F2000: Justus Named to Second Team AARWBA All American Team
12 December 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
FAIRFIELD, N.J. --Reigning U.S. F2000 National Champion Aaron Justus has been named to the American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) All-American Second Team. An At Large selection, Justus is joined by some of racings superstars, including CART FedEx Champion Gil de Ferran, Indy Racing Northern Light Series Champion Buddy Lazier, NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Bobby Labonte and U.S. F2000 alumni and CART Toyota Atlantic Champion Buddy Rice.
The AARWBA All-America Team annually recognizes the top 12 drivers in North American motorsports. The team is split into six categoriesOpen Wheel Racing, Road Racing, Short Track, Stock Car Racing, Drag Racing and At Large. Votes are collected from the AARWBA membership to determine first team, second team and honorable mention (those receiving at least five percent of the vote) selections. The leading vote getter receives the Jerry Titus Award as the All-America Teams driver of the year.
The 2000 AARWBA Second Team consisted of: Open Wheel Juan Montoya (Indy 500 and CART Race Winner) and Eddie Cheever Jr. (IRNLS Race Winner); Stock Dale Earnhardt (NASCAR Winston Cup Runner-up) and Mark Martin (NASCAR Winston Cup Race Winner); Road Racing Olivier Beretta (American Le Mans Series Race Winner) and Paul Gentilozzi (BFGoodrich Trans-Am Series Runner-up); Drag Racing - Jeg Coughlin Jr. (NHRA Pro Stock Champion) and Paul Romine (IHRA Top Fuel Champion); Short Track - Kasey Kahne (USAC National Midget Rookie of the Year) and Greg Biffle (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion); At Large - Laurie Cannister (IHRA Pro Outlaw Champion), Troy Herbst (Off-Road Champion) and Justus.
"Its a great honor to be recognized by the writers for the season I had this past year," said Justus. "To be mentioned along side these other great drivers is a privilege." Justus, who became the first driver in history to sweep the Road To Indy Oval Crown Championship, is the third consecutive U.S. F2000 champion to be named a AARWBA All-American. David Besnard was named First Team All-American in 1998, while Dan Wheldon was named a Second Team All-American in 1999.
Justus captured both the National Championship and the Oval Crown Championship with a series-leading five race wins, series-record eight pole positions and led the most laps (195 of 330).
Justus is currently weighing his options for 2001, which include opportunities with various teams in the CART Toyota Atlantic Championship. He recently completed a successful test with Atlantics Lynx Racing as part of his award for winning the U.S. F2000 Championship. Justus expects to make an announcement regarding his future plans soon.
Text Provided by Allan Craighead
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