1. Kyle Busch -- It would be difficult to write a Hollywood script more compelling than his injury-to-championship season. One of the best sports comeback stories of all time. Oh, his team also won the Truck series title.
2. Joe Gibbs -- Adds to his own sports legacy with the Kyle Busch Cup championship. The first for Toyota.
3. Adam Stevens -- First year as a Cup series crew chief ends with a championship. He had to figure it out for the first 11 races without his driver.
4. Jeff Gordon -- His influence transformed NASCAR as a sport and as an industry. Now, on to the Fox TV booth.
5. Brian France -- It sure seemed the NASCAR CEO flubbed his Cup presentation remarks. Now, on to BIG decisions, like a franchise system to give team owners value for their investment.
6. Chris Buescher -- Being happy with non-top 10 finishes isn't very satisfying for the fans, but two wins and consistency results in an Xfinity series championship. One bit of good news in a terrible year for Roush Fenway Racing.
7. Erik Jones -- NASCAR's Next Big Thing takes the Camping World Truck Series championship for Kyle Busch's team.
8. Joie Chitwood III -- Daytona International Speedway president says the $400 million "rising" project will be finished by mid-January and under the $400 million budget.
8. Joie Chitwood III -- Daytona International Speedway president says the $400 million "rising" project will be finished by mid-January and under the $400 million budget.
9. Bryan Clauson -- Holds off USAC sprint car titlist Robert Ballou's last-corner passing attempt to win season-ending Western World Championship.
10. Juan Pablo Montoya -- Indy 500 winner sets fastest lap during World Endurance Championship rookie testing in Bahrain in the Porsche 919 Hybrid. What he'll be doing after the 2016 IndyCar season?
[ more next week . . . ]
