Indy 500 winner, and the Indy Racing League points leader, Dan Wheldon, edged NASCAR’s Greg Biffle to win the vote for the Speed Channel Driver of the Year second quarter, 2005. Wheldon, who drives the #26 Klein Tools/Jim Beam Dallara/Honda for Andretti Green Racing, dominated the second quarter which mirrored his performance all year. After winning the Indy Japan 300 in April he topped that by winning the 89th edition of the Indy 500. Wheldon became the first Brit to win the Indy 500 since Graham Hill did it in 1966. He could be the first Briton to win Driver of the Year since Nigel Mansell accomplished the feat in 1993. In the professional vote only two drivers scored first place votes Wheldon and Biffle. Overall Wheldon scored 120 points to Biffle’s 118. Biffle, in the #16 National Guard/Post It Ford, had three wins in the quarter and moved to within 46 points of Jimmie Johnson in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series standings. Third place went to Biffle’s Roush Racing teammate, Carl Edwards, who drove the Office Depot Ford to victory lane at the Pocono 500 and two wins in the NASCAR Busch series.
A total of 14 drivers scored points in the second quarter voting, including fourth place Steve Kinser, of the World of Outlaws series, fifth place went to NASCAR Nextel Cup rookie, Kyle Busch. Danica Patrick, who had 300,000 fans on their feet screaming as she battled Wheldon in the closing laps of the Indy 500, won the fan vote [which counts for 1 vote to go with 18 professional votes] and was sixth overall. In its’ 39th year, the Driver of the Year title is unique because it is the only award that encompasses all of the racing series in the United States and fan participation. A panel of 18 leading journalists from across the U.S. and a fan vote on Speedtv.com determine the winner. In quarterly voting, points are awarded on a declining 9,6,4,3,2,1 basis. Wheldon will receive a trophy and a Maurice Lacroix wristwatch to be presented on Speed TV.(DOTY PR)(6-26-2005)
