Four First-Time Nominees on ARPY Ballot
For Immediate Release For More Information: Stewart Doty, 920-294-0830 (FOUR FIRST-TIME NOMINEES ON ARPY BALLOT) (Green Lake, WI--January 2, 2006) Four candidates for the milestone Thirtieth 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 four nominees share 12 previous regional awards. Four operate paved tracks and four dirt tracks. Six are sanctioned and two operate independently. Leading the nominees is 2001 Auto Racing Promoter of the Year Ralph Capitani, Knoxville (IA) Raceway The selection of Capitani, brings to six, 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 fifth time; the Nuckles Family, Columbus (OH) Motor Speedway, nominated for the fourth time; Capitani for the third time, and Steve York, Magic Valley (ID) Speedway, who received his second nomination. Nominated for the first time were: Andy Cusack, Beech Ridge (ME) Speedway; Todd Fisher, Susquehanna (PA) Speedway Park; John Hellendrung, Raceway Park (MN), and the Clay Family, I-30 (AR) Speedway. Andy Cusack's mother and father were nominated in 1992, thirteen seasons ago. The ARPY ballot will soon be in the hands of promoters. The Thirtieth ARPY will be revealed during the Thirty-Third Annual RPM Promoters Workshops at the Orlando Marriott Lake Mary, Lake Mary, FL; February 13, 2006. 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. Tom Curley was selected 29th Auto Racing Promoter of the Year last year. Previous winners of the ARPY award are, Hugh Deery 1976 and 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, and Andy Vertrees, 1995, Charles Powell, 1996, C. Ray Hall in 1997, Larry Kemp in 1998, Charles Cathell in 1999, Charles Deery in 2000, and Ralph Capitani in 2001, and Lanny Edwards in 2002, Bob & Nadine Strauss, 2003. More information on the nominees or the award ceremonies is available from Racing Promotion Monthly, 920-294-0830 (End)