD, Fla.

Carl Edwards moved one day closer to winning his first NASCAR Sprint Cup title. Edwards earned the pole for today's race, while Tony Stewart - who trails by three points for the championship - qualified 15th.

HOMESTEAD, Fla. It is a fear of the unknown. What one can't see and doesn't know fuels questions, confusion and conflict.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. With a boxer's bravado, Tony Stewart baited Carl Edwards and bantered with the points leader three days before their championship battle. Casual and confident, Stewart unleashed a torrent of quips aimed at Edwards, seated beside him, during Thursday's news conference in a tent on the beach.

Don't be surprised if the championship race between Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart is determined by what their crew chiefs do Sunday at Homestead. Pit strategy has played key roles in several races, with crew chiefs gambling on fuel or on how many tires to change on the last pit stop.

AVONDALE, Ariz. They raced like champions Sunday. Next week, one will be. After battling one another and a cantankerous track, Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart are where they started the day - Edwards leads Stewart by three points.