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

Homestead

Change from last week

Who's Up

Change from last week

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.
NASCAR Power Ranking On Pit Row

Rank: 1st

Jimmie Johnson- 7 Wins, 24 Top Tens

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.

NASCAR Power Ranking On Pit Row

Rank: 2nd

Mark Martin- 5 Wins, 21 Top Tens

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.

NASCAR Power Ranking On Pit Row

Rank: 3rd

Kurt Busch- 2 Win, 21 Top Tens

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.

NASCAR Power Ranking On Pit Row

Rank: 4th

Jeff Gordon- 1 Win, 25 Top Tens

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.

NASCAR Power Ranking On Pit Row

Rank: 5th

Denny Hamlin- 4 Wins, 20 Top Tens

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.

NASCAR Power Ranking On Pit Row

Rank: 6th

Tony Stewart- 4 Wins, 23 Top Tens

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.

NASCAR Power Ranking On Pit Row

Rank: 7th

Juan Pablo Montoya- 7 Top Fives, 18 Top Tens

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.

NASCAR Power Ranking On Pit Row

Rank: 8th

Greg Biffle- 10 Top Fives, 16 Top Tens

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.

NASCAR Power Ranking On Pit Row

Rank: 9th

Kasey Kahne- 2 Wins, 14 Top Tens

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.

NASCAR Power Ranking On Pit Row

Rank: 10th

Ryan Newman- 5 Top Fives, 15 Top Tens

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.

NASCAR Power Ranking On Pit Row

Rank: 11th

Carl Edwards- 7 Top Fives, 14 Top Tens

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.

NASCAR Power Ranking On Pit Row

Rank: 12th

Brian Vickers- 1 Win, 13 Top Tens

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.

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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