Top NASCAR Rookie Seasons from the 2000's

Following Tony Stewart's phenomenal rookie season in 1999, a horde of young drivers emerged into NASCAR stardom. Car owners and sponsors were willing to take a chance on an up and coming driver, where in years past, they were hesitant. This was the most difficult list to comprise due to abundance of impressive rookie seasons. Nevertheless, three in particular stand out.

Ryan Newman (2002)

Newman's one victory in the win column is quite deceiving. He bordered on winning multiple races throughout his rookie season. Furthermore, he won the All-Star race in Charlotte, becoming only the second rookie driver to win the start-studded event. His statistics were stacked in 2002, setting a record for top five finishes, top 10 finishes, and poles for rookie drivers in NASCAR. Overall, Newman's rookie season was equally as impressive as Tony Stewart's magical season in 1999. He edged out fellow rookie Jimmie Johnson for the Rookie of the Year honors in 2002.

36 races; 1 win; 14 top 5 finishes; 22 top 10 finishes; 6 poles; 753 laps led; finished 6^th in NASCAR Winston Cup standings

Jimmie Johnson (2002)

Johnson entered NASCAR's top level in 2001, racing in a trio of races as Jeff Gordon's protégé. Johnson proved to be a quick study, as he won the Daytona 500 pole as a rookie. He would win at California, and two races at Dover during in his rookie season en route to finishing fifth in the final Winston Cup standings. Johnson remained in the championship hunt for most of the season, even threatening to win the title as a rookie. Despite all of his success as a rookie, he came up short to Newman in the Rookie of the Year honors.

36 races; 3 wins; 6 top 5 finishes; 21 top 10 finishes; 4 poles; 838 laps led; finished 5^th in the final Winston Cup standings.

Kevin Harvick (2001)

With all apologies to Denny Hamlin and his fans, Harvick belongs on this list. While Hamlin's 2006 rookie season is prettier on paper, consider what this particular young man went through in 2001. Harvick was originally planned to be in the same 2002 rookie class as Johnson and Newman, but when Dale Earnhardt tragically and suddenly passed away on the final lap of the Daytona 500, Richard Childress hired his Busch Series driver to take over the legendary ride. What Harvick accomplished while trying to fill Earnhardt's shoes was nothing short of amazing. He won at Atlanta in only his third career Winston Cup start. He also won in Chicago later in the season. Despite racing in 35 of 36 races, he finished ninth in the final Winston Cup standings.

35 races; 2 wins; 6 top five finishes; 16 top 10 finishes; 0 pole; 374 laps led; finished 9^th in NASCAR Winston Cup standings

Honorable mentions include Matt Kenseth (2000); Dale Earnhardt Jr (2000); Greg Biffle (2003); Jamie McMurray (2003); Kasey Kahne (2004); Kyle Busch (2005); Denny Hamlin (2006); Juan Pablo Montoya (2007); Joey Logano (2009)
Resource: Racing-Reference.info