NASCAR historian Bob Latford, who developed the point system used by NASCAR to determine champions from 1975 through 2003, has been named the 2003 recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association/Pocono Spirit Award. The award, determined by the voting membership of the NMPA, recognizes character and achievement in the face of adversity as well as sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. “He was one of the true pioneers in our sport and a good friend,” Jim Hunter, vice president of corporate communications for NASCAR, said. “A great statistician, historian and a true friend to the media. “He was always trying to help the media with ideas, providing facts and figures to generate a story. It’s a shame that many members of today’s media didn’t know Bob in his heyday.”(ThatsRacin.com)(1-21-2004)
