Ron Hornaday's Amazing Season Continues With a Very Prestigous Award

Ron Hornaday Jr., at 51 years young, was voted the third quarter 2009 Driver of the Year.

He becomes the first driver in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series to win any quarterly voting.

Hornaday was on the most ballots of any driver considered for the honor. He beat out Indy Car's Ryan Briscoe in voting 99 to 82 points.

He drives the No. 33 Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet, won five consecutive wins in the series and led the points in the quarter that ended Sept. 12.

When he won the five consecutive races, he accomplished something that hasn't been done in NASCAR for 38 years, and he became the third driver to do so in history, joining legends Richard Petty and Bobby Allison.

"This is a very big honor. It's pretty cool to be the one chosen out of so many candidates. There are a lot of great race car drivers throughout all the series that are eligible for this award," he said.

"This has been an amazing year in the Truck Series for myself and the No. 33 team. I have to thank Kevin and Delana Harvick for always giving me the best equipment and an opportunity to win week in and week out."

In the words of Kevin Harvick, for Ron Hornaday, a full time Truck Series competitor, to win third Quarter Driver of the Year "says a lot for what he and his team have accomplished this season."

"Winning five consecutive races was truly an amazing achievement, as well as being in contention for his fourth series championships, when most guys arguably are at an age where they are considering retirement," he added.

Nope not Horn. He, like a fine wine or some cheddar cheese, just gets better with age. A lot of this has to do with the family atmosphere at KHI.

Barry Schmoyer, President of the Driver of the Year foundation, was excited by Hornaday selections, as it reaffirms the panel recognizes the best drivers.

In the voting both Hornaday and Briscoe each had four first place votes. The NHRA's Antron Brown was third and had two first-place votes and 63 points.

Next was Kyle Busch with three first-place votes and 54 votes. NASCAR's Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart, and Mark Martin, with World of Outlaws Donny Schatz all received one first-place vote apiece.

In all, 18 drivers scored points in the third quarter voting.

The Driver of the Year title, is in its 42nd year, making it the oldest award of its type. A panel made up of 20 leading journalists from across the US determine the winner.

In the voting done quarterly, the points are awarded using a declining scale from 9,6,4,3,2 and 1.

For his achievement Hornaday will receive a trophy and a Tissot wristwatch to be presented at a later date.

"We are a tight group and we work very hard. I'm very honored and cannot thank my team enough, Kevin and Delana and all our sponsors enough. This is really awesome," said Hornaday.

This is just totally awesome to see, in a tough year for the Truck Series. Everything Hornaday has done this year has given the series more exposure and it's nice to see the rating gains with new fans watching.

Congratulations to Horn, Ren, Carelli, the entire No. 33 team, Happy and De Boss for your biggest victory yet.

Source: racingone.com