AJ Allmendinger

AJ Allmendinger's journey is almost complete. With a new contract, sponsor extensions and a solid one-car team at JTG Daugherty Racing, Allmendinger became a winner in Sprint Cup for the first time on a somber Sunday, outdueling Marcos Ambrose in the final two laps at Watkins Glen International.

AJ Allmendinger was so close he could almost envision coasting through his final lap and capturing the checkered flag.

Team owner Roger Penske gave AJ Allmendinger a second chance. Now they both have a trophy to show for it -- and, perhaps, the foundation of a rebuilt racing career.

Tony Kanaan had one more lap, one anticlimactic last lap under the yellow caution flag, to end 12 years of frustration in the Indianapolis 500. Kanaan is Indy's hard-luck loser no more. He is its champion at last, fittingly with a dose of good luck for a change.