Ryan Newman backed up his convincing third quarter Speed Channel presents Driver of the Year 2003 title by easily topping the vote for the fourth quarter. The winningest driver in the Winston Cup series this year scored three more wins, six poles, and had eight top-five finishes in the final quarter of the season. The 25-year-old, from Indiana who drives the Alltel Dodge, had to rebound from a slow start to his season. With nine first-place Driver of the Year 2003 votes Newman far outdistanced (107-71) second place vote getter, Kenny Bernstein, of the NHRA who had two. Steve Kinser, racing in the World of Outlaws, was third in the balloting (57 points) followed by Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR) who also had two first-place votes. In the fan vote – between eight nominated drivers – available at www.speedtv.com, NASCAR’s Winston Cup drivers dominated again garnering the top three positions, with Gordon taking the top honors, followed by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Newman, Anderson, Bernstein and Kinser. The Driver of the Year Award will be announced on Speed News, Speed Channel .(see full PR on my Voting and Awards page )(11-22-2003)
