As NASCAR was in its early years and drivers like Lee Petty, Curtis Turner and Fireball Roberts were wheeling around America’s race tracks, a small number of journalists began focusing on the young sport.

The Southern Motorsports Association, now known as the National Motorsports Press Association, was formed soon after.

With a goal of teaching the world about the exciting sport of motorsports, the organization has grown to include national and international media members who maintain a high journalistic standard.

Over the years, the NMPA has developed several special industry awards and the NMPA Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame which is located at Darlington Raceway in SC.

One of the most auspicious awards the organization has created is the Myers Brothers Award, named for Billy and Bobby Myers, NASCAR competitors in the 1950’s.

Billy, the oldest of the brothers, earned two wins during his NASCAR Grand National (now Sprint Cup Series) career. His life was cut short when he suffered a heart attack and died during a Modified race at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC in 1958. His younger brother Bobby raced for a total of 15 years in NASCAR’s highest division before being fatally injured in the 1957 Southern 500.

Bobby’s son, Danny “Chocolate” Myers, went on to become the gasman for 7-time champion Dale Earnhardt Sr.

The award in their name is voted on annually by the NMPA membership and recognizes individuals or organizations who have made extraordinary contributions to the sport.

Previous winners of this incredible honor include Bill France Sr., Bill France Jr., Richard Petty, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Kyle & Patti Petty and Benny Parsons.

This year’s award will be presented on Thursday, December 3rd at the Venetian Showroom at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas during the NMPA Myers Brothers Awards event from 1pm to 2:45pm PT.

The NMPA gives out several other awards including the NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award which Dale Earnhardt Jr. has received for the past six years consecutively, the NMPA Spirit Award which recognizes individuals or organizations for their charitable acts or courage during adversity, and the Richard Petty Driver of the Year Award which was given to Carl Edwards last year.

The entire NMPA organization is an exceptional group of people with extraordinary talents and goals. The awards the group has created recognize the true heroes in the world of motorsports.

Here is a complete list of the NMPA Myers Brothers Award winners:

Year         Recipient
2008        Thomas Taylor Warren
2007        Bill France Jr.
2006        Benny Parsons
2005        Rusty Wallace
2004        Kyle & Patti Petty
2003        R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
2002        Mike Helton
2001        Dale Earnhardt
2000        Kyle Petty
1999        Junie Donlavey
1998        T. Wayne Robertson
1997        R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
1996        Rick Hendrick
1995        The Nashville Network
1994        Brickyard 400/Indianapolis Motor Speedway
1993        Goody’s Manufacturing Co.
1992        Richard and Lynda Petty
1991        Harry Gant
1990        Dick Beaty
1989        Bill France Jr.
1988        Richmond International Raceway
1987        ESPN
1986        Hayride 500
1985        R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
1984        Charlotte Motor Speedway
1983        CBS-TV
1982        Motor Racing Network
1981        Junior Johnson
1980        STP & Champion Spark Plug Co.
1979        R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
1978        Busch
1977        First National City Travelers Checks
1976        Junior Johnson
1975        Bill France Sr.
1974        H. Clay Earles
1973        Wood Brothers
1972        Winston Cigarettes
1971        Richard Petty
1970        Richard Howard
1969        David Pearson
1968        Wood Brothers
1967        Richard Petty
1966        Norris Friel
1965        Ned Jarrett
1964        Richard Petty
1963        Marvin Panch
1962        Hank Schoolfield
1961        Ned Jarrett
1960        Russ Catlin
1959        Lee Petty
1958        Bob Colvin

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