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Truex Jr. wins top honor

LAS VEGAS — The career year for Martin Truex Jr. rolls on.

Truex and partner Sherry Pollex on Wednesday won the prestigious Myers Brothers Award — the top honor in NASCAR’s season-ending awards celebration — for their charitable work. The award is presented by the National Motorsports Press Association and given as the final honor during a formal event that leads to Thursday night’s champion celebration. Truex will be feted there for his first career Cup title, a presentation he is prepared for.

But winning the Myers Brothers Award was a shock to both Truex and Pollex, and both struggled to hold back tears as they received the honor.

“I didn’t see this coming,” Truex said.

“I didn’t either, and I’m going to try not to cry,” replied Pollex.

The award is named for NASCAR pioneers Billy and Bobby Myers and recognizes individuals and/or groups who have provided outstanding contributions to the sport of stock car racing. It has been presented annually since 1958.

The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation has raised funds for awareness on childhood and teenage cancer, even before Pollex was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer a little over three years ago. Pollex suffered a recurrence this year as Truex was putting together his championship season. The couple hosted their eighth annual Catwalk for a Cause, a charitable fashion show/benefit, this season and raised more than $500,000.

Truex didn’t discuss his series-best eight victories this season, or the championship that came in his 12th season at NASCAR’s top level. Instead, he touched on how pleased he and Pollex have been to assist those in need.

“I think Sherry and I have been very fortunate in our lives to have all the things we’ve needed,” Truex said. “Great families, great parents that raised us right and taught us right from wrong. They probably deserve a lot of the credit for us being who we are and being able to give back to people.”

Pollex’s “Drive for Teal & Gold” campaign in September also raised funds and awareness for ovarian and childhood cancers.

“I’m so proud of her and her fight and her battle and what she’s been able to pull through and get through, and at the same time, still willing to help others and give her time,” said Truex. “We’re humbled, we’re very lucky to be here and we are very proud of this.”

Truex was named on 82 percent of the ballots cast for this year’s award. Others receiving votes were team owner Jack Roush and seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson.

Other winners

CREW CHIEF OF THE YEAR: Truex’s crew chief, Cole Pearn, won the award after guiding Furniture Row Racing to its first title. The Canadian recalled initial reluctance to move to Denver to work for a single-car NASCAR operation, and the early struggles the team faced. He credited team owner Barney Visser, who has been unable to enjoy any of the championship celebrations as he recuperates in Colorado from a heart attack and surgery two weeks before the season ended.

CUP ROOKIE: Erik Jones was named rookie of the year in the Cup Series, and he became the first driver in NASCAR history to earn top rookie honors in all three national series.

BUDDY SHUMAN AWARD: The award for contributions to NASCAR went to Bruton Smith, owner of Speedway Motorsports Inc. The award honors those who have played vital roles in the growth of professional stock car racing. Smith’s contributions to NASCAR, through the race tracks he owns and the risks he took in promoting the series, were cited. But so was his commitment to Speedway Children’s Charities, an organization that provides funding for nonprofits.

MONSTER CUP: MOST POPULAR: Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrapped up his final season as a NASCAR driver with one last piece of hardware. He won the Most Popular Driver Award on Thursday night for a 15th consecutive time.

The award is based on a fan vote and sponsored by the National Motorsports Press Association. Only Bill Elliott won the award more than Earnhardt — 16 times between 1984 and 2002 — before he removed his name from consideration.

Earnhardt retired as a full-time driver following NASCAR season finale, and he will move to NBC’s broadcasting team next year.

XFINITY SERIES: MOST POPULAR: Elliott Sadler was named most popular in NASCAR’s second-tier Xfinity Series for the second straight year.

TRUCK SERIES: MOST POPULAR: Chase Briscoe was named most popular driver in NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series.

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