CONCORD, NC (Sports Network) - Five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has been selected as the 2010 Driver of the Year by a panel of broadcasters and journalists covering motorsports in the United States. The panel made the announcement on Wednesday.

Johnson, who clinched his fifth straight Sprint Cup title last month at Homestead, FL, joined Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon as the only drivers to win the Driver of the Year Award four times in its 44-year history. Mario Andretti, the first annual winner, and Darrell Waltrip are tied with three awards apiece.

"It's an honor to win the award again," Johnson said. "Among such tough competition, with the voting panel, who it is and how well versed they are in motorsports, it's a huge, huge honor."

Johnson was informed he won the award again during the NASCAR Awards Banquet in Las Vegas earlier this month.

He also received the honor in 2006, '07, and '09.

Johnson received 10 votes, compared to seven for NHRA Funny Car champion John Force and one for NASCAR driver Kyle Busch. Two votes were not tabulated from the 20-member panel this year.

"This year's pre-vote teleconference was one of the most spirited debates that I can recall," said Barry Schmoyer, who serves as president of the Driver of the Year panel.

Johnson will receive a trophy and a Tissot wristwatch, which will be presented at a place and time to be announced later.