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.

NASCAR teams up with Twitter for live events - The Virginian-Pilot

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NASCAR teams up with Twitter for live events The Virginian-Pilot Fans will be able to use the hashtag #NASCAR to find relevant tweets from drivers, teams, commentators and other celebrities. Twitter.com/#NASCAR will use a combination of signals to select the best tweets and photos from NASCAR insiders during race ... NASCAR forms partnership with TwitterCBSSports.com (blog) NASCAR partners with Twitter for live eventsKLAS-TV all 140 news articles »

Johnson team wins pit crew challenge - The Tand D.com

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Johnson team wins pit crew challenge The Tand D.com Johnson's team won the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge on Thursday night, avenging last year's loss in the finals to Denny Hamlin's No. 11 team. Hamlin's team was the two-time defending champions coming into the event and cruised into the finals again ... Jimmie Johnson's team wins pit crew challengeWSLS Johnson's No. 48 team knocks off two-time defending champion team of No. 11 ...Washington Post NASCAR's pit crews get chance in spotlight during All-Star weekCBSSports.com The Associated Press all 333 news articles »

CUP: Teams Depend On Military Sponsorships - Fox News

USA TODAY

CUP: Teams Depend On Military Sponsorships Fox News Could military sponsorships in NASCAR be in danger? An amendment to eliminate such sponsorships from the defense budget could end the trend. Sponsored by US Reps. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) and Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), the amendment would eliminate ... Dale Earnhardt Jr. has an offer for bill-backing RepublicanUSA TODAY Dale Earnhardt Jr. asks GOP Rep. Kingston to do his 'homework' on NASCARThe Hill (blog) House committee votes down NASCAR military sponsorshipsWSOC Charlotte Minnesota Public Radio all 41 news articles »

CUP: Kurt Busch Explains His Stance On Newman - Fox News

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CUP: Kurt Busch Explains His Stance On Newman Fox News Busch's name has been mentioned as a prospect for one of the potential upcoming Dodge teams – Furniture Row, Richard Petty Motorsports or Michael Andretti should he expand his motorsports operation to include NASCAR -- as well as a fourth car at ... Kurt Busch thinks Newman feud is 'WWE-type' actionAlexandria Town Talk Kurt Busch hails 'WWE action' with Newman as good for NASCARUSA TODAY Kurt Busch thinks his NASCAR feud with Ryan Newman is "WWE-type" actionMassLive.com (blog) SportingNews.com -Yahoo! Sports all 279 news articles »

Nascar Exhibit Looks Back at 'Good Old Days' of Racing - Wall Street Journal (blog)

Wall Street Journal

Nascar Exhibit Looks Back at 'Good Old Days' of Racing Wall Street Journal (blog) Tailor-made for television in 1985, it's one of the events that brought Nascar into the mainstream. So it's timely that the Nascar Hall of Fame, based (like many of the race teams) in this North Carolina city, has opened an exhibit harking back to a ... 24 finalists named for induction into International Motorsports Hall of FamePress-Register - al.com all 6 news articles »