Petty, Earnhardt, Gordon, Yarborough

BILL KIMM I know saying Johnson and his fourth consecutive championship as the story of the year is an easy pick -- but four-in-a-row had never happened, so how can you ignore it? Johnson's dominance is unappreciated and unprecedented. In eight seasons, Johnson has gone from unknown to fourth on the title list. He's gone from up-and-comer to a writer of history. Petty, Earnhardt, Gordon, Yarborough -- none were able to do what Johnson did this season, and that is why not only is this the story of the year, it might be the story of the decade.

Also in the news: • Will she or won't she? Danica keeps the garage buzzing • Busch sets all kinds of records while dominating Nationwide Series JOE MENZER How can anyone select anything else for the 2009 Story of the Year? It has to be the unprecedented fourth consecutive championship earned by driver Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 team led by crew chief Chad Knaus. But part of that storyline also belonged to Martin, Johnson's Hendrick Motorsports teammate who drove the wheels off his own No. 5 Chevrolet and at least challenged Johnson for the title. And Martin did it at age 50, following a two-year semi-hiatus during which he drove only part time.

Watching Johnson and Martin battle all year, with Johnson eventually making history by holding off Martin in the end, was easily the season's most compelling story.

DUANE CROSS The sport was the story of the year -- the layoffs across the industry; how the sport was affected by the economy; how the sport managed to carry on with a do-more-with-less mentality; the decision to leave New York in favor of Las Vegas for Champion's Week; the Mayfield saga; Danica this, Danica that; and not the least of which was the on-track competition, trumped by Hendrick Motorsports' successes ranging from Johnson, Martin, Gordon and extending to Stewart-Haas' Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman.

NASCAR's ongoing legal wrangling with Mayfield as well as sponsorship (or lack of sponsors' dollars) will continue to make headlines but as Danica's interest in the sport proves, NASCAR will remain the destination for top talent (especially from a marketing standpoint -- yes, I mean "money-making").

As for competition, obviously Hendrick Motorsports (which includes Stewart-Haas) is the undisputed front-runner. Joe Gibbs Racing is the next best race-day bet, followed by RCR and Roush, with Earnhardt Ganassi, Penske, Red Bull and Waltrip two steps behind.

Rick Hendrick uses NASCAR rivals to spread company's message - USA TODAY

USA TODAY

Rick Hendrick uses NASCAR rivals to spread company's message USA TODAY By Nate Ryan, USA TODAY By Jerry Markland, Getty Images for NASCAR Rick Hendrick says he'll dispute any penalty NASCAR attempts to slap on crew chief Chad Knaus after Jimmie Johnson's C posts were deemed illegal in pre-Daytona inspections. NASCAR offers teams pressure valve concessionNascar FYI WIRZ: NASCAR's top 10 drivers talk big about the Daytona 500Examiner.com NASCAR-CUP: Edwards reflects on his 1st Daytona poleMotorsport.com CBS News -Montreal Gazette all 1,075 news articles »

NASCAR teams test Bosh-built engines - Search-Autoparts.com

NASCAR teams test Bosh-built engines Search-Autoparts.com Before NASCAR announced that Sprint Cup cars would be using electronic fuel injection in 2012, some racing teams – Hendrick Motorsports and Penske Racing, for instance – had already turned to the world leader in electronic fuel injection technology, ... and more »

NASCAR officials confident in concussion policy - Yahoo! Sports

USA TODAY

NASCAR officials confident in concussion policy Yahoo! Sports Information from a crash data recorder on board each car is analyzed, and wrecked cars often are brought back to NASCAR's research and development center for examination. If NASCAR safety experts notice anything wrong with the car that might have ... NASCAR weary of head injuries after NFL falloutTahlequah Daily Press all 322 news articles »

2012 Daytona 500: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview - PaddockTalk

2012 Daytona 500: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview PaddockTalk The application brings fans updated driver and event information, and exclusive content in one centralized and expansive mobile experience, bringing to life the rich heritage and legendary success of CGRT. The unique mobile application conveys the ... Earnhardt Ganassi Racing/ Daytona 500 Advance NotesSpeedwayMedia.com (press release) all 5 news articles »

Pro Motor Engines and Tristar Choose G-OIL® for 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series ... - Bradenton Herald

Pro Motor Engines and Tristar Choose G-OIL® for 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series ... Bradenton Herald 21, 2012 — /PRNewswire/ -- As a 30-year veteran of NASCAR competition, Mark Smith knows engines. Smith is the owner of Pro Motor Engines (PME), a leading builder of race engines for all three NASCAR series, and owner of the TriStar Motorsports NASCAR ... and more »