What happened in Chuunin exam?? I got the vibe Sasuke was more important than Naruto in those chapters. Who can forget the whole stadium wanting to see Uchiha and then his late entry and showing off 
Allow me:
Everyone sees him the kitten because he inherited the name Uchiha and he also shown good progress despite his attitude. Neji, Lee, and Gaara saw him someone they really want to fight. Naruto was seen as a guy you can easily brushed because come on, that idiot being good. give me a break. That's the start.
Now enter the preliminary rounds. Sasuke went first and then gone for a while. Now we finally see Naruto as someone that they shouldn't brush away. Neji sees him nothing still, but Lee starts to take a liking of his fire so to speak. Gaara is watching. Everyone is proven to take him more serious. Even Kabuto already know that he's something more than meets the eyes. Not to mention, he's ruining the plan for Orochimaru. Lastly, Sasuke was last seen not liking when Naruto kept going to fight those clones while he looked like he was exhausted.
Round 3, this time the crowd from everywhere is watching. Neji saw him as a strong man to the point he saw a different view. Everyone became a fan. Sasuke enters but no contest because war escalated. He then find Gaara at his worst form which still dominated Sasuke. Naruto enters and everyone in there was just awed. Naruto won and changed Gaara, which his siblings cannot believe not one bit.
Aftermath, Sakura has taken great respect, People are becoming a fan of him (Look at Pain arc with people new reactions chapter), and sadly, Sasuke becomes more and more jealous to the point it also become his most troublesome situation next to Itachi.
So....who shined?