Johnson Gets Fourth Driver of the Year Title

A remarkable year for the man named the most complete driver in NASCAR history, Jimmie Johnson, will end with another win added to his name. The five time Sprint Cup champion has been selected, for the fourth time, Driver of the Year, managing to beat NHRA Funny Car champion John Force.

The title has been granted to Johnson by a panel which comprised journalists and broadcasters from all over the US. The champion managed to beat rivals and joined teammate Jeff Gordon on the very short list of drivers who won the most such titles in the 44 year history of the award.

"It's an honor to win the award again," Johnson said according to NASCAR. "Among such tough competition, with the voting panel, who it is and how well versed they are in motorsports, it's a huge, huge honor."

"This year's pre-vote teleconference was one of the most spirited debates that I can recall," added panelist President Barry Schmoyer. "As many people have said already, it will be a long time before anyone will set the bar as high as Jimmie Johnson."

Johnson received his fifth consecutive Sprint Cup crown last week, at Wynn Las Vegas, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony. Aside for entering the history books by taking the 2010 championship, Johnson also won a huge pile of money.

This past season, the champion managed to win $13,393,186 from the races and, during the award ceremony in Las Vegas, received a check for $5.778 million from the presenter of the awards, comedian Frank Caliendo.