Cornelius, NC-- Brandon Ward capped off a storybook 2007 season in surprise fashion at Myrtle Beach’s Marriott Grande Dunes Resort on Saturday night when he was announced as the “Speed 51 Most Popular Driver” for the 2007 USAR Hooters Pro Cup season. He also took the stage, of course, to receive the crystal trophy presented to him as the “Miller Lite Rookie of the Year”, which Ward wrapped up at the season-ending Lakeland event in November. It was noted that the driver of the Randy Humphrey Racing SupplyOne Ford Fusion amassed nearly $120,000 in winnings and special awards over the course of the Northern Division and Championship Series schedules.

“This year was a dream come true for me,” said an elated Ward to the capacity crowd gathered in the Resort’s grand ballroom to honor the USAR’s top accomplishments of the past season. “First and foremost, I can’t thank Randy and Stacey Humphrey enough for giving me this opportunity. It looked like I might not even have a ride for 2007, then Randy called,” Ward continued with obvious emotion in his voice. “Then having my friend Rob Huffman as a crew chief, and the great group of hard-working guys he put together, was just more than I could have ever hoped for. What we were able to accomplish this year was definitely a total team effort.”

Ward went on to acknowledge SupplyOne’s Bill Leith and Dan Leon for their sponsorship support, expressing his hope that the Pennsylvania-based packaging giant would once again grace the car’s quarter panels in 2008. “We don’t have anything signed yet, but it was great having them on board in ’07 and we would love to get things finalized soon for 2008,” said Ward. SupplyOne had as many as 300 guests at several of our races this year, and it was awesome meeting them personally at the hospitality tent, and then seeing them cheer for us from the grandstands,” he added.

Ward couldn’t hide a shocked expression at emcee Gene Crane’s pronouncement that a record fan vote total had resulted in Brandon being named by motorsports publisher Speed 51 as the USAR Pro Cup’s 2007 “Most Popular Driver”. “It’s a great honor and a huge surprise,” admitted Ward. “Just to be included in the voting with all the incredibly talented drivers in this Series was a thrill. And then to win…wow, what can I say. My thanks go to all the fans that support this Series, and to Speed 51 for sponsoring the award.”

During his time at the podium, Brandon also acknowledged his appreciation to a number of team and series sponsors including Hooters, Sears Auto Centers, B.F. Goodrich Tires, Automotive Specialists, Laughlin Race Cars, W.P. Shocks, Shaffer’s Oil and Steve Davis Photography. He then offered some personal remarks, “I can’t forget my girlfriend Cathy Lee, who has supported my racing 100% over the past several years. And of course, my mom and dad, who have sacrificed an incredible amount of time and finances since I was eight years old to help me achieve my dream,” he said.

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For More Information: Rob Albright (704) 895-1384.

Read the Speed 51 Cover Story about Brandon here.