2012 driver of the year is no surprise

• Past winners of award include Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson
• Keselowski, 28, secured 18 of 19 first-place votes
• IndyCar champion Ryan Hunter-Reay received other first-place vote

Penske Racing's Brad Keselowski has captured the top American motorsports award voted on by racing journalists around the country.

The Rochester Hills, Mich., native, winner of this season's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship, was named 2012 Driver of the Year on Thursday by a panel of veteran broadcasters and writers, including USA TODAY Sports' Nate Ryan and Mike Brudenell.

Some of the greatest drivers in the world have won the award since its introduction in 1967, including Mario Andretti; Mark Donohue, who drove for Roger Penske in Indy Cars; A.J. Foyt; Darrell Waltrip; Bobby Rahal; Emerson Fittipaldi; Nigel Mansell; Dale Earnhardt; John Force; Jeff Gordon; Tony Stewart; and Jimmie Johnson, the five-time NASCAR Cup champion.

Keselowski, 28, scored an overwhelming victory in being named, securing 18 of the 19 first-place votes. Andretti Autosport driver Ryan Hunter-Reay, the 2012 IndyCar champion, received the remaining vote.

In quarterly voting, Keselowski, who raced short track around Michigan and at Toledo Speedway as a teenager, beat NHRA Top Fuel star Antron Brown and Johnson, doubling their number of votes.

"To be honored with the 2012 Driver of the Year (award) is a great way to top off our championship season," said Keselowski in a release. "The (drivers') list is definitely a 'Who's Who' in the history of racing. It gives me great pride to see my name there with the likes of Mark Donohue and Mario Andretti, drivers who have transcended one particular discipline or series, and are considered some of the best to ever sit in a racecar."

Added team owner Penske: "It was a terrific 2012 season by Brad and the entire Miller Lite/Penske Racing team. We are proud of all Brad has accomplished this season and we certainly congratulate him."

Mike Brudenell also writes for the Detroit Free Press