Carroll Shelby, the iconic racing legend and creator of the Shelby Cobra, continues to rack up impressive awards.

Shelby, who celebrated his 85th birthday in January, was recently named recipient of the 2008 Automotive Executive of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award. The elite list of previous award winners creates a very rarified level of excellence with names like Henry Ford II, John DeLorean, Lee Iacocca and Dieter Zetsche.

The Automotive Executive of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award is sponsored each year by the DNV Certification and the Automotive Industry Action Group, with nominations submitted by a select committee comprised of auto industry media, industry analysts and the CEOs of various automotive suppliers.

Robert Djurovic, the DNV Certification Director of North American Automotive Services recently said of Mr. Shelby, "His ongoing energy and commitment amazes us all. As he has done throughout his career, he continues to push the envelope - as well as everyone in the industry - to new levels of performance."

Certainly well-deserved praise for a man who has created a unique and lasting place for himself in the automotive history books.

It's been ten long years since an Automotive Executive of the Year award recipient has been honored for a lifetime of achievements. One full decade later, this prestigious award is slated to be presented to Mr. Shelby on April 16th in an exclusive, invitation-only luncheon at the Detroit Athletic Club.

Of course, we all know that Carroll Shelby is the genius behind the Cobra, Ford GT40, Viper, Shelby Mustang and Ford GT. But as a racecar driver, he also set land speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats and ripped up the racetrack in the legendary 24 Hours of LeMans. In fact, Shelby is the one and only person to ever score the trifecta of winning LeMans as a driver, a team owner and a manufacturer.

He's previously been named as Sports Illustrated's Driver of the Year in both 1956 and 1957. Shelby has also been inducted into the Automobile Hall of Fame and the International Motor Sports Hall of Fame.

Be sure to check out the March/April 2008 issue of the AIAG's Actionline Magazine where you'll find an in-depth interview with the man of the hour himself.

For more information on the Automotive Executive of the Year Award as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award, go to www.autoexecoftheyear.com.

To learn more about Carroll Shelby, his official website (www.carrollshelby.com) is packed with great information that provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of a true automotive and racing genius.