In a year filled with great driving performances, U.S. Army NHRA Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher has been voted the 2008 Driver of the Year by an elite panel of broadcasters and journalists it was announced here today. In taking a record fifth consecutive Top Fuel world championship, he tied an NHRA record with 15 victories. He also won the third quarter Driver of the Year award. Although choosing a Driver of the Year usually comes down to two or three drivers, this was a particularly difficult year for the panel. “Usually one driver has a stand out season, but this year there were a handful of guys who were all viable candidates for the award including NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch,” said Barry Schmoyer, President of the Driver of the Year Award Foundation. Professionals, who voted in a secret ballot for a single driver, gave Schumacher six votes, while Johnson and Edwards each received five votes. Busch and Tony Stewart each earned one vote. The Driver of the Year title is unique because a select panel of 18 leading journalists and broadcasters from across the U.S. are the only eligible voters via a secret ballot. Schumacher will be presented with a trophy and a Tissot wristwatch next April at the International Motor Sports Hall of Fame in Talladega, Ala.(DOTY PR)
