Friday morning’s edition of the annual National Motorsports Press Club/Myers Brothers Awards Breakfast was notable for recognition received by Rusty Wallace and the absence of many of his peers. Wallace, the 1989 NASCAR Cup champion who won 55 career races, was named the recipient of the National Motorsports Press Associations 2005 Myers Brothers Award. The veteran driver, who said farewell to his fans with his “Rusty’s Last Call Tour” this season, started 706 Cup races, amassing 202 top-five and 349 top-10 finishes in addition to his 55 victories. He also won rookie of the year honors in 1984. In his final season this year, Wallace qualified for the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup and ended the year eighth in points. “We started the team back in 1991,” said Wallace of the team he co-founded with Roger Penske. “We won a lot of races, won our share, won our share of poles, accolades and all the cool things that comes with it. When get an award like this, it’s something that really sticks. That’s a great award. I’ve won the yearly awards and really treasured them, got the big checks … but this one here will go high on my mantle,” Wallace said. “It’ll be something I’ll be really proud of, so thank you very much.” Voted on each year by members of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA), the Myers Brothers award recognizes individuals and/or groups who have provided outstanding contributions to the sport of stock car racing. It is named in honor of Billy and Bob Myers.(Speed Channel)(12-3-2005)
