Back to trioval one.

In some ways, that’s where NASCAR’s Winston Cup series is this weekend when it makes its first return trip of the season, revisiting Daytona International Speedway for Saturday night’s Pepsi 400.

Rookie Jimmie Johnson, above, has exceeded expectations, winning three poles and two races this season. Mark Martin, below, ended a two-year absence from Victory lane with a win in the Coca-Cola 600.

The race for this year’s championship isn’t as wide open as it seemed before February’s Daytona 500. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Bobby Labonte, for instance, have likely put themselves too far behind to contend for a title this season.

There are, however, seven drivers within a 148-point range atop the standings. How close is that? Ricky Rudd made up 146 points on leader Sterling Marlin in a single race the 2002 Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., where Rudd won and Marlin finished 43rd.

Marlin, Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Rusty Wallace and Rudd have to be considered title contenders as the circuit begins its marathon “home stretch” of 20 races in 20 weeks.

Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Bill Elliott and Dale Jarrett may also still have an outside shot at a championship, and all can realistically shoot for top-five points finishes.

Though the season is technically two races from its midpoint, the return trip to Daytona is traditionally viewed as the start of its second half. So with16 races completed, here’s an overview of what’s happened and what could happen the rest of the way.

Top stories

The young and the restless: Drivers over 40 are tired of answering questions about the “young guns,” while the younger stars say they’re just trying to do their jobs and not trying to run anybody off. Has too much been said and written about the whole issue? Sure. But it’s still the best story going this season.

Roush revived, literally: One of last year’s big stories was how Roush Racing struggled, but all four of the team’s cars are in the top 12 in the current standings, led by Martin who is second just 62 points behind Marlin. All that pales, of course, to Jack Roush’s incredible story of survival. The car owner would have died in the Alabama crash of a plane he was flying had it not been for rescuer Larry Hicks.

Jimmie and Jeff: A Hendrick Motorsports driver has three poles and two race victories and his last name isn’t Gordon. Rookie Jimmie Johnson’s team has been one of the most consistent on the circuit.

Stories we haven’t heard the last of

Moving The Winston from Lowe’s Motor Speedway. NASCAR still has some tricks up its sleeve on that ridiculous idea.

Musical drivers’ seats. There already has been a lot of smoke about possible changes for next year, but the fire’s just beginning.

Traction control. Everybody thinks everybody else is using the illegal electronic systems. NASCAR officials say they haven’t caught anybody, but will act decisively if they do. They had better even if it’s a big-time team that gets nabbed.

Best moments

Marlin climbing out of his car to pull away sheet metal under the red flag in the Daytona 500, and getting caught an instant classic.

Busch rattling Jimmy Spencer’s cage in the final laps on the way to Busch’s Bristol win. We keep waiting for chapter two of that one.

Martin returning to Victory Lane after a two-year absence in $1 million fashion in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte.

Biggest surprises

Johnson’s fast start. You suspected he and Newman would do some things as rookies, but this much this fast for Johnson is an eye-opener.

Kevin Harvick’s freefall. A one-race suspension for bad behavior and signs of team turmoil showing up in a crew swap with teammate Robby Gordon are not good signs. Harvick’s horrid first half is a big part of the rough waters tossing around all the teams of Richard Childress Racing.

Ward Burton winning the Daytona 500 for himself and car owner Bill Davis, although there hasn’t been much to write home about since.