NASCAR: Top 5 Most Improved Drivers of the 2006 Nextel Cup Season
Even though Kyle Busch's win total decreased from two to one, his uniformity level elevated. Busch's ability to curtail youthful mistakes earned him an opportunity to compete in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship.
2005- 2 wins, 9 top fives, 13 top tens, 1 pole, 20th in the Nextel Cup standings
2006- 1 win, 10 top fives, 18 top tens, 1 pole, 10th in the Nextel Cup standings
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr
It's no covert that the 2005 Nextel Cup season was a disaster for NASCAR's most popular driver, which made the 2006 campaign that much sweeter for Dale Earnhardt Jr. After a one year hiatus from the Chase for the Championship, Earnhardt Jr returned in 2006.
2005- 1 win, 7 top fives, 13 top tens, 0 pole, 19th in the Nextel Cup standings
2006- 1 win, 10 top fives, 17 top tens, 0 pole, 5th in the Nextel Cup standings
3. Kevin Harvick
When the 2006 commenced, many analysts predicted that Kevin Harvick would be out of his Richard Childress Racing ride by 2007, this coming after two consecutive finishes outside of the top ten in the championship standings in 2004 and 2005. However, Harvick and the entire RCR organization responded in a colossal way.
2005- 1 win, 3 top fives, 10 top tens, 2 poles, 14th in the Nextel Cup standings
2006- 5 wins, 15 top fives, 20 top tens, 1 pole, 4th in the Nextel Cup standings
2. Kasey Kahne
Kasey Kahne was supposed to become the next 'big thing' in NASCAR after his impressive rookie season in 2004, but instead, Kahne and the 9 team spent the 2005 season searching for a comfort zone- and obviously never found it. Well, somewhere in between November of 2005 and February of 2006, they found it.
2005- 1 win, 5 top fives, 8 top tens, 2 poles, 23rd in the Nextel Cup standings
2006- 6 wins, 12 top fives, 19 top tens, 6 poles, 8th in the Nextel Cup standings
1. Jeff Burton
Jeff Burton had virtually fallen of the NASCAR radar after his win at Phoenix in 2001. But after he joined Richard Childress Racing in 2004, he sensed a revival. It was not until 2006 when Burton and the Childress operation reaped the benefits of their hard work. Performance-wise, Burton was the most improved driver in 2006.
2005- 0 win, 3 top fives, 6 top tens, 0 pole, 18th in the Nextel Cup standings.
2006- 1 win, 7 top tens, 20 top fives, 4 poles, 7th in the Nextel Cup standings
Honorable Mention: Jeff Gordon, Scott Riggs
Published by Jeremy Dunn
Jeremy is a freelance writer. He is currently writing for the Atlanta Examiner, and also runs his own blog, NASCAR Racing Scene. He is the author of the book entitled 'Superstars of Pro Football- Ray Lewis'. View profile
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