Who would'a thunk it?

Granted, we are only four races into a 36-race season. A lot can - and will - change between Easter and Thanksgiving.

But, with teams still adjusting to the revised points system, the racing year is essentially split into two sub-seasons: The first 26 races leading up to the Chase for the Championship, and the final 10-race "don't-call-it-a-playoff" playoff.

Now in its second full season, the points system makes it imperative that teams get off to a strong start and continue to build momentum as the year progresses. While it is not impossible for drivers like Earnhardt Jr., Kenseth and Labonte to climb back into the points race, it is much more challenging now than if they had the entire 36-race season to recuperate from their shaky starts.

It is worth noting that the last 10 races at Bristol - the location of this Sunday's Food City 500 - have been won by just six drivers: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Elliot Sadler, and Rusty Wallace. Of the six, only Earnhardt Jr. is not currently in the top 12 - an indication that Bristol may not be the track where struggling drivers will make any significant headway in the standings.

Regardless of the outcome this weekend, one thing is clear: 2005 will be a surprising season of ups and downs, and come Richmond in September, there will be unexpected names on both sides of the Chase - the drivers who make it in, as well as the drivers who don't.

At least that's my prediction.

The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN. Although we may not always agree with what is said, we do feel it's our duty to give a voice to those who have something relevant to say about the sport of auto racing.