Posted by Langley Austin on December 27, 2007, 11:06 pm
Message modified by board administrator December 28, 2007, 1:33 am

Release by: Langley Austin ~ langley@race22.com Wytheville, VA ~ The "22's" are the annual awards for Late Model Stock Cars presented by RACE22.com ... This years nominees have been announced and the voting for the "2007 Driver of the Year" is underway as six drivers vie for the coveted prize. The Driver of the Year award is a prestigous annual award that has been given by Langley Austin and the Star City Racing News since the early years of the magazine in 1999. Winners of the award reads like a who's who of Late Model Stock Car drivers including now Sprint Cup Series superstar, Denny Hamlin, who claimed the award in 2003 just before being signed to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing. Past Winners of the "RACE22.com Driver of the Year Award": 1999 ~ Robert Powell/Myrtle Beach Speedway 2000 ~ Steve Dalton/Franklin County Speedway 2001 ~ Brandon Butler/South Boston Speedway 2002 ~ Frank Deiny, Jr./South Boston Speedway 2003 ~ Denny Hamlin/Southern National Raceway Park 2004 ~ Matt McCall/Hickory Motor Speedway 2005 ~ Peyton Sellers/South Boston Speedway 2006 ~ Drew Herring/South Boston Speedway 2007 ~ ??? Wayne Hale, who dominated the Late Models at Lonesome Pine Raceway is currently trailing behind by a couple hundred votes to UARA-STARS champion, Ross Furr of Concord, NC. Furr currently leads the voting heading into the final week of voting with over 40,000 votes casted as of December 27, 2007. Voting Ends on January 5, 2008. The RACE22.com reader vote counts as exactly half of the overall voting for the award with the other half of the vote from the RACE22.com staff. In case of a tie, a Late Model Stock Car expert not already on the RACE22.com staff will cast the final vote. The other drivers on the battle includes; Motor Mile Speedway, Philip Morris as well as Andy Loden, who won his second straight Hickory Motor Speedway championship with South Boston Speedway champion, Adam Barker(four of the previous award winners were track champions at South Boston) and back to back Myrtle Beach Speedway champion, Rick Smith. There are 22 total categories making up this years "22 Awards" including the Driver of the Year with special first time categories including; Wildest Moment of the Year, Best Championship Battle, Team Owner of the Year, Best Single Race Promotion, Most Unique Race Trophy, Most Entertaining Driver, Best Track/Series Website, Best On Track Rilvalry, Biggest Surprise Winner, Biggest Dissapointment, Most Dominating Performance and Best Single Race to Take Visiting Friends. Joining the new awards are some old favorites including; Rookie of the Year, Announcer of the Year, Most Kid Friendly Track, Best Track Food/Concessions, Best Track to Take Visiting Friends, Best Appearing Car, Most Improved Driver and Announcer of the Year. The Nominees in all categories have now been posted on the website at www.RACE22.com and some awards are even available for a reader/fan vote including; Driver of the Year(Voting is going on Now), Rookie of the Year(Voting Starts January 5th) and the Track Announcer of the Year(Voting Opens Date TBA). RACE22.com will begin unveiling the 2007 Award Winners in Many of the categories in the coming days so stay tuned to the site for all the latest on the "22 Awards" as well as news stories on the latest goings on in Late Model Stock Car racing. For more info on the "22 Awards" or www.RACE22.com check out the site or contact our webmaster, Langley Austin at langley@race22.com or call the 22 Designs office at (540) 354-2844.

Link: CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL NOMINEES & TO VOTE ON THE AWARDS