Year-end Awards

After nine months of banging, drafting and jawing—i.e., racing—here are the highs and lows of the Nextel Cup season

BEST DRIVER

Jimmie Johnson

A series-best 10 wins, including four of his last five races. 'Nuff said.

BEST CREW CHIEF

Chad Knaus

When a driver has the fastest car week in and week out, as Johnson did in the Chase, it's a reflection of the crew chief's ingenuity and skill. Knaus, put simply, is the best in the biz.

COMEBACK DRIVER

Carl Edwards

Edwards silenced the one-year-wonder whispers (third in the points in '05, he failed to make the Chase in '06) by winning three times and finishing ninth in the standings. What he didn't silence were questions about his temper, which leads us to ...