Top Five NASCAR Sprint Cup Drivers of 2011
2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. What can you say about it? It was fantastic. It was a great year for many of NASCAR’s finest. A number of drivers established themselves and won several races. To commemorate a great year of exciting NASCAR racing, I have created the following list of the top five NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers of 2011.
1. Tony Stewart
Of course the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion would be on the list. While the first part of the season wasn’t great for the the owner/driver, the last ten races were just what the he needed to capture his third championship. He won five races in the last ten weeks. On top of that, his teammate and the car he owns finished in the top 10 in points. Tony Stewart had an excellent 2011 season.
2. Kevin Harvick
The California-born driver had the best year of his career this season. He won four races, including the longest race of the season; the Coca-Cola 600. Harvick and the No. 29 team finished third in points. Harvick and the RCR crew definitely have a great chance at repeating his success in 2012.
3. Carl Edwards
No one will probably remember who was runner-up to Tony Stewart in the 2011 point standings but something tells me the Edwards’ fans will always remember. Edwards managed to win four Coors Light Pole Awards and he won one race, the Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the All-Star race from Charlotte Motor Speedway. Edwards should definitely feel proud of himself for having one of the best years in his career.
4. Brad Keselowski
Among all the drivers who established themselves this year, Brad Kesleowski deserves many kudos for having his career season. The 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion won three races in the Cup season this year, along with one pole. Plus, who can forget one of the races he won came a few days after breaking his ankle during a testing session crash at Road Atlanta. There is no doubt that he is a rising superstar and he has a great chance to win the Sprint Cup.
5. Matt Kenseth
Matt Kenseth is another driver who had a multi-victory year this season. Kenseth won three races this season at Texas Motor Speedway in the Samsung Mobile 500, Dover International Raceway in the FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks, and the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Although Kenseth is one of the older guys in the garage, as he turns 40 on March 10, 1972, still has what it takes to win many more races in the future as well as possibly a second championship.
Alright readers, now its your turn. Who in your mind had a great 2011 season?