SPEED™ Opens Fan Voting For 5th Annual SPEED Performance Awards

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SPEED™ Opens Fan Voting For 5th Annual SPEED Performance Awards

The 2010 SPEED Performer of the Year, the first three of nine fan-selected SPEED Performance Awards are now open for video voting...

Erik Arneson | Posted November 23, 2010 Charlotte, NC

The SPEED Performance Awards are now open for video voting at www.speedperformanceawards.com

NINE CATEGORIES, INCLUDING RACER MAGAZINE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, OPEN FOR FAN VOTE

While a distinguished SPEED panel begins discussion on who will win the Mario Andretti Trophy as the 2010 SPEED Performer of the Year, the first three of nine fan-selected SPEED Performance Awards are now open for video voting at www.speedperformanceawards.com.

The fifth annual SPEED Performer of the Year will be selected by a panel including Andretti, "Wind Tunnel" host Dave Despain, veteran broadcasters Bob Varsha and Ralph Sheheen, SPEED.com editor-in-chief Tom Jensen and columnist Robin Miller, along with versatile racers Tommy Kendall and Dorsey Schroeder. The winner will receive the Mario Andretti Trophy, created by bronze artist Elie Hazak.

The Mario Andretti Trophy, created by bronze artist Elie Hazak. (Image: SPEED)

"This is the only award that considers all the major disciplines of motor sports,” Andretti said. “Because of that, it's a daunting job for the individuals tasked with selecting a winner. Because all the different series are included, you've got a bigger and deeper pool of talent from which to select a performer of the year. What I also like is that the criteria for this award are not just about winning championships. The ultimate performer of the year doesn't have to be the series champion -- he just needs to have driven with gusto."

NHRA Top Fuel Driver Tony Schumacher scored the 100-pound trophy last season, with five-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson winning the first three awards, as well as being named runner-up last season. MotoGP racer Nicky Hayden (2006), World of Outlaws driver Donny Schatz (2007) and Schumacher (2008) earned runner-up finishes through the first three years of the award.

Nine additional SPEED Performance Awards will be selected by fan vote, highlighted by the RACER Magazine Rookie of the Year. Motorcyclist Ben Spies collected the honor last year with NASCAR driver Joey Logano (2009), F1 pilot Lewis Hamilton (2007) and then Grand-Am racer Colin Braun (2006) scoring earlier awards.

The remaining categories for fan-selected SPEED Performance Awards include Best Move, Biggest Hit, Best Rivalry, Oops, Best Finish, Best Comeback, Temper Temper and Biggest Upset. Last year, nearly 120,000 votes were cast.

Voting schedule:

- Oops, Best Move, Best Rivalry – Open Nov. 22
- Best Finish, Best Comeback, Biggest Upset – Open Nov. 29
- Biggest Hit, Temper Temper, RACER Rookie of the Year – Open Dec. 6
- All nine categories remain open until midnight Dec. 13

Results will be announced as part of a one-hour television special in February.

About SPEED™ - SPEED, anchored by its popular and wide-ranging coverage of NASCAR, is the nation’s first and only cable television network dedicated to automotive and motorcycle racing, performance and lifestyle. Now available in more than 80 million homes in North America, SPEED, a member of the FOX Sports Media Group, is among the industry leaders in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit SPEED.com, the online motor sports authority.

About FOX Sports Media Group - FOX Sports Media Group (FSMG) is the umbrella entity representing News Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets under Chairman & CEO David Hill. Built with brands that are capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FSMG includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FSMG now includes FOX Sports, the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; Fox’s 19 regional sports networks, their affiliated regional web sites and FSN national programming; SPEED and SPEED2; Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus; FUEL TV; and Fox College Sports. In addition, FSMG also includes FOX Sports Interactive Media, which comprises FOXSports.com on MSN, whatifsports.com and scout.com, reaching over 20 million unique visitors monthly. Also included are Fox’s interests in joint-venture businesses FOX Deportes, Big Ten Network and STATS, LLC, as well as licensing agreements that establish the FOX Sports Radio Network, FOX Sports Skybox restaurants and FOX Sports Grills.