2009-11-09 16:38:01 -

While three-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson makes a run at NASCAR history and his fourth consecutive Mario Andretti Trophy as the SPEED Performer of the Year, nine fan-selected awards will be open for video voting Nov. 23 on SPEEDtv.com or by directly linking to www.speedperformanceawards.com : .

The fourth 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, SPEEDtv.com writers Robin Miller and Tom Jensen and versatile racers Tommy Kendall and Dorsey Schroeder. The winner will receive the Mario Andretti Trophy, created by bronze artist Elie Hazak.

"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."

Johnson has won the award each of the first three years with MotoGP racer Nicky Hayden (2006), World of Outlaws driver Donny Schatz (2007) and NHRA Top Fuel record-setter Tony Schumacher (2008) scoring runner-up finishes through the first three years of the awards.

Nine additional SPEED Performance Awards will be selected by fan vote, highlighted by the RACER Magazine Rookie of the Year. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano collected the honor last season, with 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 on SPEEDtv.com.

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

SPEED™ is the nation's first and foremost cable television network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive.

From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 79 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest-growing sports cable networks in the country and, the home to NASCAR on SPEED and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit SPEEDtv.com, the online motor sports authority.


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SPEEDErik Arneson, 704-501-5795 Earneson@SpeedTV.com : mailto:Earneson@SpeedTV.com