So far, so good - or not so good - on the tracks

In racing, few things remain constant _ that's if you omit Michael Waltrip, who won't win another NASCAR Cup event and might not qualify his car again this year.

While the season is young and snowflakes fly, however, some drivers and teams are beginning to distance themselves from the pack _ some in a good way, some not so good.

Jeff Gordon (Hendrick Motorsports) is back to his best, or close. The four-time Cup champion dominated much of Sunday's Samsung 500 and finished fourth. He leads in points after seven races, and there's fire in his belly. His No. 24 Chevy looked awesome at times at Texas, with Gordon able to drive it anywhere he wanted. A fifth title is definitely in his future.

Jeff Burton, Sunday's winner, is proving last year's seventh-place finish in points for Richard Childress Racing was no flash in the pan. Burton's duel over the last 10 laps with Matt Kenseth (Roush Fenway Racing) on the weekend was epic, with Burton showing you don't have to bash your way into victory lane.

Mark Martin (Ginn Racing) is a freak _ by which, I mean, he's incredible. He runs a part-time schedule for a new team and manages a third-place finish at Texas, ahead of drivers half his age.

Toyota has a long, long road ahead before it matches up with the big boys in Cup racing. The Japanese manufacturer knew 2007 would be tough, but I'm betting not as tough as this. But they'll persevere and make small gains before the season is over.

Juan Pablo Montoya (Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates) is on Tony Stewart's hit list following their collision at Texas. Stewart (Joe Gibbs Racing) has a short fuse and a long memory.

Ryan Newman (Penske Racing), onetime Rocketman, has fizzled to a crawl in the No. 12 Dodge this year. Incredible.

Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) is good, very good. The 22-year-old Englishman has three podium finishes in his first three Formula One races and is the talk of motor racing circles now that Michael Schumacher has retired. Hamilton will be at the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on June 17 and is sure to be the center of attention.

Danica Patrick (Andretti Green Racing) must win soon. The pressure is increasing on Patrick to score her first IndyCar victory despite what she or team personnel say. The Indy 500 next month is an opportunity for her to prove she has what it takes to go from a top-10 driver to top of the podium.

The Indy Racing League and Champ Car World Series can talk all they want about their business models, but at the end of the day, they must unify open-wheel racing. Period.

Last but not least: If Kyle Busch (Hendrick Motorsports) can keep his car in one piece, he might just win this year's Nextel Cup championship.