BACK TO GALLERIES

2016 NASCAR.com superlatives

By Maggie MacKenzie | Published: December 17, 2016 13

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BACK TO GALLERIES

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Engine builder of the year: Toyota Racing Development

Honorable mention: Hendrick Motorsports engines

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Manufacturer of the year: Toyota

Honorable mention: Chevrolet

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Confrontation of the year: Cole Custer vs. John Hunter Nemechek

Honorable mention: John Wes Townley vs. Spencer Gallagher; Austin Dillon vs. Kevin Harvick

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Rule change of the year: New regulations concerning lug nuts

Honorable mention: Chase for the XFINITY Series and Camping World Truck Series; Caution Clock for the Camping World Truck Series

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Disappointing driver of the year: Kasey Kahne

Honorable mention: Aric Almirola, Paul Menard and Clint Bowyer

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Surprise driver of the year: William Byron

Honorable mention: Chase Elliott and Chris Buescher

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Comeback driver of the year: Tony Stewart

Honorable mention: Matt Tifft

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Crew chief of the year: Chad Knaus

Honorable mention: Adam Stevens, Chris Gayle, Scott Graves and Cole Pearn

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Team of the year: Joe Gibbs Racing

Honorable mention: Furniture Row Racing and Team Penske

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Moment of the year: Jimmie Johnson winning his record-tying seventh championship

Honorable mention: Tony Stewart's Sonoma win; Martin Truex Jr.'s Coca-Cola 600 dominance with girlfriend Sherry Pollex in Victory Lane

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Race of the year: Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway

Honorable mention: Daytona 500, Dover in May and Sonoma

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Rookie of the year: Chase Elliott

Honorable mention: Ryan Blaney, Chris Buescher, William Byron and Erik Jones

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Driver of the year: Martin Truex Jr.

Honorable mention: Jimmie Johnson