The 2011 NASCAR season brought about three different champions. Two of the champions just finished their Second season and the third champion won his third title. Lets meet our NASCAR champions.
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[/media-credit]The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS), saw its youngest truck series champion. The 21 year old grandson of team owner Richard Childress from Lewisville, North Carolina, Austin Dillon, ended the season with four wins, 32 top tens and 12 poles. The 2010 NCWTS Rookie of the Year finished 10th in a rained shortened season finale to hold off championship runner up Johnny Sauter.
The NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) saw another young driver win his first championship in his 2nd year in the Nationwide Series. The 24 year old Olive Branch, Mississippi native Ricky Stenhouse Jr, ended the season with two wins, 28 top tens and three poles. Dillon won the NNS championship by 45 points over runner up Elliott Sadler. Stenhouse also won Rookie of the Year honors in 2010.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) saw a new champion for the first time in five years. The 40 year old from Columbus, Indiana, Tony Stewart turned out to be the guy to beat. Stewart ended the season with five wins, all coming in the chase, 18 top tens and one pole. Stewart held off runner up and second place finisher Carl Edwards to win the final race and his 3rd NSCS championship. This ends Jimmie Johnson’s streak of five consecutive championships.
Tony Stewart also became the first owner-driver since Alan Kulwicki (1992) to win a cup series championship.
Congratulations to all three on a spectacular season!
