Sat, 1 Sep 2007, 07:16 PM Funny Car Driver to Get Mears 'Good Guy' Award

Courtesy of Judy Stropus Photo copyright 2007 NHRA

BURBANK, Calif. --

Gary Scelzi

Gary Scelzi has long been one of NHRA's most media-friendly drivers and the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association will recognize him as such by presenting him with the Rick Mears "Good Guy" Award.

AARWBA, the country's oldest and largest organization of motorsports media professionals, offers this honor on an occasional basis to racers in appreciation of their long-time cooperation with journalists. The list of previous recipients includes Mears, Richard Petty and Mario Andretti. The most recent honoree was Rusty Wallace in 2005.

Scelzi and Kenny Bernstein are the only two drivers to win NHRA championships in two classes. Scelzi was the best in Top Fuel in 1997, '98 and 2000. In 2005, he won the closest Funny Car chase in series history. He drives the Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger for Don Schumacher Racing and has announced he's going on a "sabbatical" after this season.

The presentation, by AARWBA President Dusty Brandel, is expected to take place the weekend of the Auto Club Finals at Pomona, Nov. 1-4.

AARWBA's 38th All-America Team ceremony, honoring 2007's top drivers from all forms of motorsports, will be Saturday, January 12 at the Indianapolis Hyatt. The dinner is open to the public. Information on individual tickets, tables of 10, and souvenir program book advertising is available at the http://www.aarwba.org website or from President Dusty Brandel, 818-842-7005, aarwba@compuserve.com.

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