What do you think was the most important story in NASCAR in 2006?
Please give your reasons down below.

Jimmie Johnson wins first Nextel Cup title
Kevin Harvick wins Busch Series championship by record margin
Denny Hamlin's impressive rookie season
NASCAR's elimination of the Elite Series
Open-wheelers invade NASCAR
ESPN/ABC announce return; NBC gone
Kasey Kahne's resurgence
Defending champion Tony Stewart misses the Chase
Toyota dominates Craftsman Truck Series
Other

Toss between:
Denny Hamlin's impressive rookie season

and

ESPN/ABC announce return; NBC gone

Denny winning to two races, because with the talent of the rookies coming up the last two years it was fantastic seeing one break lose and winn some.

I'
m glad that NBC/TNT is leaving, couldn't stand their braodcasts. Anything has to be better then them, now just get rid of Waltrip and we'll be set.

Mike

i went with denny as well

I voted for Denny, because I've done a bunch of stats on him.
In 72 races this season (Cup, Busch, Trucks), he failed to finish only twice.
He finished third in points, a NASCAR modern-era record
He won twice, both from the pole (btw, he won three poles).
He also won the Budweiser Shootout, again, first rookie ever to do so.
But, he's been calm and cool all season, and that's rare for a rookie. He was dominate in a good rookie class.

But, I do think that all are very important.

For the defending champion to miss the chase is pretty big.

ESPN/ABC coming back... I'm very excited about. NBC will be gone, but TNT will stay.

Johnson had an incredible season, he won the Daytona 500, Talladega, and the Brickyard. Those are some nice races to win.

After last year's bad season, Kahne made a triumphant come back by winning the most races and poles. He struggled with consistency however, but still, he'll be a force to come.

Kevin Harvick drove like no other I've ever seen in the Busch Series. Never faultered. And when his team did struggle, they made the right moves to come back and finish strong.

Toyota... they're coming boys and girls. And, like it or not, they made a statement by winning the Truck Series championship. Not just that, but claiming 6 or 7 of the top 10 spots in points.

Juan Montoya, A.J. Allmendinger, Sam Hornish... they're coming. And coming strong.

Lastly, the Elite Series has produced some of NASCAR's best drivers. It's a shame that they're going away.

Alex

I voted for Denny. He did a whole lot better than I thought he would. It was hard to think of him as a rookie at times. lol

I'm also really happy about NBC leaving. I didn't really like listening to it. They left out some very important stuff.. like one race Elliott Sadler went to the garage and they never said anything about him. I had no idea what had happened... I need to know them things. lol

The cup rules are as confusing as the BCS. How someone can win three races and not be in the running is beyond me.

I chose
Denny Hamlin's impressive rookie season
I did not excpect Denny to finish where he did,He Had Great run this Year.

11chaos---it's because in NASCAR consistancy pays more then to win. Look at Kahne, won 6 races but finished 8 in the points. He was either winning or up front or was in the back of the pack.

Consistancy is what wins Championships!!!

Mike

I voted Denny Hamlin too. I really didnt expect him to do as good as he did.

I have to vote Denny! If anyone remembers some of the interviews he did at the start of the season you know how he was. Like a scared kid, but towards the end of the season he really started to come out. I guess after you have such a good season that helps. Plus it shows that the driver can make that car work! Plus a good crew....
Great job to him and he will darn sure be one to watch next season!
Rick

Can someone give me a breakdown of Tony Stewart's final points total had he qualified for the Chase? It seems to me he was the best driver to finish and am curious if he had qualified how close to winning he would have been.

Assuming he would have made the Chase in 10th, he would have finished 2nd in the Chase, 51 points behind Johnson.

So even if Stewart had qualified for the Chase in 1st, and Jimmie qualified in 10th, the way everything played out, Jimmie still would have won the title by 6 points.

But, you also have to add in the Kansas race, where if he WAS in the Chase, he wouldn't have gambled on Fuel Mileage to win that race....so either way, he would have made in more interesting, however he wouldn't have caught Jimmie.

Hey Alex-

Did NASCAR actually eliminate the Elite Series, or was it just renamed to the Grand National series?

-Tom

Tom,

It's GONE. The Southwest Series, Northwest Series, all four of the Elite divisions have been phased out. Deemed unprofitable.

What remains is the top three NASCAR tours, the Grand National Series (East and West), the Modified Series (North and South), the Weekly Racing Series, and NASCAR Canada and NASCAR Mexico.

Alex

Assuming he would have made the Chase in 10th, he would have finished 2nd in the Chase, 51 points behind Johnson.

So even if Stewart had qualified for the Chase in 1st, and Jimmie qualified in 10th, the way everything played out, Jimmie still would have won the title by 6 points.

But, you also have to add in the Kansas race, where if he WAS in the Chase, he wouldn't have gambled on Fuel Mileage to win that race....so either way, he would have made in more interesting, however he wouldn't have caught Jimmie.

Thanks for the input , at least it would have been interesting.