Ave, Cunningham and Pobst On Ballot For 2010 Auto Racing All-America Team

BURBANK, Nov. 25, 2010: Three SCCA Pro Racing Drivers’ Champions have been nominated for the 2010 Auto Racing All-America team, voted on by more than 250 members of the motorsports press. SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series Champion Tony Ave has been nominated in the Road Racing category, while World Challenge GTS Champion Peter Cunningham and World Challenge GT Champion Randy Pobst are on the ballot in the At Large category.

The annual vote is conducted among the membership of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association. The top two drivers from each of eight categories will be named to the first team, to be honored at the 41st annual AARWBA banquet Jan. 9 in Indianapolis, Ind. The winner of the Jerry Titus Award will also be announced at the banquet. The Titus Award honors the team's top driver – the one earning the most votes in the balloting regardless of category.

Pobst has twice previously been selected to the team (once to the 2nd team, and once honorable mention), while Cunningham and Ave appear on the ballot for the first time.

Among those joining the SCCA Pro racers on the ballot are four former Jerry Titus Award winners, two from Indy Cars and two from NHRA drag racing - Dario Franchitti (2007, 2009), Tony Kanaan (2004), John Force (1996, 1999, 2000, 2002) and Tony Schumacher (2006, 2008). The ballot also includes three drivers among those with the most All-America first-team honors - Force (14 times), Scott Pruett from Grand-Am (10), and Schumacher (seven); two among those with the most total All-America honors - Force (15) and Pruett (12); and a driver among those who have received the most All-America selections while never bring voted first team - NHRA’s Greg Anderson (five).

Also on the ballot seeking selection in one of the eight categories - Open Wheel, Stock Car, Road Racing, Drag Racing, Short Track, Touring Series, Off-Road & Rally, and At Large - are 19 drivers who could be making their first-ever All-American appearance, including Ave and Cunningham.

The balloting will also determine a second team of the drivers placing third and fourth in each category, and honorable mentions to all other drivers receiving at least 5 percent of the vote. AARWBA members have annually chosen an All-America Auto Racing Team since 1970.

Additionally this year, for the first time the All-America voters will also select the first recipient of the AARWBA Rising Star award, also to be presented at the Jan. 9 banquet.

The banquet is open to the public. Ticket information is available from AARWBA, 922 N. Pass Ave., Burbank, Calif. 91505, or call (818) 842-7005.