Remembering

Much has changed on the track since the 2001 Daytona 500. Twenty-two drivers in the field that year were not in last Sunday's race. And this year's top three -- Jimmie Johnson, Casey Mears and Ryan Newman -- were not in the 2001 race.
Finish, driver
Where are they now?
1. Michael Waltrip
Has a layover at Bill Davis Racing before becoming a Toyota team owner in '07.
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Just carrying on that family tradition.
3. Rusty Wallace
Gone from Cup but not forgotten. Still overseeing his Busch operation.
4. Ricky Rudd
NASCAR's Iron Man is concentrating on family life.
5. Bill Elliott
Spends more time snowboarding than racing but would compete more with the right funding.
6. Mike Wallace
Journeyman substitute driver is looking for a stable ride.
7. Sterling Marlin
Move to MB2 Motorsports, with Hendrick's help, could revive his Cup career.
8. Bobby Hamilton
Found a home and a championship in the Craftsman Truck Series.
9. Jeremy Mayfield
Still plugging along at Evernham Motorsports. Looks like a lifer in the 19 car.
10. Stacy Compton
Veteran Busch driver's organization is on the upswing after a partnership with Wood Brothers.
11. Joe Nemechek
Signed with MB2 through 2007; finished 16th in points in '05.
12. Dale Earnhardt
The biggest of his 76 career wins was the '98 Daytona 500.
13. Ken Schrader
Still racing in Cup at age 50 but hasn't won since '91.
14. Robert Pressley
Opened Celebrity's Hotdogs in Asheville, N.C., a year ago. Racing career appears over.
15. Brett Bodine
Last raced in '03. Now is NASCAR's director of cost research.
16. Kyle Petty
Still driving and finally appears to have Petty Enterprises moving forward.
17. Ron Hornaday
Driving the well-funded No. 6 truck for Kevin Harvick.
18. Elliott Sadler
In his third season driving for Robert Yates. Has three career Cup victories.
19. Jeff Burton
Appears poised for a bounce-back season after winning the pole for this year's 500.
20. Casey Atwood
Working on his father's farm in Tennessee.
21. Matt Kenseth
Last winner of the Winston Cup still is with Roush but has not been a contender in the Chase.
22. Dale Jarrett
Enters 12th year at Robert Yates Racing with a new car and a new crew chief.
23. Ricky Craven
Hasn't retired, but he doesn't have a ride, either.
24. Terry Labonte
Two-time champion is helping to jump-start Hall of Fame Racing.
25. Kenny Wallace
NASCAR's class clown keeps things loose.
26. Mike Skinner
Inaugural truck champ returns to the series he knows and loves.
27. Jimmy Spencer
Retired road warrior takes his many opinions to the Speed booth.
28. Johnny Benson
Keeps on trucking for Toyota and Bill Davis Racing.
29. Buckshot Jones
Retired and became a real estate developer in north Georgia.
30. Jeff Gordon
Won his fourth Cup title in 2001; is still a championship contender for Hendrick Motorsports.
31. Steve Park
Hoping to rebuild his career in the Busch Series.
32. Jerry Nadeau
Hired to be a consultant for Busch driver David Gilliland with newly formed Clay Andrews Racing.
33. Mark Martin
Culminating his career with a 19th season at Roush Racing.
34. Jason Leffler
Looking to contend for the Busch Series title.
35. Ward Burton
Reluctantly retired. Now running a conservationist charity in Virginia.
36. Tony Stewart
Only driver to win two Cup titles since The Intimidator died.
37. Robby Gordon
Back to an owner/operator role in the No. 7 Cup car.
38. Andy Houston
Ousted from the driver's seat but still is building cars in the Busch Series.
39. John Andretti
Running for rookie honors in the Busch Series in former title-winning No. 10.
40. Bobby Labonte
2000 Cup champion returns to racing's roots in the No. 43 car.
41. Kurt Busch
Earnhardt flipped him off in his first race; he won the title four years later.
42. Dave Blaney
Back in the saddle at Bill Davis Racing.
43. Jeff Purvis
Career-ending injury sent him back to his waste management service in Tennessee.

Five years later and sooooooo much has changed. Life has a way of doing that. Remembering living life is good, living just to remember your life isn't.