Author: Jeff Owens
Date: Dec. 3, 2014
There is always one or two drivers who step up and exceed expectations and surprise the field.
One or two who either bounce back from an off year or suddenly click with a new crew chief or new team.
In 2014, there were more than just one or two. There were a bunch of drivers who exceeded expectations, including the final four drivers in the Chase.
Here’s a look at the best, or most surprising, performances of 2014.
No. 1: Kevin Harvick
Yes, Harvick was fast during his first test with Stewart-Haas last December. And sure, he and crew chief Rodney Childers seemed to click right away. But, really, who expected them to have the dominant car week after week and win the championship in their first season together?
That kind of stuff just doesn’t happen. Who was the last driver to win a championship in his first season with a new team? I don’t know, and you probably don’t either. (Actually, it was Darrell Waltrip in his first season with Junior Johnson in 1981. That’s the only time it’s happened in the modern era.)
Harvick not only had his best season in his first year with Stewart-Haas, he was downright dominant. His 2,137 laps led were 597 more than his closest competitor and 1,242 more than his previous career-high. He matched his career-high with five wins and delivered three clutch victories in the Chase to win the championship.
Harvick was expected to be good with Stewart-Haas, but not that good.
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