Driver of the year:
This year, it is drivers of the year. Kyle Busch won 21 races, and dominated the first 26 races of the season. He won on speedways, super speedways, and even road courses. He certainly was ‘the’ story in NASCAR for three fourths of the season. You cannot discount three-time champion Jimmie Johnson for his achievements. He won five of the final twelve races en route to tying Cale Yarborough’s feat of three consecutive titles.
Honorable mention- Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle
Most Improved Driver:
This accolade clearly belongs to the man formerly known as ‘a dart without feathers’. David Ragan’s freshman season was a bitter disappointment and further proof that he was not ready to replace Mark Martin in the famed number ‘6’ Ford. Jack Roush did not give up on his young driver, and Ragan nearly sneaked into the Chase for the Championship.
Honorable mention- A.J. Allmendinger and David Reutimann
Comeback driver of the year:
Hands down, Greg Biffle is the comeback driver of the year. After an abysmal season in 2007 where it appeared as if Biffle was on the hot seat at Roush Fenway Racing, the veteran driver enjoyed a year of resurgence, as he won twice and finished third in the final standings. While Biffle is still as aggressive as they come, he has learned patience, which erased the inconsistency that has plagued him throughout his career. Biffle will be a force in 2009 as well.
Honorable mention- Jamie McMurray
Most disappointing driver of the year:
Kurt Busch encountered a complete nosedive in performance. Penske Racing as a whole was off the mark for most of the year. After winning two races in 2007, and qualifying for the Chase for the Championship, the 2004 champion was one of the championship favorites heading into the 2008 season. He finished seventh in the final standings in 2007, only to plummet to eighteenth in 2008. His only win was a rain-shortened affair at Loudon in June, a race he clearly would not have won if Mother Nature did not interfere.
Honorable mention- Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, and Martin Truex, Jr.
Crew chief of the year:
Chad Knaus is the best in the business. Bob Osborne is a close second right now.
Honorable mention- Bob Osborne, Steve Addington, and Greg Erwin
Rivalry of the year:
Carl Edwards versus Kyle Busch was the talk of the town. They practically traded victories throughout the season, and they finally clashed at Bristol in August. Edwards utilized the ole bump ‘n’ run to bypass Busch in the closing laps. On the cool down lap, the perturbed Busch bumped Edwards, only to be spun out by the race-winner. After the race, they traded some barbs, as Busch compared Edwards to Mr. Ed. Several months later on a radio show, Busch jokingly insinuated Edwards’ use of performance enhancing substances.
Honorable mention- Carl Edwards versus Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch versus Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kyle Busch versus Juan Pablo Montoya, and Tony Stewart versus Goodyear
Best race of the year:
The Daytona 500, the 50th running, was the race of the year. Ryan Newman, with a push from his former teammate Kurt Busch, passed his new teammate Tony Stewart on the backstretch on the last lap during a green-white-checkered finish. The entire week leading up to the race was memorable, but Newman’s win was the highlight.
Honorable mention- Camping World 400 at Dover
Worst race of the year:
The Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix was sleep-inducing indeed. Not only did ABC ditch NASCAR for America’s Funniest Home Videos, Jimmie Johnson was overwhelmingly dominant, as he led 217 of 313 laps. In addition, Johnson opened up a 141-point lead in the championship standings with one race remaining.
Honorable mention- All-State (Brickyard) Goodyear demoralizing tire-popping 400 at Indianapolis (this race is not even worth revisiting)
Disappearing act of the year:
Where is Jeremy Mayfield? He has practically vanished from the NASCAR scene ever since he left Haas CNC Racing in April. Rumors are surfacing that Mayfield may buy into a Camping World Trucks Series team, Ballew Motorsports. Furthermore, what about the open-wheel invasion? Dario Franchitti, Jacques Villenueve, and Patrick Carpentier did not even last one season in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition.
Honorable mention- sponsorship, excitement, unpredictability, Ward Burton, and Morgan-McClure Motorsports
