The way to the NASCAR NEXTEL championship is to win Raybestos Rookie of the Year. Since 1979, six Raybestos Rookie of the Year drivers have won the title: Dale Earnhardt (1979), Rusty Wallace (1984), Alan Kulwicki (1986), Jeff Gordon (1993), Tony Stewart (1999), and Matt Kenseth (2000).(Camp and Assoc PR – see the latest Notes on my ROTY Page) That accounts for 15 of 24 titles in that time frame [plus 1959 ROTY, Richard Petty won the 1979 title].(5-11-2004)
