37th Anniversary
Watch the Banquet video:
Honoring
The 2006 Auto Racing All-America Team
INDIANAPOLIS – Tony Schumacher, who won his third consecutive NHRA Top Fuel championship on the last pass at the season’s last race in one of the greatest comebacks in sports history, was announced as recipient of the Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy for 2006 at Saturday night’s 37th annual American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association’s All-America Team dinner.
Jack Roush, one of NASCAR’s most successful and influential team owners, was the featured speaker. Approximately 250 members, guests and VIPs were in attendance at the Hyatt Regency ballroom in downtown Indianapolis for the ceremonies. Members of AARWBA, the country’s oldest and largest organization of motorsports media professionals, annually elect drivers to the Team from seven categories: Stock car, open-wheel, drag racing, road racing, short track, touring series and at-large. The Titus is named in honor of the late AARWBA member journalist and professional racer and the unique trophy features his typewriter and helmet. Schumacher accepted from AARWBA President Dusty Brandel, who said, “Tony’s comeback to win the NHRA Top Fuel championship was the stuff of legends, the kind of story that captures the imagination of fans and media alike.”
“Winning the Jerry Titus Trophy is definitely a big moment in my career,” said Schumacher. “I got a chance recently to look at the list of previous winners and the names there were just stunning – Al Unser, A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt were just a few that popped off the page. To become a member of such an elite club is awesome.”
Schumacher becomes just the fourth drag racer to earn AARWBA’s No. 1 honor, joining Don Prudhomme (1976), Shirley Muldowney (1982), and John Force (1996, 1999, 2000, 2002). Muldowney was the only previous recipient from the Top Fuel class.
“Of course, I’m honored to join Don (The Snake) Prudhomme, Shirley Muldowney and John Force on the list of NHRA Titus winners,” continued Schumacher. “What’s especially pleasing to me is that my sponsor, the U.S. Army, is getting this award for the second time. They were on Snake’s Funny Car when he won in 1976.
“This award is clearly the result of the hard work and determination that my U.S. Army team put in throughout the season. Without their never-say-die attitude, I would not be in the position I am today. This is as much their award as it is mine.”
In honor of Schumacher, now a four-time All-America Team member and Top Fuel titlist, the Titus Trophy will go on display at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, CA. It will be showcased there beginning with NHRA’s annual “Night of Champions” on Friday, Feb. 9.
NHRA Funny Car champion John Force – attending his record 11th AARWBA All-America dinner – claimed his 14th Team “Horsepower” trophy in the drag racing category. Also on-hand were: Indy 500 winner/IRL title-holder Sam Hornish Jr. and triple Champ Car World Series titlist Sebastien Bourdais (open wheel); Rolex sports car Daytona Prototype and ALMS GT2 champion Jorg Bergmeister, ALMS LMP1 co-champ Rinaldo Capello and Grand-Am Rolex runners-up Scott Pruett and Luis Diaz (road racing); eight-time ARCA stock car king Frank Kimmel (touring series); and Formula Ford 2000 champion J.R. Hildebrand (at-large). Other drivers elected to the Team were: Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart (stock car); Todd Bodine (touring); Allan McNish (road racing); Josh Wise and Donny Schatz (short track); and Travis Pastrana (at-large).
In a demonstration of respect for their drivers and AARWBA, the Grand-American Road Racing Association and the American Le Mans Series joined to co-host a unified “Road Racing Champions” table, which was positioned directly in front of the podium. “I want to congratulate Grand-Am President Roger Edmondson, ALMS President Scott Atherton, plus public relations directors Adam Saal and Bob Dickinson, for working with me to make this happen,” said Michael Knight, the dinner co-chairman. “It’s an important moment, and sends a powerful message, one that I believe will be recognized and appreciated throughout the motorsports industry. Well done, gentlemen.”
Several special awards were presented, including:
Dusty Brandel President’s Award: Michael F. Hollander, pioneer on-line journalist and current AARWBA national vice president, received the honor from AARWBA President Dusty Brandel. Hollander has long played a major role in the organization and served as producer of the All-America Team ceremonies. He is editor of Racing Information Systems and operates The Motor Sports Forum (motorsportsforum.com).
Jim Chapman Award: Kevin Kennedy, executive vice president of PCGCampbell and long-time Ford Racing media representative, 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. Chapman began his PR career at Ford. Kennedy was chosen by a blue-ribbon committee of journalists, all of whom knew Chapman. The plaque was presented by dinner co-chairman Michael Knight and Associated Press’ motorsports writer Mike Harris, both close friends of Chapman.
Pioneer In Racing Award: Dan Partel, managing director of the European Formula Drivers Association, received this traditional AARWBA honor. It was presented by dinner co-chairman Gil Bouffard. EFDA helped launch the careers of drivers such as Ayrton Senna, Gil de Ferran, Tony Kanaan, Buddy Rice, Rubens Barrichello and Jorg Bergmeister.
Gorsline Scholarship: This annual scholarship, from insurance executive John Gorsline, went to J.R. Hildebrand. The scholarship furthers the careers of young drivers. Hildebrand won 12 of 14 Formula Ford 2000 races in 2006, with 10 poles. Partel presented the scholarship on behalf of Gorsline.
Safety and Humanitarian Service Award: This first-time award went to HANS Device developers Jim Downing and Robert Hubbard of Michigan State University. The HANS has been a great advance in driver safety and is now mandatory in virtually every major racing series. The honor was presented by Gil Bouffard.
In addition to Roush, industry VIPs on hand included: USAC Chairman John Capels, Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Joie Chitwood, Indy Racing League President Brian Barnhart, Ford Racing Technology Director Dan Davis, Audi Motorsports North America head Rod Bymaster, Fernandez Racing co-owner Tom Anderson, Champ Car World Series Vice President of Sales and Marketing Garret Mudd, Don Schumacher Racing Senior Vice President Mike Lewis, retired Indianapolis and Daytona Speedway President John Cooper, Indy Pro Series champion Jay Howard, Formula Atlantic managing director Vicki O’Connor, Formula Atlantic driver Simona De Sivestro, famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. Terry Trammell, and Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers Club Executive Director Jack Martin.
Michael Knight and Gil Bouffard were the dinner co-chairs. Popular announcer Bob Jenkins was Master of Ceremonies. Army Staff Sergeant Jacob Lopez of Indianapolis, a combat veteran of military operations in the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Schumacher’s record-setting championship Army Top Fuel dragster was on display in the Hyatt lobby, courtesy of Don Schumacher Racing, along with A.J. Foyt’s 1967 Indy 500 winning Sheraton-Thompson Coyote-Ford, courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Hall of Fame Museum.
NOTE TO NEWS MEDIA:News and high-resolution images are available for editorial use only at this page. For more information, contact President Dusty Brandel, 818/842-7005, dusty@aarwba.org or dinner co-chairman Michael Knight, 480/661-5240 (cell phone 602/315-3900) or
SpinDoctor500@aol.com. Thank you.
The following news releases were issued prior to the event and are posted here for the historical record.
INDIANAPOLIS – Champion drivers will literally be coming from around the world to learn who will win the Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy at Saturday’s (Jan. 13) 37th annual American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association’s All-America Team dinner at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis.
In addition to names like Indy 500 winner/IRL champion Sam Hornish Jr., triple Champ Car World Series titlist Sebastien Bourdais, NHRA Funny Car champ John Force and Top Fuel title-holder Tony Schumacher and eight-time ARCA stock car king Frank Kimmel, three drivers elected to the All-America Team will make international trips because they consider it important to attend. Grand-American Rolex Series and ALMS GT2 champion Jorg Bergmeister is coming from his home in Germany, ALMS co-champion Rinaldo Capello from his home in Italy, and Rolex Series runner-up Luis Diaz from his in Mexico City.
Also confirmed to attend are Rolex Series runner-up Scott Pruett and Formula Ford 2000 champ J.R. Hildebrand. All were voted onto the Team by media members of AARWBA, the country’s oldest and largest organization of motorsports media professionals. The All-America Team annually honors drivers from different racing series. Not revealed until the end of the ceremony is the Titus Trophy winner, AARWBA’s No. 1 honor, which goes to the driver who received the most Team votes. Force is a four-time Titus recipient.
Jack Roush, one of the most newsworthy and influential team owners in NASCAR, will be the featured speaker.
Numerous racing executives and VIPs also will be in the audience. On the 40th anniversary of his third Indy 500 victory, A.J. Foyt’s 1967 Sheraton-Thompson Coyote-Ford will be on display in the Hyatt lobby, courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Hall of Fame Museum. Also in the lobby will be Schumacher’s NHRA record-setting championship Army Top Fuel machine, courtesy of Don Schumacher Racing.
Other highlights of the evening will be presentation of the new Auto Racing Safety and Humanitarian Service Award to HANS Device developers Jim Downing and Robert Hubbard of Michigan State University; Pioneer in Racing Award to Dan Partel, managing director of the European Formula Drivers Association; and Jim Chapman Award for excellence in motorsports public relations. Popular broadcaster Bob Jenkins will serve as dinner Master of Ceremonies for the second consecutive year.
The event is open to the public and tickets can be ordered at the www.AARWBA.org site. Click on the “banquet” link, and discounted Hyatt room reservations can be made there.
For more information, please contact:
Dusty Brandel
Michael Knight
NOTE TO NEWS MEDIA: If you wish to cover the All-America Team dinner, and interview the attending drivers or VIPs, please contact dinner co-chairman Michael Knight as soon as possible. Thank you.
INDIANAPOLIS -- Fourteen-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force and American Le Mans Series co-champ Rinaldo Capello are confirmed to join an all-star roster of drivers attending the 37th annual American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association’s All-America Team dinner, Saturday, January 13, at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis.
Force and Capello are the latest additions to a confirmed list that includes: Indy 500 winner and IRL champion Sam Hornish Jr., triple Champ Car World Series titlist Sebastien Bourdais, NHRA Top Fuel title-holder Tony Schumacher, eight-time ARCA stock car king Frank Kimmel, Grand-American Rolex Series and ALMS GT2 champion Jorg Bergmeister, Rolex Series runner-up Luis Diaz, and Formula Ford 2000 champ J.R. Hildebrand. The drivers and their teams/sponsors consider the AARWBA All-America Team ceremony so important that both Bergmeister and Capello will be traveling from Europe, while Diaz will be coming from Mexico City for the second consecutive year.
Jack Roush, one of the most newsworthy and influential team owners in NASCAR, will be the featured speaker.
AARWBA is the country’s oldest and largest organization of motorsports media professionals. The dinner honors the champion drivers from stock car, open-wheel, short track, drag and road racing and touring series, as elected by AARWBA members. The top vote-getter from the various classes will be announced that evening as winner of AARWBA’s No. 1 honor, the Jerry Titus Memorial Award.
Force will be making his record 11th appearance at the AARWBA ceremony to personally accept his 14th “Horsepower” Trophy. He had three 2006 victories in his Castrol Ford Mustang and is the only four-time winner of the Titus Trophy. Capello co-drove with Allan McNish to a dominating ALMS championship in the Audi Sport North America R-8 and, later, the revolutionary diesel-powered Audi R-10. They teamed for eight victories, including Sebring.
Adding to the festive atmosphere of the event, on the 40th anniversary of his third Indy 500 victory, A.J. Foyt’s 1967 Sheraton-Thompson Coyote-Ford will be on display in the Hyatt lobby, courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Hall of Fame Museum. Also in the lobby will be Schumacher’s NHRA record-setting championship Army Top Fuel machine, courtesy of Don Schumacher Racing.
Other highlights of the evening will be presentation of the new Auto Racing Safety and Humanitarian Service Award to HANS Device developers Jim Downing and Robert Hubbard of Michigan State University; Pioneer in Racing Award to Dan Partel, managing director of the European Formula Drivers Association; and Jim Chapman Award for excellence in motorsports public relations. Popular broadcaster Bob Jenkins will serve as dinner Master of Ceremonies for the second consecutive year.
The event is open to the public and tickets can be ordered at the www.AARWBA.org site. Click on the “banquet” link, and discounted Hyatt room reservations can be made there.
Indy 500 winner and IRL champion Sam Hornish Jr. and triple Champ Car World Series titlist Sebastien Bourdais previously committed to the ceremony. Jack Roush, one of the most newsworthy and influential team owners in NASCAR, will be the featured speaker.
AARWBA is the country’s oldest and largest organization of motorsports media professionals. The dinner honors the champion drivers from stock car, open-wheel, short track, drag and road racing and touring series, as elected by AARWBA members. The top vote-getter from the various classes will be announced that evening as winner of AARWBA’s No. 1 honor, the Jerry Titus Memorial Award.
NHRA Top Fuel champion Schumacher, a Team honoree for the fourth time and for the third consecutive year, achieved one of the greatest comebacks in racing history together with his Army-sponsored team. Schumacher needed to win the season’s last race, at Pomona, and set a national record on his last pass to gain enough points to claim the title. He did both. The Army Top Fueler will be on display in the Hyatt lobby as part of the AARWBA ceremonies.
Kimmel earned his unprecedented eighth ARCA stock car championship in a Ford and finished the season with four victories. This will be his second straight visit to the AARWBA dinner. Bergmeister achieved two road racing titles: Champ of the Grand American Road Racing Association’s Rolex Series for Daytona Prototype cars, with three wins in a Ford-Riley, and in the ALMS GT2 category, another three victories, in a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. It was his second consecutive title in ALMS GT2 for Porsche. Diaz, like Bergmeister a Team member for the second year in-a-row, joined with Scott Pruett to place second in the Rolex Series behind Bergmeister, with a total of five trips to victory lane. Hildebrand dominated the Formula Ford 2000 championship, winning 12 of 14 races, and debuts on the Team in the At-Large category.
Other highlights of the evening will be presentation of the new Auto Racing Safety and Humanitarian Service Award to HANS Device developers Jim Downing and Robert Hubbard of Michigan State University; Pioneer in Racing Award to Dan Partel, managing director of the European Formula Drivers Association; and Jim Chapman Award for excellence in motorsports public relations. Popular broadcaster Bob Jenkins will serve as dinner Master of Ceremonies for the second consecutive year.
Tickets, for the general public as well as media and sponsors, are available by contacting AARWBA President Dusty Brandel at 818/842-7005 or AARWBA@Compuserve.com. Information also is available at the aarwba.org web site, click on the “banquet” link, and discounted Hyatt room reservations can be made there.
NOTE TO NEWS MEDIA: If you wish to cover the All-America Team dinner, and interview the attending drivers or VIPs, please contact dinner co-chairman Michael Knight as soon as possible. Thank you.
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. 13 at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis.
For the past two years the Titus winner has been the Indy Racing League champion and this year’s IRL champion, Indy-winner Sam Hornish Jr. is among the contenders. Also in contention are NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson and Todd Bodine, NHRA’s John Force (already a 4-time Titus winner) and Tony Schumacher, and ARCA’s Frank Kimmel.
Hornish led the vote in the Open Wheel category, joined by Champ Car champion and 7-time winner Sebastien Bourdais on the First Team. Not far behind Bourdais was A.J. Allmendinger, five-time winner on the Champ Car circuit, joined by IRL runner-up Dan Wheldon on the Second Team.
Nextel Cup champion Johnson easily led the Stock Car category, but the other First Team slot turned into a four-driver battle, eventually taken by Tony Stewart whose five Cup wins included three during the Chase for the Championship, even though he did not qualify for the Chase. Second Team honors went to rookie Denny Hamlin and Busch Series champion Kevin Harvick, separated by just one vote.
An unusual situation in the Road Racing category resulted in five drivers being accorded First Team status. In Road Racing, endurance racing teammates with identical records are voted on as one. Jorg Bergmeister, who won both the Grand-Am Daytona Prototype title and the American Le Mans Series GT2 crown with a variety of co-drivers, led the category. But only three votes behind was a tie between Rinaldo Capello/Alan McNish, the ALMS P1 champions, and Scott Pruett/Luis Diaz, the Grand-Am DP runners-up. And then to further compound matters, another tie resulted in three road racers on the Second Team, Grand-Am’s Max Angelelli and “The Ollies” from ALMS, GT1 champs Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin.
After all that, the Drag Racing and Touring Series categories were easy, both taken by two drivers who raced away from the field to win by more than 50 votes over the Second Team drivers.
In Drag Racing it was NHRA Funny Car champion John Force and Top Fuel Champion Tony Schumacher who took nearly all the votes. Barely receiving enough to qualify for Second Team were NHRA Pro Stock champ Jason Line, and a tie between Top Fuel racers Clay Millican, the IHRA champ, and Doug Kalitta, NHRA runner-up.
In Touring Series it was NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Todd Bodine and eight-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel who dominated the category. Far behind but taking Second Team honors were USAR Pro Cup champion Clay Rogers and NASCAR East titlist Mike Olsen.
Not so dominating were the First Team winners in the Short Track and At Large categories, where much closer contests marked the vote.
USAC Sprint Car champion Josh Wise and World of Outlaws champ Donny Schatz prevailed in Short Track over Danny Lasoski, winner of the National Sprint Tour. USAC’s Jerry Coons Jr., the Midget titlist, and Bud Kaeding, the Silver Crown leader, tied to join Lasoski on Second Team.
In the At Large category, only one vote separated J.R. Hildebrand and Travis Pastrana. Hildebrand dominated the Formula Ford 2000 championship, winning 12 of 14 races, while Pastrana took the Rally America championship as well as the X Games Rally. On the Second team were Andy Lally/Marc Bunting, the Grand-Am GT champions, and Frank Manzo, winner of NHRA’s top alcohol funny car category.
Honorable Mentions go to any driver receiving 5 percent of the vote, but some HMs very nearly made Second Team.
In Short Track, Tim McCreadie, the World of Outlaws Late Model champ, missed by one vote. A single vote also separated NASCAR West champ Eric Holmes from his NASCAR East counterpart, and USAR Northern Champ Benny Gordon was only one vote behind Holmes. Also missing Second Team by just two votes were IRL’s Helio Castroneves in Open Wheel and NASCAR’s Kasey Kahne in Stock Car. SCORE champion Troy Herbst missed by just three in At Large.
Others earning Honorable Mention were Justin Wilson in Open Wheel, Matt Kenseth in Stock Car, and Colin Braun in Road Racing.
Information on the All-America Banquet, which is open to the public, is available from AARWBA at 818-842-7005 or aarwba@compuserve.com. --Rocky Entriken
With triple Champ Car series titlist Sebastien Bourdais also scheduled to attend, the AARWBA celebration will mark a rare joint appearance by the champions of both major U.S. open-wheel tours. The AARWBA dinner traditionally brings together drivers from various sectors of the racing world.
AARWBA is the country’s oldest and largest organization of motorsports media professionals. The dinner honors the champion drivers from stock car, open-wheel, short track, drag and road racing and touring series, as elected by AARWBA members. The top vote-getter from the various classes will be announced that evening as winner of AARWBA’s No. 1 honor, the Jerry Titus Memorial Award.
Hornish, also elected to the All-America Team in 2001 and 2002, gained his first Indianapolis 500 triumph from the pole with a pass in the closing yards. It was the record 14th Indy victory for owner Roger Penske. Hornish also achieved race wins in Richmond, Kansas and Kentucky to claim his third IRL title.
Other highlights of the evening will be presentation of the new Auto Racing Safety and Humanitarian Service Award to HANS Device developers Jim Downing and Robert Hubbard of Michigan State University; Pioneer in Racing Award to Dan Partel, managing director of the European Formula Drivers Association; and Jim Chapman Award for excellence in motorsports public relations. Popular broadcaster Bob Jenkins will serve as dinner Master of Ceremonies for the second consecutive year.
Tickets, for the general public as well as media and sponsors, are available by contacting AARWBA President Dusty Brandel at 818/842-7005 or AARWBA@Compuserve.com. Information also is available at the aarwba.org web site, click on the “banquet” link, and discounted Hyatt room reservations can be made there.
For more information, please contact:
Dusty Brandel
Michael Knight
INDIANAPOLIS – Sebastien Bourdais, who won his third consecutive Champ Car World Series title in 2006, has confirmed he will attend the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association’s 37th annual All-America Team dinner, Saturday, January 13, at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis.
AARWBA is the country’s oldest and largest organization of motorsports media professionals. The dinner honors the champion drivers from stock car, open-wheel, short track, drag and road racing and touring series, as elected by AARWBA members. The top vote-getter from the various classes will be announced that evening as winner of AARWBA’s No. 1 honor, the Jerry Titus Memorial Award.
Bourdais, who has been elected to the last two All-America Teams in the open-wheel category, earned his third straight Champ Car World Series title with seven wins and seven poles in 14 events. He opened the ’06 season with four consecutive victories – Long Beach, Houston, Monterrey (Mexico) and Milwaukee – and later added San Jose, Montreal and Mexico City. Bourdais, with 23 wins in his four campaigns for owners Paul Newman and Carl Haas, also led the most race laps.
Other highlights of the evening will be presentation of the new Auto Racing Safety and Humanitarian Service Award to HANS Device developer Robert Hubbard of Michigan State University; Pioneer in Racing Award to Dan Partel, managing director of the European Formula Drivers Association; and Jim Chapman Award for excellence in motorsports public relations. Popular broadcaster Bob Jenkins will serve as dinner Master of Ceremonies for the second consecutive year.
Tickets, for the public as well as media and sponsors, are available by contacting AARWBA President Dusty Brandel at 818/842-7005 or AARWBA@Compuserve.com. Information also is available at the aarwba.org web site, click on the “banquet” link, and discounted Hyatt room reservations can be made there.
AARWBA is the country’s oldest and largest organization of motorsports media professionals. The dinner honors the champion drivers from stock car, open-wheel, short track, drag and road racing and touring series, as elected by AARWBA members. The top vote-getter from the various classes will be announced that evening as winner of AARWBA’s No. 1 honor, the Jerry Titus Memorial Award.
Roush Racing has some 350 total wins in NASCAR’s Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck tours and in road-racing series. He has four NASCAR championships: 2003 and 2004 Cup, 2002 Busch, 2000 Trucks. His drivers include Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle and Jamie McMurray. His teams also have 12 sports car drivers’ championships and another two in drag racing. Born in Covington, Ky. and raised in Manchester, Ohio, Roush has a Master’s Degree in Scientific Mathematics from Eastern Michigan University. Roush Industries, Inc., known primarily for providing engineering, management and prototype services to the transportation industry, employs more than 1,800 people in the U.S. and three other countries.
Popular broadcaster Bob Jenkins will serve as dinner Master of Ceremonies for the second consecutive year.
Tickets, for the general public as well as media and sponsors, are available by contacting AARWBA President Dusty Brandel at 818/842-7005 or dusty.brandel@gmail.com. Information also is available at the aarwba.org web site, click on the “banquet” link, and discounted Hyatt room reservations can be made there.
Special Honors
Auto Racing
All-America Team Banquet
January 13, 2007
The Hyatt Regency, Indianapolis
And AARWBA's Driver of the Year, Tony Schumacher, Winner of the Jerry Titus Memorial
Trophy™
AARWBA Titus Trophy to Schumacher
Top Fuel Titlist 4th Drag Racer to Win Top Award;
All-America Team Drivers Honored by Media Group;
Grand-Am/ALMS Join to Salute Champion Road Racers
Champion Drivers Set for Saturday’s AARWBA Dinner in Indianapolis
President, AARWBA
818/842-7005
dusty@aarwba.org
Co-Chairman, AARWBA All-America Team dinner
480/661-5240 (Jan. 12-13, call cell phone 602-315-3900)
SpinDoctor500@aol.com
Force, Capello Set for AARWBA Dinner
5 More Drivers Confirmed for AARWBA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, December 11, 2006
Schumacher, Kimmel, Bergmeister, Diaz, Hildebrand Set for Jan. 13 All-America Team Awards in Indy
INDIANAPOLIS – Tony Schumacher, Frank Kimmel, Jorg Bergmeister, Luis Diaz and J.R. Hildebrand are the latest drivers to confirm they will attend the 37th annual American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association’s All-America Team dinner, Saturday, January 13, at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis.
For more information, please contact:
Dusty Brandel
President, AARWBA
818/842-7005
dusty@aarwba.org
Michael Knight
Co-Chairman, AARWBA All-America Team dinner
480/661-5240
SpinDoctor500@aol.com
2006 Auto Racing All America Team Selected
BURBANK, Calif. – The 2006 All-America Auto Racing Team has been chosen, and now the question turns to: Who will win the Jerry Titus Award?
FIRST TEAM
OPEN WHEEL: Sébastien Bourdais, Sam Hornish Jr.
STOCK CAR: Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart
ROAD RACING: Jorg Bergmeister, Rinaldo Capello/Allan McNish and Scott Pruett/Luis Diaz (tie)
DRAG RACING: John Force, Tony Schumacher
SHORT TRACK: Donny Schatz, Josh Wise
TOURING SERIES: Todd Bodine, Frank Kimmel
AT LARGE: J.R. Hildebrand, Travis Pastrana
SECOND TEAM
OPEN WHEEL: A.J. Allmendinger, Dan Wheldon
STOCK CAR: Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick
ROAD RACING: Max Angelelli, Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin
DRAG RACING: Doug Kalitta, Jason Line and Clay Millican (tie)
SHORT TRACK: Danny Lasoski, Jerry Coons Jr. and Bud Kaeding (tie)
TOURING SERIES: Clay Rogers, Mike Olsen
AT LARGE: Andy Lally/Marc Bunting, Frank Manzo
HONORABLE MENTION
(At least 5% of the vote)
OPEN WHEEL: Helio Castroneves, Justin Wilson
STOCK CAR: Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth
ROAD RACING: Colin Braun
DRAG RACING: none
SHORT TRACK: Tim McCreadie
TOURING SERIES: Eric Holmes, Benny Gordon
AT LARGE: Troy Herbst
Indy 500 Winner Hornish to Attend AARWBA Dinner January 13 in Indy
INDIANAPOLIS – Sam Hornish Jr., who won the Indy 500 in thrilling fashion and captured the IRL series championship, has confirmed he will attend the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association’s 37th annual All-America Team dinner, Saturday, January 13, at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis.
President, AARWBA
818/842-7005
AARWBA@CompuServe.com
Co-Chairman, AARWBA All-America Team dinner
480/661-5240
SpinDoctor500@aol.com
Champ Car Champ Bourdais to Attend AARWBA Dinner January 13 in Indy
Jack Roush Is Featured Speaker at AARWBA Dinner
January 13 in Indy
Pioneer in Racing - Dan Partel, EFDA
The 37th Anniversary Auto Racing All-America Banquet, completing AARWBA's 52nd year, was held on January 13, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis at State Capitol, in the World Capital of Motor Sport. Members of the racing news media met to honor the drivers cited for their efforts during the 2006 racing season. It's one of the few banquets in the racing industry that's open to the public.
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January 20, 2007
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