Best Driver ESPY Award explained
Best Driver ESPY Award |
Awarded For: | Racing driver of the year |
Presenter: | ESPN |
Location: | Los Angeles (2019) |
Year: | 1993 |
Holder: | Max Verstappen |
The Best Driver ESPY Award, known alternatively as the Best Auto Racing Driver ESPY Award, is an annual award honoring the achievements of an individual from the world of motorsports. It was first awarded as part of the ESPY Awards in 1993.[1] The Best Driver ESPY Award trophy, designed by sculptor Lawrence Nowlan,[2] has been presented annually to the racing driver adjudged to have performed the best in a given calendar year. Since 2004, the winner has been chosen by online voting through three to five choices selected by the ESPN Select Nominating Committee.[3] Before that, determination of the winners was made by an panel of experts.[4] Through the 2001 iteration of the ESPY Awards, ceremonies were conducted in February of each year to honor achievements over the previous calendar year; awards presented thereafter are conferred in July and reflect performance from the June previous.[5]
The inaugural winner of the award was British driver Nigel Mansell who finished the 1992 season with a then record-breaking nine wins and fourteen pole positions en route to winning his sole Formula One World Drivers' Championship.[6] Mansell moved to the Championship Auto Racing Teams the following year, and won the series title at the first attempt,[7] earning him a second ESPY Award in 1994. Mansell is one of six drivers to have won the award more than once., multiple NASCAR Cup Series champions Jeff Gordon (1996, 1998, 1999, 2007) and his teammate Jimmie Johnson (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) have won the most awards with four each. NASCAR drivers have won more awards than any other motorsports series, with nineteen victories, followed by Formula One with five wins. It was not awarded in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] The most recent winner of the award was Formula One driver Max Verstappen who won the award in 2024.
Winners and nominees
Statistics
See also
Notes and References
- Book: Nelson, Murry R.. Murry R. Nelson
. American Sports: A History of Icons, Idols and Ideas. Murry R. Nelson. ABC-CLIO. 2013. 978-0-313-39753-0. Santa Barbara, California. 399–401. June 24, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150626131804/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=tfTXAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA328&lpg=PA328&dq=Bill+France+Sr.+built+Daytona+International+Speedway+Daytona+500&source=bl&ots=M78hv00TU7&sig=8aIprlCZ77goRvWR7jdykDitkyc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=vg6LVcvcI6uv7Aaf2oKoDg&ved=0CDoQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Bill%20France%20Sr.%20built%20Daytona%20International%20Speedway%20Daytona%20500&f=false. June 26, 2015. mdy-all.
- News: Sculptor commissioned to complete Joe Frazier statue has died. Avard. Christian. August 2, 2013. Barre Montpelier Times Argus. January 21, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20140221231935/http://www.timesargus.com/article/20130802/NEWS03/708029923/0/FEATURES10. February 21, 2014. dead.
- Web site: The 2004 ESPY Awards - Fans to decide all 2004 ESPY Award winners. ESPN. https://web.archive.org/web/20180123190648/http://www.espn.com/espy2004/s/2004/0421/1786981.html. January 23, 2018. live. 23 January 2018. mdy-all.
- Web site: Committee is newly found. February 3, 1999. ESPN. https://web.archive.org/web/20180123190739/http://www.espn.com/espy/features/01083044.html. January 23, 2018. live. 23 January 2018. mdy-all.
- New categories unveiled for The 2002 ESPY Awards. 2002. ESPN. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052554/http://www.espn.com/espy2002/s/awardcategories.html. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- Web site: Rider. Steve. Steve Rider. F1 Legends - Nigel Mansell. Sky Sports. April 10, 2013. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222104845/http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/25412/7762588/f1-legends-nigel-mansell. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- Web site: Allen. James. James Allen (journalist). Mansell's Indy 500 near-miss. Autosport. May 23, 2013. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051153/https://www.autosport.com/indycar/feature/5334/mansell-indy-500-nearmiss. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- News: Messer. Lesley. June 19, 2020. 7 ways the 2020 ESPYS will be different amid the pandemic. Good Morning America. live. August 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200620003348/https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/ways-2020-espys-amid-pandemic-71286965. June 20, 2020.
- Web site: Stewart named ESPY 'Driver of the Year.'. crash.net. July 18, 2003. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051556/http://www.crash.net/nascar/news/87660/1/stewart-named-espy-driver-of-the-year. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- News: ESPY nominees. January 21, 1995. Bluefield Daily Telegraph. April 12, 2018. Associated Press. 7. 101. 21. subscription . Newspaper Archive.
- News: McKee. Sandra. Calm in the fast lane Jeff Gordon: Only 24, the Winston Cup champion returns eager and focused to show last season was for real. The Baltimore Sun. February 17, 1996. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052341/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1996-02-17/sports/1996048003_1_jeff-gordon-winston-cup-champion-drivers. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- News: Sun Staff and Wire Reports. Sports Briefs: LV's Vasser wins auto racing ESPY. Las Vegas Sun. February 11, 1997. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052206/https://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/feb/11/sports-briefs-lvs-vasser-wins-auto-racing-espy/. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- News: Labonte brothers start Daytona racing week in style. February 12, 1998. The Grapevine Sun. February 8, 2018. 13. 103. 3B. subscription . NewspaperArchive.com.
- News: McGwire captures three ESPY awards. February 16, 1999. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. December 20, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052647/http://lubbockonline.com/stories/021699/pro_021699078.shtml#.Wjqvr1Vl_IU. December 22, 2017. live. Associated Press. mdy-all.
- Web site: Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Mark Martin Nominated for ESPYs. motorsport.com. December 17, 1998. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051055/https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/jeff-gordon-dale-earnhardt-mark-martin-nominated-for-espys/. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- Web site: Buck. Ron. Daily Dish: Dale & Dale show at the ESPYs. ESPN. February 14, 2000. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161027125049/http://www.espn.com/auto/nascar/daytona00/s/2000/0215/358547.html. October 27, 2016. mdy-all.
- News: Kelly. Kevin. Newman earns 4th win in 6 ARCA tries. San Francisco Chronicle. February 12, 2001. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052206/http://www.sptimes.com/News/021201/Sports/Newman_earns_4th_win_.shtml. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- News: Armijo. Mark. Schumacher is top ESPY nominee. Arizona Republic. 46. June 21, 2002. December 20, 2017. Newspapers.com. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053136/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/124699345/. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- Web site: D. Berto. Victor. Tony Stewart wins the ESPY Awards. F1 Mania. Portuguese. July 21, 2003. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052916/http://f1mania.lance.com.br/nascar/1115-tony-stewart-vence-o-espy-awards/. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- Web site: Vega. Michael. New rule gets green light. The Boston Globe. July 17, 2004. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222105215/http://archive.boston.com/sports/other_sports/autoracing/articles/2004/07/17/new_rule_gets_green_light/?page=1. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- Web site: Lewandowski. Dave. Drivers proud of ESPY nominations. Indy Racing League. July 13, 2005. December 20, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20051202045920/http://indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=5031. December 2, 2005. dead. mdy-all.
- News: 2006 ESPY Awards Winners; Steelers earn best team kudo. Variety. July 12, 2006. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170906034340/http://variety.com/2006/tv/news/2006-espy-awards-winners-1200339986/. September 6, 2017. mdy-all.
- Web site: Nominees Announced and Fan Voting Begins for 14th Annual ESPYs. ESPN. June 28, 2006. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180105100318/http://www.espn.com/espn/news/story?id=2500946. January 5, 2018. mdy-all.
- Web site: Gordon Talladega Nights Win Espys. Motor Racing Network. July 12, 2007. December 20, 2017. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052626/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2007/07/Gordon-Talladega-Nights-Win-Espys.aspx. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- Web site: Heath. Mitch. Jimmie Johnson Wins ESPN ESPY. Bleacher Report. July 17, 2008. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053125/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/38660-jimmie-johnson-wins-espn-espy?=related-tabs. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- Johnson repeats as Best Driver in ESPYs. Hendrick Motorsports. July 16, 2009. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222065430/http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/news/articles/6821/johnson-repeats-as-best-driver-in-espys. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- News: Martel. Charles. Donovan, Brees Most Awarded in ESPY's Awards 2010. WWNN. July 15, 2010. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222105036/http://wwnn.co.uk/donovan-brees-most-awarded-in-espys-awards-2010/1718/. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- Web site: Friday Top News; Jimmie Johnson Wins "Best Driver" ESPY. Frontstretch. July 14, 2011. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051153/https://www.frontstretch.com/2011/07/14/friday-top-news-17/. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- Stewart wins 2012 'Best Driver' ESPY Award. NASCAR. July 12, 2012. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051053/https://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2012/07/12/tstewart-espy-best-driver-2012.html. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- Web site: DiZinno. Tony. Hunter-Reay wins ESPY for Best Driver, first for IndyCar since 1997. NBC Sports. July 18, 2013. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170620130035/http://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2013/07/18/hunter-reay-wins-espy-for-best-driver-first-for-indycar-since-1997/. June 20, 2017. mdy-all.
- Web site: IndyCar: Hunter-Reay joins title hunt after post-Indy depression comes to end. Fox Sports. July 17, 2014. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222123953/https://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/indycar-hunter-reay-joins-title-hunt-after-post-indy-depression-comes-to-end-071714. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- Web site: DeGroot. Nick. Harvick wins ESPY for 'Best Driver'. motorsport.com. July 16, 2015. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051053/https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/harvick-wins-espy-for-best-driver/. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- Web site: Larson. Mike. NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Kyle Busch wins 'Best Driver' ESPY. Autoweek. July 14, 2016. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222054020/http://autoweek.com/article/nascar-sprint-cup/nascar-sprint-cup-champion-kyle-busch-wins-best-driver-espy. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- Web site: ESPY Awards: Complete Winners List. The Hollywood Reporter. July 12, 2017. December 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052820/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/espy-awards-2017-complete-winners-list-1019813/item/espys-nominations-best-male-athlete-1015705. December 22, 2017. mdy-all.
- Web site: Albert. Zack. Martin Truex Jr. named Best Driver at ESPY Awards. NASCAR. 19 July 2018. 19 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180719051324/https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2018/07/18/martin-truex-jr-named-best-driver-espy-awards/. 19 July 2018. live.
- Web site: Kyle Busch Adds Another ESPY Award to Trophy Case. Motor Racing Network. July 11, 2019. July 12, 2019. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190712140733/https://www.mrn.com/2019/07/11/kyle-busch-adds-another-espy-award-to-trophy-case/ . July 12, 2019 .
- News: Kilgore's Steve Torrence among 4 finalists for 'Best Driver' at 2019 ESPY Awards. KYTX. June 25, 2019. July 12, 2019.
- Web site: 2021 ESPYs Award Winners. ESPN. July 10, 2021. July 10, 2021.
- Web site: The 2022 ESPYS Nominees . espnpressroom.com . June 28, 2022 . July 3, 2022.
- Web site: 2022 ESPYS: Full list of award winners . ESPN.com . July 20, 2022 . July 20, 2022.
- Web site: 2023-07-13 . 2023 ESPYS: Full list of award winners . 2023-08-26 . ESPN.com . en.
- Web site: The 2023 ESPYS Nominees . 2023-08-26 . ESPN Press Room U.S. . en-US.
- Web site: The 2024 ESPYS Nominees . espnpressroom.com . June 26, 2024 . July 11, 2024.
- Web site: 2024 ESPYS: Here is the list of winners . ESPN.com . July 11, 2024 . July 11, 2024.