2000 NASCAR Rookie Class
Matt Kenseth and Earnhardt Jr were among the 2000 freshmen class
Initially, Kenseth was often eclipsed by his rookie adversary Dale Earnhardt, Jr.; however, his on-track achievements have earned him some well-merited recognition.
Prior to the 2000 season, only a handful of NASCAR rookies enjoyed immediate success. As a general rule, drivers had a figurative ladder they had to climb. They would start out driving for a low-budget team before moving up to a mid-level team. If they showed promise in a mid-level ride, they would in fact land a premier ride with a prominent organization.
In 1990’s, Tony Stewart was the only Cup rookie to win a race in his rookie season in 1999. Drivers such as Jeff Gordon and Jeff Burton failed to win in their freshmen seasons.
Since Tony Stewart, rookies have flourished at the Cup level, and some of the decade’s best drivers enjoyed phenomenal rookie seasons.
How have the rookies fared this decade?
2000-
Matt Kenseth- As a rookie, Kenseth edged out Dale Earnhardt, Jr. for the rookie of the year honors, and won the Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte. He has won sixteen races overall. Moreover, he earned the 2003 championship. Clearly, he has become one of NASCAR’s top drivers. He has driven for the same team and organization, Roush Fenway Racing, since his rookie season. Initially, Kenseth was often eclipsed by his rookie adversary Dale Earnhardt, Jr.; however, his on-track achievements have earned him some well-merited recognition.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.- Earnhardt, Jr.’s rookie season was painfully inconsistently and filled with erratic performances. Granted, he won two races, as well as the All-Star event, which makes his rookie season appear better than it was. After losing his father at Daytona in his sophomore season, Earnhardt, Jr.’s popularity escalated and he became more competitive. He has accumulated seventeen career victories, including the 2004 Daytona 500. NASCAR’s most popular driver has enjoyed a successful career at this level, but because he of his marketing exposure, and because his father is a seven-time champion, his expectations are much higher than most drivers are. Following eight seasons with DEI, Earnhardt shifted gears and signed with Hendrick Motorsports.
Dave Blaney- Many fans easily forget that Blaney was in the same rookie class as Kenseth and Earnhardt. Blaney’s career began with Bill Davis Racing, but they parted ways in 2002. After a short stint with the now-defunct Jasper Engines outfit, Blaney spent a season with Richard Childress Racing before returning to Bill Davis Racing in 2006. Unfortunately, he has yet to earn his first career victory at this level, but many will recognize Blaney as one of the good guys in the sport.
Mike Bliss- Following his rookie season driving for Jack Birmingham, Bliss has become a journeyman driver, with most of his success occurring in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He won the 2002 CTS title. He spent some time driving for Haas CNC Racing in the Cup series in 2005, but is currently driving for Fitz Motorsports in the Nationwide Series.
Scott Pruett- His tenure as a full-time Cup driver was momentary. Other than the road courses, Pruett was seldom competitive. In all fairness to Pruett, the PPI Motorsports team owned by Cal Wells, III was a first-year program. Since 2000, Pruett has made some occasional appearances in the Cup and Nationwide series for Chip Ganassi on the road course tracks.
Stacy Compton- Compton is no longer a driver in the Sprint Cup Series. He has worked as an analyst on ESPN, and currently drives the Bobby Hamilton Racing truck. Compton enjoyed a moderately successful Nationwide and CTS career. He spent his rookie season driving for Melling Racing.
