Edwards Driver of the Year

Edwards collects NMPA Richard Petty Driver of the Year award

Carl Edwards’ remarkable run in 2008 left him just short of a championship in both the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup series but his performance gained notice from NMPA members who selected him as the NMPA Richard Petty Driver of the Year.

The announcement was made during the NMPA’s annual convention in Concord, N.C. Edwards finished ahead of Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch in the balloting.

“It's an honor to win the Richard Petty Driver of the Year Award,’’ Edwards stated. “The National Motorsports Press Association members see this sport from the inside out every week and it means a lot to me to be selected by that group as the Driver of the Year. It's also humbling to look at the list of guys that have won this award.  It's amazing to be on that list.’’  

Edwards finished runner-up in both the Cup and Nationwide standings in 2008 for Roush Fenway Racing. Edwards placed 69 points behind series champ Jimmie Johnson in Cup. Edwards finished 21 points behind Nationwide champion Clint Bowyer.
           
Edwards led the Cup series in wins (nine), top-five finishes (19) and top-10 finishes (27). He finished the Cup season by winning three of the last four races.

In the Nationwide Series, he won seven races and had a series-best 19 top-five finishes. He tied for first with four poles.

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.

Richard Petty Driver of the Year

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 and 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 Issac;

1969, LeeRoy Yarbrough.