Top 10 stories that shaped NASCAR in the last decade

Now that the calendar page has been flipped to 2010, one of the most important and tumultuous decades in NASCAR history takes the checkered flag.

From 2000 through 2009, NASCAR experienced changes and an evolution unparalleled in the sport's history. Some helped bring NASCAR into the mainstream and make stock car racing a national sport beyond its southeastern roots and beginnings. Others rocked NASCAR to its very core, forcing the sanctioning body to forge ahead and, in some cases, make changes in hopes of continuing its impressive growth.

Roush Fenway star Carl Edwards is able to walk away from this violent wreck because of improved equipment. (Getty Images)

So before we get back to the track and start a new season and decade of racing, let's take a look at the major stories that shaped NASCAR in the previous decade.

1. The Death of Dale Earnhardt: Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash on in the 2001 Daytona 500 forever changed NASCAR. The loss of arguably its biggest star on the last lap of the sport's biggest race shook the entire world of NASCAR like no other event in the sport's history. To this day, Earnhardt's presence is missing from NASCAR with fans as well as within the garage area where he was one of the most influential voices the sport has ever known. Earnhardt's legacy now includes the many safety improvements that were made, including the new Sprint Cup car and the SAFER barriers, all direct results of "The Intimidator's" tragic death.

2. New Network TV Deals: Prior to 2001, NASCAR left its television contracts in the hands of track owners and operators who were free to cut a deal with whatever outlet or channel they chose. The result was a hodgepodge on channels including CBS, TBS, ESPN and The Nashville Network. But when the sanctioning body stepped in to bundle the rights of the entire Sprint Cup schedule, it landed a $2.4 billion television package with FOX and NBC/TNT. Skyrocketing ratings led to a $4.8 billion deal in 2007 that brought ABC/ESPN back into the fold along with FOX and TNT, helping bring NASCAR to millions of viewers and fans around the world.

3. Introduction of The Chase: A radical new concept to crown NASCAR's Cup champion was introduced in 2003 when the Chase made its debut. The format split the schedule into two distinct segments; the 26-race "regular" season and a 10-race playoff slate, with initially the top 10 and later the top 12 in the standings becoming eligible to run for the title after 26 races. The move was a direct result of NASCAR trying to compete with the mighty NFL in the fall and to give the sport a title system that emulated other sports with a crescendo to the season and the championship. It was met with some skepticism from many long-time fans, and many today are still clamoring for a return to the old system of simply adding up points for all 36 races of the campaign.

4. Brian France Takes Over: When Bill France Jr. named son, Brian, new head in 2003, it began a new NASCAR era. The third generation France was responsible for many major changes to the sport, including the introduction of the Chase. France have overseen tremendous growth during his reign but in recent years has seen some erosion of the fan base, evidenced by falling television ratings and at-track attendance. There remains the possibility France will soon exit the family business for a potential NFL ownership opportunity with sister, Lesa Kennedy France, the speculated successor.

5. Growing the Schedule: A racetrack-building boom early in the decade led to NASCAR taking the sport way beyond its traditional southeastern base. After Texas, Fontana and Las Vegas secured races in the late 1990s, new tracks in Kansas City and Chicago continued NASCAR's expansion across the country. When second dates were added to many of the newer venues, the sport began to lose its presence at historic tracks like North Wilkesboro, Rockingham and Darlington, which were cornerstones of NASCAR since its inception. But in keeping with its desire to grow the sport, the decision to expand geographically has helped cultivate millions of new fans in many new and important markets.

6. Cup Title Sponsorship Changes: After a 33-year partnership, one of the longest in any professional sports, R.J. Reynolds and its Winston brand ended its sponsorship of NASCAR's top series in 2003. What was known as the Winston Cup for more than three decades gave way to a more broad-based sponsorship deal with telecommunications giant NEXTEL to the tune of $750 million. But only three years after the landmark agreement, Sprint bought NEXTEL and the sport underwent another name change to the current name, the Sprint Cup Series.

7. Tomorrow Becomes Today: For the first time since 1981, NASCAR made a radical change to its Cup car with the introduction of what had been referred to as the "Car of Tomorrow" in 2007. The new machine incorporated several new safety standards, invariably precipitated by Earnhardt's death in 2001, but has been the subject of extreme criticism since its debut for its uniform look across all makes and manufacturers. The car was to also have increased the level of competition but to many fans and drivers the jury on that is still out.

8. The Junior Factor: Much in the way Tiger Woods is responsible for golf's ebbs and flows in popularity, Dale Earnhardt Jr. carries NASCAR on his shoulders. After his father's death, the younger Earnhardt's popularity soared to even greater heights and the pressure of filling the enormous shoes of such an icon at times began to wear on Junior. His on-track success began to subside in the middle of the decade and in 2007 he severed his relationship with the team his father created, DEI, after a dispute with stepmother Teresa Earnhardt. But his move to the powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports team has been a disappointment and he enters the 2010 season -- his final contract year with the team -- under tremendous pressure to succeed and remains one of the highest-profile drivers in the sport.

9. Johnson Makes History: NASCAR has seen its share of dynasties throughout the years but none was able to accomplish what Jimmie Johnson's crew did by winning four consecutive championships from 2006 through 2009. Johnson has 47 wins and four titles in only eight years of full-time competition at NASCAR's top level and enters the new decade poised to continue his march through the record books.

10. New Manufacturers Enter: After a long absence from the sport, Dodge returned with NASCAR support in 2001 and slowly became a contending manufacturer. After a successful foray in the Truck Series, Toyota came to the Cup Series in 2007 but was met with much resistance from long-time fans unhappy to see a foreign manufacturer in the sport. While Dodge now struggles due to the economic strains of the Chrysler Corporation, Toyota has aligned itself with several teams such as Joe Gibbs Racing that have a legitimate shot at competing for a Cup title in the near future.