This year’s Brickyard 400 winner, #24-Jeff Gordon, was named winner of the third-quarter Driver of the Year Award 2014. The four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion won the voting by an elite panel of American broadcasters and journalists. Gordon is also the first four-time Driver of the Year It was the 42-year-old Gordon’s record fifth victory at NASCAR’s annual stop at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Indiana native also won the Pure Michigan 400 from the pole in the third quarter that ended at Atlanta Motor Speedway on August 31rst. ‘It’s an honor to be recognized as the Driver of the Year 3rd Quarter, and it’s been an incredible summer for this #24 team,’ said Gordon, driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger Chevy. Barry Schmoyer, President of the Driver of the Year Foundation, said, ‘I’ve had the pleasure of handing Jeff many trophies. His talent appears limitless.’
In the voting Gordon, who drives for Hendrick Motorsports, had four first-place ballots and totaled 87 points according to the Driver of the Year points system. Will Power, who drove the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Dallara Chevrolet to win the IndyCar championship this year, took seven first-place votes and totaled 77 points. Scott Dixon, driver of the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Dallara Chevrolet was third with 47 points and one first-place vote. Donnie Schatz, who drives the Tony Stewart Racing sprint car in the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series was fourth in the balloting with 33-points and two first place votes. Jason Line who drives the KB Racing Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock car in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series tied Schatz with 33-points and one first place ballot. Gordon won the overall Driver of the Year title in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001. ‘The team has really been performing at a high level, and anytime you win a Brickyard 400 it’s extremely special, ‘ added Gordon. A total of 16 drivers scored points in the second quarter voting. In its’ 48th year, the Driver of the Year title is unique. A panel of 17 leading journalists and broadcasters from across the U.S. determines the winner. Two panelists didn’t vote this time. In quarterly voting, points are awarded on a declining 9, 6, 4,3,2,1 basis. Gordon will receive a trophy and a Tissot wristwatch to be presented later.(DOTY)(9-24-2014)
