Mark Martin finished second to Jimmie Johnson in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points for the 2009 season. (Photo: Getty Images)

NO. 3

Mark Martin

Old Man River drank from the Hendrick Racing Fountain of Youth and posted a season for the ages.

At age 50, Martin drove like someone 20 years younger, winning five races after no wins the previous three seasons and finishing series runner-up to Hendrick teammate Johnson.

Martin isn’t the DOTY, but he certainly rivals Johnson for Story of the Year.

NO. 4

Kyle Busch

Yes, yes, we know. Busch didn’t race well enough to qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup. But how can you argue against a season in which this immensely talented wheelman posted 20 wins (four Cup; nine Nationwide, including the series title; and seven truck)?

You can’t. Not really.

Forget about his brash behavior at times (OK, a lot of the time). The kid can motor. And he’s fun to watch, fan or not.

NO. 5

Dario Fanchitti

So what did this Scotsman do for fun after exiting the Sprint Cup circuit following last season?

Oh, he just returned to the Indy Racing League and won five races, including the driving title.

While Franchitti didn’t make the Indianapolis 500 a signature win, he did become only the third driver to win more than one IRL crown.

That should count for something. In this corner’s eyes, it does.

– Mark Armijo is the former long-time auto-racing beat writer for the Arizona Republic in Phoenix and a frequent contributor to RacinToday.com