FOX NASCAR honored the late Jon Edwards, longtime motorsports communications professional, with “The Byrnsie Award” during Sunday’s NASCAR RACEDAY prerace telecast on FS1 from North Wilkesboro Speedway.
In honor of the late FOX NASCAR broadcaster Steve Byrnes, nicknamed ‘Byrnsie,’ FOX Sports established the award in 2016 to celebrate an individual in the NASCAR Cup Series who exemplifies principles Byrnes embodied in his professional and personal life — preparation, teamwork and family.
Edwards was voted the recipient by Byrnes’ colleagues on the FOX NASCAR broadcast team, of which he was a member since the network’s first NASCAR race broadcast in February 2001. Byrnes passed away in April 2015 following a courageous battle with cancer.
“Jon was the prototype for great PR reps with Jeff Gordon, and he was the perfect choice to guide Kyle Larson’s return to NASCAR and his rise to stardom,” FOX NASCAR play-by-play announcer Mike Joy said. “In an arena with massive egos, Jon’s own was never on display. As an enabler — not a gatekeeper – Jon set a very high standard, all the while being a good and loyal friend. He truly embodied the way Steve Byrnes lived his life.”
Bryson Byrnes, Steve Byrnes’ son, announced Edwards as the recipient during the NASCAR RACEDAY telecast. Joy presented the award to Edwards’ parents, Randy and Judy Edwards, his brother, Jay Edwards, Jay’s wife, Roxanne, and nephew Jayden.
Past recipients include:
- 2015 – Rodney Childers
- 2016- Chris Osborne
- 2017 – Tony Gibson
- 2018 – Jimmie Johnson
- 2019 – Darrell Waltrip
- 2020 – Bubba Wallace
- 2021 – Rick Hendrick
- 2022 – Justin Marks
- 2023 – Peter Larsson
- 2024 – Nelson Hastings
— Fox Sports —