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.
2007
Juan Pablo Montoya's rookie car
Winner: Juan Pablo Montoya (Ganassi). Runners Up: David Ragan (Roush-Fenway), Paul Menard (DEI), David Reutimann (MWR), A. J. Allmendinger (Red Bull). Aborted Attempts: Brandon Whitt
How their careers turned out: JPM succeeded in IndyCar, Formula 1, and yes, even Nascar, going on to a decent career. Davids Ragan and Reutimann each won a few Cup races, and AJ Allmendinger is still a threat to win on any road course. Paul Menard? Well, his sideburns were really pointy.
“Fun” “Fact” about the winner: Auto racers, Colombia’s third biggest export (and second-biggest affiliated with speed).
Ranking: #21 out of 50
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A MOXOC Media production