Top 5 NASCAR moments of the year

There's no such thing as a quiet NASCAR season. 

The 2014 season was packed with action on and off the track. Here are five moments, both low and high, that defined the sport.

Junior wins Daytona 500

NASCAR's most popular driver made an early statement at the sport's crown jewel event.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. entered the Daytona 500 on a winless 55-race drought while not having won The Great American Race in 10 years.

That ended emphatically Feb. 23. Earnhardt endured a six-hour weather delay in the middle of the race and held off Denny Hamlin in the final two laps for the checkered flag.

Gordon, Keselowski brawl at Texas

Even people oblivious to NASCAR will remember this.

Jeff Gordon and Brad Keselowski came to blows Nov. 2 at Texas Motor Speedway. Gordon was steamed after late contact with Keselowski ruined what could have been a victory. Watch what happens next:

Ron Burgundy gets the last word on this.

Old man Shepherd wrecks young punk Logano

This isn't necessarily an important moment, but it's the most hilarious.

Then 72-year-old Morgan Shepherd was 14 laps behind when he collided with Joey Logano at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July.

Logano was running second at the time of the accident and actually finished one spot behind Shepherd at the back of the field. 

After the race, the 24-year-old wasn't in the mood to show respect for his elders.

“It’s just dumb that it happened. I feel like this isn’t stuff that should be happening at this level of racing,” said Logano. “I feel like there should be a driver’s test, but I guess there isn’t.”

Stewart returns following death of Ward

A different Tony Stewart emerged following the death of Kevin Ward Jr.

Stewart went into seclusion after he hit and killed Ward during a sprint car race on Aug. 9. He missed three races and was visibly shaken when he finally spoke publicly Aug. 26.

Stewart finished 41st in his first race back and eventually had his streak of 15 years with at least one victory end.

“I don’t know if it will ever be normal again,” Stewart said in September after being cleared of wrongdoing. “Whether I ever get back to that or not, hopefully after this, somehow I will be a better person. That’s all I can hope for.”

Harvick wins his first Sprint Car title

No one can say Kevin Harvick didn't have to fight for his first-career championship.

Harvick, Hamlin, Logano and Ryan Newman entered Homestead as the final four Chase drivers. Whoever finished in the highest position would win the championship.

Harvick qualified fifth ahead of his competition, then used fresh tires to pass 13 cars in the final six laps to hold off Newman and win the race.

“Holy cow, this is unbelievable,” Harvick said as he cross the line.

He could have said that about the whole season.