One of NASCAR’s pioneers with more than 40 years as a car owner and race track operator, Paul Sawyer has been named the recipient of the 1997 Buddy Shuman Award. Presentation of the award was made Thursday afternoon at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in mid-town Manhattan. The Buddy Shuman Award is presented annually since 1957 to the person or persons who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to
NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing. The recipient is selected by a panel of manufacturers’ representatives and the award is sponsored by Champion Spark Plug.
Past recipients of the award include Bill France Jr., Les Richter, Dick Beaty, Leo Mehl, Bobby Allison, and Smokey Yunick and in 1996, Jim Foster. Sawyer, 81, is responsible for developing one of the finest racing facilities in the United States, along with building one of the biggest family operations in all of motorsports, at Richmond International Raceway. His vision to improve the facility throughout his ownership tenure is noteworthy.(NASCAR Online via NASCAR fans newsletter)(12-6-97)
