NASCAR Sprint Cup 2009: A Look in the Rearview Mirror

Now that the 2009 season is over, NASCAR fans are left with a sense of emptiness as they eagerly anticipate 2010 season. But before we put this season to rest, let’s take a look back at the highlights, disappointments, and surprises of 2009.

The season ended with a bang as Jimmie Johnson made history by winning his fourth consecutive Sprint Cup Championship.  With a second place finish by Mark Martin, and with Jeff Gordon finishing third in points, HMS once again shone as the team to beat.

And although Mark Martin finished second for the fifth time in his career, his love of the sport and his humility makes him one of NASCAR’S most respected drivers.

Said Martin, “I’m very proud of what we accomplished and on top of all that, I had more fun than anybody.”

At the other end of the spectrum is Dale Earnhardt Jr., who endured the most frustrating season of his career. Although his disappointing year was the most talked about, he was certainly not alone.

Carl Edwards made the 2009 Chase but who would have thought he’d end the year with no wins? Richard Childress Racing had no drivers in the top twelve and clearly has a lot of work to do in the offseason to become more competitive.

One of the surprises of the year is Kyle Busch. He had four first place finishes, but a season riddled with inconsistency prevented him from making the Chase.  He captured the Nationwide Series Championship but his Sprint Cup season was not the follow-up we expected to 2008.

Another surprise was the emergence of a focused, more mature Denny Hamlin.  He finished off the Chase with two wins and six top 10 finishes, making him one to watch in 2010.

His confidence and determination may prove to be the catalyst he needs to take the next step.

“I promise you, the next couple of years, we’re going to win a Championship,” Hamlin confidently stated.

Hamlin also provided one side of the best rivalry this season, as he and Brad Keselowski butted heads and bumped fenders, much to the delight of the fans.

Keselowski moves to Penske Racing in 2010 to begin his first full time Sprint Cup ride. It will be entertaining to see how the veteran drivers react to his aggressive driving style.

Another one of the highlights of the year was the debut of 19-year old Joey Logano as he took over the No. 20 ride for Joe Gibbs Racing.  Five years ago when Mark Martin announced his plans to cut back on his racing schedule, he spoke highly of Joey Logano, going as far as to say he’d hire him.

When it was announced that Logano had won the Raybestos Rookie of the Year award, Martin grinned and said, “I told you so.”

Joey’s season got off to a rocky start but he ended the year with one win, three top five finishes, and seven top 10 finishes.

In a move that was questioned by many, Tony Stewart left Joe Gibbs Racing and raced as a team owner for Stewart-Haas Racing this season. Stewart quickly silenced his critics, winning four races and finishing sixth in the points standings.

The end of 2009 also marked the end of a chapter in Michael Waltrip’s Sprint Cup career, as he will go to a part-time schedule next year.  Mikey, as he’s affectionately called, is a fan favorite and his infectious humor will be sorely missed.

Many fans have complained that the 2009 Sprint Cup season lacked excitement, but looking back, it turned out to be a great one.  Now that it’s over, all the fans want is more.