Suite 101 looks back at the best and worst in NASCAR in 2007.

Best Driver- (tie) Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon

What can you say, the Hendrick Motorsports twins put a double wuppin’ on the rest of the field all throughout the 2007 Nextel Cup season. Johnson won his second Nextel Cup title and posted an unprecedented 10 wins, including 4 consecutive win in October and November. Under the traditional points system, Jeff Gordon would have clinched the title in September. Moreover, he won six times. At one point in the season, the two drivers combined for six consecutive wins.

Honorable Mention: Matt Kenseth, Clint Bowyer, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards

Worst Driver- David Gilliland

This pains me to write this because I genuinely like David Gilliland. He was the Cinderella Story of 2006 when he drove an unsponsored Busch Series car passed several Busch Series veterans with Nextel Cup resources to win at Kentucky. However, his first full season in Nextel Cup was full of wrecks and disappointment. Things seemed to be falling right into place for Gilliland at Daytona when he captured the Bud Pole for the Great American Race. And it was not like he did it in Loy Allen Jr fashion. He was actually competitive and nearly won the race despite falling a lap down at one point mid way through the race. But after the Daytona 500, Gilliland seemed to be the guy that was the root of almost every wreck.

In all fairness, Gilliland drove for the fledgling Robert Yates Racing operation, and his veteran teammate Ricky Rudd did not fair much better. With Doug Yates taking this operation in a different direction, which includes more support from Roush Fenway Racing, Gilliland may be on track to be one of the most improved drivers in 2008.

Honorable Mention: Michael Waltrip, Elliott Sadler, Paul Menard

Best Race- Daytona 500

It was between the two races at Daytona; however, the Mark Martin and Kevin Harvick photo finish was indeed the best race of 2007. Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch spent the majority of the race as the top two drivers; however, they got together on lap 154 of the 200 lap event. The two contenders were sent to the garage for repairs leaving the race wide open for a number of drivers. Mark Martin grabbed a hold of the lead and held it until the final turn of the race. Martin was blocking the advances of Kyle Busch, and suddenly Kevin Harvick came out of nowhere with a steam full of momentum and edged out Martin by .020 seconds. And Clint Bowyer crossed the finish line in 18th position upside down.

Honorable mention: Pepsi 400 at Daytona, Dickies 500 at Texas, Bank of America 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway

Worst Race- Pennsylvania 500

Kurt Busch led 175 of 200 laps at one of NASCAR’s least exciting tracks. At one point in the race, Busch had built a lead of over seven seconds. There is not much else to say about this race.

Honorable Mention: Both California races, Sylvania 300 at Loudon, Ford 400 at Homestead

Best crew chief- Chad Knaus

Knaus continues to do what it takes to win races and championships.

Honorable Mention: Alan Gustafson, Steve Letarte, Pat Tryson, Robbie Reiser

Worst crew chief- David Hyder

Suspended indefinitely after cheating scandal at Michael Waltrip Racing, spent a few weeks as crew chief for Jeremy Mayfield at Bill Davis Racing, and ended up at BAM Racing.

Honorable Mention: Josh Browne, Scott Eggleston

Best rookie- Juan Pablo Montoya

There was not that much to choose from. Montoya was far and away the top rookie.

Honorable Mention: David Ragan

Worst rookie- A.J. Allmendinger

In all fairness, Allmendinger was a rookie driver with a rookie team within a rookie organization.

Honorable Mention: Paul Menard, David Reutimann

Best attitude- Ricky Rudd

He deserves some kind of recognition after the many years he spent in NASCAR. He truly is a class act.

Honorable Mention: Jeff Burton, Mark Martin, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Clint Bowyer

Worst attitude- Denny Hamlin

Denny Hamlin edged out Kyle Busch and Bruton Smith for this honor after insulting Kyle Petty at Dover. Surprisingly, Tony Stewart was not even a nominee.

Honorable Mention: Kyle Busch, Bruton Smith, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards

NASCAR Best & Worst of 2006

autoracing@suite101.com