Big challenges in Martinsville

— -- There wasn't a track on the schedule I enjoyed competing at more than Martinsville. It represents the origin of our sport; short track stock car racing. The skills needed to compete at the half-mile track are the same skills acquired as a young racer.

Martinsville Speedway provides us with the purest form of racing: no drafting partners, no aero push, but rather a conventional approach of who can circle the paperclip-shaped track the quickest, while managing tire wear and rationing brake pads for at least 500 laps.

Sprinkle into the equation repeated contact being made virtue of one's front bumper to another's rear, a few mood swings by a handful of drivers, and double-digit cautions throughout race ... it simply doesn't get any better than Martinsville.

1) Operating with 125 less horsepower will challenge drivers more this weekend than the previous 2015 events.

Among the rules changes this year, the 125 horsepower drop is the most significant when it comes to short-track racing. While the horsepower will help all drivers manage rear tire wear, it will make gaining position on the exit of turns far more difficult.

Brakes slow your car, horsepower gets it back to speed and the latter will require drivers to be a bit more aggressive with the front bumper, in my view.

2) Pit road is unique at Martinsville: tight, congested and round. The last part is the most challenging. Getting serviced in the pit stall is routine, but it's entering and exiting that is most difficult.

Exiting is more so because turning left through Turns 1 and 2 while cars blend in line often ends with damage, and perhaps a second visit to pit road -- which leads to the next challenge.

3) Track position is a priority to preserve tires and protect brake pads.

It's as difficult to pass at this track as any on the circuit, and the tax on equipment comes at a steep price, particularly late in the race.

Pit crews will do whatever they can to help gain track position (perhaps, only four lug nuts on left-side tire changes). Drivers need to do their best to gain it on restarts.

Even if Harvick's streak of top-2 finishes ends this weekend at eight, I regard it among the most impressive performances I've witnessed.

Only Richard Petty has assembled more consecutive first- or second-place finishes in the modern era with 11.

I consider Harvick's accomplishment more significant because in this era of NASCAR racing, the parity is enormous.

During Harvick's run, 25 cars on average have finished on the lead lap compared to my hero Petty's in 1975 -- where roughly two cars on average finished on the lead lap.

Martinsville may deliver for Harvick what the competition hasn't: a greater challenge.

The eight consecutive races of finishing first or second for Harvick have come at tracks 1 mile in length or larger, bringing into play aerodynamics, downforce and components of speed that won't exist at the half-mile Virginia track.

The potential exists for any driver to get roughed up in the half-mile bull ring environment.

Make no mistake about it, Harvick is the best driver in the Sprint Cup series today, but he's going to a track where the pendulum swings in the favor of a few others.

Three drivers stand above all others at this facility: Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin. Each has demonstrated the skills and abilities to win at the flat half-mile track repeatedly.

Not every driver enjoys this track, but those who do have discovered the code required to succeed here.

There are contenders at Martinsville, and there are favorites.

I will share my pick, prerace, on "SportsCenter." Rest assured it will be one of these three.

The winner Sunday will take delivery of perhaps the most unique trophy in sports, and among the most coveted in auto racing.

The traditional Martinsville grandfather clock stands taller than any driver and chimes nearly as loud as the 750-horsepower engine they used to get it.

You only need to reflect on Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s reaction to finally winning the race last fall to appreciate and understand what it means to a driver. Earnhardt, who has won many races, including the Daytona 500 as well as a couple of Xfinity Series titles, celebrated in Victory Lane as if he had never before won a race.

It is the effect that history and tradition have on athletes, where the accomplishment carries with you long after the purse money is gone.

Unlike other trophies, you don't have to walk by it to be reminded of the near-perfect day required to earn it. You only need be awake, as every time it chimes, it salutes your four-hour winning performance at NASCAR's smallest track.

Mine stands in the dining room!