Aflac and LMS to honor motorsports media: Aflac and Lowe’s Motor Speedway will once again honor the best in motorsports media with the annual Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence in honor of Russ Catlin. The 2009 Awards will be presented during the Lowe’s Motor Speedway Media Tour in January 2010. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Catlin Awards, which were created in honor of motorsports media pioneer Russ Catlin. The Awards are presented to individuals who capture the passion, excitement and compelling stories of motorsports through distinguished journalism. Russ Catlin Award winners receive a special plaque to commemorate their achievement along with a $1,000 scholarship to the school of their choice, paid by Aflac. As in years past, professors and faculty from the Indiana University School of Journalism provide an independent review of all entries to determine the winners.
The categories for the 2009 Aflac Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence are:
* Writing entries for daily newspapers
* Writing entries for other forms of written media (internet, weekly, etc.)
* Broadcast entries for local radio and television
* Broadcast entries for national radio and television
* Photojournalism entries
Entries must be postmarked by December 4, 2009. More info at lowesmotorspeedway.com/aflacaward.(Breaking Limits)(11-13-2009)
Sporting News' NASCAR Athlete of the Decade: the Sporting News choices for seven athletes of the decade--one in each sport they cover--sparked some intense debate. Three consecutive Cup championships form a pretty good basis for arguing Jimmie Johnson over two-time champ Tony Stewart. The results:
Athlete of the decade: Jimmie Johnson over Tony Stewart
Crew chief of the decade: Chad Knaus
Team of the decade: Hendrick Motorsports
Race of the decade: 2001 Daytona 500, won by Michael Waltrip.(Sporting News)(9-29-2009)
David Poole to be honored by Gaston HoF: David Poole, the late motorsports writer and broadcaster, will be among those honored by the Gaston County Sports Hall of Fame on Monday [Sept 21st]. The David Poole Service Award will go to longtime youth baseball coach Mack Hanna. Hanna’s son, Mark, will accept the award from UNC-Chapel Hill women’s basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell. Poole, a Charlotte Observer and ThatsRacin.com writer, grew up in West Gastonia and played on teams coached by Hanna, the award’s first recipient. The hall, in its 25th year, also will salute a leading supporter of the county’s sports programs with its annual Bennie Cunningham Fan of the Year Award and induct four men. They are longtime golf broadcaster John Derr, Clemson golf coach Larry Penley, former amateur golf champion Charlie Smith and former Virginia Union basketball coach Dave Robbins. Broadcaster Mark Packer, who played college golf with Penley, will be the keynote speaker.(Charlotte Observer) and see a nice article posted by NASCAR Scribe Monte Dutton at NASCAR This Week..(9-20-2009)
Richard Petty to be honored at Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance: The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Foundation, Inc. announced that NASCAR legend Richard Petty will be the honoree at the 15th annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, scheduled for March 12-14, 2010 at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach. Petty will serve as the key note speaker at the Concours' annual Gala Dinner Saturday, March 13, 2010. In addition to Petty's presence, this year's Concours will honor the 40th anniversary of Porsche's inaugural victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona and Le Mans and showcase a number of influential 917s, a model that is widely considered to be one of the most significant racecars of the modern era. This year's Amelia will also honor Sir Stirling Moss, OBE and the 50th Anniversary of Moss' victory in the last Cuban Grand Prix. The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance is one of the nation's most innovative vintage auto events featuring over 250 rare classics from seldom-seen private collections nationwide. For more information, visit ameliaconcours.org.(Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance)(8-12-2009)
- Johnson repeats as Best Driver in ESPYs: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevy, picked up the ESPY for Best Driver during the 17th annual ceremony Wednesday at the Nokia Theater L.A. Live. Fans can watch the ESPYs, hosted by Samuel L. Jackson, this Sunday at 9:00pm/et on ESPN. This marks the second year that Johnson has won the award, which is based upon a fan vote. Johnson, the three-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, also was nominated for Best Male Athlete, which was presented to 14-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps. NASCAR has dominated the Best Driver category, picking up 11 of the last 14 awards. Johnson's Hendrick Motorsports teammates have won five of them: Jeff Gordon in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2007, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2004.(NASCAR)(7-17-2009)
- NMPA, Home Depot team up for award: Home Depot announced it is partnering with the National Motorsports Press Association to present a humanitarian award. This year's winner will be named during the NMPA Myers Brother Awards in Las Vegas.
The award recognizes an individual in the NASCAR community who has shown a dedication to to helping others and improving communities through service and giving. Home Depot will award the winner a $100,000 donation for a charity of the recipeint's choice.
"Giving back is a fundamental value of the Home Depot," said Frank Bifulco, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Home Depot.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(5-5-2009)
- Poole receives NMPA Spirit Award: David Poole is the first quarter recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association Spirit Award for his efforts to help a family burdened by medical bills. The award comes three days after Poole died of a heart attack. The NMPA Spirit Award is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. Each year, quarterly winners are selected, and an overall winner is determined by a vote of the NMPA membership. The 2009 overall winner will be announced during the NMPA's annual convention and awards ceremony in January 2010. Also receiving votes were Denny Hamlin and Bristol Motor Speedway. Poole, who wrote for The Charlotte Observer, started the foundation called Pennies for Wessa after writing a story about Wessa Miller in February 2008. Miller, who suffers from spina bifida, gave Dale Earnhardt a penny that he attached to the car’s dashboard before he won the 1998 Daytona 500. After the story, Poole kept in contact with the family, saw their struggles and sought to help them. The program and family gained more attention in March at Bristol when Miller and her family were invited to the track. The NASCAR Foundation held an online auction with proceeds going to Pennies for Wessa. Along with contributions from those in the sport, more than $10,000 was raised.(NMPA PR)(5-2-2009)
- Chris Economaki Named 2009 Recipient of Pocono Raceway’s Bill France Award of Excellence: Chris Economaki, the Dean of Motorsports Journalists, has been named the 2009 recipient of Pocono Raceway’s Bill France Award of Excellence. The Pocono Raceway Bill France Award of Excellence has been presented annually to the person, corporation or organization that has made outstanding contributions to the sport of Sprint Cup Series Racing. This prestigious award, first presented in 1977, is dedicated to the inspiration of William H.G. France, founder of NASCAR. Economaki’s selection is especially significant since it marks the first time a journalist has been named to receive this award.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, on October 15, 1920, Economaki has been involved in racing most of his life. He saw his first race at the age of nine and was hooked for life. By the time he was 14, he was a fixture around race tracks doing anything he could to be involved with the sport. He began selling a daily newspaper, which had a racing section, in the grandstands of many tracks. When the National Racing News became a spin-off of the daily newspaper, he began writing his first by-line columns. He later took over as editor, publisher and owner of National Speed Sport News and turned it into the most influential weekly motorsports publication in the country. The newspaper is considered “America’s Weekly Motorsports Authority” and Chris continues to write his column “The Editors Notebook” which has appeared in National Speed Sport News for more than 50 years.
Chris became one of the most popular track announcers in the 1940’s and 1950’s. His style grew to legendary status and soon caught the attention of ABC and CBS television executives in the early 1960’s. He covered many of the world’s major auto racing events for TV including the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500 and the 24 Hours of LeMans in a TV career that spanned four decades.
“Chris Economaki gained the respect of the entire racing community for his fair and insightful reporting and enjoys a first-name relationship with the entire automotive and racing world,” stated Dr. Joseph Mattioli, Pocono Raceway Chairman of the Board. “Chris Economaki helped bring NASCAR onto the national scene and I am honored to announce that Chris has been named the recipient of Pocono Raceway’s 2009 Bill France Award of Excellence,” concluded Dr. Mattioli.
The Pocono Raceway Bill France Award of Excellence, a beautifully sculptured and highly polished piece of anthracite coal mined in Pennsylvania, will be presented to Chris Economaki at an award ceremony on Saturday, June 6, 2009. This ceremony is part of the festivities leading up to the June 7, 2009 POCONO 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Pocono Raceway.
Chris Economaki joins the prestigious list of Pocono Raceway’s Bill France Award of Excellence winners listed below:
POCONO RACEWAY’S BILL FRANCE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNERS
1977 Bill France
1978 Winston
1979 Purolator
1980 Union Oil
1981 The Petty Family
1982 G.H. Long
1983 STP
1984 Goodyear
1985 GNRWA ( Now WOW Wives Auxiliary)
1986 MRN (Motor Racing Network)
1987 Grand National Scene (Now NASCAR Scene)
1988 Charlotte Motor Speedway
1989 Ned Jarrett
1990 T. Wayne Robertson
1991 ESPN
1992 MRO (Motor Racing Outreach)
1993 The Allison Family
1994 Rev. Hal Marchman
1995 The Wood Bros.
1996 Clay Earles/Paul Sawyer
1997 Junie Dunlavey/Bud Moore
1998 NASCAR
1999 Rick Hendrick
2000 Robert Yates
2001 Joe Gibbs
2002 Richard Childress
2003 Jack Roush
2004 Dr. Dean L. Sicking and The Midwest Roadside Safety Facility
2005 Nextel
2006 Sunoco, Inc.
2007 James Hylton
2008 Jim France
2009 Chris Economaki
(Pocono Raceway PR)(2-18-2009)
- Goody’s Headache Powders Receives Joe Littlejohn Award: Longtime sponsor of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) and motorsports racing, Goody’s Headache Powders was the recipient of the 2008 NMPA Joe Littlejohn Award presented annually at the NMPA Convention Awards Dinner. Goody’s has sponsored the annual NMPA luncheon for over 25 years, including this year’s event held prior to the awards dinner. The Joe Littlejohn Award is presented each year to a person or persons, or an organization, in recognition for outstanding service to the NMPA as is determined by the president of the NMPA. It is named after the former track owner from Spartanburg, S.C. Littlejohn is credited with two career NASCAR starts, but raced extensively before the formation of NASCAR. Goody’s entered NASCAR in 1977 and currently holds the record as the longest non-automotive sponsor in the sport.(PR)(1-31-2009)
- Childress receives Tribute Award: Richard Childress accepted the North Carolina Motorsports Association’s (NCMA) Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award Monday evening at the third annual NCMA industry awards ceremony at the Embassy Suites Convention Hall. Childress, who celebrated his 40th anniversary as a NASCAR Cup Series team owner in 2008, was recognized for his accomplishments in motorsports, his compassion and philanthropic efforts off the track, and for his individual integrity and character. Childress was introduced by last year’s recipient, “King” Richard Petty. The event also honored companies and institutions whose efforts in 2008 greatly impacted the motorsports industry in North Carolina in 10 distinct categories: 1. Education, Two-Year Central Piedmont Community College 2. Education, Four-Year Belmont Abby College 3. Workforce Diversity Winston-Salem State University 4. Marketing, Regional Food Lion Auto Fair 5. Marketing, National NASCAR’s Home Track Campaign 6. Event Facilities Z-Max Dragway 7. Economic Development Mooresville – South Iredell 8. Safety Innovation B.R.A.K.E.S 9. Small Company SRI 10. Large Company CV Products The NCMA is the voice of the motorsports industry in North Carolina, representing businesses that support more than 26,000 jobs in the state.(NCMA PR)(1-29-2009)
- Writers David Poole, Mike Hembree awarded by NMPA: A pair of veteran racing writers have received top honors from the National Motorsports Press Association for their work in 2008. David Poole of The Charlotte Observer and Mike Hembree of NASCAR Scene were announced as the 2008 George Cunningham Award winners in the NMPA's meetings at Concord, N.C. Poole's feature story about a Kentucky girl's relationship with Dale Earnhardt, headlined "Wessa's lucky penny," along with columns about track owner Bruton Smith, the 50th anniversary of Petty Enterprises and other topics, were cited in the daily newspaper/Internet division. Poole also won the Cunningham award in 2001, '05 and 2006. Hembree's recognition came for his work in the the non-daily paper division. He also took the honor last year and three other times (1992, '95 and 2002) while working at the Greenville (SC) News.(Charlotte Observer)(1-21-2009)
- NMPA honors Edwards, Warren and Roberts: The National Motorsports Press Association awarded Carl Edwards its annual NMPA Richard Petty Driver of the Year in recognition of his stellar performance in NASCAR’s top two divisions in 2008. “It's an honor to win the Richard Petty Driver of the Year Award,’’ Edwards said. “The National Motorsports Press Association members see this sport from the inside out every week and it means a lot to me to be selected by that group as the Driver of the Year. It's also humbling to look at the list of guys that have won this award. It's amazing to be on that list.’’ Edwards finished as runner-up in both the Cup and Nationwide standings in 2008 for Roush Fenway Racing.
The late photographer T. Taylor Warren was selected as the recipient of the NMPA/Pocono Spirit Award, an annual award designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. Each year, quarterly winners are selected, and an overall winner is selected by a vote of the NMPA membership.
Veteran publicist Tom Roberts was selected as the recipient of the Ken Patterson Helping Others Award by the NMPA. From February 1984 to June 2002, Roberts worked 539 consecutive NASCAR Cup races, representing sponsors, drivers and teams. During his career, he has represented such drivers as Bobby Allison, Alan Kulwicki, Rusty Wallace and Kurt Busch. Presented annually since 2004, the Ken Patterson Helping Others Award is named after the former director of public relations for Talladega Superspeedway. The award is presented in conjunction with Talladega Superspeedway and recognizes a public relations representative in the motorsports industry (team, track, and sanctioning body) who has exhibited the kind, generous qualities that Patterson always demonstrated. Patterson died April 2, 2004, from complications of myelo dysplasia syndrome.(SPEEDtv.com)(1-20-2009)
- Langenstein honored as 2008 Papa Joe Hendrick Award of Excellence: Charlie Langenstein, mechanical director for the Hendrick Motorsports # 24 and # 48 Sprint Cup Chevrolets driven by Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson was awarded the 2008 Papa Joe Hendrick Award of Excellence on December 19, 2008 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Spa in Concord, North Carolina during the annual Hendrick Motorsports Company Christmas Party. A 40 year motorsports veteran and 9 year employee of Hendrick Motorsports, Charlie was voted by his fellow teammates and company peers as the winner of this very prestigious award. While a select and deserving group of nominees throughout the Hendrick Motorsports complex were considered, Charlie Langenstein was selected as the person who stood out the most among this honored group.
The Papa Joe Hendrick Award of Excellence was started in 1995 and each year a Hendrick Motorsports employee is selected. It is awarded annually to the Hendrick Motorsports team member displaying outstanding job performance, leadership, teamwork and contributions above and beyond expectations in order to help the organization succeed.
While Charlie's accomplishments are many throughout his racing career, 2008 was exceptional good year. In May Charlie was inducted into the Dirt Motorsports Hall of Fame in Weedsport New York, and in December he celebrated the2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship and 3rd in a row for the Team Lowes #48 Chevrolet driven by Jimmie Johnson and the Chad Knaus lead team. While winning the Papa Joe Hendrick award is the most prestigious award that can be bestowed upon any employee at the Hendrick Motorsports Corporation, Charlie looks at this award as the "Heisman Trophy" in motorsports. I feel so honored to be considered, let alone to win this award Charlie stated. "Words cannot express how much this award means to me and my family and to be considered in the same sentence as Papa Joe Hendrick, this is quite an honor. I had the honor to know Papa Joe when I worked on his 25 team with Jerry Nadeau as the driver. Pop would always come to his shop and give us some great advice for our group. He really had some knowledge about the sport and he always shared it with us. Papa Joe was well respected in the motorsports community and is missed by us all", Charlie shared. What Charlie is most proud of is he and his lovely wife Beth's involvement with the many Local and National Children's Charities. Among those groups are the Riley and Friends Awareness Program named after their 6 year old daughter Riley Nikole Langenstein. Riley and Friends Awareness centers their energy around special needs children with Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy and they help many young children that suffer from these setbacks. "My wife Beth deserves to share in all of these awards that I have won this past year as she is the backbone to any of my success", Charlie recently stated. "It truly is an honor to work for Mr. Hendrick and to be associated with his organization and the elite group of people that he has assembled at Hendrick Motorsports. I look at ALL of the 550 plus staff here at HMS and I consider each and every one of them champions, Charlie concluded".
Past Winners of the Papa Joe Hendrick Award of Excellence
2007-Robert Thorpe
2006- Rick Wetzel
2005- Rick Hendrick
2004- Randy Dorton, Jennifer Hendrick, John Hendrick, Kimberly Hendrick, Ricky Hendrick, Joe Jackson, Scott Lathram, Elizabeth "Liz" Morrison, Jeff Turner
2003- Jim Wall
2002- Ken Howes
2001- Brian Whitesell
2000- Dan Lohwasser
1999- Dennis Connor
1998-John Hendrick
1997- Rick Hendrick
1996- Ken Schrader
1995- Jim McKenzie.(PR)(1-16-2009)
- AARWBA Titus Trophy to Schumacher: Tony Schumacher, whose record-setting NHRA drag racing season was capped with a fifth consecutive Top Fuel championship, was announced as winner of the Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy at Saturday night’s 39th annual American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association All-America Team [AARWBA] ceremony, presented by A1GP World Cup of Motorsport. In the closest margin in over a quarter-century, Schumacher edged NASCAR Sprint Cup titlist Jimmie Johnson by one vote. Shirley Muldowney received one vote more than Bobby Allison in 1982. The Titus Trophy is awarded to the driver who receives the most All-America Team votes. It is named in memory of the late journalist and racer, who was an AARWBA member. It is the highest honor offered by AARWBA, the country’s oldest and largest organization of motorsports media professionals. AARWBA members annually elect drivers to the Team from seven categories: Stock car, open-wheel, drag racing, road racing, short track, touring series and at-large. Other Team drivers to earn Horsepower Trophies were: Cruz Pedregon (drag racing); Johnson and Carl Edwards (stock car); Scott Dixon and Helio Castroneves (open wheel); Scott Pruett/Memo Rojas and David Brabham/Scott Sharp (road racing); Johnny Benson and Justin Allgaier (touring series); Jerry Coons Jr. and Donny Schatz (short track); Jorg Bergmeister/Wolf Henzler and Raphael Matos (at-large).
Several special awards were presented:
Pioneer In Racing Award: Dave McClelland, the legendary NHRA announcer and broadcaster, was honored for longtime dedication and achievement that has made a difference in the sport. The Pioneer is one of AARWBA’s oldest and most prestigious awards and this was the first time it was presented to someone in the media. McClelland was the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. Co-Chairperson Susan Wade made the introduction and presentation.
Jim Chapman Award: Judy Stropus received the honor for excellence in motorsports public relations. It is named in memory of Chapman, the late legendary PR executive, who was Babe Ruth’s PR rep and director of racing for CART series sponsor PPG Industries. Stropus, representing Don Schumacher Racing, was chosen by a blue-ribbon committee of journalists, all of whom knew Chapman. The plaque was presented by ceremony Co-Chairman Michael Knight and AARWBA Southern Vice President Mike Harris, both close friends of Chapman.
Appreciation Awards: Ford, Honda, Toyota, Mazda and Porsche were recognized by President Dusty Brandel for their longtime support of the organization. All were represented at the ceremony.
Gorsline Scholarship: The 16th annual scholarship, given by John Gorsline of The Gorsline Co., went to Star Mazda series runner-up Joel Miller. The prize is awarded to an up-and-coming driver who displays the attributes of a future champion. Four-time SCCA Trans-Am champion and 1997 Titus winner Tommy Kendall made the presentation.(AARWBA PR)(1-13-2009)
- Kyle Busch named to 4th qtr Pocono Spirit Award: #18-Kyle Busch’s generosity to a former driver prompted voters to name him the fourth-quarter recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association Pocono Spirit Award. Busch was recognized for donating $100,000 to Sam Ard and his family after tying Ard’s single-season victory mark with his 10th win of the NASCAR Nationwide Series season, a win that came at Texas Motor Speedway. Ard, a two-time series champion, suffers from both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, creating massive medical bills. “Sam Ard is one of the pioneers of this [series], and to be tied with at 10 wins is something that’s pretty spectacular and really, really special to me,’’ Busch said after the win. “I’m going to try to help him out and see what I can do. It’s not much, but it’s something that can try to help.’’ The NMPA Pocono Spirit Award is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. Each year, quarterly winners are selected, and an overall winner is selected by a vote of the NMPA membership. The 2008 overall winner will be announced during the NMPA's annual convention and awards ceremony in January 2009. Also receiving votes were Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon and NASCAR. Sprint Cup driver Juan Pablo Montoya was the first-quarter winner. Longtime NASCAR photographer T. Taylor Warren was the second-quarter winner, and team owner Richard Childress claimed the third-quarter honor.(SceneDaily)(12-16-2008)
- Edwards wins award as best racer: NASCAR ace Carl Edwards was awarded the inaugural TAG Heuer Racing Award at Saturday’s Race of Champions preview press conference. The Award was set up by TAG Heuer this year to attempt to determine who is statistically the best racing driver in the world. A team of eight jurors has statistically analysed the weekly performances of more than 150 drivers from F1, GP2, NASCAR and the World Rally Championship. Edwards’ nine victories in this year’s NASCAR championship saw him finish ahead of the likes of five times World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb and 2008 F1 World Championship protagonists, Felipe Massa and eventual champion, Lewis Hamilton.(F1-Live) Edwards lost in the first round of the Race of Champions to Jaime Alguersuari.(12-14-2008)
- 2008 Auto Racing All-America Team named: The polls have closed for voters choosing 2008 All-America Auto Racing Team and five drivers with landslides of more than 70% of the vote are contenders for the Jerry Titus Award -- the team's Driver of the Year. Who those five are is not revealed until the All-America ceremonies in Ontario, Calif., on Jan. 10 but they will come from among the 17 drivers named to the First Team by the voting members of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association. Three former Titus winners are on the team this year -- Indy Car champions Tony Kanaan (2004) and Dan Wheldon (2005), and NHRA Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher (2006) but only Schumacher bids to repeat this year. The 2008 American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association all-American team consists of Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon, Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson, David Brabham and Scott Sharp, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, Cruz Pedregon, Tony Schumacher, Jerry Coons Jr., Justin Allgaier, Johnny Benson, Jorg Bergmeister and Wolf Henzler and Raphael Matos. Awards will be presented at a banquet Jan. 10, in Ontario, CA. More info at aarwba.org.(AARWBA PR)(12-8-2008)
- Championship “Tire Specialist” award announced: Champion Tire & Wheel announced the winner of the annual “Consistently Smooth” award. Sean Kerlin, tire specialist for Hendrick Motorsports #48 team, is the recipient for the 3rd straight year. The award recognizes the skill and effort of the team’s tire specialist in overseeing the organization and management of their tire and wheel program. The tire specialist is a critical piece in the formula for a championship team as it takes over 2,500 tires and wheels during the course of a full Sprint Cup season. The lead crystal trophy will be presented to Sean at the team’s shop with #48 team manager Michael Landis, and crew chief Chad Knaus. (Champion Tire and Wheel PR)(12-5-2008)
- Bob Bahre Named 2009 Buddy Shuman Award Winner: Bob Bahre, long a champion promoter and supporter of stock-car racing in the New England region, collected one of NASCAR’s most prestigious and longest-running awards today in New York City.
Bahre received the Buddy Shuman Award during the 2008 NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Media Luncheon. Presented since 1957, the award annually recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to NASCAR racing. It honors the late Buddy Shuman, a pioneering NASCAR driver who died in a hotel fire in Nov. 1955. “Bob was a pioneer in NASCAR’s growth in the northeast,” said NASCAR President Mike Helton. “He’s one of the most respected men in the sport – ever.” Bahre, 80, is the former owner of New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Oxford Plains Speedway. A resident of Paris Hill, Maine, he purchased what is now New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 1989 and re-opened it – following reconstruction and renovations – in 1990. NASCAR events have been held at the track since July 1990. Bahre also owned and operated Oxford Plains Speedway from 1986-’94. He’s also renowned for his collection of vintage cars, which he shares with the public each summer during a Founder’s Day festival in Paris Hill. As New England’s largest sports facility, New Hampshire Motor Speedway includes a 1.056-mile oval track and a 1.6-mile road course and room for 105,491 spectators. A new chapter in the track’s history began in Nov. 2007, when Bahre and his son Gary sold the facility to Speedway Motorsports Inc. More recognition is forthcoming: Bahre will be inducted into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame on Jan. 25, 2009.(NASCAR PR)(12-4-2008)
- NASCAR R&D Center Wins SAE Award: The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International Motorsports Engineering Conference Award was presented to the NASCAR Research and Development Center on Tuesday for its efforts towards “designing safer and more competitive vehicles.” NASCAR’s new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car, a seven-year project undertaken at the R&D Center, made its debut on the track in 2007 and was fully implemented into the series at the beginning of the 2008 season. The new car was designed with three primary goals in mind: improving driver safety, improving competition, and helping teams be more cost efficient. Peter Wright, FIA Technical Consultant and the conference’s keynote address speaker, presented the award to Mike Fisher, NASCAR’s Managing Director of the R&D Center. “The NASCAR R&D Center is honored to receive this award and our thanks and appreciation go out to all of the people in our industry who have been involved with the development of the new car, including the race teams, owners, manufacturers, and the staff here at the R&D Center,” said Fisher. “Safety is our #1 priority and is certainly an initiative that we work on every single day.”(NASCAR PR)(12-3-2008)
- Johnson named Sporting News Driver of the Year: Jimmie Johnson, who drove to a record-tying third consecutive Sprint Cup championship, is Sporting News’ 2008 Driver of the Year. Sporting News’ voting was conducted by a panel of 14 drivers, 14 crew chiefs and three owners from the Sprint Cup Series. The full awards appear in the new issue of Sporting News magazine, which hits newsstands later this week. Sporting News’ other winners:
— Dale Earnhardt Tough Driver of the Year: Carl Edwards
— Owner of the year: Rick Hendrick, Hendrick Motorsports
— Rookie of the Year: Regan Smith
— Crew chief of the year: Chad Knaus.(Sporting News)(12-3-2008)
- Johnson named March of Dimes Sportsman of the Year: #48-Jimmie Johnson, fresh off chalking up his third straight Sprint Cup Championship, will be rewarded in a different way on December 3 when he is honored as the 2008 March of Dimes Sportsman of the Year. Johnson will be presented by NASCAR CEO Brian France. Only the second NASCAR driver ever to win the Sprint Cup Series three consecutive times, Johnson will be joined by NBC Sports President Ken Schanzer (Corporate Leadership Award) and MLS Commissioner Don Garber (Sports Leadership Award) at the 25th Annual March of Dimes Sportsman of the Year Luncheon at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City. LPGA star Lorena Ochoa was named “Sportswoman of the Year”.(Taylor PR)(12-2-2008)
- Economaki Champion of Champions to be awarded National Speed Sport News will announce the sixth annual Economaki Champion of Champions presented by Speedway Motorsports, Inc., at the PRI Trade Show in Orlando, Fla., Dec. 11. Speedway Motorsports, Inc. will be presenting sponsor of the award for the first time, replacing Rockett Brand Racing Fuel, which previously supported the award that is annually given to the North American racing champion judged to have had the best season on and off the race track. J.J. Yeley was the first recipient of the award when he won the USAC Triple Crown in 2003. Since then, the trophy named for longtime NSSN editor Chris Economaki has been presented to Steve Kinser, Tony Schumacher, Jimmie Johnson and Donny Schatz, who won the award in 2007.(National Speed Sport News)(12-2-2008)
- Speed Performance Awards Voting Starts: SPEED opens fan voting for the third annual SPEED Performance Awards on Nov. 17 with an eye towards highlighting the year’s defining moments on and off the race track. The first three categories -- Biggest Hit, Oops Award and Best Move -- open for video voting at SPEEDtv.com (Keyword: Performance) on Monday with nominees from nine different sanctioning bodies, including NASCAR, Formula One, NHRA, the American Le Mans Series, Grand-Am, MotoGP, AMA Motocross and CORR, Indy Lights. Three more categories will open for voting on Nov. 24, with the final three opening for voting on Dec. 1. Voting for all categories will end at midnight on Dec. 14. Race fans across all disciplines will get to voice their opinions through SPEEDtv.com on the following awards:
* The OOPS Award (biggest mistake)
* Biggest Hit
* Temper, Temper
* Biggest Upset
* Best Rivalry
* Best Finish
* Best Move
* Best Comeback
* RACER Magazine Rookie of the Year
In addition to the fan-selected SPEED Performance Awards, SPEED will once again present the Mario Andretti Trophy, created by bronze artist Elie Hazak, to the SPEED Performer of the Year. Nominations are made and voted on by a panel of SPEED personalities, producers, former trophy winners and Andretti. All of the awards will be part of a one-hour SPEED Performance Awards special to air in February.(SPEED)(11-17-2008)
- Childress named NCMA Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award: Richard Childress will be the recipient of the North Carolina Motorsports Association’s Tribute Award at the group’s annual awards banquet on January 26, 2009, at the Embassy Suites Resort and Conference Center in Concord, NC. Childress is celebrating his 40th year as a NASCAR team owner in 2008, having amassed 11 championships, two Daytona 500 and two Brickyard 400 victories in addition to a lifetime of achievements on and off the track in his home state of North Carolina. As both a driver and team owner, Childress has been an integral part of NASCAR’s highest level of racing for five decades. His career as a driver spanned from 1969 to the middle of 1981 when he made the tough decision to step down as a driver but to remain a team owner with driver Dale Earnhardt. He built up his team and achieved his first Cup Series victory in 1983 with driver Ricky Rudd. Then in 1984, Earnhardt returned as Childress’s full-time driver, and together they went on to win six championships between 1986 and 1994. Still competing for championships to this day and continuing to grow, as Richard Childress Racing (RCR) will expand from a three-car to four-car operation in 2009, Childress is truly one of the most accomplished professionals in motorsports.
An avid hunter and outdoor conservationist, he contributes annually to the North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Foundation and has been a longtime supporter of the Winston-Salem Soap Box Derby. In July, he teamed up with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center to form the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma – creating what will become the nation’s most comprehensive institute for pediatric trauma. In 2004, Childress was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Jim Hunt, the state’s highest honor, and in May he was inducted to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. His passion for fine wine led to the founding of Childress Vineyards, a Napa Valley-influenced winery that produces quality North Carolina wines in Lexington, N.C. -- not far from his RCR race shop. Other winner’s of the NCMA’s Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award include Richard Petty and Benny Parsons. Additionally, winners of awards in 10 distinct categories will be determined by an NCMA member vote.(NCMA PR)(11-12-2008)
- Humpy Wheeler Wins Two Awards from the University of South Carolina: H.A. (Humpy) Wheeler, legendary auto racing promotor, will receive two prestigious awards from his alma mater, the University of South Carolina on Thursday [11/6]. The first will be the "Pioneer Award" from the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management for his award winning work in sports promotion the last 50 years particularly the 33 years he served as president of both Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte and Speedway Motorsports, Inc., the first motorsports company to go public on the New York Stock Exchange. The second award will honor him as the "Outstanding Alumni" at the Summit Club by the USC School of Journalism and Mass Communications and will be presented by current Dean and former CNN correspondent Charles Bierbauer. Wheeler is a 1961 journalism graduate of USC where he was a member of the football team, the Block C Club, Blue Key Honorary Society, Dean's List and Sigma Chi. He was also an outstanding amateur boxer with a 40-2 record and is a member of the Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame. Wheeler, known throughout the world of sports for his unique and creative promotions, left Speedway Motorsports and Lowe’s Motor Speedway last May after his 33rd Coca Cola 600 and formed The Wheeler Company with his son Trip and daughter Patti. The Wheeler Company is a management consulting operation primarily focused on providing innovative promotional and developmental ideas in the areas of professional sports, motorsports and general business A member of nine halls of fame including the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, Wheeler has won a bevy of national and state awards for his work in auto racing as well as civic endeavors and has been honored by three North Carolina governors for his work with his home state. The Pioneer in Sport and Entertainment Award recognizes an individual for an innovative contribution in the fields of sport, entertainment or venue management. This recipient has pioneered an idea, strategy, program or product that has altered the way our industry does business and resulted in an achievement generally recognized for its long term significance.(NASCAR PR)(11-6-2008)
- Inman receives Smokey Yunick Award: Legendary Petty Enterprises crew chief Dale Inman was awarded the Smokey Yunick Award prior to the start of the Bank of America 500 at Lowe's (N.C.) Motor Speedway. The award acknowledges outstanding achievement in the world of motorsports. Inman, the most decorated crew chief in NASCAR history, joined several of his colleagues with this recognition, including Glen and Leonard Wood, Ralph Moody and Bud Moore. While no driver has ever won more than Petty's seven NASCAR Sprint Cup titles, Inman has won eight as a crew chief. All seven of Petty's championships came under Inman's watch, along with 198 of his 200 record-setting wins. He won his eighth and final championship with Terry Labonte in 1984.(MCG Sprots/Petty Enterprises PR)(10-12-2008)
- Childress Honored:
NASCAR team owner Richard Childress has been named the third quarter recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association Pocono Spirit Award. Childress was recognized for his partnership with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in creating The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. The Institute’s goal is to help pave the way for others in the nation searching for ways to help save the lives of severely injured children and help those who survive on the road to recovery. The Childress family has donated $5 million to the Medical Center to initiate the project. Wake Forest Baptist and the Childress family are working with a number of corporations and individuals to raise the additional $20 million to establish the Childress Institute. The NMPA Pocono Spirit Award is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. Each year, quarterly winners are selected, and an overall winner is selected by a vote of the NMPA membership. The 2008 overall winner will be announced during the NMPA's annual convention and awards ceremony in January 2009. Also receiving votes in the third quarter were Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson. Juan Pablo Montoya was the first-quarter winner and longtime NASCAR photographer T. Taylor Warren was the second-quarter winner.(RCR Site)(10-3-2008)
- DW selected "Nashvillian of the Year": NASCAR legend and FOX Sports Broadcast analyst Darrell Waltrip has been selected to receive the prestigious "Nashvillian of the Year Award" from the Kiwanis Club of Downtown Nashville on Friday, August 1st at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel. Kiwanis International is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. The "Nashvillian of the Year Award" will be presented in the Crown Ballroom on the 10th floor at noon. Waltrip will be the 27th recipient of the award which was first awarded to Martha Rivers Ingram in 1980.
Darrell Waltrip, originally from Owensboro, KY, has been active in the middle Tennessee area since the late 1960's when he became a regular at the fairgrounds race track. Waltrip quickly became one of the nation's top short-track drivers and began racing fulltime as a NASCAR Winston Cup Competitor in 1975. Waltip recorded 84 NASCAR Winston Cup victories including 37 superspeedway victories and the 1989 Daytona 500. Waltrip raced his last Winston Cup season in 2000.
Darrell Waltip signed with FOX after his 2000 retirement. He began his career by calling the 2001 Daytona 500. His little brother, Michael Waltrip, won the race, but the victory was overshadowed by the tragic death of Dale Earnhart on a day all race fans will remember. Before joining with FOX, Waltrip had worked in film and television in a number of capacities including radio work with Ralph Emery on Nashville Now, Music City Tonight, and Prime Time Country. He starred in the Disney/Pixar movie, Cars, as Darrell Cartrip; and he also appeared in the broadcast booth in the movie Talledega Nights. In 2007, Waltrip was nominated for an Emmy in the category "Outstanding Event Analyst."
Waltrip has twice been a presenter for the Gospel Music Association Awards. In 2004 his autobiography, DW: A Lifetime Going Around in Circles, became a New York Times best -seller. In May 2004, Waltrip was featured in Jay Carty's One-on-0ne series of devotional books. Darrell Waltrip One-on-One: The Faith That took Him to the Finish Line is a sixty-day devotional book featuring Waltrip's stories and how they relate to faith.
Waltrip, a three time Winston Cup Champion, owns Darrell Waltrip Honda/Volvo in Franklin, TN where he currently lives with his wife Stevie. He has two daughters, Jessica and Sarah.(PR)(7-30-2008)
- Ken Howes honored at Indy with True Grit Award: Ken Howes was honored Sunday with the C&R Racing True Grit Award, which exemplifies outstanding achievement in racing and acknowledges dedicated crew chiefs and mechanics in the motor sports industry. Howes, Hendrick Motorsports' vice president of competition, was presented the award by Chris Paulsen, the president and owner of C&R Racing Inc. The honor is bestowed twice annually at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, prior to the Indianapolis 500 and Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. "I first met Ken Howes in 1989 when he went to work taking care of the Hendrick Corvette GTP car," said Paulsen, who established the $10,000 True Grit Award in 1998. "Coincidentally, they kept that race team in the old IndyCar shop that I worked in for many years previously on Gasoline Alley. I've worked with Ken and have been friends for many years, and he is the tireless worker behind the scenes that has a very large impact on the performance of Hendrick Motorsports. I'm very happy that Ken Howes was selected for this award, and he joins a long list of very accomplished NASCAR and IndyCar professionals."
Previous winners of the NASCAR True Grit Award include Barry Dodson, Ray Evernham, Jimmy Fennig, Tony Glover, Jimmy Makar, Buddy Parrott, Ryan Pemberton, Robby Reiser, Glen Wood and Leonard Wood. "When I was told about this, I thought someone was mistaken or perhaps confused," Howes joked. "The list of past winners is filled with people who I personally respect and admire, and it's a privilege to even be mentioned with them. Chris Paulsen and everyone at C&R Racing play a large role in our industry, and I am sincerely thankful to them for this honor. I'm fortunate to be a part of the racing community and to make a living doing what I love. To be recognized for that is truly humbling."(Hendrick Motorsports site)(7-30-2008)
- Johnson wins Best Driver ESPY: Jimmie Johnson, the two-time defending Sprint Cup Series champion, earned his first ESPY award on Wednesday. The driver of the #48 Chevy was honored with the Best Driver ESPY award during the 16th annual ESPN-hosted sports award show at Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. The award was determined by fans who voted online, and the competition was stiff. Johnson was competing for the fans' votes against current points leader Kyle Busch; 2007 Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti; 2008 Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon; Formula One standout Lewis Hamilton and four-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher. The ESPY Awards will be televised at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday on ESPN.(Hendrick Motorsports PR) (7-17-2008)
- Five NASCAR-related nominations for the ESPY Awards: There are five NASCAR-related nominations for this year’s 16th annual ESPY Awards. #18-Kyle Busch is involved in three of the five. At last summer’s Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway, #26-Jamie McMurray edged Busch for the victory by a margin of only .005-seconds, the second-closest margin since NASCAR instituted electronic scoring in 1993. That spectacular under-the-lights ending has been nominated in the “Best Finish” category. Busch also is nominated in the “Best Breakthrough Athlete” category and in the “Best Driver” category. Two-time defending Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson and Dario Franchitti also are nominated for Best Driver. Franchitti’s nomination was based primarily on his splendid 2007 season in open-wheel racing, when he won the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar Series championship. The “2008 ESPYs” will be held July 16 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. This marks the first time for the show at the Nokia Theatre, following a six-year run at the Kodak Theatre. The show – hosted annually by ESPN – will be televised on Sunday, July 20 at 9pm/et on ESPN and ESPN HD, hosted by Justin Timberlake. All awards are determined by an online fan vote. Fans can vote on-line for their favorites in all ESPY categories by going to:promo.espn.go.com.(NASCAR PR)(7-3-2008)
- Allison honored at Dover: There aren’t many accolades a driver can have at Dover International Speedway that Bobby Allison doesn’t already have. He’s the all-time leader in laps led at the track. He’s tied with Richard Petty for most wins at Dover with seven. One of the grandstands on the frontstretch is named for him. So, given all that, it’s fitting that Allison was the first driver to be honored on Dover’s newest monument. The Monster Monument at Victory Plaza presented by AAA, to be exact, which was erected this month, now displays Bobby Allison’s name among its ring of honor that’s reserved for drivers who have had immense career success. The plaque was unveiled as part of a ceremony on Saturday afternoon.(Dover Intl Speedway)(6-1-2008)
- ESPN.com Selects Top 25 All Time Drivers: ESPN.com has asked a panel of 19 experts and former drivers to vote for the top drivers that piloted anything with wheels and an engine, and from those votes has compiled a list of the Top 25 drivers of all time. Spanning a wide range of racing disciplines the list is being revealed in segments this week on the leading sports site. The feature package launched Monday, by revealing the 25-21-ranked drivers and will reveal five drivers a day for the rest of the week, unveiling the 5-1-ranked drivers on Friday, leading into the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600. The list so far:
25. Steve Kinser
24. Nigel Mansell
23. Don Garlits
22. Niki Lauda
21. Shirley Muldowney
20. Darrell Waltrip
19. Emerson Fittipaldi
18. Alain Prost
17. Bobby Unser
16. Tony Stewart
15. Al Unser
14. Cale Yarborough
13. Jackie Stewart
12. John Force
11. Rick Mears
10. Jeff Gordon
9. Juan Manuel Fangio
8. Jim Clark
7. David Pearson
6. Richard Petty
5. Ayrton Senna
4. Michael Schumacher
3. Dale Earnhardt
2. Mario Andretti
1. A.J. Foyt
See the stoty, list and driver links at ESPN.com.(5-23-2008) on the Top 25
- Montoya named first-quarter winner of NMPA Pocono Spirit award: #42-Juan Pablo Montoya has been named the first quarter recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association Pocono Spirit Award. Montoya was recognized by NMPA members for the work he and his wife, Connie, do in support ofJuan Pablo Montoya their Formula Smiles Foundation in Colombia. NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France and a number of NASCAR executives visited Cartagena, Colombia, in March, where they saw one of the sites where Montoya's charity is helping children in need, teaching them sports and providing them with the facilities and resources to develop their learning. As part of NASCAR's support, France presented Montoya and his wife Connie a $25,000 from the NASCAR Foundation, to help the efforts of Formula Smiles. The NMPA Pocono Spirit Award is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. Each year, quarterly winners are selected, and an overall winner is selected by a vote of the NMPA membership. The 2008 overall winner will be announced during the NMPA's annual convention and awards ceremony in January 2009. Also receiving votes in the first quarter were NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers Kevin Harvick and Jamie McMurray, Motor Racing Outreach founder Max Helton and longtime NASCAR photographer T. Taylor Warren.(Pocono Raceway)(5-23-2008)
- Jim France Named Recipient of Pocono Raceway's Bill France Award of Excellence: James C. (Jim) France, vice chairman/executive vice president of NASCAR and chairman/CEO of International Speedway Corporation (ISC) has been named the 2008 recipient of Pocono Raceway's Bill France Award of Excellence. The Pocono Raceway Bill France Award of Excellence has been presented annually to the person, corporation or organization that has made outstanding contributions to the sport of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing. This prestigious award, first presented in 1977, is dedicated to the inspiration of William H.G. France, founder of NASCAR. Jim France is the son the late William H.G. ("Big Bill") France and, brother of former president and chairman/CEO of NASCAR, the late William C. ("Bill Jr.") France. He grew up in the early years of stock car racing, living and learning every aspect of the sport from his own experiences, and from his father and brother. Jim joined ISC in 1959 working in all phases of operations. He was elected to the ISC board in 1970 and has served as the company's secretary, assistant treasurer, vice president, chief operating officer and executive vice president before being named the company's president and chief operating officer in 1987.He was also named to the NASCAR Board of Directors in November 2000.
France has been involved in motorsports most of his life. He has been a strong supporter of motorcycle racing in the United States, evident by his professional involvement in the sport. He was active in Legends Car racing and the Allison "Legacy" Car Series. He was BF Goodrich Legends Cars national tour champion in 1992 and had a good deal of success in the Gatorade Florida Legends Series. He served as starter for the U.S. Motorcycle Grand Prix in the late 1960s, raced dirt track races for nearly five years and has been a member of the American Motorcyclist Association for more than 30 years. In addition, France has raced karts on both dirt and asphalt. France has served as a board member of ACCUS (Automobile Competition Committee of the United States). He was on active duty in the U.S. ARMY (1969-1970) where he served a stint in Vietnam. France was born and raised in Daytona Beach, Fla., and graduated from Seabreeze High School. He attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL., and earned a business degree in 1968.
"NASCAR was founded in 1948 and under the leadership, grit and determination of the France family, NASCAR's popularity grew from primarily on a regional level to national recognition. Today, millions of fans pack NASCAR venues across the country each year for what is arguably the most exciting form of motorsports entertainment," stated Pocono Raceway chairman and C.E.O. Dr. Joseph Mattioli. "Jim France has been a driving force behind NASCAR's success and we are proud to announce that he has been named the recipient of Pocono Raceway's 2008 Bill France Award of Excellence," concluded Dr. Mattioli.
"There is a special relationship and bond between the Mattioli and France families that goes back to the personal friendship Doc and Rose had with my parents, Bill and Anne. My brother and I had the pleasure to build on that friendship. Bill, Jr. worked closely with the Mattiolis throughout his life. I have been fortunate enough to do the same. The close relationship our families share has lasted, and has been extended now through three generations. Receiving the Bill France Award of Excellence is a true honor and an award I will cherish always," stated Jim France.
The Pocono Raceway Bill France Award of Excellence, a beautifully sculptured and highly polished piece of anthracite coal mined in Pennsylvania, will be presented to Jim France at an award ceremony on Saturday, June 7, 2008. This ceremony is part of the festivities leading up to the June 8, 2008 POCONO 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Pocono Raceway.
Jim France joins the prestigious list of Pocono Raceway's Bill France Award of Excellence winners listed below:
POCONO RACEWAY'S BILL FRANCE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNERS
1977 Bill France
1978 Winston
1979 Purolator
1980 Union Oil
1981 The Petty Family
1982 G.H. Long
1983 STP
1984 Goodyear
1985 GNRWA ( Now WOW Wives Auxiliary)
1986 MRN (Motor Racing Network)
1987 Grand National Scene (Now NASCAR Scene)
1988 Charlotte Motor Speedway
1989 Ned Jarrett
1990 T. Wayne Robertson
1991 ESPN
1992 MRO (Motor Racing Outreach)
1993 The Allison Family
1994 Rev. Hal Marchman
1995 The Wood Bros.
1996 Clay Earles/Paul Sawyer
1997 Junie Dunlavey/Bud Moore
1998 NASCAR
1999 Rick Hendrick
2000 Robert Yates
2001 Joe Gibbs
2002 Richard Childress
2003 Jack Roush
2004 Dr. Dean L. Sicking and The Midwest Roadside Safety Facility
2005 Nextel
2006 Sunoco, Inc.
2007 James Hylton
2008 Jim France
(Pocono Raceway)(5-2-2008)
- Hendrick's Langenstein to be honored: Charlie Langenstein, who works at Hendrick Motorsports will be honored as Mechanic of the Year Award during Northeast Modified Hall of Fame 2008 Induction Ceremonies on Sunday, May 25. Langenstein has molded a successful career that has carried him from the Syracuse Mile in New York State to the superspeedway of Daytona International in Florida. Currently residing in North Carolina, the New Jersey native first ventured to Nazareth, Reading and Flemington (NJ) Fair Speedway in 1972 and over the next two decades surfaced as one of the top wrenches in the Northeast. From 1976-82 Langenstein accompanied George Smith’s Statewide Racing team with Jimmy Horton behind the wheel, then joined forces with big-Block star Brett Hearn before building a car for notorious owner Tony Ferraiuolo and his driver Ken Brenn Jr. to close out the 80s. Charlie relocated to the Tar Heel State and helped Rob Moroso capture the NASCAR Grand National title in 1989 before working at the Kneisel Speed Shop in Pennsylvania from 1992-95 and serving a one-year stint with Team Freightliner owner Ray Bramall. Today, he is the technical supervisor for Hendrick Motorsports on the Cup circuit, overseeing everything mechanical for the cars driven by internationally acclaimed touring stars Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. More info at dirtcar.com.(4-4-2008)
- NASCAR represented in Sports Emmy Nominations: The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) announced the nominees for the 29th Annual Sports Emmy Awards at the IMG World Congress of Sports at the St. Regis Hotel in Monarch Bay/Dana Point, California. At the 29th Annual Sports Emmy Awards, winners in 30 categories including outstanding live sports special, sports documentary, studio show, play-by-play personality and studio analyst will be honored. The Awards will be given out at the prestigious Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center located in the Time Warner Center on April 28th, 2008 in New York City. Many of the leading sports broadcasters, personalities and television professionals will be presenters at the event. American Airlines and Thomson Grass Valley are the official sponsors of the 29th Annual Sports Emmy Awards. Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal is the exclusive magazine partner.
The list NASACR related shows nominated
Outstanding Live Sports Special: NASCAR on FOX: Daytona 500, FOX
Outstanding Live Sports Series: NASCAR on FOX, FOX
Outstanding Live Event Turnaround: Quest for the Cup, NASCAR Images
Outstanding Sports Documentary: Dale, NASCAR Images
Outstanding Studio Show Daily: NASCAR Now, ESPN2
Outstanding Open / Tease: Indianapolis 500, ABC
Outstanding Technical Team Remote: ESPN NASCAR, ABC / ESPN / ESPN2 & NASCAR on FOX, FOX
Outstanding Technical Team Studio: NASCAR on FOX, FOX
Outstanding Music Composition / Direction / Lyrics: Dale, NASCAR Images
Outstanding Live Event Audio / Sound: NASCAR on FOX, FOX
Outstanding Graphic Design: ESPN NASCAR, ABC / ESPN / ESPN2
The George Wensel Technical Achievement Award: ESPN NASCAR, Draft Track ABC / ESPN / ESPN2.(emmyonline.org)(3-14-2008)
- Force gets Glick Award: John Force, the winningest driver in the NHRA, was selected winner of the Justice Brothers Shav Glick Award on Sunday before the Auto Club 500. Force was in Phoenix, where his four John Force Racing teams competed in the Powerade Drag Racing Series. Force's other three daughters accepted the award named after the late motor racing writer for The Times, a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame. The award recognizes Californians who have made distinguished contributions to motor sports.
"Being nominated for an award with Shav's name on it is an honor by itself," Force said in a statement, "but to be with people like Robert Petersen, Chris Pook and Jimmie Johnson, the NASCAR champ, makes it even more special. I wish I could have been there myself. . . . It'll go right in my museum. Shav was the first real writer to ever do a story on me." Petersen, who died last year, founded a number of auto-related magazines as well as the Petersen Automotive Museum; Pook founded the Grand Prix of Long Beach and Johnson won the last two Nextel Cup championships.(Los Angeles Times)(2-25-2008)
- Richard Petty honored at 2008 NC-Motorsports Industry Awards: The North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA) recently presented 10 industry awards and honored Richard Petty with the Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award for having a strong positive impact on the motorsports industry in the state. In addition, The North Carolina Motorsports Foundation awarded $25,000 in scholarship grants distributed equally among five North Carolina schools or training centers that have two-year or four-year education programs with a concentration in motorsports. A variety of deserving students were called to the stage and awarded scholarships that will allow them to pursue a career in the $5.9 billion motorsports industry in the state of North Carolina. Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue welcomed nearly 650 attendees, and Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Motor Racing Network broadcaster, served as master of ceremonies. For the full list of awards and more info, see motorsportsnc.org.(2-2-2008)
- Junior Achievement honorees include NASCAR founder France: Junior Achievement announced the inductees into its 2008 U.S. Business Hall of Fame, one of the most prestigious honors awarded for success in the business world. Junior Achievement selects inductees for their business excellence, courageous thinking and actions, vision and innovation, inspiring leadership, and philanthropy. The 2008 Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame laureates included William H.G. France (1909-1992): Founder and President of NASCAR. For more information and the other inductee's, see www.ja.org.(1-25-2008)
- Lesa France Kennedy honored by Daytona Chamber of Commerce: Lesa France Kennedy, President of International Speedway Corporation, received the Lou Fuchs Award on Wednesday from the Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce. The award is named for a champion of the local tourism industry who organized an effort to prevent weekend closings of gas stations during the oil embargo of the 1970s. Kennedy, daughter of the late William C. France Jr., also is the Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of NASCAR. The United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties was selected as the 2008 Enterprise Award winner by The Chamber. The Enterprise Award is given "to an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the quality, vitality and growth of our community," said Ed Williams, chamber chairman and sales manager for Coca-Cola in Daytona Beach.(NASCAR PR)(1-25-2008)
- Miller Lite Motorsports Journalism Award Winners Announced: A quintet of journalists were honored Tuesday afternoon during the 23rd annual presentation of the Miller Lite Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence in honor of Russ Catlin. The Miller Lite Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence annually recognize outstanding motorsports coverage in five categories while honoring the memory of Russ Catlin, a motorsports journalism pioneer. The entries were submitted to the Indiana University School of Journalism, whose faculty members selected the winners. Each winner received a plaque and a Rolex watch from Miller Lite NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kurt Busch during a Dodge Motorsports luncheon at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Concord Convention Center. The event was part of the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The 2007 Miller Lite Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence in honor of Russ Catlin winners: Print – Daily: Nate Ryan of USA Today; Print – Other: David Caraviello of NASCAR.com; Broadcast – National: Drew Gallagher of ESPN, NASCAR Countdown; Broadcast – Local: Blair Miller of WSOC-TV; Photojournalism: David Griffin of NASCAR Scene.(Tom Roberts PR)(1-24-2008)
- Johnson Named NMPA Driver of the Year; Houston Named to Hall of Fame: There was little doubt about who was going to be chosen the National Motorsports Press Association's driver of the year for 2007. The question, instead, was whether Jimmie Johnson would personally accept the Richard Petty trophy. The answer, for the second year in a row, was no. Johnson, who repeated as NASCAR champion last season, was announced as 2007's top driver Sunday at a luncheon during the NMPA's annual convention. When he was unable to attend last year's awards presentation, Johnson videotaped an acceptance message. He did likewise this time, too, but the video wouldn't play. It's the third time in four years that Johnson was voted the NMPA driver of the year, and it was part of the spoils that went with a 10-win season by the 32-year-old native of El Cajon, Calif. Johnson is the fourth driver to win the NMPA award more than twice. Bobby Allison and Cale Yarborough each captured the trophy three times, and Dale Earnhardt Sr. won it by himself four times and shared it with Tim Richmond in 1986. The trophy has been given annually by the media group since 1969.(Fayetteville Observer)
AND: On Saturday night Tommy Houston, one of the truly significant figures in the history of what was previously known as the Busch Series, joined the National Motorsports Press Association's Stock Car Hall of Fame. Like most of the men honored by the NMPA, the honor clearly moved Houston. He basked in the attention, answered every question and went out of his way to be cooperative. Houston's last words to the audience -- the dinner was near Lowe's Motor Speedway at the Concord Convention Center and Embassy Suites hotel -- were, "Thank you for remembering me, and good night."(Gaston Gazette)(1-21-2008)
- AARWBA Titus Trophy to Franchitti: Dario Franchitti, who won the Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series championship and then moved on to NASCAR, was announced as recipient of the Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy for 2007 at Saturday night’s 38th annual American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association’s All-America Team ceremony. The Titus is earned by the driver who receives the most All-America Team votes cast by AARWBA members. Named in memory of the late journalist and professional racer, it is the highest honor offered by the country’s oldest and largest organization of motorsports media professionals. Emerson Fittipaldi, the legendary Indy-Formula One-Champ Car champion, was the featured speaker. Other Team drivers on-hand to claim their “Horsepower” Trophies were: Tony Schumacher and Tony Pedregon (drag racing); Alex Gurney, Jon Fogarty and
Scott Pruett (road racing); Mika Salo, Jamie Melo and Alex Lloyd (at-large); and Frank Kimmel (touring series). Also elected were Sebastien Bourdais (open wheel); Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon (stock car); Donny Schatz and Jerry Coons Jr. (short track); and Ron Hornaday Jr. (touring). Several special awards were presented:
Pioneer In Racing Award: Carl A. Haas
Jim Chapman Award: Dave Densmore and Bob Carlson received the honor for excellence in motorsports public relations.
Dusty Brandel President’s Award: Robert (Rocky) Entriken, journalist and longtime chairman of the All-America Team selection committee, received the honor from Brandel. Entriken was acknowledged for his many contributions to the organization.
Gorsline Scholarship: The 15th annual scholarship, given by John Gorsline of The Gorsline Co., went to 19-year-old Star Mazda series champion Dane Cameron. The prize is awarded to an up-and-coming driver who displays the attributes of a future champion. Cameron became the first rookie to win the overall series championship.
A special audio-visual tribute was offered in memory of members Bill France Jr., Wally Parks and Shav Glick. Bob Jenkins was Master of Ceremonies. Army Staff Sergeant John Adams and Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers Club executive director Jack Martin led the Pledge of Allegiance.(AARWBA PR)(1-14-2008)
- AARWBA Dinner to Draw Champions, Winners, Headliners: Dario Franchitti, Emerson Fittipaldi and Carl Haas are among the headliners confirmed to attend the Jan. 12 American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association’s All-America Team dinner presented by A1GP World Cup of Motorsport. The 38th annual ceremony will be at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis. AARWBA is the country’s oldest and largest organization of motorsports media professionals. The All-America Team, voted on by AARWBA media members, includes drivers from open wheel, drag racing, stock car, road racing, short track, touring and at-large categories. The highlight of the evening will be the announcement and presentation of the Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy. The Titus goes to the Team driver who received the most votes. In addition to Indy 500 winner/IndyCar Series champion Franchitti, other Team drivers set to attend include: NHRA Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher (last year’s Titus winner); NHRA Funny Car champ Tony Pedregon; Rolex Series co-titlists Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty; Rolex runner-up Scott Pruett; ALMS GT2 co-champions Mika Salo and Jamie Melo; and Indy Pro Series champ Alex Lloyd. AARWBA will offer its tribute to Bill France Jr., Wally Parks and Shav Glick. Popular broadcaster Bob Jenkins will serve as dinner Master of Ceremonies for the third consecutive year. The event is open to the public and tickets can be ordered at the www.AARWBA.org.(1-3-2008)
- Economaki Award Winner Announced: Donny Schatz added to his collection of off-season hardware, collecting the fifth annual Economaki Champion of Champions award presented by Rockett Brand Racing Fuel Thursday afternoon during the PRI Trade Show at the Orlando Convention Center. Schatz, who won his second-consecutive World of Outlaws sprint-car championship, was selected by the National Speed Sport News staff from 10 finalists, narrowly beating out Nextel Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. National Speed Sport News Editor Chris Economaki made the presentation while accompanied by Rockett Brand Racing Fuel President Jack Day. Schatz, who acknowledged he was “shocked,” was in the audience and accepted the award from Economaki and Day. Previous winners of the award, which goes to the driver deemed by the NSSN staff to have had the most outstanding season while winning a major touring series championship competing in North America, are J.J. Yeley, Steve Kinser, Tony Schumacher and Johnson, who won the honor in 2006.
Schatz will be honored on the cover of NSSN’s Dec. 19 year-end triple issue.(National Speed Sport News)(12-13-2007)
- Jim Hunter honored with Lifetime Achievement in Sport and Entertainment Award: The International Conference on Sport and Entertainment Business (ICSEB) is pleased to announce Jim Hunter as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in Sport and Entertainment Award. The award presentation was held Thursday, November 15 at the ICSEB Kick-Off Reception. Jim Hunter is the Vice President of Corporate Communications/Regional Touring/NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series. He has worked in the motorsports industry since 1968. Mr. Hunter has served as sports editor for The State in Columbia, S.C. and a writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has also written books on stock car racing, University of South Carolina football and youth league football. Mr. Hunter attended the University of South Carolina, where he was a three-year letterman in football and a two-year letterman in baseball. He is married and has two grown children. "Jim Hunter exemplifies a world class "Carolina" gentleman whose career has produced a passion for NASCAR, love of family, respect of colleagues and friends with a humbleness that should be a model for us all," says Dr. Tom Regan, of the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management.
The Lifetime Achievement in Sport and Entertainment Award recognizes an industry veteran for achievements of lasting impact over a number of years in the fields of sport, entertainment, or venue management. He or she embodies the professionalism, commitment to excellence, and business savvy that has propelled sport, entertainment, or venue management to become a key industry in the 21st century.(ICSEB PR)(12-12-2007)
- 2007 All-America Auto Racing Team Selected: With voting completed for the 2007 All-America Auto Racing Team, five drivers emerge as contenders for the Jerry Titus Award. Tony Schumacher, the 2006 Titus winner, is bidding to be only the third driver ever to win the award in consecutive years, after Mario Andretti in 1977-78 and John Force in 1999-2000. For the second consecutive year Schumacher won the NHRA Top Fuel championship on the final run of the season, claiming his fifth career championship and his fourth in a row. The Titus, given in remembrance of the late racer/journalist, signifies the top vote-getter on the All-America team regardless of category, and is not announced until the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association's banquet Jan. 12 at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis, which is open to the public. Challenging Schumacher, are the champions of both major open-wheel series, four-time Champ Car World Series titlist Sébastien Bourdais and Indianapolis 500 winner/Indy Racing League champion Dario Franchitti. Also in the hunt are Jimmie Johnson, the 2006 and 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup champion, and Ron Hornaday Jr., who won his third NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship. Nextel Cup champion Johnson easily led the Stock Car category, with his teammate and Cup runner-up Jeff Gordon easily taking the other First Team slot. NASCAR Busch Series champion Carl Edwards was joined by Clint Bowyer on the second team. In Touring Series it was Craftsman Truck Series champion Hornaday and nine-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel who dominated the category. Young phenom Joey Logano, who won the NASCAR Busch East title at age 17, was joined on the Second Team by USAR Hooters Pro Cup champion Bobby Gill.(AARWBA PR)(12-10-2007)
- NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Media Luncheon Award Winners
Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award: Juan Pablo Montoya (#42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge)
Manufacturers Championship Award: Chevy
Marketing Achievement Award: ESPN Marketing
Chex Cereals Most Popular Driver Award: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (#8 Budweiser Chevy)
Buddy Shuman Award: Robert Yates (owner, Robert Yates Racing)
Home Depot Humanitarian Award: Don Miller
Budweiser Pole Award: Jeff Gordon (#24 DuPont Chevy)
Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge Award: Jeff Gordon
Commit Lozenges Commit to Win Award: Jeff Gordon
Goodyear Gatorback Fastest Lap Award: Jimmie Johnson (#48 Lowe's Chevy)
WIX Filters Lap Leader Award: Jeff Gordon
Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award: #48 Lowe's Chevy
Mobil 1 Command Performance: Kurt Busch (#2 Miller Lite Dodge)
USG Improving the Finish Award: Matt Kenseth (#17 DEWALT Ford)
DirecTV Crew Chief of the Year Award: Mike Ford (#11 FedEx Chevy)
Clevite Engine Builder of the Year Award: Earl Wheeler (Engine builder for Hendrick Engines)
Dow Automotive Strategic Call of the Race Award: Jimmie Johnson
Sunoco Diamond Performance Award: Jimmie Johnson
Goodyear Award: Jimmie Johnson
Champion Sponsor Award: Robert Niblock (CEO, Lowe's)
Champion Crew Chief Award: Chad Knaus (#48 Lowe's Chevy)
Myers Brothers Award: Bill France Jr., accepted by Betty Jane France.(NASCAR PR)(11-30-2007)
Most Popular Driver Campaign Announces Top-10 Finalists: The votes are in. NASCAR fans passionate about their favorite drivers have voted in the Top-10 finalists in the 2009 NASCAR National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Chex Most Popular Driver Award. The Top-10 drivers who will advance to the final 10 weeks of voting are Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Michael Waltrip, Bobby Labonte, Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson.
Fans have been voting at chexmostpopulardriver.com since the NASCAR Sprint Cup season began in February, with the full field of 44 drivers eligible. The vote count will now reset to zero and fans will have 10 race weeks to cast their votes among the Top-10 finalists to determine the 2009 NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver.
Voting will conclude November 23 at 11:59pm/ct, the day after the final race of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season in Homestead, Fla. The winner will be announced at the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Luncheon in Las Vegas in December.
Fans can continue to vote for their preferred driver among the Top-10 finalists once a day at chexmostpopulardriver.com. Voters can keep track of the latest news from the campaign on the Facebook Chex Most Popular Driver page and can also look for updates via Twitter from Victoria Lane, host of theracinggal.com. Twitter users can follow Lane at twitter.com/theracinggal.(Breaking Limits)(9-16-2009)
Popular Driver Voting Hits Million Mark: Race fans passionate about their favorite drivers pushed voting past the 1 million mark this week for the 2009 NASCAR National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Chex Most Popular Driver Award. Fans now have just seven more weeks to help vote their preferred drivers into the field of Top-10 finalists.
The 10 drivers currently pulling in the most votes are:
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Jeff Gordon
Tony Stewart
Kasey Kahne
Matt Kenseth
Michael Waltrip
Bobby Labonte
Kevin Harvick
Carl Edwards
Jimmie Johnson.
The five drivers just outside the Top 10 are Kyle Busch, Elliott Sadler, Marcos Ambrose, Robby Gordon and Mark Martin.
Fans have been voting at chexmostpopulardriver.com since the NASCAR Sprint Cup season began in February. The full field of 44 drivers will remain eligible for votes until after the Richmond International Raceway event on September 13, when the 10 drivers with the most votes will be announced as Top-10 finalists. At that time, the vote count will reset to zero and fans will have 10 race weeks to cast their votes to determine the 2009 NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver. Voting will conclude November 23 at 11:59 PM CT and the winner will be announced at the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Luncheon in Las Vegas in December.
Voters can keep tabs on the standings with help from social media sites. The 2009 NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award is now using Facebook and Twitter to keep fans up to date and engaged in the voting campaign.
The campaign’s new Facebook page includes updates on fan voting, trivia, contests and polls on other racing “favorites.” Messages will also remind fans when voting deadlines are nearing so they don’t miss any opportunities to vote for their favorite driver. Fans can visit the Facebook Chex Most Popular Driver page and click on “Become a Fan” to get NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award updates on their Facebook home page.
Fans can also look for updates via Twitter from Victoria Lane, host of theracinggal.com. Lane now sends “tweets” – posted messages that must be 140 characters or fewer – to keep fans in tune with the NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award campaign. She will also keep readers apprised of things the drivers do (or don’t do) that might affect their popularity. Twitter users can follow Lane at twitter.com/theracinggal.
Fans can vote once day at
chexmostpopulardriver.com.(Breaking Limits)(7-28-2009)
- New Format Creates Suspense in NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Voting
Voting for the 2009 NASCAR National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Chex Most Popular Driver Award is now under way. For the first time in its history, the award will incorporate a format change, with the Top 10 drivers battling for fans’ votes at season’s end.
As in years past, voters can visit chexmostpopulardriver.com and vote once a day for their favorite NASCAR Sprint Cup driver. Following the race event at Richmond International Raceway, voting for the full field of 44 drivers will end on September 13 at 11:59pm/et. At that point, the ten drivers with the most votes will be announced as finalists and the vote count will reset to zero. Fans will then have 10 race weeks to cast their vote once a day to determine the 2009 NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver winner from the final field of 10 drivers. Voting will conclude November 23 at 11:59pm/et and the winner will be announced at the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Luncheon in New York City in December.
A review of the new voting format:
-Voting for the full field of 44 drivers began on February 10
-Voting for the full field will end on September 13 at 11:59 PM CT, at this point, the 10 drivers with most votes will be locked in as finalists with votes resetting to zero.
-Fans will vote for these remaining Top 10 drivers until November 23 at 11:59 PM CT
-The winner will be announced in New York City in December 2009
Last season, Dale Earnhardt Jr. earned his sixth consecutive Chex Most Popular Driver Award, which is administered by the NMPA. Only Earnhardt Jr. and Bill Elliot have won the award six consecutive times since the inception of the award in 1953. Chex Cereal has been on breakfast tables for more than 60 years and has been a proud sponsor of the NASCAR NMPA Most Popular Driver Award since 2005. Voters are not only encouraged to vote every day for their favorite driver, but are also reminded to start their engines with Chex cereal and enjoy race day with their favorite Chex recipes from www.Chex.com.(Breaking Limits PR)(2-15-2009)
