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bowtie
Guest
Ryan Newman dominated the voting for SPEED Channel presents the Driver of the Year 2003. Yet, some might view it as an upset win. It was only the second time in the 37-year history of the award the honor didn't go to a series champion.
The last time this happened was in 1985 when Bill Elliott beat NASCAR Winston Cup Champion, Darrell Waltrip -- a three-time Driver of the Year -- based on wins and poles. Newman finished sixth behind series champion, Matt Kenseth.
In only his second full year in Winston Cup racing Newman, winner of the voting in the third and fourth quarter for Driver of the Year was a little stunned when he learned of the final vote, "it's awesome. Not only the award, but, the honor of all the drivers that have gotten it, to be on that list and to be able to compete against all the drivers this year and beat them."
He was the winningest driver in the grueling 36-race series with eight wins and 11 poles. A crash at Daytona and early season failures to finish put a dent in his hopes to carry home the series trophy. Still after his disappointing start, he finished in the top-ten 22 times.
Newman, a 25-year old from Indiana who drives the Alltel Dodge, easily beat all of his rivals with nine first-place votes. Other drivers garnering votes were Paul Tracy (CART), and Steve Kinser (World of Outlaws) who had two. Drivers getting one vote each were Kenseth, Greg Anderson (NHRA), Kenny Bernstein (NHRA), Scott Dixon (IRL), Sam Hornish, Jr. (IRL), and J.J. Yeley (USAC).
The Penske Racing South driver also carried the fan vote, on www.speedtv.com, with 44 percent.
Responding to that vote, Newman said, "that's cool too. This sport is driven by the fans not just the media panel. To win the fan vote is an honor also. It shows a couple of things: the impact of NASCAR racing on the world of motor sports and how driven and dedicated the fans are."
In its 37th year, the Driver of the Year title is unique because it is the only award that emcompasses all of the racing series in the United States and fan participation. A panel of 18 leading journalists and broadcasters from across the U.S. and a cumulative fan vote on Speedtv.com determine the winner. The final vote is made up of a secret ballot of the experts each selecting one driver and the winner of the fan vote.
In recognition of this honor Newman will receive a trophy and a Maurice Lacroix Swiss Watch at a special presentation in Talledega, Ala., next April.
The last time this happened was in 1985 when Bill Elliott beat NASCAR Winston Cup Champion, Darrell Waltrip -- a three-time Driver of the Year -- based on wins and poles. Newman finished sixth behind series champion, Matt Kenseth.
In only his second full year in Winston Cup racing Newman, winner of the voting in the third and fourth quarter for Driver of the Year was a little stunned when he learned of the final vote, "it's awesome. Not only the award, but, the honor of all the drivers that have gotten it, to be on that list and to be able to compete against all the drivers this year and beat them."
He was the winningest driver in the grueling 36-race series with eight wins and 11 poles. A crash at Daytona and early season failures to finish put a dent in his hopes to carry home the series trophy. Still after his disappointing start, he finished in the top-ten 22 times.
Newman, a 25-year old from Indiana who drives the Alltel Dodge, easily beat all of his rivals with nine first-place votes. Other drivers garnering votes were Paul Tracy (CART), and Steve Kinser (World of Outlaws) who had two. Drivers getting one vote each were Kenseth, Greg Anderson (NHRA), Kenny Bernstein (NHRA), Scott Dixon (IRL), Sam Hornish, Jr. (IRL), and J.J. Yeley (USAC).
The Penske Racing South driver also carried the fan vote, on www.speedtv.com, with 44 percent.
Responding to that vote, Newman said, "that's cool too. This sport is driven by the fans not just the media panel. To win the fan vote is an honor also. It shows a couple of things: the impact of NASCAR racing on the world of motor sports and how driven and dedicated the fans are."
In its 37th year, the Driver of the Year title is unique because it is the only award that emcompasses all of the racing series in the United States and fan participation. A panel of 18 leading journalists and broadcasters from across the U.S. and a cumulative fan vote on Speedtv.com determine the winner. The final vote is made up of a secret ballot of the experts each selecting one driver and the winner of the fan vote.
In recognition of this honor Newman will receive a trophy and a Maurice Lacroix Swiss Watch at a special presentation in Talledega, Ala., next April.