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LAS VEGAS — On what turned into a remarkable day on all accords, NASCAR introduced Monster Energy as the new premier series entitlement sponsor, celebrated Jimmie Johnson‘s historic seventh championship and honored the late Betty Jane France with the prestigious NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Award for her decades of philanthropic work Thursday afternoon.
Approximately 500 people attended the traditional Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon at the Wynn Las Vegas resort — an afternoon later capped off with the big entitlement announcement before the industry’s drivers, teams and corporate stalwarts.
Fittingly one of NASCAR’s ascending stars, Chase Elliott started the day off accepting the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award. The Hendrick Motorsports driver, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Monday, thanked his parents — including father NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott — his team and many people important in his high-accelerating career and life.
He also made a point to recognize Jeff Gordon’s six-year old son Leo for an important high-five just before the season-opening Daytona 500 — a race Elliott started from the pole position.
“That was a neat moment and it put everything in perspective,” Elliott said, smiling. “I can say I truthfully feel at home now, and I think that says a lot.”
As is typically the case, the luncheon was a true “Who’s Who” event for the sport.
Longtime team owner Jack Roush was honored with the prestigious Buddy Shuman Award, which recognizes individuals who have helped the sport grow. Roush has fielded a Cup team for nearly 30 years.
“Normally, I don’t like surprises but for this, I will make an exception,” said a grateful Roush.
Carl Edwards was awarded the Coors Light Pole Award for his six pole positions and Comcast XFINITY was given the Marketing Achievement Award. Kevin Harvick won his third consecutive “American Ethanol Green Flag Restart Award” and his engine builder Scott Vester was awarded the “Mahle Clevite Engine Builder of the Year” trophy.
The 2015 Sprint Cup champion Kyle Busch was awarded the Duralast Brakes “Break of the Race” award, the “Sherwin-Williams Fastest Lap” trophy and the “Mobil 1 Driver of the Year” trophies, joking afterward that he hadn’t prepared a speech.
“How do you get the fastest lap and the biggest brake award?” he asked the crowd, laughing. “Guess I’m just a talented driver.”
Chevrolet feted retiring three-time Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart inviting the owner-driver on stage.
“He is a racer, a winner, a champion, a partner, and most important to us, a friend to Chevrolet,” Chevrolet executive Terry Dolan said.
Johnson and his team were recognized for numerous achievements — from Chad Knaus as the series’ top crew chief to the entire over-the-wall group for their series best pit crew efforts. The team’s longtime sponsor, Lowe’s earned the “Champion Sponsor Award.”
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Goodyear presented Johnson with his seventh version of one of the NASCAR’s most amazing trophies, a solid gold-plated 1/12th scale of his No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet.
“I’m definitely living the dream,” Johnson said, smiling. “I may have dreamed big, but I’ve definitely overshot those expectations.”
The afternoon wrapped up with the prestigious National Motorsports Press Association’s (NMPA) Myers Brothers Award, which was given to France for her decades of impactful, charitable work. The wife of former NASCAR Chairman Bill France Jr. and mother of current NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France and International Speedway Corporation’s CEO Lesa France Kennedy, France passed away August 29 of this year.
Her charitable legacy has been far-reaching and significant to countless people across the country.
She helped establish the “Speediatrics” children’s units in both Daytona Beach and Homestead, Florida hospitals. Her work has raised more than $25 million and improved the lives of more than 1 million children.
Additionally, her namesake award, the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award presented by Nationwide, recognizes people across the country, who have made a difference in helping others.
This year’s winner was Andy Hoffman, whose Team Jack Foundation, raises money for pediatric brain cancer research. The award comes with a $100,000 donation to the Team Jack organization.
France’s daughter, Lesa France Kennedy, accepted the Myers Brothers Award on her mom’s behalf. And a standing ovation in France’s honor, greeted Kennedy as she left the stage.
“I just have to say my mom would be so honored by this award,” Kennedy said. “She was an amazing woman. It touches my heart to look back and see she left such a legacy. This would have meant the absolute world to her.”
Here is the complete list of Thursday’s award winners from the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon:
· NMPA Myers Brothers Award: Betty Jane France
· Buddy Shuman Award: Jack Roush
· NASCAR Marketing Achievement Award: Comcast XFINITY
· Chevrolet Cross Flags Award: Tony Stewart
· American Ethanol Green Flag Restart Award: Kevin Harvick
· Coors Light Pole Award: Carl Edwards
· Duralast Brakes “Brake in the Race” Award: Kyle Busch
· Goodyear NASCAR Series Champion Award: Jimmie Johnson
· Ingersoll Rand Power Move Award: Dave Rogers, Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 Crew Chief
· MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder of the Year Award: Scott Vester, Hendrick Engines No. 4 team
· Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award: Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 team
· Mobil 1 Driver of the Year Award: Kyle Busch
· MOOG Steering & Suspension Problem Solver of the Year Award: Alan Gustafson, crew chief No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team
· Sherwin-Williams Fastest Lap Award: Kyle Busch
· Sunoco Diamond Performance Award: Jimmie Johnson
· Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award: Chase Elliott
· Champion Sponsor Award: Lowe’s
· Champion Crew Chief Award: Chad Knaus
· Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award Presented by Nationwide: Andy Hoffman