Stewart Named NMPA Driver of the Year

Tony Stewart put together one of the most exciting NASCAR Sprint Cup seasons in recent history, riding a late wave of success to win his third series championship.
Not only did he top the Sprint Cup championship race, but he has also been named the winner of the NMPA Richard Petty Driver of the Year award.

It’s the third time the membership of the National Motorsports Press Association has voted Stewart as the winner of the award, which has been presented annually since 1969. The announcement was made Sunday during the NMPA’s annual convention in Charlotte, N.C.

“It’s an honor to have earned the 2011 NMPA Richard Petty Driver of the Year award,” Stewart said. “Everyone at Stewart-Haas Racing took the opportunity we had of being in the Chase and made the most of it. We took each race one at a time and never quit. It made all the difference. This award is as much theirs as it is mine.”

During the 2011 season, Stewart earned a series-leading five wins, all during the Chase for the Sprint Cup. He posted 19 top-10 finishes, nine of them top fives.

Stewart also won this honor in 2002 and 2005. Also receiving votes were Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch.

Determined by vote of the membership, the Richard Petty Driver of the Year award has been presented annually since 1969 to recognize the season’s most outstanding driver. It is named in honor of NASCAR’s all-time leader in Cup victories.

Past Richard Petty Driver of the Year Winners
2011 -- Tony Stewart
2010 -- Jimmie Johnson
2009 -- Jimmie Johnson
2008 -- Carl Edwards
2007 -- Jimmie Johnson
2006 -- Jimmie Johnson
2005 -- Tony Stewart
2004 -- Jimmie Johnson
2003 -- Ryan Newman
2002 -- Tony Stewart
2001 -- Kevin Harvick
2000 -- Bobby Labonte
1999 -- Dale Jarrett
1998 -- Jeff Gordon
1997 -- Dale Jarrett
1996 -- Terry Labonte
1995 -- Jeff Gordon
1994 -- Dale Earnhardt
1993 -- Rusty Wallace
1992 -- Davey Allison
1991 -- Harry Gant
1990 -- Dale Earnhardt
1989 -- Mark Martin
1988 -- Rusty Wallace
1987 -- Dale Earnhardt
1986 -- Tim Richmond/Dale Earnhardt
1985 -- Bill Elliott
1984 -- Terry Labonte
1983 -- Bobby Allison
1982 -- Darrell Waltrip
1981 -- Darrell Waltrip
1980 -- Dale Earnhardt
1979 -- Cale Yarborough
1978 -- Cale Yarborough
1977 -- Cale Yarborough
1976 -- Darrell Waltrip
1975 -- Richard Petty
1974 -- Richard Petty
1973 -- David Pearson
1972 -- Bobby Allison
1971 -- Bobby Allison
1970 -- Bobby Isaac
1969 -- LeeRoy Yarbrough