Four First-Time Promoter of the Year Nominees

Four candidates for the Thirty-Third Auto Racing Promoter of the Year (ARPY) Award, chosen by promoters in balloting held by Racing Promotion Monthly, received their first nomination. One regional nominee already received his industry's highest honor, and the eight nominees share 19 previous regional awards. Three operate paved tracks and five dirt tracks. Four sanction their racing and four operate independently.

Leading the nominees are four first-time regional nominees: Bill Ryan, Oxford Plains (ME) Speedway; Billy Thomas, East Alabama Motor Speedway; Toby Kruse, Marshalltown (IA) Speedway; and Randy & Deb Queensland and their family, Deer Creek (MN) Speedway. Multi-time nominees include: Bruce Rogers, Grandview (PA) Speedway, his third nomination; the Doellefeld brothers, Stateline (ID) Stadium & Speedway nominated for the fourth time, Jim Nuckles and the Nuckles Family, Columbus (OH) Motor Speedway, nominated for the seventh time; and 2002 Auto Racing Promoter of the Year Lanny Edwards, Devil's Bowl (TX) Speedway. The selection of Edwards, brings to ten, the promoters who have been re-nominated after winning the penultimate award and gives Edwards a record ten regional awards.

The ARPY ballot will soon be in the hands of promoters. The Thirty-Third ARPY will be revealed during the Thirty-Sixth Annual RPM Promoters Workshops at the Orlando Marriott Lake Mary, Lake Mary, FL; February 9, 2009.

The Auto Racing Promoter of the Year is short track racing’s most prestigious award. It is awarded each year after voting by promoters. The award was originated in 1976 by the editors of Racing Promotion Monthly, the idea newsletter for auto racing promoters. Voting is conducted in two phases: a preliminary ballot in the newsletter nominates candidates in eight regions. The eight candidates become Regional Promoters of the Year and then appear on a second ballot for final voting.

Lynn Phillips was selected 32nd Auto Racing Promoter of the Year last year. Previous winners of the ARPY award are: Hugh Deery, 1976/1984; J.C. Agajanian, 1977; D. Anthony Venditti, 1978; Jack Gunn, 1979; George Eisenhart, 1980; Dick O'Brien, 1981; Howard Tiedt, 1982; Don Martin, 1983; Glenn Donnelly, 1985; Cary Agajanian, 1986; Bud Lunsford, 1987; Bob Daniels, 1988; Howard Commander, 1989; Ray Wilkings, 1990; Paul Kuhl, 1991; Robert Lawton; 1992; Earl Baltes, 1993; Jody Deery, 1994; Andy Vertrees, 1995; Charles Powell, 1996; C-Ray Hall, 1997; Larry Kemp, 1998; Charles Cathell, 1999; Charles Deery, 2000; Ralph Capitani, 2001; Lanny Edwards, 2002; Bob & Nadine Strauss, 2003; Tom Curley, 2004, Steve York, 2005; John Padjen, 2006.

More information on the nominees or the award ceremonies is available from Racing Promotion Monthly, 715-536-1067

Racing Promotion Monthly, the idea newsletter for auto racing promoters (www.racingpromotionmonthly.net), and the Workshops are produced with the year-round support of K&K Insurance Group, Inc., Hoosier Racing Tire. The RPM Promoters Workshops are produced with additional support from: The Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno, INEX, Musco Sports Lighting, GM Performance Parts, Moffett Productions, The World Racing Group, Raceceiver, Lucas Oil, Simes Graphic Designs, AMI Graphics, and the WISSOTA Promoters Association. Visit wwww.rpmpromotersworkshops.com for information on the RPM Promoters Workshop. The Speedweek Workshop is the 97th produced by Racing Promotion Monthly since 1974. More than 1400 track operators, their employees, and industry leaders attended last year’s Workshops. More information is available from RPM at 715-536-1067.