NASCAR Cup Series

Dale Earnhardt Jr. named recipient of prestigious Myers Brothers Award

Published Dec. 4, 2014 4:28 p.m. ET

Jared Turner

Dale Earnhardt Jr., who became a Nationwide Series champion team owner this past season with JR Motorsports driver Chase Elliott and enjoyed a memorable four-win campaign in the Sprint Cup Series, is the 2014 recipent of the prestigious Myers Brothers Award given each year in recognition of one's outstanding contributions to the sport of NASCAR.

Earnhardt, 40, received the award during Thursday's Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon at The Wynn Las Vegas where he was honored for his participation in multiple NASCAR series and his work that extends off the track into the community.

The third-generation driver has made 235 appearances on behalf of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a number that ranks in the top five among professional athletes. Furthermore, his Dale Jr. Foundation raised $913,000 to be distributed to more than 70 charities.

Named after famed short-track drivers Billy and Bobby Myers, the award has been presented annually since 1958 and is presented by the National Motorsports Press Association. Last year's recipient was Sprint Cup Series driver/team co-owner Tony Stewart.

Earnhardt Jr.'s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Jeff Gordon, won the award in 2012.

"This doesn't even seem real," said an emotional Earnhardt Jr. "The truth is I'm obviously extremely humbled by this award, but I feel like I share it on so many levels -- my sister Kelley along with everyone at JR Motorsports is as deserving as this as anyone. I've got a lot of passions with NASCAR, but I wouldn't know how to make them realities without all those folks. They're why we just completed our 14th season building race cars on some level or another. And they're also why the Dale Jr. Foundation exists. I'm just as proud of what we've been able to accomplish there as anything we've ever done on the racetrack."

Earnhardt Jr. thanked the National Motorsports Press Association, the Myers family, NASCAR and those who help support the lower levels of racing, including local track owners. Finally, the driver who during Friday night's awards ceremony in Las Vegas is expected to be named the sport's Most Popular Driver for the 12th consecutive year, expressed gratitude to his fans.

"You are what makes NASCAR what it is," he said. "Your contributions to the sport are endless. You do it with your time, your energy, your money, your livelihoods, and all you ask in return is that we go out there and give our very best. What an incredible honor this is."

VIDEO: Dale Earnhardt Jr. at the 2014 Nationwide Series Awards Banquet