NASCAR Daily News Headlines * December 5, 2008

Dale Jr. Most Popular Driver

Throughout the race season, fans voted daily for over 40 of their favorite drivers online at Chexs Most Popular Driver Award. Earnhardt Jr. was presented with the award today at the National Motorsports Press Association’s Myers Brothers Media Luncheon in New York City. 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.

Petty Won't Comment On Merger

“We don’t comment on rumors and speculation. I have no idea where that [report] is coming from,” said Zucker, who spent Tuesday and Wednesday in New York at a motorsports marketing forum and seminar. “I really have no idea. If we have something to say, we’ll say it. We have no comment on speculation.”

A month ago, team founder Richard Petty said ““we’ve talked to everybody about everything that could be talked about” as far as merger possibilities. GEM issued a statement saying it would not comment on the report, but GEM executives have said they wanted to explore any way to have four teams.

A GEM-Petty merger would give the organization five current teams, with three locked into the first five races for 2009. One of those teams would have to be cut because NASCAR legislates that each organization can only field four teams, except Roush Fenway Racing which is grandfathered in with five through 2009.(scenedaily.com)

Childress Wins Humanitarian Award

In 2008, Childress made a $5 million donation to establish the institute, which seeks to lessen the chances of a child dying from a traumatic injury through advancing and disseminating research and knowledge on the treatment and care of children with traumatic injuries. Traumatic injury is the leading cause of death for children in the United States, and the institute focuses on research, education, treatment, prevention and raising awareness of childhood injuries. Childress is currently working with organizations and donors in an effort to raise additional support for the program.

"Richard's generous spirit and commitment to this cause will bring awareness to pediatric traumatic injuries and help save the lives of countless children in the future,” said Frank Bifulco, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of The Home Depot

The other finalists for the award were Artie Kempner, coordinating director of NASCAR for Fox Sports and founder of the Autism Society of Delaware, and Sprint Cup driver Ryan Newman, an animal rights advocate who founded Racing for Wildlife with The Conservation Fund. They received a $25,000 donation each to their designated non-profit organizations while Childress received a $100,000 donation from The Home Depot for the institute for pediatric trauma.(scenedaily.com)

T.Taylor Warren Named NMPA Myers Brothers Award Recipient

The award, named in honor of former NASCAR competitors Billy and Bob Myers, was presented Dec. 4 during the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Media Luncheon. Accepting on behalf of Warren, who died Oct. 8 at the age of 83, was NASCAR Vice President of Corporate Communications Jim Hunter.

Warren was recognized for a lifetime of achievement in NASCAR photography. Most famously, his photograph helped determine the winner of the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959. Initially, officials declared Johnny Beauchamp the victor. However, once Warren developed his photos, it was clear that Lee Petty beat Beauchamp. After three days of investigation by a number of officials and additional photographic evidence, NASCAR officially declared Lee Petty to be the winner.

In 2006, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega, Alabama, honored Warren with the Henry T. McLemore Award for achievement in journalism. Previously, this award had only been given to writers and broadcasters.

Warren was a fixture at NASCAR tracks for nearly six decades, his trademark fisherman’s-style hat and vest familiar sights on pit road. “Whether they know it or not, millions of NASCAR fans since the early 1950s saw the sport through T. Taylor’s eyes,” said NMPA President Tom Jensen. “T. Taylor’s images brought the sport to life long before the advent of NASCAR on network television and the Internet. More than that, though, T. Taylor was a true gentleman, respected by the racers and NASCAR officials, and admired by his fellow photographers and other media members. He was a class act all the way.”

Voted on each year by members of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA), the Myers Brothers Award recognizes individuals and/or groups who have provided outstanding contributions to the sport of stock car racing.

Myers Brothers Award Winners

2008, T. Taylor Warren; 2007, Bill France Jr.; 2006, Benny Parsons; 2005, Rusty Wallace; 2004, Kyle and Patti Petty; 2003, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.; 2002, Mike Helton; 2001, Dale Earnhardt; 2000, Kyle Petty; 1999, Junie Donlavey; 1998, T. Wayne Robertson; 1997, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.; 1996, Rick Hendrick; 1995, TNN: The Nashville Network; 1994, Brickyard 400/Indianapolis Motor Speedway; 1993, Goody’s Manufacturing Co.; 1992, Richard and Lynda Petty; 1991, Harry Gant; 1990. Dick Beaty;

1989, Bill France Jr.; 1988 Richmond International Raceway; 1987, ESPN; 1986, Hayride 500; 1985, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.; 1984, Charlotte Motor Speedway; 1983, CBS-TV; 1982, MRN; 1981, Junior Johnson; 1980, STP & Champion Spark Plug Co.

1979, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.; 1978, Busch Beer; 1977, First National City Travelers Checks; 1976, Junior Johnson; 1975, Bill France Sr.; 1974, H. Clay Earles; 1973, Wood Brothers; 1972, Winston Cigarettes; 1971, Richard Petty; 1970, Richard Howard;

1969, David Pearson; 1968, Wood Brothers; 1967, Richard Petty; 1966, Norris Friel; 1965, Ned Jarrett; 1964, Richard Petty; 1963, Marvin Panch; 1962, Hank Schoolfield; 1961, Ned Jarrett; 1960, Russ Catlin; 1959, Lee Petty; 1958, Bob Colvin

Bob Bahre Wins Shuman Award

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.