| |
NOMINEE |
THE SKINNY |
| Overrated |
A.J. Foyt's fifth Indy 500 victory |
With Kenny Brack
driving his No. 14 Dallara-Aurora, the car owner won at the Brickyard against
mediocre competition in the struggling Indy Racing
League. |
| Underrated |
Jeff Gordon's season |
Though he stumbled in the
Winston Cup point standings, he still won a series-high seven races and more
than $5 million. |
| Annoying |
Tony George |
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway president
retires the trophy for sinking to uncharted depths of recalcitrance in refusing
to reconcile with
CART. |
| Breakthrough |
Joe Gibbs Racing |
The Charlotte-based
shop won eight Winston Cup events, five by veteran Bobby Labonte and three by
his rookie teammate, Tony Stewart -- in long-suffering Pontiacs, no less. |
| Uplifting |
Tony Stewart |
Sustained a demeanor of humility and
gratitude throughout the year, the most spectacular season ever staged by a
Winston Cup rookie -- three wins and fourth place in points. |
| MVP |
Todd Parrott, Dale Jarrett's crew chief |
Coached his driver to the
Winston Cup championship and prepped cars so thoroughly that the team didn't
have a single serious mechanical failure all season.
|
Storyline to
follow in 2000 |
Tony Stewart |
Tony Stewart will become the first Winston
Cup driver since Dale Earnhardt in 1979-80 to win rookie of the year honors and
then the full Winston Cup title,
back-to-back. |
