| One of the oldest beliefs in racing is that it takes several years of track time before a young driver gains the experience needed to win at the NASCAR Winston Cup Series level. That notion, however, has been shattered over the last 10 years, due in large part to four-time Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon. Gordon didn't win a single race during his rookie season, 1993. But in the years that followed many team owners, who had been relying on veteran racers, began to add young, unproven drivers to their teams. Gordon's third full season on tour saw him pick up seven victories to edge the late Dale Earnhardt by a mere 34 points and win first Winston Cup championship. At that point, fans, the media, and team owners couldn't help but notice the sport's young drivers, who were eagerly awaiting the opportunity to get a Winston Cup ride. Gordon, now 31 years old, opened many doors for the young guns who have become a huge factor in Winston Cup racing. If skeptics still found it hard to acknowledge the youth trend, they could no longer ignore it when Tony Stewart entered the Winston Cup scene during the 1999 season. He had the greatest rookie year in history with three victories and a third place finish in the final point standings. During the following season, the 2000 campaign, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Matt Kenseth engaged in one of the greatest Rookie-of-the-Year battles in Winston Cup history. The young Earnhardt scored two victories and Kenseth earned one, but Kenseth edged his close friend and fellow competitor for the top rookie award. After the last-lap crash at the Daytona 500 that claimed the life of seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt, Kevin Harvick moved up to NASCAR's top rank during 2001 as a driver for veteran team owner Richard Childress. In a painful season for many, Harvick picked up two wins and finished ninth in the final point standings to easily win top rookie honors over Kurt Busch. The fight for the 2002 Winston Cup Rookie-of-the-Year award is down to first-year drivers Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Newman. While Johnson picked up two victories early in the season and is in position to become the first rookie driver to win a Winston Cup title, Newman has also had a great year. It's a rookie battle that won't likely be decided until the checkered flag is thrown at this year's season finale in Miami. Race fans and the public now know that these young guns are a major factor in NASCAR Winston Series racing. These up-and-coming stars appear poised to help carry the sport into the future.
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