The final bell has rung and class has been dismissed for NASCAR 2008. As is the case with any graduating class, we had exemplary students, a valedictorian, average students, failures and a couple of class clowns. Pack up your books and clean out the lockers, the final grades are in and, yes, these will go on everyone's permanent records:
Valedictorian
Who else but Jimmie Johnson could be awarded this prestigious honor after his record-tying performance and third straight championship? What some forget is how Johnson struggled early in the season as he and crew chief Chad Knaus thrashed about, trying to get the new Sprint Cup car to their liking. It took longer than some expected and, even in April, Johnson looked like anything but a championship contender. But once it locked in, the familiar view of the No. 48 car at the front of the field and Johnson ultimately hoisting the Sprint Cup championship trophy was inevitable.
'A' students
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| Jeff Gordon, who finished winless, got a grade he can't be proud of. (AP) |
Kyle Busch's phenomenal year can't be dismissed, even though he was the Chicago Cubs of NASCAR, rocketing through the regular season with eight wins and then falling flat on his face once the playoffs began. But his dominance in the first five months of the year was impressive to say the least and Busch embraced the role of villain, made easier by his trips to Victory Lane, which totaled 21 in the Cup, Nationwide and Truck series.
'B' students
Greg Biffle rebounded from a couple of off seasons and when he started the Chase with back-to-back wins, he started getting serious consideration as a title contender. He faded as the playoffs wore on but proved he will be a factor in 2009.Kevin Harvick went winless after taking the Daytona 500 and All-Star race the season before, but a solid fourth-place finish in the Chase was the result of consistency.
Clint Bowyer had flashes of Cup success and added a Nationwide title to his résumé.
Jeff Burton solidified his place as the voice of the garage area and made another early run at the title, but fell flat in the second half of the Chase.
David Ragan improved tremendously in his sophomore season and was knocking on the door of Victory Lane several times.
Jamie McMurray's second-half resurgence saved his job at Roush and gives him momentum into 2009.
Brian Vickers was impressive with the second-year Red Bull Racing effort and could get the team its first victory in 2009.
Regan Smith won Rookie of the Year honors while not running the entire season and gave DEI something to smile about in a stressful year for the team.
'C' students
Denny Hamlin had a decent season with a win, but was nowhere to be found in the Chase.
Matt Kenseth was shut out of Victory Lane, but was still a consistent finisher for most of the year.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s much-celebrated move to Hendrick produced results similar to his career at DEI.
Kasey Kahne got hot in the spring with a couple of points wins and the All-Star race victory, then disappeared.
Martin Truex Jr. did what he could with an underfunded DEI team to finish 15th in the point standings.
Bobby Labonte did the same with the No. 43 Petty Enterprises ride.
David Reutimann improved as the season wore on and had the Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota at the front of the field more often than not in the final few races.
A.J. Allmendinger may have been the most improved driver in the series, but was let go by Red Bull and, after making a few solid starts for GEM, is now looking for a full-time ride.
Travis Kvapil was nothing short of amazing piloting the small-budgeted Yates Racing No. 28 to 23rd in the standings. Ditto his teammate David Gilliland in 27th.
'D' students
Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch, Casey Mears, Elliot Sadler, Juan Pablo Montoya, Paul Menard, David Gilliland, Mark Martin, Michael Waltrip, Dave Blaney, Scott Riggs, Reed Sorenson, Robby Gordon
Lots of company at this grade level with Jeff Gordon the standout, ending his 15-year streak of winning at least one race a season.
Tony Stewart's farewell season with Joe Gibbs Racing wasn't much, with only his controversial Talladega win to show for the effort.
Ryan Newman started the year with a bang by winning the Daytona 500 and then went into the Witness Protection Program the rest of the year, with his Penske Racing teammate Kurt Busch joining him until the tail end of the year when he resurfaced.
Juan Pablo Montoya's sophomore season wasn't anywhere near his ROY effort in 2007.
Mark Martin did what he could in his limited DEI schedule and will give the full-time thing another try next year with Hendrick.
