CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It was Jeff Gordon’s championship to lose just a week ago after his record fifth win at the Brickyard. Then Dale Earnhardt Jr. completed a season sweep at Pocono and now he’s the guy to beat.

Jeff and Junior, two of NASCAR’s biggest stars heating up during this lazy summer stretch of racing. NASCAR really couldn’t ask for anything more.

Well, it wouldn’t hurt if Tony Stewart threw his hat into the ring, too. Stewart has now gone 14 months without a victory. He is on the outside looking in on the Chase.