Ricky Craven hadn’t competed full time in Winston Cup racing for three years, but car owner Cal Wells believed he had a driver who could get the job done.

The35-year-old Craven, who suffered post-concussion syndrome after several crashes in 1996, proved Wells right by scoring his first career win, at Martinsville, and capturing his fourth career pole, at Michigan.

He was chosen The Sporting News’ Comeback Driver of the Year, receiving 40 percent of the votes in a close vote. Craven edged Ricky Rudd and Sterling Marlin, who tied for second.

TSN’s balloting for its awards is based on peer recognition: We asked drivers to vote for drivers, crew chiefs to vote for crew chiefs, and so on. Gordon was nearly a unanimous pick, chosen on all but one of the ballots cast.

Craven never forgot his wife’s advice: “Tough times don’t last; tough people do.”

“There are times when things aren’t going perfectly, and things might not be coming easily, but is it life-threatening?” Craven says. “There’s not the sense of panic I may have had a few years ago. I certainly came back this year more hungry and determined than ever but with the value of perspective.”

Craven says he drew strength from watching his mother battle to survive lymphoma, and he has shown the racing world that he’s a survivor, too.

Driver of the Year: Jeff Gordon

Love him or hate him, you have to respect Jeff Gordon. His accomplishments in the last seven years – four Winston Cup championships, 58 career wins and 39 pole positions in 293 starts – are enough to earn him a spot among the top 10 athletes of the last decade. Add in Gordon’s tenacity in climbing back to the top of his sport after a year of transition and disappointment, and it’s no wonder he’s the choice as the first recipient of The Sporting News’ Driver of the Year award.

Gordon took the points lead with 17 races to go and never relinquished first place after that.

Crew of the Year: No. 24

When Robert Yates signed the Rainbow Warriors away from the 24 car at the end of the 1999 season, he bought the best over-the-wall crew in the business.

Hendrick Motorsports was left to start from scratch in building a pit crew for the No. 24. A driver and crew don’t learn each other’s tendencies overnight, but through practice and coaching, the team developed the consistency it needed. The crew helped propel Jeff Gordon to the 2001 title, and it was chosen The Sporting News’ Crew of the Year, selected on 60 percent of the ballots. Matt Kenseth’s crew, which won the crew competition at Rockingham, was second with 25 percent of the votes.

Crew members for the 24 car are jackman Chris Anderson; front tire changer Todd Gantt; front tire carrier Craig Currione; rear tire changer Shane Church; rear tire carrier Steve Letarte, and gasman Jeff Craven.

Top Crew Chief: Robbie Loomis

Robbie Loomis always had the potential to be a championship-caliber crew chief; he just needed the resources and the driver. Enter Hendrick Motorsports and Jeff Gordon, who had won three Winston Cup championships with Ray Evernham as crew chief.

Loomis, 37, is The Sporting News’ Crew Chief of the Year. He was chosen on 75 percent of the ballots. Kevin Hamlin, crew chief for Kevin Harvick was the only other crew chief with more than one vote.

Although Loomis’ tenure at Petty Enterprises wasn’t nearly as successful, he still credits Richard Petty for teaching him how to work with people.

Toughest Driver: Earnhardt Jr.

It’s no coincidence that Dale Earnhardt Jr. was selected as the first recipient of The Sporting News’ Dale Earnhardt Toughest Driver Award. It wasn’t just a sentimental choice, either.

He proved that he’s a fighter. Just one look at his style – not to mention picking up wins at Daytona and Talladega, tracks that made his late father famous – and it’s easy to see that the apple doesn’t fall far from this family tree.

Earnhardt got 65 percent of the votes; runner-up Ricky Rudd got 15 percent.

Rookie of Year: Kevin Harvick

Kevin Harvick had the greatest challenge on the Winston Cup circuit in 2001: Fill the driving shoes of the late Dale Earnhardt, a seven-time champion, and rally his team around him.

Members of Richard Childress’ top squad soon nicknamed their driver “Happy” because he slowly lifted the team’s spirits and began to perform in a style reminiscent of Earnhardt. His success brought him The Sporting News’ first NASCAR Rookie of the Year Award.