Labonte could clinch the Winston Cup season title today. Stewart has the most wins this year. The deaths of drivers Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin were obviously the worst of it. There also was the realization the sport's appeal may have peaked. That had to happen sometime, and 2000 was when it did.
TV ratings are down.
That is the first decline since ratings for the sport started rising a decade ago. In recent weeks, veteran observers say the quality of racing has picked up. Only three months until Daytona. Benny Parsons is among those leaving ESPN to head the announcing crew for NBC and TBS in 2001. TNN is among those losing its Winston Cup deal.