Clint Bowyer celebrates with his lobster after winning in New Hampshire. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Clint Bowyer

RCR’s resurgence also was expected to benefit Bowyer, one of the organization’s most consistent drivers. Bowyer took advantage to return to the Chase for the third time in four years.

Then he really stepped up – sort of.

Bowyer won the first Chase race at New Hampshire, but became embroiled in one of the biggest controversies of the season when his car failed to pass postrace inspection. As a result, Bowyer was docked 150 points and his crew chief and car chief were suspended for six races.

The penalties, which were upheld through two appeals, tainted Bowyer’s third career victory and essentially eliminated him from championship contention.

Bowyer wasn’t done, though. He finished second at California and won again at Talladega, beating teammate Harvick in a photo finish.

Despite a poor finish in the Chase – thanks to the penalty – Bowyer’s victories marked the first time he has won more than one Cup race in a season and set him up as one of the sport’s most improved driver over the course of the season.

David Reutimann

Reutimann made this list in 2009 after winning his first Sprint Cup race in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. But there was a big question hanging over his head entering 2010.

Could he do it again? And could he win under normal circumstances after the rain-shortened victory at Charlotte?

Reutimann answered with an emphatic yes! He won at Chicago in July, leading 52 laps and beating Carl Edwards and Jeff Gordon to the finish line.

Other highlights included an impressive runnerup finish at Bristol after challenging Kyle Busch for the win and a fourth-place finish at Talladega.

Though he missed the Chase and was wildly inconsistent, Reutimann had six top-five and nine top-10 finishes for Michael Waltrip Racing to wind up 18th in the final standings.

Carl Edwards

Carl Edwards delivered back-to-back wins for Roush Fenway Racing to end the 2010 season. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

The biggest surprise with Edwards is that he wound up on this list.

For much of the season, as his winless streak continued to grow, Edwards appeared headed for the “biggest disappointments” list. But once Roush Fenway Racing turned things around in the second half, Edwards was a big beneficiary.

Edwards began to string together consistent finishes in July and August to get off the Chase bubble and earn a spot in the 10-race playoff.

Then, with the season winding down, Edwards finally kicked it into high gear, winning the final two races of the season, including a dominating performance in the season finale at Homestead.

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