CONCORD, N.C. -- Jimmie Johnson will add another huge honor to his trophy case this year. On Tuesday, the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) announced Johnson earned the 2020 Myers Brothers Award, which recognizes those who have made impactful contributions to stock car racing.
Each year, members of the NMPA cast their votes for an individual or group to win the award. Presented since 1958, Tuesday's announcement marks the first time Johnson has received the accolade.
“What an honor,” Johnson said. “The Myers Brothers have been such a big part of this sport. Every year as I sat through the luncheon at the banquet, I was always so proud of the winners of this award, and to be the recipient of the 2020 award truly humbles me.
“I’m so proud and thankful and appreciate those who voted. What a great surprise.”
Team owner Rick Hendrick received the Myers Brothers Award in 1996, four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon was honored with it in 2012, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. earned the award in 2014.
Johnson has received awards throughout his final season in the Cup Series, including the iconic Bill France Award of Excellence and various tributes from tracks across the country.
He retired from full-time Cup Series racing at the end of the 2020 season to cap off a historic career. Johnson is tied for the most Cup championships with seven and has 83 points-paying wins in 19 seasons at the highest level of stock car racing.
“I think the thing about Jimmie through all that, he’s the same Jimmie Johnson,” Hendrick said of Johnson's legendary career. “Never a cross word with him. Never asked him to do anything that he didn’t do.
"He’s just a guy, never hear him say anything about anybody else. He’s as close to perfect as you can get to be a competitor that can do what he can do on the racetrack. Just a super individual.”