AWARDS and VOTING page
Recent News on Awards and Honors
- NMPA, Home Depot team up for award: Home Depot announced it is partnering with the National Motorsports Press Association to present a humanitarian award. This year's winner will be named during the NMPA Myers Brother Awards in Las Vegas.
The award recognizes an individual in the NASCAR community who has shown a dedication to to helping others and improving communities through service and giving. Home Depot will award the winner a $100,000 donation for a charity of the recipeint's choice.
"Giving back is a fundamental value of the Home Depot," said Frank Bifulco, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Home Depot.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(5-5-2009)
- Poole receives NMPA Spirit Award: David Poole is the first quarter recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association Spirit Award for his efforts to help a family burdened by medical bills. The award comes three days after Poole died of a heart attack. The NMPA Spirit Award is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. Each year, quarterly winners are selected, and an overall winner is determined by a vote of the NMPA membership. The 2009 overall winner will be announced during the NMPA's annual convention and awards ceremony in January 2010. Also receiving votes were Denny Hamlin and Bristol Motor Speedway. Poole, who wrote for The Charlotte Observer, started the foundation called Pennies for Wessa after writing a story about Wessa Miller in February 2008. Miller, who suffers from spina bifida, gave Dale Earnhardt a penny that he attached to the car’s dashboard before he won the 1998 Daytona 500. After the story, Poole kept in contact with the family, saw their struggles and sought to help them. The program and family gained more attention in March at Bristol when Miller and her family were invited to the track. The NASCAR Foundation held an online auction with proceeds going to Pennies for Wessa. Along with contributions from those in the sport, more than $10,000 was raised.(NMPA PR)(5-2-2009)
- Chris Economaki Named 2009 Recipient of Pocono Raceway’s Bill France Award of Excellence: Chris Economaki, the Dean of Motorsports Journalists, has been named the 2009 recipient of Pocono Raceway’s Bill France Award of Excellence. The Pocono Raceway Bill France Award of Excellence has been presented annually to the person, corporation or organization that has made outstanding contributions to the sport of Sprint Cup Series Racing. This prestigious award, first presented in 1977, is dedicated to the inspiration of William H.G. France, founder of NASCAR. Economaki’s selection is especially significant since it marks the first time a journalist has been named to receive this award.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, on October 15, 1920, Economaki has been involved in racing most of his life. He saw his first race at the age of nine and was hooked for life. By the time he was 14, he was a fixture around race tracks doing anything he could to be involved with the sport. He began selling a daily newspaper, which had a racing section, in the grandstands of many tracks. When the National Racing News became a spin-off of the daily newspaper, he began writing his first by-line columns. He later took over as editor, publisher and owner of National Speed Sport News and turned it into the most influential weekly motorsports publication in the country. The newspaper is considered “America’s Weekly Motorsports Authority” and Chris continues to write his column “The Editors Notebook” which has appeared in National Speed Sport News for more than 50 years.
Chris became one of the most popular track announcers in the 1940’s and 1950’s. His style grew to legendary status and soon caught the attention of ABC and CBS television executives in the early 1960’s. He covered many of the world’s major auto racing events for TV including the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500 and the 24 Hours of LeMans in a TV career that spanned four decades.
“Chris Economaki gained the respect of the entire racing community for his fair and insightful reporting and enjoys a first-name relationship with the entire automotive and racing world,” stated Dr. Joseph Mattioli, Pocono Raceway Chairman of the Board. “Chris Economaki helped bring NASCAR onto the national scene and I am honored to announce that Chris has been named the recipient of Pocono Raceway’s 2009 Bill France Award of Excellence,” concluded Dr. Mattioli.
The Pocono Raceway Bill France Award of Excellence, a beautifully sculptured and highly polished piece of anthracite coal mined in Pennsylvania, will be presented to Chris Economaki at an award ceremony on Saturday, June 6, 2009. This ceremony is part of the festivities leading up to the June 7, 2009 POCONO 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Pocono Raceway.
Chris Economaki joins the prestigious list of Pocono Raceway’s Bill France Award of Excellence winners listed below:
POCONO RACEWAY’S BILL FRANCE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNERS
1977 Bill France
1978 Winston
1979 Purolator
1980 Union Oil
1981 The Petty Family
1982 G.H. Long
1983 STP
1984 Goodyear
1985 GNRWA ( Now WOW Wives Auxiliary)
1986 MRN (Motor Racing Network)
1987 Grand National Scene (Now NASCAR Scene)
1988 Charlotte Motor Speedway
1989 Ned Jarrett
1990 T. Wayne Robertson
1991 ESPN
1992 MRO (Motor Racing Outreach)
1993 The Allison Family
1994 Rev. Hal Marchman
1995 The Wood Bros.
1996 Clay Earles/Paul Sawyer
1997 Junie Dunlavey/Bud Moore
1998 NASCAR
1999 Rick Hendrick
2000 Robert Yates
2001 Joe Gibbs
2002 Richard Childress
2003 Jack Roush
2004 Dr. Dean L. Sicking and The Midwest Roadside Safety Facility
2005 Nextel
2006 Sunoco, Inc.
2007 James Hylton
2008 Jim France
2009 Chris Economaki
(Pocono Raceway PR)(2-18-2009)
- Goody’s Headache Powders Receives Joe Littlejohn Award: Longtime sponsor of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) and motorsports racing, Goody’s Headache Powders was the recipient of the 2008 NMPA Joe Littlejohn Award presented annually at the NMPA Convention Awards Dinner. Goody’s has sponsored the annual NMPA luncheon for over 25 years, including this year’s event held prior to the awards dinner. The Joe Littlejohn Award is presented each year to a person or persons, or an organization, in recognition for outstanding service to the NMPA as is determined by the president of the NMPA. It is named after the former track owner from Spartanburg, S.C. Littlejohn is credited with two career NASCAR starts, but raced extensively before the formation of NASCAR. Goody’s entered NASCAR in 1977 and currently holds the record as the longest non-automotive sponsor in the sport.(PR)(1-31-2009)
- Childress receives Tribute Award: Richard Childress accepted the North Carolina Motorsports Association’s (NCMA) Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award Monday evening at the third annual NCMA industry awards ceremony at the Embassy Suites Convention Hall. Childress, who celebrated his 40th anniversary as a NASCAR Cup Series team owner in 2008, was recognized for his accomplishments in motorsports, his compassion and philanthropic efforts off the track, and for his individual integrity and character. Childress was introduced by last year’s recipient, “King” Richard Petty. The event also honored companies and institutions whose efforts in 2008 greatly impacted the motorsports industry in North Carolina in 10 distinct categories: 1. Education, Two-Year Central Piedmont Community College 2. Education, Four-Year Belmont Abby College 3. Workforce Diversity Winston-Salem State University 4. Marketing, Regional Food Lion Auto Fair 5. Marketing, National NASCAR’s Home Track Campaign 6. Event Facilities Z-Max Dragway 7. Economic Development Mooresville – South Iredell 8. Safety Innovation B.R.A.K.E.S 9. Small Company SRI 10. Large Company CV Products The NCMA is the voice of the motorsports industry in North Carolina, representing businesses that support more than 26,000 jobs in the state.(NCMA PR)(1-29-2009)
- Writers David Poole, Mike Hembree awarded by NMPA: A pair of veteran racing writers have received top honors from the National Motorsports Press Association for their work in 2008. David Poole of The Charlotte Observer and Mike Hembree of NASCAR Scene were announced as the 2008 George Cunningham Award winners in the NMPA's meetings at Concord, N.C. Poole's feature story about a Kentucky girl's relationship with Dale Earnhardt, headlined "Wessa's lucky penny," along with columns about track owner Bruton Smith, the 50th anniversary of Petty Enterprises and other topics, were cited in the daily newspaper/Internet division. Poole also won the Cunningham award in 2001, '05 and 2006. Hembree's recognition came for his work in the the non-daily paper division. He also took the honor last year and three other times (1992, '95 and 2002) while working at the Greenville (SC) News.(Charlotte Observer)(1-21-2009) Comment here
- NMPA honors Edwards, Warren and Roberts: The National Motorsports Press Association awarded Carl Edwards its annual NMPA Richard Petty Driver of the Year in recognition of his stellar performance in NASCAR’s top two divisions in 2008. “It's an honor to win the Richard Petty Driver of the Year Award,’’ Edwards said. “The National Motorsports Press Association members see this sport from the inside out every week and it means a lot to me to be selected by that group as the Driver of the Year. It's also humbling to look at the list of guys that have won this award. It's amazing to be on that list.’’ Edwards finished as runner-up in both the Cup and Nationwide standings in 2008 for Roush Fenway Racing.
The late photographer T. Taylor Warren was selected as the recipient of the NMPA/Pocono Spirit Award, an annual award designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. Each year, quarterly winners are selected, and an overall winner is selected by a vote of the NMPA membership.
Veteran publicist Tom Roberts was selected as the recipient of the Ken Patterson Helping Others Award by the NMPA. From February 1984 to June 2002, Roberts worked 539 consecutive NASCAR Cup races, representing sponsors, drivers and teams. During his career, he has represented such drivers as Bobby Allison, Alan Kulwicki, Rusty Wallace and Kurt Busch. Presented annually since 2004, the Ken Patterson Helping Others Award is named after the former director of public relations for Talladega Superspeedway. The award is presented in conjunction with Talladega Superspeedway and recognizes a public relations representative in the motorsports industry (team, track, and sanctioning body) who has exhibited the kind, generous qualities that Patterson always demonstrated. Patterson died April 2, 2004, from complications of myelo dysplasia syndrome.(SPEEDtv.com)(1-20-2009) Comment here
- Langenstein honored as 2008 Papa Joe Hendrick Award of Excellence: Charlie Langenstein, mechanical director for the Hendrick Motorsports # 24 and # 48 Sprint Cup Chevrolets driven by Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson was awarded the 2008 Papa Joe Hendrick Award of Excellence on December 19, 2008 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Spa in Concord, North Carolina during the annual Hendrick Motorsports Company Christmas Party. A 40 year motorsports veteran and 9 year employee of Hendrick Motorsports, Charlie was voted by his fellow teammates and company peers as the winner of this very prestigious award. While a select and deserving group of nominees throughout the Hendrick Motorsports complex were considered, Charlie Langenstein was selected as the person who stood out the most among this honored group.
The Papa Joe Hendrick Award of Excellence was started in 1995 and each year a Hendrick Motorsports employee is selected. It is awarded annually to the Hendrick Motorsports team member displaying outstanding job performance, leadership, teamwork and contributions above and beyond expectations in order to help the organization succeed.
While Charlie's accomplishments are many throughout his racing career, 2008 was exceptional good year. In May Charlie was inducted into the Dirt Motorsports Hall of Fame in Weedsport New York, and in December he celebrated the2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship and 3rd in a row for the Team Lowes #48 Chevrolet driven by Jimmie Johnson and the Chad Knaus lead team. While winning the Papa Joe Hendrick award is the most prestigious award that can be bestowed upon any employee at the Hendrick Motorsports Corporation, Charlie looks at this award as the "Heisman Trophy" in motorsports. I feel so honored to be considered, let alone to win this award Charlie stated. "Words cannot express how much this award means to me and my family and to be considered in the same sentence as Papa Joe Hendrick, this is quite an honor. I had the honor to know Papa Joe when I worked on his 25 team with Jerry Nadeau as the driver. Pop would always come to his shop and give us some great advice for our group. He really had some knowledge about the sport and he always shared it with us. Papa Joe was well respected in the motorsports community and is missed by us all", Charlie shared. What Charlie is most proud of is he and his lovely wife Beth's involvement with the many Local and National Children's Charities. Among those groups are the Riley and Friends Awareness Program named after their 6 year old daughter Riley Nikole Langenstein. Riley and Friends Awareness centers their energy around special needs children with Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy and they help many young children that suffer from these setbacks. "My wife Beth deserves to share in all of these awards that I have won this past year as she is the backbone to any of my success", Charlie recently stated. "It truly is an honor to work for Mr. Hendrick and to be associated with his organization and the elite group of people that he has assembled at Hendrick Motorsports. I look at ALL of the 550 plus staff here at HMS and I consider each and every one of them champions, Charlie concluded".
Past Winners of the Papa Joe Hendrick Award of Excellence
2007-Robert Thorpe
2006- Rick Wetzel
2005- Rick Hendrick
2004- Randy Dorton, Jennifer Hendrick, John Hendrick, Kimberly Hendrick, Ricky Hendrick, Joe Jackson, Scott Lathram, Elizabeth "Liz" Morrison, Jeff Turner
2003- Jim Wall
2002- Ken Howes
2001- Brian Whitesell
2000- Dan Lohwasser
1999- Dennis Connor
1998-John Hendrick
1997- Rick Hendrick
1996- Ken Schrader
1995- Jim McKenzie.(PR)(1-16-2009)
- AARWBA Titus Trophy to Schumacher: Tony Schumacher, whose record-setting NHRA drag racing season was capped with a fifth consecutive Top Fuel championship, was announced as winner of the Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy at Saturday night’s 39th annual American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association All-America Team [AARWBA] ceremony, presented by A1GP World Cup of Motorsport. In the closest margin in over a quarter-century, Schumacher edged NASCAR Sprint Cup titlist Jimmie Johnson by one vote. Shirley Muldowney received one vote more than Bobby Allison in 1982. The Titus Trophy is awarded to the driver who receives the most All-America Team votes. It is named in memory of the late journalist and racer, who was an AARWBA member. It is the highest honor offered by AARWBA, the country’s oldest and largest organization of motorsports media professionals. AARWBA members annually elect drivers to the Team from seven categories: Stock car, open-wheel, drag racing, road racing, short track, touring series and at-large. Other Team drivers to earn Horsepower Trophies were: Cruz Pedregon (drag racing); Johnson and Carl Edwards (stock car); Scott Dixon and Helio Castroneves (open wheel); Scott Pruett/Memo Rojas and David Brabham/Scott Sharp (road racing); Johnny Benson and Justin Allgaier (touring series); Jerry Coons Jr. and Donny Schatz (short track); Jorg Bergmeister/Wolf Henzler and Raphael Matos (at-large).
Several special awards were presented:
Pioneer In Racing Award: Dave McClelland, the legendary NHRA announcer and broadcaster, was honored for longtime dedication and achievement that has made a difference in the sport. The Pioneer is one of AARWBA’s oldest and most prestigious awards and this was the first time it was presented to someone in the media. McClelland was the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. Co-Chairperson Susan Wade made the introduction and presentation.
Jim Chapman Award: Judy Stropus received the honor for excellence in motorsports public relations. It is named in memory of Chapman, the late legendary PR executive, who was Babe Ruth’s PR rep and director of racing for CART series sponsor PPG Industries. Stropus, representing Don Schumacher Racing, was chosen by a blue-ribbon committee of journalists, all of whom knew Chapman. The plaque was presented by ceremony Co-Chairman Michael Knight and AARWBA Southern Vice President Mike Harris, both close friends of Chapman.
Appreciation Awards: Ford, Honda, Toyota, Mazda and Porsche were recognized by President Dusty Brandel for their longtime support of the organization. All were represented at the ceremony.
Gorsline Scholarship: The 16th annual scholarship, given by John Gorsline of The Gorsline Co., went to Star Mazda series runner-up Joel Miller. The prize is awarded to an up-and-coming driver who displays the attributes of a future champion. Four-time SCCA Trans-Am champion and 1997 Titus winner Tommy Kendall made the presentation.(AARWBA PR)(1-13-2009) Comment here
- Kyle Busch named to 4th qtr Pocono Spirit Award: #18-Kyle Busch’s generosity to a former driver prompted voters to name him the fourth-quarter recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association Pocono Spirit Award. Busch was recognized for donating $100,000 to Sam Ard and his family after tying Ard’s single-season victory mark with his 10th win of the NASCAR Nationwide Series season, a win that came at Texas Motor Speedway. Ard, a two-time series champion, suffers from both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, creating massive medical bills. “Sam Ard is one of the pioneers of this [series], and to be tied with at 10 wins is something that’s pretty spectacular and really, really special to me,’’ Busch said after the win. “I’m going to try to help him out and see what I can do. It’s not much, but it’s something that can try to help.’’ The NMPA Pocono Spirit Award is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. Each year, quarterly winners are selected, and an overall winner is selected by a vote of the NMPA membership. The 2008 overall winner will be announced during the NMPA's annual convention and awards ceremony in January 2009. Also receiving votes were Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon and NASCAR. Sprint Cup driver Juan Pablo Montoya was the first-quarter winner. Longtime NASCAR photographer T. Taylor Warren was the second-quarter winner, and team owner Richard Childress claimed the third-quarter honor.(SceneDaily)(12-16-2008)
- Edwards wins award as best racer: NASCAR ace Carl Edwards was awarded the inaugural TAG Heuer Racing Award at Saturday’s Race of Champions preview press conference. The Award was set up by TAG Heuer this year to attempt to determine who is statistically the best racing driver in the world. A team of eight jurors has statistically analysed the weekly performances of more than 150 drivers from F1, GP2, NASCAR and the World Rally Championship. Edwards’ nine victories in this year’s NASCAR championship saw him finish ahead of the likes of five times World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb and 2008 F1 World Championship protagonists, Felipe Massa and eventual champion, Lewis Hamilton.(F1-Live) Edwards lost in the first round of the Race of Champions to Jaime Alguersuari.(12-14-2008) Comment here
- 2008 Auto Racing All-America Team named: The polls have closed for voters choosing 2008 All-America Auto Racing Team and five drivers with landslides of more than 70% of the vote are contenders for the Jerry Titus Award -- the team's Driver of the Year. Who those five are is not revealed until the All-America ceremonies in Ontario, Calif., on Jan. 10 but they will come from among the 17 drivers named to the First Team by the voting members of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association. Three former Titus winners are on the team this year -- Indy Car champions Tony Kanaan (2004) and Dan Wheldon (2005), and NHRA Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher (2006) but only Schumacher bids to repeat this year. The 2008 American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association all-American team consists of Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon, Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson, David Brabham and Scott Sharp, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, Cruz Pedregon, Tony Schumacher, Jerry Coons Jr., Justin Allgaier, Johnny Benson, Jorg Bergmeister and Wolf Henzler and Raphael Matos. Awards will be presented at a banquet Jan. 10, in Ontario, CA. More info at aarwba.org.(AARWBA PR)(12-8-2008)
- Championship “Tire Specialist” award announced: Champion Tire & Wheel announced the winner of the annual “Consistently Smooth” award. Sean Kerlin, tire specialist for Hendrick Motorsports #48 team, is the recipient for the 3rd straight year. The award recognizes the skill and effort of the team’s tire specialist in overseeing the organization and management of their tire and wheel program. The tire specialist is a critical piece in the formula for a championship team as it takes over 2,500 tires and wheels during the course of a full Sprint Cup season. The lead crystal trophy will be presented to Sean at the team’s shop with #48 team manager Michael Landis, and crew chief Chad Knaus. (Champion Tire and Wheel PR)(12-5-2008)
- Bob Bahre Named 2009 Buddy Shuman Award Winner: Bob Bahre, long a champion promoter and supporter of stock-car racing in the New England region, collected one of NASCAR’s most prestigious and longest-running awards today in New York City.
Bahre received the Buddy Shuman Award during the 2008 NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Media Luncheon. Presented since 1957, the award annually recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to NASCAR racing. It honors the late Buddy Shuman, a pioneering NASCAR driver who died in a hotel fire in Nov. 1955. “Bob was a pioneer in NASCAR’s growth in the northeast,” said NASCAR President Mike Helton. “He’s one of the most respected men in the sport – ever.” Bahre, 80, is the former owner of New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Oxford Plains Speedway. A resident of Paris Hill, Maine, he purchased what is now New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 1989 and re-opened it – following reconstruction and renovations – in 1990. NASCAR events have been held at the track since July 1990. Bahre also owned and operated Oxford Plains Speedway from 1986-’94. He’s also renowned for his collection of vintage cars, which he shares with the public each summer during a Founder’s Day festival in Paris Hill. As New England’s largest sports facility, New Hampshire Motor Speedway includes a 1.056-mile oval track and a 1.6-mile road course and room for 105,491 spectators. A new chapter in the track’s history began in Nov. 2007, when Bahre and his son Gary sold the facility to Speedway Motorsports Inc. More recognition is forthcoming: Bahre will be inducted into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame on Jan. 25, 2009.(NASCAR PR)(12-4-2008)
- NASCAR R&D Center Wins SAE Award: The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International Motorsports Engineering Conference Award was presented to the NASCAR Research and Development Center on Tuesday for its efforts towards “designing safer and more competitive vehicles.” NASCAR’s new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car, a seven-year project undertaken at the R&D Center, made its debut on the track in 2007 and was fully implemented into the series at the beginning of the 2008 season. The new car was designed with three primary goals in mind: improving driver safety, improving competition, and helping teams be more cost efficient. Peter Wright, FIA Technical Consultant and the conference’s keynote address speaker, presented the award to Mike Fisher, NASCAR’s Managing Director of the R&D Center. “The NASCAR R&D Center is honored to receive this award and our thanks and appreciation go out to all of the people in our industry who have been involved with the development of the new car, including the race teams, owners, manufacturers, and the staff here at the R&D Center,” said Fisher. “Safety is our #1 priority and is certainly an initiative that we work on every single day.”(NASCAR PR)(12-3-2008)
- Johnson named Sporting News Driver of the Year: Jimmie Johnson, who drove to a record-tying third consecutive Sprint Cup championship, is Sporting News’ 2008 Driver of the Year. Sporting News’ voting was conducted by a panel of 14 drivers, 14 crew chiefs and three owners from the Sprint Cup Series. The full awards appear in the new issue of Sporting News magazine, which hits newsstands later this week. Sporting News’ other winners:
— Dale Earnhardt Tough Driver of the Year: Carl Edwards
— Owner of the year: Rick Hendrick, Hendrick Motorsports
— Rookie of the Year: Regan Smith
— Crew chief of the year: Chad Knaus.(Sporting News)(12-3-2008) Comment here
- Johnson named March of Dimes Sportsman of the Year: #48-Jimmie Johnson, fresh off chalking up his third straight Sprint Cup Championship, will be rewarded in a different way on December 3 when he is honored as the 2008 March of Dimes Sportsman of the Year. Johnson will be presented by NASCAR CEO Brian France. Only the second NASCAR driver ever to win the Sprint Cup Series three consecutive times, Johnson will be joined by NBC Sports President Ken Schanzer (Corporate Leadership Award) and MLS Commissioner Don Garber (Sports Leadership Award) at the 25th Annual March of Dimes Sportsman of the Year Luncheon at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City. LPGA star Lorena Ochoa was named “Sportswoman of the Year”.(Taylor PR)(12-2-2008)
- Economaki Champion of Champions to be awarded National Speed Sport News will announce the sixth annual Economaki Champion of Champions presented by Speedway Motorsports, Inc., at the PRI Trade Show in Orlando, Fla., Dec. 11. Speedway Motorsports, Inc. will be presenting sponsor of the award for the first time, replacing Rockett Brand Racing Fuel, which previously supported the award that is annually given to the North American racing champion judged to have had the best season on and off the race track. J.J. Yeley was the first recipient of the award when he won the USAC Triple Crown in 2003. Since then, the trophy named for longtime NSSN editor Chris Economaki has been presented to Steve Kinser, Tony Schumacher, Jimmie Johnson and Donny Schatz, who won the award in 2007.(National Speed Sport News)(12-2-2008)
- Speed Performance Awards Voting Starts: SPEED opens fan voting for the third annual SPEED Performance Awards on Nov. 17 with an eye towards highlighting the year’s defining moments on and off the race track. The first three categories -- Biggest Hit, Oops Award and Best Move -- open for video voting at SPEEDtv.com (Keyword: Performance) on Monday with nominees from nine different sanctioning bodies, including NASCAR, Formula One, NHRA, the American Le Mans Series, Grand-Am, MotoGP, AMA Motocross and CORR, Indy Lights. Three more categories will open for voting on Nov. 24, with the final three opening for voting on Dec. 1. Voting for all categories will end at midnight on Dec. 14. Race fans across all disciplines will get to voice their opinions through SPEEDtv.com on the following awards:
* The OOPS Award (biggest mistake)
* Biggest Hit
* Temper, Temper
* Biggest Upset
* Best Rivalry
* Best Finish
* Best Move
* Best Comeback
* RACER Magazine Rookie of the Year
In addition to the fan-selected SPEED Performance Awards, SPEED will once again present the Mario Andretti Trophy, created by bronze artist Elie Hazak, to the SPEED Performer of the Year. Nominations are made and voted on by a panel of SPEED personalities, producers, former trophy winners and Andretti. All of the awards will be part of a one-hour SPEED Performance Awards special to air in February.(SPEED)(11-17-2008)
- Childress named NCMA Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award: Richard Childress will be the recipient of the North Carolina Motorsports Association’s Tribute Award at the group’s annual awards banquet on January 26, 2009, at the Embassy Suites Resort and Conference Center in Concord, NC. Childress is celebrating his 40th year as a NASCAR team owner in 2008, having amassed 11 championships, two Daytona 500 and two Brickyard 400 victories in addition to a lifetime of achievements on and off the track in his home state of North Carolina. As both a driver and team owner, Childress has been an integral part of NASCAR’s highest level of racing for five decades. His career as a driver spanned from 1969 to the middle of 1981 when he made the tough decision to step down as a driver but to remain a team owner with driver Dale Earnhardt. He built up his team and achieved his first Cup Series victory in 1983 with driver Ricky Rudd. Then in 1984, Earnhardt returned as Childress’s full-time driver, and together they went on to win six championships between 1986 and 1994. Still competing for championships to this day and continuing to grow, as Richard Childress Racing (RCR) will expand from a three-car to four-car operation in 2009, Childress is truly one of the most accomplished professionals in motorsports.
An avid hunter and outdoor conservationist, he contributes annually to the North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Foundation and has been a longtime supporter of the Winston-Salem Soap Box Derby. In July, he teamed up with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center to form the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma – creating what will become the nation’s most comprehensive institute for pediatric trauma. In 2004, Childress was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Jim Hunt, the state’s highest honor, and in May he was inducted to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. His passion for fine wine led to the founding of Childress Vineyards, a Napa Valley-influenced winery that produces quality North Carolina wines in Lexington, N.C. -- not far from his RCR race shop. Other winner’s of the NCMA’s Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award include Richard Petty and Benny Parsons. Additionally, winners of awards in 10 distinct categories will be determined by an NCMA member vote.(NCMA PR)(11-12-2008)
- Humpy Wheeler Wins Two Awards from the University of South Carolina: H.A. (Humpy) Wheeler, legendary auto racing promotor, will receive two prestigious awards from his alma mater, the University of South Carolina on Thursday [11/6]. The first will be the "Pioneer Award" from the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management for his award winning work in sports promotion the last 50 years particularly the 33 years he served as president of both Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte and Speedway Motorsports, Inc., the first motorsports company to go public on the New York Stock Exchange. The second award will honor him as the "Outstanding Alumni" at the Summit Club by the USC School of Journalism and Mass Communications and will be presented by current Dean and former CNN correspondent Charles Bierbauer. Wheeler is a 1961 journalism graduate of USC where he was a member of the football team, the Block C Club, Blue Key Honorary Society, Dean's List and Sigma Chi. He was also an outstanding amateur boxer with a 40-2 record and is a member of the Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame. Wheeler, known throughout the world of sports for his unique and creative promotions, left Speedway Motorsports and Lowe’s Motor Speedway last May after his 33rd Coca Cola 600 and formed The Wheeler Company with his son Trip and daughter Patti. The Wheeler Company is a management consulting operation primarily focused on providing innovative promotional and developmental ideas in the areas of professional sports, motorsports and general business A member of nine halls of fame including the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, Wheeler has won a bevy of national and state awards for his work in auto racing as well as civic endeavors and has been honored by three North Carolina governors for his work with his home state. The Pioneer in Sport and Entertainment Award recognizes an individual for an innovative contribution in the fields of sport, entertainment or venue management. This recipient has pioneered an idea, strategy, program or product that has altered the way our industry does business and resulted in an achievement generally recognized for its long term significance.(NASCAR PR)(11-6-2008)
- Inman receives Smokey Yunick Award: Legendary Petty Enterprises crew chief Dale Inman was awarded the Smokey Yunick Award prior to the start of the Bank of America 500 at Lowe's (N.C.) Motor Speedway. The award acknowledges outstanding achievement in the world of motorsports. Inman, the most decorated crew chief in NASCAR history, joined several of his colleagues with this recognition, including Glen and Leonard Wood, Ralph Moody and Bud Moore. While no driver has ever won more than Petty's seven NASCAR Sprint Cup titles, Inman has won eight as a crew chief. All seven of Petty's championships came under Inman's watch, along with 198 of his 200 record-setting wins. He won his eighth and final championship with Terry Labonte in 1984.(MCG Sprots/Petty Enterprises PR)(10-12-2008)
- Childress Honored:
NASCAR team owner Richard Childress has been named the third quarter recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association Pocono Spirit Award. Childress was recognized for his partnership with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in creating The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. The Institute’s goal is to help pave the way for others in the nation searching for ways to help save the lives of severely injured children and help those who survive on the road to recovery. The Childress family has donated $5 million to the Medical Center to initiate the project. Wake Forest Baptist and the Childress family are working with a number of corporations and individuals to raise the additional $20 million to establish the Childress Institute. The NMPA Pocono Spirit Award is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. Each year, quarterly winners are selected, and an overall winner is selected by a vote of the NMPA membership. The 2008 overall winner will be announced during the NMPA's annual convention and awards ceremony in January 2009. Also receiving votes in the third quarter were Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson. Juan Pablo Montoya was the first-quarter winner and longtime NASCAR photographer T. Taylor Warren was the second-quarter winner.(RCR Site)(10-3-2008)
- DW selected "Nashvillian of the Year": NASCAR legend and FOX Sports Broadcast analyst Darrell Waltrip has been selected to receive the prestigious "Nashvillian of the Year Award" from the Kiwanis Club of Downtown Nashville on Friday, August 1st at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel. Kiwanis International is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. The "Nashvillian of the Year Award" will be presented in the Crown Ballroom on the 10th floor at noon. Waltrip will be the 27th recipient of the award which was first awarded to Martha Rivers Ingram in 1980.
Darrell Waltrip, originally from Owensboro, KY, has been active in the middle Tennessee area since the late 1960's when he became a regular at the fairgrounds race track. Waltrip quickly became one of the nation's top short-track drivers and began racing fulltime as a NASCAR Winston Cup Competitor in 1975. Waltip recorded 84 NASCAR Winston Cup victories including 37 superspeedway victories and the 1989 Daytona 500. Waltrip raced his last Winston Cup season in 2000.
Darrell Waltip signed with FOX after his 2000 retirement. He began his career by calling the 2001 Daytona 500. His little brother, Michael Waltrip, won the race, but the victory was overshadowed by the tragic death of Dale Earnhart on a day all race fans will remember. Before joining with FOX, Waltrip had worked in film and television in a number of capacities including radio work with Ralph Emery on Nashville Now, Music City Tonight, and Prime Time Country. He starred in the Disney/Pixar movie, Cars, as Darrell Cartrip; and he also appeared in the broadcast booth in the movie Talledega Nights. In 2007, Waltrip was nominated for an Emmy in the category "Outstanding Event Analyst."
Waltrip has twice been a presenter for the Gospel Music Association Awards. In 2004 his autobiography, DW: A Lifetime Going Around in Circles, became a New York Times best -seller. In May 2004, Waltrip was featured in Jay Carty's One-on-0ne series of devotional books. Darrell Waltrip One-on-One: The Faith That took Him to the Finish Line is a sixty-day devotional book featuring Waltrip's stories and how they relate to faith.
Waltrip, a three time Winston Cup Champion, owns Darrell Waltrip Honda/Volvo in Franklin, TN where he currently lives with his wife Stevie. He has two daughters, Jessica and Sarah.(PR)(7-30-2008) Comment here
- Ken Howes honored at Indy with True Grit Award: Ken Howes was honored Sunday with the C&R Racing True Grit Award, which exemplifies outstanding achievement in racing and acknowledges dedicated crew chiefs and mechanics in the motor sports industry. Howes, Hendrick Motorsports' vice president of competition, was presented the award by Chris Paulsen, the president and owner of C&R Racing Inc. The honor is bestowed twice annually at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, prior to the Indianapolis 500 and Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. "I first met Ken Howes in 1989 when he went to work taking care of the Hendrick Corvette GTP car," said Paulsen, who established the $10,000 True Grit Award in 1998. "Coincidentally, they kept that race team in the old IndyCar shop that I worked in for many years previously on Gasoline Alley. I've worked with Ken and have been friends for many years, and he is the tireless worker behind the scenes that has a very large impact on the performance of Hendrick Motorsports. I'm very happy that Ken Howes was selected for this award, and he joins a long list of very accomplished NASCAR and IndyCar professionals."
Previous winners of the NASCAR True Grit Award include Barry Dodson, Ray Evernham, Jimmy Fennig, Tony Glover, Jimmy Makar, Buddy Parrott, Ryan Pemberton, Robby Reiser, Glen Wood and Leonard Wood. "When I was told about this, I thought someone was mistaken or perhaps confused," Howes joked. "The list of past winners is filled with people who I personally respect and admire, and it's a privilege to even be mentioned with them. Chris Paulsen and everyone at C&R Racing play a large role in our industry, and I am sincerely thankful to them for this honor. I'm fortunate to be a part of the racing community and to make a living doing what I love. To be recognized for that is truly humbling."(Hendrick Motorsports site)(7-30-2008)
- Johnson wins Best Driver ESPY: Jimmie Johnson, the two-time defending Sprint Cup Series champion, earned his first ESPY award on Wednesday. The driver of the #48 Chevy was honored with the Best Driver ESPY award during the 16th annual ESPN-hosted sports award show at Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. The award was determined by fans who voted online, and the competition was stiff. Johnson was competing for the fans' votes against current points leader Kyle Busch; 2007 Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti; 2008 Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon; Formula One standout Lewis Hamilton and four-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher. The ESPY Awards will be televised at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday on ESPN.(Hendrick Motorsports PR) (7-17-2008) Comment here
- Five NASCAR-related nominations for the ESPY Awards: There are five NASCAR-related nominations for this year’s 16th annual ESPY Awards. #18-Kyle Busch is involved in three of the five. At last summer’s Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway, #26-Jamie McMurray edged Busch for the victory by a margin of only .005-seconds, the second-closest margin since NASCAR instituted electronic scoring in 1993. That spectacular under-the-lights ending has been nominated in the “Best Finish” category. Busch also is nominated in the “Best Breakthrough Athlete” category and in the “Best Driver” category. Two-time defending Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson and Dario Franchitti also are nominated for Best Driver. Franchitti’s nomination was based primarily on his splendid 2007 season in open-wheel racing, when he won the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar Series championship. The “2008 ESPYs” will be held July 16 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. This marks the first time for the show at the Nokia Theatre, following a six-year run at the Kodak Theatre. The show – hosted annually by ESPN – will be televised on Sunday, July 20 at 9pm/et on ESPN and ESPN HD, hosted by Justin Timberlake. All awards are determined by an online fan vote. Fans can vote on-line for their favorites in all ESPY categories by going to:promo.espn.go.com.(NASCAR PR)(7-3-2008)
- Allison honored at Dover: There aren’t many accolades a driver can have at Dover International Speedway that Bobby Allison doesn’t already have. He’s the all-time leader in laps led at the track. He’s tied with Richard Petty for most wins at Dover with seven. One of the grandstands on the frontstretch is named for him. So, given all that, it’s fitting that Allison was the first driver to be honored on Dover’s newest monument. The Monster Monument at Victory Plaza presented by AAA, to be exact, which was erected this month, now displays Bobby Allison’s name among its ring of honor that’s reserved for drivers who have had immense career success. The plaque was unveiled as part of a ceremony on Saturday afternoon.(Dover Intl Speedway)(6-1-2008)
- ESPN.com Selects Top 25 All Time Drivers: ESPN.com has asked a panel of 19 experts and former drivers to vote for the top drivers that piloted anything with wheels and an engine, and from those votes has compiled a list of the Top 25 drivers of all time. Spanning a wide range of racing disciplines the list is being revealed in segments this week on the leading sports site. The feature package launched Monday, by revealing the 25-21-ranked drivers and will reveal five drivers a day for the rest of the week, unveiling the 5-1-ranked drivers on Friday, leading into the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600. The list so far:
25. Steve Kinser
24. Nigel Mansell
23. Don Garlits
22. Niki Lauda
21. Shirley Muldowney
20. Darrell Waltrip
19. Emerson Fittipaldi
18. Alain Prost
17. Bobby Unser
16. Tony Stewart
15. Al Unser
14. Cale Yarborough
13. Jackie Stewart
12. John Force
11. Rick Mears
10. Jeff Gordon
9. Juan Manuel Fangio
8. Jim Clark
7. David Pearson
6. Richard Petty
5. Ayrton Senna
4. Michael Schumacher
3. Dale Earnhardt
2. Mario Andretti
1. A.J. Foyt
See the stoty, list and driver links at ESPN.com.(5-23-2008) Comment here on the Top 25
- Montoya named first-quarter winner of NMPA Pocono Spirit award: #42-Juan Pablo Montoya has been named the first quarter recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association Pocono Spirit Award. Montoya was recognized by NMPA members for the work he and his wife, Connie, do in support ofJuan Pablo Montoya their Formula Smiles Foundation in Colombia. NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France and a number of NASCAR executives visited Cartagena, Colombia, in March, where they saw one of the sites where Montoya's charity is helping children in need, teaching them sports and providing them with the facilities and resources to develop their learning. As part of NASCAR's support, France presented Montoya and his wife Connie a $25,000 from the NASCAR Foundation, to help the efforts of Formula Smiles. The NMPA Pocono Spirit Award is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. Each year, quarterly winners are selected, and an overall winner is selected by a vote of the NMPA membership. The 2008 overall winner will be announced during the NMPA's annual convention and awards ceremony in January 2009. Also receiving votes in the first quarter were NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers Kevin Harvick and Jamie McMurray, Motor Racing Outreach founder Max Helton and longtime NASCAR photographer T. Taylor Warren.(Pocono Raceway)(5-23-2008) Comment here
- Jim France Named Recipient of Pocono Raceway's Bill France Award of Excellence: James C. (Jim) France, vice chairman/executive vice president of NASCAR and chairman/CEO of International Speedway Corporation (ISC) has been named the 2008 recipient of Pocono Raceway's Bill France Award of Excellence. The Pocono Raceway Bill France Award of Excellence has been presented annually to the person, corporation or organization that has made outstanding contributions to the sport of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing. This prestigious award, first presented in 1977, is dedicated to the inspiration of William H.G. France, founder of NASCAR. Jim France is the son the late William H.G. ("Big Bill") France and, brother of former president and chairman/CEO of NASCAR, the late William C. ("Bill Jr.") France. He grew up in the early years of stock car racing, living and learning every aspect of the sport from his own experiences, and from his father and brother. Jim joined ISC in 1959 working in all phases of operations. He was elected to the ISC board in 1970 and has served as the company's secretary, assistant treasurer, vice president, chief operating officer and executive vice president before being named the company's president and chief operating officer in 1987.He was also named to the NASCAR Board of Directors in November 2000.
France has been involved in motorsports most of his life. He has been a strong supporter of motorcycle racing in the United States, evident by his professional involvement in the sport. He was active in Legends Car racing and the Allison "Legacy" Car Series. He was BF Goodrich Legends Cars national tour champion in 1992 and had a good deal of success in the Gatorade Florida Legends Series. He served as starter for the U.S. Motorcycle Grand Prix in the late 1960s, raced dirt track races for nearly five years and has been a member of the American Motorcyclist Association for more than 30 years. In addition, France has raced karts on both dirt and asphalt. France has served as a board member of ACCUS (Automobile Competition Committee of the United States). He was on active duty in the U.S. ARMY (1969-1970) where he served a stint in Vietnam. France was born and raised in Daytona Beach, Fla., and graduated from Seabreeze High School. He attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL., and earned a business degree in 1968.
"NASCAR was founded in 1948 and under the leadership, grit and determination of the France family, NASCAR's popularity grew from primarily on a regional level to national recognition. Today, millions of fans pack NASCAR venues across the country each year for what is arguably the most exciting form of motorsports entertainment," stated Pocono Raceway chairman and C.E.O. Dr. Joseph Mattioli. "Jim France has been a driving force behind NASCAR's success and we are proud to announce that he has been named the recipient of Pocono Raceway's 2008 Bill France Award of Excellence," concluded Dr. Mattioli.
"There is a special relationship and bond between the Mattioli and France families that goes back to the personal friendship Doc and Rose had with my parents, Bill and Anne. My brother and I had the pleasure to build on that friendship. Bill, Jr. worked closely with the Mattiolis throughout his life. I have been fortunate enough to do the same. The close relationship our families share has lasted, and has been extended now through three generations. Receiving the Bill France Award of Excellence is a true honor and an award I will cherish always," stated Jim France.
The Pocono Raceway Bill France Award of Excellence, a beautifully sculptured and highly polished piece of anthracite coal mined in Pennsylvania, will be presented to Jim France at an award ceremony on Saturday, June 7, 2008. This ceremony is part of the festivities leading up to the June 8, 2008 POCONO 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Pocono Raceway.
Jim France joins the prestigious list of Pocono Raceway's Bill France Award of Excellence winners listed below:
POCONO RACEWAY'S BILL FRANCE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNERS
1977 Bill France
1978 Winston
1979 Purolator
1980 Union Oil
1981 The Petty Family
1982 G.H. Long
1983 STP
1984 Goodyear
1985 GNRWA ( Now WOW Wives Auxiliary)
1986 MRN (Motor Racing Network)
1987 Grand National Scene (Now NASCAR Scene)
1988 Charlotte Motor Speedway
1989 Ned Jarrett
1990 T. Wayne Robertson
1991 ESPN
1992 MRO (Motor Racing Outreach)
1993 The Allison Family
1994 Rev. Hal Marchman
1995 The Wood Bros.
1996 Clay Earles/Paul Sawyer
1997 Junie Dunlavey/Bud Moore
1998 NASCAR
1999 Rick Hendrick
2000 Robert Yates
2001 Joe Gibbs
2002 Richard Childress
2003 Jack Roush
2004 Dr. Dean L. Sicking and The Midwest Roadside Safety Facility
2005 Nextel
2006 Sunoco, Inc.
2007 James Hylton
2008 Jim France
(Pocono Raceway)(5-2-2008)
- Hendrick's Langenstein to be honored: Charlie Langenstein, who works at Hendrick Motorsports will be honored as Mechanic of the Year Award during Northeast Modified Hall of Fame 2008 Induction Ceremonies on Sunday, May 25. Langenstein has molded a successful career that has carried him from the Syracuse Mile in New York State to the superspeedway of Daytona International in Florida. Currently residing in North Carolina, the New Jersey native first ventured to Nazareth, Reading and Flemington (NJ) Fair Speedway in 1972 and over the next two decades surfaced as one of the top wrenches in the Northeast. From 1976-82 Langenstein accompanied George Smith’s Statewide Racing team with Jimmy Horton behind the wheel, then joined forces with big-Block star Brett Hearn before building a car for notorious owner Tony Ferraiuolo and his driver Ken Brenn Jr. to close out the 80s. Charlie relocated to the Tar Heel State and helped Rob Moroso capture the NASCAR Grand National title in 1989 before working at the Kneisel Speed Shop in Pennsylvania from 1992-95 and serving a one-year stint with Team Freightliner owner Ray Bramall. Today, he is the technical supervisor for Hendrick Motorsports on the Cup circuit, overseeing everything mechanical for the cars driven by internationally acclaimed touring stars Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. More info at dirtcar.com.(4-4-2008)
- NASCAR represented in Sports Emmy Nominations: The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) announced the nominees for the 29th Annual Sports Emmy Awards at the IMG World Congress of Sports at the St. Regis Hotel in Monarch Bay/Dana Point, California. At the 29th Annual Sports Emmy Awards, winners in 30 categories including outstanding live sports special, sports documentary, studio show, play-by-play personality and studio analyst will be honored. The Awards will be given out at the prestigious Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center located in the Time Warner Center on April 28th, 2008 in New York City. Many of the leading sports broadcasters, personalities and television professionals will be presenters at the event. American Airlines and Thomson Grass Valley are the official sponsors of the 29th Annual Sports Emmy Awards. Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal is the exclusive magazine partner.
The list NASACR related shows nominated
Outstanding Live Sports Special: NASCAR on FOX: Daytona 500, FOX
Outstanding Live Sports Series: NASCAR on FOX, FOX
Outstanding Live Event Turnaround: Quest for the Cup, NASCAR Images
Outstanding Sports Documentary: Dale, NASCAR Images
Outstanding Studio Show Daily: NASCAR Now, ESPN2
Outstanding Open / Tease: Indianapolis 500, ABC
Outstanding Technical Team Remote: ESPN NASCAR, ABC / ESPN / ESPN2 & NASCAR on FOX, FOX
Outstanding Technical Team Studio: NASCAR on FOX, FOX
Outstanding Music Composition / Direction / Lyrics: Dale, NASCAR Images
Outstanding Live Event Audio / Sound: NASCAR on FOX, FOX
Outstanding Graphic Design: ESPN NASCAR, ABC / ESPN / ESPN2
The George Wensel Technical Achievement Award: ESPN NASCAR, Draft Track ABC / ESPN / ESPN2.(emmyonline.org)(3-14-2008) Comment here
- Force gets Glick Award: John Force, the winningest driver in the NHRA, was selected winner of the Justice Brothers Shav Glick Award on Sunday before the Auto Club 500. Force was in Phoenix, where his four John Force Racing teams competed in the Powerade Drag Racing Series. Force's other three daughters accepted the award named after the late motor racing writer for The Times, a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame. The award recognizes Californians who have made distinguished contributions to motor sports.
"Being nominated for an award with Shav's name on it is an honor by itself," Force said in a statement, "but to be with people like Robert Petersen, Chris Pook and Jimmie Johnson, the NASCAR champ, makes it even more special. I wish I could have been there myself. . . . It'll go right in my museum. Shav was the first real writer to ever do a story on me." Petersen, who died last year, founded a number of auto-related magazines as well as the Petersen Automotive Museum; Pook founded the Grand Prix of Long Beach and Johnson won the last two Nextel Cup championships.(Los Angeles Times)(2-25-2008) Comment here
- Richard Petty honored at 2008 NC-Motorsports Industry Awards: The North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA) recently presented 10 industry awards and honored Richard Petty with the Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award for having a strong positive impact on the motorsports industry in the state. In addition, The North Carolina Motorsports Foundation awarded $25,000 in scholarship grants distributed equally among five North Carolina schools or training centers that have two-year or four-year education programs with a concentration in motorsports. A variety of deserving students were called to the stage and awarded scholarships that will allow them to pursue a career in the $5.9 billion motorsports industry in the state of North Carolina. Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue welcomed nearly 650 attendees, and Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Motor Racing Network broadcaster, served as master of ceremonies. For the full list of awards and more info, see motorsportsnc.org.(2-2-2008)
- Junior Achievement honorees include NASCAR founder France: Junior Achievement announced the inductees into its 2008 U.S. Business Hall of Fame, one of the most prestigious honors awarded for success in the business world. Junior Achievement selects inductees for their business excellence, courageous thinking and actions, vision and innovation, inspiring leadership, and philanthropy. The 2008 Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame laureates included William H.G. France (1909-1992): Founder and President of NASCAR. For more information and the other inductee's, see www.ja.org.(1-25-2008)
- Lesa France Kennedy honored by Daytona Chamber of Commerce: Lesa France Kennedy, President of International Speedway Corporation, received the Lou Fuchs Award on Wednesday from the Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce. The award is named for a champion of the local tourism industry who organized an effort to prevent weekend closings of gas stations during the oil embargo of the 1970s. Kennedy, daughter of the late William C. France Jr., also is the Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of NASCAR. The United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties was selected as the 2008 Enterprise Award winner by The Chamber. The Enterprise Award is given "to an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the quality, vitality and growth of our community," said Ed Williams, chamber chairman and sales manager for Coca-Cola in Daytona Beach.(NASCAR PR)(1-25-2008)
- Miller Lite Motorsports Journalism Award Winners Announced: A quintet of journalists were honored Tuesday afternoon during the 23rd annual presentation of the Miller Lite Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence in honor of Russ Catlin. The Miller Lite Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence annually recognize outstanding motorsports coverage in five categories while honoring the memory of Russ Catlin, a motorsports journalism pioneer. The entries were submitted to the Indiana University School of Journalism, whose faculty members selected the winners. Each winner received a plaque and a Rolex watch from Miller Lite NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kurt Busch during a Dodge Motorsports luncheon at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Concord Convention Center. The event was part of the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The 2007 Miller Lite Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence in honor of Russ Catlin winners: Print – Daily: Nate Ryan of USA Today; Print – Other: David Caraviello of NASCAR.com; Broadcast – National: Drew Gallagher of ESPN, NASCAR Countdown; Broadcast – Local: Blair Miller of WSOC-TV; Photojournalism: David Griffin of NASCAR Scene.(Tom Roberts PR)(1-24-2008)
- Johnson Named NMPA Driver of the Year; Houston Named to Hall of Fame: There was little doubt about who was going to be chosen the National Motorsports Press Association's driver of the year for 2007. The question, instead, was whether Jimmie Johnson would personally accept the Richard Petty trophy. The answer, for the second year in a row, was no. Johnson, who repeated as NASCAR champion last season, was announced as 2007's top driver Sunday at a luncheon during the NMPA's annual convention. When he was unable to attend last year's awards presentation, Johnson videotaped an acceptance message. He did likewise this time, too, but the video wouldn't play. It's the third time in four years that Johnson was voted the NMPA driver of the year, and it was part of the spoils that went with a 10-win season by the 32-year-old native of El Cajon, Calif. Johnson is the fourth driver to win the NMPA award more than twice. Bobby Allison and Cale Yarborough each captured the trophy three times, and Dale Earnhardt Sr. won it by himself four times and shared it with Tim Richmond in 1986. The trophy has been given annually by the media group since 1969.(Fayetteville Observer)
AND: On Saturday night Tommy Houston, one of the truly significant figures in the history of what was previously known as the Busch Series, joined the National Motorsports Press Association's Stock Car Hall of Fame. Like most of the men honored by the NMPA, the honor clearly moved Houston. He basked in the attention, answered every question and went out of his way to be cooperative. Houston's last words to the audience -- the dinner was near Lowe's Motor Speedway at the Concord Convention Center and Embassy Suites hotel -- were, "Thank you for remembering me, and good night."(Gaston Gazette)(1-21-2008) Comment here
- AARWBA Titus Trophy to Franchitti: Dario Franchitti, who won the Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series championship and then moved on to NASCAR, was announced as recipient of the Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy for 2007 at Saturday night’s 38th annual American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association’s All-America Team ceremony. The Titus is earned by the driver who receives the most All-America Team votes cast by AARWBA members. Named in memory of the late journalist and professional racer, it is the highest honor offered by the country’s oldest and largest organization of motorsports media professionals. Emerson Fittipaldi, the legendary Indy-Formula One-Champ Car champion, was the featured speaker. Other Team drivers on-hand to claim their “Horsepower” Trophies were: Tony Schumacher and Tony Pedregon (drag racing); Alex Gurney, Jon Fogarty and
Scott Pruett (road racing); Mika Salo, Jamie Melo and Alex Lloyd (at-large); and Frank Kimmel (touring series). Also elected were Sebastien Bourdais (open wheel); Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon (stock car); Donny Schatz and Jerry Coons Jr. (short track); and Ron Hornaday Jr. (touring). Several special awards were presented:
Pioneer In Racing Award: Carl A. Haas
Jim Chapman Award: Dave Densmore and Bob Carlson received the honor for excellence in motorsports public relations.
Dusty Brandel President’s Award: Robert (Rocky) Entriken, journalist and longtime chairman of the All-America Team selection committee, received the honor from Brandel. Entriken was acknowledged for his many contributions to the organization.
Gorsline Scholarship: The 15th annual scholarship, given by John Gorsline of The Gorsline Co., went to 19-year-old Star Mazda series champion Dane Cameron. The prize is awarded to an up-and-coming driver who displays the attributes of a future champion. Cameron became the first rookie to win the overall series championship.
A special audio-visual tribute was offered in memory of members Bill France Jr., Wally Parks and Shav Glick. Bob Jenkins was Master of Ceremonies. Army Staff Sergeant John Adams and Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers Club executive director Jack Martin led the Pledge of Allegiance.(AARWBA PR)(1-14-2008)
- AARWBA Dinner to Draw Champions, Winners, Headliners: Dario Franchitti, Emerson Fittipaldi and Carl Haas are among the headliners confirmed to attend the Jan. 12 American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association’s All-America Team dinner presented by A1GP World Cup of Motorsport. The 38th annual ceremony will be at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis. AARWBA is the country’s oldest and largest organization of motorsports media professionals. The All-America Team, voted on by AARWBA media members, includes drivers from open wheel, drag racing, stock car, road racing, short track, touring and at-large categories. The highlight of the evening will be the announcement and presentation of the Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy. The Titus goes to the Team driver who received the most votes. In addition to Indy 500 winner/IndyCar Series champion Franchitti, other Team drivers set to attend include: NHRA Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher (last year’s Titus winner); NHRA Funny Car champ Tony Pedregon; Rolex Series co-titlists Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty; Rolex runner-up Scott Pruett; ALMS GT2 co-champions Mika Salo and Jamie Melo; and Indy Pro Series champ Alex Lloyd. AARWBA will offer its tribute to Bill France Jr., Wally Parks and Shav Glick. Popular broadcaster Bob Jenkins will serve as dinner Master of Ceremonies for the third consecutive year. The event is open to the public and tickets can be ordered at the www.AARWBA.org.(1-3-2008)
- Economaki Award Winner Announced: Donny Schatz added to his collection of off-season hardware, collecting the fifth annual Economaki Champion of Champions award presented by Rockett Brand Racing Fuel Thursday afternoon during the PRI Trade Show at the Orlando Convention Center. Schatz, who won his second-consecutive World of Outlaws sprint-car championship, was selected by the National Speed Sport News staff from 10 finalists, narrowly beating out Nextel Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. National Speed Sport News Editor Chris Economaki made the presentation while accompanied by Rockett Brand Racing Fuel President Jack Day. Schatz, who acknowledged he was “shocked,” was in the audience and accepted the award from Economaki and Day. Previous winners of the award, which goes to the driver deemed by the NSSN staff to have had the most outstanding season while winning a major touring series championship competing in North America, are J.J. Yeley, Steve Kinser, Tony Schumacher and Johnson, who won the honor in 2006.
Schatz will be honored on the cover of NSSN’s Dec. 19 year-end triple issue.(National Speed Sport News)(12-13-2007)
- Jim Hunter honored with Lifetime Achievement in Sport and Entertainment Award: The International Conference on Sport and Entertainment Business (ICSEB) is pleased to announce Jim Hunter as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in Sport and Entertainment Award. The award presentation was held Thursday, November 15 at the ICSEB Kick-Off Reception. Jim Hunter is the Vice President of Corporate Communications/Regional Touring/NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series. He has worked in the motorsports industry since 1968. Mr. Hunter has served as sports editor for The State in Columbia, S.C. and a writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has also written books on stock car racing, University of South Carolina football and youth league football. Mr. Hunter attended the University of South Carolina, where he was a three-year letterman in football and a two-year letterman in baseball. He is married and has two grown children. "Jim Hunter exemplifies a world class "Carolina" gentleman whose career has produced a passion for NASCAR, love of family, respect of colleagues and friends with a humbleness that should be a model for us all," says Dr. Tom Regan, of the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management.
The Lifetime Achievement in Sport and Entertainment Award recognizes an industry veteran for achievements of lasting impact over a number of years in the fields of sport, entertainment, or venue management. He or she embodies the professionalism, commitment to excellence, and business savvy that has propelled sport, entertainment, or venue management to become a key industry in the 21st century.(ICSEB PR)(12-12-2007)
- 2007 All-America Auto Racing Team Selected: With voting completed for the 2007 All-America Auto Racing Team, five drivers emerge as contenders for the Jerry Titus Award. Tony Schumacher, the 2006 Titus winner, is bidding to be only the third driver ever to win the award in consecutive years, after Mario Andretti in 1977-78 and John Force in 1999-2000. For the second consecutive year Schumacher won the NHRA Top Fuel championship on the final run of the season, claiming his fifth career championship and his fourth in a row. The Titus, given in remembrance of the late racer/journalist, signifies the top vote-getter on the All-America team regardless of category, and is not announced until the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association's banquet Jan. 12 at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis, which is open to the public. Challenging Schumacher, are the champions of both major open-wheel series, four-time Champ Car World Series titlist Sébastien Bourdais and Indianapolis 500 winner/Indy Racing League champion Dario Franchitti. Also in the hunt are Jimmie Johnson, the 2006 and 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup champion, and Ron Hornaday Jr., who won his third NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship. Nextel Cup champion Johnson easily led the Stock Car category, with his teammate and Cup runner-up Jeff Gordon easily taking the other First Team slot. NASCAR Busch Series champion Carl Edwards was joined by Clint Bowyer on the second team. In Touring Series it was Craftsman Truck Series champion Hornaday and nine-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel who dominated the category. Young phenom Joey Logano, who won the NASCAR Busch East title at age 17, was joined on the Second Team by USAR Hooters Pro Cup champion Bobby Gill.(AARWBA PR)(12-10-2007)
- NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Media Luncheon Award Winners
Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award: Juan Pablo Montoya (#42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge)
Manufacturers Championship Award: Chevy
Marketing Achievement Award: ESPN Marketing
Chex Cereals Most Popular Driver Award: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (#8 Budweiser Chevy)
Buddy Shuman Award: Robert Yates (owner, Robert Yates Racing)
Home Depot Humanitarian Award: Don Miller
Budweiser Pole Award: Jeff Gordon (#24 DuPont Chevy)
Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge Award: Jeff Gordon
Commit Lozenges Commit to Win Award: Jeff Gordon
Goodyear Gatorback Fastest Lap Award: Jimmie Johnson (#48 Lowe's Chevy)
WIX Filters Lap Leader Award: Jeff Gordon
Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award: #48 Lowe's Chevy
Mobil 1 Command Performance: Kurt Busch (#2 Miller Lite Dodge)
USG Improving the Finish Award: Matt Kenseth (#17 DEWALT Ford)
DirecTV Crew Chief of the Year Award: Mike Ford (#11 FedEx Chevy)
Clevite Engine Builder of the Year Award: Earl Wheeler (Engine builder for Hendrick Engines)
Dow Automotive Strategic Call of the Race Award: Jimmie Johnson
Sunoco Diamond Performance Award: Jimmie Johnson
Goodyear Award: Jimmie Johnson
Champion Sponsor Award: Robert Niblock (CEO, Lowe's)
Champion Crew Chief Award: Chad Knaus (#48 Lowe's Chevy)
Myers Brothers Award: Bill France Jr., accepted by Betty Jane France.(NASCAR PR)(11-30-2007)
2008 Stewie Awards
by Tony Stewart
- Stewart and Sirius Radio announced nominees for 2nd Annual 'Stewie Awards' SIRIUS XM Radio, the Official Satellite Radio Partner of NASCAR, and two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Tony Stewart, announced today the nominees for the second annual ‘Stewie Awards,’ honoring the best, boldest and funniest moments of the 2008 NASCAR season.
The ‘Stewies’ will be awarded during a special broadcast of Tony Stewart Live, the weekly talk show hosted by Stewart and Matt Yocum, at SIRIUS XM Radio’s New York City studios on Thursday, December 4 (6:00 – 8:00 pm ET) during 2008 NASCAR Champions Week. The live broadcast will air nationwide on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, available on SIRIUS channel 128 and on XM channel 128 with the “Best of SIRIUS” programming package.
“After seeing the tears of joy stream down Kevin Harvick’s face after handing him his ‘Stewie’ for ‘Best Original Drama’ last year we knew that, while it would be tough to top last year’s event, the show must go on,” said Stewart. ”So we’re excited to be back for year two to celebrate all the great people and performances from the 2008 season. It’ll be a great way to cap off the season and we’ll have a lot of fun with our guests and our listeners on SIRIUS and XM.”
The 2008 Stewie Award winners will be determined by fans around the country who cast their votes online at www.sirius.com/stewieawards. “Once again the fans, who are such a big part of Tony Stewart Live throughout the year, can get involved by voting in the award winners,” said Stewart. “And so, without further ado, the nominees for the 2008 Stewie Awards are…”
Golden Stewie Award – Honoring a driver from the Golden Era of racing (1960-85)
Lifetime Achievement Award
Best Original Drama – For year’s most dramatic moment or sequence
· Ryan Newman wins the 50th Daytona 500 (Feb. 17)
· Dale Earnhardt, Jr. wins the Budweiser Shootout for first victory with Hendrick Motorsports (Feb. 9)
· Tony Stewart announces departure from Joe Gibbs Racing to become a driver/owner with Stewart-Haas Racing (Jul. 9)
· Kyle Busch wins 8 races, including 4 in a row, but finishes 10th in final Chase standings
Best Stunt Sequence (Hal Needham Award) – For year’s most spectacular crash
· Michael McDowell’s tumbling crash during qualifying at Texas Motor Speedway (Apr. 4)
· Jeff Gordon hits inner wall at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Mar. 2)
· “The Big One” during the AMP Energy 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway involves 11 cars and collects 6 Chase drivers (Oct. 5)
· Brian Vickers’ wheel comes off during Coca-Cola 600 (May 25)
· Juan Pablo Montoya triggers multi-car wreck at Phoenix International Raceway that ends with David Gilliland’s car resting atop Scott Speed’s car (Nov. 9)
Best Original Comedy – For year’s most entertaining “incident” or occurrence
· Kenny Wallace falsely announces plans for his brother Rusty to come out of retirement
· Goodyear tire controversy at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Jul. 27)
· The “Yellow Line Debate” after controversial finish at Talladega (Oct. 5)
· David Starr takes on Germain Racing in melee on pit road at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Sep. 13)
Best Engineering and Special Effects (Smokey Yunick Award) – For year’s most creative – and ultimately illegal – modifications to a race car
· Carl Edwards and #99 team get caught without oil can lid attached at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Mar. 2)
· Joe Gibbs Racing cars get caught with magnets behind accelerator at Michigan International Speedway (Aug. 17)
· Juan Pablo Montoya and #42 team are penalized for illegal shocks after winning pole at Kansas Speedway (Sep. 28)
· Brian Vickers and #83 team are penalized for too thin sheet metal at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway (Oct. 19)
Bonehead Move of the Year
· Carl Edwards pushes Kevin Harvick in Lowe’s Motor Speedway garage while discussing Harvick’s “pansy” comment after Talledega race (Oct. 9)
· Michael Waltrip Racing allegedly steals sway bar from Roush-Fenway Racing
· City of Concord, N.C. flip-flops on their stand against a drag strip after SMI Chairman Bruton Smith threatens to move Lowe’s Motor Speedway to another city.
‘I Got Dumped’ Award – For year’s most memorable on- or off-track bumping
· Kyle Busch vs. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway: On May 3; Kyle takes out Dale Jr.; On Sep. 6 Dale Jr. overdrives a corner and gets into Kyle
· After a great season, David Ragan narrowly misses Chase after spinning himself and collecting Roush teammate Matt Kenseth at Richmond (Sep. 6)
· David Gilliland takes out Juan Pablo Montoya on backstretch at Texas Motor Speedway (Nov. 2)
· Roush-Fenway fabrication shop after Carl Edwards takes out himself and teammates Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth at Talladega (Oct. 5)
Best Driver2Crew Chatter Exchange – For year’s most memorable driver-to-pit crew communication (Visit www.sirius.com/stewieawards to hear audio of nominees)
· Dale Jarrett signs off and ends racing career by crossing finish line in All-Star Race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (May 17)
· Clint Bowyer declares Michael Waltrip "the worst driver in NASCAR" at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway (Aug. 23)
· Owner Rick Hendrick re-directs Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s anger at New Hampshire (Sep. 4)
· Tony Stewart expresses concern paramedics will show up at #20 team pit box at Martinsville Speedway(Mar. 30)
Best Vocal Performance – For year’s most memorable quote or sound bite (Visit www.sirius.com/stewieawards to hear audio of nominees)
· Jimmie Johnson sums up his run at Texas Motor Speedway after Dickies 500 (Nov. 2)
· Steven Wallace reacts to Kyle Busch confronting him in race car after Nationwide race at Richmond (May 2)
· Ron Hornaday rips Kyle Busch after Craftsman Truck Series incident at Michigan International Speedway (Jun. 14)
· Kyle Busch is unwilling to accept Carl Edwards apology after being taken out in final laps at Bristol Motor Speedway (Aug. 23)
· Carl Edwards describes his desperation off-the-wall move at Kansas Speedway and where he learned it (Sep. 28)
The critically-acclaimed Tony Stewart Live debuted January 2, 2007 and airs weekly throughout the year exclusively on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, available on SIRIUS channel 128 and on XM channel 128 with the “Best of SIRIUS” programming package. The two-hour show features Stewart and Yocum taking calls from listeners, talking with prominent guests and covering the spectrum of motorsports. SIRIUS XM is the Official Satellite Radio Partner of NASCAR, broadcasting every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race live on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio the only radio channel dedicated to NASCAR 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.(SIRIUS XM Radio PR)(11-26-2008)
- Stewart and Sirius announce winners of "The Stewies": Winners of the inaugural 'Stewie Awards' were announced tonight by two-time Nextel Cup Series Champion and SIRIUS Radio host Tony Stewart at the SIRIUS Satellite Radio Studios in New York City. The 2007 'Stewie Award' winners were decided by fans around the country who logged on to www.SIRIUS.com to vote for the best, boldest and funniest moments of the 2007 NASCAR season. The 'Stewies' were awarded during a special broadcast of Tony Stewart Live, the weekly talk show hosted by Stewart and Matt Yocum on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio channel 128, in the midst of the 2007 Nextel Cup Series Champions Week. Winners in 12 categories including "Best Duet," honoring outstanding teamwork by a driver and crew chief, "Best Original Drama," honoring the year's most exciting race moment, "Best Driver2Crew Chatter Exchange," "Best Stunt Sequence" and others were honored. Among the evening's highlights was the presentation of the "Stewie Lifetime Achievement Award" to two legends of NASCAR - former NASCAR Chairman and CEO Bill France, Jr. and Hall of Fame driver/broadcaster Benny Parsons, both of whom passed away in 2007. The winners of the 2007 'Stewie Awards' are:
Stewie Lifetime Achievement Award
* Bill France, Jr., former Chairman and CEO of NASCAR
* Benny Parsons, Hall of Fame driver/broadcaster
Golden Stewie Award - Honoring a legendary driver from the Golden Era of racing (1960-85)
* A.J. Foyt
Best Duet - For outstanding teamwork by a driver and crew chief
* Clint Bowyer & Gil Martin: Martin keeps Bowyer calm and team performs only one adjustment all day to get Bowyer's first career Nextel Cup win in Sylvania 300 (Sept. 16)
Best Original Drama - For year's most exciting race moment
* Kevin Harvick edges Mark Martin to win his first Daytona 500 (Feb. 18)
New Kid on the Track Award - For year's most outstanding performance by a rookie
* Juan Pablo Montoya: Wins first Nextel Cup race in Toyota Save Mart 350 (June 24)
Best Stunt Sequence (Hal Needham Award) - For year's most spectacular crash
* Clint Bowyer: Crosses finish line at Daytona 500 on his roof (Feb. 18)
Best Original Comedy - For year's most entertaining on track "incident" or occurrence
* Robby Gordon performs "victory celebration" burnout despite losing Busch Series race at Circuit Gilles Villaneuve in Canada (Aug. 4)
Best Vocal Performance - For year's most memorable quote or sound bite
* Actor Kevin James: Provides memorable "Start Your Engines" command before Pepsi 400 (July 7)
Best Engineering and Special Effects (Smokey Yunick Award) - For year's most creative - and ultimately illegal - modifications to a race car
* Crew Chief David Hyder & MWR VP of Competition Bobby Kennedy: Illegal fuel in #55 car at Daytona 500 (Feb. 18)
Dazed and Confused Award - For year's the most baffling move
* Teresa Earnhardt and DEI allow Dale Earnhardt Jr. to leave for Hendrick Motorsports
'I Got Dumped' Award - For year's most memorable on-track bumping
* Kyle Busch: Wrecked by brother Kurt in Nextel All-Star Challenge (May 19)
Best Driver2Crew Chatter Exchange - For year's most memorable driver-to-pit crew communication
* Denny Hamlin/#11 team: Discuss "plan of attack" against Dale Earnhardt Jr. and #8 car during Subway 500 (Oct. 21)
(see more at Sirius.com)(11-30-2007)
2009 Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame Online Voting
- Online Voting Open for Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame: Online voting for the 2009 Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame is currently underway. On Saturday, Oct. 31, two new names will be added to the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame – which two drivers will receive this honor however, is something the fans will have to decide. The Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame located in the Davey Allison Memorial Park in downtown Talladega is both a focal point saluting NASCAR’s greatest names and a tribute to one of racing’s brightest stars – the late Davey Allison. Developed in 1994, the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame has inducted one active driver and up to two inactive drivers since 1995 based on the fans’ vote chosen from a ballot of nominees selected by strict guidelines. Fans may vote for their driver of choice through July 15 by visiting talladegawalk.com. Voting is limited to one vote per day.
Active driver nominees for 2009 include: Greg Biffle, Jeff Burton, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Robby Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, Elliott Sadler, Morgan Shepherd and Michael Waltrip.
Inactive driver nominees for 2009 include: Jim Paschal, Bill Rexford, Jack Smith and Speedy Thompson.
In the park, Davey Allison is remembered with a large marble monument, while drivers inducted into the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame have bronze plaques placed around the park, accessible by walkways that form the shape of Talladega Superspeedway. For additional information, visit talladegawalk.com. For tickets, visit talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.(TSS PR)(4-18-2009)
- Fans Vote Bobby Labonte, Rex White Into Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame: The votes are in for the 2008 Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame honorees. Bobby Labonte won by the closest margin in history for active driver, while Rex White won the inactive driver category by a landslide. Labonte and White will be enshrined to the Walk of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 4, during the AMP Energy 500 weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. The Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame in downtown Talladega is both a focal point saluting NASCAR's greatest names and a tribute to one of racing's brightest stars - the late Davey Allison. Developed in 1994, the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame has inducted one active driver and up to two inactive drivers since 1995 based on the fans' vote chosen from a ballot of nominees selected by strict guidelines. White, 78, of Fayetteville, Georgia, will be inducted as this year's inactive driver. White won the 1960 NASCAR Grand National (now Sprint Cup) championship as a driver/owner, recording six wins and 35 top 10s in 41 starts. He is one of just six driver/owners in history to win a series championship. Fan voting for the 2008 Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame began on April 15. In addition to Labonte, active driver nominees this year included: Michael Waltrip, Jeff Burton, Morgan Shepherd, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, Robby Gordon, Greg Biffle, Jimmie Johnson, Jeremy Mayfield, Joe Nemechek, Ryan Newman, Elliott Sadler, Ken Schrader and Carl Edwards. White competed against inactive drivers, Jim Paschal, Bill Rexford, Jack Smith and Speedy Thompson. In the park, Davey Allison is remembered with a large marble monument, while drivers inducted into the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame have
bronze plaques placed around the park, accessible by walkways that form the shape of Talladega Superspeedway. For additional information, visit talladegawalk.com.(TSS PR)(7-25-2008)
- Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame Online Voting Begins: On Saturday, Oct. 4, two new names will be added to the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame - which two drivers will receive this honor however, is something the fans have to decide. Online voting for the 2008 Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame is currently underway. The Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame located in the Davey Allison Memorial Park in downtown Talladega is both a focal point saluting NASCAR's greatest names and a tribute to one of racing's brightest stars - the late Davey Allison. Developed in 1994, the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame has inducted one active driver and up to two inactive drivers since 1995 based on the fans' vote chosen from a ballot of nominees selected by strict guidelines. Fans may vote for their driver of choice through July 15 by visiting www.talladegawalk.com. Voting is limited to one vote per day. Active driver nominees for 2008 include: Michael Waltrip, Jeff Burton, Morgan Shepherd, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, Robby Gordon, Greg Biffle, Jimmie Johnson, Bobby Labonte, Jeremy Mayfield, Joe Nemechek, Ryan Newman, Elliott Sadler, Ken Schrader and Carl Edwards. Inactive driver nominees for 2008 include: Jim Paschal, Bill Rexford, Jack Smith, Rex White and Speedy Thompson. The first inductees - "Alabama Gang" drivers Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Red Farmer and Neil Bonnett - were inducted by decree of the board. In the park, Davey Allison is remembered with a large marble monument, while drivers inducted into the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame have bronze plaques placed around the park, accessible by walkways that form the shape of Talladega Superspeedway.(6-2-2008)
2009 Driver of the Year Award
- Castroneves wins 2nd Qtr DOTY Award: Indy 500 winner, Helio Castroneves, won a hotly-contested vote for the second quarter Driver of the Year 2009. The Brazilian, who won his third Indy 500 - from the pole - this May, narrowly edged NASCAR's Tony Stewart who is now a co-owner driver, 119-116. It was the closest margin of victory since Stewart lost the overall award in a tie-breaker in 2002. In the voting Castroveneves took eight first-place votes and was on every ballot. Stewart was second only three points behind Castroneves. He also garnered eight first-place votes. Mark Martin was third in the voting with 42 points. Kyle Busch also received one first-place ballot. A total of 19 drivers scored points in the first quarter voting. Castroneves will receive a trophy and a Tissot wristwatch to be presented at a later date.(DOTY)(7-1-2009)
- Gordon wins 1st Qtr Award: #24-Jeff Gordon's fast start, and return to victory lane, turned the tide as he was voted first quarter Driver of the Year 2009. Gordon, a four-time NASCAR champion and the only four-time winner of the Driver of the Year AWARD led the Sprint Cup standings as of the date of this year's first ballot. Although he won a single event, the Samsung 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway, his early performance impressed the elite panel of voters as he narrowly beat #18-Kyle Busch 111-107 in the vote. In the voting Gordon took eight first-place ballots and he was on every ballot. But still Kyle Busch, who drives the #18 M & M's Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, was a close second-place only four points behind Gordon. He received seven first-place votes. Ron Capps, who drives for Don Schumacher in the NHRA PowerAde drag racing series, scored one first place vote and was third in the voting with 66 points. Donnie Schatz and Mark Martin each scored one first-place vote. A total of 17 drivers scored points in the first quarter voting. Gordon will receive a trophy and a Tissot wristwatch to be presented at a later date.(DOTY PR)(4-29-2009) Comment here
2008 Driver of the Year Award
2009 Chex Most Popular Driver Award
- New Format Creates Suspense in NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Voting
Voting for the 2009 NASCAR National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Chex Most Popular Driver Award is now under way. For the first time in its history, the award will incorporate a format change, with the Top 10 drivers battling for fans’ votes at season’s end.
As in years past, voters can visit chexmostpopulardriver.com and vote once a day for their favorite NASCAR Sprint Cup driver. Following the race event at Richmond International Raceway, voting for the full field of 44 drivers will end on September 13 at 11:59pm/et. At that point, the ten drivers with the most votes will be announced as finalists and the vote count will reset to zero. Fans will then have 10 race weeks to cast their vote once a day to determine the 2009 NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver winner from the final field of 10 drivers. Voting will conclude November 23 at 11:59pm/et and the winner will be announced at the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Luncheon in New York City in December.
A review of the new voting format:
-Voting for the full field of 44 drivers began on February 10
-Voting for the full field will end on September 13 at 11:59 PM CT, at this point, the 10 drivers with most votes will be locked in as finalists with votes resetting to zero.
-Fans will vote for these remaining Top 10 drivers until November 23 at 11:59 PM CT
-The winner will be announced in New York City in December 2009
Last season, Dale Earnhardt Jr. earned his sixth consecutive Chex Most Popular Driver Award, which is administered by the NMPA. Only Earnhardt Jr. and Bill Elliot have won the award six consecutive times since the inception of the award in 1953. Chex Cereal has been on breakfast tables for more than 60 years and has been a proud sponsor of the NASCAR NMPA Most Popular Driver Award since 2005. Voters are not only encouraged to vote every day for their favorite driver, but are also reminded to start their engines with Chex cereal and enjoy race day with their favorite Chex recipes from www.Chex.com.(Breaking Limits PR)(2-15-2009)
2008 Chex Most Popular Driver Award
- Most Popular Driver = Dale Jr.: NASCAR fans across the nation have once again made a statement about their favorite driver. After tallying over one million votes, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the recipient of the 2008 NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award. Throughout the race season, fans voted daily for over 40 of their favorite drivers online at chexmostpopulardriver.com. Earnhardt Jr. was presented with the award at the National Motorsports Press Association's Myers Brothers Media Luncheon in New York City on Dec 4th. The award is Earnhardt Jr.'s sixth consecutive win since 2003. Only Bill Elliott (1991-2000) has more consecutive wins. The NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award has been given annually since 1956 and today is the only award for NASCAR's top drivers given by the fans. The six wins by Earnhardt Jr. moved him past Bobby Allison and now only behind Richard Petty (9) and Bill Elliott (16) for most total awards. "I've been fortunate enough to win this award now for the sixth time, and I can tell you it never gets old." said Earnhardt Jr. "I've said it many times before that this award is special because it's the voice of the fans. I think back to over a year ago when I made the decision to go to Hendrick Motorsports, and my biggest concern was whether the fans would support my decision." continued Earnhardt Jr. "They did, and I will always be grateful for that. I appreciate everyone who voted, and I want to thank Chex and the National Motorsports Press Association for all they do for the sport."
"The fans have spoken, and it's obvious that Dale Earnhardt Jr. truly is amongst the elite of fans' support," said Tom Jensen, President of the National Motorsports Press Association. "He deserves this award, and we're thankful for all the fans who continue to vote and make this award a rich part of our sports history." The NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award is recognized as one of the sport's pioneering awards.
Drivers first voted amongst themselves for a winner before fans later voted on the winner. The top 10 drivers receiving the most votes in alphabetical order were Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte, Tony Stewart and Michael Waltrip.(DalrJr.com)(12-6-2008) Comment here
- Chex Most Popular Driver Voting Site Has New Look: A new partnership with Scenedaily.com will enhance the Chex Most Popular Driver voting experience, allowing
race fans to now make just one stop to get the latest racing news and vote for their favorite driver. When voters log on to www.chexmostpopulardriver.com to vote, they'll find the latest updates on their favorite driver and current racing information powered by SceneDaily.com. Voters are encouraged to continue to visit the site, and vote for their favorite
driver to win the 2008 NASCAR Chex Most Popular Driver Award which is administered by the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA). Fans can vote once a day, every day for over 40 of their favorite Sprint Cup drivers. Voting continues until the end of the season and the winner will be announced at the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Luncheon in New York City in December.
Already in 2008, nearly one million fans have voted for their favorite driver to win one of NASCAR's most prestigious and historic awards determined by the fans. The Chex Most Popular Driver award has been won by NASCAR greats such as Richard Petty, David Pearson, Bobby Allison, Dale Earnhardt and others. Last season Dale Earnhardt Jr. earned his fifth consecutive award. Only Earnhardt Jr., Petty and Bill Elliott have won the award five consecutive times since the inception of the awards in 1953. For more information and to vote on the Chex Most Popular Driver Award, fans can log on to www.chexmostpopulardriver.com.(5-16-2008)
- The Polls are Now Open for 2008 Chex Most Popular Driver Voting Effective immediately, Chex Most Popular Driver wants you, and all your friends and family, to go online and be a part of NASCAR’s prestigious and historic award determined by fans. Fans can now log onto www.mostpopulardriver.com and make their vote count towards the prestigious Chex Most Popular Driver award won by NASCAR greats such as Richard Petty, David Pearson, Bobby Allison, Dale Earnhardt and others.
This season, new entries for the award include international stars such as former Indianapolis 500 champion Dario Franchitti, former Formula One star Jacques Villeneuve and Canadian open-wheel standout Patrick Carpentier. Fans can vote once a day, every day for over 40 of their favorite Sprint Cup stars. Voting continues throughout the season and will conclude on November 17 at 11:59pm/ct. The winner will be announced at the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Luncheon in New York City in December.
For more information and to vote on the Chex Most Popular Driver Award, fans
can log on to www.mostpopulardriver.com.(2-16-2008)
See past news on 1999 - 2007 Most Popular Driver Award News
NEWS about AWARDS
- Barney Hall Given Bill France Award: Barney Hall has received his share of accolades through his half century of broadcasting NASCAR races; but the latest is his proudest. Hall, of Elkin, NC, was awarded the Bill France Award during the annual NASCAR Awards ceremony held at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City on Friday night. The award is not presented every year; making the significance that much more special for Hall, booth announcer for the Motor Racing Network. Hall has been a part of MRN broadcasts since they took to the airwaves in 1970. And, his golden voice and tempered style have been a part of NASCAR coverage since. In January of 2007, Hall was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame. In October, the Barney Hall and Harry Howard studios were unveiled during MRN's Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of its new studios and headquarters in Concord.(MRN PR)(12-5-2007)
- NSSN Names 10 Finalists got 2007 Economaki Champion of Champions: The fifth annual Economaki Champion of Champions presented by Rockett Brand Racing Fuel will be featured in the Dec. 19 year-end issue. It is the final issue of 2007, and NSSN will not publish again until Jan. 9, 2008. The Champion of Champions must have earned a title while racing in North America during the 2007 season and excelled on and off the track. There were plenty of racers who put together stellar seasons, but the NSSN staff narrowed the contenders to 10 finalists. The winner will be announced Dec. 5 during the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Orlando, Fla., but featured in the Dec. 19 issue. Each of the finalists represents a different type of auto racing that is covered extensively within the pages of NSSN. Nextel Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson earned the award last year, while other previous winners are Tony Schumacher (2005), Steve Kinser (2004) and J.J. Yeley (2003).
The 2007 Nominee's are: Sebastien Bourdais (Champ Car); Jerry Coons, Jr. (USAC); Dario Franchitti (IRL); Steve Francis (WoO); Jon Fogarty/Alex Gurney (Grand Am); Ron Hornaday, Jr. (Craftsman Truck Series); Jimmie Johnson (Nextel Cup Series); Joey Logano (Busch East Series); Donny Schatz (WoO); Tony Schumacher (NHRA).(NSSN Site)(12-1-2007)
- Tire Specialist "Consistently Smooth" award announced: Champion Tire & Wheel announced the winner of the 3rd annual "Consistently Smooth" award, which recognizes the skill and effort of the Nextel Cup championship teams' tire specialist, went to Hendrick Motorsports #48 team member, Sean Kerlin. The inaugural award presented in 2005, went to Jerold Shires on the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing team. Since then Sean Kerlin has won the award 2 years in a row with back-to-back championships on the #48. The lead crystal trophy will officially be presented at the teams' shop in Harrisburg. There to accept the award with Sean will be #48 team manager Michael Landis, and #48 crew chief Chad Knaus.(Champion Tire & Wheel PR)(12-1-2007)
- Miller named recipient of NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian Award: The Home Depot and NASCAR announced that Don Miller of Mooresville, N.C., was selected as the recipient of the inaugural NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian Award for his work with the Stocks-for-Tots program. The award is the first of its kind open to any member of the NASCAR community who has shown extraordinary dedication to serving others and improving communities through meaningful service efforts. Miller is an executive for Penske Racing. As the NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian of the Year, Miller received a specially designed crystal award and a $100,000 donation made by The Home Depot to his charity of choice, Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN), an organization whose mission is to continue to help and provide education, counseling and intervention programs for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Miller will also receive a playground in the city of his choice built by volunteers from NASCAR, The Home Depot and KaBOOM!, the Company’s national nonprofit partner which envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. Miller developed Stock-for-Tots as a holiday event and fundraiser for SCAN. Miller continues to be intimately involved in the event which brings together stock car racing and its fans to collect toys and raise funds for SCAN. Since 1989, the event has raised more than $400,000 and distributed nearly 40,000 toys to children in North Carolina and is now the largest fundraiser for SCAN. The other finalists for the award were Spencer Lueders, project creator, director and team member of 24 Hours of Booty; and Kyle Petty, driver for Petty Enterprises and co-founder of Victory Junction Gang Camp. They received a $25,000 donation each to their designated non-profit charities.(Manning Selvage & Lee/Home Depot/NASCAR PR)(11-30-2007)
- Myers Brothers Award will go posthumously to Bill France Jr.: The 50th Myers Brothers Award will be presented posthumously Thursday to Bill France Jr., who served as president of NASCAR for more than three decades. France, who took over NASCAR's top post from his father in 1972 and served as president until 2003, also won the award in voting from members of the National Motorsports Press Association in 1989. The Myers Brothers award is the centerpiece of an annual luncheon scheduled for Thursday during Champion's Week activities in New York City. The award goes to the individuals and/or groups who have provided outstanding contributions to stock car racing. Benny Parsons won the award in 2006. Many of the annual contingency awards will also be presented Thursday [highlights on ESPN Classic, Friday night at 8:30pm/et, before the banquet coverage]. This is the second year the Myers Brothers luncheon has served as the setting for these presentations as part of an effort to streamline Friday night's Nextel Cup awards ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria's Grand Ballroom.(ThatsRacin)(11-29-2007)
- NCMA announces 2008 award nominees: The North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA) announced the nominees for the second annual NCMA Awards Banquet which will be held at the Embassy Suites and Convention Center here [Concord, NC] on Jan. 30, 2008. In addition to Richard Petty, who will receive the Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award for his lifetime of accomplishments, dedication and commitment to the industry and in the state of North Carolina, 10 organizations will be awarded in distinct categories. Three nominees were chosen in each category through anonymous NCMA member voting. The categories and nominees are: Two-Year or Trade School Education Program: Pit Instructional and Training, Catawba Valley Community College and Central Carolina Community College. Four-Year Education Program: Belmont Abbey College, University of North Carolina, Charlotte and Winston Salem State University. Motorsports Workforce Diversity: Imagine This! Creative Concepts, NC A&T University and Urban Youth Racing School. Regional Marketing Campaigns: JHE Production Group, Race World USA and National Auto Sport Association (NASA). National Marketing Campaigns: DIRT Motorsports, Champ Boat Grand Prix Series and DuPont Motorsports. Economic Development: Richmond County, Cabarrus County and International Speedway Corporation. Safety Innovation: NASCAR, Safety Solutions and Hendrick Motorsports. Event Facilities: Southern National Speedway, Bowman Gray Stadium, Hickory Motor Speedway. Small Company: Endurance Karting, Extremeion, Koolmat Insulation. Large Company: Stock Car Steel & Aluminum, Richard Petty Driving Experience, Fountain Boats. The NCMA is the voice of the motorsports industry in North Carolina, representing businesses that support more than 26,000 jobs in North Carolina. During 2004, the NCMA commissioned a study which revealed that the industry is responsible for that level of employment and has a total economic impact of $5.9 billion annually within the state. The economic impact study played an important role in Charlotte’s successful bid for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Proceeds from this event go toward NCMA initiatives such as the Motorsports Workforce Development Initiative IE2 – “Introduce, Educate, Intern, Employ.”(NCMA PR)(11-7-2007)
- NMPA names Spirit Award winner: Award-winning sportswriter and longtime manufacturer's representative Ray Cooper has been named the third quarter recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association's Pocono Spirit Award. Cooper, diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, remains active in the sport despite curtailing his work with Dodge as a manufacturer's rep in NASCAR's Nextel Cup Series this year while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. A former recipient of the Joe Littlejohn Award, he was also the 1986 winner of the George Cunningham Award for excellence in writing. Cooper received 46 votes cast by the membership. Jimmie Johnson received nine votes. Johnson recently raised nearly $500,000 for the Jimmie Johnson Foundation through an inaugural golf tournament, dinner and auction. The foundation is dedicated to assisting children, families and communities in need and contributes to several charitable organizations. The NMPA/Pocono Spirit Award, which has been presented annually since 1992, recognizes character and achievement in the face of adversity, as well as sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. Four quarterly winners are selected, with one overall Spirit award winner chosen by a vote of the NMPA membership at year's end. The award will be presented during the group's annual dinner and awards ceremony in January 2008. James Hylton was named the first-quarter winner of the award, while Bill France Jr. was the recipient of the award for the second quarter.(SceneDaily.com)(10-10-2007)
- The King to receive NCMA Award: The North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA) will host its second annual awards banquet on January 31, 2008, when it will present Richard Petty with the Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award for his lifetime accomplishments in motorsports and contributions to the state of North Carolina. “King” Richard’s seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, seven Daytona 500 victories and 200 career wins make Petty, statistically, the top driver in NASCAR history. However, what he has accomplished for the sport and the state of North Carolina off the track are equally notable. Born in Level Cross, N.C., where he still lives and works and where he has raised a family, Petty has truly made a difference as a leader in his community, and his service to others is unrivaled in many ways. The NCMA will also honor the outstanding achievement of individuals and organizations that have a significant impact on the North Carolina motorsports industry. Companies are nominated for 10 awards in seven distinct categories including education, diversity, marketing, economic development, safety innovations, event facilities and manufacturers & suppliers. Award nominations begin September 15, and nominees will be evaluated by the NCMA Awards Nomination Committee. The three finalists chosen for each award by the Nominations Committee will be announced at the Association’s annual luncheon on November 5. More info at motorsportsnc.org(NCMA PR)(9-15-2007)
- Roger Penske to Receive Smokey Yunick Award: Roger Penske, whose race teams have captured 20 national championships while setting the industry standard for
professionalism, will receive the Smokey Yunick Award Saturday night, Oct. 13, during pre-race ceremonies for the Bank of America 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Instituted in 1997 by legendary car owner and mechanic Smokey Yunick who passed away May 11, 2001, the award annually recognizes an individual whose lifelong efforts have had a major impact on the motorsports industry. Penske was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1998 and became a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in
1995. He was also inducted into the Auto Racing Hall of Fame at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2002. Previous winners of the Smokey Yunick Award include Junior Johnson,
Ken Squier, Bill Simpson, Ralph Moody, Banjo Matthews, Bud Moore, Cotton Owens, Junie Donlavey, Jim Hunter and Glen and Leonard Wood. Tickets for the Oct. 13 Bank of America 500, round five of the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, start at $39 and are available online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS.(9-13-2007)
- Dr. Dick Berggren to Receive Bobby Isaac Memorial Award: Longtime magazine editor and auto racing broadcaster Dick Berggren will receive the Bobby Isaac Memorial Award during pre-race ceremonies for the Dollar General 300 Busch Series race Friday night, Oct. 12, at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The Bobby Isaac Memorial Award is presented annually by Lowe's Motor Speedway to an individual or group in recognition of outstanding contribution to short-track racing. Isaac, one of the sport's outstanding
racers, was well known for his short-track exploits and commitment, and it is in his honor the award is named. After earning a doctorate in psychology, Berggren was working as a
professor at Emmanuel College in Boston and driving race cars on weekends when he accepted an offer to become editor of Stock Car Racing magazine. With an emphasis on short-track coverage, the magazine quickly became an industry leader and circulation grew rapidly as the sport rode a wave of increasing popularity throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
In 1999, Berggren decided to launch a new motorsports magazine and started Dick Berggren's Speedway Illustrated. With a reported circulation of 140,000, the monthly magazine now has the largest readership of any publication in its category. In addition to his magazine work, Berggren has enjoyed a 26-year motorsports television career. He became a pit reporter for ESPN's fledgling NASCAR coverage in 1981, beginning one of the longest-running careers in NASCAR television. In addition to ESPN, he's worked with CBS, TBS and TNN and is
currently part of the FOX and SPEED broadcast teams. Previous winners of the Bobby Isaac Memorial Award include journalists Chris Economaki and Tom Higgins; promoters Hugh Deery, Henry Furr and John Moose; drivers Jack Ingram, Harry Gant and Dick Trickle; motorsports equipment manufacturer Brian Butler; and American Sprint Car Series founder Emmett Hahn. Tickets for the Dollar General 300 NASCAR Busch Series race on Friday night, Oct. 12, start at just $17 and can be obtained online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS.(LMS PR)(8-29-2007)
- France Jr. tabbed 2nd-quarter NMPA/Pocono Spirit Award recipient: William Clifton France, the guiding force behind the phenomenal growth of NASCAR for more than three decades, has been named the second-quarter recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association/Pocono Spirit Award. France, known a bit less formally as Bill Jr. by those in the sport, served as president of NASCAR from 1972-2000. Three years later, he stepped aside from his duties as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the sanctioning body, turning those duties over to his son, Brian Z. France. But despite his seemingly lesser role, and a lengthy battle with cancer in his later years, France Jr. remained an active voice in the sport. His opinions and decision-making ability helped reshape the structure of the current NASCAR Nextel Cup Series schedule as it became more national in scope, he oversaw the creation of the group’s $10 million Research and Development Center, and helped broker deals that brought Nextel in as the premier series’ sponsor as well as the return of network television coverage for the sport. France died June 4 at his home in Daytona Beach, Fla. He was 74. “He blazed so many trails for our sport,” Mike Helton, who replaced France as president, said. “He was determined to follow the vision of his father while also expanding on that vision. Over nearly four decades, he did a masterful job.” France received 45 votes cast by the NMPA membership. Roush Fenway Racing driver Todd Kluever received 6 votes. The NMPA/Pocono Spirit Award, which has been presented annually since 1992, recognizes character and achievement in the face of adversity, as well as sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. Four quarterly winners are selected, with one overall Spirit award winner chosen by a vote of the NMPA membership at year’s end. The award will be presented during the group’s annual dinner and awards ceremony in January, 2008. France Jr. joins first-quarter winner James Hylton, the award’s first-quarter recipient.(Pocono Raceway)(8-11-2007)
- Haas Named Pioneer in Racing: Carl A. Haas, one of the most successful team owners and businessmen in motorsports history, has been chosen by the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association to receive its Pioneer In Racing Award. Haas will accept at the 38th All-America Team dinner, Saturday, January 12, at the Indianapolis Hyatt. The Pioneer is one of the most prestigious honors from AARWBA, the country’s oldest and largest organization of motorsports media professionals. The award recognizes long-time dedication and achievement that have made a difference in the sport. Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Andy Granatelli, Kenny Bernstein, the Agajanian family, Les Richter, Hershel McGriff and Robert Falcon are among the previous recipients. While Haas spent his early years winning races behind the wheel of various sports cars, he attained legendary status as a team owner, with 15 major championships. Haas, along with Champ Car partners Newman and Michael Lanigan, recently announced a new partnership with Robert Yates Racing for NASCAR competition. Haas has been inducted into the SCCA Hall of Fame. The All-America Team ceremony will honor 2007’s top drivers from all forms of motorsports. Categories include stock cars, open-wheel, drag racing, road racing, short track, touring series and at-large categories. It is one of the few such dinners open to the public. Information on individual tickets, tables of 10, and souvenir program book advertising is available at the aarwba.org.(AARWBA PR)(8-7-2007)
- Richard Petty named North Carolinian of the Year: He was already The King. Now, Richard Petty is the North Carolinian of the Year. Petty won a record 200 Cup races and seven Daytona 500 races. He won 27 races in 1967 alone, 18 races in 1970 and 21 in 1971. Since 2000, no driver has won more than eight in a season. Only the late Dale Earnhardt matched Petty's seven NASCAR championships. Petty was honored at the press association's annual meeting, held this year at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord. The award started in 1993 and is given to North Carolinians who bring honor and recognition to the state. Other winners include evangelist Billy Graham and former North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith, North Carolina Senator Elizabeth Dole and banjo-picker Earl Scruggs.(AP/wnct.com)(7-28-2007)
- Congrats: Phil Holmer, Goodyear's Marketing Manager since 1976, recieved the H. Clay Earles Award at
Martinsville last week.(4-3-2007)
- Checkers/Rally’s Wins Bill Veeck Sports Sponsorship Award: Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., the nation’s largest chain of double drive-thru restaurants has been recognized as the 2006 Bill Veeck Sports Sponsorship Award winner for the Professional Association category. The chain received the award for its Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant sponsorship of NASCAR and several International Speedway Corporation (ISC) race tracks. Checkers/Rally’s became part of the NASCAR experience in 2005 with its Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant sponsorship of the sport, and further supports this relationship through its official track sponsorships at Daytona, Richmond, Homestead and Michigan, as well as Indianapolis. The annual Bill Veeck Sports Sponsorship Awards are organized by the John Cook School of Business at Saint Louis University. They were established in 2004 in honor of one of the greatest innovators in the history of sports, Hall of Fame baseball owner Bill Veeck, and recognize companies that continue a longstanding tradition of unique, innovative and inventive sports promotion. For more information, visit www.billveeckawards.com.(Checkers Drive-In Restaurants PR)(3-10-2007)
- Kenseth inducted into California Speedway's walk of fame: #17-Matt Kenseth was honored Saturday at California Speedway with a plaque with his likeness, as well as his footprint and signature on California Speedway's Walk of Fame. The California Speedway Walk of Fame, which commemorates past Nextel Cup Series winners at California Speedway by setting a plaque with their likeness into a cement fixture, is a monument similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. During the plaque installation ceremony, the
driver then has the opportunity to autograph the commemorative piece and place his or her feet into the slab before it dries. California
Speedway began the Walk of Fame tradition in 1998 after Jeff Gordon took the checkered flag at the inaugural 1997 Cup event at California Speedway. The ceremony was a huge success and the tradition has continued ever since. The ceremony featured a Walk of Fame induction of Kenseth for driving his way to victory at last year's Auto Club 500 at California Speedway. It was his first Nextel Cup Series victory at California to go along with his three [now four] Busch Series victories at California Speedway. Along with his name adorning a permanent piece of California Speedway, Kenseth also received a one-of-a-kind gift. For the past several years, Ohana Kemp Surfboards, a surfboard shaping company out of Orange County, California, has been custom shaping and designing custom boards for all Nextel Cup Series winners at California Speedway.(California Speedway PR)(2-25-2007)
- Childress Inducted into Oceanside Rotary Club Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame: NASCAR champion team owner Richard
Childress was inducted into the Rotary Club of Oceanside Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame last night in ceremonies at The Shores Resort and Spa in Daytona Beach Shores. The 18th annual event also saw the induction of legendary NASCAR executive Les Richter. The Hall of Fame is located inside The Shores Resort & Spa. Past inductees include Richard Petty (1990), Bill France (1993), Benny Parsons (1998), Bill France, Jr. (2001), and Dale Earnhardt (2004).(RCR PR)(2-14-2007)
2007 Most Popular Driver of the Year Award
- Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Wins Fifth Consecutive NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award: The final race has been run, and the checkered flag has fallen on the NASCAR racing season; but before it was all over, race fans answered the call to vote for their favorite driver. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was voted the 2007 NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver for the fifth consecutive year and was presented with the award today at the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Media Luncheon in New York City. “I’m extremely honored to win this award again, because it puts me with a very select group of drivers who I have a lot of respect for,” Earnhardt, Jr. commented. “When I became a Cup driver in 1999, I never would’ve imagined that we’d be talking about five consecutive Most Popular Driver awards. I have a special place at JR Motorsports where I put the MPD trophies, so I’m honored to add another one to the collection. I don’t want it to sound like a cliché, but this award really does mean a lot to me after all we have been through this year,” continued Earnhardt, Jr.. “This year has marked a significant transition in my life and career, and I knew the fans could go either way in supporting my decision or not. It was tough, and I don’t underestimate the fans’ support. It’s been overwhelming, and I really appreciate it.” Throughout the race season, race fans could log on to www.mostpopulardriver.com once a day and vote for their favorite driver. Voting ended on November 19 at 11:59pm/ct. A total of 3.8 million votes were cast this year, with Earnhardt, Jr. receiving 1.4 million votes.
“General Mills is very proud to once again present Dale Earnhardt, Jr. with the NASCAR NMPA Chex® Most Popular Driver award,” said Becky O’Grady, Vice President of Marketing for Chex cereal. “Earnhardt, Jr. has a dedicated fan base that has supported him throughout his racing career, and each year it shows in the number of votes he receives as the most popular driver. We are honored to present this prestigious award to Dale Jr., thanks to his loyal fans.”
After receiving the award this year, Earnhardt, Jr. has joined Richard Petty and Bill Elliott as the only drivers to win five straight awards. Petty won from 1974 – 1978 and Elliott won from 1984 – 1988. Other drivers who finished in this year’s top 10 include Jeff Gordon, who finished second in the voting, followed by Michael Waltrip, Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson, Elliott Sadler and Dale Jarrett. More than 50 Nextel Cup Series drivers were eligible in 2007 for the esteemed NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award, which is administered by the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA). It has been awarded annually since 1956 and is one of the oldest awards in racing.(Elevation Group of Companies PR)(11-29-2007)
- Most Popular Driver Award Tops Three Million Votes: The NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver award recently surpassed the 3 million mark in votes, and voters are still logging in daily. This new tally tops last year's total of 2.8 million votes cast. Log on to the Chex Most Popular Driver Website at www.mostpopulardriver.com. The current list of top-ten drivers, in no particular order, includes Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Dale Jarrett, Jimmie Johnson, Elliott Sadler, Tony Stewart and Michael Waltrip. The NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver winner will receive the award on Thursday, November 29, 2007 at the annual Myers Brothers Luncheon held in conjunction with the Nextel Cup Series' end-of -year banquet in New York City. The award has been given annually since 1956. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has four consecutive wins in the voting competition, with his most recent win coming in 2006. He joined drivers Bill Elliott and Richard Petty as the only drivers to win four consecutive awards.(Elevation Group PR)(10-10-2007)
- NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award Logs Over Two Million Votes: More than two million votes have been tallied in the race for the NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award. Thanks to fans logging in at www.mostpopulardriver.com to support their favorite driver, the goal of topping last year’s total votes is in sight. The current drivers in the top ten include many repeat visitors, and each has a chance at taking home the coveted prize. Listed in alphabetical order, the top ten list includes Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Dale Jarrett, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Elliott Sadler, Tony Stewart and Michael Waltrip. Fans can vote once a day, every day, but after voting the first time at www.MostPopularDriver.com, fans can register for the monthly online newsletter and complete a sweepstakes entry. Votes will continue to be counted every day through the remainder of the season. Fans should vote once a day, every day before Monday, Nov. 19, at 11:59am/ct.(Elevation Group PR)(7-27-2007)
- Battle Heats Up for the Most Popular Driver Award: The 2007 season is well under way and the battle is heating up for the 2007 NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award. Race fans have really begun to show their enthusiasm for their favorite driver and
continue to make their votes count at www.MostPopularDriver.com. One million votes have been cast to date, and surpassing last year’s total of 2.8 million votes is in sight. So far this year the competition is among many of the favorites from last year. The top-10 drivers include in alphabetical order: Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Dale Jarrett, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Elliott Sadler, Tony Stewart, and Michael Waltrip. Fans are encouraged to continue voting once a day, every day for their favorite driver. Every time fans vote they increase their chances of winning big themselves with the Chex Vote to Win Sweepstakes. Votes will continue
to be counted every day through the remainder of the season. Fans should vote once a day, every day before Monday, November 19, 2007, at 11:59 a.m. CST to advance their favorite driver to the top of the standings.(PR)(5-9-2007)
- Online Voting Opened for 2007 NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award: Voting for the 2007 NASCAR NMPA ChexR Most
Popular Driver Award opened recently as pre-season testing started at Daytona International Speedway. As drivers hit the track for the first time in 2007, race fans that attended the test session had the opportunity to be the first to vote at www.MostPopularDriver.com. Voting kicked off earlier this year than in years past to give fans as much time as possible to vote for their favorite driver. "We want fans to be just as excited about this award as we are,"
said Rohan Thakur, marketing manager for ChexR. "Millions of race fans show their passion and loyalty to their favorite driver each weekend at the race track and we see that same loyalty from the fans that vote every day. Every vote counts!"
As the race season begins, fans are encouraged to make their vote count and get their favorite driver in the running for the title. Fans can log on to www.MostPopularDriver.com once a day, each day, before voting ends on Monday, November 19, 2007, at 11:59 a.m. CST.
In 2006, a total of 2,835,277 votes were cast with winner Dale Earnhardt, Jr. receiving 1,172,195 votes. Other drivers that ranked in the top 10 included Jeff Gordon who finished second, followed by Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Michael Waltrip, Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and Elliott Sadler. The 2006 season marked the fourth consecutive year Earnhardt, Jr., won the prestigious award. As a result of the 2006 title, Earnhardt, Jr., joined drivers Bill Elliott and Richard Petty as the only drivers to win four consecutive times. More than 50 Nextel Cup Series drivers will be eligible in 2007 for the
esteemed NASCAR NMPA ChexR Most Popular Driver Award, which is administered by the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA). It has been awarded annually since 1953 and is one of the oldest awards in racing.(NMPA PR)(1-10-2007)
2006 Most Popular Driver of the Year Award
- and the winner of the NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award is.....: NASCAR fans across the nation logged on to www.mostpopulardriver.com and with the click of a mouse, voted Dale Earnhardt, Jr. the most popular driver in 2006.Earnhardt, Jr. was presented with the NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver award Thursday, Nov 30th at the NASCAR Myers Brothers Award Luncheon in New York City. After receiving the award, this marks the fourth consecutive year the North Carolina native has won the prestigious award. After his selection in 2005, Earnhardt, Jr. joined drivers Bill Elliott and Richard Petty as the only drivers to win four-straight. "I want to thank General Mills, Chex and the National Motorsports Press Association for this award," said Dale Earnhardt, Jr. "It's a great honor, because it's the only award in our sport voted on by the fans. I
share this award with my fans, because it is as much theirs as it is mine. I've always been grateful for their loyalty and support. Words can't say how much I appreciate it."
Throughout the race season, race fans logged on to www.mostpopulardriver.com and voted for their favorite driver. A total of 2,835,277 votes were cast this year, with Earnhardt, Jr. receiving 1,172,195 votes. #24-Jeff Gordon finished second in the voting, followed by #9-Kasey Kahne, #20-Tony Stewart, #29-Kevin Harvick, #15-Michael Waltrip, #6-Mark Martin, #17-Matt Kenseth, #48-Jimmie Johnson and #19-Elliott Sadler [no totals were given for the other drivers]. More than 40 Nextel Cup Series drivers were eligible in 2006 for the esteemed NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award, which is administered by the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA). It has been awarded annually since 1956 and is one of the oldest awards in racing.(Elevation / General Mills PR)(12-1-2006)
2005 Most Popular Driver of the Year Award
- Three Straight For Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won his third straight Chex NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award. The announcement was made today during the National Motorsports Press Association's (NMPA) Myers Brothers Awards Breakfast at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City that a record number of fans nationwide have again voted the North Carolinian as the most popular driver in the most popular form of motorsports in the United States. "It's a huge honor to win the Most Popular Driver award just one time, but to win it three times in a row is pretty overwhelming. I just want to thank the fans, and I want to thank Chex and the National Motorsports Press Association for the award," Earnhardt said.
"This one probably means more to me than the others because of the kind of year we had. It's one thing to have fan support when you're riding high and winning races. It's another thing to have it during the rough times," he continued. "No matter what we went through this year, I never once felt like my fans were turning on me and the Budweiser team. It's amazing to have that kind of support. It makes the team want to work that much harder and me drive that much faster. I can't thank the fans enough for what they've meant to me in my career."
A record 4,157,443 votes were cast in 2005, a huge jump for an award which never had more than 400,000 votes in a year prior to General Mills sponsorship. Chex began sponsorship of the award this season, replacing Grands! Biscuits, which had sponsored it since the beginning of the 2002 season. Earnhardt, Jr. has led the voting since the start of the 2003 season, and easily captured enough votes
in the record-setting 2005 year to again win the award. He finished with 1,403,544 votes, which is also an all-time record.
"The fans have pretty well made a statement in regards to their favorite driver in this era," said Kenny Bruce, president of the NMPA. "They have also made a statement as to the importance of this award. We appreciate every fan who voted, and we really appreciate Chex for its sponsorship."
"On behalf of Chex and General Mills, I want to congratulate Dale Earnhardt Jr. on winning this award for the third straight year," said Chex Marketing Manager Trevor Bynum. "We also want to thank the millions of fans who voted and made this award possible with their continued strong support."
Jeff Gordon finished second in the voting at www.mostpopulardriver.com with 594,434 votes. Kasey Kahne was third with 343,154; 2005 Champion Tony Stewart fourth with 246,026; and retiring Rusty Wallace fifth with 214,026. Rounding out the top 10 were Kevin Harvick, Michael Waltrip, Mark Martin, Dale Jarrett and Jimmie Johnson.
The NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award dates back to 1956, making it one of the oldest and most traditional awards in NASCAR racing. It began as a simple poll of the drivers and later grew to incorporate all NASCAR Nextel Cup competitors. Later, it included all NASCAR members. Today, it is a prestigious award voted on by racing fans throughout the world. Through the years, voters' choices have
ranged from the obvious to the surprising. Bill Elliott's 16 most popular wins tops all drivers. He is followed by Richard Petty, who has won nine times. Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s win last year made him the fifth driver in NASCAR history to win the award in consecutive seasons, while his win in 2003 made him and his father, the late Dale Earnhardt, the only father-son combination to have won. Other past winners have included such notables as Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip.(Williams Company PR)(12-2-2005)
2004 Most Popular Driver of the Year Award
- Dale Jr. Donates Most Popular Winnings: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has donated the $10,000 he won in the Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits Most Popular Driver contest to two animal welfare organizations. The Animal Adoption League and the Lake Norman Lucky Cats organization in North Carolina received the money Earnhardt Jr. won from the contest run by the National Motorsports Press Association.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(12-18-2004)
- Most Popular to be announced on Friday AND the Winner is........: The winner of the 2004 Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award will be announced Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, at 10:30am/et during the NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Breakfast at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York City. One guess who it will be???? The Most Popular Driver Award dates back to 1956. It began as a simple poll of the drivers and grew to incorporate all NASCAR Cup competitors. Later, it included all NASCAR members. Today, it's a prestigious award voted on by racing fans nationwide. This year, nearly four million votes were cast by thousands of fans at www.mostpopulardriver.com.(12-2-2004)
WINNER - Dale Jr: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. continued to set standards among NASCAR fans nationwide in 2004. For the second straight year, fans voted Earnhardt, Jr. the Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver. The announcement was made today during the National Motorsports Press Association's (NMPA) Myers Brothers Awards Breakfast at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Earnhardt, Jr. becomes just the fifth driver in the award's history to have won in consecutive years, joining Bobby Allison, Richard Petty, Bill Elliott and Darrell Waltrip. A year ago, his selection by race fans made Earnhardt, Jr. and his father, Dale Earnhardt, the only father-son combination to have won NASCAR's oldest and most traditional off-track honor.
"It was fun to win it last year, but to get two in a row really means a lot to me," said Earnhardt, Jr. "I've learned this year about how loyal and supportive my fans are. My team had our best season ever, but we also had a lot of trouble along the way, including my injuries. I used to worry about losing my fans after a bad race or two, but I found out this year the fans really got behind me when I needed it the most. It's a big compliment to have that many fans voting for me and letting me know they're supportive and loyal no matter what."
Earnhardt, Jr. has led the voting since the start of the 2004 season, and easily captured enough votes in the record-setting 2004 year to again win the award. He finished with 1,487,512 votes, which exceeds the combined vote totals of the next six most popular drivers. "Dale Jr. is obviously a fan favorite, and this just confirms that," said Kenny Bruce, president of the National Motorsports Press Association. "All of the drivers in NASCAR racing have fans who support them wholeheartedly, and I think it's great what the Earnhardt fans have done. We are grateful to all of the NASCAR fans who were part of the voting process, and we feel they made a good choice."
A record 3.8 million votes were cast in 2004, marking the third straight year more than 3 million votes were cast via the Web site, www.mostpopulardriver.com. Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits, the third-year sponsor of the award which is administered by the NMPA, has worked to reach fans since voting launched with the season-opening Daytona 500.
"It's been a great honor for us to bring this award to the fans and recognize Dale as their favorite driver," said Annie Zipfel, marketing manager for Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits at General Mills. "We'll continue to share the excitement of this announcement with fans by posting award ceremony highlights on www.mostpopulardriver.com. After all, the fans are really what this award is all about."
Following Earnhardt Jr. in the 2004 Most Popular Driver Award final standings were:
#24-Jeff Gordon (496,362)
#29-Kevin Harvick (249,228)
#15-Michael Waltrip (225,011)
#20-Tony Stewart (185,486)
#9-Kasey Kahne (178,280)
#88-Dale Jarrett (127,423)
#6-Mark Martin (98,461)
#48-Jimmie Johnson (92,828)
#18-Bobby Labonte (80,680)
More than 40 drivers received votes
NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award dates back to 1956. It began as a simple poll of the drivers and grew to incorporate all NASCAR Cup competitors. Later, it included all NASCAR members. Today, it is a prestigious award voted on by racing fans nationwide.
Through the years, the voters' choices have ranged from the obvious to the surprising. Bill Elliott won the award 16 times before retiring his name from the Most Popular Driver Award voting at the beginning of the 2003 season. Richard Petty won the award nine times.(fingerprint inc./DEI)(12-3-2004)
2003 Most Popular Driver
- Most Popular Driver UPDATE and the winner is.........................: 2003 Grands! Biscuits NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award to be announced Friday, Dec. 5, 2003, at 8:30am/et and will be presented to the winning driver in New York City. Votes are in, and one driver will receive the 2003 Grands! Biscuits National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award. Most Popular Driver Award dates back to 1956. It began as a simple poll of the drivers and grew to incorporate all NASCAR Winston Cup competitors. Later, it included all NASCAR members. Today, it’s a prestigious award voted on by racing fans nationwide. This year, more than three million votes were cast by thousands of fans nationwide.(Williams Company PR)(12-3-2003)
DALE EARNHARDT JR. The votes are in, and race car fans across the country have named Dale Earnhardt Jr. the 2003 Grands!(R) Biscuits NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver. The announcement was made today during the National Motorsports Press Association's (NMPA) Myers Brothers Awards Breakfast at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. While Earnhardt Jr. finished third in the top on-track honor in major league stock car racing, he led throughout the Most Popular Driver fan balloting for the highest off-track honor in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. The driver of the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet maintained a solid first place as voting closed mid-November for the only fan-based award in professional motorsports.
"It means a ton to see the support I've received from the fans," said Earnhardt Jr. "I know that no matter how bad things have been in my life that week or if I've struggled with the race that weekend, it's always helpful to hear the cheers when I walk across the stage during driver introductions."
Earnhardt Jr.'s win also marks the first time both a son and a father have received the Most Popular Driver honor. Racing legend Dale Earnhardt won the award posthumously in 2001.
"The NASCAR fans are a smart bunch. They choose their favorite drivers based on who that driver is as a person and what they represent," Earnhardt Jr. continued. "I try to remember that every day. This means a lot to me that the fans have supported me in such a big way. It was emotional for me to have to accept this award on behalf of my dad in 2001, but it will feel a lot better being able to accept the award this year."
From the fan votes to at-track enthusiasm, it's clear Earnhardt Jr. creates excitement on the racing circuit. "I don't think anyone is surprised Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the Grands!(R) Biscuits NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver," said journalist Kenny Bruce, president of the National Motorsports Press Association. "He came close to winning a year ago, and anyone who has listened while he was introduced at races would know that the fans really seem to love him. We are grateful to all of the NASCAR fans who were part of the voting process, and we feel they made a good choice."
For the second year in a row, more than 3 million votes were cast by thousands of race fans nationwide via the Web site, www.mostpopulardriver.com. Pillsbury(R) Grands! Biscuits, the second-year sponsor of the award administered by the National Motorsports Press Association, has worked since voting launched with the season-opening Daytona 500 to increase fan exposure and created new ways for consumers to get involved. "It's been a great honor for us to bring this award to the fans and recognize Dale as their favorite driver," said Annie Zipfel, marketing manager for Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits at General Mills. "We'll continue to share the excitement of this announcement with fans by posting award ceremony highlights on www.mostpopulardriver.com. After all, the fans are really what this award is all about."
Following Earnhardt Jr. in the 2003 Most Popular Driver Award final standings were drivers Jeff Gordon and Kevin Harvick in second and third place respectively. Rounding out the top ten in descending order of votes were Steve Park [and with no ride for 2004?], Tony Stewart, Michael Waltrip, Mark Martin, Dale Jarrett, Kyle Petty and Bobby Labonte. More than 50 drivers received votes. NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award dates back to 1956. It began as a simple poll of the drivers and grew to incorporate all NASCAR Winston Cup competitors. Later, it included all NASCAR members. Today, it is a prestigious award voted on by racing fans nationwide. Through the years, the voters' choices have ranged from the obvious to the surprising. Bill Elliott edged out Earnhardt Jr. to win the award in 2002. Elliott won the award 16 times before retiring his name from the Most Popular Driver Award voting at the beginning of the 2003 Winston Cup series. Richard Petty won the award nine times. Other past winners have included such notables as Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip.(Business Wire)(12-5-2003)
THE TALLY? Following Earnhardt Jr., who received more than 1.3 millions votes, in the 2003 Most Popular Driver Award final standings were drivers Jeff Gordon (348,629 votes), Kevin Harvick (213,511 votes), Steve Park (152,541 votes), and Tony Stewart (142,899 votes). Rounding out the top ten in descending order of votes were Michael Waltrip, Mark Martin, Dale Jarrett, Kyle Petty and Bobby Labonte. More than 50 drivers received votes.(Williams Company PR)(12-5-2003)
2000 Most Popular Driver
- the top 5: over 280,000 votes were cast. For the 15th year in the last 17, Bill Elliott is the winner of the National Motorsports Press Association's Most Popular Driver Award for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Elliott, the 1988 Nextel Cup champion, received 38.8 percent of more than 280,000 votes cast this year in balloting conducted by the NMPA. Dale Earnhardt, a seven-time Nextel Cup champion, finished second in the voting with 16.2 percent of the vote. Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon and 2000 Nextel Cup champion Bobby Labonte rounded out the top five in the vote. Fifty-eight drivers received at least one vote and 20 different drivers getting at least 1,000 votes(That's Racin'). NOTE: this is only vote info I have seen, have not seen the top 10 or 20 or what the vote totals were(12-8-2000)
1999 Most Popular Driver
- Bill Elliott(for the 14th time in the last 16 years, DW won the other two) won in 1999. 22,916 votes were cast, Elliott got 13,849(60.4%), 2nd was Dale Earnhardt who had 2,423 votes. The remaining top 10 were: 3) Jeff Gordon; 4) Dave Marcis; 5) Dale Jarrett; 6) Rusty Wallace; 7) Mark Martin; 8) Dick Trickle; 9) Tony Stewart; and 10) Bobby Labonte. 49 drivers received votes via the 900 phone number(Nextel Cup Scene)(12-10-1999)
