Danica Patrick is the first woman nominated for SpeedTV’s DRIVER OF THE YEAR AWARD in the second quarter 2005. Concluding an exciting month of May, Patrick, 23, becomes a breakthrough driver for the fan vote. Driving for Rahal/Letterman Racing her late race battle, with eventual Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon, has attracted media attention around the World.
The list of nominated drivers includes Greg Anderson (NHRA) Greg Biffle (NASCAR ) Sebastien Bourdais (Champ Car), John Force (NHRA) Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR), Steve Kinser (World of Outlaws), Patrick and Wheldon of the IRL.
In its 39th year, the Speed Channel DRIVER OF THE YEAR’s award for this quarter will be determined by an independent vote of the 18-member panel of blue ribbon auto racing journalists and broadcasters and one vote based on the cumulative tally of fans’ voting at www.speedtv.com.
At the end of the year a special, separate, vote will be held for the SPEED Channel 2005 DRIVER OF THE YEAR. The panelists will have their quarterly vote on June 22nd and the fan vote will close soon thereafter.(DOTY PR)(6-16-2005)
