Top stories of the decade closely defined by Dale (cont'd)

Awards

Driver of the Decade: Jimmie Johnson. Four straight championships, 47 career victories, never finished outside the top five in final points. Other drivers are more popular, but none are better. His singular focus and unflappable cool are worthy of emulation. Runner-up: Tony Stewart. The only other multiple title winner this decade, Smoke also won 37 races and started his own team. Honorable mention: Jeff Gordon. His best days may have been in the late 1990s, but Gordon still won 33 races and a title this decade. He came close to three crowns, finishing 16 points back in 2004 and 77 behind in 2007.

No one gets more out of the car than Chad Knaus.

Crew chief of Decade: Chad Knaus. The current Sprint Cup car doesn't leave much room for modification, but nobody gets more out of it than Johnson's crew chief. His cars are good off the truck almost every week, and he leaves no detail to chance. Oh, and he hasn't been penalized by NASCAR for years now. Runner-up: Greg Zipadelli. Won two titles with Stewart, and now mentoring young Joey Logano. Not a better manager of people in the garage area. Honorable mention: Robbie Reiser. Engineered Matt Kenseth's 2003 championship run, and now working as general manager for a Roush Fenway operation that routinely puts multiple cars in the Chase.

Owner of the Decade: Rick Hendrick. Simply the gold standard. Won five titles this decade, and did it amid catastrophic personal and professional loss. Oversees a shop complex that's second to none. Inspires incredible loyalty among his people. Runner-up: Joe Gibbs. Won three crowns, two with Stewart and one with Bobby Labonte, and is the sport's best source for young driving talent. Provided his operation with a huge boost when he left football behind for good. Honorable mention: Jack Roush. Won titles with Kenseth in 2003 and Kurt Busch in 2004, but his most impressive feat might have been placing five drivers in the 10-man Chase in 2005.

Track of the Decade: Richmond International Raceway. No facility saw its profile rise more than Richmond, which became the place where the 10 (now 12) Chase finalists were decided. In the process, its fall race evolved into one of the season's biggest events. Runner-up: Kansas Speedway. Proved that with a sensible seating capacity and smart management, NASCAR can work in a non-traditional region. Surrounding commercial area is ahead of its time. Honorable mention: Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Extensive renovations and improvements have made this track a fan favorite, as well as NASCAR's western home base.

Bristol Motor Speedway on one crazy night in August of 2002.

Race of the Decade: 2002 Sharpie 500, Bristol Motor Speedway. Elliott Sadler punches an ambulance. Ward Burton throws his shoe heat shields at Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jimmie Johnson flips off Robby Gordon. It's one of those hot, crazy nights that made Bristol famous. Oh, and there's racing, too -- Jeff Gordon moves Wallace out of the way with three laps left to win. Runner-up: 2000 Winston 500, Talladega Superspeedway. Dale Earnhardt roars from 18th to first over the final five laps in a performance that makes grown men weep. Honorable mention: 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400, Darlington Raceway. Leaning on one another and spewing smoke, Ricky Craven edges Kurt Busch by .002 seconds, the closest margin since electronic timing and scoring was implemented.

Comeback of the Decade: Darlington Raceway. Fading and almost obsolete at the beginning of the decade, the Lady in Black has been spruced up and given a new lease on life thanks to its Mother's Day weekend date. Proof that tracks can flourish despite losing a date. Runner-up: Jeff Burton. Considered by many to be finished after he split with Jack Roush in 2004, Burton has since won four races and made three Chases at Richard Childress Racing. More importantly, he's become the backbone of his team and the conscience of his sport. Honorable mention: Mark Martin. Remember that whole "Salute to You" thing? Yeah, neither do we. In 2005, people were giving him rocking chairs. This year, he was series runner-up.

Broadcaster of the Decade: Darrell Waltrip. Provided NASCAR with the recognizable name it needed when the sport's first national television contract was launched in 2001. His brash, outspoken style fits perfectly with a Fox network that's not afraid to pump up the volume. Runner-up: Kyle Petty. Plenty of substance behind all that style. The TNT color man is perhaps the most informative announcer working today. Honorable mention: Andy Petree. How many times does he say it, and it happens? The former crew chief knows his stuff, and is a rock in an ever-changing ESPN landscape.

Constant of the Decade: Jeff Gordon. In 2000, he was a classy, articulate championship contender. Today, he still is. For all the upheaval in NASCAR over the last 10 years, it's somewhat comforting that Gordon, despite a little more gray around the temples, is still the same person and driver he's always been. Runner-up: Bristol Motor Speedway. Always a full house, always tremendous hospitality, always a great time. Honorable mention: Barney Hall. Been bringing racing to the masses over the radio, it seems, for as long as there's been racing. Or is that as long as there's been a radio? No matter. To many, it hasn't happened yet until he says it.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.