Driver of the Year Staff

Barry Schmoyer has  named three additional top journalists to the panel of voting experts.

They include Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press, Tom Jensen of SPEEDtv.com and Dustin Long of Landmark Newspapers.

Schmoyer said, “Due to the tragic and untimely passing of David Poole – and Mike Harris’ retirement from the Associated Press – it was necessary to review the panel and make additions to reflect the leaders in racing coverage.

“Although Mike has retired from the Associated Press he will continue to write for news outlets such as www.racintoday.com. He is an invaluable resource, and, we are pleased that he will remain active on our voting panel.

Jenna Fryer began covering NASCAR for The Associated Press in 2000, and earned the byline “AP Auto Racing Writer” in 2005. She’s a New Jersey native and graduate of West Virginia University with a degree in journalism. Fryer is also a regular contributor to Yahoo! Sports.

Tom Jensen is the Editor in Chief for SPEEDtv.com, Senior NASCAR Editor for RACER magazine and a contributing Editor for TruckSeries.com. He is the author of “Cheating: The Bad Things Good NASCAR Nextel Cup Racers Do In Pursuit of SPEED.” He’s also the past President of the National Motorsports Press Association and the 1997 National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year.

“I’m looking forward to being part of such an August group of my peers and will play an active role in the process of Driver of the Year selection,” he said.

Dustin Long has a special situation as the first second-generation panel member. In his 11th season covering NASCAR for Landmark Newspapers, which includes the Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Va., the Roanoke (Va.) Times and the News and Record in Greensboro, N.C., he is the current president of the National Motorsports Press Association. Former panelist Gary Long of the Miami Herald is his uncle.

“I’m truly honored to be part of this select group and am excited to follow my uncle’s footsteps and be a second-generation voter,” Long said.

Schmoyer concluded the announcement by saying, “I’m honored that these important journalists, who are cognizant of all forms of racing, would join the panel and am looking forward to working with them.”