Rookies: #48-Jimmie Johnson tied Tony Stewart’s rookie record for most wins by a Winston Cup Rookie of the Year candidate with his win at Dover, his third win of 2002. With last weeks win at NHIS, #12-Ryan Newman broke the rookie record of top fives, with his 13th, the old record was 12, also by Stewart in 1999. The top ten record is also held by Stewart at 21, Johnson and Newman both have 17, as did Dale Earnhardt in 1979. Some comparisions (all were Rookie of the Year except Earnhardt Jr): 1979 Dale Earnhardt 27 races, 1 win, 11 top 5’s, 17 top 10’s, 4 poles, final points postion was 7th 1987 Davey Allison 22 (of 29) races, 2 wins, 9 top 5’s, 16 top 10’s, 5 poles, points pos 21st 1999 Tony Stewart 34 races, 3 wins, 12 top 5’s, 21 top 10’s, 2 poles, 4th in points 2000 Matt Kenseth 34 races, 1 win, 4 top 5’s, 11 top 10’s, no poles, 14th in points 2000 Dale Earnhardt Jr 34 races, 2 wins, 3 top 5’s, 5 top 10’s, 2 poles, 16th in points 2001 Kevin Harvick 35 (of 36) races, 2 wins, 6 top 5’s, 16 top 10’s, no poles, 9th in points 2002 Jimmie Johnson 28 (of 36) races, 3 wins, 6 top 5’s, 17 top 10’s, 4 poles, 2nd in points(so far) 2002 Ryan Newman 28 (of 26) races, 1 win, 13 top 5’s, 17 top 10’s, 3 poles, 7th in pointd(so far)(9-23-2002)
