As we close in on the final race of the 2009 season this Sunday, it is time to take a look back at the 2009 season.  The races, the controversy and the shocking elements of what happened this year have made it for one of the most unpredictable and exciting seasons to date.  In this first of four “Looking Back” articles, I’m going to take a look back at the greatest successes of the season.

STEWART-HAAS RACING

Heading into Speedweeks at Daytona, the biggest question mark had to be Tony Stewart.  After nine years at Joe Gibbs Racing, 34 victories, Rookie of the Year and two championships, Stewart opted out of his final year of his contract to do something that many drivers in years past have done unsuccessfully.

Stewart decided to start his own organization.  So, after talking with Gene Haas, of Hass Automation, they came to an agreement to form Stewart-Haas Racing.  Stewart would be part owner, part driver.  Soon after, the pieces began falling into place.  Office Depot and Old Spice signed on as sponsors for his car.  Then, he hired fellow-Indiana driver Ryan Newman to field his second car, that would be sponsored by both Haas Automation and the U.S. Army.

His cars would be built out of the Hendrick Motorsports shop, putting Stewart back behind the wheel of a Chevrolet, and he would get the Hendrick power.  He got Darian Grubb, Hendrick employee, as a crew chief, the best equipment and the best people to be in his organization.

It was time to put it to the test.  And without question, the entire organization passed.  Stewart has won four races, plus the All-Star Challenge, led the points for majority of the season.  Newman put himself solidly into the Chase, and has been close to winning all year.

Stewart went all in when he decided to leave his established team and venture out on his own.  He has hit the jackpot, and as his nickname suggests, Stewart has “smoked” in his first year as an owner and driver.

MARK MARTIN

If there is anyone that is more thankful for his fans and the opportunities he has been presented, it is Mark Martin.  Two years ago, Martin decided to cut back, and left his long-time owner, Jack Roush, to become a part-time driver for MB2 Motorsports, driving their U.S. Army Chevrolet.

When the team merged with Dale Earnhardt Inc, Martin joined, but did not stay on the track as much.  He wanted to spend more time with his wife and family.

Then came an offer from Rick Hendrick.  He had an opening for his No. 5 car, and wanted a veteran driver behind the wheel.  He did not want a part-time driver, sharing a ride with an up-and-coming star.  He wanted the driver who has finished runner-up in points four times, battled with Gordon for a championship.  Hendrick wanted Martin in the No. 5 full-time.

Martin accepted, and in just one year, the driver who wanted to walk away quietly began making noise for a championship.  He went to Phoenix, beating the young guns and proving the 50-year old can still get the job done.  Then, Martin comes back to win the Southern 500 in Darlington, saved just enough gas to coast to victory at Michigan and then dominated Chicagoland.

Four wins gave him the points lead heading into the Chase, but he wasn’t done yet.  He went out and won the first Chase event, holding off the dominant car of Juan Pablo Montoya.  It was a Mark Martin that had not been seen in years, and one that will be seen for a while longer.  With all the success, Martin not only took his contract option to race full-time in 2010, but extended it through 2011.

Martin has come back to show it’s not just the young guys who can run hard.  Martin himself could sum up the season with just one phrase, one that everyone can agree on.

“I’m just having fun.”

JOEY LOGANO

When a driver admits they are ahead of where they should be in their career, chances are good a team will struggle.  That appeared to be the case of 19-year-old Joey Logano.  After becoming the youngest driver to win a race in NASCAR history, team owner Joe Gibbs took a major chance.

With Tony Stewart leaving the company, there was no driver to pilot the main car for the team, the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota.  After talking it over, Gibbs decided to give the young driver a chance, and put him in the car.

He was not going in cold turkey, the entire team that had previously been with Stewart remained intact, including two-time champion crew chief Greg Zipadelli.

Immediately, it looked as if the season would be a struggle.  Through the first 12 races, Logano only finished in the top 10 three times.  But, there were many bright spots.  Logano consistently finished races, meaning that the rookie was taking in all the experience.

Finally, at New Hampshire, the rookie broke through.  After Zipadelli made a judgement call, Logano stayed on track while others pitted.  Then, the rains began falling, and falling, and falling.  Finally, NASCAR stopped the driers and called the race.  Logano made it into victory lane.

This 19-year-old has done exceptionally well despite admitting he’s a year ahead of where he should be.  If that is the case, 2010 could be the year for Logano.

The next installment of “Looking Back” will take a look at the biggest disappointments of the 2009 season.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 8:06 pm and is filed under Most Recommended, News Headlines, Right Column. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.