“What an honor it is to be singled out as the Driver Of The Year for 2008. I'm happy that the NHRA is front and center again with this award. It's been a few years since Greg Anderson won it. Of course, John Force also won it in 1996. You can't forget the living legend himself.”
“Needless to say, I wouldn't be receiving any postseason award without the talented team that surrounded me this past season. My crew chief, Alan Johnson, and the entire crew deserve all the credit in the world. There's no denying the fact that we had one of those dream seasons,” said Schumacher after being presented with the award.
The Top Fuel champion won this year's title in style, winning no less than 15 events and making 18 final round appearances in 25 NHRA events. Being named the 2008 Driver of the Year was, however, a much tougher job, as the jury had to pick a single driver out of several 2008 performers. NASCAR Sprint Cup duo Jimmie Johnson - who matched Cale Yarborough winning record in the Sprint Cup Series this season - and Carl Edwards were also eligible for the big prize, but received only 5 votes – as compared to Schumacher's 6.
Kyle Busch – who had a great first part of the season in all 3 NASCAR series – and Tony Stewart had to settle for a single vote in the end.
Schumacher concluded by dedicating this trophy to the US Army (whose livery is present on his dragster in the Top Fuel series).
“I want to dedicate this award to all of our hardworking soldiers. If not for their tireless effort in defending our freedom every day, there wouldn't be a race season no less a Driver of the Year award. Make no mistake, they're the true heroes,” added Schumacher.
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