Sprint Cup
Most impressive driver: Impressive? I've got to say Ragan.
Biggest dissapointment: The four new open wheelers that were supposed to be rookies this year. Villeneuve couldn't even make one race, and Dario had trouble making them. And when he did, he just ran towards the back or crashed. Carpentier was impressive in qualifying, but he always dropped like a rock and finished in the 30's or wrecked. Hornish wasn't horrible for most of the season, but he pretty much fucked everything up in the chase and is now out of the top 35.
Most overrated driver: Robby Gordon. I used to kind of like him, but his complete lack of competitiveness during every race this year was pretty bad. He wasn't even any good at the road courses, and he only had a couple top 10's because he surged late in a couple of the plate races. Why he gets a top 35 spot and some other guys that are way more competitive don't is beyond me.
Most improved driver: AJ Allmendinger and David Reutimann. They went from crashing their new Toyotas weekly to challenging for top 5's and top 10's weekly.
Most improved team: I've got to say either MWR or Yates. They went from complete laughing stocks to solid, (semi)competitive teams.
Biggest asshole: Kyle Busch was the obvious winner for the beginning of the year, but he wasn't that bad towards the end.
Biggest wreck: The huge crash at the Glen. I found myself to be more shocked by this than the McDowell incident.
Most LOL wreck: It's got to be the Talladega big one caused by Carl Edwards, which was made even more hilarious when Johnson made it through unscathed.
Best race: AMP Energy 500, kept my heart rate up all 188 laps.
Driver of the year:Three-way tie between Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards. Busch dominated the regular season, and Edwards wasn't too far behind. When the chase came, Edwards was very impressive, but Johnson's streak is what did it for him.
Nationwide Series
Most impressive driver: Brad Keselowksi, for having an amazing season among Cup regulars. I think he's gonna be big, but that's what everyone said about Reed Sorenson.
Biggest dissapointment: The lack of excitement in the majority of the races. It was consistently the most boring race of the weekend, and I fell asleep during many of the Nationwide races.
Most improved driver: Steve Wallace. He was a rolling spergfest last year, but he pulled through to have some very solid runs this year.
Most improved team: RWI, for sure. Steve was pretty good this year, and David proved that he should still be in a cup car.
Biggest asshole: Denny Hamlin at Lowe's. No doubt. Special callout to Kevin Lepage.
Biggest wreck: Big one at Tally.
Most LOL wreck: Kevin Lepage's honorable gester at Talladega kept me laughing for a while.
Race of the year: I really don't remember any above-average race this year.
Driver of the year: Brad Keselowski. He is a great driver that deserves a shot.
Craftsman Truck Series
Most impressive driver: TJ Bell for sure. He only ran about half the season, but he had a string of at least 5 consecutive top 10 finishes for an average team that he wasn't used to.
Biggest dissapointment: Jack Sprague. His win at Daytona last year was impressive, but this year he was pretty mediocre for a past champion.
Most improved driver: Matt Crafton. He went from barely getting top 10s to challenging for the championship at one point. He finally got his first win, and he's a great guy too.
Most improved team: I can't really think of one right now...
Biggest asshole: I'm sure there were plenty, but I can't seem to remember any outstanding ones at the moment.
Biggest wreck: There weren't really too many big wrecks this year, I'll just go with the Daytona big one.
Most LOL wreck: John Wes Townley. That's all I've got to say.
Race of the year: Many of the races were very good, but the last few laps at Mansfield were amazing.
Driver of the year: Johnny Benson. He closed his career (at least with BDR) by getting a well-deserevd championship.
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