Scott Wimmer is left searching for a new job after parting ways with Bill Davis Racing. Credit: Autostock

The 2005 MartDawgs

NASCAR's 57th season was quite possibly its zaniest, one brimming from the outset with triumph and trial, one that cultivated reality from the unimaginable, one with more subplots than Soap Opera Network.

There was backstabbing. There was scandal. There was love-gone-bad and perseverance in the face of adversity. There were blessed unions and irreconcilable differences.

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Legends bowed out. Rookies burst in. Stalwarts stalled. Budding stars blossomed.

And then the Smoke cleared ...

Brass Award: J.D. Gibbs, president, Joe Gibbs Racing.

Gibbs, concerned that Tony Stewart's attitude had forged a considerable divide between driver and team, made the gutsy decision to hold what amounted to an intervention late last year.

The idea was to provide a private, closed-door forum for team members to voice concerns and displeasures about anything and everything pertaining to the No. 20 team.

They didn't hold back. It was quite an eye-opener for Stewart, and no doubt reestablished the trust and camaraderie necessary to prevail in the 2005 Chase for the Nextel Cup.

Jo Frost Award: Kurt Busch.

Report: TV's "Super Nanny" summoned to intervene in Kurt Busch emotional rehabilitation. Kidding.

The T.O.: Kyle Busch.

As my Momma used to say, don't let your alligator mouth overrun your hummingbird (rear end).

The young superstar's propensity to mis-speak sometimes overshadows his otherworldly talent. See: Phoenix, Ariz. To his credit, Busch understands well his mistakes and seeks to improve upon them.

The Babe Ruth: Dave Alpern, vice president of licensing, Joe Gibbs Racing.

Ryan Newman wonders what life will be like after Rusty is gone. Credit: Autostock

In mid-January, following my prediction that Tony Stewart would finish eighth in the 2005 Chase for the Nextel Cup, Alpern wrote me a succinct, lighthearted e-mail stating, in essence, that Stewart would win the championship and I'd eat a healthy portion of crow.

I was more than slightly taken aback, because Alpern, J.D. Gibbs' best buddy since grade school, is not one to talk trash -- even when ribbing a buddy. He's old school, cut straight from the Joe Gibbs philosophy that graciousness prevails.

Sure enough, like the Bambino, Pern called his shot. Congratulations, buddy.

The Pitt Stop Award: Ryan Newman and Rusty Wallace.

Corny as it seems, NASCAR truly does have a family atmosphere. But don't think for a second it's not cutthroat. Hence, every awards ceremony must include a divorce-themed category.

This year's winner? No question, Rusty and the Rocketman. Like Brad 'n Jen, we heard about the dissention regularly for two full years. Divorce was the only option here, whether legally or via retirement.

It's not you, it's me: Bill Davis Racing.

Scott Wimmer was fired by mail. Seems like some grade school chicken poo, no? That was my initial thought. Still is, to a degree. But to be fair to all parties, further explanation of the situation is necessary.

After discussing Wimmer's release in Track Smack, the Smackers were sent e-mail clarification from a BDR official. In said e-mail, it was explained, in essence, that BDR was legally bound to inform Wimmer of his release in writing.

Understandable. But in the mail? Cold. Call a meeting and slide the document across the desk. Leave the man some dignity.

Jack-of-all-trades Award: Jack Roush.

Owner Jack Roush had one of his best seasons on the track, but off the track was a little different. Credit: Autostock

The Roush Racing owner enjoyed a phenomenal season on the racetrack, winning nearly half of the season's events and placing all five of his Nextel Cup teams in the Chase. Moreover, his prowess in finding driving diamonds in the rough continues to astound.

Off the track? Different story entirely.

First, Roush coaxed Mark Martin out of planned retirement to spend another year in the circus, reasoning to the veteran that his presence would ensure happy sponsors. Not fair to Martin. Not even. But successful nonetheless, due to Martin's selflessness.

(On that note, I contemplated giving Martin the Michael Jordan Award: retire, un-retire, retire, un-retire. But the circumstances just don't fit.)

Next, it seems Roush is truly the only owner directly affected by NASCAR's proposed plan to limit the number of teams one organization could field, prompting Roush to produce a 10-page document about the benefits of multi-car teams.

Personally, I'm uncertain what sort of effect this rule will have on Roush Racing. First, all five teams are grandfathered in through the termination of their current sponsor contracts, 2009.

It also prevents them from having to replace Martin, given they could restructure their proposed sponsorship packages for the fifth team in a fashion that it benefits any or all of the other four teams.

And lastly, with the car of the tomorrow idling on the horizon, they'll be no worse for the wear considering that the old cars aren't transferable to the new machines, and thus every team must start over completely.

Last but certainly not least, Roush sent Kurt Busch packing, an unprecedented response to driver transgression.

The Tobey McGuire: Tony Stewart.

The Home Depot crew do their impression of Spiderman. Credit: Autostock

The champ adopted Helio Castroneves' signature celebratory Spiderman fence climb and made it his own. If he's to continue the show, Smoke fears working out may finally be necessary.

There are a several more awards that could be doled out, including some of those the readers offered Tuesday. But the bell is ringing. Time's up. Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. missed the Chase. Maybe they get the Dallas Mavericks Award for failure to meet lofty expectation.

Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards deserve recognition for the phenomenal success they enjoyed in 2005. Bobby Labonte left Joe Gibbs Racing for Petty Enterprises. NASCAR can't consistently enforce its rulebook.

Smoke won the title and the Brickyard, Rusty and the Rooster are riding off into the sunset and Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray rewrote driver contract strategy.

Enough already. The shut up music is playing in the background. Happy Holidays everyone ...