“This is an awesome moment in my career,” Stewart said on the program. “I grew up in Indiana watching this guy a lot. Winning any award is an honor, but winning one with Mario’s name on it is very special.”

Five of this year’s seven finalists received first-place votes, including Stewart, runner-up Casey Stoner; AMA Supercross/Motocross champion Ryan Villipoto; last year’s SPEED Performer of the Year, Sebastian Vettel, and USAC/WoO phenom Kyle Larson.

“I get to see the best of the best and, Tony, you are in that company,” said Andretti, who actually noticed Stewart’s calm demeanor during the Chase and texted the driver, “I smell championship.”

The award, now in its sixth season, is presented annually by SPEED to the racer who puts a premium on winning races, shines on motor sports’ biggest stages and does it all with a measure of sportsmanship and class.

The 2011 SPEED Performer of the Year was selected by a panel including racing legends Andretti and Dan Gurney, “Wind Tunnel” host Dave Despain, veteran broadcasters Varsha, Ralph Sheheen and Leigh Diffey, SPEED.com writers Robin Miller and Tom Jensen, versatile racers Tommy Kendall and Dorsey Schroeder and a select group of SPEED motor sports producers.

The trophy, a true work of art created by bronze sculptor Elie Hazak, stands 38 inches tall and weighs 95 pounds. It features eight cars, including six of the most important in Mario’s rise to superstardom, as well as an array of artistic symbolism that captures the essence of the trophy’s namesake.

Mario Andretti Trophy winners and runner-ups:
2006 – Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR. Nicky Hayden, MotoGP
2007 – Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR; Donny Schatz, WoO
2008 – Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR; Tony Schumacher, NHRA
2009 – Tony Schumacher, NHRA; Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR
2010 – Sebastian Vettel, F1; Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR
2011 – Tony Stewart, NASCAR; Casey Stoner, MotoGP

Two-time NASCAR champ and current Chase contender Stewart headlines a list of drivers including three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champ Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman and Joey Logano, and NHRA drivers Cruz Pedregon and Ron Capps. The all-star lineup competed at the Stewart-owned half-mile track located in Western Ohio in 2,300-pound dirt late model stock cars capable of putting out more than 800 horsepower.

Scheduled air dates for “Prelude to the Dream” on SPEED:

Oct. 18, 2 p.m. ET
Oct. 23, 8 p.m. ET
Oct. 31, 10 p.m. ET
Nov. 4, 3 a.m. ET
Nov. 14, 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. ET

The popular event benefited four military-themed charities — Wounded Warrior Project, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Operation Homefront and Fisher House.
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