Points Stuff: Under the current Winston Cup points system, the championship has been decided in the final race of the year 18 times in more than 30 years. With 238 points separating first through fifth, NASCAR no longer has its closest points race in modern-era history. In 1992, only 98 points separated the top five drivers in the standings with one race to go. Leader Tony Stewart heads to Homestead riding a nine-race streak of top 15s. A 10th top 15 would clinch the title for him. (News and Observer)(11-11-2002)
