Driver of the Year?

[Kalani]

Vote who you think was the driver of the year for this years season.  Kyle won 8 races, Jimmie won 7 and Carl won 9.  All very impressive in their own ways.  Here's a clip from the garage of a few drivers giving their opinions.  I'm surprised they didn't mention Carl very much.  He had the most wins, top 5's and top 10's for the year.

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=207187&cl=10667018&ch=207402&src=sports

[20forLogano]

With the overall season Kyle had in all 3 series he wins hands down.  If we are talking about Cup it's JJ.  He won the championship and that is what these guys race for.

[south jersey girl]

9 cup wins
7 n'wide wins

2nd in both series

Cousin Carl

[Chris]

Driver of the year... No doubt or argument about it
Kyle Busch...
Wins in every vehicle and series he raced in.... and he won A LOT
IMO A driver of the year is good in more than just one series...
Carl would be 2nd choice

Most improved would easily be David Ragan

[Yatesguy]

Great question. What makes a Driver of the Year? Most wins? The Championship? or a driver that wins the most in all series?

After much thought, I rule out JJ. He won the Cup but didn't really dominate. I rule out Kyle because his stats dropped when it mattered. I'll take Carl, but for more than just the most wins. I really liked seeing his dogged determination to chase Jimmy down. That's what you want to see, a guy up on the wheel, digging for every point he can get. That's a Driver of the Year.

[KurtBuschFan]

You're right YG...what makes a driver of the year?  If you're talking across the board, I'd have to go with Kyle Busch (and it kills me to say it).  No matter what he drove, he ran well.  You can't really count parts failures to start the chase against him simply because that could have happened to anyone.  Who knew his stuff would fail when it mattered most?

And if you're talking strictly Cup Series, I'd have to go with Carl Edwards.

[Kalani]

The amazing thing about Kyle Busch is the fact that he won a lot of races in all 3 series.  The crazy thing is that before he went on his winless streak the guy led a lap in pretty much every single race.  It amazed me how dominate he was and the awesome thing is that he won races on short tracks, intermediate, superspeedways and both road courses.  That my friends........is amazing!!  What is MORE amazing is how he went from dominating races to lucky to be in the top 5.  I would've never believed anyone if they would have told me he was going to finish the chase in 10th and his last win would be at The Glen.  What the heck happened??  Cousin Concrete Carl impressed me so much with his drive in both series.  JJ is awesome, but just at the end when it mattered, which is what wins the Chase.  Three Championships in a row is simply amazing. 

[DougS]

If you're asking for one NASCAR driver of the year for all three series, then it has to be Kyle Busch which is how I voted. And I'm no KB fan, just a realist. 21 races in all three series including a win in the Bruan NNS car.

But if you want one from all three series

NSCS Carl Edwards 9 wins and that Banazia move at Kansas. No one wanted it more than cousin Carl

NNS Brad Keslowski 2 wins in his first full year in a car. Beat both Carl and Clint for those wins and stood up to Denny about whose running in whose series.

NCTS Johnny Benson A class act and a deserving champion.

[smyler]

I think the right people won all 3 series.  Sorry, but I can't forget that Carl cheated.  I do (almost) feel bad for Kyle, but that's racing.

[Busch Babe 899]

Oh, yeah, I forgot, the 99 team PURPOSELY left the oil lid loose to make sure Carl won Las Vegas....

[Chris]

Oh, yeah, I forgot, the 99 team PURPOSELY left the oil lid loose to make sure Carl won Las Vegas....

well..... SURE he did... especially right there in PLAIN SIGHT.... right where everyone could see it..

[Tyyrus]

If you're asking for one NASCAR driver of the year for all three series, then it has to be Kyle Busch which is how I voted. And I'm no KB fan, just a realist. 21 races in all three series including a win in the Bruan NNS car.

But if you want one from all three series

NSCS Carl Edwards 9 wins and that Banazia move at Kansas. No one wanted it more than cousin Carl

NNS Brad Keslowski 2 wins in his first full year in a car. Beat both Carl and Clint for those wins and stood up to Denny about whose running in whose series.

NCTS Johnny Benson A class act and a deserving champion.

Good Post Bro ! I agree 100% 

[DotheDew88]

I think the right people won all 3 series.  Sorry, but I can't forget that Carl cheated.  I do (almost) feel bad for Kyle, but that's racing.

But what about all the times HMS cheated Smyler? Can you forgive Jeff and Jimmy?

[SMOKEN14]

Kyle Busch hands down

[smyler]

But what about all the times HMS cheated Smyler? Can you forgive Jeff and Jimmy?

Neither the 24 or 48 got any penalties or warnings in 2008.

As for the past, some of the supposed infractions were simply interpretations of rules that NASCAR refuses to print. 

Back to Carl, in actuality, I'm not sure I should call it cheating as it could have been someone just not tightening screws correctly or something like that.  None the less, at least for that one race he did have a competitive advantage whether it was on purpose or not.

As to racer or driver of the year, it seems to me this was all figured out until 2004.  Nearly always, the best driver/team won.  Now, judging who was best can arguably be open to interpretation.    Jimmie, Carl and Kyle all did great things... Jimmie was best when it really counted but that does not discount the incredible stretch Kyle had.  Carl won the most races but also made some errors when it mattered as well.