Speed Names Stewart Performer of the Year
Tony Stewart
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart has been named the Speed Performer of the Year. He received the Mario Andretti Trophy from the racing legend Sunday night.
“This is an awesome moment in my career,” Stewart said. “I grew up in Indiana watching this guy a lot. Winning any award is an honor, but winning one with Mario’s name on it is very special.”
Five of this year’s seven finalists received first-place votes, including Stewart, runner-up Casey Stoner; AMA Supercross/Motocross champion Ryan Villipoto; last year’s Speed Performer of the Year, Sebastian Vettel, and USAC/WoO phenom Kyle Larson.
“I get to see the best of the best and, Tony, you are in that company,” said Andretti, who actually noticed Stewart’s calm demeanor during the Chase and texted the driver, “I smell championship.”
The award, now in its sixth season, is presented annually by Speed to the racer who puts a premium on winning races, shines on motor sports’ biggest stages and does it all with a measure of sportsmanship and class.
The 2011 Speed Performer of the Year was selected by a panel including racing legends Andretti and Dan Gurney, “Wind Tunnel” host Dave Despain, veteran broadcasters Varsha, Ralph Sheheen and Leigh Diffey, Speed.com writers Robin Miller and Tom Jensen, versatile racers Tommy Kendall and Dorsey Schroeder and a select group of Speed motorsports producers.
Short URL: http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/?p=43520
Posted by NSSN Staff
on Jan 29 2012 Filed under Latest Headlines, NASCAR, Sprint Cup, Top Stories.
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