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06/24/2005 - 07:00 PM
Dan Wheldon - IRL (Photo: Robert Laberge/Getty Images) ยป More Photos
Indy 500 winner, and the Indy Racing League points leader, Dan Wheldon, edged NASCAR's Greg Biffle to win the vote for the Speed Channel DRIVER OF THE YEAR second quarter, 2005.
"I'm honored to be chosen out of so many talented drivers across many formulas," said Wheldon with a British accent.
Wheldon, who drives the #26 Klein Tools/Jim Beam Dallara/Honda for Andretti Green Racing, dominated the second quarter which mirrored his performance all year. After winning the Indy Japan 300 in April he topped that by winning the 89th edition of the Indy 500.
Wheldon became the first Brit to win the Indy 500 since Graham Hill did it in 1966. He could be the first Briton to win DRIVER OF THE YEAR since Nigel Mansell accomplished the feat in 1993.
"The team has been working hard all year and it's a great acknowledgement of our efforts," he noted. "We hope to continue our success throughout the year and look forward to being considered again for this award."
In the professional vote only two drivers scored first place votes Wheldon and Biffle. Overall Wheldon scored 120 points to Biffle's 118.
Biffle, in the #16 National Guard/Post It Ford, had three wins in the quarter and moved to within 46 points of Jimmie Johnson in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series standings.
Third place went to Biffle's Roush Racing teammate, Carl Edwards, who
drove the Office Depot Ford to victory lane at the Pocono 500 and two wins in the
NASCAR Busch series.
A
Danica Patrick, who had 300,000 fans on their feet screaming as she battled Wheldon in the closing laps of the Indy 500, was sixth overall, but won the fan vote easily.
In its' 39th year, the DRIVER OF THE YEAR title is unique because it is the only award that encompasses all of the racing series in the United States and fan participation. A panel of 18 leading journalists from across the U.S. and a fan vote on Speedtv.com determine the winner. In quarterly voting, points are awarded on a declining 9,6,4,3,2,1 basis. Wheldon will receive a trophy and a Maurice Lacroix wristwatch to be presented on Speed TV.
SPEED Channel is the nation's first and foremost cable network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED Channel delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 68 million homes in North America, SPEED Channel is among the fastest growing sports cable networks in the country and the home to NASCAR TV.
President of the Speed Channel DRIVER OF THE YEAR Foundation is Barry Schmoyer, businessman and sportsman of Sarasota, Florida.
Further information on the award may be obtained from DRIVER OF THE YEAR Foundation, PO Box 49827, Sarasota, Florida 34230 or from (941) 953-6209.
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