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And the most popular driver is … Earnhardt
Star has now collected six titles and he's only behind Elliott and Petty in most awards.
By David Poole
dpoole@charlotteobserver.com
Friday, Dec. 05, 2008
NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. strokes his beard while being interviewed at the NASCAR Media Luncheon in New York, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. collected his sixth NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award Thursday at the National Motorsports Press Association's Myers Brothers Media Luncheon in New York City.
Earnhardt Jr. has won the award more than anyone except 16-time winner Bill Elliott and nine-time winner Richard Petty.
“I can tell you it never gets old.” Earnhardt Jr. said. “I've said it many times before that this award is special because it's the voice of the fans.”
Earnhardt Jr. got more than 1 million votes in online balloting conducted by the NMPA and Chex, the award's corporate sponsor. Other drivers finishing in the top 10 in the voting were, in alphabetical order, Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte, Tony Stewart and Michael Waltrip.
Briefly
Thomas Taylor Warren was named the winner of this year's Myers Brothers Award at Thursday's event in New York. Warren, known in the racing community as “T. Taylor,” died Oct. 8 at the age of 83 after a lifetime of achievement as a photographer at NASCAR events.
Bob Bahre, the former owner of New Hampshire Motor Speedway, won the 2008 Buddy Shuman Award.
NASCAR and actor Kevin Costner have announced a yearlong partnership that will include Costner appearing at tonight's Sprint Cup awards ceremony. Costner also will narrate a new NASCAR movie called “The Ride of Their Lives” that premiers Dec. 13 on CMT.
Zmax Dragway will host the VAULT Assault Street Racing Challenge next Thursday. The public is invited to bring their personal vehicles, which must be street legal and certified by the Department of Transportation. Participants must have a current driver's license and matching registration. No race tires (slicks), nitrous bottles, or convertibles will be allowed. No passengers will be permitted. Registration begins at 3 p.m. and racing begins at 5. The cost to enter a vehicle is $25. Admission for spectators is $5 or free with five canned food items.