Special from Speed51.com

Late Model Most Popular Driver Award Up for Grabs Again in 2009

Aluminum Racing Products and Speed51.com to Present Award & ABC-Body to Winner

CONCORD, NC (August 5, 2009) – Just when you thought you’ve heard the last of the election, it’s time again to hit the polls and cast your vote.  But this time it is for a different type of leader.  The 2009 Late Model Most Popular Driver Award presented by Aluminum Racing Products is upon us again.  As in years past, drivers from several regions of the country and various racing venues will be included on the ballot and Speed51.com, the most trusted website for asphalt short track racing news, will host the election.  The election process begins Friday, August 7^th and continues through the Snowball Derby weekend at Five Flags Speedway (FL) from December 3^rd – 6^th.

“The Late Model Most Popular Driver Award is one of the biggest things that I look forward to all year long with Speed51.com,” said Mike Twist, Editor of Speed51.com.  “It is a great way for the fans to get involved and reward those drivers who take the time to value short track fans by giving them a great show and a friendly word after a race.  We have had thousands of fans each year cast their vote.  And we greatly appreciate the fact that Aluminum Racing Products has stepped up to support the winner of the program again because they are an important part of where template-bodied Late Model racing is today.”

Aluminum Racing Products will present the 2009 Late Model Most Popular Driver with an ARP Package-A stock car body.

“Speed51.com is at the forefront of short track news,” said Brad Cook of Aluminum Racing Products.  “We are just glad to be able to have a part in this again this year.  It’s great to see the fans get to choose their favorites and then get to see the happiness in the driver when he or she is awarded their prize.  The drivers and teams mean a lot to our business and we are just happy to give back to them in a program such as this.”

Although it is the fans that do the voting and ultimately determine the outcome, those drivers whose names are on the ballot also enjoy the competition.

“The drivers love this program as well,” commented Twist.  “It was great to see how excited Andy Pugh and Nick Murgic got after they were voted as the Most Popular Drivers of the past two seasons.  It is a big honor and this year we have expanded the program even further.”

To build upon the great success of the competition last year, there have been a few changes made for 2009 to better satisfy all means of racing.

“A great addition this season is the inclusion of weekly tracks and Late Model Stock-type divisions in the Most Popular Driver program,” explained Twist.  “There are many tracks out there that have a weekly lineup of drivers that rivals the lineups of many tours, so this is just a natural thing in my mind.  To include these tracks for this year's competition and make their top dogs eligible for the Most Popular Driver award is something great for Speed51.com and Aluminum Racing Products, as well as those drivers and the fans." 

For a driver to be included on the ballot he or she must be in the top 10 in points in their respective late model touring series or the top five of their local track series prior to the cut-off date of July 18^th.  If a track is not listed in the balloting, Speed51.com does not receive information from that specific facility.

For more information on Aluminum Racing Products, visit them online at www.arpbodies.com.

Speed51.com has become a leader in online motorsports information by focusing on the Short Track Racing realm.  51 realized several years ago that there was a void in the industry for news and behind-the-scenes stories.  Now, 51 is viewed by thousands of fans per day.  The site fuels your Short Track appetite for NASCAR's Grand National Divisions, NASCAR Modified Tours, the USARacing Pro Cup Series, and Super Late Models from all across the country and much more.

Speed51.com also received a graphical overhaul in February 2009, as the site enters its ninth season of covering the short tracks from coast-to-coast and Canada.

51 Sports is the parent company of two of the largest short track racing news websites, Speed51.com and LegendsNation.com  51 Sports is continually signing up clients for its Sports Services and Web Design work for 2009 and beyond.  51 offers everything from single-time press releases to full campaigns, website development and much more.  If you are interested in finding out more, please contact us at www.speed51.com or through Matt Kentfield at (704) 788-2134.

Another site in the 51 family, LegendsNation.com, is the web’s only authority on Legends Car and Bandolero racing news, rumors and more.

For all the latest in short track racing news and event coverage, be sure to check out Speed51.com.  For more information on Speed51.com, contact Matt Kentfield at 51 Sports by calling (704) 788-2134.