2009 OPer Awards: Best NASCAR Crew Chief
December 27, 2009
OK NASCAR fans - go ahead and argue against this one.
I think the consistency of the NASCAR racing statistics are so overwhelmingly in favor of the Lowes 48 team, that choosing anyone but Chad Knaus is…is…just wrong.
I suppose the argument could be made that this is the 2009 OPeR award for best crew chief - not the award for best 5 or six year run. But I think Knaus has been the best this year anyway.
Steve said during the On Pit Row OPeR Awards Show, that watching the 48 team at Texas, while under extreme duress, clinched it for him. I didn’t need that, but it didn’t hurt.
2009 OPer Awards: Best NASCAR Team
December 21, 2009
This really could have been the “No Brainer” Award.
The team that fields the driver - Jimmie Johnson - who has won the last four Sprint Cup championships. The crew chief - Chad Knaus - who has guided that driver to all four. The team - the Hendrick Motorsports Lowes no. 48 - that has remained basically intact for six straight seasons.
Seven 2009 Sprint Cup Series wins and a fourth straight Cup championship.
There were several good teams. A couple of other great ones too. But just one Hall of Fame team.
NASCAR Power Rankings: Chase Edition 2009 Final
November 24, 2009
The seasons over, the right man won, and all is right with the world again. If your not a fan of Jimmie Johnson then by about 2015 his dynasty will probably be in decline. Chad Knaus plans on being the 48 crew chief for at least 5 more years. Mark Martin isn't done yet and the never ending "Salute to you tour" will be going strong through 2011. He had a great season that far exceeded probably anyone's expectations. Kurt Busch almost stopped the Hendrick 1,2,3 standing domination but the 2 team fumbled in the decision making department late at Homestead. Kurt was definitely the the rebound driver of the year. By finishing 6th at Homestead Jeff Gordon wrapped up the top 3 spots for Hendrick Motors Sports. Gordon finished the season with the most top tens (25), but at this point that was last season. I've seriously heard people speculate that Denny Hamlin would be the person who would stop Jimmie Johnson's dominance. Hamlin even said it himself. I know it sounds humorous considering he thinks he paid Keselowski back. I told people all season long that the 14 team wasn't a real championship threat. They were just the most consistent team in the series. After Watkins Glen this team's performances plummeted. I have no clue how NASCAR fans can't like Montoya. He sticks up for himself on the track and is passionate about what he does. What NASCAR needs is 1) be more consistent (2 lap penalty?) and 2) 42 more Montoya's on the track. It was a down year for Roush and Biffle completed the first full season of his career that he was win less. NASCAR is a cyclical sport so I wouldn't be surprised if he bounces back to multiple victories next year. Kahne had a nice season that never materialized in the Chase. The problem here is that no team is entering the off season with more question marks then Kahne. 2010 will be a contract year for Kahne so things will either go really good or really bad. Ryan Newman returned to the Chase in 2009 but he didn't return to victory lane. If Ryan Newman could just improve on the intermediate tracks then he would have potential to challenge for the championship. After California in the Chase this team just fell apart. In the off season when people talk about the disappointment of the year Carl Edwards should certainly be talked about in that debate. Brian Vickers should be a NASCAR spokesman for why the Chase only needs 10 drivers. Brian Vickers didn't have a single top ten, never led a lap, and had a 59.7 driver rating over the course of the Chase.Homestead
Who's Up
Who's Down
Biggest Gain This Week:
No moves up this week.
Biggest Drop This Week:
No moves down this week.
No new drivers this week.
No drivers dropped out this week.
Rank: 1st
Change: 0
Jimmie Johnson- 7 Wins, 24 Top Tens
Rank: 2nd
Change: 0
Mark Martin- 5 Wins, 21 Top Tens
Rank: 3rd
Change: 0
Kurt Busch- 2 Win, 21 Top Tens
Rank: 4th
Change: 0
Jeff Gordon- 1 Win, 25 Top Tens
Rank: 5th
Change: 0
Denny Hamlin- 4 Wins, 20 Top Tens
Rank: 6th
Change: 0
Tony Stewart- 4 Wins, 23 Top Tens
Rank: 7th
Change: 0
Juan Pablo Montoya- 7 Top Fives, 18 Top Tens
Rank: 8th
Change: 0
Greg Biffle- 10 Top Fives, 16 Top Tens
Rank: 9th
Change: 0
Kasey Kahne- 2 Wins, 14 Top Tens
Rank: 10th
Change: 0
Ryan Newman- 5 Top Fives, 15 Top Tens
Rank: 11th
Change: 0
Carl Edwards- 7 Top Fives, 14 Top Tens
Rank: 12th
Change: 0
Brian Vickers- 1 Win, 13 Top Tens
NASCAR Wives and Girlfriends Photos
April 6, 2009
We find the pics where we can because we know you want to see them. Click the thumbnail for a full sized photo.
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