Stewart Sporting News Driver of the Year: The Sporting News announced today that Stewart has been chosen as the NASCAR Driver of the Year, a noteworthy prize since the award is voted on by his fellow drivers. Stewart received 39% of the first-place votes while Jimmie Johnson garnered 22% of the first-place votes. “It’s an honor to have my fellow drivers vote me as their Driver of the Year,” Stewart said. “Earning the championship was great, but having the respect of the people we race with 38 weekends of the year means everything. I’m truly grateful for this award because there are plenty of other deserving candidates in the NASCAR Winston Cup garage.” Other winners announced were Dale Earnhardt Jr. as the recipient of the Dale Earnhardt Toughest Driver of the Year; Ryan Newman as Rookie of the Year; Jack Roush as Owner of the Year; Mark Martin as Comeback Driver; Matt Borland as Crew Chief of the Year; and Matt Kenseth’s #17 team as Pit Crew of the Year.(NASCAR PR) See stories at the Sporting News – TSN’s Driver of the Year: Tony Stewart and TSN’s NASCAR awards.(12-4-2002)
