Earnhardt award

Earnhardt named Spirit Award nominee

HARRISBURG, N.C. (June 28,1998) Seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion, Dale Earnhardt has been selected as the first-quarter nominee for the National Motorsports Press Association Spirit Award.

Now in its sixth year, the NMPA/Pocono Spirit Award is designed to recognize sportsmanship, determination, extraordinary performance in the face of adversity, consideration of others and promotion of motorsports. During the 1998 season, four quarterly nominees will be selected by the membership of the NMPA, with the annual winner being announced at the association's banquet this winter.

Earnhardt was selected because of the persistence he has displayed throughout his racing career. Winning the Daytona 500 after 19 attempts, ended a 59-race losing streak and dispelled the stigma that he could not win NASCAR's biggest race. Earnhardt also rebounded from crashes at Texas and Talladega, continuing to race despite injuries.

"Throughout his career, Dale Earnhardt has displayed the determination and courage it takes to succeed in the face of adversity," said Steve Waid, president of NMPA. "In 1998, after incidents that have battered his body, he continues to ignore pain so he can do what he loves to do. He gives his all to racing and to his fans. That's what the Pocono Spirit Award is all about." Source: NASCAR Online