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Matt Kobyluck receives his Driver of the Year plaque from George Campbell

Matt Kobyluck Named Busch Sport Scene Driver of the Year

2008 NASCAR Camping World Series Champion Matt Kobyluck was announced as the 2008 Busch Sport Scene Driver of the Year at the 10th annual Busch Sport Scene Snowmobile Ride for Charity on January 31st in Rangeley, Maine.

"I was really surprised," Matt said. "It is a huge accomplishment and honor for me, and I feel extremely fortunate to receive this award."

The annual award is voted on by the staff at Busch Sport Scene and presented at the charity event each year in Rangeley. Busch Sport Scene Publisher George Campbell announced Matt as the winner and presented him with a beautiful granite plaque designed by Campbell and created by Get Etched of Brunswick, Maine.")

The award this year is sponsored by Bo Built Race Car Bodies. The award package is valued at over $1500 and includes a gift certificate from Bo Built. Bo Built hung the bodies on the race cars for both Kobyluck's NASCAR CWSE Championship winning team and the New Hampshire Motor Speedway CWS Track Championship team of Eddie MacDonald. Kobyluck & MacDonald were the leading contenders for the Busch Sport Scene award this year.

Kobyluck, from Uncasville, CT, earned his first career NASCAR Camping World Series East title in 2008 on the strength of four wins and 12 top 10 finishes in 13 races. As driver and owner of the #40 Mohegan Sun Resort Chevrolet, Kobyluck’s championship season included wins at Watkins Glen International in N.Y., Music City Motorplex in Nashville Tenn., Adirondack International Speedway in N.Y., and Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, CT. Kobyluck, a member of the Mohegan Tribal Nation, became the first Native American to win a NASCAR Championship in 2008 when he clinched the Camping World Series title at Dover International Speedway last September with his third-place finish in the Sunoco 150.

When presenting the Busch Sport Scene Driver of the Year award to Kobyluck, Campbell congratulated Matt for his NASCAR Championship. Campbell told him we couldn't give him the 3-4 million dollars he had received from NASCAR at the banquet in December, but we did have a Sean Caisse bobblehead doll for him instead. R. Fish photos

"It was great to have Matt at the 10th Annual Busch Sport Scene Charity event this winter to accept his award in person," Campbell said. "Matt is a true champion. He and his Mohegan Sun team worked so hard over the years and really earned their honors this year. I cannot think of a better person to represent this series now. He is one of the most respected drivers on the tour and has become one of the most popular among the fans as well."

The award is voted on by the writers and photographers of Busch Sport Scene who each nominate three drivers in order of choice. Each first choice receives three points, each second choice receives two points, and each third choice receives a single point. When the points are tallied, the driver with the most is named Driver of the Year.

When casting his vote, Busch Sport Scene columnist Alan Claffie said, "The undeniable pick of the year showed everyone how it's done by having a nearly flawless season. He didn't start out all that well with a flat tire and resulting green-flag pit stop at Greenville, but after that he was pretty much unstoppable. We've been rating drivers for this award based on strong performances at short tracks, big tracks, and road courses. This year, Kobyluck has excelled at all three."

Eddie MacDonald receives the runner up honors. Robin Fish photos

Eddie MacDonald was honored at the event as the runner-up for the award in 2008. Eddie had a great year that included a pair of wins at New Hampshire Motor Speedway that helped him earn the NHMS Track Championship. Eddie was the only other driver to earn a first place vote on the ballots submitted this year.

Kobyluck also received the Busch Sport Scene Fans Favorite Driver Award at the event. This award is voted on by the readers of the popular New England based racing magazine.

Last Updated on 02/03/09
By George Campbell or Greg Fish
Email: neracing@neracing.com