1.   And so, he insisted, are seven-time series champion Earnhardt and the usual suspects.

2.   Being the defending series champion carries a certain degree of respect.

3.   Both Scelzi and Toliver were paired against defending series champions Tony Schumacher and John Force, and that made all the difference in the world.

4.   A three-time series champion, McGrath snapped his Daytona jinx with a change of attitude.

5.   By the end of the season, Lajoie had won five times and was the series champion.

6.   Chevy, the defending series champion, can wrap up this title by winning any of the remaining nine races.

7.   Defending series champion Bobby Labonte will start from the pole today, with defending race winner Jeremy Mayfield third.

8.   Defending series champion Ben Bostrom, who greatly benefited from the system Mladin is knocking, agrees.

9.   Defending series champion Brendan Gaughan of Las Vegas finished fourth and continued to close in on Winston West points leader and rookie Mark Reed of Bakersfield.

10.   Defending Speed Truck series champion Art Nevill says Irwindale Speedway is safe -- even safer than other tracks.