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LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Dale Earnhardt Jr., grinning as he strode through a Las Vegas ballroom, seemed shocked Thursday to win NASCARs prestigious Myers Brothers Award.The award, presented annually since 1958, is given to a person who makes significant contributions to the sport.Its one thing to lead the last lap and get the checkered flag, its one thing to swim faster, run faster, hit a ball farther, get those sort accolades for doing something phenomenal, Earnhardt said after. But when your peers say, Good job or when the people youre around all the time acknowledge something, even if its just so minuscule, its such a good feeling.Thats really better than any kind of trophy for victories. Its a great feeling. I dont know that Ive ever been more humbled and excited.The award was named after short-track drivers Billy and Bobby Myers, two of NASCARs pioneers from the 1950s. It is presented by the National Motorsports Press Association with the purpose of recognizing those that have provided outstanding contributions to the sport of stock car racing.Earnhardt beat three other finalists — ESPN and series sponsors Nationwide and Sprint — in voting by the NMPA membership. Hes the third consecutive driver to win the award, after Jeff Gordon in 2012 and Tony Stewart last season.Stewart called the award a huge honour and could tell how much it meant for Earnhardt to win.This is your industry thats voting on this award, its not a popularity contest award, Stewart said. This is something where the industry sees what youve contributed to the sport and you could see it the whole time he was walking up there. Thats a genuine Dale Jr. smile we saw walking up there, and that shows you what it means to him.Earnhardt was recognized for both his participation on the track — he made the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship this season and won four races — and also for his care and concern for the history and the future of NASCAR.He owns JR Motorsports with sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller and Sprint Cup team owner Rick Hendrick, and the organization won the Nationwide title this year with Chase Elliott. Elliott and teammate Regan Smith finished 1-2 in the standings.Earnhardt also is one of the few NASCAR team owners that have given back to grassroots racing by fielding full-time operations for regional short-track racing as well. He has fielded Street Stock or Late Model entries at local short tracks since starting JRM.Late Model drivers Josh Berry and William Byron finished first and second this year in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series at historic Hickory Motor Speedway. The sweep gave JRM 1-2 points finishes in both series in which it competed full-time in 14.It was the second Late Model championship in three years for the organization.And, Earnhardts off-track contributions are also tremendous. He made his 235th appearance this season for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a total that ranks among the top five for all professional athletes.The Dale Jr. Foundation also raised a record $913,000 for distribution to 70 charities in 2014. The Foundations focus is to give underprivileged individuals, particularly youngsters, the resources to improve their confidence and education.I dont know that Ive ever been more humbled and excited for Kelley and JR Motorsports. I know theyre enjoying this, too, he said. Weve done a lot of good things, but this wasnt on my radar. Its just an incredible honour.. 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The Raptors have to get through the pesky New York Knicks Wednesday at Madison Square Garden and can lock up the third spot in the Eastern Conference with a win or a Chicago loss in Charlotte.GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Bryan Price sat down in the cushy chair. In front of him was a desk. Behind him, two lockers of his very own. The first-time Cincinnati Reds manager felt a little out of place in his own office. Time to start getting used to it. The Reds open spring training on Friday when pitchers and catchers report and have their first workout. Price will be front-and-centre, a new role for the former pitching coach who took over when Dusty Baker was fired after another playoff disappointment. "I told the guys in our (staff) meeting, You better make sure you come in here and keep me company," Price said on Thursday afternoon. "Im not used to being in a room by myself, unless Im in the doghouse. Been there a few times." And he will be again once the games begin and one of his moves backfires. Ask Baker about that one. Baker got fired after leading the Reds to the playoffs for the third time in four years. They lost to Pittsburgh in the wild card game, the third time they were knocked out in the opening round. The post-season fizzle cost Baker his job and gave Price the chance to manage a team with plenty of talent to contend. He knows the team will be judged not on whether it reaches the playoffs, but whether it wins when it gets there. Just like the Bengals, who have lost their opening playoff game each of the last three seasons, the Reds arent going to get a final grade until well after the regular season has ended. Price isnt going to dwell on it with his players. "For me, the references — if any — will be very short in discussing the past," he said. "Theres nothing we can do about it. Ive inherited a phenomenal group of guys that really want to play this game beyond where weve been." The Reds are in good shape as they get started. The pitching staff is mostly healthy. Reliever Jonathan Broxton had surgery to repair a tear in his forearm llast August and has been making good progress in his throwing program during the off-season.dddddddddddd Hes the only one who may not be fully ready for opening day. "Hes stayed constant in his throwing progress, which is terrific," Price said. "And we definitely anticipate him being on the mound this month. If thats enough time to get him ready for the season, well see. Well probably have a lot better answer when we get into those last 10 days of March." Right-hander Johnny Cueto has fully recovered from strained muscles in his right side that bothered him most of last season. Cueto wound up on the disabled list three times, limiting him to 11 starts. "That being said, youre talking about a guy who ended the season healthy and there shouldnt be any impediments to his spring training based on last year," Price said. "We can hit the ground running without any inhibitions." Left-hander Tony Cingrani has recovered from back spasms that limited him during his rookie season. Cingrani moves into the spot that opened when Bronson Arroyo left as a free agent, signing with Arizona. The Reds keep in touch with players in the off-season to monitor their health. So far, the reports on all of them are encouraging, although the club will know for sure when they take physicals on Friday before the first workout. "So its probably an easier question to answer once we get through physicals tomorrow, but Im optimistic well be in good health," Price said. NOTES: Price is curious whether the bad weather on the East Coast will interfere with players travel. He said four club officials who were expected for a staff meeting on Thursday couldnt make it because their flights were cancelled. ... The position players report next Wednesday for physicals and the first full-squad workout. The Reds open their spring trai