1. The Death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. (2001)
Photo Credit: Dale Earnhardt 1998 Daytona 500 / RacingOne Multimedia
2. NASCAR Introduces the Chase (2004)
Dominating every NASCAR story for most of 2004 was NASCAR's new Championship format. It was big news in February when everyone talked about what it might be like. It was big news through the summer as the contenders started to sort themselves out. It was huge news in September as we headed towards Richmond. Finally, the last ten races were nail biters as the Championship came down to the very last lap. Whether you love it or hate it, the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup was THE story of 2004.3. The Car of Tomorrow Makes Its Debut (2007)
As part of NASCAR's safety and cost-cutting measures they introduced an entirely new chassis in 2007. The NASCAR Car Of Tomorrow was designed from the ground up to be safer, more competitive and cheaper for the race teams. NASCAR spent extensive time during the process on the drawing board, computer simulations, in the wind tunnel and on the track to design the ideal NASCAR Cup series race car for the future.Has it been effective in achieving its goals? That is hard to say but there is no denying the impact that the CoT has had on the sport.
4. Toyota Enters NASCAR (2004, 2007)
In 2003 Toyota announced that it was going to join the NASCAR Truck Series for the 2004 season. Then, just three years later, Toyota announced that they were moving up to Cup and Nationwide series competition for the 2007 season.Dividing fans and changing the landscape of NASCAR teams Toyota has had a massive impact on NASCAR. Would Tony Stewart still be with Gibbs if Gibbs wasn't with Toyota? Toyota has had immeasurable impact on the sport.
5. Jimmie Johnson Wins Four Consecutive Championships (2009)
From 2006 - 2009 (and beyond?) Jimmie Johnson has ruled NASCAR. His four consecutive NASCAR Cup series Championships sets a new record that will be very difficult to beat.No matter how you feel about Johnson and the Hendrick Motorsports team you have to admire what they have accomplished. They have dominated an incredibly competitive sport that was made even more competitive by the introduction of the Chase format. Four in a row is truly an amazing accomplishment.
6. The "Lucky Dog" Rule Is Born (2003)
In 2003, in an effort to increase safety for the drivers, NASCAR banned racing back to the yellow after the caution is displayed. While this has increased safety (safety crews are able to respond more quickly) the rule contains a special "Lucky Dog" provision which has changed the way that lapped cars compete on the track.The Lucky Dog changed forever the nature of being a lap down and has affected the outcome of numerous races. The Lucky Dog has had a big impact on NASCAR this decade and will continue to into the next decade and beyond.
7. Winston Leaves Cup Series (2003)
In 2003 Winston chose not to renew its contract as the title sponsor for NASCAR's biggest series. The Winston brand had been synonymous with NASCAR for over 30 years and left a large void that NEXTEL and now Sprint are still straining to fill.
I still slip and call it Winston Cup on occasion and I know many other fans make that same mistake as well. This is a testament to the impact that Winston had on the sport and many of its fans.
8. NASCAR Begins New Television Package (2007)
In 2007 NASCAR began an eight year television contract that makes more races easier to find for millions of potential new fans. NASCAR has done an incredible job of bringing the sport to the masses and this new tv contract provided a strong platform for continued growth.Fox now leads off the season giving way to TNT during the slow summer months. As the Championship starts to take shape ABC/ESPN bring the Race to the Chase and the Chase itself to millions of fans.
9. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Leaves DEI (2007)
When NASCAR's most popular driver leaves his current team it's a big story. When his former team is owned by his legendary father's racing widow and he is going to NASCAR's most powerful team then you have the makings for the biggest news of the decade. In 2007 Dale Earnhardt Junior announced that he was leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. for Hendrick Motorsports at the end of 2007.10. NASCAR Announces Hall of Fame Inductees (2009)
In 2006 NASCAR announced that it was working on plans for an official NASCAR Hall of Fame. They selected a site in Charlotte and started work. Three years later the building is nearing completion and NASCAR announced the inaugural class of inductees.The Hall will officially open in May of 2010 but this story has topped the NASCAR headlines for years and will fill a sorely needed gap for fans. Now there will be one official shrine where past, present and future NASCAR greats will be immortalized.
