NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. - Before NASCAR celebrated its biggest and brightest at North Wilkesboro Speedway with the All-Star Race, FOX honored one of the greatest to ever work behind the scenes.
Longtime communications professional at Hendrick Motorsports, Jon Edwards, was named the 2025 recipient of the organization's "Byrnsie Award", named after longtime broadcaster Steve Byrnes, who succumbed to cancer in 2015. Presented every season since Byrnes' death, the award is presented to someone in the NASCAR Cup Series, "who exemplifies principles Byrnes embodied in his professional and personal life -- preparation, teamwork and family."
Edwards, who worked closely with Jeff Gordon throughout his driving career and also with Kyle Larson since 2021, passed away last month at 53 years old. Edwards had most recently been serving as the organization's director of communications since 2022.
“Jon was the prototype for great PR reps with Jeff Gordon, and he was the perfect choice to guide Kyle Larson’s return to NASCAR and his rise to stardom,” FOX NASCAR play-by-play announcer Mike Joy said. “In an arena with massive egos, Jon’s own was never on display. As an enabler -- not a gatekeeper – Jon set a very high standard, all the while being a good and loyal friend. He truly embodied the way Steve Byrnes lived his life.”
The award is voted on by the NASCAR broadcast team and Joy presented the award to Edwards' family on Sunday. Edwards' parents, Randy and Judy Edwards, and his brother, Jay Edwards, were in attendance.
Past winners of the Byrnsie Award
- 2015 – Rodney Childers
- 2016 - Chris Osborne
- 2017 - Tony Gibson
- 2018 – Jimmie Johnson
- 2019 – Darrell Waltrip
- 2020 – Bubba Wallace
- 2021 – Rick Hendrick
- 2022 – Justin Marks
- 2023 – Peter Larsson
- 2024 – Nelson Hastings
- 2025 – Jon Edwards