After one of the most remarkable finishes in the history of the sport by Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, and Kevin Harvick, many names were often overlooked as the NASCAR season drew to a close. So it’s time to take a final look back on the season with our annual season-ending awards column.
First on our list of annual awards is Rookie of the Year, simply going to the first-year driver finishes the highest in his respected series. In an off year for Sprint Cup Series rookies, Kevin Conway was the highest finishing rookie in 35th. In the Nationwide Series, 14th place Brian Scott was the highest finishing rookie after moving up from the Truck series in 2010. Austin Dillon finished fifth to claim the honor in the Camping World Truck Series.
Next, the award for most improved driver goes to the driver from each series that finished the most spots ahead of their final points position form 2009. Cup driver Kevin Harvick finished in third, 16 spots ahead of his 2009 position of 19th. Paul Menard finished 20 spots ahead of his 2009 finish of 25th by claiming the fifth spot, while Truck Series driver Aric Almirola finished second, 18 spots ahead of his 20th place finish in 2009.
Disappointing driver of the year goes to the driver from each series that fin-ished the most spots be-hind their finishing position from the previous year. After losing his full-time ride following the 2009 season, Casey Mears fell 15 spots from 21st in 2009 to 36th in 2010. In the Nationwide Series, Jason Keller finished 22nd, 14 spots behind his 2009 finish of eighth. Stacey Compton finished nine spots behind his 2009 Truck Series finish of 11th with a 20th place finish in 2010.
Our driver of the year simply goes to the driver with the most wins in each series. While he fell short of his first career Sprint Cup Series champi-onship, Denny Hamlin can rest a bit easier after winning eight races in 2010. Kyle Busch set the single-season record for wins in the Nationwide Series, capturing 13 of the series’ 35 races. Busch also won the most races in the Camping World Truck Series, finding himself in victory lane eight times.
Lastly, the team of the year goes to the team with the most victory out of drivers inside the top twenty in owner’s points. Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch combined for 10 victories in 2010. JGR also captured the Nationwide Series award, winning 16 of the series’ 35 races with drivers Kyle Busch and Joey Logano. Kyle Busch Motorsports had the most victories in the Camping World Truck Series, taking eight of 25 races.
Coming Up: We’ll con-tinue to cover important news from throughout the NASCAR community as the off-season continues to bring us closer and closer to the beginning of the 2011 season.
Bruce Knoll, 18, of Eldora, can be contacted by email at bknoll jr4cmcherald@yahoo.com
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