Turn 4: How will Tony Stewart be remembered?
— -- Our experts weigh in on four of the biggest questions in NASCAR:
Turn 1: It's the final chapter of Tony Stewart's career. How will he be remembered?
Ricky Craven, ESPN NASCAR analyst: Tony will be remembered as a "wheel man," which translates to being able to drive anything, anywhere really, really fast. He will also be remembered as a bit of a mystery as it relates to his volatile personality. There are times when he demonstrates the highest form of intolerance for any and all. There are other times when he demonstrates deep concern, giving and compassion. He strikes me as someone who wakes up one morning communicating, "I am who I am; you don't like it, tough!" Wakes up the next day wanting the world to realize he is a pretty good guy. This I know for certain: Tony Stewart will be remembered as one of a kind.
Someone takes this fair stuff pretty serious!!! @TonyStewart pic.twitter.com/46FKQPVqnL
- Tony Gibson (@TonyOldman41) September 15, 2016
Ryan McGee, ESPN.com: Among race fans, he'll be remembered as the last gasp of the old school, the last of the beloved cranky a--h----. That's a compliment. That's a group that includes A.J. Foyt and Dale Earnhardt. You knew that you couldn't throw one by them and you knew that they could've taken any type of car on any type track -- including your car on your track -- and figured out a way to beat you with it. Among non-race fans and among a lot of short-track fans, he'll be remembered for that night at Canandaigua, and he knows that. I think that's part of why he'll throw himself back into that industry that he loves so much once he has the time.
John Oreovicz, ESPN.com: A lot of different ways. It's well documented that Stewart has a heart of gold and he plays well with fans. But when it comes to his fellow drivers and the media, he's a classic bully. I certainly respect much of what Stewart accomplished on the track in his career -- he's the rare modern-era driver who has done it all and done it well. Yet I believe he will be remembered more for his unpleasant behavior off the track -- the tantrums override the talent.
Bob Pockrass, ESPN.com: As a person who loved motorsports to its core and had an impact on anyone who races stock cars or sprint cars or late models or Modifieds. He believes there's a way motorsports should operate in every way at every level, and when it doesn't happen, it's hard for him to accept that, on or off the track. And FYI, the career will continue -- just not in a Sprint Cup car.
Turn 2: Which Chevrolet driver has the best shot to win the title?
Craven: Without question, Kevin Harvick. What's interesting is Chevrolet has eight cars in the Chase -- half the field. But only Harvick demonstrates week in and week out the ability to match the Toyota drivers. That's because Harvick is an outstanding talent that only in the past three seasons has been acknowledged as such. Kyle Larson would be an excellent dark horse pick. He has the speed -- but probably not the experience -- to go all the way. Harvick has both.
McGee: Kevin Harvick. I think momentum counts when heading into the postseason and he has a ton of it. His "pep talk" seems to have worked with his crew. And no one has more experience in this final four format than Happy.
Oreovicz: Kyle Larson. The journey to his first Cup Series win was longer and more frustrating than he or anyone else expected, but it was worth the wait. Freed from that burden, we're already seeing that the best is yet to come from this young man, and Chip Ganassi will not be satisfied until he adds a Cup Series title to his many IndyCar championships. With Larson, he's got a guy who's capable of doing that -- if not this year, than in the near future.
Pockrass: Kevin Harvick. He is the only one with consistent enough speed to match the Toyotas on a weekly basis. He also has won the championship before in the elimination format. If anything, he's focused.
Turn 3: Which Ford driver has the best shot to win the title?
Craven: Probably Brad Keselowski. But I'm not confident there will be room for a Ford in Miami's final four. The numbers simply aren't adding up.
McGee: Brad Keselowski. His teammate, Joey Logano, has run better over the month, but Keselowski has shown he can be consistent and win races. He's won four times. History says that you have to reach Victory Lane to win this thing, and no one has done it more this season than Brad.
Oreovicz: Brad Keselowski. You could say it's pretty much a toss-up between Kez and Logano, but Brad has put together a more consistent season and is the Ford driver who looks most likely to win on a weekly basis.
Pockrass: Brad Keselowski. He has found a way to win more often this year than Logano. Keselowski's win at Las Vegas shows it's possible at an intermediate track under the 2016 rules package for a Ford to win. Or was possible.?
Turn 4: Which Toyota driver has the best shot to win the title?
Craven: Kyle Busch has the least amount of pressure as the defending champ and he is the favorite in my mind. Denny Hamlin is the one who could upset the apple cart, so to speak. His qualifying this year has been ridiculous. He has 24 consecutive top-10 starts, and 12th being his worst all year. Qualifying well is critical, because it establishes the tone for the weekend and creates momentum for the team.
McGee: Martin Truex Jr. Based on everything I just said about Keselowski I should have picked Kyle Busch, right? Well, I mentioned momentum in regards to Harvick and Truex has every bit as much momentum as anyone. Yes, his luck has been awful this year, but even with that he stayed top 10 in points all season and earned a dozen top-10s. And I think there's something to be said about using up that bad luck in the spring and summer.
Oreovicz: Kyle Busch. He's the driver with the most talent within Joe Gibbs Racing and the one most likely to come through to score a race win when it really matters. Matt Kenseth should be strong too, but a bigger threat within the Toyota camp is Martin Truex Jr. in the Furniture Row Racing car. With JGR equipment and rising star crew chief Cole Pearn calling the shots, Truex has to be considered a favorite to make the final four at Homestead for the second year in a row.
Pockrass: Carl Edwards. The Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. teams seem prone to too many mistakes. Matt Kenseth hasn't been as strong as his teammates. And Kyle Busch won it last year and would be too easy of a pick.
Related Stories
ABC News Live