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Johnson collects
NMPA Richard Petty
Driver of the Year award
Jimmie Johnson’s record-breaking run to a fourth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup championship in 2009 earned him another honor: Selection as the NMPA Richard Petty Drive of the Year.
It is the fourth time members of the National Motorsports Press Association have voted him for this honor, which has been given since 1969. Only Dale Earnhardt, who received the honor five teams, has been selected as the NMPA Richard Petty Driver of the Year more times than Johnson.
The announcement was made Sunday during the NMPA’s annual convention in Concord, N.C.
Johnson won seven times with 16 top-five finishes and 24 top-10 finishes in 36 points races last year. His wins were a series-high and his top-fives tied for series best.
Johnson also won this honor in 2003, ’06 and ’07.
Also receiving votes were Mark Martin, Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart.
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
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.
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