Join me as we take a look at every NASCAR Cup Rookie of the Year class from 1972 (the start of the modern era) through 2021, going from the worst to the first in terms of overall careers of each year’s rookie class.
2004
Kasey Kahne's rookie car
Winner: Kasey Kahne (Evernham). Runners Up: Brendan Gaughan (Penske), REDACTED (Hendrick), Scott Wimmer (Bill Davis), Scott Riggs (MBV), Johnny Sauter (RCR). Aborted Attempts: none
How their careers turned out: This class is a case of what could have been. What if Kasey Kahne’s Evernham team hadn’t gone down the tubes with George Gillett? What if Brendan Gaughan had got another year with Penske? What if REDACTED had stayed with Hendrick rather than going to Red Bull? What if Johnny Sauter hadn’t pissed off Kevin Harvick? What if Scott Riggs had gotten a shot in legitimately top-flight equipment? What if Scott Wimmer hadn’t stayed with Bill Davis for what felt like a decade?
“Fun” “Fact” about the winner: Kasey Kahne loves milk, but only from certain sources.
Ranking: #19 out of 50
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