NASCAR 2006 Season: Top Five Disappointments

5.Carl Edwards

In 2005, Carl Edwards completed his first full season in NASCAR Nextel Cup competition as the hottest driver as he scored 4 wins, 13 top fives, and 18 top tens. So naturally, he was predicted by many analysts to hoist the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup championship trophy. Well, an old myth swears by the sophomore slump, and Edwards made this myth a little credible. It's not as if Edwards suffered through a flat-out miserable season, he just simply did not live up to the towering expectations that were placed before him. Edwards started to pick up the pace throughout the final ten races, and actually finished out the season with a little momentum. But the doughnut in the win column cannot be ignored, therefore, Edwards is the fifth most disappointing driver of 2006.

4.Kurt Busch

When Kurt Busch won at Bristol in March, it appeared that the conversion from Roush Racing Fords to Penske Racing Dodges would not affect his status as one of NASCAR's elite drivers, however, Busch would hit a free fall and score only one top ten in the next eight races following his first and only win of 2006. Many analysts anticipated a struggle, but few expected Kurt Busch to finish 16th in the final Nextel Cup standings. Busch only scored seven top fives and twelve top tens, and endured his worst season since his rookie year in 2001. Other than a string of five consecutive top tens throughout the summer months, Busch never really threatened for a spot in the Chase for the Championship.

3.Jeremy Mayfield