(Edgar, WI -- January 3, 2008) One candidate for the Thirty-Second Auto Racing Promoter of the Year (ARPY) Award, chosen by promoters in balloting held by Racing Promotion Monthly, received his first nomination. Two nominees already received the industry's highest honor, and seven of the eight nominees share 31 previous regional awards. Three operate paved tracks and Five dirt tracks.
Leading the nominees is 1989 Auto Racing Promoter of the Year Howard Commander, Lebanon Valley (NY) Speedway, who is accompanied by C-Ray Hall, 81 (KS) Speedway, 1997 Auto Racing Promoter of the Year, both are re-nominated for the first time. The selection of Commander and Hall, brings to nine, the promoters who have been re-nominated after winning the penultimate award. Other regional nominees include Lynn Phillips, and Alfred Gurley, Talladega (AL) Short Track, nominated for the seventh time; Jim & Barbara Nuckles and the Nuckles Family, Columbus (OH) Motor Speedway, for the sixth time; Joe & Walt Doellefeld, Stateline (ID) Stadium Speedway, nominated for the third time; and, Mark Arute, Stafford (CT) Speedway; and Tracy & Joe Clay, I-30 (AR) Speedway; nominated for the second time. Nominated for the first time was: Les McBurney, Angell Park (WI) Speedway.
The ARPY ballot will soon be in the hands of promoters. The Thirty-Second ARPY will be revealed during the Thirty-Fifth Annual RPM Promoters Workshops at the Orlando Marriott Lake Mary, Lake Mary, FL; February 11, 2008. The ARPY also receives a membership in the Speedway Club at Lowe's Motor Speedway, from speedway president H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler.
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 which will be soon be in promoters' hands.
John Padjen, Silver Dollar (CA) Speedway, was selected 31st 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; and Steve York, 2005.
More information on the nominees or the award ceremonies is available from Racing Promotion Monthly, 715-536-1067
Leading the nominees is 1989 Auto Racing Promoter of the Year Howard Commander, Lebanon Valley (NY) Speedway, who is accompanied by C-Ray Hall, 81 (KS) Speedway, 1997 Auto Racing Promoter of the Year, both are re-nominated for the first time. The selection of Commander and Hall, brings to nine, the promoters who have been re-nominated after winning the penultimate award. Other regional nominees include Lynn Phillips, and Alfred Gurley, Talladega (AL) Short Track, nominated for the seventh time; Jim & Barbara Nuckles and the Nuckles Family, Columbus (OH) Motor Speedway, for the sixth time; Joe & Walt Doellefeld, Stateline (ID) Stadium Speedway, nominated for the third time; and, Mark Arute, Stafford (CT) Speedway; and Tracy & Joe Clay, I-30 (AR) Speedway; nominated for the second time. Nominated for the first time was: Les McBurney, Angell Park (WI) Speedway.
The ARPY ballot will soon be in the hands of promoters. The Thirty-Second ARPY will be revealed during the Thirty-Fifth Annual RPM Promoters Workshops at the Orlando Marriott Lake Mary, Lake Mary, FL; February 11, 2008. The ARPY also receives a membership in the Speedway Club at Lowe's Motor Speedway, from speedway president H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler.
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 which will be soon be in promoters' hands.
John Padjen, Silver Dollar (CA) Speedway, was selected 31st 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; and Steve York, 2005.
More information on the nominees or the award ceremonies is available from Racing Promotion Monthly, 715-536-1067
