#99-Carl Edwards, who narrowly missed winning two NASCAR championships in the same year, was voted 4th quarter Driver of the Year 2008. In the voting period Edwards won three Sprint Cup races and had only two finishes worse than top four. Additionally he won three Nationwide races in the final quarter. You could say he threw everything he had at those championships, and in one race, at Kansas City, he literally threw his Roush Racing Ford in the wall in an effort to get past Jimmie Johnson the eventual race winner and Cup Champion. He was also the fourth quarter winner in 2005. Barry Schmoyer, President of the Driver of the Year Foundation, said “Carl made the final run to both championships exciting. He’s the perfect example of an athlete who never gave up and I think the panel recognized that.” In the voting Edwards took ten first-place ballots and received votes from the entire panel. With 128 points he beat Jimmie Johnson. Johnson, the reigning Sprint Cup Champion and the 2006 & 2007 Driver of the Year, received seven first-place votes and totaled 74 points. Tony Schumacher, NHRA’s Top Fuel Champion and winner of the 3rd quarter Driver of the Year 2008, received one first-place vote and totaled 79 points. Cruz Pedregon, the NHRA’s Funny Car Champion this year, was fourth in the voting with one first place vote. A total of 14 eligible drivers scored points in the fourth quarter voting. In its’ 42nd year, the Driver of the Year title is unique. A panel of 18 leading broadcasters and journalists from across the U.S. determine the winner. In quarterly voting, points are awarded on a declining 9, 6, 4,3,2,1 basis. Edwards will receive a trophy and a Tissot wristwatch to be presented at a later date.(DOTY PR)(11-26-2008)
