By Stewart Doty

GREEN LAKE, Wis. -January 2, 2007- Two candidates for the Thirty-First 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 five nominees share 33 previous regional awards, including one nominee who waited 22 years for his second nomination. Two operate paved tracks and six dirt tracks. Four are sanctioned and four operate independently.

Leading the nominees is 2002 Auto Racing Promoter of the Year Lanny Edwards, Devil's Bowl (TX) Speedway The selection of Edwards, brings to seven, the promoters who have been re-nominated after winning the penultimate award. Other regional nominees include Greg & Steve Rubin, Huset's (SD) Speedway, nominated the seventh time; Lynn Phillips, and Alfred Gurley, Talladega (AL) Short Track, nominated for the sixth time; the Nuckles Family, Columbus (OH) Motor Speedway, and John Padjen, Silver Dollar (CA) Speedway each nominated for the fifth time; and Bruce Rogers, Grandview (PA) Speedway, for the second time, who was last nominated in 1984. Nominated for the first time were: Mark Arute, Stafford (CT) Motor Speedway and the duo of Ray Marler and Ken Shrader, I-55 (MO) Raceway.

The ARPY ballot will soon be in the hands of promoters. The Thirty-First ARPY will be revealed during the Thirty-Fourth Annual RPM Promoters Workshops at the Orlando Marriott Lake Mary, Lake Mary, FL; February 12, 2007. 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.

Steve York was selected 30th 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.

More information on the nominees or the award ceremonies is available from Racing Promotion Monthly, 920-294-0830.

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