NHRA News: AARWBA members will select 'Newsmaker of the Half-Century' (9/14/2004)

AARWBA members will select 'Newsmaker of the Half-Century'

9/14/2004

Wally Parks

NHRA founder Wally Parks and decorated drag racing champions Kenny Bernstein, John Force, "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, Shirley Muldowney, and Don "the Snake" Prudhomme have been named as finalists for the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association's (AARWBA) "Newsmaker of the Half-Century" award, which will be handed out in 2005.

Parks and the other drag racing icons on the list highlight a roster of 50 racing legends tabbed by the AARWBA, the country's oldest and largest organization of motorsports media professionals. The group's selection of the "Newsmaker of the Half-Century" will be the headline event of the AARWBA's 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2005.

The 50 famous names (list below) from the last half-century will be considered by AARWBA's Board of Directors, who may also nominate people not on the original list. Each director will then choose 12 prospective finalists and the top dozen newsmakers will be put to the full membership for a vote.

The final 12 nominees will be announced by AARWBA President Dusty Brandel and 50th Anniversary Celebration Chairman Michael Knight at the AARWBA All-America Team awards banquet, Saturday, Jan. 15, in Pomona, Calif. Champion drivers from 2004 will be honored at the 35th annual dinner, which is open to the media, racing officials, and sponsors, as well as the public. Ticket information is available at the AARWBA.org website.

The "Newsmaker of the Half-Century" will be named, and presented with a specially-commissioned painting, at a major race during the 2005 season.

"The Newsmaker of the Half-Century Award is the perfect way for AARWBA to recognize racing's great personalities and their achievements," Brandel said. "AARWBA's member journalists have described and photographed some of America's most important and historic athletes and sports events. This award will give the media an opportunity to reflect on the news and the fascinating people who have made headlines for 50 years."

Porsche Cars North America and NASCAR are official sponsors of AARWBA's 50th Anniversary Celebration.

The list of 50 nominees for AARWBA's "Newsmaker of the Half-Century," listed here in alphabetical order, are drivers unless otherwise noted:

Bobby Allison
Mario Andretti
Michael Andretti
Kenny Bernstein
George Bignotti (Indy 500 winning chief mechanic; car builder)
Craig Breedlove
Richard Childress (NASCAR championship team owner)
Mark Donohue
Dale Earnhardt
Bill Elliott
John Force
A.J. Foyt
The France family (NASCAR and International Speedway Corp.)
Don Garlits
Jeff Gordon
Andy Granatelli (car owner, builder, promoter, sponsor)
Dan Gurney
Carl Haas (CART/SCCA team owner, executive, importer)
Jim Hall (driver; CART/SCCA team owner, builder, innovator)
Hurley Haywood
Rick Hendrick (NASCAR championship team owner)
Phil Hill
Al Holbert
The Hulman-George family (Indianapolis Motor Speedway)
Jim Hurtubise
Ned Jarrett
Junior Johnson (driver, NASCAR championship team owner)
Ted Johnson (World of Outlaws founder)
Parnelli Jones
Steve Kinser
Rick Mears
Shirley Muldowney
Wally Parks (NHRA founder)
David Pearson
Roger Penske (driver, team owner, track owner, executive)
Richard Petty
Don Prudhomme
Fireball Roberts
Johnny Rutherford
Carroll Shelby (driver, sports car championship team owner, builder)
Danny Sullivan
Mickey Thompson (driver, builder, promoter)
Al Unser
Al Unser Jr.
Bobby Unser
Darrell Waltrip
Rodger Ward
The Wood Brothers (NASCAR team owners)
Cale Yarborough
Smokey Yunick (chief mechanic, designer, builder)

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