The decade of the 2000's provided some of the most fantastic finishes the sport has to offer. However, there were ten finishes that stood out in my mind. Before we get to the top ten, I listed the finishes that barely missed the cut.
Honorable mentions include 2004 Banquet 400 at Kansas, 2005 Ford 400 at Homestead, 2007 Food City 500 at Bristol, 2004 Samsung Radio Shack 500 at Texas, 2005 Coca Cola 600, 2007 Goody's Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville, 2008 Daytona 500, 2002 Aaron's 499 at Talladega, 2009 Coke Zero 400 at Daytona, 2001 Dura Lube 400 at Rockingham, 2007 UAW-Ford 500 at Talladega, 2002 Sharpie 500 at Bristol, 2003 Subway 400 at Rockingham, 2002 Daytona 500, 2008 Camping World 400 at Kansas
10. 2007 Daytona 500 at Daytona
Mark Martin was the sentimental favorite, but Kevin Harvick was not to be denied on this day. Clint Bowyer had a wild ride.
9. 2009 Aaron's 499 at Talladega
Carl Edwards ends the race on his feet, not in his car.
8. 2000 Winston 500 at Talladega
What made this finish so special was the fact that the race winner was in seventeenth position with less than four laps to go.
7. 2000 Pocono 500 at Pocono
It was rare to see a driver outmuscle Dale Earnhardt for the win, but Jeremy Mayfield shocked the NASCAR world with his bold move on the final turn of the final lap at Pocono.
6. 2005 Golden Corral 500 at Atlanta
No other track produced as many photo finishes as the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Check out the Carl Edwards/Jimmie Johnson duel to the finish.
Decade in review articles
Top five most significant moments
Top ten confrontations, part 1
Top ten confrontations, part 2
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