NASCAR’s first
paved superspeedway paid homage to stock car racing’s past when it launched a
“throwback” campaign for this year’s Bojangles’ Southern 500, and the move
proved to be one of the most talked about, most popular events of the year. So
much so that the program has earned the track the National Motorsports Press
Association’s 2015 Myers Brothers Award.
The award was
presented Thursday during the annual NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers 2015 Awards
Luncheon at the Wynn Las Vegas.
Given annually by
the NMPA, the Myers Brothers Award is named in honor of former NASCAR
competitors Billy and Bobby Myers. Its’ purpose is to recognize individuals
and/or groups who have provided outstanding contributions to the sport of stock
car racing.
Others receiving
votes for this year’s award were four-time series champion Jeff Gordon and 2015
Sprint Cup champion Kyle Busch.
Darlington
Raceway has hosted one or more NASCAR premier series events since 1950. The
Southern 500, which returned to its long-held Labor Day weekend date this past
season, is considered one of the series’ “crown jewel” events.
More than 30 cars
in this year’s 43-car field featured throwback schemes, honoring everything
from long-time sponsors to drivers and popular paint schemes from the early
1970s. Several teams got in the act by wearing crew uniforms similar to those
worn at the time; concession stand fare included items that were offered at the
time and tickets in some sections were even priced similar to that specific
time period.
Track President
Chip Wile said at the time that the throwback program is “a five-year platform;
this isn’t a one-year deal.
“We felt like if
we could get eight or 10 teams on board to really showcase what we’re trying to
accomplish, we felt like in 2016 we could get more, in 2017 we would get more
and so on,” he said. “But the response that we’ve gotten from everyone in the
industry has been incredible. It was a fully integrated plan that made our
event something special for the fans.”
Myers Brothers Award Winners: 2015, Darlington
Raceway; 2014, Dale Earnhardt Jr.; 2013, Tony Stewart; 2012, Jeff Gordon; 2011,
Drs. Joseph & Rose Mattioli; 2010, Jim Hunter; 2009, Barney Hall; 2008, T.
Taylor Warren; 2007, Bill France Jr.; 2006, Benny Parsons; 2005, Rusty Wallace;
2004, Kyle and Patti Petty; 2003, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.; 2002, Mike
Helton; 2001, Dale Earnhardt; 2000, Kyle Petty; 1999, Junie Donlavey; 1998, T.
Wayne Robertson; 1997, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.; 1996, Rick Hendrick; 1995,
TNN: The Nashville Network; 1994, Brickyard 400/Indianapolis Motor Speedway; 1993,
Goody’s Manufacturing Co.; 1992, Richard and Lynda Petty; 1991, Harry
Gant; 1990; Dick Beaty; 1989, Bill France Jr.; 1988 Richmond International
Raceway; 1987, ESPN; 1986, Hayride 500; 1985, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.; 1984,
Charlotte Motor Speedway; 1983, CBS-TV; 1982, MRN; 1981, Junior Johnson; 1980,
STP & Champion Spark Plug Co.; 1979, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.; 1978, Busch
Beer; 1977, First National City Travelers Checks; 1976, Junior Johnson; 1975,
Bill France Sr.; 1974, H. Clay Earles; 1973, Wood Brothers; 1972, Winston
Cigarettes; 1971, Richard Petty; 1970, Richard Howard; 1969, David
Pearson; 1968, Wood Brothers; 1967, Richard Petty; 1966, Norris Friel; 1965,
Ned Jarrett; 1964, Richard Petty; 1963, Marvin Panch; 1962, Hank Schoolfield;
1961, Ned Jarrett; 1960, Russ Catlin; 1959, Lee Petty; 1958, Bob Colvin.
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