Winston sponsor receives Myers Brothers Award.

During its 33 years of NASCAR Winston Cup Series sponsorship, tobacco firm RJ Reynolds has dispensed millions of dollars and hundreds of trophies to deserving award winners. On Friday morning, those tables temporarily turned.

RJR was presented the 44th Myers Brothers Award at the annual Myers Brothers Breakfast hosted by the National Motorsports Press Association and ConocoPhillips. The honour is voted upon by NMPA members and bestowed for outstanding contributions to the sport of stock car racing. Friday marked the fifth time RJR has received the award. This time, however, it came hours prior to the sponsor's last official act - the evening's 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series awards ceremony.

"We're leaving a family," said Rich Habegger, Winston Cup director for RJR's Sports Marketing Enterprises, of RJR and NASCAR's long-time association.

So is ConocoPhillips, the source of NASCAR's official fuel. ConocoPhillips, which supplies the 76 brand of racing fuel, is leaving after 53 years of series sponsorship.

"It's going to be different without Winston and 76 Gasoline," said 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Matt Kenseth.

RJR and ConocoPhillips weren't the only award recipients at Friday's annual breakfast, as one of NASCAR's best-known and most popular drivers, Dale Earnhardt Jr, had the fact officially confirmed for him on Friday. He accepted the Grands Biscuits NMPA NASCAR 'Most Popular Driver' Award, becoming the second member of his family to receive it. His father, the late Dale Earnhardt, won it posthumously in 2001. Over three million fans cast ballots during season-long voting in 2003. Junior also won the Goodyear Gatorback Fastest Lap Award and accepted a $75,000 cheque.

Ryan Newman of Penske Racing, who led the NASCAR Winston Cup Series with eleven pole positions, won the Bud Pole Award and received a cheque for $100,000. He also won the Mobil 1 Command Performance Driver of the Year Award, and accepted a $100,000 cheque.

Mike Maiwald of Hendrick Motorsports won the Clevite Engine Builder of the Year Award. Maiwald, the engine builder for Jeff Gordon's #24 DuPont Chevrolet, received a cheque for $77,000.

Tony Stewart of Joe Gibbs Racing won the MBNA Mid-Race Leader Award. He accepted a $5,000 cheque, which he said he will donate to the Victory Junction Gang Camp.

Robbie Reiser, the NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion crew chief, accepted the Mechanix Wear Pit Crew of the Year award on behalf of Kenseth's #17 DeWalt Ford team. He also accepted the $75,000 cheque. Kenseth won the Waste Management 'Picking Up Places' Award for the second consecutive year, collecting a $75,000 cheque, as well as the 76 Gasoline Champion's Award, which added another $76,000 cheque to his collection.

Jimmie Johnson of Hendrick Motorsports won the Outback Steakhouse Bloomin' 'Favourite Driver of the Year' Award, and received a $75,000 cheque.

Ricky Craven of PPI Motorsports won the USG 'Person of the Year Award', complete with a $100,000 cheque that he donated to charity.