NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewarts reaction to being named recipient of the 2013 NMPA Myers Brothers Award was emotional and heartfelt. ‘This is crazy’ said the three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion. ‘What an honor. Its very humbling.” Stewart was honored by the National Motor Sports Press Association (NMPA) during Thursdays annual NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon at Wynn Las Vegas for a variety of reasons – as a fierce competitor, championship team owner and race track promoter. ‘But hes also helped others on many occasions; quietly and without recognition’ said NMPA President Kenny Bruce. ‘The stories of our winners big heart have gotten around; much to his dismay, Im sure. Trust me, theyre endless.” Bruces introductory remarks were echoed by master of ceremonies and FOX Sports broadcaster Mike Joy. ‘What he does for the sport makes him one of a kind.” The NMPA Myers Brothers Award is presented in the names of pioneer NASCAR competitors Billy and Bobby Myers. Past recipients are a virtual whos-who of the industry – drivers, owners, track operators, sponsors and members of the media – and include nearly every current member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Stewart was cited for a longtime body of work – and specifically for his role in taking NASCAR back to its roots. He and his staff at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, produced the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series ‘Mudsummer Classic’ the sanctioning bodys first national points competition on a dirt surface in more than four decades. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was named the NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for a record, 11th consecutive season. He matched Bill Elliotts mark a year ago although the 1988 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion continues to hold the overall record of 16. Brian France, NASCAR chairman and CEO, addressed the media prior to the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon calling the just-concluded season ‘a good year.” France pronounced the roll-out of the Gen-6 Chevrolet SS, Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry successful. The premier series three manufacturers were named joint recipients of the 2013 Buddy Shuman Award for their role in creating race cars styled to better connect the sport with the pride of car ownership shared by millions of North American consumers. Despite cooler than normal temperatures, thousands of fans lined The Strip – Las Vegas Boulevard – as the top-13 drivers celebrated the conclusion of the 2013 season with the fifth annual Victory Lap. Engines rumbled and smoke from burnouts filled the air during the popular event that started and finished in front of the Miracle Mile Shops on Las Vegas Boulevard. Additional events Thursday included the NASCAR After The Lap sponsored by Ford and Coca-Cola at the Pearl Palms Concert Theater inside the Palms Casino Resort, a ‘tell-all” driver-fan interaction that lived up to its promise as one of the most sought after off-track tickets. Here is the complete list of Thursdays award winners from the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon: “¢ NMPA Myers Brothers Award: Tony Stewart “¢ NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award: Dale Earnhardt Jr. “¢ Buddy Shuman Award: Chevrolet Division of General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Toyota “¢ NASCAR Marketing Achievement Award: Coca-Cola “¢ 3M Lap Leader Award: Matt Kenseth “¢ American Ethanol Green Flag Restart Award: Kyle Busch “¢ Coors Light Pole Award: Denny Hamlin “¢ Duralast Brakes ‘Brake in the Race” Award: Jimmie Johnson “¢ Freescale ‘Wide Open” Award: Matt Kenseth “¢ Goodyear Tires Award (Champion): Jimmie Johnson “¢ MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder of the Year Award: Scott Fox, Hendrick Motorsports #48 team “¢ Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award: Hendrick Motorsports #88 team “¢ Mobil 1 Driver of the Year Award: Matt Kenseth “¢ MOOG Steering & Suspension Problem Solver of the Year Award: Matt Borland, crew chief #39 Stewart-Haas Racing team “¢ Sherwin-Williams Fastest Lap Award: Carl Edwards “¢ Sunoco Diamond Performance Award (Champion): Jimmie Johnson “¢ Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. “¢ Champion Sponsor Award: Lowes “¢ Champion Crew Chief: Chad Knaus (NASCAR), for more information see the 2013 Sprint Cup Series Awards page .
