WINSTON CUP Rookie class lacks same thrills of the past

Greg Biffle provided a spark with a long-awaited victory.
THE SPORTING NEWS
Two hours after Greg Biffle crossed the finish line in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona and claimed his first career Winston Cup victory, his expression said it all.
The euphoria of the victory lane celebration had subsided long before Biffle made his way to the press box for the official postrace interview. His firesuit was soaked, from the inside with perspiration and from the outside with enough champagne to fill one of the king-size Jacuzzi tubs in a Daytona Beach motel.
The emotion that radiated from his face was easy to identify: complete and utter relief.
At long last, there was a payoff for the struggles and frustrations of a rookie season mired in mediocrity.
Not good enough
Biffle had persevered. For most of the season, his cars had not been competitive. Biffle could not find the balance that fit his comfort level, and that was reflected in his results.
Like most of his peers, Biffle, 33, has been a champion. But he is the only driver who was rookie of the year and later champion in both the Craftsman Truck Series and Busch Series.
Beginning in 1999, when Tony Stewart won three races and finished fourth in points, top-notch rookies have proved that the freshman class shouldn't be taken lightly.
But the class of 2003 hasn't set the world on fire, and it has no chance to equal last year's battle between Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Newman. Or that between Matt Kenseth and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2000.
More was expected from Biffle and three-time truck champion Jack Sprague. And after Jamie McMurray upset the field last fall at Lowe's Motor Speedway, winning his first Cup race in his second start, why haven't we heard more from him?
Six drivers are running for the Raybestos Rookie of the Year title, but because of a lack of resources, it is hard to take Tony Raines or Larry Foyt seriously. The top four have a half-season to make their marks.
Biffle
His Daytona victory gave him the rookie lead. He and McMurray have an advantage because they've won Winston Cup races, this increasing their confidence. But Johnson says it also increases the pressure to win again.
After his team found key personnel for the crew and massaged cars to fit his feel, Biffle is starting to find his groove. A top 15 finish in the point standings is not out of the question. He's 20th now.
McMurray
His shocking victory in 2002 came in Sterling Marlin's car, but he's not driving it anymore, nor does he have Marlin's pit crew. Still, McMurray, 27, has been the most consistent rookie this season. He uses his head and has veteran crew chief Donnie Wingo behind him. Had it not been for two engine failures, he would be in the top 20 in points. Chances are he will be at the end of the season.
Sprague
Although Sprague, 38, has the Hendrick Motorsports machine behind him, he is driving for a start-up, single-car squad, and with the exception of Ricky Craven, this hasn't been a banner year for Pontiac.
The arrival of crew chief Tony Furr has accelerated this team's learning curve, but it stacked up quite a deficit at the start of the season. Sprague's success will depend on how patient he can be during the second half.
Casey Mears
The Mears name is well-known in open-wheel and off-road truck racing, but stock car racing is another story. Mears, 25, finished 21st in Busch Series points in 2002, his first year of NASCAR competition. Despite his intelligence and determination, he is finding how rugged the competition is in this garage.
Team owner Chip Ganassi has not thrown Mears to the wolves as he did Jason Leffler. Mears is gaining experience by moonlighting in the Busch Series. The No. 41 team has not proved itself and must hope crew chief Jimmy Elledge will turn things around.