Racing legend Mario Andretti, arguably the most versatile driver in motor sports history, heads the select SPEED Performer of the Year panel with the responsibility of nominating candidates and voting on the eventual winner of the Mario Andretti Trophy, a 100-pound bronze sculpture created by artist Elie Hazak. Over his storied career, Andretti won the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500, the Formula One World Championship and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. He also won races in sports cars, midget cars, sprint cars and dragsters, giving him a unique position of expertise in naming today's best racers.

Winners of the annual SPEED Performer of the Year honors are invited to join the panel, and three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, accepted the invitation after winning the inaugural Andretti Trophy after his 2006 racing season.

Veteran and versatile SPEED on-air personalities Dave Despain, Bob Varsha and Ralph Sheheen head the SPEED contingent of panel members that includes former multi-series racers Tommy Kendall and Dorsey Schroeder.

SPEEDtv.com motor sports journalists Robin Miller and Tom Jensen bring decades of motor sports reporting to the panel, and SPEED producers Frank Wilson, David Lee, Pete Richards, Neil Sullivan, Greg Oldham and News Director James Chiappelli round out the panel.