Richard Petty Driver of the Year Awarded to Jimmie Johnson

2010 NMPA Richard Petty Driver of the Year Awarded to Jimmie Johnson



January 24, 2011

Jimmie Johnson continued his record-breaking streak of NASCAR Sprint Cup championships in 2010, winning his fifth consecutive title – and his second consecutive NMPA Richard Petty Driver of the Year award.
It’s the fifth time the membership of the National Motorsports Press Association has voted Johnson for the award, which has been given since 1969. That ties Johnson with Dale Earnhardt, who was named NMPA Richard Petty Driver of the Year five times.
The announcement was made Sunday during the NMPA’s annual convention in Charlotte, N.C.
During the 2010 season, Johnson earned six victories with 17 top-five finishes and 23 top-10 finishes. His top-five finishes led the series and his wins and top-10 finishes were second in the series.
Johnson also won this honor in 2004, ’06,’07 and ‘09.
Also receiving votes were Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray and John Force.
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
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 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 Isaac; 1969, LeeRoy Yarbrough.